Teacup Café XXIX

[Midge]

No, I think I was just so excited to get out of my chair and tell people something I KNOW that I got up too fast.

*shivers, reaches over and drags four thermal blankies from Mari's non-secret pile*

Okay. Now I'm cold. Can we turn up the heat?

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Hava a cuppa tea, instead *passes teapot with cute teacosy on it*

[Midge]

Okay... sure. MmMm...

[Grey_Wolf]

"I am Midge, and Im ok, I sleep all night and post all day."

(mooters sing)

"She is Midge, and she's ok, she sleeps all night, and she posts all day."

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf

"I am Midge, and Im ok, I sleep all night and post all day."

(mooters sing)

"He is Midge, he's ok, he sleeps all night, and he posts all day."

*psst* "She"

[Midge]

Hahaha!!! *groans* Not again!!! Hee hee...

[Mari]

Howdy!
I just came back from roller blading with my sister. She finally said this afternoon she wanted to go with me (I've been waiting for over 2 years for her to say that!) so I dragged her out even though it looked like rain. So I made 3 discoveries about rollerblading and rain: 1) wet roads get slippery 2) admiring rainbows while on the middle of the road is not such a good idea and 3) you get very very wet.

I'll have some of that tea please while I dry my hair by the fire... *is happy*

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

*Passes tea and blueberry scones*

How was work?

[Mari]

Oooooooh! That looks so good! Sis, did I ever tell you I love your cookings? And then they say a man's love goes through his stomach... maybe I'm a guy too?

Work was great! I get to listen to a lot of stories and through listening I get to help as well. Those older people are often so lonely! *sigh* I wish I could adopt them all.

*snuggles close to Sis and smiles happily while munching on a scone*

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Compassion is always in too short supply...I'm glad you're so well suited.

I know a lot of people in their 80's and 90's...and a few who made 100. That's a lot of experience.

[Grey_Wolf]

Sorry, Midge! didnt know.

Have corrected original post.

[Midge]

Nyeh.. it's okay. I just wish that gender thread wouldn't have been trampled over.

[Mari]

I know! They have so many interesting stories to tell if you'll just listen.
I thought there was once a campaign called 'adopt a grandparent' to help older peopl get more regular visits and be less lonely and so children can learn more things about the past. I mean, those people are our living history. If you want to stop repeating mistakes, you've got to listen to them and learn.
When I'm done with studying and have more time on my hands in the evenings, I hope to set up a plan like the 'adopt a grandparent' scheme. I think it's a really good idea.
And who knows? I'm sure there are people who don't have parents anymore, or who can't stand their real parents, but who would like to have someone with more experience or whatever to turn to. They could adopt new parents. I know there is an agency who does this sort of thing, but it costs a lot.
I have no idea how much time something like this will take, but it should be possible to create a non-profit organization that does this? Perhaps with some funding or something.

Oh my, I'm getting started again. I'm sorry I guess this is kinda my thing. I love older people and it really breaks my heart to see how lonely they get sometimes. I used to work for a man who though he had a lot of pain would clean things up before I came to clean, just so we could have more time to talk. He died a couple of years ago, but even after I quit my job I went to see him from time to time. He served in the war as well and had a lot of stories to tell.

Okay, I'll shut up now. Promise ^_^ *resolutely puts a huge piece of her scone in her mouth so she can't talk anymore*

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

In this country, a lot of older folks are either full-time in senior housing or go to senior centers. Most of them have space for volunteering as you describe.

The ones who are still at home are a different issue, they're so easily imposed upon and cheated. In my community we check on everyone, but it doesn't happen everywhere.

[Grey_Wolf]

"And we're back at M.O.O.T. 102,2 with a special song for all you night-owls out there..."

Good nite, Entmoot!
It is time to go.

Du-du-de-du

Good nite, Entmoot!
It is time to go.

I hate to leave you
but I really must go...

Good Nite, Entmoot, Good Nite!

Du-du-a-du-du-a-du-du-a

Good nite, Entmoot!
It is time to go.

Du-du-de-du

Good nite, Entmoot!
It is time to go.

I hate leave you
but I really must go

Good Nite, Entmoot, Good Nite

(fading)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzC1xWX2dIA

[Mari]

Here older folks stay on their own for as long as possible. There is special (adapted) housing for the elder and often nurses will come visit them in the morning to help them shower or whatever (depending on the housing and organization) and they get food and whatever, but in general people are encouraged to live on their own as long as possible. And I think a lot of people also want that.
But whether you are in a home or in your own house, you still get lonely.

But I really should stop now. I'll go on forever otherwise

GW, goodnight! Work for you again tomorrow?

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Goodnight GW! Don't let the bedbugs bite!

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

My grandmother was the 8th of 9 children and a nurse. She had most of her siblings (and a wide assortment of strangers) stay with her for a while before they needed full-time nursing care. We always had old people everywhere, lol.

All these only children will be cared for by strangers. It's a different world.

[Mari]

You should have heard the lady I worked for this morning on different worlds
Suffice to say that her political ideas are... quite different from mine and that I had to bite my tongue quite a few times, haha!
She is sweet though.

*tackles Sis because she hasn't done so in the past few days and to lighten the mood*

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

*emerges from tackling to swing pillows enthusiastically* Pillow fight!