Feb 11

Silhouette Antics

 

A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know. ~ Diane Arbus

Cats on a hot tin roof! Not exactly. This photo was an unexpected shot that I tried while standing in the back of the garage at the farm. Two of the cats had jumped from the hood of the truck to the roof as they often did. I was watching them play and enjoying my visit on a sunny December day.

Reflections and silhouettes intrigue me. The angle of light reflects the cats’ feet on the truck’s roof as well as the trees and a patch of snow on the side windows. The tree branches frame the  photo and give the illusion they are nearby. The contrast of sleek black cats with the background of bare brown vista adds textural interest. The landscape is realistic, but neither cat is black!

Blessings!

Linda

Photo Credit:  Linda A. Mohr

Feb 05

Great Courses Help Manage Parkinson’s

For thousands of years, tai chi and qigong have been studied together as the ultimate workout for body, mind, and soul. Quote and Photo Credit: The Great Courses

The Great Courses…World’s Greatest Professors at Your Fingertips is currently offering significant sales including up to 90% off some offerings.  Only the top 1 in 5000 college professors is chosen to be on the faculty. If the benefit of hundreds of lifelong learning courses  with no homework, no tests, and no grades plus a variety of delivery formats appeals to you, I recommend you take a peek at https://www.thegreatcourses.com/

Every January I receive their catalog mailing for February sales. This year I acted on making some selections that interest me from a Parkinson’s perspective. The courses do not mention PD, but the topics are relevant. They also reflect my 2019 theme—Simplicity of Self-Care. So here’s what I put in my shopping cart.

Photo Credit: The Great Courses

Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong……master the art of moving meditation and improve your physical fitness and mental well-being.

Taught by David-Dorian Ross, International Master Tai Chi Instructor and includes 24 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture. Cost $25

I have had personal experience with tai chi improving my balance.  I am fortunate to have a weekly tai chi class less than 5 minutes from my house. It is an important part of my exercise program to manage PD.

Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation……explore the practices and benefits of meditation.

Photo Credit: The Great Courses

Taught by Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Asian Studies Program Mark Muesse, Rhodes College and includes 24 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture. Cost $25

I have also had personal experience with meditation in my yoga class contributing to my physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Meditation is an important part of my tool box for managing Parkinson’s.

These courses along with manuals stream to my computer or apps. I also purchased a couple of other courses that relate to my creative side, but more about those another time.

I am eager to get started and will let you know the outcome.

Blessings!

Linda

Feb 01

Live Life Each Day With Parkinson’s

 

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand…and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. ~Marie Beynon Ray

Students in a sewing class, a woman with a cane, and a glittering Christmas tree brooch help prepare me for living life with Parkinson’s.

Live Life Each Day

In the late 1970s, I taught adult education sewing classes in the club house of retirement communities. Most of my students were at least 60-years-old. I learned more from them than they probably learned from me. I adored them. One of their lessons has resonated with me throughout my life. Over and over, they encouraged me to live life each day. They advised to avoid putting things off to someday I will (fill in the blank). Someday may never come. Or when it does, it is not how you envisioned. Unfortunately, they were living examples of shattered dreams. Some of the women lost their husbands soon after retiring to Florida. Others cared for their husbands or struggled with their own health issues. For many, the dream vacations and retirement adventures evaporated.

Angels All Around

Always a Conversation Piece

In December of 2012, a friendly lady around 75-years-old started a conversation with me at a local restaurant. Our tables were about an arm length apart. I was wearing a vintage Christmas tree brooch which she admired.  That led to a long discussion about my brooch collection. When she stood up to leave, she paused, looked at me and said, “do what you want while you can.” She walked out with the aid of a cane. I could not get the woman and her goose bump advice off my mind for days. I’d wake up in the middle of the night thinking about her and asking myself “have I been doing what I want?”  My former students’ advice from the sewing classes replayed over and over. “Live life each day.” Did I follow the advice of my adult students?

The Heavenly Message

I believed the friendly lady was an angel bringing me a life changing message. The comforting answer came a few nights later. You are given all the time to do what God intended.

In June of 2013, I semi-retired, taught online classes from home, and started an eBay business. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eleven months later. Today I still believe I have been given all the time to do what God intended:

  • to educate,
  • to inspire
  • to give hope

through Parkinson’s My Way….Creativity in Motion website and blog.

Blessings!

Linda

Photo Credit:  Linda A. Mohr

 

 

 

 

 

Jan 21

2018 Reflection Leads to 2019 Intention

“It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

I celebrate my birthday for a month. However, I do not set New Year’s resolutions. Since my birthday is in January, I use the month to reflect on the previous year’s highlights. What gifts, blessings, and accomplishments came my way? What went well month by month? I also consider the lowlights. What didn’t turn out the way I hoped or did not go well? What was hard? Where did I struggle? What was  unaccomplished?

Poetry Highlights 2018

First, the highlights and the word is poetry. Last year I attended the Palm Beach Poetry Festival and studied with Mississippi State poet laureate, Beth Ann Fennelly during my birthday week. I had poetry published in two anthologies and one newsletter. Two poems won awards. I submitted two poems to Chicken Soup books, but winners will be announced later in 2019. I wrote a poem Tea Time with Grandma and gave as a table favor at a DAR holiday tea. The poem was also read at the tea.

Travel Highlights 2018

The second word is travel. The trip with Joe to Yellowstone National Park and the stay at Lake Yellowstone Hotel were awesome. Two visits back to the Missouri farm where I grew up and to the country I love were rejuvenating. My 50-year high school class reunion was incredible. I visited Mrs. Kice, my 7th/8th grade Ashton country school teacher whom I adored and had a lovely lunch.  During the Christmas visit, my brother Steve surprised me with a VIP tour to James Hoffman’s incredible mansion in Hamilton, Illinois, led by Mr. Hoffman.

Parkinson’s Highlights 2018

The third word is Parkinson’s. I found a talented WordPress and internet consultant to help build my PD website and blog: Parkinson’s My Way—Creativity in Motion which launched in the summer. An anthology published My Parkinson’s Muse essay. A gigantic highlight was getting an appointment with world renowned movement disorder specialist, Dr. Michael S. Okun at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He is now an integral part of my care team.

DAR Highlights 2018

The fourth word is DAR—Daughters of the American Revolution. I was appointed Director on the Seminole Chapter Executive Board and Chairman of DAR School Committee. My 10-year membership anniversary was celebrated in October. I created the Healing Power of Animals and Art Collection Drive to provide hope and help to Crossnore School and Children’s Home in Crossnore, North Carolina. My chapter collected over 200 animal and art items including dog toys, treats, grooming tools, sketch pads, acrylic and watercolor paints, washable markers, glue and Sharpies.

Parkinson’s Lowlights 2018

Now, the lowlights and the word is Parkinson’s. Since Parkinson’s has been my constant companion for over 4 ½ years, it has proven to be both a highlight and lowlight. Stiffness and rigidity are two of my main symptoms which leads to skeletal and muscular challenges. Shoulder pain and a rib out of place kept me in physical therapy. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) disorder caused violent dreams, but a pill at night took care of that demon. Sleep eluded me, but got better when I started the REM pill and added melatonin.

House Lowlights 2018

The next word is house. Several major outdoor projects  such as pressure cleaning, fence repair, landscape update, and outdoor step railing did not happen.

Intention 2019

Through my reflection every January, I move forward  with clarity. I see what unfinished business there is as well as what is not serving me well. I understand what I need to let go to make room for new highlights. The process leads me to setting a theme or intention every year. Simplicity of Self-Care is my 2019 intention. It is unrealistic for me to accomplish all that I did last year again in 2019 without being in the best physical, emotional,  and spiritual health that I can be. I must be my advocate for my care and do so in a simple way.

First Intention Challenge of 2019

In December, I scheduled a deep tissue massage for January 2 at 9:10 a.m. During holiday break, the office notified that the therapist would not be in that day and suggested I reschedule. Ok, no problem. I planned to call when the office reopened.

I found out on January 2 the therapist had another schedule change and was now available if I still wanted the original appointment. My first thought was “yes”, but then I heard my intention reminding me of Simplicity of Self-Care. At 7:45 a.m., I crawled out of bed. I was scheduled to take meds in 15 minutes and to eat 45 minutes later. During this wait time, I read, meditate, and do some stretches. I do not rush to shower and dress. I find it unsafe, complicated, and slow until my meds kick in.

Oh, I could probably have made it work since the office is five minutes away. I chuckled how quickly I was challenged. But I stayed true to my mantra and scheduled for Monday, January 7!

Blessings!

Linda

Photo Credit:  Patrick Szylar