Monday, November 18, 2019

Eat the Cake


I wrote this a few months ago but never finished it.  Today, with The Retired Man out all day and the seat by the computer empty, I decided it was time to write or complete a post.  I am staying current with you all on my tablet but my time at my very slow computer has been limited.  We, hopefully, will be getting a laptop soon, and I will be able to use it in another part of the house that has not be claimed as his retiring room.


I am winding down and I am doing OK.

My summer days are long past and I am in the later part of autumn.  It has its advantages (no more pimples) and I embrace them and accept (mostly) what I cannot change.   My leaves have been falling but root rot has not quite taken over yet.  I recalculate daily and make choices based on comfort.  I still look for joy and fun and laughter because without them, I would lose hope. During my adult life I have taken semi-good care of myself and am glad that those good habits, good genes, and luck have brought me to this age still standing vertical and with some active brain cells.  I no longer am a master at trivia, but the things that have always been important to me are still strong in my mind, although it takes longer to retrieve.

I am now, though, rethinking some of my good habits and wondering why I need to keep them up anymore. Time is going by so quickly and I shouldn’t be denying myself any pleasures. 

I often go out to lunch with my friends and we ladies, all in our 70's, discuss the calories we are consuming and choose the meals that have less. We then order one dessert and split it between us but always leave the last spoonful. We have done this for 40 years.  It made sense when we were young but now that our veins have turned blue and the laws of physics have taken over, it might be time to relax and maybe eat the whole thing.  I just might go crazy next time and order my own dessert.

Now that I have gotten to this new age of reason, my mantra will be, "Drink the wine, eat the cake and feel no guilt".  I might also get rid of that damn scale.

Since I originally wrote this post, I took my granddaughter to the city where we had lunch on a docked, tall sailing ship.  It was lovely and we had a great time.  She would not even consider sharing her dessert, so I ordered two.   She is only 16, but she is teaching me things.














65 comments:

  1. Bravo to your granddaughter for not sharing the dessert!

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    1. She guards her dessert like the Gestapo. There was no chance of me even getting a nibble.

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  2. I appreciate all the comments you have left on my blog. I have looked at yours before and wondered why you were not blogging.
    Your explanation .... all good reasons for taking a break. What a lovely picture! I won't be so brave. You look like sisters.

    I don't have so many friends and rarely go out. Stay around my neighborhood. A bit weak in body but still strong of mind.
    We should consider ourselves the lucky ones!
    Will be looking forward to your next post. I love the colorful background.

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    1. Blogger is a wonderful place to meet people and gain friendships. I have met so many wonderful folks through my writing and have learned so much. You have a talent with your poetry and are very clever and I enjoy reading your posts. Welcome to blogging.

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  3. Wow! You sure covered a lot of territory familiar to this 70-plus reader. Bravo for considering new strategies for living fully in the present! And your granddaughter is beautiful. But who is the lovely young woman with her?

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    1. My granddaughter is beautiful inside and outside. She has always made me laugh and I love that she still likes to hang out with me.

      Thank you for your kind words.

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  4. It sounds like your approach to life has worked well for you so far. Years ago I read that if you make healthy food choices 90% of the time you can be more relaxed the other 10% - and it can be 90/10 each meal, or each day, or each week, etc. I think this is better than denying oneself completely.

    Those desserts look equally delicious! If I was guessing, though, I'd say yours was the sorbet/sherbet/ice cream?? I believe you wrote a post about good ice cream :D

    You and your granddaughter are both beautiful, Arleen. I also like your new header - great photo.

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    1. So far......

      Of course, I chose the sorbet, Jenny, but I had my eye on that cake also.

      My retired man took that picture one morning about 1/2 an hour after sunrise. I was still in bed when he came home but when he showed me the pictures he took, I wished he had woken me up so I could have tagged along.

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  5. Hi, Arleen!

    I love your pretty header with the reflection of brilliantly colored autumn leaves in the water. Santa's coming soon, and I hope he brings you the laptop you've been wanting so that you can spend more time on the blog circuit.

    It made me happy to read about your new philosophy. When we go through life constantly feeling deprived, the health consequences can be worse than if we indulge ourselves once in a while. I will be entering my 70s two days from now and hope to maintain a healthy balance. I admire the picture you posted of the two lovely ladies who had lunch and dessert together on the tall sailing ship. Those desserts look "scrummy," as the British like to say.

    Have a wonderful week, dear friend Arleen!

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    1. Thank you, Shady. Autumn, here, is very short. Summer stayed quite long; the trees started changing in late October and four days later, 50mph winds blew them all down on the ground and lawns. The horrible sound of leaf blowers filled the air for the next week.

      Oh yes, those desserts were very scrummy!

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  6. The picture of you and your granddaughter is absolutely beautiful! Grandchildren really are a welcome reward for living to be this old, eh? And you've got the right attitude, too. Enjoy life! If you want dessert, by golly, have dessert! Matter of fact, why not have it FIRST? Then you KNOW you'll have "room" for it... :)

    Thank you for your wonderful comment on my post. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. You lifted me up, kiddo.

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    1. You are a strong lady and a fighter, Sue, and your most positive attitude will get you and your husband through this. It is hard though and I know how it affects the whole family. As Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers”.

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    2. It's hard, but we're doing our best to kick cancer's ass. We asked the doctors to be as aggressive as possible, and that's what they're doing. It's amazing that my hubby's body has tolerated the abuse so well. I'm looking forward to when it's all over and done with and his hair grows back again. Who knows? He might become a brunet again... :)

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    3. Sue, I am so glad to read that Smarticus is handling the treatment as well as possible. That is the best news.

      I wish that we were neighbors.

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  7. YOu are both beautiful ladies, so desserts are not really the issue! But I am glad you had one each all the same :)

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    1. Thank you, Jenny, but you do notice it is not a close-up of me and I am wearing sunglasses to hide half my face. My Ruby is a lovely teenager and I love her so. She just grew up too fast.

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  8. I am glad to see you posting again, and love this one. You could have been writing about me. When you mentioned being a champion at Trivia, it reminded me of how well I used to spell. Everyone at work would pick up their phone and ask me how to spell things, even my bosses. Now I sometimes stumble over the simplest of words. But I keep my mind busy with puzzles and such. Now I am on a dot to dot for adult kit. Keeps my mind active for sure.

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    1. I used to win at Trivial Pursuit often because for some reason, my memory of useless information was excellent. Now I watch Jeopardy and feel good if I get a few answers. I sometimes know the answer but the words aren’t there. It is annoying and scary. You, though, keep yourself very busy and involved which is the best thing. You are doing everything right.

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  9. What a beautiful and grand girl, in every way.

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  10. Arleen, You look darn good to me, and I can't foresee "root rot" anywhere in your foreseeable future! Your granddaughter is also a beauty and definitely takes after you. Glad she inspired you to have your own dessert. You deserve to spoil yourself now and then. It's always a pleasure reading your witticisms!

    Julie

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    1. I apologize for using foresee and foreseeable in the same sentence. And you're worried about your mind?

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    2. I have always been too practical to spoil myself, Julie. I usually like to dwell in martyrdom as my mother taught me all good women should. However, at this point of life, waistlines are no longer a priority, but a triple chocolate brownie is. I earned it. I foresee a Cinnabon in my future, the small size though (then I can eat two).

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  11. Good for you! Your grandgirls is beautiful and you look great. I'm with you-at this age I want to live life and not be waiting for the 'shoe to drop'. Have a great week, my friend. xo Diana

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    1. Yes, Diana, you are absolutely correct. I have lived longer than a few of my dear friends and am so grateful that I can enjoy the gift of time with my grandchildren. That shoe has, at times, been hanging on my big toe, but hasn’t fallen off yet.

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  12. Dear beautiful Arleen. My eldest grandson is a sophomore in high school. He can do math in his head and play piano --things I never dreamed of doing. In all, I've had enough contact with these new generations to have measureless faith in their talent and industry. Delightful photo of you and grand daughter!

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    1. These young people are given little credit for the things they can do and have accomplished. That, though, seems to be the fate of every generation since time began. Like you, I admire them and are in awe of their grasp of this very fast technical world. What I love best, though, is their kindness and empathy for those around them. We hear more about the bad, but on the whole, this younger generation is fantastic, especially our grandchildren.

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  13. I also think we should look in our larders, and see what treats are stored there. I know that I have all sorts of expensive gastronomic delights that I'm keeping for 'special occasions'; those occasions should be NOW.

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    1. Over five years ago, my retired man was given a bottle of very, very fine, expensive wine. I have asked him if we can open it on special occasions but he puts it off for one reason or another. It’s value in terms of money, continues to rise and he does like to brag about it. He is never going to sell it, so we should drink it.

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  14. I'm going to be dead a long time...I'm sick of being told what to eat and what not to eat...the advice changes every week, if not every day...so I eat what I like! If I don't treat myself, no one else is going to.

    Good post, Arleen. :)

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    1. Yes, Lee, the advice does change every week and I choose to ignore most of it and I am still standing.

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  15. Wonderful Fall colours in your header. Enjoy your desserts, all to yourself. That sorbet does look good. As others have said you look soooo young.

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    1. That sorbet was very good and I enjoyed every last spoonful.

      Thank you, Susan, I am young only in my mind.

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  16. What a lovely post! Your granddaughter is lovely as are you.
    You know, 70 is young these days. I heard on the BBC this morning that children born in the UK today will have a 50% chance of getting to be 100 so you are just a child really!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s defiantly dapper Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. When I turned 70, I felt free. I like to say that I finally reached my age of reason. That was a few years ago and even though the numbers are adding up and I have some more aches and pains and sorrows, I am still the same person I always was and I am happy about that.

      Living to 100 means you can’t retire till 85. Even robots rust by then.

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  17. I just have to say I loved your story - you could be an author! Wow very impressed. But I am glad you had two desserts - and that you had time with your beautiful granddaughter. It was great to see a photo of you too! I really liked this post. sandie

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    1. Thank you, Sandi, that is very kind of you. My (granddaughter) Ruby is a gem. She also showed me that day how to Uber. I have now been officially Uberized and new experiences have opened up for me.

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  18. I'm sure you are a wonderful grandmother. The physical closeness of the two of you speaks to it. Chinese food is my weakness but I have been disciplined this year and am certainly overdue for some-I've earned it!

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    1. My grandchildren are my wealth, each and everyone. I am a very rich woman with all this love

      Come to think of it, Susan, I haven’t had Chinese for quite a while. We all deserve it. I now want a spring roll.

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  19. What a beautiful photograph of you both. Your granddaughter is a very wise young lady, I would never share my dessert either. X

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    1. Thank you, Jules.

      My granddaughter has always been a dessert person. We have that in common.

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  20. What a beautiful girl! It's pretty obvious where her genes are from! I can't imagine leaving a spoonful. My friends would be fighting over who gets to lick the plate! ;)

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    1. Thankfully, my beautiful granddaughter inherited The Retired Man’s genes in looks, but has gotten my quirkiness. It is a good combination.

      Your friends, Diane, are doing the right thing.

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  21. That's a great new mantra Arleen! I never count calories or really weigh myself that often. I'm careful a few times a week to limit calories so that I can eat and drink what I want otherwise! I'm glad you enjoyed a FULL dessert!!! :)

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    1. You live such an active and interesting life, Rain, I couldn’t imagine you bothering counting calories. You cook such marvelous food and it works well for you.

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  22. Every once in a while -- or more -- you have to eat the whole dessert. A few days ago I had dinner with my college roommate. We always are thinking about calories, fat, carbs etc. I looked at the menu and just couldn't think about the usual salad etc. I said I'm going wild with a tuna melt. Her answer was if you were going wild you'd get fries with the tuna melt. We ordered the same thing. I guess that's one of the reasons we're still friends after 51 years.

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    1. Long time friendships are precious and how wonderful that you have each other for 51 years. A tuna melt is yummy and, of course, should be accompanied with fries. I hope dessert was on the menu also.

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  23. Thank you Laurie. I was a very picky eater when I was young and the only thing that got me to eat was that I couldn’t get dessert if I didn’t finish my meal which usually contained some yucky green stuff. Now, in my dotage, I don’t mind the green stuff, but I still prefer chocolate.

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  24. It's been so long since I had cheesecake, and frankly I don't dare make it. I'd just eat the whole thing and worry later. (Things seem to be working back on the 'ranch' and i promise not to tinker any more...this week...)

    And good on your granddaughter for not sharing her dessert. I rank desserts right up there with shrimp as Foods That Are Not Meant to Be Shared...

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    1. I have been eating leftover pumpkin pie since Thanksgiving. I cut a small sliver everyday and it satisfies. I have one more piece left for today. It is only once a year and I love it.

      Shrimp is a rare treat in my home and when we have it, there are never leftovers.

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  25. I look forward to reading and enjoying your posts, Laurie.

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  26. A Lovely Photo of you both... you've remained slender, so, your Good Habits paid dividends... I got Fat... so now no more Desserts for me... plus I'm Diabetic now and on Insulin Injections... perhaps its good I've never been a Dessert kind of person! *LOL* I suppose if I'd known I was gonna live this long I would have taken BETTER Care of myself!? *Winks* So... in complete reverse of your new Mantra, I'm trying to run damage control behind the fast living I obviously did for too long perhaps? *LMAO*

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    1. No one has ever called me slender since my 20’s. Thank you; you made my day.

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  27. You are so right about all of this. Every day I try to dredge up some joy but I am still finding it hard. I can’t even eat ice cream or cream cakes (dairy intolerance).

    You both look so pretty and slim, I cannot see that you have anything to worry about.

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    1. Some days are easier than others. I write myself lists before I go to bed of things I want/should/can do the next day. It is my incentive to to get myself going. Purpose is what I seek the most, Checking off my list gives me joy even if what was written down wasn’t that joyful.

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  28. That is SO NEAT that you got to go on the train when you were little...to the big Macy's parade!! You must have some really cool memories of that! I also enjoyed this post!Your granddaughter is BEATIFUL and I love that picture!!!

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  29. PS...well I worded that WRONG....I should've said...."you BOTH ARE BEAUTIFUL!!" Because you are.

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    1. Thank you Debbie. I have many wonderful memories of growing up in New York City. I am a country mouse now, but still make sure that I get to the city as often as I can. I ❤️ NY.

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  30. First of all what a lovely photo of you and your grand-daughter, with hair like a princess in a fairy story! You and I are of an age and also, I think, of very similar attitude. I am eating my own dessert, but it is taking a toll on my waistline!!

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary, my granddaughter is a lovely person with a great sense of humor. She and her sisters all got the good
      hair gene from my Retired Man.

      I love today’s pants with their stretchable waistbands.

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  31. I have learned to buy two desserts when going out with my daughter. Being older now, she doesn't want to share, but I understand. We often go to the museum and eat lunch in the Rozelle court--key lime pie or some dessert of the day. She's truly becoming more independent every day.

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  32. That is a beautiful photograph of you both.

    All the best Jan

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  33. Love it! The cake looks delicious!

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