tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post2780716223996122671..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: If You Go Down to the Woods Today . . .materfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-61564293478720991582012-05-25T14:49:15.439-07:002012-05-25T14:49:15.439-07:00I always enjoy photos of your family. Your Mom is ...I always enjoy photos of your family. Your Mom is an inspiration taking those long walks. Not at all surprised she remembers her license being taken away.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15711792521348799922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-28130865703023100842012-04-28T06:35:17.207-07:002012-04-28T06:35:17.207-07:00I wish my mom's mind was still sharp -- it'...I wish my mom's mind was still sharp -- it's sometimes hard to accept her cognitive losses, especially given her voracious reading, her love of classical music, drama, etc. all things that formed the basis for conversation. But having lost that, at least we can get out and do something pleasant together.<br />Skunk cabbage is such an impressive plant with its huge leaves and statuesque flower -- and you'd be surprised at how much it smells like skunk.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-45968952280774857582012-04-28T06:26:36.669-07:002012-04-28T06:26:36.669-07:00I envy you your skunk cabbage (and the back 40, fo...I envy you your skunk cabbage (and the back 40, for that matter!). We used to have some near the beach access path right next to us, but I haven't seen it for 6 or 7 years -- I imagine the development of nearby lots has affected the drainage.<br />What you say about your Mom is so relevant to mine. One or two of my siblings have had a tougher time letting go of some memories, but I just see that the other Mom is gone -- there's no settling scores or working things out with her, because she's not there. But the one who's left is a very sweet, hopeful Mom doing the best she can. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-217455701267526192012-04-27T19:57:14.497-07:002012-04-27T19:57:14.497-07:00Lots of skunk cabbage in our back 40!
My mum sound...Lots of skunk cabbage in our back 40!<br />My mum sounds a lot like yours. She can't remember details of yesterday but she can beat us at cribbage and scrabble. She still delights in shopping and walking and going to church, so she always has stories to tell. It is a bittersweet time, as my mother was never a soft or easy person. Time has taken away the prickles and left a sweetness that is the new Mum. I'm glad to have this time to overlay some of the memories of difficult times with the essential sweetness that is my mum today.Pondsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407539138546412482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-33829379417144249172012-04-26T21:18:17.602-07:002012-04-26T21:18:17.602-07:00Oh, I love taking walks like this though my mother...Oh, I love taking walks like this though my mother is no longer up to it--she's not very ambulatory, but her mind is sharp as a tack. I don't believe I've ever encountered skunk cabbage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-3861668699250115842012-04-26T20:34:54.262-07:002012-04-26T20:34:54.262-07:00Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth, and for taking the...Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth, and for taking the time to leave a comment. I'm envious of that wonderful path you have to walk -- years and years ago, we visited Wales (Harlech) and always meant to get back for some walking. One of these years. . . I admire your father's persistence, but it must be frustrating to lose the ability to walk as freely as he'd like. My Pilates instructor takes much pleasure in helping the seniors she works with recover a more confident sense of balance, but I know that's not always possible -- she comments, though, about seniors who are able to enjoy walking again once they get a stronger sense of balance back. I hadn't realized it was such a consistent problem and am trying to keep my own balance tuned up . . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-91917572479223768852012-04-26T14:16:30.610-07:002012-04-26T14:16:30.610-07:00I came to you via Pondside and you have really str...I came to you via Pondside and you have really struck a chord. I too love to be outside and love to walk. We live high on a hillside in North Wales and I am trying to work out how to walk the coastal path which is about to open. It will make Wales (which is a little country!) the first country in the world with a footpath along all its coastline. My father who is only 77 has developed problems with his balance and fine motor control. Only a year ago he would walk five miles a day routinely with his dog. Now he struggles to do a mile, but he insists on being out there, every day, rain or shine. Unlike your mother he has all his memory intact. Ageing is a hard thing, in all its different ways, but it is good to know your mother can still take pleasure in walking. It will always be there!Elizabeth Musgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09473705107636868753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-31045687195093493612012-04-26T11:31:47.410-07:002012-04-26T11:31:47.410-07:00Funny, I can stay indoors reading or knitting or w...Funny, I can stay indoors reading or knitting or writing for hours and hours. Mom used to be able to, but now most endeavours that require more intellectual or cognitive commitment seem to make her anxious. I suspect that the walking is reassuring because she can do it so well.<br />Her favourite day of the week is Friday because that's the day she joins a Seniors Group on an organised walk -- they also use public transport to get there, and they stop for lunch when they're done. She loves it!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-25845824970999570612012-04-26T11:29:10.166-07:002012-04-26T11:29:10.166-07:00Anonymous, that's exactly the kind of contrast...Anonymous, that's exactly the kind of contrast that really appeals to me, and, of course, it's really only available through the wonders of modern travel. Odd and thrilling, somehow at once, to me at least.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-90010838274163306332012-04-26T11:27:59.836-07:002012-04-26T11:27:59.836-07:00As so often, you put your finger on the mood. . . ...As so often, you put your finger on the mood. . . There is a poignancy to her urge.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-65932698588170001672012-04-26T11:27:01.474-07:002012-04-26T11:27:01.474-07:00It's fun to spot the woodland inhabitants -- I...It's fun to spot the woodland inhabitants -- I love how my eye gets more alert as I leave the cityscape behind. . . and yes, it's a really pleasant way to keep mom company, without requiring much conversation yet bringing us both real re-creation.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-2339667334949287852012-04-26T11:25:51.165-07:002012-04-26T11:25:51.165-07:00It's a fabulous space available for city-dwell...It's a fabulous space available for city-dwellers to clear their urban heads a bit.<br />As for the beavers, it's so impressive to see a trunk they've gnawed through -- even more to imagine them dragging it into place.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-32643426626553245242012-04-26T11:24:34.283-07:002012-04-26T11:24:34.283-07:00I'll pass your comments along, Patricia. She r...I'll pass your comments along, Patricia. She really delights in people's amazement, taking pride in her long walks at her age.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-90701479254301369712012-04-26T11:23:59.672-07:002012-04-26T11:23:59.672-07:00It's a very distinctive aroma, for sure!
I do...It's a very distinctive aroma, for sure! <br />I don't know where Christmas Hill is, but your photos show that you have abundant opportunities to get out into some lovely walks.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-85342623158598834162012-04-26T07:03:35.060-07:002012-04-26T07:03:35.060-07:00I must admit, I too would struggle to stay indoors...I must admit, I too would struggle to stay indoors for long, unless I had a very specific task to do, so I share your mother’s wanderlust. Currently sister No 2 has that duty, plus my mother has discovered a walking club that organises walks that are accessible via public transport. Sadly any current walk is just a muddy quagmire due to the constant torrential rain!indigo16https://www.blogger.com/profile/16982477144454205765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-4068373759222098382012-04-26T02:41:56.607-07:002012-04-26T02:41:56.607-07:00It's so important to build up that store of me...It's so important to build up that store of memories with your mum for the future.<br />I remember walking by the sea on a very stormy day in our little east coast Irish town, and thinking 'this time next week I'll be doing this in Paris'. Like you, I got a thrill out of the contrast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-32410951667997140872012-04-25T21:36:10.421-07:002012-04-25T21:36:10.421-07:00I find this really poignant, somehow. The urge to ...I find this really poignant, somehow. The urge to get out and walk.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-89323816423998273762012-04-25T21:03:02.715-07:002012-04-25T21:03:02.715-07:00You either have a very keen eye or the wildlife th...You either have a very keen eye or the wildlife there knows how to make nice with the tourists to score a few fries - I suspect it's the former! What a wonderful way to spend time with your mother.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-21768969290980664632012-04-25T20:37:47.276-07:002012-04-25T20:37:47.276-07:00Looks like a great piece of paradise tucked away f...Looks like a great piece of paradise tucked away for only those in the know.<br />I have never seen a beaver dam, I am impressed at this post!hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-56977519428134038962012-04-25T19:16:31.044-07:002012-04-25T19:16:31.044-07:00Your mum is amazing - 10 km! I certainly haven'...Your mum is amazing - 10 km! I certainly haven't walked that far in one go for quite a while. I need to take a leaf out of your mum's book!Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504513116873595049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-33621170841203876922012-04-25T17:29:16.780-07:002012-04-25T17:29:16.780-07:00What you say is so apt, K! This is exactly what Pa...What you say is so apt, K! This is exactly what Paul and I talked about on our way back from our outing with Mom. I'm so happy for her that she still takes pleasure in movement, and I hope I'll stay fit enough to do the same (although I have to say I really dread the possibility of memory loss).materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-56531369693173377152012-04-25T17:27:41.770-07:002012-04-25T17:27:41.770-07:00I don't do it often enough to be called "...I don't do it often enough to be called "kind," Anonymous, especially compared to my siblings who do much more, but I do feel good when I get the chance to take her out like that.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-56787261924395624932012-04-25T17:24:01.516-07:002012-04-25T17:24:01.516-07:00Skunk cabbage is aptly named - it's hard to mi...Skunk cabbage is aptly named - it's hard to mistake it for anything else! How wonderful that your mother walks and walks, and enjoys getting out in nature. <br /><br />We've been spending our extra time in the garden, although we try to walk up Christmas Hill in the evenings.Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653026442945027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-60143534515042746242012-04-25T17:10:16.506-07:002012-04-25T17:10:16.506-07:00It's amazing to me that your mother still walk...It's amazing to me that your mother still walks and walks. I hope I never lose that impulse. There is youth in movement - even when one's memory is not what it once was.K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-36703499142045760402012-04-25T14:03:27.354-07:002012-04-25T14:03:27.354-07:00Thank you for sharing your walk in the woods. Lov...Thank you for sharing your walk in the woods. Love the photos of plants and your family. What a kind daughter you are to take your mother to walk a favorite path.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com