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    Archive for December, 2010


    Weight Management: In Praise of Water Aerobics

    Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

      

    Jane

     

    I have found, after more than a year of being on my weight management program, that, amazingly enough, there really is a direct connection between exercise and keeping my weight off.  Who would have thunk it?  I have fought this connection for years because I basically hate exercise.  I get bored by walking or running or stepping on an exercise machine.  I hate getting up early in the morning to go to a class.  So, I have never been any good at finding exercise I can do on a regular basis–until now.  I love deep water aerobics!  And I highly recommend it for women over 50! 

     

    Deep water aerobics is basically water aerobics in the deep end of the pool, with or without a flotation device around your waist.  (I usually wear one because I’m phobic about drowning, but most people in my class don’t.)  There is something about deep water aerobics that makes it fun and soothing—at the same time that it works your muscles.  Maybe it’s because when you get tired, you can always lie back in the water and rest for a minute.  Or maybe it’s because you feel so weightless at the same time that you are trying to burn off weight.  Or maybe it’s because it’s one of the few kinds of exercise that doesn’t end up hurting my back when I get carried away with it.  My friend, Nancy, says it’s the only kind of exercise she can do that doesn’t end up hurting her knee—and she has had knee surgery!  And it’s not just for old codgers.  Our class is a mix of people of all ages. (more…)

    Time Really Does Go Faster As We Age

    Sunday, December 12th, 2010

    Diane Puckett

    Time really does go faster as we age. It has been a year since we moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina, but it seems like we just got here. The year has been quite a whirlwind of change.

    Full Moon in DC

    The biggest change – leaving the Washington, DC area, a place I had lived over half a century, (did I really say that?).  It’s my entire life. Though we had planned to move to Asheville for years, it was still a big deal, and happened far more quickly than anticipated. With a beautiful full moon and all the planets apparently in alignment, our house sold in two days.

    Thus began the whirlwind. Three full moons later, we would move to the mountains, and there was much to do.

    There were many people to say goodbye to, knowing I would never see most of them again. I closed the psychotherapy practice I had worked years to establish, bidding farewell to clients and colleagues. The local pottery studio, my hangout of kindred spirits was toughest to leave. Well, other than my sister, but that’s too tender to write about now.

    We headed South on a cold December day, cars crammed full of stuff and our two beagles along for the ride. Not long after we arrived, a snowstorm followed, leaving us with no electricity and lots of tree damage. It was a tough winter, especially since we knew almost no one. Our holidays were non-existent, as we were busy moving.  The day I found myself strolling through Walmart for entertainment, I knew something had to change. Facebook provides an illusion of a social life, but it’s not reality. The North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement at UNCA was my lifeline during that long winter, feeding my brain and giving me a connection with other people.

    Molly

    Molly Beagle, my best bud for thirteen years, slowly wound down and passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. Our last day together was a sacred time – we cuddled up, and I talked to her about the good times we shared together.  At the end, I sang the Golden Girls theme song to her. I’m grateful Molly had some time here in our beautiful new place. We buried her next to my studio where she will have her own garden of the flowers she loved.

    Diane's studio

    Living here feels like I’ve finally come home. I love the spirit of this place, the creativity, the energy.  It’s been a year now, and I feel like I’m finding my niche. I’ve made good friends and know many of our neighbors.  I have an almost-finished pottery studio, a dream-come-true.

    I’ve given in to my craving for a hammered dulcimer and have begun music lessons again after a 45-year hiatus. Maybe this time around I’ll practice.

    Most of all, I love the magnificent mountains. I cannot even think of adequate words to describe them. May I never take them for granted or stop seeing them.

    BEAUTIFUL WOMEN OVER 50: IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH EDWARDS

    Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

     

    Jane

    I’m feeling very sad today because Elizabeth Edwards is dead.  Even though we all knew she was going to die at some point, and even though the doctors recently said it could happen soon, it still was a shock to hear it out loud.  It’s just so plain sad. 

    Elizabeth Edwards was the main reason I liked John Edwards when he ran for office—there was just something about his smile that I didn’t like—but she seemed intelligent, and strong.  The more I saw of him, the less I liked him–but the more I liked her.  My only real low point with her was when she allowed John to stay in the race after her cancer.  All I could think was that 1) he was a complete egotist and/or 2) she was either plain crazy or one of those political wives who denies her own needs in order to advance her charming husband’s career—a ala Hillary Clinton in her darker past or Cindy McCain in the last campaign. 

    I do think Elizabeth was the real gifted politician in the family, but this sometimes took her temporarily down weird turns:  there was that brief moment, after all, when Elizabeth said she would be happy to share her family Christmas with John’s love child. That seemed a bit over the top in the saintliness department!  But, as John’s star declined further and further in the heavens, her star rose.  (more…)

    My Secret Poppy Seed Roll Recipe

    Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
    Sadhvi

    Being a woman over 50, I find myself starting to reminisce about food from my childhood.  It was bound to happen, right?  Nut rolls and Poppy Seed rolls, along with Kolachi’s filled with apricot, cherry, or plum jam, were a part of the Holiday season for me growing up.  My Mom and Dad used to make them just about every year, and it was a BIG project.  I can remember that my 3 brother’s and I stayed clear of the kitchen when this was going on, because it was just so intense!  They had to be made just right; the dough had to be rolled out thin (which was not easy), and there was no scrimping on the filling.  Sticking with the basic recipe was important: no raisins in the poppy seed filling!  Once my Mom put coconut in the nut filling, and well, let me just say that Christmas was not very special that year.  

    I spent months trying to get the perfect recipe; from my old boyfriend’s Mom, to hours online researching all the many and complicated recipes that are out there, watching YouTube videos of these rolls being made, studying old cookbooks on my shelves, until finally, my Mom came through and gave me a recipe that she used which was given to her by her best friend’s cousin’s Mom, who made my Mom swear not to give it to anyone until she died.  This is the recipe I want to share.  

    POPPY SEED ROLLS GO GOOD WITH COFFEE!

    I hesitated for many months.  I thought they would be so time-consuming and difficult.  Being the baker that I am though, I decided it was high time to try.  And besides, my Dad really wanted me to make them, and even bought me a grinder online that cost a lot of money.  It didn’t work at all, so please don’t order it!   They emailed the company, Otto’s Import Store and Deli, asking for a refund and are still waiting to hear back from them, so don’t use them!  I ended up grinding the poppy seeds with a small amount of the sugar in my inexpensive Black and Decker blender and guess what?  It turned out fine.  (more…)

    A Woman’s 88th Birthday Celebration: High Tea at the Biltmore Inn – Oh so civilized!

    Saturday, December 4th, 2010

    The next time you or one of your dear friends celebrate her 88thbirthday, I highly recommend afternoon tea at the Biltmore Inn located on the Biltmore Estate in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

    The Biltmore Inn

    You all have been introduced to my dear friend Adele Rose, and on Nov. 24th she turned 88.  I say that’s a cause for celebration in grandiose style.  Joined by our favorite yoga teacher and friend, Cindy Dollar from One Center Yoga, the three of us arrived promptly for tea at 4:00 p.m.

    In the Library at the Inn

    (more…)

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