Blog archive
May 2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Jumbo Joy
By Karen BagnardPosted: 04/24/2023
As I shuffle my slippery new deck of cards, I feel joy! Chelsea bought me new cards… the ones with jumbo numbers and letters. There are two decks in a pack, one red and one blue. I chose the red ones to use first. Red is my favorite color. It’s the color of the Danish flag, Yule Nisse, the cherry on top, my favorite lipstick, my dad’s favorite cufflinks that fascinated me as a kid.
As I’m shuffling and dealing… BTW, I’m addicted to Solitaire… I realize how happy I can get over a new deck of cards. Who else gets this happy over a deck of cards? Melania Trump? I doubt it!
My addiction to Solitaire is not just an idle sport. It’s a meditative practice. I use it to relax and take a break or to avoid doing something I don’t want to do. It’s thinking time for me… and planning time, too. Sadly, it’s also a barometer of my vision loss, as well. I used to be able to see red vs. black and diamonds vs. spades. Now, even with jumbo print, I have to be a bit more careful. I make lots of mistakes but, whenever possible, I give myself grace… correct the mistake and keep playing. Someday, I may not be able to play anymore so I don’t feel guilty about this.
Playing Solitaire with my jumbo deck affords me time to do some creative thinking about my art, my socializing, my work with Journey House, my family, and so on. I spend time with thoughts of gratitude, as I play. Sometimes I even keep pen and paper close by to make notes.
Jumbo joy comes to me at other times, too. In my patio swing on a sunny day or my front porch bistro table or the backyard bench by the treehouse. Jumbo joy is the feeling I get when I think about the small things in life that bring me so much joy… like friends, family, bird songs, parrot fly-overs, the sounds of people having fun at Farnsworth Park… and, of course, memories. Even memories of old loves that ended badly… even they have good times to remember. Maybe some of those old guys are still out there somewhere remembering those same times! Who knows? Maybe!
I can’t help but wonder what brings jumbo joy to Melania. Is it the gold toilets, the ridiculously expensive clothes she wears, all those good times with the Donald, her son? Maybe she enjoys bird songs, too! And parrot fly-overs. Maybe she plays Solitaire and enjoys it as much as I do! I’m just sayin’… maybe.
Whatever jumbo joy is, it comes to me regularly. It’s knowing I am loved and worthy and gifted. It’s knowing that losing my vision is opening new doors. It’s knowing my life is full. It’s having friends who will listen to what I write!