It's Been Too Long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What can I say?! I know I should be good at this and I am for a while then something happens and before I know it its been weeks or even months before I write another blog. I simply have to get better at this!


I love poetry and Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite poets. Before I started this new blog I flipped through a book of Mr. Silverstein's poems to see if I could find a poem befitting what I want to say. The name of the book is "A Light in the Attic". Well, I found several. Here goes......

Something Missing

I remember I put on my socks,

I remember I put on my shoes.

I remember I put on my tie

That was painted

In beautiful purples and blues.

I remember I put on my coat,

To look perfectly grand at the dance.
Yet I feel there is something

I may have forgot---

What is it? What is it?....

Of course he was talking about his pants but that's how I feel about my poor little blog! Here's another Shel Silverstein poem.....

Overdues

What do I do?

What do I do?

This library book is 42

Years overdue.

I admit that its mine

But I can't pay the fine---

Should I turn it in

Or hide it again?

What do I do?

What do I do?

Haven't we all been there? Sometimes you just want to hide but eventually we all have to face the music.

Finally, I came across the next poem. It doesn't have anything to do with getting things done in a timely matter but its message is very timely indeed. See what you think.....

The Little Boy And The Old Man

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."

Said the little old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."

"I do that too," laughed the little old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry,"

The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems

Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.

"I know what you mean," said the little old man.

If you would like to know more about Shel Silverstein I have put a link to his web site. It's worth looking at. http://shelsilverstein.com/indexSitehtml

This photo is a picture of my dad and my grandson. They certainly are not the types to be ignored and they both are happy people. I love this picture. I think it's a classic of an old man and a little boy.

Thanks for reading my blog. I promise to see you soon! :)

Older Americans Connecting the Community

The title of this blog is the theme for this year's Older Americans Month. Check out the web site www.agingcarefl.org/whatsnew/olderamericans.

It has a great article about Older Americans Month.

Air Companions loves to connect the community with older Americans. In fact, it's a very large part of Air Companions business! People are living longer and healthier lives. Older Americans remain very active well into their 70's and 80s.

My father is an excellent example of this. He will be 75 years old this month. Dad connects with his community better than anyone I know. He is very politically minded. He worked hard volunteering on Governor LePage's campaign and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Each week Dad volunteers at the VA in Togus as a shuttle bus driver. He is also very involved with his church. The picture above is of Dad a few years ago. He is surrounded by 3 of his 5 grandsons of whom he derives much joy.

My sister, Molly, owns a transportation business and Dad works for her. He drives a school bus every weekday in the afternoon. He also helps out at the garage and runs errands for Molly as she needs him.

Dad has retired but he doesn't let that slow him down. I'm very proud to call him my father.

For more information on the Older Americans Act enacted in 1965 go to www.elderguru.com/what-is-the-older-americans-act-oaa-and-what-does-it-do/.

When I Am An Old Woman

Not only is April National Humor month it is also National Poetry month. I thought it fitting to post one of my favorite poems in honor of National Poetry month. I have loved this poem since I was in my early 20s and now I'm getting close to being the old woman in the poem. :)

When I Am An Old Woman

I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and a pickle for a week,

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We will have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.

My great grandmother Annie Pease is pictured on the right. She has been gone many years but I remember her well and loved her much.

April is National Humor Month

Even though this picture isn't hilariously funny I bet it will bring a smile to your face. And there is a lot of truth to the caption. Think about it

What a Great Day!

The Penobscot Bay Business Expo was a very fun and successful day. My good friend, Carol Pettee, and I were very busy talking to the many wonderful people who stopped by the Air Companions booth to find out what we were all about. As you can see I snapped a picture of Carol talking with someone.

If you own your own business I highly recommend you join the Chamber of Commerce in your area. The networking possibilities are endless and it's a good way to get to know the business community. I've never regretted joining the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce. I just wish I had done it sooner!

As I said, we had a great time and got a lot of good contacts. I also got to see lots of my business friends that I hadn't met up with for ages. That's always uplifting. Beth McKinney of Coastal Creative won the overnight bag filled with goodies that Air Companions gave away. I was pleasantly surprised when I won a gift certificate to the Rockland Cafe given away by Philbrook and Associates Book Keeping. Beth McKinney is pictured on the right holding her prize. Air Companions also gave away lots of candy; chocolate of course!

I just want to say thank you to everyone that stopped by the Air Companions booth. We loved meeting you and you helped make our day extra special. Please don't hesitate to contact Air Companions if you would like to know more about the services we offer. We would love to talk with you.

Penobscot Bay Business Expo

Air Companions will be at the Penobscot Bay Business Expo on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the beautiful Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine from 3pm to 7pm. We would love to meet you and tell you all about our services.

Tell us you read this blog and you will receive a 15% discount when you use Air Companion's services. Give us a referral that turns into a customer and Air Companions will pay you 10% of the profits from that customer.

The Penobscot Bay Business Expo is a very fun and informative event. There is not charge to get in. So come on by, you'll be glad you did. Don't forget to stop by Air Companions and say hello!

On your left is a photo of Camden Harbor taken last summer at my friend's daughter's wedding. Camden Harbor is, of course, part of Penobscot Bay. What a beautiful place!

A Few Helpful Sites

I wanted to take the time to share some of my recent finds in helping folks help their folks or anyone who is taking care of the elderly.

Here is a site with many resources for aging parents and elder care.

Here is another blog on eldercare.

Here are some tips on travel for the disabled.

We hope this helps makes a smoother life for you whether you are caring for your mom in your home, managing an elderly aunts care in assisted living or traveling yourself.

Happy Spring!