From the Desk of Murray Lincoln

For your inspection

Monday, March 25, 2013

A sobering lunch time – and a million thoughts – meeting Dementia head on

Misty Hollow Carving and Misty Hollow Digital Images

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.

“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A sobering lunch time – and a million thoughts – meeting Dementia head on

After I left the conversation and the folks sitting at the table in the restaurant, my friend’s wife came over to speak to me privately.

We had been engaged in the typical ‘ministerial banter’ but my friend had not said too much. He was busy eating his plate of food and enjoying it to the fullest. So it appeared.

My friend has pastored a number of churches over the years. He is a brilliant man to say the least. When you are with him his humour and sharp wittiness is engaging. The man is just plain fun to be with.

It has been about a year since we have seen each other. And from what I saw things had changed – somehow??

As his wife took me aside she asked me if I knew that her husband has left his job/ministry because of the issues that he is now facing. “He has a very advanced stage of dementia now and has been forced to quit everything.”

I definitely had not heard this overwhelming information that I was now processing.

My friend for the last 15 years, was no longer there. Yes his body was but his brilliant mind was now being slowly trapped with this new issue he was facing. And there is absolutely nothing that can be done for him – except love and care for him.

His wife is a radiant woman. As she spoke to me she had not changed one bit from what can be seen. Yet the constant new challenges are beginning to be felt with this rather rapid onset (from what seems to have happened).

I told the two of them that I will come over to see him and maybe we can go for a walk – maybe have coffee together. She thanked me – but was too sure as he doesn’t walk well anymore…

Last evening and this morning early I could not stop thinking of this couple. I respect them so much for what they have done – for who they are. I cannot stop thinking….

A part of me needs to help. Another part of me needs to flee. And still another part of me needs desperately to get my small tasks and big tasks done now…before something like this happens to me. The panic has set in and is almost overwhelming today.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Peterborough Fibre Arts Festival 2013 – a Great Day

Misty Hollow Carving and Misty Hollow Digital Images

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.

“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Peterborough Fibre Arts Festival 2013 – a Great Day

Peterborough Arts Fibre Festival happened today. What a great day!

Fibre Arts Festival you say? What is that?

Well, folk that create all kinds of crafts that use thread, wool and fabric of all types joined today at the Peterborough Public Library on the lower level to show their stuff.

And these Fibre Art Fest Folk were kind enough to invite me and one of my Tatting students to show our art form… our Tatted Lace.

The contacts we made today with folk that came to see all the Fibre wares – was amazing. This may have been one of the best attended programs so far. Many people stopped to speak to Angela and myself.

The pictures are worth a few words – and here they are.

Me above - Angela Lee shown here... one of my best students!!!!

Angela gave my Mom a Tatted Handkerchief that she has created - Mom cried...

Thanks so much Angela!!!

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Friday, March 22, 2013

Living the “And then it is Winter”

Misty Hollow Carving and Misty Hollow Digital Images

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.

“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Living the “And then it is Winter”

One of my friends forwarded an email to me that contains, “And Then it is Winter”. I apologize to the author of this piece for not being able to give you credit for what I am including in this Blog Post today. If you contact me I will be happy to give the credit where credit is due. Thanks in advance.

This is particularly powerful for me over this next few weeks. I will be getting together with cousins of mine that are all about the same age. It is possible that a 95 year old aunt will join us as well. We are all very young in our connections with each other. That is – what we remember is all about the old days. Few of us have connected with each other as we have aged… and we have really aged.

That is why these words mean so much to me personally.

Here is the email’s contents.

*AND THEN IT IS WINTER *

*You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. *

*But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. *

*But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit! *

*And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's over. A new adventure will begin! *

*Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. *

*So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, what ever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for

them in all the years past!! *

*"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. *

*LIVE IT WELL! *

*ENJOY TODAY! *

*DO SOMETHING FUN! *

*BE HAPPY ! *

*HAVE A GREAT DAY *

*Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. *

*LIVE HAPPY IN 2013! *

*LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: *

* TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, *

*YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE *

*SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS. *

*~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect! *

*~Going out is good.. Coming home is better! *

*~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even

knew you!!! *

*~_You realize you're never going to be really good at anything....

especially golf. _*

*~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you

really do care that you don't care to do them anymore. *

*~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed.

It's called "pre-sleep". *

*~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF"

switch.. *

*~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... ??? *

*~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it

anywhere. *

*~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!! *

*~What used to be freckles are now liver spots. *

*~Everybody whispers. *

*~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will

never wear. *

*~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of

all, OLD FRIENDS!! *

*Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let

them laugh in AGREEMENT!!! *

*It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of

Life You Have Lived. *

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Faith of a Gardner - A sure sign of Spring arriving soon

Misty Hollow Carving and Misty Hollow Digital Images

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.

“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Faith of a Gardner - A sure sign of Spring arriving soon

Spring arrived two days ago according to the Calendar and all the news reports we have received.

Some of the birds are coming back now to cold Canada too.

But there is only one way to truly know that Spring is about to arrive for our household. And that one thing happened yesterday.

There on the kitchen table were the new packets of Flower Seeds.

The photo shown below is taken on top of a snow bank that is at least 12 inches above where these little ones will be planted. Oh boy! Something big is going to happen quickly in order for the snow to be gone.

But this small bright packages are sure sign of faith inside of the Gardner. In our case that faith is inside of my wife. She honestly believes that all the hard work in planting and grooming and cutting and pruning is worth it all. So much work to get a few months of beauty spread over our yard.

She is woman of Faith for sure!

But then what happened the last year’s kind of sparks us on to this summer’s soon-to-be-seen beauty. Here is a sample of what our Morning Glory fence line looks like… and these photos alone make the excitement in me grow as well.

Come on Springtime – we want you so badly! Wahoo!

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Community Care Harvey’s Diners Club – WOW!

Misty Hollow Carving and Misty Hollow Digital Images

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.

“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Community Care Harvey’s Diners Club – WOW!

I don’t think we have had this much fun in a long time! Plus we ate one of the best lunch meals in a long time too. And it all happened in a group where my Mom, together with my wife and I fit right in.

Yesterday we took part in the Community Care Harvey’s Diners Club(part of Community Care Peterborough). This particular Diners Club took place at the Wesleyan United Church just south of Buckhorn – at the Curve Lake turn off.

Great food, great fun and great people.

I was the guest demonstrator/speaker for this particular day. What fun! Sorry I said that already… I know.

I had met Lynda Mckerr, the Community Care Development Coordinator, at the Buckhorn Community Heritage Day. She was taking part in demonstrating the beautiful quilts that the ladies of that area had made. I was doing my wood carving and Spring Pole Lathe demonstration. And without a doubt the most popular thing going that day was the “Dancing Dan” together with “playing the spoons”.

Lynda asked me at the Heritage Day if I would come to speak to the Diners Club.

I had as many questions as you probably would – coming into a group you have not yet met. How does a Diners Club work and what is Community Care?

The Community Care Harvey’s Diners Club is part of a much bigger outreach work actively carried on by Lynda and her volunteers throughout the region north of Peterborough. Their actual contact area is from Kinmount down to Selwyn and from Apsley to the western areas of Harvey township.

Community Care’s statement sums up what they do “Empowering you to live at home”. When Lynda told us all that they do to help the seniors in the region I was blown away. Community Care and their staff along with the numerous volunteers are reaching out to hundreds of people across the region. Through active engagement and creative activities they have drawn together seniors from across the region.

With such a large area, a senior could easily find themselves alone and in need of contacts with others. And with age and mobility challenges it would be easy to become isolated. The only answer to that isolation and the risks(and possible health issues) that come with it normally would be to move into a senior’s residence of some sort… meaning they would have to leave the area and move to a larger community.

But with the work that Community Care carries on it makes it possible for people to stay in their own homes longer.

I think the oldest persons there yesterday were one of two (maybe both) men. One was turning 95 years old at his next birthday. The other fellow had already reached that mark or was closely behind the other guy. Both men had been able to attend this Diners Club because more volunteers had brought them.

From what Lynda explained to us, she has a number of volunteers that drive to pick up the older folk of the group and make this day happen for everyone. What an army of great folks!

There were only a few that were my Mom’s age. The majority were over 60ish and around the 70ish mark… with others mixed in between. I say that to say – I fit in real well!!!

Lynda told us how the Wesleyan United Church’s volunteer crew set up their facility, cooked the meal of ham and scalloped potatoes with peas, carrots and coleslaw. MmmMMM MM! Not forgetting he two long tables of pies for dessert.

But the Wesleyan United Church is only one of the facilities across Community Care’s are of operation. They also go to Elim Lodge, Buckhorn Community Centre, Cody Inn(I think I have that right) and some other church related facilities.

Do I sound excited about what I saw and took part in – You BETCHA! If I was living in the area I would be at every one of the activities!

We finished off my part of the program with about 8 participants “playing the spoons” with me as “two voluntolds” making the Dancing Dans – dance. One Dancing Dan lost his leg when the dancing with his partner became so wild…kerpow!!!

Thank you to Lynda Mckerr and your volunteers. You made my Mom’s day. She told me in the car how much she enjoyed the day… and the Diners Club!

Way to go Community Care!!! You gals and guys rock!

BTW –if you would like to know more about their programs and connect with Lynda Mckerr – click here harvofc@commcareptbo.org or call 705-657-2171

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection