Archive for the ‘my posts,’ Category
turning 70
Author: Vic
I had a very hard time on Tuesday, January 20. I am a conservative Christian. I believe in the Bible and I try to do what it tells me and as I watched the inauguration I felt anger. I didn’t feel anger at Obama, or his family. But I am disappointed…. In the Democrats.
Coby DP-758 7-Inch Widescreen Digital Photo Frame
You see I was born in 1938. By 1948 I was only 10 years old. So, I was a teenager in the 1950s. That was when Ike was running for president. My dad always worked hard. He came home from the Pacific theater of World War II and had to find a job. Now We were not a wealthy family. This was before TV was king. Radio is what everyone listened to. I studied hard and tried to learn the importance of voting. I was not a real bright kid so I did not understand politics at all. My dad taught me “A workmen is worthy of this hire” so I had that drilled into my character at an early age. Along with this my dad taught me about honesty, keeping my word, and following through on my promises.
This is how I grew up. There was just one telephone, and it was on the wall. You had to stand up to talk on it. There were no fast food restaurants, we had our meal at home, around the table. We talked to one another about our day , and I ate what was put before me. I was quite interested in Donald Duck, and Bugs Bunny, comic books, and saved them seriously. I can remember trading comics like crazy. Now of course this was before TV. So we kept busy doing other things, using our imagination.
When I turned 16 I learned to drive in a 1953 Chevrolet standard transmission on the steering wheel, using a clutch. Much to my fathers relief, the high school taught me how to drive.
People had become very independent. I note this was an offshoot of World War II. I was always encouraged to be independent. People mostly took care of themselves. I think you can see why I’m disappointed at the way things are going. I come from a different generation, with different values. However, I am determined to continue on with what I have been taught until my days are over. Thank you for reading… Vic
Posted in Attitude,, Life goes on after stroke,, my posts, | 
Tags: Attitude,, Life goes on after stroke, | 
1 Comment »
computer therapy
Author: Vic
my computergives me a look into the world around me. I am 70 years old and learning how to use my lap top. It’s a challenge, but well worth the effort. I went to the Dell PC site and found just what I needed. The computer I got is Dell Vostro 1500 lap top. It is working out very nicely for me. I also have a Logitech wireless mouse. This setup has helped me to regain some use up my right hand. I got hooked up to the web through Verizon wireless. So I don’t have a lot of wires to worry about now. I like the lap top because it doesn’t require much room. It’s really easy to take with me so if I need help I can have it right there. I couldn’t do this with a desktop.
Toshiba Satellite L305-S5924 15.4-Inch Laptop
e-mail --this enabled me to be a in touch with more people. I have never been much of a letter writer as I always seem to be too busy to take the time and write. Now I know this is a pretty lame reason, but it's all I have. So, after my stroke I decided I would write my friends and family on a regular basis and make an effort to keep in touch. I had to learn how to manage my e-mail and my daughter helped me out. I've found out that I was best at short messages, and this is worked out very well in the e-mail. I found that my temperament, fits me very well for short e-mails.
I've always liked cartoons, and so I found on the web a place where I could get them . So, I signed up, and I send people comics that I think they may like. I have found this to be very therapeutic for me: it keeps my mind active and causes me to think about my family and friends. Who would've thunk? Of course I have to have good manners and be careful not to overload people with too much stuff.
The Web reminds me of the old days when I would go to the library. I can travel to far off lands, or learn a new language, or look up a word, or learn how to operate my computer.
Now, of course, you must use your head so you don't get trapped in something you didn't want to. I needed to learn surfing the web could be dangerous. Once I applied myself to this training, things have been going along quite nicely. I like the fact that I have a choice. I can choose what I want to do and what I don't want to do.
I have one more point to make. Using the computer stimulates your mind. When I had my stroke in 2005. I couldn't think, remember, or speak well. Of course, I took therapy for this, how ever, I really noticed a great improvement as I got on the computer. So, it is well worth the effort, to use and learn about the computer. It is a very therapeutic routine.
CIGARS…
Author: Vic
I know this might be a strange thing to talk about… but here goes. I like to smoke a couple of cigars a week . I like the taste and it’s very relaxing. I have been smoking cigars for about 30 years now. I had been self-employed when I started. It was one of the few ways that I could have time to myself. No phone, no pager, no interruptions, usually. It was something I was doing before I had my stroke. So now it makes me feel more independent. [normal]
When I first started out I smoked the cheapest cigars. I could find. These items didn’t really taste good, after all I was seeking the taste not to get the high smoking gives you. So I began looking for a better tasting cigar. I found one that I liked and stuck to that. I found the cigar box is handy too. Real good for storing things , and giving to the grandkids. These cigars were the inexpensive kind but tasted good, also.
Now, after my second stroke as I got better I got to thinking… “I’m not getting any younger” so I considered buying a better cigar. I got on the Internet and found just what I wanted. Soon, I had a better tasting cigar which I enjoy very much. [cuban crafters.com]
When a person has a stroke we tend to give up on everything. I guess what I’m trying to say here is please don’t give up . Perhaps, you really enjoyed a good cup of coffee or tea, or maybe a glass of wine, a tasty cold beer, a special candy bar… no matter what… if it won’t kill you perhaps you can go ahead . You are still a person and can make choices.
drugstore stuff
Author: Vic
-When I had my stroke I began to realize that I couldn’t go shopping for my personal stuff anymore. Well one more thing to remind me that I was now handicapped! I got very angry at myself for not paying more attention to my body and taking care of me. Well, God helped me to get over it. So I went to my computer and looked up Web drugstores. I finally found one that I liked and set myself up an account . I happen to use drug store.com.
I could order my toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo, etc. and have it shipped directly to me. I didn't have to wait until someone could take me to the drug store. I had to learn how to shop on the Internet as this is a bit different than going into a store. Doing this gave me a feeling of independence... [a good thing!].
One of the things that I had to come to grips with was shaving. Now, I've always been a blade man. Over the years, I've tried electric shaver's and not care for them. Now that I've had a stroke. I had to re-look at shaving. I couldn't hold a blade in my hand. So I had to have someone shave me. Of course, this took away independence... so I decided to try an electric shaver. Here at the drug store I've found just what I needed. I used my Visa card and ordered it. I must say I am very happy with the way it works.
Another thing that I am using is a electric tooth brush. This helps me to feel more independent also. I couldn't brush my teeth so I needed help there also. Since I couldn't move my hand anymore, the electric toothbrush solved my problem. I found that Crest makes one just uses batteries. It works very well.
Loading ...