This new hero came into my life by accident. Usually I rave about athletes or those who devote their lives helping others but this hero is a bit different but sadly, no longer with us.
A good friend passed on some books to me that she had enjoyed and figured I'd like. I have mentioned that I love my Kindle and read exclusively from it anymore. I really wasn't sure when I'd read the hard cover books she gave me as I now find them a bit awkward to handle. Then we had a power outage this week that persisted from afternoon thru the night. So--I opened one of the books.
"Out to Pasture" by Effie Leland Wilder was the first I tackled. Effie lived for 9 years in an assisted living/retirement facility and that is when she started a wonderful career at 85 years old as a published author. Thanks to my friend, I now get to read two of those efforts.
These are not long books but delightful samples about life among the aged. Now I think we all have the horrors of a nursing home but her take on the first steps to a nursing home, assisted living, kind of made me wish I could afford to enter one when the time comes. Especially if someone like Effie is all ready there.
She brings to life the joys, laughs and heartaches that can be waiting for us in the latter,more monitored segments of our lives. Each chapter features a story which is fictional, relatively short that usually reaches a pleasant conclusion. She puts a positive spin to a time of life that can be difficult but health permitting, doesn't have to be.
What makes her my hero is that instead of packing it in when age claimed her as I might be tempted to do, she started a new career at 85 and kept her sense of humor through out. Truthfully, she gave me hope that the giggles don't have to stop.
As far as I know, there is no E book version but I am sure your library would carry the hard copy. She wrote 5 books before her passing at the age of 97. Tonight I will start her next book that I was given--"Over What Hill?" Can't wait. Thanks Arliss for this delightful gift.
If you get a chance, give her books a shot. Pretty sure you will enjoy.
I have not read the books, but I fully understand your admiration.
ReplyDeleteMy cousins convinced my aunt to move into an independent living place in one of those tiered facilities. She was there maybe a month when she demanded to move out. She said, "It's all old people and I don't want to be surrounded by old people. I am only 82!" Teaching me that age is all a matter of perspective.
Olga,
DeleteYa gotta love someone who doesn't let wrinkles and aches kick them to the curb. It is all in how we view our selves.
Good morning Patti. Thanks for sharing this. It is helpful to hear about positive attitudes in aging. It can be easy to fall prey to "woe is me".
ReplyDeleteIt is said that if we can change how we think about something, eventually are "gut" emotions will catch up, resulting in a more positive attitude.
I'm a Kindle person too, but will check my local library for this one.
Carole,
DeleteYou are a great example of that. You and Jim still find humor when others would just wring their hands and see only the gloom. I so admire how you handle your situation.
They have two of her books at my library, so I put a hold on both of them and will look forward to reading them, Patti. Thanks for the tip! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteSo glad you found them. I think most libraries will have them as her books have been around a long time. Have fun with them.
How delightfully lucky (is it luck or what) to still have her mind so mentally active at even age 85. As I watch my friends sort of fade away, I realize what a blessing a good mind really is. Thanks for posting about these books.
ReplyDeleteBelva,
DeleteAging is never easy but we can make it a lot better with a great attitude and hopefully decent health and mind. We have to work with what we have.
Sounds like a great series of books, you have to respect the author and her determination to write them at this point in her life.
ReplyDeleteI too do most everything from my Kindle, it is an easy contraption to get used to, I have a whole bookshelf of hardbacks, but so many more right inside my Kindle.
Jimmy,
DeleteI know, isn't Kindle the greatest? We can carry easily 500 books in one hand.
They sound tempting!
ReplyDeleteLinda Myers,
DeleteThey are. Hope you get a chance to read one. With all your traveling, they would make great airplane books.
Hello from Idaho and found your blog though Belva.
ReplyDeleteIt seem like senior now has more choices in life. I don't believe I read a book wrote by a senior. Grandma Moses didn't start to paint until she was 78 years old. At one time I read a blog who was done by a lady well into her 90. She call it a blob. Now she has pass.
If you have the time stop in for a cup of coffee
Dora,
DeleteThank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I really admire folks who don't let a bunch years make them curl up in a rocking chair and let the world go by. I'll be by to check out that coffee.
How great to have a successful career at eighty-five. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteIsn't it comforting to know creativity doesn't have to stop when years pile on?
The way you describe her writing, she'd become my hero too. Thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteI think she is a good place to put our admiration. She made a tasty lemonade.
Love the title, will have to look for these. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePatti,
DeleteGotta love your name:)) Hope you find them and have an enjoyable read. Thanks for your comment.
Dear Arkansas Patti, I surely will go to the library website to see if it has her books. Like you, I read mostly only e-books now because of eyesight, but given your posting and the fact that I'd like to be published also--in my 80s--I really want to read these books, even in hardcover.
ReplyDeleteEffie sounds like a wonderful vital person. My mom's mom was Elizabeth, but she was called "Effie."
Thank for this enticing review! Peace.
Dee,
DeleteI had never known anyone with that name and interesting to see what name it came from. Remember, she never even got her first book published till she was 85 and wrote 4 more after that. Can see you doing the same--though you all ready have been published.
Dear Arkansas Patti, I checked and the library has all her books. Whoopee! Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee,
DeleteHot doggies. So glad you will have access to them. Enjoy.
I just ordered a package with all five of her books; thanks for the heads up!!
ReplyDeleteFran,
DeleteCool!!! Wow, all five at once. Happy reading.
Imisread the offer; it only has 3 other books. It came today & they look fascinating!!
DeleteFran,
DeleteYou have one more than I do. Hope you enjoy.
I so admire people like this lady. The world needs a lot more like her and few like our President.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteAmen to both.
Yes, mam, sounds like just what I need.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteI know, she really gives one a boost.
Thanks for the heads up about this interesting lady. I will have to check at our library. There is so much life left in some of the elderly, YeeHaw!
ReplyDeleteBrig,
DeleteYep big time. Retirement is no time to let age have its way.
Glad you have found a writer that you are enjoying so much... Finding those special books are always so SPECIAL.... Thanks for telling us about her and her books... They sound wonderful!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying the beach.... Weather is PERFECT...
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
ReplyDeleteOh, looking forward to your posts about the beach. Hope you have it to yourselves again.
I do love my Kindles. I have three. A very old one that I like because it has a page turning button on each side; a Paperwhite which I prefer for reading because of the screen; and a Kindlefire HD because of it's versatility as a tablet, it's color and sound. I also have the Kindle app on my laptop and on my iPod.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I probably do 60% of my reading in hard copy. I much prefer it. You're right, "Out to Pasture" is not available as an ebook. I just ordered a hard copy. Thanks for the recommendation. I love finding a new hero.
Carolyn,
DeleteYou have one more Kindle than I do. I may have to spring for the Fire.
If I am reading in a chair, I like a hard cover book but in bed, you can't beat the ease of a Kindle--or at least I can't and that is where I do most of my reading. Sure hope you enjoy.
Most interesting. We do exercise class in an assisted living setting and about half the participants live there. I have heard zero complaints about the facility...:)
ReplyDeleteTB,
DeleteHum and where is that one? Kidding but I really do think I could adapt to that type of living.
You've given me hope. I turned 84 in February and was going to sit back and wait for it all to end ... how silly is that? Maybe I'll write a book !
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteYou go girl. I know it made me look at my own age a bit more optimistic.
I am a Kindle person too, but this sounds very interesting. Effie sounds like such a creative, fun person who kept on enjoying life throughout her life.
ReplyDelete