Quartet in Autumn, Barbara Pym, Finding Forrester, Leopard Outfit and more on Monday Musings.
MONDAY MUSINGS NO. 141
Good morning friends, happy Monday musings to you and happy Fall. How was your weekend?
I have been in bed sick since we returned from Colorado, it is hard to feel bad when there is so much more going on in the world and in my little world. Just in case people forget behind every smile or happy post is a real life person walking a path they don’t share with you because you are walking your own path of the ups and downs of life.
My mother-in-law Betty is nearing the end of her life and over the last year has been in hospice. Every day when we talked she would tell me that she was sick of living like she was, confined to one room and with no purpose. I would try to cheer her up and tell her that she was here for a reason, God had a plan and that he was not ready for her yet.
I have no idea why we have been blessed to have her this last year but I have savored every phone call. Truth be told I prayed and prayed that she would never leave even though she was praying for the opposite.
The past 3 weeks she has really gone down hill, sleeps most of the day, and has lost a significant amount of weight. She no longer answers the phone and our calls are about 1-3 minutes no. Hospice said we are at the second to the last stage of death. I think this week we have entered the last.
It is hard to loose someone you love, it’s hard to pray that they will leave in peace and without pain. I don’t want her to live like she is but I don’t want her to go.
My sister-in-law is amazing. She has had Betty at her house the last year and after working a full day at the office came home to care for her mom. My brother-in law had the day shift with the help of hospice in and out. For those wondering, we do not live close by. In fact we are more than half the country away, otherwise Bill and I would have been with her as well.
If you are so inclined please pray for Betty as she transitions from her earthly home and for the family as they navigate this path . If you are navigating this path in your own life my prayers are with you and your family.
Life is precious and so very short, tell your family and friends that you love them before they are gone.
Now, onto +5 Things which I already had written before I decided to share the above thoughts, lest you think I am trivial.
1.READ~
Quartet in Autumn
This is the story of four people in late middle-age – Edwin, Norman, Letty and Marcia – whose chief point of contact is that they work in the same office and they suffer the same problem – loneliness. Lovingly, poignantly, satirically and with much humour, Pym conducts us through their small lives and the facade they erect to defend themselves against the outside world. There is nevertheless an obstinate optimism in her characters, allowing them in their different ways to win through to a kind of hope. Barbara Pym’s sensitive wit and artistry are at their most sparkling in “Quartet in Autumn”.
MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
2. WATCHED~Finding Forester
This is an older movie but is worth watching or rewatching if you have already seen it. We loved it. If you have already watched it, tell me what you liked about it.
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
The Scary Truth About How Far American Kids Have Fallen Behind.
In Defense Of ‘Coffee Badging,’ The Controversial New Office Trend
Fall accessories to add to your wardrobe.
I Walked 11+ Miles On My Underdesk Treadmill from 9 am to 5 pm — Here’s What Happened
Are We Thinking About Obesity All Wrong?
I love this article by Kate Winslet, Women Get More Beautiful As They Age.
SOME Americans Can Finally Renew Their Passports Online(you have to meet certain requirements this is not for everyone).
The 7 Types Of Rest You Need To Feel Your Best
Interesting article about the creator economy.
4. SHOPPING BREAK
Leopard is “in” this season. Everything from coats, to shoes, scarves, bags, pants, dresses and more. Personally, I think it looks best used sparingly. it makes more of a statement.
This week I put together an outfit using black pants, shoes and a bag that you probably already own paired with a leopard sweater. The look is classic and sophisticated.
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT~Weekend Meanderings
Saturday on Weekend Meanderings I shared all things Fall, from playlists, bucket lists, cozy outfits, self care, comfort food and more.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings and found something to read, watch or even add to your cart.
What was the best part of your weekend?
Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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On My Radar
I can empathize with you and am sorry for the pain you feel at losing Betty from your life. My dad too did not wish to continue living in one room, one bed, confined and lonely. He died alone during lockdown as they would not let me visit him. So painful. Hospice was on call but he died alone. I know that his soul is with my mom who died of brain cancer at the young age of 64 and they’re back to dancing! I read so many things about near death experiences that it convinces me they are surrounded by love as they transition and after life. She will not be alone. Bless you and your husband as you grieve.
Nanci,
I am so sorry about your dad. Covid did not do anyone any favors and unfortunately too many people were alone at a time they needed family the most. I am sure that your parents are looking down on you and so happy to have been reunited. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. I believe that Betty will be surrounded by love and greeted by her husband Al at the gates of heaven.
Have a wonderful day.
Betty sounds like a wonderful woman who has lived a full life. May Betty be showered with God’s grace and mercy and be in His loving arms soon.
Mary, Berry is a wonderful woman and has lived a long life and we are all blessed to have her in our life. Thank you for your kindness and prayers.
Thank you for sharing about Betty. It is a difficult journey to walk through.
Thank you Linda! Take care
May God keep you and your family in his loving care at this time.
Hope you will be feeling better soon.
Thank you Sandra, I so appreciate your kindness and prayers.
Dear Elizabeth,
I would first of all like to acknowledge YOU, sorry to hear you are under the weather. Hope you get to feeling well very soon. I know you are an active and engaged person with a full life everyday from what you share. It’s hard for a person like you to not feel well.
My heart goes out to you and Bill. I can imagine how hard it is to be so far away from your mother-in-law. The telephone calls have meant so much to Betty. Also I feel for Betty deeply, how she has been living. I embrace quality of life and when a loved one no longer has that it’s heart breaking that they have to suffer the way Betty has. Hospice is so wonderful, at least she is in good care. My thoughts and prayers are with Betty and the whole family.
We just went to my forever friends husbands celebration of life and I learned so much about her husband’s life since he was born till he passed. It was so well done. They were married for 65 years. I have known Jan for 30 years.
If you ever visited Sedona, they owned The Red Rock Jeep Tour Company among so many other business adventures in film and video. I always knew her husband, Bill was a solid rock and a class act, loving, kind, curious and that was all confirmed my family and friends.
By the way Elizabeth as I have told Kim Wheeler, I so enjoy getting to know the whole person. Thank you for sharing the way you did.
Give yourself a big hug, I just did to you.
Katherine, THANK YOU for your kindness and for sharing your friends. I am sorry about the passing of your forever friends husband Bill. 65 years married, how wonderful and what a testament to love and life. He sound like a wonderful man.
My husband lived in Sedona many years ago(in his 30s), and even had a magazine that he inherited from his father who had lived there for many, many years.
I am still feeling under the weather, hopefully I will be back on my feet in a few days. I miss getting in the kitchen, but apparently I need a rest so that is what I will do, rest.
Blogging is an interesting thing, sometimes people want to know more about you…but not if it is heavy, depressing or unhappy. In the old days of blogging it was a lot easier to share all parts of your life. I get it, life is a challenge and no one wants to take on any more negative energy.
Thank you again for your kindness, your comment and for reading the blog my friend.
A big hug right back to you.
Thank you for sharing about Betty. We can keep you all in our prayers.
Thank you Rita, your prayers are appreciated.
Dearest Elizabeth,
I am sending prayers for peace of mind and hugs to Betty and her family!
I just lost my Mom over the summer. We gathered for her funeral mass and celebration of life a little over a week ago.
She survived through her first round of hospice.
Mom wasn’t ready to go until she held her latest and likely last great grandchild.
I was lucky to be with her when she drew her last peaceful breath.
Life is so precious.
Much love from me to you!
Lynne
Lynne, thank you so much my friend for your kind words and for sharing your story about your mom. Your mom was blessed to have you by her side as she passed to be with God. How wonderful to have had your family together to celebrate her wonderful life. I know that she was smiling down on all of you as you shared stories and her love of you and life.
I hope that when it is my time to go or my moms time that I am blessed to go holding the hand of someone who loved me.
Take care and hug your children and grands, life is short my dear and we have to savor every minute.
xox
Elizabeth, we purchased our land in 1989 and finished building our retreat in 1992 in Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona. My husband was President of Keep Oak Creek Canyon Beautiful. We built our home in Pine Flats Community, by chance that Bill is familiar with Oak Creek Canyon. He knew a good number of people in Sedona. We sold our retreat after enjoying it for 22 years. After owning 3 homes for awhile and getting into (for me) feeling my young but health advancing age I wanted to take care of only one home. As you well know, one is enough to look after. We had a tree fall on our home living in the forest, like you we had to bring trees down on our property to protect our beautiful home. I totally get what you and Bill have been through.
On a much happier note, I made your Butternut Squash, Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole, and Easy Autumn Spice Loaf Cake.
Both turned out swell, will make again.
My thoughts are with Betty. I feel so badly for her.
Katherine, thank you for your kind words about Betty. It is so hard watching someone that you love make this journey. One day she is “up” the next down. On the up days you have a sense of hope, hope for what I am not sure as she is not going to get better. I guess hope for a painless or less painful transition? It is strange because although are all going to die this just isn’t what anyone imagines, especially my sister in law and she is a nurse.
I will ask Bill if he knows this area. I am sure that you had 22 wonderful years there. Three houses! How in the world did you get it all done?
In high school, collage and a few years after my mother had the most beautiful lake house, as well as her house that she lived in full time. For years we all went the the lake house on weekends and holidays, then as we grew up and started moving around the country the house sat vacant for most of the year. Finally my mom decided she had too much on her plate with a business and primary house so she sold the lake house. Now that my siblings have children and more time they wish we had that house.
As for Bill and I, over the last 30 years we have often thought of buying an apartment in Paris, or a small house somewhere. But with work, aging parents, kids living overseas we decided we do not have the time to take on another place and that’s ok.
I am happy that you made the chicken and wild rice casserole and the spice cake! Two of my favorites.
Have a wonderful evening and weekend.