Listen to This!

For the past 4 years Jack and Carole have shared my townhome in Colorado Springs. They moved in with me after I suffered a fairly serious accident. They had planned on renovating their house in Manitou Springs anyway so the temporary move was practical for them---and has proved a good thing for me too.

The kids purchased their house about 20 years ago. It sits alone on the top of a hill smack-dab between Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. The views from every window are breathtaking and the privacy is almost complete. I can understand why they want to move back there. But I don't want to.

The house redo is major and could include a mother-in-law suite for me. But I don't want it. My suite would have a door that could shut out domestic critters and give me plenty of privacy. But I don't want it. The driveway is being lowered to make driving easier for me. But I don't want to do it. Let's face it. I Don't Want IT!

Think about it---the Machiavellian cats, the dumb and dirty dogs, the constant unexpected, noisy company---not to mention the bears, mountain lions and stinky varmints on the other side of my windows. Did I mention I'm 85 years old? I want to walk out and socialize with refined, congenial, seemly folks without wondering who---or what is going to jump out at me. I want to drive to the library without piloting my little car down streets with 45 degree grades---and ice.

I love my townhouse but it's much too large for me by myself. It is also too far from senior activities in which I look forward to participating. So...after suffering many sleepless nights and nail-biting days I decided to move into an independent living retirement community. I've been investigating my options here.

Unfortunately my research has not been very encouraging. I'm completely horrified by the cost of most desireable communities. It's crazy. I'm totally independent and yet it seems most places want me to pay for all kinds of "amenities" I don't need and certainly don't want to pay for. The kids have suggested I look for a regular apartment within walking distance of the senior center. It sounds like a sensible idea and I'll be looking into that possibility this week.

So that's what's been up with Lucy this past week. Oh, and did I mention a new leaky puppy moved in here? But that's another story! Here's a picture anyway. And BTW, his name is Rashi.