BLESS THIS BLOG...

Just like that....the person I love most in the world is very sick. Yes, our dear precious Aunty, full of life and goodness, is sick. I can say it is the worst diagnosis you ever want to hear. Her disease is a cruel one. I find it ironic that the person who is the kindest, most loving and generous of all, gets the worst possible diagnosis. We know that sometimes life just isn’t fair. But....

Aunty’s God-like spirit is deeply profound. I cannot even begin to tell you (at least not here right now) all the ways the angels have been showing up, even before she went into the hospital. They have come out in full force, and I can see and feel the Holy Spirit working overtime. Everyone recognizes and appreciates Aunty's gift of pure love, even Mother Nature.

My precious girl remains full of life and in good spirits. She loves looking over this blog. This blog turned out to be a blessing. These pages and pictures are making her happy. Her spirit is the star! I hope you will scroll around and enjoy seeing a woman and her loving and devoted niece enjoying life. And we will continue to do so until Aunty’s last breath…

Please stay with us on this incredible journey…miracles are happening moment by moment. And even in the hospital, with her shimmery slippers,  Aunty is making everyone around her happy. She is dancing with the nurses, playing cards with the sitters, and together we are touching everyone deeply as they witness the bond of a deep committed love between a mother and daughter. Technically she is my great-aunt (my grandmothers' sister) but, by all accounts I am like a daughter to Aunty and she certainly is more than a mother to me.  We have not ever been apart from each other for very long ever since I was born! I am always by her side. If I leave she always asks for me. I can’t ever go too far.

This picture shows where aunty and I sit to take in the splendor and beauty of nature. Aunty enjoys the birds, the water, the bunnies, and the fresh air. We were here right before she went into the hospital on Wednesday morning September 14^th.  I hope to take aunty here again and share more of our zest for life (even in the most challenging of times) as soon as she comes home…

So much is happening every day, every moment. I have so many stories and lessons to share with you. And I will when I am able to.

Please spread the Ageless with Aunty message and location with everyone you know.

www.reneegold.com there are a mulititude of blessings to go around.
I appologize for any errors... I am grief-stricken and on my way to the hospital. But wanted to reach out to our readers.

AND THEN THERE'S AUNTY...

When I first started this blog I was thinking of calling it Ageless with Jerry! Jerry is a hoot and he's cute too. But....then there's Aunty!

Here she is well into her eighties with her black hat, mirrored shades, and her version of the peace sign. How could I resist? Thus the name

Ageless with Aunty

she is the best part of who I am!

DANCING SUGARPLUM MARTINI...

One noteworthy concoction…

Here at Ageless with Aunty we are glad to declare: According to the Farmer's Almanac, summer is not officially over until 5:04 AM September 23. That means we still have 19 days left!

I celebrated Labor Day this past Wednesday, since I knew I'd be working on Monday. I took a much-needed day off and headed for the beach. I brought my friend Lori along. For the hour-long drive to the shore we listened to some of our summertime favorites. Songs like, Spill the Wine, Summertime by War, and my ultimate favorite, the late Gil Scott Heron’s, In the Bottle. The only way our ride could have been any cooler was if we were driving in a convertible instead of an old Honda.

It may have been the last day of August, but summer was alive and well. We swam, we had a little picnic on the beach, we did our meditation, and we engaged in  some fun girl talk. My psyche was blissed out. When I look back on the summer of 2011, it will be remembered as the summer of MAJOR COMPUTER AND PRINTER PROBLEMS, AND THE SUMMER OF WORKING HARDER THAN I HAVE EVER WORKED IN MY LIFE as I s-l-o-w-l-y  become an entrepreneur (while still being Aunty’s sole and full-time caregiver)! So, needless to say, the beach day went a long way to improving my health and spirit. I had left lots of work, unreturned phone calls, and two months of mail behind.

After a few hours with our feet in the sand, I wanted to treat Lori to a special summer cocktail. Since Lori and I both cherish Sugarplums, when I found out about a drink called Dancing Sugarplum Martini, I knew I would have to get one for Lori. Well, you would've thought I gave Lori a million dollars. The presentation alone wowed her.  The sparkling martini glass had its rim decorated with extra fine sugar, a cherry in the middle, and the prettiest shade of pale pink to the drink. It not only looked enticing, but it tasted exactly like a sugarplum. Lorrie and I sipped, swooned, gushed, and enjoyed this delightful concoction. Sitting before a panoramic view of the ocean, our feet still a little bit sandy, we were oozing summer! And there is still time left for you to marinate yourself in a little more summer (incase you haven't).

If you're ever in Rockport Massachusetts, head over to Bracketts Ocean View restaurant on Main Street. The owner will whip you up this enlightened cocktail. As far as I know, she created this herself. I see so-called sugarplum drinks online, but nothing like this! Just remember to drink and think responsibly. And….Always see things the way they are. 

Be sure to check back: with the owner’s permission I hope to post the soon-to-be famous recipe here.

www.bracketts.com

I MET GRACE KELLY!

She lives up to the "Amazing" in Amazing Grace

I was spared by hurricane Irene. But I was hit by another strong force. Her name is Grace Kelly. This extraordinary jazz performer just blew me away. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.

I cannot sing her praises enough. I was enraptured with every note during her snazzy set at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston this past Thursday night. While most people were preparing for the storm the entire Art audience was wrapped up in a whirlwind all our own thanks to the extraordinary talent of Grace Kelly. She embodies every letter of the word J-A-Z-Z. At the end of the set we all naturally jumped to our feet for a much deserved standing ovation! For this music lover, it will always be a special moment…as I sat awestruck discovering a star. There is no doubt Grace’s ability and talent will soon take her into the stratosphere. I hope she remembers me as one of her early fans!

Miss Grace is 19 years old. She plays the sax, and is also a bandleader, arranger, composer, and singer. At age 14 she played alongside Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. She has shared the stage with Esperanza Spalding, Wynton Marsalis, and the band James Farm. All things considered, her talent is unmatched.

Lee Konitz, one of Charlie Parker’s contemporaries who recorded with Miles Davis in the “Birth of the Cool” sessions, became one of her closest teachers. She is now unstoppable. Wynton Marsalis says “She has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to adapt that is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician.” She has even played with Dave Brubeck among countless other greats!

If all the winds, the rains, and the bad news have you down, do something uplifting. When you are not reading Ageless with Aunty, check out this mega-talent Grace Kelly. She is everything a great musician should be AND MORE… She is so swinging cool…

www.gracekellymusic.com

AGELESS TIP OF THE WEEK:  for anyone visiting or living in the Boston area, the Institute of Contemporary Art is a venue well worth any effort to get to. It’s stunning and stimulating. Get away from the tempest…wake up your senses….turn on some Jazz music and check out a vibrant museum….NOTHING LIKE A NATURAL HIGH.

HOW TO STAY "REMARKABLE"

Ageless Aunty after her recent doctor's appointment

Her doctor called her "remarkable." He told me I should be "commended" for taking such good care of my 87 year old aunty. I felt a rush of pride and happiness to see Aunty so happy, and to hear a respected doctor say such kind words.

We must give Ageless with Aunty  some credit. "We practice everything we say and do on our blog." I told him. He then said the magic words... "Your blog works." He even took out a picture from one of our posts and told us he used us as an example of  quality elder care, devotion, and good attitude,  in his recent staff meeting. Aunty and I appreciated such an acknowledgement from this sought-after memory specialist.

Ageless Tips: In past visits he had recommended blueberries to possibly help with preserving the memory. We have been eating them almost daily. He emphasized the importance of exercise. Hopefully by now, everyone knows that. Then, he mentioned a little red wine is good too. So, on our way home I stopped in my local wine and spirit shop for a bottle of red. Much to my surprise and utter delight.... I was asked to show my ID! This has not happened in years. I thought the woman was joking, but she was serious. After she looked at it, she told me, "You  look much younger." She than asked "What's your secret?"  I told her it's my blog. "I have a blog called Ageless where Aunty and I live out our secrets to staying young and happy."  She took a look at the two of us beaming and immediately asked for my blog card.

I'll be darn....this blog works!!!! It works if you work it, so work it cause your worth it!
No matter how old or young you are,here, we are all Ageless with Aunty!

"An how"