A Bit About Ridgemont

This is the activity room ;  the tables and chairs are moved around in different settings for the event of the evening.  Used for exercise early Thursday mornings;  replacing the chairs and tables for Bingo game or Card games.    We sometimes have a sing along in this room and on Sunday morning you can hear a preacher with his guitar and a few folks singing hymns.    A true activity room.

 

When I step out of my door and look to my right  I see this corridor which leads to the laundry room at the end of the hallway to the left and on to the ramp leading to the elevator to get to the third floor and dinner.

This is Doris who , believe it or not, is 98 years old.  She is the lady who bakes cookies practically every day and shares them with all of us or to a selective group of friends she takes care of for their sweet tooth.  A wonderful bright and cheerful lady we all love.  

Doris is a collector of dolls and these are a few she has left.   She has given many away to family and friends.   They are all beautiful and well taken care of.

One of the most important rooms....the laundry room.    We have a schedule and there is never a problem.  Some time is free so you can always make good use of the laundry equipment and let someone else use your time .  

Ron was waiting for the elevator to go up to the third floor to have lunch.  I asked him to pose and he did.  A really very nice man.

A new lady and I don't know her name.    I heard it, honest, but the brain didn't retain it.   She is very friendly and a lovely person.       

The dining room.    Darlene is just getting into her seat;  Doris is walking to hers, Ginny is over by the table I usually share with her.    Lovely ladies.    I think that is Margaret right behind Darlene but I wouldn't swear to it.   Fresh white table cloths every day.    Neat and clean.    The girls who work here do a great job.

This is Vinnie.    Vinnie and I have a reading session almost every day.   It all depends on what is going on.   We agree to agree if both are there and free we read;  if one or the other is not there, then we pick it up another time.    He is a sweet man, loves to talk and tells many tales of his Navy time.   He is finding the book, "Winds of War" familiar as he saw the movie in which they did an excellent job.    It is an easy read and chalk full of history.

Miss Rose.    She has a crush on Vinnie.    She will be 100 on November First.....her daughter is going to throw a big party for her in October before she leaves on her trip.    We are all looking forward to it.

"Winds of War"   about half way through.....

Another shot of the dining room.   Way back at their usual table is Jan and Don, two of the foursome who have claimed that table as their own.     One of the foursome, Wally, died today.  It was a somber occasion.  He was doing pretty good until a few weeks ago and landed in the hospital with heart problems.    He returned and was doing good , went to his room, turned on the television and sat down and quietly expired.  The way we would all like to go.    In the background you can see Samantha, a real sweetheart and a very hard worker.

This is Jan.  The reader.  She is an avid reader and loves books.   She is going to help me start up a group this winter and try to make a book reading club.    We will be confined in a lot more once the snow and ice begins to appear;  I think up here in the Northwest there is a lot of that kind of weather.   

So that is a start in introducing you to Ridgemont.    I'll take my camera again and ask others to pose.  Some will, some wont, but I can ask.    It is a different type of family.   It is a different kind of life style.    It really is something to be thankful for, especially for those whose family members are away or in fact, have none.    Everything is not perfect, but what is??

Change is a part of life.   Change is both good and bad.    Change is frightening.   Change is fun.   Two sides of the coin of life.    Jan came to our table today and volunteered to read to Vinnie if I was away.   It has taken weeks for her to think about it but she is willing to change....from her quiet solitude to joining in on a task that is worthwhile and fun to boot.

Losing Wally is sad, scary in fact, like waiting in the waiting room for your turn.    It is inevitable.  It is life.    Sadness gives way to the thought that it really was his time to leave us.    We will miss him but we know he is where he wants to be as the uncertainly of life has been taken away to what we all hope is a bigger and better place.  

Our prayers, our thoughts our expectations guide us on a daily basis.    So when you say a prayer, light a candle be sure you include the folks here at Ridgemont.

Hugs to all.