Editor’s note: Social distancing means we can’t all be together right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still check in on each other. “Checking in with … ” is a new series doing just that. If you have suggestions about who we should feature, please email us at newsroom@gazettenet.com with the series name as the subject line.
Who lives in the same house as you?
Oliver, my 17-pound Maine Coon cat. Oliver was a Christmas present from my kids in 2018. He’s got a lot of personality!
Are you working, or passing the time in other ways?
I’ve been retired for a long time. My husband and I lived in East Longmeadow, then moved to New Hampshire, and then moved here in 2011. My husband passed in 2012, but since then I’ve found a whole new life. I live at the Treehouse Community in Easthampton, which is a combination of housing for elders and families with foster children. We are supplementary grandparents for some of these kids, and it’s a wonderful thing. There are other Treehouse communities around the world — it’s just terrific.
I also sing in the Young@Heart Chorus, and we’ve been practicing using Zoom. We have two rehearsals a week, Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s a challenge. With three or four people over 90 in our group, some of us aren’t as computer literate as younger folks. But we manage. Just today, we celebrated the life of one of our wonderful members who passed away last night [not COVID-19-related]. Over Zoom, we told stories about how much we missed her. It’s sad, but her struggle is over, and now she is at peace.
How are you getting the things you need: groceries, entertainment, exercise, anything you consider essential?
I have diabetes, so I contacted my doctor’s office a few weeks ago and got 90 days of scripts. I use the Holyoke Health Center, and they delivered my meds. For groceries, I use the Easthampton Enrichment Center in conjunction with Big E’s. I phone in my list to the senior center, and someone goes shopping, and I get my groceries within a few hours. I wish people would donate to the EEC, because they could really use the money.
What is hardest for you right now?
I miss being at rehearsal with real people, in the flesh. I’m limited. I have a falling issue, so I can’t really go out and walk, but I did some yard cleanup the other day. I’d like to go and get some flowers for my window boxes.
What is bringing you relief/happiness right now?
I’m very lucky. I have three wonderful children who do everything they can for me. Tonight my daughter is bringing me homemade pea soup and Parker rolls. So I would say my family, and my cat. And being a part of this wonderful community at Treehouse, and being in the Young@Heart Chorus. The rehearsals help me keep track of time.
Any good suggestions to offer?
I would say “keep a routine,” but I’m actually not very good at it! I’ll walk by my bedroom, and Oliver is in there on the bed calling my name, saying, come snuggle with me in the sun! My granddaughter bequeathed her old iPad to me, and I use it to watch Acorn TV. On Acorn, I can get all kinds of British TV shows for free. I like the word “free” a lot! I watch “Doc Martin,” and “Vera,” which is funny as a stick. It’s about this dowdy older woman with a slouchy hat and a raincoat that’s too big who goes trudging around in her wellies trying to solve mysteries. Good entertainment! And I try very hard not to watch cable news. I watch PBS mostly. I think it gives me better grounding.