It will be no shock to anyone, but I really cannot believe that one quarter of the year has passed us by already. March has been about continuing to ease myself into retirement. I’m still feeling like I’m on holidays and the leisure time will all come to an end soon. I suppose that’s a sign that I’m enjoying life. I seem to be very easily filling my days, but these days, it’s about doing what I want to do, when I want to do it.
March has been a very busy month of doing the fun stuff. Earlier in the month, I virtually attended the largest family history and genealogy conference in the world, Rootstech 2024. Rootstech is held annually, in the US, at Salt Lake City, Utah. However, since the pandemic, it has been available to attend virtually. This is great for people like me, who are on the other side of the world. There’s no way that I could attend in person every year.
I did attend the conference in person at Salt Lake City in 2016, and loved every moment of it. The conference runs for three days, with many sessions available to watch virtually, at any time that suits, or like me, you could watch them live in the middle of the night. I had a very entertaining and educational few days, and am very much looking forward to next year.
Projectkin, a community of family historians, called for submissions for family stories, which they planned to publish on Substack during the Rootstech conference. I wrote about the life of my great great grandmother, who came to Australia from Ireland, when she was 15, as an Earl Grey Girl. Usually, I don’t publish anything about my family history here, as I have my Tracking Down The Family blog for that purpose, but thought you might like to read it. I do feel it’s appropriate, to publish here, as Family History is a very popular retirement activity. Following is the post that I wrote, as published on the Project Kin Forum:
Famine and the Earl Grey Girl In My Family
Garden
Now the intense summer heat has gone, making way for gorgeous autumn days, it’s an absolute pleasure to be in the garden. After many years of having a huge garden, my garden now is much smaller, but still big enough to keep my busy, if that’s what I want. Gone is the necessity to spend hours in the garden. I can now get out there when I feel like it, and not when I’d rather do something else.
I have created a fun succulent pot garden underneath an empty, boring spot below my clothesline. I love it, and have spent many hours there, perfecting it. It’s still a work in progress, but getting there. I know succulents don’t appeal to all, but working with them, for me, is happiness inducing. I’m gathering an extensive collection, which is expanding very quickly.
A very small corner of my new succulent collection
My favourite one pot collection which is growing beautifully
Oscar
When Oscar was at the groomers recently, she noticed he seemed to have an ear infection, so off we went to the vet. The infection was quite severe, so needed surgery which was done yesterday. To kill two birds with the one stone, they also did his teeth cleaning, while he was under the anaesthetic. Today, he’s feeling much better, so is keeping fairly quiet, but did enjoy his walk earlier today.
Taking it quiet after surgery
Health - My Word Of The Year Update
In January, when I chose health as my word of the year, I wasn’t really in a good place. I was on crutches, due to my knee, I had been told that I needed to have dental surgery. The dental surgery didn’t sit well with me, as I’m terrified of dentists, which is why I found myself in the position of needing serious treatment. I was about to turn 70, and had recently retired, and felt sad that my retirement wasn’t turning out to be what I had planned for or expected. I really felt a sense of impending doom, that I was almost at the end of my life.
I felt that choosing Health as my #WOTY, would encourage me to get serious about looking after my health. So far that is working out and I am feeling much better and much more positive than I was, back in those dark days.
Good News
I received good news from the doctor, when the results from my recent bone density test came through. It seems that my bone density has increased slightly since the previous test. It wasn’t a huge test, but a good result as the osteoporosis treatment that I have, intends to keep bone density at the current level rather than have an increase. Both the doctor and I were very happy with the result. Just a reminder to everyone to have your bone density test.
Walking
My knee, though still stiff and a little painful at times is much, much better after having twelve weeks of physio. Last week, I managed to walk 5k, which I never would have expected to be able to do, ever again. In January, I couldn’t walk for 500 metres without severe pain. I have been increasing the time, little by little, as advised by the physio.
Gym
After completing the twelve week physio program at the hospital, the question was - ‘what next?’ I knew that I couldn’t stop what I was doing, as I’d very quickly go back to where it all began. I decided to join the gym where I was a member when I last lived in town. I was very nervous heading in for a first appointment to discuss my needs and what I hoped to achieve. However, on walking through the door, I saw many familiar faces in both the members and trainers and felt immediately comfortable and at home. I now have a strength program that I really love, and after four weeks of attending four days each week, I can feel my strength coming back. I’m also still doing my physio program at home. My sense of well being, has also hugely increased during this time.
Loving being back in a public gym
During an early morning walk, I came across these ducks and babies at the Botanic gardens
Blogging
The Blogging April A to Z Challenge starts next week on the first day of April. I decided on a theme and started planning my posts towards the end of last year, but over the past few weeks, have been busy with final edits. They are now ready to go and I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of blogging every day in April. I’m also looking forward to connecting with other bloggers in the challenge.
This year I have decided to participate in the challenge on my One Place Study blog, Haverfordwest History. Haverfordwest is a city in Wales that I study as a part of my family history research. The link below goes to the theme reveal for the challenge.
Haverfordwest History
A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal
Following are other posts that were published on each of my blogs during March.
Another Phase on Substack
Best Bookish Blog
Review: A Woman of Courage by Tania Blanchard
Reading Update - March 2024 #WBOYC 2024
Review: Seven Sister Series #3 and #4
Jones Family History
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Worship
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Achievement
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Changing Names
This post is linked to the monthly #whatsbeenonyourcalendar #WBOYC linkup hosted by bloggers Deb, Sue, Donna, and Jo.
Also linking this post to Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
Being back 'in town' suits you very much it seems. This was such a cheery read. Loved the succulents and the good news re your health. Biggest of high fives to you Jennifer! So glad Oscar is going OK too. Autumn and gardening is such a good fit and that's happening here too. Denyse x
Wow! I love the rows of pots with succulents. I love Oscar and the ducks too. Congratulations on the results of bone density test!