by Marlene Bumgarner | Oct 15, 2020 | Family, Grandparenting
Call to Action After many months of sheltering in place, I was preparing for a visit from my youngest grandchild. For her 4th birthday, her parents had reserved a space at a nearby campground where we could safely social distance. I’d been collecting hobby...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Aug 27, 2020 | Aging, Family, Health
Love at First Touch – Massaging Away Pain I never expected a simple trip to buy vegetables to change my life, but it did. I met Maria Fernandez at the Santa Cruz Farmer’s Market where she was offering five-minute massages. My body hurt that day, as it always...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Apr 6, 2020 | Aging, Community, Cooking and Eating, Family, Health, Writing
Sheltering at Home, Week One The first week of sheltering at home, I thought “This is great – I’ll have time to do all those things I’ve been putting off. I unearthed a photo album from the 1980s that I wanted to bring up to date for my...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Feb 3, 2020 | Child development, Family, Grandparenting, Nature, Travel
On The Road With Sheila My friend Quincy asked me to write about my early adventures on the road in my new motor home so here goes. My first excursion in Sheila was from Beach Cities RV in southern California to my home in Santa Cruz. I have nothing to say about that...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Dec 22, 2019 | Aging, Child development, Community, Family, Grandparenting, Writing
The Christmas Cards Cometh As I sit in my cozy chair and open my mail this morning I am grateful to those of my friends who still send annual Christmas cards and letters. I look forward to connecting with old friends, being introduced to new members of the family,...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Dec 15, 2019 | Child development, Cooking and Eating, Family, Grandparenting
Keeping Traditions Alive Two weeks ago I flew to Los Angeles to spend Thanksgiving with my son’s family and to keep a family tradition. I packed my English tart tins and a rolling pin in order to introduce my youngest grandchild to making mince tarts. My son has...