Early Winter, 2008

We recently had a couple of days in the Westland area when the winds blew and blew at very high speeds. Many people in the area lost electrical power. Ours, at Holliday Park, kept working through it all. I was so grateful to be able to use my computer (and my hair dryer! Few people know how I might look without the use of my hair dryer…good thing!). All of the utility wires at Holliday Park are underground. This makes us one of the most fortunate complexes, rarely losing electrical power.

January 2, 2009

I came home about 10 minutes past midnight last night. It was a cold, dark night. I was glad to reach Holliday Park. As I turned onto Spring Valley, I saw the night patrol truck with its two volunteers sitting near the entryway. They kindly followed me to my carport and waited until I was safely inside my front door before they continued their rounds, checking on the safety of all my neighbors.

January 4, 2009

My new Holliday Park friend called and asked to come over for 5 minutes. I certainly have 5 minutes, and soon she was at my door. Seems she had plotted a few weeks ago to prepare a small gift for me…..a wonderful, warm neck scarf of many bright colors! I, a non-knitter, have so much appreciation for those who have the patience. What a nice addition for my boring dark-colored winter jacket. I think this may be a friendship that I must cultivate! Let’s see. What can I offer to her, so it’s not all one-sided?

January 5, 2009

Just back from the clubhouse mini-breakfast, seeing neighbors and friends again after the holidays. The conversation was all about the old bars that used to be down by the Detroit River, near Jefferson, and the rum-runners (before my time!) that someone knew about because her uncle was a rum-runner! — Just a little local color from the city of Detroit. One of the men at the table is a volunteer at Providence Park Hospital in Novi. Another 2 residents, with German accents, told wonderful stories. And, my favorite, when asked about his baking specialty (scones) said he brings them to breakfast about once a month…..I will be back!

January 6, 2009

It’s brisk out, but I was determined to take my regular walk around the complex. When I got to a nearby parking lot, a friend was outside trying to get the hood of her car down after putting in more windshield-washer fluid. I studied the hood-support and could see nothing to push, like a button to make it unlatch….so we two women called a nearby walker in sunglasses whose head, ears and mouth were all covered to keep warm. He came right over, said, “Sure,” and effortlessly pushed the hood down, with the support nicely disappearing into the right place! I asked him his name, which I would never have had to do if I could have viewed his full face; he is a well-known neighbor who laughed that I did not know him under his “disguise;” he may also have laughed because it was so simple to close the hood, and I displayed such ignorance. The laughs we had warmed up this cold day. I lost any illusions I may have had about breaking stereotypes, and becoming a recognized “car mechanic.” The humble pie was not so good.

January 7, 2009

The whole area — highways, side streets…all… were amazingly glazed over with a thin sheet of ice, which was somewhat invisible in places. I had awakened rather early, hoping to drive to my son’s home. Traffic reports showed accidents all over the place. Yet, the comforting sound of the snow-blowing contraption then came from the parking lot, where there was no snow. I saw that the anti-slip compounds were being applied to the ice to make it possible for all of us to go out, at least as far as nearby Wayne Road, where hopefully, we could find that the county was doing the needed job of eliminating the icy spots. I took my little pail full of salt, obtained in December from maintenance, and applied it to my porch and steps. I still waited about an hour before going out. By then, the local efforts in our cooperative had taken effect, and traffic reports had improved. I am happy not to have to battle the elements all by myself.

January 8, 2009

The highlight of the day was a phone call from my six-year-grandson, who believes he is getting better at whistling (a worthy goal!).
I also spent some time shopping at nearby Westland Mall to check out Macy’s remaining, after-Christmas bargains. Being in that environment made me renew my resolution to walk every day, even when it’s so cold, by joining the Westland walkers, who begin their rounds at the mall daily at 7 a.m.
Each day, as I write my notes in this diary, it becomes more of a realization that it is really 2009, a year that has to improve in many ways; yet, I am grateful that I live in Holliday Park, as battling the financial downturns seems to be easier here than it might be somewhere else. I’ll say my silent thank-you ahead of time.

Signing off for now…….

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