About

The ‘About’ Page is the Hardest

The reason: I’m just not that into myself.

Knowing what I know about myself and all the many imperfections, it’s really hard to brag about accomplishments. But despite my shortcomings, or perhaps because of them, the ‘self-improvement’ factor often comes into play. Not only how we treat other people, animals, and the earth, but mental and physical self-improvement and humility should also be our goal. Let’s face it, without learning from our mistakes, and improving our mind and body, how can we serve others and live long enough to justify our precious journey on this earth?

Boomer Blues ~ My Motivation

Being part of the Baby Boomer Generation means you’ve lived through a lot—rock ‘n’ roll, rotary phones, microwaves… and now, apparently, a collection of “-itis” conditions

The relationship between the baby boomer generation and cumulative illness is real—but it’s often oversimplified. It’s not just ‘aging = more illness.’ It’s the stacking effect of decades of lifestyle, environment, medical care, and longer life expectancy. If you haven’t lived a pristine, toxin-free life, you have experienced this stacking- or at least ONE of the most prevalent common ailments.

What Is “Cumulative Illness”?

Cumulative illness refers to having multiple chronic conditions at the same time—often called multimorbidity. Somewhere along the line, the body quietly decided: “Why have just one issue when we can bundle them?” So instead of one major illness, it’s a combination that builds over time, such as:

• Type 2 Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Arthritis

• Heart Disease

These don’t just coexist—they can interact and complicate each other.

Why It’s More Common in Boomers

1. Longer Lifespans– Advances in medicine mean people survive conditions that once shortened life. But survival can come with ongoing health management. And if you rely on medical doctors for that management, you will no doubt be juggling several different toxic medications. I say toxic because each new med comes with its own set of side-effects to deal with. Some are only annoying, but more serious side-effects can be debilitating or even deadly.

2. Lifestyle Patterns Over Decades– Boomers grew up during major shifts in:

• Processed foods and sugar intake

• Sedentary jobs replacing physical labor

• Smoking rates (especially earlier in life)

These long-term habits can “add up” biologically.

3. Improved Diagnosis- Doctors are simply better at detecting conditions today. What might have gone unnoticed decades ago is now identified and tracked.

4. Medical Success… With Tradeoffs– Better treatment = living longer with conditions rather than dying from them. So instead of one fatal issue, people manage several chronic ones.

Here’s the part people don’t say enough:

• You’re still here—and that counts for a lot

• You’ve adapted more than you realize

• You know your body better than ever (even if it surprises you daily)

What Actually Helps

Not perfection—just steady, realistic habits:

• Regular movement (even walking counts)

• Simple, whole-food nutrition

• Sleep and stress management

• Educating yourself about what works naturally for your ailments

***I am NOT a doctor, but I have been a Natural Health Researcher for over 30 years, even earning my degree in Naturopathy way back when. That being said, I would love to help you with natural health research for your specific imbalances—free of charge. This is what I love to do!

Seems like most of my life can be measured in cats and dogs.

I’ve had them (really they had me) in all the different seasons and stages I’ve gone through.

My cats Buddy (orange tabby) and Ashley (black and silver longhair) saw me through a divorce. Ashley died in my house fire, but Buddy survived and saw me through some awfully lonely times.

My cat Monty (gray and white) was my first ‘indoor only’ cat and he brought such joy. He died shortly after Robby, the boys and I became a family.

I had my dog Nancie (Border Collie and German Shepherd) before Robby and I became a couple. She was Monty’s only playmate and my best friend when I lived alone. She filled my lonely nights with so much love plus she protected me.

Chopper and Annie (terrier litter mates) filled the happiest days of my life- raising the boys, and having everyone under one roof. When we lost Nancie I don’t think I would have recovered if Chopper and Annie weren’t there to love me through it. Nancie was companion and protector to us all and losing her was devastating.

Our white cats Snowball and Jewel were chosen by the boys and always had love and warmth to offer. We lost Snowball to cancer and then Jewel to old age.

Gray Baby came along just at the right time to fill that ‘kitty cat’ hole in our hearts. He was the most loving, friendly cat we’ve ever known. He passed not long ago and we buried him near where he made his appearance in our yard.

Annie died from cancer and that was (I thought) the saddest day of my life, but it wasn’t. Chopper dying a couple of years later surpassed all sadness I had ever known. Not only because my life revolved around caring for his every need in his old age, but because there were no dogs left to comfort me in my loss.

Teddy the cat is our newest kitty addition. (Gray tabby) He bonded with us instantly and is the perfect house cat. He is fearless when it comes to our dogs, and keeps them in line. He sleeps under the covers with us all night.

Millie is our energy-filled Border Collie/German Shepherd. Fetch is one of her two jobs and she lives for it. Her other job is protecting us from outside cats, dogs, and people.

Maddie (German Shepherd/Rottweiler) is our newest, youngest, and largest! A ferocious bark and stance, we never worry about intruders in our golden years.

You always think you could never hurt as bad when the last one dies. Wrong. And you always think you could never love the next one more. Wrong.