We're all mad here

I still have mine, and his batteries last about a decade at a time ;)

So when I was a kid I had an AG Bear (who am I kidding - I STILL have an AG Bear and I apologise to him every time I squish him into a box to move him lol).   Anyways - for those who don’t know, AG came to life in the 80s as talking bear, shortly before Teddy Ruxpin.  Both bears would talk to their person (or anyone really, they’re not selective lol) but TR did it in English while AG did so in Bear.  So you would think TR would be “better” but in reality by AG speaking bear to any kid w an imagination the conversation possibilities were endless.  And his tone modulated to echo the speaker so it really felt like a conversation.

But what really amuses me now is I realize I do the exact same thing with Mori 😂.  I always talk to my animals, this isn’t new.  But Mori has a conversational range and personality that I’ve never experienced in a pet before and it amuses me to no end.  Sometimes makes me roll my eyes - esp when it’s very clearly a “come here and play with me!” order at the top of his voice (who knew such a tiny critter could have such a loud voice).  But more often than not he makes me laugh.  Volume and tone change significantly and sometimes you can tell exactly what he’s saying but sometimes really could be a whole conversation and it makes me laugh.  But it also definitely feels like talking to AG.  Good for stress relief and creative thinking but occasionally makes people wonder if you aren’t just slightly mad ;).  But then, the best people are.

There's a reason a cat said it first ;)

Deeming No Socials November a Win

Those who know...

So I figured I should do a wrap-up post.   I followed my social rules through the month completely and have since softened them *very* slightly but honestly, keeping pretty close to it.   Things I found:

- I missed being able to share interesting things, esp if I knew there were people who'd find it interesting but who I don't really have any real in-person contact with

- I did not even slightly miss scrolling, but it took almost the whole month before I stopped picking up my phone any time I was remotely bored.  I'm not thrilled about that so continuing to keep an eye on it.

- I read a lot more, wrote a lot more, and - surprisingly - slept much better?   Not really at all sure how or even if that's connected, but was accurate.   

- I did not, actually, apply any of that extra time for anything that I'd thought I might (you know, the 8000 hobbies I never have enough time to get good enough at to enjoy?) but I also didn't miss it.  So I'm not entirely certain what happened there but I'm okay w that.   More baking and more reading I think pretty much sums it up.

- I don't have instant awareness of what's going on in the world anymore, but I'm okay w that.  Between work and friends I find out what the world is talking about even without the socials.

Since the month ended the only thing I've loosened is letting myself post things from non-social world.  We'll see how it goes :).  But so far, I'm feeling it's a much better balance for myself.

TIL that Montessori for Seniors is a thing?

 I've heard a fair bit about Montessori schools and activities for kids, but I was a little surprised to see that the top of the wish list for "Santa for Seniors" charity (gifts for those living in seniors' residences with no family) was Montessori kits.   Definitely sent me googling -- apparently the same principles to the work done with kids can be applied to help people living with dementia.

From the website: Montessori for Dementia, Disability and Ageing is an innovative approach to care services that can be adopted for individuals or groups as a philosophy of care. The goal of the Montessori program is to support older adults and people living with dementia by creating a prepared environment, filled with cues and memory supports, that enables individuals to care for themselves, others, and their community.  We strive to develop communities that treat individuals with respect and dignity and honor their choices so that they may live as independently as possible.  

Took a little more fun to find what the kits are - basically activities that help support the skills for independent living (eg folding clothes, tying shoes), combined with some puzzles and games.