THE VILLAGE TIMES

Wishin’ Well – song written by Frank Howes

I never liked to drink. This ain’t a country song.
It’s not about a woman who has done me wrong
It’s all about the lover of my best friend
And heartache over thinkin’ bout what might have been.

Their wedding brought the happy sounds of mission bells.
I didn’t tell ‘em that I heard my own death knell.
I said I wish you well and then I stumbled and fell,
Straight to the bottom of my wishin’ well.

I heard a fella singin’ once ’bout Jesse’s girl.
Sweet Jesus I have come across a priceless pearl.
I want her to be happy, that’s my fondest dream.
She’ll never know that things are not just what they seem.
Bridge
Starin at her picture from so long ago.
She’s still the lovely lady that I got to know.
They say that if you love them you should let ’em go.
When I think about her, I start feeling low.
Bridge
Love actually is often just a private hell
You end up feeling like you’re just an empty shell
I’ve come to know that she will never ever be mine,
She’ll never wear my ring or be my valentine
Bridge
I started to drink and write down country songs
They’re not about a woman who has done me wrong
They’re all about the lover of my best friend
They’re all about the wishing that will never end

Their wedding brought the happy sounds of Mission Bells
I didn’t tell them that I heard my own death knell
I said I wish you well and I stumbled and fell,
Into a bottle from the bottom-less hell

Resident’s son returns to JEOPARDY!

   Returning champ Joey Desena, son of resident Carol
Desena, will return to the long-running quiz show
JEOPARDY! at 7:00 pm, Jan. 16, 2025. The show has
already been taped but not even his mother knows the
results because the contestants are sworn to secrecy. So
come to the theater room Monday evening, Jan. 16 at
7:00 pm and cheer Carol on if he wins – or for that matter
even if he doesn’t. Just being a contestant on the show is
a prize unto itself!

Now Read This! – by Ernest Sommers

Strolling

   I’m glad you are here – we are glad you are here. I, Mr. Ernest Sommers, am also known as E.J. I am not a trespasser. I am not a loiterer. I am not a vagrant anywhere in this Raleigh town.
   I am a first-class person of this Raleigh town, the USA, and the whole USA. I am a stroller of this Raleigh town as I am strolling through the roads of this Raleigh town in my 1997 SUV.
   I see other strollers enjoying this Raleigh town in their own cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles, and on their bicycles. I see as I am strolling this Raleigh town the sidewalks are a place I will stroll just to be out-and-about outside enjoying the stores and shops. Please don’t call me anything else but a stroller in the Raleigh town as I like very much to be strolling in this Raleigh town each season of the year.

Thank you lucky you
Thank you lucky me
Yours truly and sincerely, E.J.

January book club news:

   Members are now reading the nonfiction The Library Book, (©2019) written by award-winning New Yorker reporter and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean.
   On the morning of April 28, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. The fire was disastrous: it reached two thousand degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who?
   Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading into an investigation of the fire, Susan Orlean delivers a “delightful…reflection on the past, present, and future of libraries in America” (New York magazine) that manages to tell the broader story of libraries and librarians in a way that has never been done before.
   In the “exquisitely written, consistently entertaining” (The New York Times) The Library Book, Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; delves into the evolution of libraries; brings each department of the library to vivid life; studies arson and attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; and reexamines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the LAPL more than thirty years ago.
   You don’t have to be a member of the Book Club to read The Library Book. Ask book club moderator Sandy Ballard or activity director Taylor for a copy. The Book Club meets once a month. Check the IVOR bulletin board for meeting times. You are welcome to attend if
or when you can.

Time – by Phyllis Woolley

   Time can be measured by seconds, minutes, hours and many other ways. We have attempted to control it, but find that impossible. Sometimes we have more time than we need and sometimes we complain we have too much time on our hands.
   Life goes on, and the more we complain about having too much or too little time, we are actually wasting time. So what do we do with our time? Time is precious to me. It became even more important after a near-death experience in May, 2024. The details of the incident are unimportant, but facing my own mortality came easier than I expected. I can still picture myself going into surgery, seeing the overhead lights and nurses rushing around the room preparing instruments and me. Laying on a gurney, with oxygen and IVs attached, I was calm. I looked up to the heavens and said, I believe, out loud.
   “Well, Jesus, it’s just you and me now. I hope You brought the right people with You today. Obviously, He did, because I am still here today. I had had a major heart attack, one the doctor called a Widow-maker, and the doctors were able to put a stint in one artery that was 95% blocked. They couldn’t get to the other artery, and left it alone for the time being. Since I am a diabetic, have kidney disease, and had two blood clots removed from my brain which caused a small stroke, you can believe me when I say that time is precious.
   I am often questioned about how I am able to stay in my small apartment as much as I do. First of all, I like my apartment, I like my view, my surroundings, AND, I like my own company. I don’t feel the need to be entertained all the time. I love other people, but sometimes I am turned off by constant unnecessary chatter.
   I will share some of the things I do to make myself happy: I have three sons, three Sisters, a brother, and 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren plus one on the way. I also have
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins with whom I stay in touch. In addition, I have several friends from high school, with whom I am still close. I even have two friends from second grade I interact with weekly. And yes, I have my cat, Eevee.
   One of the things I am doing in my room is writing letters to my sisters and brother and all the others to read after I am gone. I want them to know how important they have been to me.
   I have taken up crocheting again, and I read and write. I also keep up with the news of the day as much as possible, and cook many of my own meals. I take care of my own finances and so far, am able to take my medicines and do many of my household duties, although I greatly appreciate the assistance I get from the housekeepers here at IVOR.
   I may be limited in my time, but I certainly don’t have too much free time. I don’t require being entertained, although I appreciate entertainment. I am content with my life, and try to be a better person every day. I don’t always achieve that goal but I do try. At 81 years old I am learning to just walk away from uncomfortable situations.
   So if you are dissatisfied with how you spend your time, it’s not too late to get to know yourself. It’s never too late to take the first step toward renewing a relationship with someone you love, or even think you dislike. Time is slipping through the hourglass quicker than you think.
   Lord, if you are listening as I write this, would you consider giving me a bigger hourglass?

Reports from the CEC (Community Enhancement Committee)

WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE!

   It can be as small and simple as a smile, or it can be something larger like your time or a hobby or talent, but we all have something we can share with others.
   Do you enjoy helping others have a good time? Do you have a talent or hobby that you think others might enjoy? Do you enjoy a board game or card game you’d like to play with others?
   If so, Taylor has opportunities for you! You can do as much, or as little, as you are comfortable doing. Write your thoughts and ideas down, add your name and apartment # and drop it in the suggestion box on the table by the front desk. Be specific… are you interested in leading and/or teach the activity, are you interested in helping Taylor with the activity etc. It will be easier for Taylor if you use the suggestion box, rather than stopping her to tell her things when she is busy doing other things.
   Taylor can also use help with some of the activities. Things like prep for activities (i.e.: cutting out items for crafts; getting plates, cups etc. out for parties and clean up afterward); decorating doors for birthdays, etc… there are many things you can do to not only help Taylor out but to make activities more enjoyable for everyone, including yourself. If you would like to be an activity volunteer jot that down along with your name and apt. # and drop it in the suggestion box. Taylor will get in touch with you about helping. You can choose to help, or pass until the next opportunity arises, but at least Taylor will know you want to help when you can.

TRASH PICK-UP

   We are beginning to see trash sitting outside of apartments during the day a lot again. Please set your trash out for pick-up BEFORE 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday. If you don’t put your trash out before 8:00 a.m. keep it in your apartment until your bedtime that night. Set trash out at bedtime for pick-up the next morning, except for Saturday night because there is NO SUNDAY MORNING TRASH PICK-UP. If staff has to make a special trip to take your trash out during the day because you put it out when you shouldn’t you could be charged and the appropriate amount added to your monthly bill.
   If you have a caregiver who puts your trash out it is your responsibility to make sure the caregiver follows the Independence Village guidelines. If the caregiver doesn’t want to leave the trash in your apartment until the correct time, they will need to carry it out and put it in the dumpster out back.
   Let’s all do our part to help keep our home looking and smelling as nice as
possible, and help keep the bug population down, by bagging and putting out our trash appropriately.

CORN HOLE BOARDS NEEDED

Taylor and the CEC are looking for CORN HOLE boards for upcoming activities & events. Do you have a friend or relative who has old ones, gathering dust in the back of their garage or up in their attic, they might donate to Independence Village? Or maybe they are handy with wood and might consider making us some. We have corn hole bags but apparently someone borrowed our boards and didn’t return them. If you can help us out, or have questions, contact Paula Moore or Taylor.