|
A Woman Champ with True Grit
Why did an email from Champ Lisa this week remind me of the movie True Grit? How could a Champ forget that movie’s gritty performance by John Wayne and the 1969 title song by Glen Campbell?
(In the picture above, Lisa is with one of her horses in Tucson, Arizona. Her other horse is pictured below).
I made that Lisa/True Grit connection because what Lisa accomplished in the last five years took true grit. Her story touches upon issues that seniors often face.
Lisa wrote: “Your eNewsletter last week about a woman in a long-distance relationship raised issues applicable to many seniors these days.
Relocating to a different state
“A lifelong Californian, I moved to Tucson, Arizona 4 1/2 years ago, at age 70, bought horse property, a wonderful home with a pool, and all I could ask for.
Relocating to a different state
I asked Lisa what inspired her to relocate, to make that gutsy move.
She said, “My reason for leaving California was due to the growing situation in California over many years. Among them:
-Changing the laws to let the criminals out of prison
-Related to that, revising the law (again) so that those criminals may now steal without consequence
-This made me feel that as I get older, I would be even more vulnerable to crime
-Related again, the ever-increasing problem with homelessness, even though my city of Burbank was able to keep a lid on it
-State taxes: why should I be paying for the homeless and illegal aliens, who get free health care?
-The state where I was born has gone off the rails (including Jerry's choo choo.)
Tom’s comment: Lisa was referring to the high-speed train being built between Los Angeles and Las Vegas of which Governor Jerry Brown was a proponent.
Lisa continued, “I wanted to move to Arizona or New Mexico. NM is a beautiful state but they tax Social Security, whereas Arizona does not. They also have lots of problems.
“Dry heat is my preference, I’m not a fan of the humidity in other locations.
“I consider myself somewhat of a lizard, relishing the sun and the heat which is why I relocated to Southern Arizona.
“I'm at a higher elevation than the city of Tucson, and it's
considerably cooler, especially more so than Phoenix, which is a couple of hours away.
“I didn't follow my friends who had moved to Phoenix, but I am glad that they are in Arizona
Relocating again after 4 ½ years
Another move recently took even more true grit on her part. She is 76, and again did the move on her own.
Lisa continued, “I just moved to SaddleBrooke, a 55+ community in Tucson, with many amenities, and am boarding my horses at a ranch nearby.
“My reasons for moving were (1) The social isolation, my home was at the end of a private road, with all (lovely) married couples for neighbors. I wasn’t meeting single seniors.
And (2) the upkeep on the one-acre property (25 + mesquite trees) and the difficulty of getting safely to the riding trails, if I were to ride alone.
Life at SaddleBrooke
“In SaddleBrooke, there are many friendly and interesting people, and I am finding that a few residents also have horses where I am boarding mine.
“Tucson is very spread out as well, and the east side is more than an hour away, so some people factor that in and are sometimes reluctant to drive to my area.
“Since being at SaddleBrooke, I have not only been busy with the move but have had some great social events that I have attended, the most recent being a Kentucky Derby party at the boarding ranch (with an SB neighbor who also boards her horse there) and an SB Cinco de Mayo party with a fabulous Mariachi band. And now, my house is being painted!
“I do see my friends who live in Phoenix occasionally.
One of them was down for the weekend with her boyfriend.
“I haven't left home overnight--except once--because I had the horses on my property to care for. That may change since the horses are now boarded, but I still have two kitties (easier to find someone to feed them, though).
Lisa’s perspective on dating and LDRs and challenges
“I don't know about the single men in my community yet; it is quite a large community, but I have had much social interaction since being here for less than two months.
“I have been contacted by a few men in the Phoenix area and beyond. Phoenix, depending on the area, is approximately two hours away.
“I won't consider a LDR because when I find someone, with whom I want to be exclusive, I would like to see them twice or three times weekly. This doesn’t mean I would only want to see them for that limited time.
“One of the challenges here is that many people on Match.com--the site I'm on--are ‘snowbirds’ and fly away to cooler homes during the summer.
“I have not chosen well in my romantic history, so I am leery of living with someone again. I don't want to be joined at the hip. Of course, one never knows, if I fall in love, those feelings might change.
“I like to see friends, ride my horse, and like my ‘alone time.’ I am not particularly domestic, and I don't want to have to cook for someone, at least not regularly.
“I have introduced some of my friends to your column. You have helped many.”
Tom’s Thoughts
Hats off to Lisa. A woman with True Grit.
I admire Lisa’s determination and true grit in pursuing her life and constantly working to improve it.
I also admire her love of animals, her kitties, and horses.
The most important lesson that Champs can take away from Lisa’s story is the need for social interaction. At age 76, she relocated again to improve her social interaction. I read an article online this week that stated that loneliness is as deadly to seniors as smoking or drinking excessively.
If any Champ would like to reach out to Lisa, email me and I will forward your email to her. Horse lovers are especially encouraged to contact her.
Lisa has been a Champ for 12 years. I know she will inform us how this current move works for her.
I checked the SaddleBrooke sebsite and feel Lisa made the right move. It appears to be a spectacular place.
Here’s the link to the 1969 song, “True Grit,” sung by Glen Campbell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIyXkRIhFKE
| 
