[TIP] Customize the Order You View Posts - See New Posts First

Good Morning! I am new here so please be patient. I am an 84 yr. old widow and my main complaint is lonliness! I go to Mayo Clinic when I want to get info I can TRUST concerning illness. Never realized this contact existed!!! Years ago I was on a website for COPD caregivers (when caring for my husband) and it was a great help! High hopes for great contacts here as well.

Good morning, Doris and welcome to our Connect family! You won’t be lonely here, I can assure you. We’re a great community of members just like you who come together to share our stories, life experiences and sage wisdom to help each other out, whether it’s a medical issue, offering support or just to talk! Don’t be afraid to pop into any conversation in any group! So grab a cuppa coffee, tea…beverage of choice and pull up a chair!

Being lonely is such a horrible emotion. And losing a spouse, a life long companion has to be devastating. I remember when my father passed away, my mom, even though she kept busy with friends, card groups and church activists, she said the loneliness, especially at night was excruciating.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband. How long ago did he pass?

Loneliness can often bring on depression so some of our conversations overlap between the two subjects. I’m posting a link below with a current conversation.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/why-am-i-depressed/?pg=1#comment-626697
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lonesome/?pg=2#comment-170838
If you just want to have a great group of people to just chat with, this group is a hoot. Lots of lively conversations where we post photos and just chat away like old friends…because we are.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=What’s+outside+your+picture+window
Another fun group is https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lets-go-walking-join-me-for-a-virtual-walking-support-group/?pg=274#comment-296357.
Members ‘walk’ virtually and post about their journeys

This Covid pandemic surely doesn’t help with the ability to get out and continue with normal activities. Do you belong to any groups which meet on a regular basis? How about family members, do you have visitors or friends you can talk to on the phone?
What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

Good morning, Doris. I'd like to add my welcome. @loribmt has offered some great discussions for you to join. I see that you are following the Just Want to Talk group, which is perfect. I also invite you to follow this group:

- Aging Well https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/

I can't wait to learn more about you. What are your favorite activities or hobbies? What brings you joy?

Thank you for your response! My favorite hobby is reading; I usually just check out books from the local library and used their drive by service last year through that long dull winter! I have new neighbors and we are planning to organize a book club locally; since this is a very rural area, it's difficult to get others to want to participate.
I live 2 miles from a country store, 9 miles from a small community (churches, gas stations, restaurants), and 25 miles from my doctor, bank, large grocery, etc. It is beautiful here, Ozark mountains.
I am no longer able to do yard work; must hire it done and considering hiring some house work as well!

Good morning, Lori! Thank you for this response. As I told Colleen, my husband died of COPD in Jan. of 2014, after a very long, slow illness. He was mostly an invalid for the last 5 years, and nearly that for 10 years. I was an elementary school teacher at a very small mountain-top school, but retired at 60 in order to care for him.
We were life-long campers, both loved the outdoors. We camped our way all over this country, missed only 5 states. I really miss all of that, but I probably wouldn't be able now anyway, at this age!

. We all end up going through life changes, new chapters in that proverbial book of life. It was definitely more fun during the middle pages when it was high adventure and intrigue! LOL Seems like when we age, we’re coasting into the chapters where we rehash the high points. Ah well.
Thank heaven’s we have memories. They can’t take the place of physically being able to get out and participate but it helps us relive the adventures a little.

You mentioned having new neighbors and getting together for a local book club! That’s a great idea! Have you been in book clubs before? I made a few attempts but several of us couldn’t agree on genres and writers so eventually it turned into a whine and wine group! LOL.

It sounds like you live in such a beautiful are in the Ozark’s. Are you able to get out for walks?

The book club may get started if we can find some more folks to join. I just visited my new neighbors this afternoon and took them 4 books I recently finished. They were given to me by a friend who was a neighbor years ago.
It is beautiful here, especially in April (dogwoods!) and October, when leaves are so pretty. I used to walk, but I am leery of falling now; as our little road is rough gravel and I have problems with weak ankles and knees. I tried walking around the porches here: they run across front and one side and a deck out back. But it was so BORING after awhile!
So, Lori, tell me a little about you!

I hope your book club gets a foothold with your new neighbors and anyone else you can scrounge up! What types of books tickle your fancy? My books vary from non-fiction, history and biographies to Who-dun-its, psycho-thrillers, courtroom dramas, etc. It does seem the older I get, I want to be entertained and distracted more than I want to be educated. Well, that sounds sad now that I’ve written the words! Hmm, not sure what that says about me. LOL.

I’m sorry you don’t have better walking conditions. Gravel can be a challenge and I agree walking around on a porch, no matter the view, is lackluster. Sounds like a great place for some chairs though.

Oh dear, your teacher instincts are kicking in…turning the conversation to me. My story is as boring as your walks on the porch! LOL.

As a teaser I had the dubious distinction (kidding, I’m honored) of being in the Connect spotlight this week. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/ill-take-an-order-of-hope-with-a-side-of-mayo-please/

Let’s pop our chat over to this link. We’ll have the opportunity for more members to engage in the conversation!
Who’s your favorite author?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-want-to-talk-1/?commentsorder=newest&pg=2

My new favorite author is Jodi Picoult; she's very good! I like mysteries also and courtroom dramas, Grisham for one. When I can find them, I like historical fiction, but really good ones are sorta rare.

Hi I’m new and I thought I posted a message but I can’t find it. Is there a way to see my activity?