Jean’s Jottings

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Aging and Social Skills

As I approach my 82th birthday, I’ve noticed an increase in a lack of desire to think about my wardrobe and just stick to dark slacks and a few bright colored tops that can be rotated.  For comfort and convenience, my slacks are stretch pull on, with no buttons or zippers. 

 A couple weeks ago, number three son noticed a slit in my slacks as I was leaving the shed and since they were my “work in the yard” pair, I wasn’t concerned about the way they looked.  Of course, after washing, the intention to put the slacks aside for mending completely slipped my mind.  I hung them up with the rest of my clothes.

Last Friday, since I was down to one egg and two slices of bread, I made a real list of things I needed to do in Jefferson. I voted, got groceries, stopped at Ace Hardware to pick up some expanding foam for the cracks in the foundation and a stop at Medicap.  I unloaded the car, got my mail, said hi to those in the shed.  When I turned to leave, Sarah exclaimed, “I thought you were going to throw those slacks away!”  If anyone noticed in Jefferson, they were too polite to say something, or I was already out the door.

I knew they were too good to throw away, and since I was headed into Rippey to see Myron and Maralynn Rinker, I just knew this story would provide a good laugh and the fact that her sewing machine is always ready to sew something! Of course she took the time to sew the seam in my slacks.  She used a stretch stitch as well as a zig-zag over that seam.  This pair of slacks should outlast me!

Thanks to Maralynn, I didn’t have to climb the stairs and decide which portable machine to try to use, let alone try to thread a needle.  The last time one of those machines was working, I was sewing one of these costumes and Velda was sewing the other, for her cute grandsons!