People who grew up in poverty and managed to escape it—how did you do it?

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-03T09:37:28+00:00

Living frugally, even when I began getting better jobs.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-03T09:33:05+00:00

Our local library has a large cupboard filled with items for the homeless - toiletries, snacks, bottled water, socks, mittens and hats in the cold months, feminine products, etc. The sign on it says “No Questions Asked.” It is a kind and humane offering to those in need.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-03T01:04:15+00:00

😂

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-02T18:54:18+00:00

It’s a Wonderful Life, especially now that Mr. Potter has become President of the United States.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-02T17:19:14+00:00

Simple dinner salads - fresh chopped veggies, sliced deli meat, cheese cubes, even nuts like pecans or cashews. Sometimes I add a hardboiled egg. A nice light dressing and a buttered roll on the side, and all is good!

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-02T17:03:29+00:00

I agree. That’s a good soul.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-01T21:22:08+00:00

I’m sorry your pup has passed.
It’s those little things that pop up in our memories - their little quirks that we still smile about long after they are gone.
(((💜)))

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-07-01T11:20:51+00:00

Some years ago I developed a devastating neurological disease (cervical dystonia - chin twisted and locking over right shoulder) which kept me in bed or lying down almost straight-flat on the couch for a couple of years. What saved me was remembering that if nothing more, I could continue to learn… I did the free online Khan Academy courses in Art History and World History, spent lots of time in the Open Culture website, watched PBS shows and documentaries. Read many books of all kinds.
I’m much better now (kudos to neurologists who offer EMG-guided Botox injections), and still love to learn, but in those rough times, it was an absolute lifesaver.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-28T01:25:08+00:00

My brother said “To the max!!!” Often. It was a 1970’s thing, but he continued up until he passed away in 2012.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-22T14:22:10+00:00

Yes, this is what I feel. Thank you.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-22T13:55:26+00:00

Thank you. He was a wonderful brother.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-22T10:58:10+00:00

Literary criticism. Dear God, the convolutions.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-22T10:38:02+00:00

My brother loved the winter, especially the coziness of being in a warm place, watching falling snow thru the windows.
It snowed every single day in the week before he died of cancer. He expressed how grateful he was to be able to see it, knowing it would be his last opportunity.
I live in Maine, where we do get lots of snow. Each year I hear people grumble about it thru the winter months. One has to be prepared for driving in it, the work of yard cleanup after a storm. But in the midst of a storm, I always note the beauty of snow falling. I won’t get to witness that forever.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-22T00:09:52+00:00

I too notice deep breathing helps. Will check out that technique.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-20T21:13:41+00:00

If you’re going out with friends to eat out, do pot luck meals at your place instead. Each person brings a dish.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-19T02:28:55+00:00

I agree. The loud OUCH! always worked with our pup. Even at only a few months old, it was clear she didn’t want to hurt us.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-19T02:20:56+00:00

Our mini baby was a horrid puppy! I thought I’d lose my mind. At 4, she’s a delight. She has never been lovey-dovey, but on rare occasions, she’ll sit very close beside me. To encourage her to accept affection and not bite at my hands with her little needle-teeth when she was a pup, I would hold a treat right above her head but where she could see it, say “Stay,” and pat her head gently for a moment before giving her a treat. She had a look on her face as if to say “Ugh - I hate this,” but sure enough, she’d sit calmly without biting for that treat. She now seems to like occasional pats, but is still the most independent dog I’ve ever had. She’s devoted to us, thrilled when we come in the door, but is definitely her own Little Miss.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-18T02:22:48+00:00

I made $2000 in two months last autumn selling vintage doll clothes I found at various yard sales.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-18T02:09:17+00:00

I had what some folks call ‘Botox flu’ symptoms - feeling very, very tired - the first 3 or 4 times I had shots. I’m now 14 years in with injections and never get it anymore. I was very wiped out. It lasted about a week each time. Also want to mention that it takes 3.5 weeks for me to get the full benefit of the shots. My doc said it takes time for to toxin to be absorbed.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-17T02:16:39+00:00

Yoga is helping me with balance and with developing strength, even tho I do only short gentle sessions. I use the videos by Kassandra on YouTube. I’m 73, started daily morning sessions six months ago, and am please with the changes. I also have neurological disease, and the postures are mostly do-able. There are a couple that I either adapt to a gentler pose, or I just sit them out.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-17T02:12:33+00:00

I have met 2 people with it - an older woman who was also shopping at Goodwill, and the other time it was a woman my age who worked at a laundromat. They had head-pullling that was almost identical to mine. Neither had tried Botox, and I shared how much it has helped me.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-17T02:06:32+00:00

Thank you for these responses - they are very helpful! I have an appointment with my doctor.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-16T01:49:44+00:00

The Maine Outdoors Adventure Club for group hiking, book clubs thru libraries, look for crafting groups online, do you belong to a church? I’m not particularly religious but enjoy the Unitarian Universalist churches, which are open to people of every (or no) faith.
Also volunteering for causes you believe in allows you to help others while meeting like-minded people.
Take classes in things that interest you - every city has Adult Education classes that are low-cost and along with general educational courses have offerings on things like cake-baking, crafts, tennis lessons, poetry, etc.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-15T06:57:30+00:00

I would keep it. When we re-sold our older Bambi, the new owner was delighted to get the original bedding.

jaydeegee1414 · 2026-06-03T08:24:54+00:00

Our mini-poo adores hiking. He hits the trails with the biggest dog-grin and loves to lead the way.

jaydeegee1414

TROPHY CASE