aTony and Jo Ellen are living in a CCRC (that is, "Continuing Care Retirement Community"). The name of our CCRC is "Rivermead. It has two sections, the Mead, and the Village. The Mead came first; then. nearly 20 years later, the Village was opened, upping the total population by about 50% to some 400 or so souls.
It's interesting, living in a CCRC. First thing to note is that it's expensive. That's because it provides what it's name suggests ... continuing care for the rest of your life. People generally dive in when they are in their 70's. We bow out, for most part, in our 80's and 90's. But don't think "morbid", 'cause most of us are having a very good time. And, even though our cash flow may be squeezed, it's worth it knowing we're not going to become a burden on anybody if we aren't lucky enough to bow out all of a moment; Rivermead will take care of us.
Some poor souls come here with the wrong attitude; they come here to die. That's sort of stupid; you could just as well stay home for that and save the whopping downpayment Rivermead requires. People with that attitude seem to fulfill their unspoken expectations fairly early. On the other hand, some people sign on with a healthy perspective. They're here for the fun of it. And it is fun, every day, and in innumerable ways.
One of the fun aspects is our annual New Year's Eve partying. We start with a big dinner, with music and singing. We follow that up with a Variety Show; about 20 acts participatiing. Then most folk being, after all, rather elderly, retire, although it's only about 9:30pm. Some more hardy souls stay for the 12am Champagne Toast to the New Year.
Tony participated in two items in the Variety Show; he played his violin with a newly formed piano quartet, doing two seasonal pieces. Later in the show he sang the Ballad of Barbara Ellen. Unfortunately, Jo Ellen, who was doing the recording on her smartphone, missed the first line or two, so I'll give them here; then you can hear Tony's wailing on Youtube if you wish. He loved doing it although he was just barely getting his voice back from a nasty cold. The audience loved it too!
From Tony and Jo Ellen, best wishes for a healthy and happy 2017.
The missing line is: "In Scarlet Town, where I was born, there was a fair maid dwelling ..."
Here's the Link to Youtube: Tony at Variety Show
It's interesting, living in a CCRC. First thing to note is that it's expensive. That's because it provides what it's name suggests ... continuing care for the rest of your life. People generally dive in when they are in their 70's. We bow out, for most part, in our 80's and 90's. But don't think "morbid", 'cause most of us are having a very good time. And, even though our cash flow may be squeezed, it's worth it knowing we're not going to become a burden on anybody if we aren't lucky enough to bow out all of a moment; Rivermead will take care of us.
Some poor souls come here with the wrong attitude; they come here to die. That's sort of stupid; you could just as well stay home for that and save the whopping downpayment Rivermead requires. People with that attitude seem to fulfill their unspoken expectations fairly early. On the other hand, some people sign on with a healthy perspective. They're here for the fun of it. And it is fun, every day, and in innumerable ways.
One of the fun aspects is our annual New Year's Eve partying. We start with a big dinner, with music and singing. We follow that up with a Variety Show; about 20 acts participatiing. Then most folk being, after all, rather elderly, retire, although it's only about 9:30pm. Some more hardy souls stay for the 12am Champagne Toast to the New Year.
Tony participated in two items in the Variety Show; he played his violin with a newly formed piano quartet, doing two seasonal pieces. Later in the show he sang the Ballad of Barbara Ellen. Unfortunately, Jo Ellen, who was doing the recording on her smartphone, missed the first line or two, so I'll give them here; then you can hear Tony's wailing on Youtube if you wish. He loved doing it although he was just barely getting his voice back from a nasty cold. The audience loved it too!
From Tony and Jo Ellen, best wishes for a healthy and happy 2017.
The missing line is: "In Scarlet Town, where I was born, there was a fair maid dwelling ..."
Here's the Link to Youtube: Tony at Variety Show
