PENPALS

[SIMPLEGAL]

Please post a reply if you would like to be penpals.

[ditav]

Hi, Alan...

I lived through the aftermath of WWII. It was not pretty or easy by any means.

You are revealing a great deal of personal information about your family. Lest you forget, this is a public forum and many people view the posts. I am not sure this is good. It has to do with privacy and trust.

Perhaps we can exchange email addresses, if you are amenable. It would be far easier to communicate. Do let me know.

To answer your question, I am from the capitol city of Austria - Vienna.

Let me know what you decide.

Dita

[AlanG700989]

Dear Dita,

I do not recall receiving any email or communication from you regarding you being an ex-European, but I think that that is absolutely intriguing!  I wonder from what part of Europe you are from?  A friend of mine who lives near here and who is orginally from Morrocco tells me that I am more European than American.  I think maybe so, at least culturally.  In my earlier introduction (I don't know if you saw it or not), I said that I was kind of an " outlier".  All my life, ever since I was even a kid, I have always felt like I didn't really fit in very well.  My parents were  "outliers" too.  They were both highly educated and very talented, as were my siblings.  We were oddballs I suppose, misfits.  Please give me a chance!

[AlanG700989]

It is hot, about 94 degrees F, so I filled up Gracie's little pink kiddie pool and she went "swimming".  She loves to cool off in the water.  Its sunny but kin of hazy/humid and the forecasters tell us that we have a 50 percent chance of rain.  More rain tomorrow.  Hope that you're well.

[PamelaD963779]

Hi, Yes it is hot here and humid.I also have a pool for my dog.He gets in it and tries to roll around but as it is a wading pool I fear he is to big.Next year I will get him a bigger size.I am well just bored today as I am used to working and the past two days I have been off,I hired out my grass this year as it is getting to be to much and I do not like the heat.I am a spring and fall kinda person,lol.I love the snow but find as I get older the cold seems to get to me more.I hope all goes well in Chicago for your grandaughter.I am a very healthy person and take no meds of any kind.I feel very blessed.I fell down the steps and hurt my shoulder  and was out of work for 6 weeks and had to take therapy.Not bad for the first time in my life at age 59.I am now 60 and watch myself a little more closely so as not to repeat that mistake.I do take wheatgrass,spiriluna and collegen everyday and feel that is enough to keep me going.I also take tumeric and hemp oil if I have it on hand.I feel pretty good 99% of the time and am happy.A person cannot ask for more really,lol.

[Ursulawf]

Hi Pamela, I’v Had a long day. Started with the Gym then the market and trying to get some kind of food into my body. I wasn’t alone so I had to consider other people. I was just happy to be able to get whatever was needed.   Dropped that person and went to the meeting and I was very hyper so I was agitated the whole time. 5:30-7pm. But I am home and relaxing.   Before I left my house this morning I made a pattern for bags and I cut out 3 bags and will sew it together tomorrow.  Relax with a free mind. 

[ditav]

Hi, Allan...

Am not sure whom you addressed your doggie/weather message to. Very considerate of you to get a "swimming pool" for your German shepherd in this horrid weather.

I live in a Los Angeles suburb which is presently undergoing gentrification and produces mountains of dust. For the past two-three weeks we've had 105+ in the shade with nighttime around 70+. One can get acclimated, but it's difficult.  As much as I enjoyed your introduction I realize that I am just too old for you - 10 years your senior and a childless widow, though love animals. Had I been younger perhaps we could have exchanged interesting emails.

In the meanwhile, keep your chin up, all is not lost yet. Best to you and yours.

Dita

[AlanG700989]

Hello Dita,

Don't worry too much about your age -- I am not looking for a "date" or anything like that!  I just want to communicate with thinking folks and I enjoy using my email.  Wow!  LA seems so very far away!  I do have a relative in the San Diego suburbs, but that's about as close as I can get.  I was in LA a few years ago on business, but I only saw the airport area.  Other than that, the only West Coast experiences that I've had have been in San Francisco and Seattle.

I can't imagine living another ten years, but you never know.  I am still pretty healthy and height/weight proportional.  Social Security plans on me making it to age 84. - Alan

Take care.  Email me back if you want to.

[ditav]

Hello, Alan,

I, too, am not looking for "dates." I would enjoy touching bases with you. Fire away any questions that come to mind. I will happily respond.

Meanwhile, have a good evening. Looking forward to your next post.

Dita

[AlanG700989]

Hello Dita,

I was out for awhile for dinner.  We had a storm and now we have a beautiful rainbow in the eastern sky.  What should ask you ?  Well, first, where are you from originally?  Second, it seems that you have a rather unusual name.  Not that there's anything wrong with it!  I just can't ever remember encountering it before in my 66 years.  Now, just to sort of be even, I'll tell you how I got my first name.  My mother used to teach school for awhile and she told me that she named me "Alan" because it was the only name that she could think of that didn't remind her of some misbehaved brat that she had had to deal with at some time or another. -Alan

[AlanG700989]

I would hazard a guess that you live in or somewhere near Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  I have a relative there -- a grandson who wrks at a tire factory.  If not Mount Vernon, then I would guess Effingham.  Am I close?

[AlanG700989]

Well, I was born in Champagin-Urbana, Illinois and grew up in Rantoul, so we have yet another thing in common!  I know Illnois pretty well.  My eldest daughter lives in Marion in southern Illinois and my sister lives on a farm near Vienna, if you know where that is.  If you told me what town you are in or near six hours or so south of Chicago, I would probably have a decent idea where you are.  When I go up to Chicago in September, I will take AMTRAK from Memphis (I've been here for forty years) to Marion and then ride up I-57 with my eldest daughter and one of my grandaughters who is also going.  Now since being in Memphis I have been a lot of things in my career, but I suppose that the most glorious were manager of economic development for city and county government, director of government affairs and lobbyist for the chamber of commerce, and executive director for a not-for-profit organization.  Boy, I could tell some stories, but I'll spare you!  Now, I got my German shepherd when she was just a puppy from a State trooper/breeder in 

Mississippi near Jackson.  Her name is Gracie.  She is kind of big.

[ditav]

Indeed, perhaps there is a problem with this website. I had no luck before either.

[AlanG700989]

Thanks for your response. At least somebody besides me might care!

[ditav]

You are very welcome.

I forgot to mention that I had a dozen or so "kudos" when I first posted, but there was no interest from anyone to continue. If you wish to know anything about me you'd need to dig through the postings some couple of years back. I like how you introduced yourself. I enjoy writing, so should you find anything interesting about me I am amenable to the exchange of thoughts and life's experiences. 

[AlanG700989]

I am glad to exchange communications with you -- at least for awhile.  But I am clueless as to how to navigate this site (if it is even legit -- I just called AARP again and they told me that they don't have any such a website; to be sure they gave me the phone number for the AARP Foundation, but I can't call them until tomorrow because they are only open during regular business hours).  Also, I have no idea how to check your posts from a couple of years ago, so I know nothing absolutely about you.  If you don't mind, please tell me a little, and start with where are you.  Thanks!

[JaneS33943]

Hi Alan

I was reading over your message again ......why are you jaded? 

Your  NEw Penpal Friend

Jane

[AlanG700989]

Hello Jane,

I am having trouble with this website, which is why I want you to send me your email.  Don't worry.  I think its pretty safe.  Somebody else did and as far as I know nothing bad came of it.  Thanks! - Alan

[AlanG700989]

I think this website may be illegitimate/some kind of scam. I called AARP today and they disavowed any knowledge of its existence!

[JaneS33943]

Dear Alan

How are you? Your email was great! You sound like a wonderufl person to be my new penpal. I am quite lonely in the world.these days, but you are going to help me lsssen thosue feelings. . I am here in the Georgia area ni which I will be responding.

A bit about me.. working lady in helathcare field with a master degree, big reader of novels,, enjoy drama movies, the NPR radio and ;ove dogs.  I am over age of 62 years old,and raised 3 grown children hen I was married..A  daughter in  Washngton  DC just graduated wtih a BA degree from George mason University, a son in Army 4 years in California and another son who is married in Baotn Ruge Louisana .. 

Ok your turn to email me back

Jane S

[AlanG700989]

Hello Jane, 

Thank you for the compliment and for the post.  Please send me your email address and I will email you right back.  I promise!  -Alan.

[JaneS33943]

Hi Alan

I just happen to check cthe website. [private email address removed to protect your online safety]

Thank you

Jane

[AlanG700989]

Hello Jane,

Did you get the email that I sent you? I sent it about two or three hours ago. - Alan

[Underbat]

Hello everyone.

AARP recommends that you do not publish personal details or information that may compromise your personal privacy in public view on ANY community.

If people wish to exchange details via AARP please use the Private Messaging function of this community by selecting the userID of the person you wish to contact, and then selecting the send the "send this user a private message" in the Contact Me function on the right of the window:

 

We remind people to always be careful even when sharing details.

Thank you.

[AlanG700989]

Does anybody care!?

[ditav]

Good morning, Chris

Tickled pink to hear from someone. Thank you.

A bit of background: I am 74, twice widowed, no kids. I gave up pooches - as I preferred 40+ lbs, any breed. Shortly after my last one died, I had to take care of my bed-ridden mom; now gone 5 yrs at ripe age of 95-1/2, so had no chance to replace. Now reduced to kitties; have two which some horrible human dumped in my front yard (barely weaned babies) 7 and 3 years ago respectively.

Is it possible to bypass the AARP "crowds" by direct email? I'll be happy to provide mine.

If you are interested, please let me know.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Dita

[merimen]

Hi, Dita,

This is Merrilly.  I just read another of your posts and we have a awful lot in common.  I'd like to be your penpal if you would like to be mine.  Tell me and I'll supply my email and you can supply yours so we can write privately.

Merrilly