Orange Clothes

I promise, this is not a post about college football.

It's just a background story.

I went to UT for grad school.

My mom's side of the family is mostly an Aggie dynasty.

If you're from Texas, or know about college football, you get it.

I have never owned a stitch of orange clothing.

When I went to UT, I bought a school shirt that was not orange (not easy to find)

But things change.

People change.

My family still bleeds maroon.

THAT hasn't changed.

But I decided I don't have to dislike orange anymore.

I now have two orange shirts 

One long sleeve, one short sleeve.

I have an orange jacket.

I even have orange undies. 😊

Call it orange

Tangerine

Dreamsicle?

Coral?

It's new and different and I like it.

Change can be fun.

librarianintx

Brown Sandals

Silly how happy my new sandals have made me.

But it has been a journey finding BROWN sandals that fit my tiny feet. Little girls do not pine away for brown sandals apparently (See what I did there?)

But I have been. I wear brown quite a bit. The brown sandals I've been wearing for years were looking like the Velveteen Rabbit. They were hanging on by a thread. And this matchy girl can not wear another color sandal with brown pants or capris. Shudder.

My mother did her best. She lives for a shopping challenge. Before the pandemic she went to MULTIPLE stores looking for size two brown sandals. Not just the size, but there were other requirements: I can't wear backless sandals. Little to no heel. And the new trend where the strap comes high up on the ankle - can't do it.

My mom had her work cut out for her.

After an exhaustive search, she found two pairs for me. One was more of a nude color. Not brown. The other pair were the color of mud. Not cute. But they were the best she could find. And I appreciated her efforts.

Then came the pandemic. Other problems took precedence, and I forgot about trivial pursuits like new sandals.

But recently I renewed my quest. And it was MUCH easier this time. Amazon had several brown sandals to choose from. Buying shoes online can turn out great or badly. But yay, finally success! Cute brown sandals that fit!

I am on my way to work. The library is freezing. But fashion over comfort, girl. I couldn't wait to wear them.

Thank you for your years of service old brown sandals.

librarianintx 

You Can Not Win and Still Succeed

Reality shows have demonstrated that we can come up short in one aspect of our journey but still succeed in life.

Plenty of "American Idol" contestants have failed to win the crown, but have used the exposure from the show to craft careers in the entertainment business. Jennifer Hudson is a primary example of this. She finished seventh in her season. Now she has a Tony, an Emmy, an Oscar, and a Grammy. And a talk show.

Ali Stroker and Alex Newell both competed on the reality show "The Glee Project." Neither won the show. But both ended up on "Glee." And both are now Tony award winners. Further, both are history-making Tony award winners. Ali is the first wheelchair user and Alex shares the distinction of being the first non-binary individual to win a Tony (J Harrison Ghee won the same night).

Ali and Alex are shining examples of two important life reminders:

Failure is often one (or more) steps in the path to success.

Success is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. 

"Corny" but true.

See what I did there? :)

librarianintx 

Mobility Aids

I was 16 years old when I got my first mobility aid - a scooter called an Amigo.

I used scooters to get around at undergrad and grad schools, and portable wheelchairs when I went to places off campus that required a lot of walking. 

As an adult I experienced a lengthy stretch when I rarely needed a mobility device. I wasn't cured; I still had Muscular Dystrophy. But I was stable. My form of MD is static, or very slowly progressive. I wasn't traveling much,  and I didn't go to many places that required a lot of walking. Only very occasionally did I use my portable wheelchair. More often I would borrow a wheelchair or scooter at the place where I went, such as a museum or a convention center.

Walking, more specifically balance, became an issue during the pandemic, as I was also going through menopause (a fantastic combo, let me tell you!) I wasn't falling, but I became fearful of falling. And my legs ached. The hills in my apartment complex became difficult to manage, as I strove to continue exercising. 

I delayed the inevitable, but finally admitted to myself that I needed an assistive device. Because I want to keep walking for as long as I can, I chose a rollator this time instead of a scooter. 

My friends got me a petite rollator, designed for someone vertically challenged. :) "She" is purple and I named "her" Poppy. I also now have a cane. "He" is blue and another friend came up with the name "Cobalt" for him.

I could feel sad that I need assistive devices again. But I choose to look at the situation more positively. I am lucky there are mobilty aids available that can keep me both ambulatory and safe.

There are days I still struggle with ableism, and ageism. Rollators and canes are for "old" people. They are often used as fodder for jokes and ridicule. But when I use Poppy and Cobalt, I hold my head up and walk with confidence. I know I need them, and my life is enriched by having them, and using them.

I gave them names because I name all of my medical equipment. And because I think telling people their names if the subject arises can be an ice breaker. It's not because I'm trying to act like a child. It's just a quirky aspect of my personality. 

librarianintx