I am not sure if you remember, but in September we had a week of glorious sunny days. We even sat outside on our patio and reveled in it.
At the beginning of the next week back came the rain. I came home from teaching a class and shocked when I walked into our home. It was dark! Not gray, but dark.
Immediately I opened all the blinds and turned on all the lights because I hate being in a dark house. Then I started thinking.
We are going to have a lot of gray and dark days from now on and there have to be ways to deal with it, other than turning on all the lights. I came up with a few suggestions you might try to brighten up your home.
1. Calendars – we have a calendar by our computer and in the kitchen with pictures my brother has taken. Monthly we get a new dose of color to brighten those spots.
2. Candles – our daughters gave us a blue transparent candle holder. We have it on the coffee table and burn votive lights in it in the evening. If you do not want to burn candles, you can purchase little battery operated votive lights and use them.
3. Tablecloths – do you remember tablecloths and table runners? I do, but I bet I have not used any in a couple of years. Why don’t we dig out an old cloth and put it on our kitchen or dining room table? We have friends who use tablecloths year round and it always makes their home look welcoming.
4. Place mats – we have a lot of old place mats. Some have nature scenes on them, some are solid color, others patterned. We even have a few old Sesame Street place mats we bought when our youngest was 4. Yes, they brighten up our dinner table and even provide a few laughs. Spaghetti with Big Bird and Cookie Monster is fun.
5. Flowers – What about some flowers on your kitchen or coffee table? Why not a couple of cute tiny pumpkins our local fruit stands sell now? You do not even need fresh flowers because artificial ones are so good today. I have a tiny bunch of rosebuds I found years ago that add color to an end table.
6. Windsock/flag – it might be a bit late to do this, but years ago we put a flag pole outside our window. We fly our American flag some of the time, but also rotate through a series of brightly colored windsocks we have collected over the years. They look great, even when flying in the rain on a gloomy day.
7. Shirts – I realize that the socially appropriate clothing colors in the Northwest are black, white and gray. Years ago I declared war on this and like to wear colors. Some of you are not that brave. However, there is nothing wrong with wearing something brightly colored at home where no one will know. I have sweatshirts in bright blue, red and purple that make me feel good to wear.
It may be gray outside, but not inside.
OK, you say, but all of this is going to cost money. Have you heard of Goodwill, thrift stores and garage sales? There is a bonanza of goodies out there waiting for you. You do not have to take all the suggestions, just try a few. Or even better, come up with some of your own – and let me know your ideas.
Seniors, step out and chase away the gray in our fall and winter days. Add some light to your life.
