NIAGARA, Wis. — A couple of weeks ago, I talked about April showers and the fact that everyone’s life gets rained upon once in a while. Today, I want to turn our attention to May flowers; the promised result of that rain. We have all heard the many sayings that have developed over the years as a way of encouraging us to take heart when life hands us an unexpected curve. Probably the most well known one is, “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.” My husband’s grandmother, a gem of a woman who came to this country from Luxembourg when she was 13 years old, gave me some sage advice when my husband and I were first married. She wisely counseled: “Life is a series of peaks and valleys. When you find yourself in a valley, take heart and know that a peak is on its way.”

Today, I turn once again to Roy H. Williams and his most recent “Monday Morning Memo.” He bases it on a quotation from Eric Forman of “That 70’s Show,” who said, “Life is like a train. It’s bearing down on you and guess what? It’s going to hit you. So, you can either start running when it’s far off in the distance, or you can pull up a chair, crack open a beer, and just watch it come.” Of course, Williams, being a business consultant, applies this to the forces at work that threaten the small business owner — specifically huge business conglomerates. He offers them three potential reactions. The first is to stand on the track with their backs to the train and deny its existence. Second, they can denounce the train to everyone who will listen. Third, they can face the train with one foot on each rail and declare, “Bring it on!” In each of these scenarios, the little guy loses the battle.

Williams offers two different strategies to small business owners when they encounter a threatening giant. First, go where the giant cannot go. Using an analogy of a train on a track, he reminds us that trains can only go where there are tracks to follow … and big business can only build where the population is large enough to support it. So, the small “mom and pop” stores can take advantage of the fertile ground waiting for development in small-town America. Second, let the giant show you the way. Stand alongside the tracks and grab the speeding train as it passes. Once on the train, stand between the cars for awhile where you don’t have to fight the wind and let the train cut a hole in the wind for you. Spend some time in this slipstream like race cars do until you learn the giant’s strategy for success and then apply it to your own business.

As I read Williams’ analogy, I felt there was a direct application to be made to life in general. How many times did the unexpected hit us like a speeding train? How often were we able to predict a lay-off, gauge the market, determine the best time to buy or sell our home? How often were we faced with the prospect of staying where we were or moving on to what we hoped would be greener pastures? And if we moved on, how often did that strategy work before we decided enough is enough so we put down roots and made the best of life where we were? As we moved through our lives to get to this stage of it, how have we made decisions and how proactive were we? Have we made intentional choices according to an established plan? Have we reacted in the moment and hoped for the best? Have we learned from those who have gone before us or blazed our own trail?

Now, you and I are at a point in our lives where we have certainly learned how to win at the game of life or we would not have made it this far. Whatever our approach to life and its many challenges, that journey has been uniquely ours to make.We now have the perspective offered by the rear-view mirror. We can look back and see the twists and turns of our lives and remember the choices made when confronted by the obstacles life had thrown in our path. In fact, I firmly believe that the fabric of our lives is woven as a result of hardship and our response to it. Once we learn how to manage the loom, we become expert weavers and that cloth eventually becomes very strong.

As we age, we’d like to think that the tracks ahead are finally clear; that we can rest easy and proceed on our journey without worry of obstacles. But, alas, that is not the case. Our world continues to change around us. We need to continually adapt or risk becoming foreigners in our own lives. We need to adopt new attitudes and become more flexible in our thinking as society evolves toward the acknowledgment, and eventual acceptance, of different lifestyles. I can remember when a working mother was considered neglectful of her children and “home duties.” Now, working women make up an important and accepted segment of the work force. We need to learn new skills as technology continually advances. My goodness, my husband and I can remember picking up the telephone and speaking to a real, live operator who said, “Number, please.” That operator would even tell us the correct time! We remember listening in on our neighbors’ conversations when there were party lines and playing telephone jokes by calling random phone numbers. Now we are learning the finer points of “smart phone” operation — I am still not sold on that device, but I am at least making an attempt.

Our journeys are also affected by the personal changes we eventually experience. We lose loved ones, so we learn how to navigate grief. We learn how to settle an estate and the steps and plans we need to take to get our own affairs in order to make it easier on our own children when we pass. We begin to have health issues. We are faced with the choice to either make certain lifestyle changes or kiss this life goodbye sooner than we had planned. I recently learned I have a sticky heart valve and risk a stroke if I do not adopt a low-carb lifestyle. Now, every time I want to eat something I know I shouldn’t, I give myself a choice: eat that potato and risk a stroke or settle for some extra carrots. When I look at it that way, the choice becomes very easy!

One of the best activities in which we can now engage is to teach the next generations. They will choose the tracks they will follow, but we can certainly help them navigate their journey. We can share with them the process we followed to make our own decisions throughout life. We can help them to understand that there will be obstacles they will encounter along the way. Most important, we can help them to develop the tools that are so necessary for success and happiness in life: resiliency, generosity, patience, kindness, empathy and persistence.

Our life trains may be traveling their final miles of tracks or nearing the last trestle, but we can certainly ride them in style … whistles blowing to the final destination, reminding those who will follow, “We made it, and so can you.”

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

906-774-1530

906-774-1530

Freeman’s has resumed small group activities. Visitation is currently being allowed twice weekly with screening and COVID-19 testing required before entering the building. All precautions are still being taken to protect residents. Everyone has adjusted to this new normal; however, they are all looking forward to a great get-together when it is safe to do so.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

906-874-1501

Sunday: Morning room visits; exercise, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.; reminisce, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Monday: Morning room visits; bingo, 9 and 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Tuesday: Morning room visits; Animal Kingdom, 10 a.m.; mystery ride, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; exercise, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Wednesday: Morning room visits; bingorama, 9 and 10 a.m.; travel club, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Thursday: Morning room visits; bowling, 9:30 a.m.; traveling happy hour, 1:30 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Friday: Morning room visits; getting pretty, 9 a.m.; men’s club, 1:30 p.m.; activities council, 2:30 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Saturday: Word game packet; morning room visits; puzzle time, 10 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Manor Care

906-774-4805

Limited visitation has resumed for family and friends. Appointments must be made in advance by calling the center.

Maryhill Manor

715-251-3172

Scheduled visits are being allowed in the facility’s living room. Call ahead to reserve. The weekly happy hour and bingo have resumed for residents only.

Golden Living Center

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Visitation is allowed in designated areas only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each visit is limited to 30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. All visitors will be subject to health screening before entering the facility. Residents have resumed some small-group activities.

Victorian Pines

906-774-5158

Limited visitation has resumed in resident apartments only.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

No information available for May at this time.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

The Amasa Center is a curbside pick-up-only kitchen for now. Call ahead for Tuesdays through Thursdays. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pepper steak, rice, cauliflower and lettuce.

Wednesday: Barbecue pork on a bun, baked beans and salad.

Thursday: Pasties, mixed vegetables and coleslaw.

Note: All meals include milk, bread and butter, fruit and dessert.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Call for home delivery or a to-go box. Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked chicken pot pie and mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.

Wednesday: Pork loin, baked potatoes and mixed vegetables.

Thursday: Baked fish, fried potatoes and baked beans.

Friday: Taco lasagna and corn.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-239-0278

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Philly casserole, corn and dinner roll.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Wednesday: Baked potato and bacon soup and egg salad sandwich.

Thursday: Shrimp Alfredo, Italian blend vegetables and garlic breadsticks.

Friday: Cold Italian salad, mozzarella cheese wrap, fruit yogurt and cookies.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Carry-out only — call ahead. Menu for the week —

Monday: Manicotti, garlic bread, peas and salad.

Tuesday: Reuben sandwich, chips and three-bean salad.

Wednesday: Boiled dinner, green beans and biscuit.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Stuffed shells with sauce, green beans, Italian bread and fruit.

Tuesday: Smothered pork chips, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts and applesauce salad.

Wednesday: Cheesy taco casserole, fruit and Mexican brownies.

Thursday: Mother’s Day Meal: Chicken cordon bleu bake, broccoli, fruit and strawberry shortcake.

Friday: Baked fish fillet, black beans and rice, candied carrots and fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread and butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

For meal reservations, call 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

For meal reservations, call 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Alfredo, noodles, green beans, garlic bread and fruit.

Tuesday: Philly steak casserole, California vegetables, roll and fruit.

Wednesday: Barbecue beef, scalloped potatoes, baked beans and fruit.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots and dessert.

All meals include 8-ounces skim milk or juice.

Norway Center

Director: Michelle DeSimone

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed; however, takeout meals will be prepared for pick up — those picking up must call ahead and wear a mask.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken chow mein, Oriental vegetables and rice.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, mixed vegetables and biscuit.

Wednesday: Baked cod, cheesy potatoes and mixed vegetables.

Thursday: Country-fried steak, gravy, spinach and biscuit.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chef salad with ham and turkey, breadstick and pears.

Wednesday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn and peaches.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken sandwich, potato salad, baked beans and mixed fruit.

All meals served with fruit and choice of skim milk or juice.