NIAGARA, Wis. — Life can be so many things. It can bring both joy and sorrow. It can be full of happiness or bring us great disappointment. One minute we feel we have things figured out when suddenly the unexpected hits us in the face. We may feel in control and relax a bit when all of a sudden, the rug is pulled out from underneath our feet completely taking us by surprise. No one gets through life traveling a flat road; there are peaks and valleys for all of us, hills and curves without warning signs. But, somehow, given enough time and determination, most of us learn to navigate and manage to stay on the right side of the road.

The challenges for most of us arrive at predictable times — common ages that seem to invite growing pains for everyone. I can distinctly remember a painful moment in fifth grade. We regularly tuned into a radio program titled “Let’s Write” that taught us various writing skills, and then each of us was to use what we had learned in that program to write a paragraph. The topic on this particular day was to write what we would wish for if we could have anything we wanted. I should add that our teacher said he would not read them aloud. So, I poured out my little fifth-grade heart onto that piece of paper and wished that I would have a father someday, as mine had died tragically when I was just about 5 years old. Well, our teacher did read them to the class, and I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me when he read mine. Some things are not easily forgotten, especially when it involves embarrassing moments.

Junior high school — specifically eighth grade — brought more embarrassment my way. My purse at the time was a rather large black bag with a drawstring that formed the handle. I set it on the floor next to my desk during class and, as soon as the bell rang, threw it over my shoulder and headed out the door. On this particular day, however, one of the boys decided to treat it like a soccer ball. He got to it before I did and kicked it out the door and down the hall as I was chasing after him — and my purse — amid all of the students changing classes.

In senior high school, I did not embarrass as easily, but there were bigger lessons to begin to learn that could have had far-reaching impact. As the old saying goes, “You have to kiss a few toads before you find your prince.” And that was certainly true for me. My first boyfriend — had I ended up marrying him — would have made my life a catastrophe. I was a hardworking first-born and very responsible. He was a spoiled baby — the youngest in his family. He drove a white Mustang with a powder blue interior and a Yamaha motorcycle that was way too fast; both contributed greatly to my youthful attraction. My mother hated him. She asked me to make a list of all the things I liked about him and all the things I didn’t like and see for myself which list was longer — no doubt at all how that exercise turned out.

Entering college cured the boyfriend problem. I matured and learned to make better decisions and wiser choices, met my husband over summer vacation, and the rest is history. We married young, had children early and finished college while taking turns getting up to provide the middle-of-the-night bottles. We worked our fair share of survival jobs and ate more canned Dinty Moore stew than I care to remember. We gradually built careers while learning to appreciate the good bosses and tolerate the bad ones. We bought a house after moving six times in seven years, settling into a home in Niagara. It needed a ton of work, but all we could afford at the time was paint. Major renovations took place over many years. Our two “boys” are now grown and married with families of their own. They have provided us with four grandsons and one granddaughter — who is not spoiled at all.

I am sure most of you have had similar experiences and can now share memories of all those years as well. Somehow, we all made it through. I recently came across some positive thoughts from others who have experienced full lives and are willing to share what they have learned as a result of their travels through life.

Read on for their words of encouragement as together we continue our own journeys.

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.” — Barack Obama

“Break the unreasonable down into little reasonable chunks. A big goal is only achieved when every little thing that you do every day, gets you closer to that goal.” — Maren Kate Donovan, Tech CEO

“The moment you think only of yourself, the focus of your whole reality narrows, and because of this narrow focus, uncomfortable things can appear huge and bring you fear and discomfort and a sense of feeling overwhelmed by misery. The moment you think of others with a sense of caring, however, your view widens.” — Dalai Lama, Tibetan monk

“Sometimes when you’re overwhelmed by a situation — when you’re in the darkest of darkness — that’s when your priorities are reordered.” — Phoebe Snow, singer-songwriter

“Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim.”

–Tyler Knott Gregson, poet

“When life gets hectic and you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to focus on the people and things you are most grateful for. When you have an attitude of gratitude, frustrating troubles will fall by the wayside.” — Dana Arcuri, author-speaker-life coach

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

“Dream small dreams. If you make them too big, you get overwhelmed and you don’t do anything. If you make small goals and accomplish them, it gives you the confidence to go on to higher goals.” John H. Johnson, American businessman and publisher

“Many of us feel stress and get overwhelmed not because we’re taking on too much, but because we’re taking on too little of what really strengthens us.”– Marcus Buckingham, author

“With a fixed mindset, you believe you are who you are and you cannot change. This creates problems when you’re challenged because anything that appears to be more than you can handle is bound to make you feel hopeless and overwhelmed.” — Travis Bradberry, author

For most of us, our lives do not have the turmoil of change as quickly as they did in our younger years. But there remain eventual challenges to face for many of us: death of a spouse, illness, increasing inabilities, and the potential for life in a skilled nursing facility. Of course, there also remain anniversaries and birthdays to celebrate, graduations and weddings to attend, books to read, and friendships to enjoy.

Life is, indeed, a series of peaks and valleys. But, as Robert Frost reminds us in his poem “Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening,” we still have much ahead of us:

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; relax-coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Quilt coffee chat, 10 a.m.; drop the potato in the bucket, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Music-reminisce, 10 a.m.; tug of war, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Chat over coffee, 10 a.m.; trivia, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Things that bring happy times, 10 a.m.; music trivia, 2 p.m.

Friday: Dancing to the oldies, 10 a.m.; memory bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; puzzle time, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; bowling ban, 11:30 a.m.; black out bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; trivia, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Throw away bingo, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; lunch outing, 10:30 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; through the years trivia, 2 p.m.; throwback movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/pass the prize, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Christ United, 1 p.m.; ICMCF variety show, 1:30 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; bacon contest judging, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2 p.m.

Friday: ICMCF day crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; DT Slotomania, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/how do you feel? 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; International Nurses’ Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Group Therapy, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crochet club, 1 to 2 p.m.; UP Health System activity, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Hope Church service, 9:30 a.m.; coffee in the cafe, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crochet club, 1 to 2 p.m.; luau, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; better sleep month, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee social and sweets, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; Mothers’ Day bingo, 2 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking apple pie, 10 a.m.; seed planting, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; threads of kindness, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; human casino games, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking, 10 a.m.; tea party, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Buzz words, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; spa day, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; Mother’s Day tea party, 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; resident/staff challenge, 10:45 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; bread and butter, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; resident/staff challenge followed by trivia, 11:45 a.m.; baseball, 1:45 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; resident/staff challenge, 10:45 a.m.; quilt craft 11 a.m.; 1950s drive-in movie, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; resident/staff challenge, 10:45 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; resident/staff challenge, 11:15 a.m.; name five things, 11:30 a.m.; lunch outing, Chinese, 11:30 a.m.; Vicki and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; daily chronicles; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Wednesday: Swedish meat balls, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, bread and butter.

Thursday: Super grilled cheese, tomato soup, coleslaw.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver and onions or chicken breast.

Tuesday: Biscuit and sausage gravy, roasted potatoes, warmed pears.

Wednesday: Smothered chicken and rice, California blend vegetables, dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Ham dinner, mashed sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, dinner roll, apple crisp.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Sloppy Joes, baked beans, oven-browned potatoes.

Tuesday: Cheesy cod, parsley boiled potatoes, cole slaw.

Wednesday: Baked chicken, rice pilaf.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, Jell-O.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, broccoli, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Grandma’s chicken and dumplings, carrots, biscuit with butter, fruit.

Thursday: Pancakes, sausage, hashbrown potatoes, warmed fruit, bread with butter.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, Jell-O.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, broccoli, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Grandma’s chicken and dumplings, carrots, biscuit with butter, fruit.

Thursday: Pancakes, sausage, hashbrown potatoes, warmed fruit, bread with butter.

Friday: Lasagna, green beans, garlic bread.

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

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

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available for pick up. Meals costs $5 for age 60 and older and $6 for younger than 60.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Tater tot casserole, dinner roll, yogurt parfait.

Tuesday: Turkey and cheese wrap, chips, cole slaw.

Wednesday: Pork loin chops, baked potato, peas and carrots, applesauce.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Smothered chicken breast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, fruit.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, stewed tomatoes, dark green salad, fruit.

Wednesday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, baked beans, fruit, pineapple cherry dump cake.

Thursday: Goulash, spinach salad, breadsticks, fruit, cookies.

Friday: Soft-shell tacos with lettuce, onion and salsa, Mexican chopped salad, fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesday only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Chicken tenders, root vegetables, green beans, diced peaches, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Pepper steak over rice with bell peppers, Oriental vegetable blend, Oriental coleslaw, warm fruit compote.

Wednesday: Baked ham, mashed sweet potatoes, corn, pineapple tidbits, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Beef taco salad, corn and black beans, tortillas, fresh fruit, sour cream and salsa on the side.

Friday: Cream of potato soup, egg salad spread with lettuce, sandwich bread, cucumber carrot salad, mixed fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken fettuccine alfredo, broccoli, dinner roll, pudding.

Tuesday: Pasty pie, corn, applesauce.

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, four-way mixed vegetables, breadstick.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuit.

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

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Tuesday: Chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, tomato-cucumber salad, chips, banana.

Wednesday: Bone-in chicken, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, wheat bread, peaches.

Thursday: Lasagna, spinach salad with tomatoes, garlic bread, blueberry cobbler.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week –

Monday: Burgers, waffle fries, Brussel sprouts, fruit cocktail, Jell-O.

Tuesday: Chicken chop suey with rice, Oriental vegetables, pineapple, bread pudding.

Wednesday: 4 p.m., barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, brownies.

Thursday: Barbecued pulled pork sandwiches, french fries, peas, apricots, pudding.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken tetrazzini, green beans, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Stuffed peppers, potato wedges, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, Italian blend vegetables, garlic bread, birthday cake for all birthdays.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, Jell-O.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, broccoli, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Grandma’s chicken and dumplings, carrots, biscuit with butter, fruit.