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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Age is Just a Number...and an ATTITUDE!

This is my Aunt Hortense. Last Sunday, she celebrated her 99th birthday by going kayaking with her grandson and several other family members. Four generations of family gathered for this historic adventure...

If ever there was a role model for how to live life to the fullest, it's my sweet aunt. She lives in a retirement village...not in assisted living, thank you very much...and has such a lust for life. 
















She and my Uncle Bob had 69 years of adventure together. During those years, they lived all over Florida and Georgia. Many of those years were in Jekyll Island, GA, where they managed The Buccaneer hotel. (I loved visiting with them there!!!)
Aunt Hortense and Uncle Bob also spent 5 years living on a houseboat on Lake Lanier...in northern GA. I remember my aunt saying they were among the oldest residents up there...and that all the "young" people kept THEM young. (I can relate to this.)

In this photo, Aunt Hortense really looks like she knows what she's doing...




She agrees..."I do know what I'm doing. I'm standing here looking like an idiot." (Typical response!)


Now that she has celebrated her 99th birthday with such a special adventure, she is already contemplating what she can do for her next birthday...100!
Sky-diving?????


You can read more about her adventures at this link:
http://jacksonville.com/video/news/metro/2011-06-26/watch-hortense-morris-goes-kayaking-her-99th-birthday


*** All photographs were taken by BRUCE LIPSKY/The Times-Union


I am linking up with Susan for Outdoor Wednesday.

15 comments:

Della said...

Oh my gosh! I love Aunt Hortense, and her zest for life and adventure! What an inspiring woman she is! I want to be just like her. Wow! and sky diving next...wtg Aunt Hortense! Now I'm off to be even more astounded by watching the video!

Moore Minutes said...

Wow! This is absolutely inspiring. I admire how she lives and would love to be like her. :) I will be sharing this with Chris. I know he will love it. What an incredible example she is setting.

Keetha Broyles said...

This is one of the most awesome things I've ever read!!!

Kaybe said...

Well Happy Birthday Aunt Hortense. You rock girl! Gotta appreciate someone like your aunt who has such a zest for life.

One Shabby Old House said...

You are Artfully graced and she is Agefully graced. The zest for life runs in you blood my friend and you have had some wonderful role models.

LV said...

That is the most wonderful thing ever. I hope to make it to 99, but one thing for sure I will not do what she did. I have a fear of water. I admire her and tell her to keep moving.

Dandelion and Daisy said...

You are so lucky to have her for a role model!

Kathy Walker said...

Go Aunt Hortense! I hope I am kayaking at 99! Cool.

RottenMom said...

Aunt Hortense is my kind of girl! Truly an inspiration!

Ms. Bake-it said...

Yay for Aunt Hortense! Now that is the way to live! She is definitely a very inspiring role model. A very Happy Birthday to Aunt Hortense!

~ Tracy

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Aunt Hortense is a true inspiration. She is the type of person that I like to sit and talk to. I bet she has some wonderful stories. Happy Birthday to her!!

Linda said...

Oh what a wonderful post! Your Aunt Hortense sounds inspiring. My Mom went skydiving on her 79th birthday this year!! She loved it!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Your Aunt Hortense rocks! What a great post! I love to read posts like this because they are so inspiring! Thanks for sharing this amazing lady and day with us!

rjerdee said...

Fascinating!!!! Good for her! So much of a zesty life must come from a great attitude and lots of confidence since childhood. Good genes you have, Jane!

Shellbelle said...

Oh Jane, I'm just lovin' your Aunt Hortense! I remember you telling me about her before when I visited Jekyll Island last year, so it's fun to see her in "action."

Love that she wants to go skydiving next year, I've got a little bit of experience there, so tell her I'll go with her!

Hugs