From the mouth of children ….

A first-grade teacher gave each child in her class the first half of a saying and asked them to finish the sentence. This is the result.

Strike while the ....... bug is close.

It's always darkest before ....... daylight savings time.

Never underestimate the power of ....... termites.

Don't bite the hand that ....... looks dirty.

No news is ....... impossible.

A miss is as good as a ....... Mr.

You can't teach an old dog new ....... math.

If you lie down with dogs, you'll ....... stink in the

morning.

Love all, trust ....... me.

The pen is mightier than the ....... pigs.

An idle mind is ....... the best way to relax.

Where there's smoke, there's ....... pollution.

Happy the bride ....... who gets all the presents.

A penny saved is ....... not much.

Two's company, three's ....... the Musketeers.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and .......

you have to blow your nose.

If at first you don't succeed ....... get new batteries.

You get out of something only what you ....... see in the

picture on the box.

When the blind leadeth the blind ....... get out of the way.

Better late than ........ pregnant .

I’m taking a break from my blog for a few weeks; back

in January.  

Merry Christmas to all of you who follow my blog.

The Big Question

No, I’m not talking about a marriage proposal, but rather what you begin to ask yourself as the years pile on: How long will I live?

When I toiled in the 9 to 5 world, I had no choice but to rise early. Now that my time is my own, I admit that I am a night owl. Not extreme, but I do go to bed later than most people in my age range. According to statistics night owls make up about 30% of the population so I am not alone. However I should not forget that a study has shown that night owls have a 10% risk of dying earlier than morning people. Ten percent is not enough to make me change my ways.

Tons of studies have been conducted to answer the big question. They have demonstrated that those who do something live 5 years longer, while those who do something else will lose 5 years of life. Whatever results these studies indicate they do not and cannot take into account genetics. If people on your father’s side of the family die young while those on your mother’s side live to 100 and beyond, how do you know which genes you inherited? Tough question.

In short, I think that despite all the studies, trying to determine your life’s span is somewhat of dice throw in our modern world. For example, many people have died while taking a selfie because they posed too close to an imminent danger like the edge of a cliff! And more and more people are dying in accidents caused by the simple fact that while on their phone they do not pay attention to where they are going as they walk – like stepping in front of a bus!        

            It seems that life spans are also affected by where you live. A study has shown that on average Canadians live three more years than Americans. Why? I don’t know but perhaps the fact that Canadians apologize for anything and everything could have something to do with it!

However, it seems that living in Monaco is ideal if you want to live longer. Men there live until 86 and women live to 94. Why a study on Monaco? No doubt the researchers yearned to spend time in that principality rather than say, Afghanistan.

            So many studies, so little time. I mean I think everything has been studied when it comes to living longer. It seems study results come out every day, if not every hour. There are so many variable in anyone’s life in relation to their neighbors that a fair comparison is, to me anyway, difficult if not impossible to make.

            Of course, nothing prevents anyone from taking good care of themselves and we do live lives that are more and more easy to measure. Anyone can check their blood pressure in any pharmacy, and an app to measure blood pressure is now available on some phones. There are gadgets that let you know how many steps you take in a day, and exercise machines that can tell you how many calories you burn. The more you know, the better you are able to make changes that will increase your chances of adding a few years to your life.

            We can postulate a lot based on our daily habits and study results, but let’s not forget outside influences. In my case it is the dog next door which often disturbs my early morning sleep something experts say is bound to reduce my lifespan. So, my question is: would I live longer if I moved?

            So many questions before we can answer the big question.

Changes

We all know that in life, nothing is static. Change is the name of the game. Just like the ocean, our lives are constantly in a moving pattern. Some changes are unseen and have little influence on our daily lives, while surface patterns are constantly pushing us to take a new course, but it does not mean we have to let them.

This is especially true when it comes to new technologies. Case in point, I recently heard a woman remark that her mother was really behind the times. “She doesn’t bank on line and still pays her bills by mail,” she complained. I did not comment, but my reaction was that I may also be behind the times. I don’t see why I should necessarily handle my financial affairs on line simply because it is available. I suppose that I feel comfortable with the way I do things, but also part of me still does not fully trust the internet. If hackers can access sensitive data I don’t think it’d be very difficult for them to play footsie with my bank account. Not that there is much to play footsie with. I just feel safer paying my bills myself at the bank.

Before taking to the road for a few hours when going to visit family or friends, I stop at my local library and take out an audio book. It is enjoyable to hear the narrator’s voice as the miles add up, and by the time I return the CD, I’ve been entertained and/or I have learned something new. “That is so passé,” a friend told me recently. “You should download material yourself.”

My first reaction: What’s the difference? Just because I can download books on a portable device does not mean I must do so. Not just yet, anyway. In time, I will no doubt do it, but for the moment the traditional me, says: What’s the point of forever adopting every new thing that comes our way. There is enough surface change in my life as it is.

 

 

Fall Prevention Month

November is fall prevention month, something that concerns people as they age. And that means a lot of people since Baby Boomers are turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 people per day. And that number can only continue to increase.

A misstep at home or a patch of ice can start a deadly chain reaction for seniors or the mobility impaired of any age. Since one in five falls results in a serious injury such as broken bones and head trauma, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer sound advice for preventing falls. Talk to your doctor if the medicines you take make you feel sleepy or dizzy. Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve balance, such as Tai Chi. Have your eyes checked at least once a year, and if you wear bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only distance prescription for outdoor activities such as walking. Poor footwear can cause falls, so make sure it is good.

There are many steps that can be taken to prevent falls in the home like getting rid of things you could trip over such as throw rugs, putting railings on both sides of stairs, and have grab bars in your tub or shower, as well as next to the toilet. Also make sure the lighting in your home is adequate.

Falls can have psychological consequences even when they don’t result in injury because it often leads to people being afraid of falling and thus limiting their activities and social life. Prevention is all important.

In November we begin to feel the cold winds of the season to come. In winter using a cane can prevent falls and their consequences. If you are a Canadian you may want to take advantage of a company’s Cane for Life initiative.

            “We have pledged to give away 1,000 canes for qualified seniors and mobility-impaired Canadians.” said Renato Cavaliere, CEO of Canadian Safe Step Walk-in Tub Co. The company is an advocate for safety and quality of life for seniors and the mobility-impaired.

            Canadians can apply for a free cane through acaneforlife.com

Honor to our Veterans

The first time I went to Europe some years ago, I visited two military cemeteries honoring fallen soldiers. The white crosses all in a row as far as the eye could see brought tears to my eyes. A cross for every young man who gave his life for freedom in bloody wars. We don’t often think of how many soldiers perished to ensure the enemy was defeated, but we should. And we should also never forget the number of soldiers who came home after giving their all in battle. We owe them so much. What courage!

At the November ceremonies honoring veterans, we see a quickly diminishing number of older men who served in WWII proudly at attention, but there are also so many younger veterans these days. The ranks of young men and women who served their country in varied far-away places with honor keep growing. Let’s show them we appreciate their sacrifice. As someone put it: A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'citizens of my country' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is honor. There are too many people who no longer understand what it means.

This November, let’s pay homage to all those who ensured our freedom. We owe them that much and so much more. And let’s make sure our children and grandchildren understand the sacrifices of our veterans.

Lest we forget, lest they forget.

OBITUARY

I came across a text by the famous Author Unknown that I want to share with you. The title is Obituary for Mr. Common Sense.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend by the name of Common Sense. He lived a long life but died at the beginning of the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was, but he selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense.

            He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn’t always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it is okay to come in second.

            In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned, but overbearing regulations. Common Sense watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies. Reports of a six-year-old charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

            Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband and criminals received better treatment than their victims. And when a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot and was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel. He drifted in and out of logic when learning of questionable regulations such as those for rocking chairs and stepladders.

            Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Time for a Bit of Fun

People don’t stop laughing because they grow old, they grow old because they stop laughing. And besides, laughter is contagious. Share a joke with your spouse, your neighbor or your friend and the day is bound to be brighter.

            My grandchildren think I’m very funny. One of the reasons I can make them laugh is that I’m quite relaxed when I’m around them. They fill my life with love and it colors my world mirthful. Although I do not feel like it at all times, I do make an effort to look at the funny side of life.

            Nobody wants to be around people who are always complaining about something or the other, no matter their age – or perhaps especially when they’re on the downhill side of 50. The longer we live, the more physical problems we face, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a bit of sunshine even in a long cloudy cycle.

            The cliché Laughter is the Best Medicine may be overused, but that does not make it less true. Medical research shows that laughter has an immediate positive effect on the main organs of the human body. In my experience those who have mastered the art of laughing at life and its foibles have an easier time than people who focus all their energy on the less-than-perfect moments we all experience. One of the reasons is certainly that laughter relaxes the whole being.

             I have always found it interesting that we are all inclined to compare ourselves to others, in one way or another which is not the way to be happy. The neighbor is prettier, richer, happier, and so on, we think. What we tend to forget is that we are all different, and that appearances can be quite deceiving.

             It seems to me that to be happy, we have to dwell on the good things in our lives at this moment in time. And laugh at the rest. An arthritic knee should not prevent us from enjoying life. And we can all use humor to diffuse the irritations of life.

             So I said to a friend, I have nothing to say. She replied: you should blog about that!

       Notice at entrance to park: Please pick up your dog’s alternative fact.

       I bought a packet of peanuts, and on the packet it says ''may contain nuts.'' I’d be annoyed if an apple fell out! 

        So the man said: My mother-in-law fell into the wishing well. Boy, was I surprised that it actually worked.

Notes on medical charts:

         The patient refused an autopsy.

         On the second day, the knee was better, and on the third day disappeared completely. 

         The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 2010.

And, finally:

         Two doctors are conferring. One of them says: She hasn’t been able to get pregnant, but with both of us on her case, that should change.

Some musings

When did color become so complicated? For example, what exactly is intense black, true black and midnight black? And what about extreme black? Do adjectives change the color black in any way? Is there a way to make black more black? I don’t see how it could. Black is black. However advertisers and writers of copy for the packaging of a variety of products with color choices are always trying new expression to enhance what they are selling. I suppose they believe that some adjectives add a bit of cachet, and no doubt why they are everywhere.

            And don’t get me started on white. Wanting to paint a room white should not be complicated as far as I am concerned. That is until the guy who will be painting your walls asks you what shade of white. What? I said, a bit taken by surprise. Of course, it had been a while since I had wanted to paint a wall white and I failed to realize that the world of color had become sophisticated. I mean, I had to choose what shade of white I wanted: almost white, chalk white, newest white, and so on. I told the man that I wanted the classic white, but he insisted that it would be too white for the size of the room. What? “I think white is the paint color with the most variations,” he informed me. I don’t know about that! I mean, as a woman who wears lipstick I can attest to the fact that red has so many shades that it can make your head spin.

            Anyhow, I let the man show me a whole range of whites. I felt somewhat silly because I could not detect much variation from one to the other. In the end I let him choose and I am very satisfied with the result of simply white. Who knew!

            I must be showing my age when I wonder when nouns became verbs. I certainly never learned in school that, for example, “he friended me” or “defriended me” would be a common term. The Oxford University Press talks about the “verbing” of English.

            In this day and age, we email, we text, we message, we google, and as you read this you know that I blog. In short, verbing is very much part of the digital world. “I facebooked you. Let’s coffee.”

Fooding is another example of verbing especially when people are asked: Do you salad or do you sandwich?

Where is it going to end?  Were I a noun, I would be inclined to revolt. 

Gen Z

There is a moniker for every generation. Just as we were getting used to Generation Y, the millennials, here comes Generation Z. These are those born between 1995 and 2010 which means the oldest are now entering the workforce.

            They will certainly bring about even more change than we have seen in recent decades. For one thing, they were born in the digital age and so live, learn and work digitally. That’s all they know. One day when I picked up my granddaughter who had come to town by bus so we could spend time together she was sitting on a bench twiddling on her phone. As soon as she got in the car she asked me what we did in the “old days” when we didn’t have cell phones to let friends know about things like being late, etc. My reply was that we learned to accept whatever problems arose.

Those of Gen Z certainly do not understand that in a not-too-distant past people only had phones in their homes physically connected to a line. Gen Z also sees how difficult life was because people actually had to leave the house to go rent a movie and wonders how people could live without streaming movies directly into their television. Little do they know that for many of our grandparents, or even our parents for that matter, a television set was a luxury not everyone could afford.

How times have changed. Gen Z wonders how people lived without being able to order a taxi on their phone. In the not so distant history, a phone was just that, a phone to call people. As I was growing up we lived on a farm, and I remember my mother wishing she could have a private line instead of a party line, the only type available at the time. What would she have to say about today’s phones that do everything, except make dinner. Or so it seems.

And for Gen Z, everything is done on line from shopping to banking. Does it mean that actual stores will stop to exist? I hope not. I think a lot of people think like me that some things you simply have to see before you buy. Clothing certainly falls in that category. I mean you cannot buy a dress without actually touching the fabric and trying it on. At least I can’t.

Of course, the on-line world can be useful for many things, until what you bought does not exactly fit what you were expecting and you want to return it. It has been my experience that on-line sellers don’t like that at all and some make it quite difficult to get a refund. And they certainly will not pay for return shipping. For me, going back to an actual store to return something is so much simpler. And you get your money back right away.  

Some change may be good for society, but not all. How will Gen Z handle a world that is becoming quite different from that of their parents who are not old at all?

           

Dentists

I recently had to visit my dentist after an old filling fell out. I have been seeing the man for over 25 years, so I am very much at ease when I go. However, that was not always the case. When I first went to him, I was especially nervous due to past experiences with dentists. He saw the signs and quickly helped me to relax with his calming manner. Although I must say I still do not relax as much as a friend who takes full advantage of the comfortable chair to nap while her dentist goes to work. It’s something I simply don’t understand.

            In any event, on my recent visit I commented to my dentist that he certainly has no reason to be afraid of dentists. To my surprise he confessed that he is so nervous when he needs dental care that he delays visits to his own dentist as long as he can. I found that amazing, but not as amazing as the confession that followed.

            He told me that a few years back he removed two of his wisdom teeth himself so uncomfortable is he with his dentist. He detailed for me how he managed to freeze his gum and hang a mirror so he could pull out his own teeth. You have to be really scared of dentists, at least more than I am to go that route.

            That a dentist is afraid of dentists is not that surprising, it seems. It is somewhat akin to doctors and nurses being terrible patients. They only concentrate on the worst cases they have seen, forgetting all the positive elements of their professions.

            People in all walks of life do that, don’t they? I mean forget about the good things in their lives and concentrate on the negative. Somewhat like forgetting that the sun will rise again after a rainy day. It always does, no matter how dark the world.

Binging

We all know people who binge eat or binge drink from time to time, however binge entertainment is a new phenomenon. With the advent of streaming services, binging on television series fits right in with our instant gratification society.

            People watch hour after hour of a particular series, forgetting the world around them. Others binge in mini bursts, spreading their viewing over a few days.  Not for me, I always thought until a recent health issue forced me to stay off my feet as much as possible for a few weeks. You get bored when you cannot move around easily. I read a lot but when I needed a break television became somewhat of a friend.

            Truly out of character for me, I began watching television during the day, something I seldom if ever did. However, because of my physical limitations television eased boredom. And as luck would have it, I came across a “nostalgic” channel showing each day two reruns of a series I had particularly liked when it was on in prime time. I easily became hooked into a mini-binging burst every day. It was most enjoyable and it made me forget my problems, for a time at least.

            The reruns of the series eventually came to an end just as I improved physically. I then spent more time on getting back to my old self.

            That binging interlude made me understand how people can become hooked on watching the thread of a storyline as it progresses immediately from one episode to another instead of waiting a week between episodes. However, I suspect that entertainment bingers have to neglect other aspects of their lives in order to satisfy their need for instant satisfaction. One of those is certainly the fact that hours spent in front of the tube is bound to reduce physical activity.

            But, as I found out, as in everything else there are exceptions to the rule.

THE NEXT STAGE

Whether you are thinking about retirement or are being ushered out by your employer, you have to know the rules. Just as you must learn the rules of any game, you must learn the rules of retirement if you are to make the most of it.

            Many people view retirement as a vacation. In some ways, it is just that. But humans are creatures of habit. Without some sort of plan or schedule retirees may feel deprived of a sense of purpose.

            The first rule is that you must know where you are going. The first few weeks, indeed the first few months of retirement, should in fact be a vacation. Take time to unwind, to sleep in if that suits you, or to visit family and friends that you may have neglected because of the demands of your work. However, it would be a mistake to plop yourself in front of the television and let it govern your life.

            You may still have 40 years of living to do. Do you really want to spend it on the sidelines?

            After expunging the stress of your working life from your body and your soul in the first few weeks of retirement while getting psychologically used to your newfound freedom, you will be ready to plan your future. And don’t forget that you now have 2,500 extra hours or so to fill each year. Time to plan the second half, the encore.

            The future will be what you make it. Personally, I believe that people should really start preparing for retirement many years before it becomes a reality so it does not pop up suddenly and surprise the daylights out of them.

Consider what makes you the happiest and set your sails in that direction.

             

 

Studying Aging

As we all know, demographics are never static. Today, we are all aware that populations are getting older and that fewer babies are being born. As a result the percentage of older individuals in North America is now about 18% and it is predicted that by the year 2030 one in five of us will be 65 or older.

            And there are other interesting statistics. The results of a large Canadian study on aging show that aging is changing. For one thing, the boomer generation is the first one where most women work most of their lives outside the home. Also, they are more active. That means that the future of aging is different than what their parents experienced.. 

            Due in part to advances in health care humans now live longer than ever before. And because of on-going research and the many channels of communication available to present those results, humans know how to take better care of themselves at mid-life and beyond with diet, exercise, intellectual stimulation and stress avoidance. In short, they aspire to increase the meaning of longer.

            Of course, with people living longer the need for financial security in later years is an important concern. As a result the trend toward early retirement is reversing and will jump ahead by at least a few years according to researchers.

How health is affected over time as we age is different for everyone. There is certainly an interplay of various aspects of our lives, from the simply genetic to the social and the psychological.

However, I am convinced that personal fulfillment through pleasurable activities and a positive outlook in early part of retirement can only mean a better overall health outcome. 

The Human Element

As technology continues to progress, we see our lives changing right along with it. One thing many people bemoan is the almost universal death of the banking system where you had a regular cashier who always remembered you and a bank manager who personally approved car loans and the like. Banking is no longer the social activity it once was.

Today, the ATM doesn’t care how your family is doing and if the arm you sprained in a fall a few weeks ago has healed. All it wants is for you to tell it exactly what you need. And most banking transactions are now be done over the phone or on line so you need not step out of the house.

There is a lot to be said for being able to get to your money at any time of the day, any day. That’s certainly a bonus when you remember that only a few short years ago we had to bank within the constraints of dealing exclusively with our own branch and only at certain times.

Many of us “older” folks prefer to deal with a person rather than a machine because we sense intuitively that there is a benefit to interacting face to face with other humans in our daily activities.

As I see it, one of the dangers of technological progress is that people might become more and more isolated. I’m certainly not against making our lives easier especially on days when we may feel under the weather, but if it means human contact becomes the exception rather than the rule, will society not have to pay a price eventually? 

It has been proven that societal elements are required for our well-being; does it not then follow that the more we replace human contact with machines that we are putting ourselves at risk emotionally? To me, the answer is that we must compensate by making certain that we do interact with others each and every day. The human element is becoming a priority that must be cultivated with care.

A Question of Age

As they say, age is just a number. Depending on how you define age, of course.

            Children say: He’s old; at least 30. Teens say: My dad’s old; he’s 50. Boomers say: She’s not old; she’s only 65. People in their 90s see those in their 70s as spring chickens. Perspective, Perspective. Perspective.

            Definition of sixty: sixteen with wrinkles. Think about it. The body may be aging but we still feel much younger inside, don’t we? The man had the right idea when he said: I’m 63 now, but that's just 17 Celsius.

            Recently, I heard two women chatting as they waited in line next to me at the grocery store.  One of them told the other that her granddaughter was about to graduate from college. That prompted the remark: Already? The answer: Yes, but my son is older than me!

            Loved that remark. The woman winked and smiled ear to ear as she said it. Made me think of my answer when I was asked my birth date recently. I answered that I was born on January 1, 2000. That stopped the man in his tracks. He didn’t know how to handle it, didn’t want to call me a liar, so after a moment he continued as if it was surely the right date.

            Did you hear about the man who wanted his wife to drive more carefully? He told her that if she had an accident, her age would be included in the news report.

            One of my sisters has always lied about her age. We siblings all know it and accept it. Outsiders are baffled. One day when asked her age by a cousin my sister simply replied: I really don’t know. I’ve been lying about it for so long that I really don’t know how old I am.

Not a bad idea if you ask me.

             As the saying goes, age is a quality of mind. If you no longer look ahead then you’re old, but if from life you take the best, no matter how the birthdays fly, you are not old. As a wise man I know says, you’re only as old as you think you are, so forget the number and think of yourself as chronologically gifted.

              I try to do just that, but sadly I’m getting much too gifted much too fast!

Looking Back

I’ve often thought that everyone should be born with an instruction booklet for the life ahead. A booklet that would tell us the end result of each of the many choices we all face along the way. Then we would be certain of choosing the right road, of doing the right thing. Of course that is fantasy.

As we age, there is a tendency to examine, and reexamine, our lives, to wonder what would have happened if we had opted for the road not taken. Would we be better off? Happier? Of course, we’ll never know because we traveled the way we chose and we have to be satisfied with that.

However, short of having had an instruction booklet, we must acknowledge that our instincts and intuition have guided us along the way to what was meant to be.

Some years back a colleague told me that while engaged he met another woman and somehow knew that she was the one he should marry. So he followed what his gut was telling him, broke his fiancée’s heart and married the new woman. They have been tremendously happy ever since. But so has his first fiancée who married a man she had once dated. 

            I think we can pay a price for not following our intuition. After being divorced, a friend confided in me that when she was walking down the aisle of the church in her wedding dress and saw her husband-to-be in the front her gut told her that it was a mistake, but she went ahead with the ceremony anyway. Would it have been a movie, she would have turned on her heels and rushed out of the church, but it was real life and she thought about the money her parents had spent and all the people there. Because she didn’t want to make a scene she paid the price. The marriage lasted only a few miserable years.

            In a movie I saw recently, Lauren Bacall complains to her daughter, Barbra Streisand who has moved out, that an old woman should not be left alone with her thoughts. The point, of course, is that revisiting one’s life is a risky endeavor. There is no point in chastising ourselves for the past and what should have been. I believe that we should simply acknowledge that we did our best and leave it at that.

            Besides, perhaps the Universe was keeping an eye on things and making sure we would make the right decisions – the ones we made.

           

Summer Shapes

Summer is great after a long, cold winter. We shed coats and sweaters and go sleeveless, and replace jeans with shorts, and boots with sandals. And we feel the joy of total freedom. We can walk faster because we’re not weighed down with clothing and there are no icy sidewalks!

            However, there is one drawback to light clothing: flaws have nowhere to hide. The world sees the real you whether, like me, it is varicose veins in the back of your legs or an ugly scar on your upper arm.

            But what I find is most evident in summer is the extra pounds people carry, a fact that is mostly hidden when we dress for colder weather.

            Recently, I was in a large mall and found myself people watching as I sat waiting for a friend to join me. I could hardly believe the percentage of people who carried extra pounds. And I am not talking about a few pounds we all seem to put on as the years pile on. I’m talking about massive poundage, often as protruding bellies or wide rear ends. It is not pretty! Especially when people choose tight clothing.

            But I think there are ways to improve the look these people project. For one thing, as far as I am concerned really overweight people, whether male or female, would benefit from staying away from knits, especially tight t-shirts. However, if one’s arse (as the British tend to say) is wider than two regular theatre seats, you owe it to yourself to consider wearing flowing garments. As I heard a woman telling a friend not too long ago: I took a good look at myself in the mirror and realized that soon a tent would be the only thing that would fit me. I decided it was than time for me to spare people’s eyes and trim down.

Great idea. Not only would overweighed people look better in summer apparel, they would be doing their health an immense favour.

Smile

Because I live near water, in my world summer means boats. All kinds of boats, from canoes to small fishing boats to impressive inboards. There’s even a boat that can take two dozen or so people across from one side of the lake to the other for a few dollars, a trip that takes almost a half hour. 

            As I was walking along the shore one day recently I saw a gentleman in an electric-powered mobility chair approach and easily manoeuver the incline of the ramp to the boat. I suspect this was not the first time he was making the trip!

            What I found interesting was that he had a wide smile for everyone else on board as he greeted them.  He cannot get around easily, yet he did not let that prevent him from smiling, enjoying life and taking a nice boat ride on a glorious summer afternoon.

            Would it not be great if everyone made smiling a priority instead of frowning as so many people do? To quote Charlie Chaplin: “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.”

            I certainly agree, but these days it’s especially important to smile because you never know who is taking your picture since everyone seems to have a phone that is also a camera. Or perhaps someone is scanning your face with facial recognition software. We are told it is useful for a variety of reasons from public safety and security to people counting, but I am sure someone somewhere will find more nefarious uses.

            Not much we can do about it as technology continues to progress at blinding speed. So smile as you enjoy life because you never know when you’ll be on camera, candid or otherwise.

           

What are you doing?

Whatever it is, I hope you’re having a great time.

As for me, I’m getting ready for a change of pace and will be away

from my blog for the next few weeks. Back in August.

Have a great summer!!

Might Just As Well ...

God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Now that I'm older here's what I've discovered:

1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
2. My wild oats have turned into prunes and all-bran.
3. I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.
4. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
5. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
6. If all is not lost, where is it?
7. It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
8. Some days, you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant.
9. I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few.
10. Kids in the back seat cause accidents.
11. Accidents in the back seat cause kids.
12. It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
13. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.
14. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he'd have put them on my knees.
15. When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone want to play chess?
16. Its not hard to meet expenses . . . they're everywhere.
17. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
18. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter . . . I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm hereafter.

19. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

=============

Seeking Humor

We hear all the time that people looking for a mate want someone with a sense of humor. That is not simply a frivolous trait, it is an important component of overall health. Norman Cousins who laughed himself back to health with laughter after a devastating diagnosis famously said that an “adequate share of humor and laughter represent an essential part of the diet of the healthy person.” Ergo, looking for a mate with a sense of humor is simply seeking someone who is healthy.

I read recently about a woman who recounted that one day she went driving in the hope of finding a place where she could commit suicide. She wasn’t sure how and where she would do it, all she knew is that she could no longer keep going. As it happened the radio was on and the program host made a joke which suddenly made her smile. She hadn’t smiled in a long time, but the simple fact that she did smile made her realize all was not as bleak as she thought. She had welcomed humor. She decided to give life another try for one more day, she told herself, and that one extra day turned into days that made it possible for her to find a solution to her problems.

Mark Twain said, with humor “all our irritations and resentments flit away.” When we try to joke about the annoyances in our lives they become less important. And when we joke about whatever scares us it becomes less frightening. Just as we try to remove the fear our young grandchildren may experience by turning it around and making a game of it so they can deal with the fear, whether a monster under the bed or a scary noise.

Finding humor in whatever situation saddens us at whatever age should be a priority. It is certainly a good alternative to brooding in misery and despair.

 

Stuff

As the years add up we become aware of how much “stuff” we’ve accumulated over the years. Then, if you’re like me, you begin to consider that downsizing is a must. In my case, downsizing is an ongoing effort.

            Whenever I go through my cupboards and closets and see things I no longer use, I put them aside to sort later. When the pile is big enough I make packages for my local charity second-hand store. The shop welcomes all donations that can be useful to people with little money, but it is always especially looking for clothing. To me it’s great to downsize my closet while helping others at the same time. 

            A while back, I came across a couple of wool blankets that had been in a closet for at least a decade, yet I had not used them in years. When I brought them to the second-hand shop last fall, it was great to see the lady in charge thank me several times. She said she knew a family that had an urgent need for blankets. I must say that I left feeling pleased that I had made the effort to bring comfort to someone else.

I am downsizing in small doses, but I know that at my next move, I’ll have to be prepared to get rid of much more stuff in an organized manner. That stuff will include furniture that I’ve already begun to sell. To facilitate the process, I’ve found that taking pictures and offering the items on line is a good way to go. I recently sold an old sewing machine that no longer worked but was housed in an antique cabinet the buyer had been looking for. I was thrilled, so was she. People go on line when looking for specific items and you never know what will catch their eye.

Another way to go when you have a lot of stuff to get rid of is certainly the garage or yard sale. You display small and large items and let treasure hunters have a great time examining everything, something I myself have been known to do over the years.

Preparing for such a sale is time consuming but it can be rewarding to see the stuff you no longer use make someone else happy. I think it’s good to remember that while people are looking for great deals at these sales it certainly does not mean that you’ve got to give things away.  As part of the planning process for your own yard sale it’s a good idea to take the time to look at the prices at other yard sales so you have an idea how to price your own stuff.

Since you surely will not get rid of all your stuff, there are removal companies that can pick up the rest to donate it or recycle it. You will need to pay for this service, but it’s a good way of clearing everything out.

During the summer months, I still enjoy visiting garage and yard sales in my neighbourhood.  Of course, now I have a clear purpose in mind because I search for books and dvds. It’s amazing the treasures you can find for a couple of dollars.

Are we trying too hard?

Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18. — Mark Twain

Longevity is big business these days but that’s nothing new. Throughout history people have tried all sorts of weird things to stay forever young. And we’ve been told that Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida while searching for the elusive Fountain of Youth.

            Today, of course, with increased knowledge and dissemination of information, efforts to stay young are not as drastic as they were at some point in the past, one of them being drinking human blood. Today we have tons of experts telling us what we need to do to extend our lives. They are all over the internet with some offering sure ways to live past 100.

            But we already know the drill. We must walk, exercise, eat well, challenge the mind and laugh often. However, the experts are challenging us to do more, to run marathons, to forever count calories, etc. But are we trying too hard?

            Author Barbara Ehrenreich says that we are “killing ourselves to live longer.” The question is: Is it really necessary to go to extreme to make the most of our later years? Perhaps not.

 With all the advances in health care, it is said that today’s boomers can expect to live longer than their parents and much longer than their grandparents. That may be the general rule, but there are no guarantees. My grandfather passed away at the age of 89 and I doubt that I will live longer than him while my father died at 55. We can’t change destiny, can we?

If our goal is to live to 100 and beyond, I believe that we have to consider quality of life. We all know that old age can play havoc with the body and the mind, but heeding the advice of experts might very well make it possible to enjoy later life in better shape than was possible in the past. At least that’s the objective.

            I think that the secret to being happy is to take reasonable care of ourselves while accepting our mortality.

           

On Discounts

These days, many if not most companies offer senior discounts to their customers. The age when such discounts are available varies from 55 to 65. Some even start at 50 although most folks are far from seeing themselves as seniors at the point.  

          The way I see it, since seniors have done their share for society it is nice to see that they can get some perks here and there. However not all seniors take advantage of such discounts. Some have lots of money so they simply don’t care, while others see such discounts as a reminder that time never stands still and they avoid them. To my mind, the latter simply avoid reality. When did saving money become a bad thing? 

          Of course we are all getting older, but why not save money while we are. Most people face reduced income at retirement, so having age discounts is most welcomed at that time. I take advantage of as many as I can, and when they are not posted I ask for them. On occasion, I am told that the company does not offer senior discounts, however I usually get a price reduction.

          On a few instances when I was not offered a senior discount and inquired, I was told that the reason was that I did not look old enough to quality. Either the person had a sense of humor or had simply forgotten to give me the discount.

Either way, while I may have been flattered for a moment, I suggested an eye exam ….

         

Ah, Birthdays!

Birthdays are great when you’re young, but they become really pushy later on. We don’t necessarily want to age, but birthdays are there to remind us that we can’t escape the march of time.

            On days when I feel sorry for myself because of my age, I force myself to take the time to consider all the people I have known who have left this world at a much earlier age than I am right now. And I am aware of so many because the older we get, the more people we know who pass away. The trick is to be grateful for whatever birthday is just ahead.

            I have latched on to a habit so that an approaching birthday will not take me by surprise. A couple of months before the dreaded date, I force myself to think that I am already that age. And then when the date finally arrives, I am already acclimatized so it’s not really that bad.

            When I turned 65, I remember my aunt telling me: You’re so young! Of course everything is relative, but now that I look back I realize that I was indeed young, or at least younger. The way to deal with birthdays, especially the big ones---you know the ones I mean--- is to try to find the humor in all of it.

            For my latest recent birthday, one of my sons who has a novel way of looking at life presented me with a card on which a lady in front of a computer is using white-out (you know the white stuff in little bottles we all used for corrections on paper) to correct the text on the screen. The inside caption: white out a few years and have a great day. We don’t always remember the cards we get for birthdays, but I can assure you I will remember that one. 

            I think I will spend the rest of my life whiting out a few years here and there!

A Choice for Fun

It used to be people retired and did little—little planning, little exercising, little smiling. Things have improved, thank God. It used to be you were old at sixty while now seventy is the new fifty. Baby boomers are more active than ever and, because of advances in health care and wide information dissemination, can look forward to a long retirement. In fact, it is predicted that most of today’s boomers will live well into their nineties. That’s a lot of years to do little.

I firmly believe that, like any other stage of life, retirement has to be planned to some extent. We certainly cannot plan every minute of every day, but there should be a guiding desire toward a goal. We are all different so goals will be different for everyone. But I don’t know that I have goals, Bob told me recently. He is about to retire and has not planned anything beyond playing golf as much as he can. That’s certainly a nice enjoyable goal, but there has to be more to fill all that free time.

Just as we chose careers that appealed to us, that fit our personalities, our choice of activities in retirement should be based on what moves us, makes us feel good, not what friends or family feel we should be doing. I know a man who turned to photography in retirement and is having a grand old time. He was a chef all his life so his children thought he would spend his retirement preparing meals for them. But he wanted out of the kitchen to embrace a new passion. He’s the perfect example of a fulfilled retiree. 

Good for him, I say. A retiree’s mantra should be change for the new, the fun.