‘Tis the Season

Christmas is just around the corner, a time to enjoy the season with those close to us. I am taking a few weeks off from my blog to do just that.

            May you have a season filled with warmth and joy, and may the New Year be peaceful and gracious to all of us.

            I’ll be back in 2020!

On Volunteering  (part 2)

As pointed out in my last blog, there are countless ways a person can volunteer. The needs are great and it’s only a question of deciding the best way you can give back.

            However, it must be said that once you’ve decided to be a volunteer you have to plan how to go about it and understand that there is a process to follow.

Getting Started

Here are some pointers to guide your steps:

-- If you have a specific organization in mind, contact the chapter in your community and speak with the manager of volunteers. Most charities have websites which provide volunteering information and opportunities.

-- Contact your local volunteer bureau to collect information about the needs of organizations in your community and to identify the agencies that could benefit from your support.

-- Check the local media for volunteer needs in your area.

-- Talk to friends and relatives who already volunteer as they can provide information.

The Next Step

Volunteering today involves more than simply coming forward and offering your time and skills. Organizations devote time to matching volunteers to positions to ensure a positive experience for everyone concerned.

            As a prospective volunteer, you can expect a process which will include:

An application   A formal application helps the organization determine how best to use your talents.

An interview   This process is an opportunity for you the perspective volunteer to learn more about volunteer positions and their responsibilities.

A background check   To avoid problems down the road, organizations do background checks on perspective volunteers and do contact references.

Training   Organizations usually provide orientation and training to their volunteers to ensure they clearly understand their responsibilities as a volunteer.

            Volunteering is an act of generosity that should be enjoyable. Once an organization and you have agreed on a specific activity, remember that if it isn’t what you expected you can ask to do something else. Happy volunteers contribute their time for years, something charitable organizations understand only too well. Simply explain the problem frankly and openly.

And...

            The sense of fulfillment makes it all worthwhile. There is a feeling of satisfaction and pride at contributing to ease the burden of others, and it is positively energizing.

           

On Volunteering (part 1)

It would be difficult to imagine how some organizations or groups could function without volunteers. And that’s where mature people with decades of accumulated experience are ideally suited to enhance their community’s quality of life by putting their skills to good use through volunteering.

            Volunteering has many positive results. It is a good way to keep busy, meet new people and feel needed now that the children are on their own. It’s also perfect for keeping physically and mentally active. And, it puts one’s own problems into perspective.

            Often volunteers get involved with a specific group or organization because they have lost a loved one to a devastating illness. However, if uncertain on how you could volunteer in your community, it is a good idea to begin by assessing your interests and experience. Most of us have accumulated so many skills that it might be difficult in fact to focus on one in particular.

            If you “only” raised a family, you have organizational, teaching, money management and people skills that a wide range of organizations could use. If you love working with your hands, you could offer your services to do repairs and maintenance at shelters or food banks. If you drive a car, you can deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound people. If you are a grandparent you can get involved in your community’s intergenerational programs to interact with a young child who doesn’t have grandparents. If you can read, an elderly person with poor eyesight would welcome being read to. If you have a telephone, you can become a lifeline for a lonely elderly person by keeping in touch on a daily basis.       

If you love to clown around, why not don a clown suit and visit a local hospital so ill children can laugh, or visit a long-term care facility to share stories and play games. If you write well, consider giving your time to writing an organization’s newsletter or other materials. Youth groups of all sorts could use the expertise of teachers.

            The list is almost endless for those ready to give back.

Aging, I decided, is a gift As I get older I am at peace with myself and proud of the person I now am. Oh, not physically! I sometime moan about my body, the wrinkles and the sagging butt. And often I wonder about the person in my mirror I hardly recognize, but not for long.          I would never trade my amazing family, my wonderful friends, my tranquil life for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I have seen too many leave this world too soon -- before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.          I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of my youth, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swimsuit stretched over a less-than-perfect body if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.          They, too, will get old before they know it.          Over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when your beloved pet dies? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being compassionate.           I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to see my youthful laughs forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.           As we get older it is easier to be positive. We care a lot less about what other people think. We have even earned the right to be wrong on occasion.        I like my age. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.

 

 

 

On Laughter

We’ve all heard the expression Laughter is the Best Medicine, but how many of us take it seriously?

            The first one to do so was, of course, Norman Cousins who was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that caused him severe pain. When doctors were convinced that he would not live more than a few months he took matters into his own hand to reverse the damage. He left his hospital bed and followed his personal road to recovery. He took massive amounts of vitamin C and embarked on laughter therapy by watching comedies. He soon realized that ten minutes of laughter allowed him to sleep pain free for several hours. He slowly improved as he continued to laugh as much as he could. Two years later he returned to work completely cured. 

            Laughter is good for the body and the soul as it increases endorphins leading to brain activity which amps up memory and recall. In short it makes the brain work better. Nothing works faster or is more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer. In addition studies have found that laughter improves the function of blood vessels which can help protect against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

            What about those who seem to have negativity ingrained in their heads? It then becomes a question of making the effort to focus on things that can make them feel better, and laughter is a great vehicle to reach that goal. It certainly reverses a bad mood.

             Laughter therapy to relieve negativity, pain and stress is free and universally accessible to everyone. There are of course comedies on television and movies and many radio stations now offer comedy hours. There’s also laughter yoga which provides exercise for the body and the mind. We only have to look to find sources of laughter. Or hanging around with those for whom laughter comes easily rather than with sourpusses.

            Groups calling themselves Laughter on Call visit care centers to help those suffering from dementia and severe pain, and they are making a difference. They are improving the lives of people who might not find much to laugh about in their reality.

            Canadian Albert Neremberg, one of the world’s top experts on the benefits of laughter, uses laughter therapy when working with patients in drug and rehab centers. “Recovering addicts are pining for a rush, and laughing gives them the most natural high there is,” he says.

            As it does for the rest of us!

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.

            At the November ceremonies honoring veterans, we see a quickly diminishing number of older men who served in WWII proudly at attention because there are so many younger veterans these days. The ranks of young men and women who serve 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.

The War on Aging

We all want to look good as we age, and hopefully younger than our real age. We all know that good nutrition and regular exercise are required if we want to look and feel our best. But the war on aging does not end there. There are sorts of procedures and ideas which can help erase or slow the march of time. However, I think the struggle to look young can take the fun out of life.

It certainly does when you consider some of the things some women are doing in the hope of looking young.  Some celebrities swear that a cleanse makes them feel younger while others are rumored to rely on the wacky. Case in point, some use bird poop facials! Not just any poop mind you, nightingale droppings. Poop, really? I prefer to look my age, thank you.

Of course, celebrities of all stripes have always been obsessed with looking young. In the old days, some actresses were known to use carefully concealed surgical tape for a homemade facelift. Today, of course, the anti-aging industry has become big business, and face lifts are often replaced with less invasive solutions such as laser treatments or fillers. And, of course, there are many so-called miracles cures and pills on the market which treat aging not as a natural process, but rather as an illness.

Today’s boomers want to grow older in a more elegant fashion than their parents did which no doubt accounts for hair color being such big business today. Men with gray hair are perceived as looking distinguished, while women rush to hide gray as soon as it makes it appearance because they feel that men judge them for getting older. Yet men see older women like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench as projecting confidence about their looks. Like most European women, the goal is to look well, rather than young, for one’s age, which means more time to relish and enjoy life.

We all know the celebs who have gone under the knife to fight aging. Of course, the professional makeup and the expensive clothes do help. But to me it’s those with a sense of humor about aging that win out. Joan Rivers was a favorite among comedians. She was not afraid to say it like it is. At one point, she told her audience that she was so nervous before an appearance that she had to change her diaper. She was not ashamed to say it like it is: older women often have bladder control problem.

Accepting that the war on aging is full of subtle battles we can’t win will prevent what I consider “aging anxiety” from intruding into our lives and looks. A sure way to project style as we age.

Germs

I do not suffer from germaphobia. I do shake hands with people and touch many things in the course of any one day when I step outside—gas pumps, elevator buttons, door handles, staircase railings, etc. However new technology has made me aware that the number of surfaces we need to touch keeps growing.

            My grandson was using his phone as we sat outside on a sunny day, and an array of points where his fingers had touched the screen were very visible. When I suggested that he might want to clean the screen he made the point that since he was the only one using his phone the marks I saw were simply his body oil. That made sense, but what about other tactile screens?

            As I was waiting in line at the ATM a short time later I began wondering how many fingers had touched that screen since it was last cleaned. Then it dawned on me that it probably had never been cleaned and would probably never be. Wow! Perhaps there’ll come a time when a person won’t be able to connect properly to the ATM because of the thickness of the fingerprints. That made me aware that I need to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer whenever I plan to stop at the cash machine. Also a necessity in this age of self-serve cashiers at grocery stores and pharmacies.

            Talking of cash, I read an article not too long ago that pointed out that paper money is the dirtiest thing we encounter. I can see why. Bills are constantly changing hands and those hands are not always the cleanest they could be. It is believed that, in addition to being touched by fingers that have touched things we don’t want to know about, most cash has some residue of illicit drugs on its surface. Wow! And washing it is out of the question, I suppose.

            I grew up on a farm so dirt and mud and animals and hay were very much part of life. But we did have to wash our hands before eating. My mother made sure of that. However I believe farm life has helped my family be immune to allergies that affect many who grow up in mostly germ-free environments. Dirt is good as the saying goes. Case in point the Amish people have very low asthma rates because they’re exposed to barnyard dust. And today some care professionals are talking of boosting the immune systems of kids by exposing them to dirt microbes. My parents would simply say: Just let them play outside and get dirty.

I am convinced that a little dirt is good for everyone, however I draw the line at touching countless screens touched by countless fingers so cleaning my hands is a must more often than it used to be. I don’t see the need to be in contact with an excess amount of germs. Perhaps that’s the reason I punch the automatic door-opening button set up for wheelchairs when I go to the bank, the mall, or other buildings. Ever since I was following a fellow into the bank who coughed his germs onto the door handle I see not touching those as insurance against colds. 

            Especially now that the cold and flu season is silently and boldly pushing itself forward before I can get my flu shot.

A Perspective of Aging

“So, how old is God now?” my grandson casually asked one day. He couldn’t wait to get older, so everyone’s age—including the Almighty—was important. Of course, as the years pile on he may no longer welcome every birthday as eagerly.

Birthdays makes us aware of the passage of time like few things do especially when it speeds up like a car without brakes on the non-sunny side of that famous hill. However, how each age milestone is handled says a great deal about a person.

            The parachute jump by former U.S. President George Bush, the father, to celebrate his 90th birthday was newsworthy because of his former job, but it was impressive because of his age. I recently read a piece about a man, age 55, and his eight-year-old son who won a race at a local father-and-son day. It told me that the man became a father relatively late in life and that he keeps in shape.

 When I graduated from university, relatives and friends were quietly listening as names were called to receive that piece of parchment which gave credence to our years of toil. That is until the name of a woman well into her sixties was heard. The room broke out in thunderous applause. Her age made all the difference. She was proof that age is seldom a barrier to accomplishment.

            One of my aunts passed away at the age of 101. Living that long is a feat worthy of notice and it got me thinking. Her brother, my father, was not so lucky and died at the age of 55 as a result of an accident. At the time I was quite young and thought my father very old, yet now that I find myself older than my father ever was my view of age has undergone a profound change. I know I’m no longer a “young chick,” yet neither do I consider myself old.

            I am simply a grown-up.

            To me, every year downhill is a feather in my cap not something to shy away from. When I turned 50 I went on a trip around the world. Originally I was to go with a friend, but when she cancelled I went anyway. I bought my one-way ticket around the planet with many stops along the way on four different continents, and it was a most rewarding and enriching trip. I got to visit exotic locales and met some wonderful people. The memories will always be cherished. It was a daring thing for a not-so-young woman to do, and it proved—to me, anyway—that age is indeed just a number.

            Now older than my father I am proud to do things he never would have done because he lived in the pre my-age-does-not-stop-me era, like ride a bike, ski, play tennis, etc. Yet, I know I will continue to do these things for some time.

            I am inspired in part by another aunt who when she was 100 still considered herself not especially old. When I went to see her at the residence she called home when she was 95 I was told by the receptionist who looked at me as if I should have known, “It’s Wednesday. She’s at the yoga class.” While I’m sure this is not the norm for everyone in that age range, it beats the mindset that considers aging as a license to sit around and mope a less-than-perfect body.

            There are some benefits to getting older. For one thing, you stop worrying about what people think of you because you realize that they seldom do think about you. They are too busy with their own lives and concerns. You stop being impressed by such things as money and looks because you’re wise enough to understand that only the hearts and souls of people are enduring and endearing.

“So, are you younger or older than 100?” my age-conscious grandson asked me some years back on my birthday. In his mind I was a grandmother and therefore old because his granny, his great-grandmother, was nearing 100 and he heard the comments of the adults. Grandparents are grandparents, right?

            I can only hope that I inherited some of my family’s good genes for living well past what is still considered the norm, and that one day I’ll be able to tell my grandson that I am indeed older than 100.

            Especially if I can do it as we parachute jump together.

The Aging Mind

As we enjoy the mid-life journey, aging is blamed for things that may have nothing to do with the number of years we have lived. Case in point, a neighbor recently complained that her aging mind was acting up. “I can’t concentrate,” she whined. “I have to keep rereading the same page if I don’t want to forget what the book I’m reading is all about.” The more we talked, the more it became clear that her choice of books had not of late been judicious, and she was finding them dull and boring. Her problem had nothing to do with age, but rather with her mind not being fully utilized.

Memory lapses may have nothing to do with aging. “I keep forgetting things,” people say. “That’s what happens when you get old.” Instead of simply thinking that we’re on our way to dementia, why not try to assess—and correct—why we might be forgetting things.

Here are some examples to consider:

-- Are we absent-minded because we’re still trying to do ten things at the same time and overloading our thought process?

-- Are we bored with our lives and a little depressed? Why not try to make small changes that will brighten our outlook.

-- Are we preoccupied by a personal problem? When the mind keeps wandering to something that’s upsetting, it limits its ability to function properly.

-- Are we angry? Spending too much time focusing on anger rather than on trying to relieve its cause scatters thoughts. 

-- Are we grieving? Grieving the loss of a spouse, a friend, a pet, a job, or facing an empty nest, can play havoc with our ability to remember things. Time and a friendly ear might be needed to accept a new reality. 

-- Are we lonely? If family and friends have scattered we might be wallowing in loneliness which might well affect memory. It might be time to make new friends by joining a group to meet people with the same interests.

-- Are we disorganized? Some people think they’ll be able to remember things without jotting anything down. We all need reminders of medical and dental appointments, for example, since many are made weeks if not months in advance and can be forgotten at any age. An agenda can keep track of things we must do—big things and small things as well.

           Now, what was I suppose to do this afternoon?

 

 

 

 

AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

Here comes the future!

You think only your spouse or the dog can detect if you are in a lousy mood? Think again! Computer will soon be able to detect and appropriately respond to your state of mind.

            Affective computing, also known as AC, is an area concerned with gathering data from faces, voices and body language to measure human emotions. An important business goal of AC is to build human-computer interfaces that can offer a variety of applications. For example, AC programming can help physicians who deal with patients remotely to quickly understand a patient's mood or look for signs of depression.
            AC uses a computing device to gather cues about a person’s emotional state from a variety of sources other than facial expressions such as muscle tension, posture, hand and shoulder gestures, speech patterns, heart rate, pupil dilation and body temperature.

            So if I understand this correctly even if I smile to my boss to hide the fact that I had a bit too much to drink at lunch because I can’t stand her, her computer will sell me out? In other words we are entering an age where secrecy about personal views and feelings will be a thing of the past! Food for thought, don’t you think?

            I feel for the future of mankind. Having some small measure of control over what I may choose to show the world has always been sacred as far as I am concerned. If that is taken away, won’t we become merely fodder for machines? That is truly scary.

            How far will this new world go before people dare to revolt??

Too Much Entertainment?

I watched part of the Emmy broadcast the other evening and two questions came to mind.

            One was certainly why some female Hollywood celebs can’t afford the fabric to properly cover their torsos. I mean, seeing a décolletage reaching the waistline while covering only a portion of the breasts I find a little much. Perhaps I am a prude, but in my view breasts relate to motherhood and should not be paraded on television.

            I suspect that at some point a designer looking to make her/his mark decided to see how far a woman’s breasts could be displayed. Celebs who are always looking to stand out saw this as a chance to get attention. Hopefully that trend will soon become a thing of the past.

            The second question: How can we watch all the shows now available. I find that there are simply too many vying for our attention. A lot of the ones nominated the other night I had never heard of for the simple reason that the sheer number of shows offered makes it impossible to know them all. The simple reason is that the number of platforms offering viewing entertainment keeps growing. It now seems that everyone wants to get into the business.

            Trying to get a sense of all the shows offered through cable or satellite can seem overwhelming to start with. Add to that all the subscription-based newcomers and I would think that this reality cannot be good for ratings which become more and more diluted.

            One good thing about these shows is that they no doubt offer new and additional opportunities for actors of all ages. However, I think it will take time for viewers to get to know them all.

Helper and helped

It is said that generosity is good for both the helpers and the helped. So, in other words when you ask for assistance you are actually doing someone a favor and it’s good medicine for both you and the one helping you.

            Recently when I needed stronger arms to carry a large box from my car to my front door, a young neighbor offered to help me. When I thanked him he said there was no need because he was very happy to do it. And he did look very pleased to be of service.

Those who help others, in whatever fashion, get a boost of positivity.  In other words giving in whatever form is good for the soul. 

            Of course, many of us hesitate to ask for help. It might be admirable to try and solve our own problems, but asking for help is not only useful, it is beneficial. We may hesitate to ask for help fearing that the answer will be no or that we will not get the help we expect or in the way we want it. For example, a family member may not be available to help with a household project simply because of the timing. Then it becomes a question of being open to the other’s schedule and responsibilities.

            As we all know, stress is a common factor in chronic disease. Asking for help makes us aware that we are not able to handle everything in life. Asking for help connects us to others and reduces stress. Neuroscientific research shows that asking for help can also make us grateful for our relationships. We all want to care for others and be cared for, and that is something that comes into play when help is asked and received.

            And by asking for help we show others that we trust them thus given them an ego boost.

            There are many benefits for helpers. It makes them happy and gives them a sense of purpose, especially those who are no longer “workers” and who can feel out of touch as a result. Older adults who volunteer in their community stave off disease while increasing their life satisfaction. They can even expect to live longer.

They say it is better to give than to receive. Research shows that both sides are better off.

Always-Never-All

Have you ever noticed how people tend to exaggerate when they’re annoyed or angry? Standing in line at the bank the other day I heard the woman behind me talking on her cell phone to, I assumed, her husband and taking him to task for “always forgetting to stop at the bank.” I’m sure he did stop at the bank from time to time, but I suppose that using the word “always” helped her deal with her frustration.

All of us are guilty of dispersing emphasis when we feel we have a right to do so. We use words like “always”, “never” and “all” as if they seal the truth of whatever statement we’re making: You never pay attention; You’re always late. All politicians are corrupt; etc.

It’d be nice if we could deal with our annoyances without amplifying— or even lying if we’re honest with ourselves. People do pay attention most of the time; it may not seem so, but only some politicians are corrupt; and no one is ever late all the time. The problem is that we don’t take time to assess our statements. A man I know who teaches English as a second language to adults does his part to enlighten his students so they are aware of blanket statements not only when writing but also when speaking. He encourages them to take the time to see when “often”, “sometimes”, and “some” should be used instead of generalizing.

A comedian I saw recently has based a whole act on the premise of descriptive words. Here is a sample of what he said: “I’d be correct to say that I never win the lottery, but I’d also be right to say that I always buy tickets! A young lady I know will always be pretty, but thankfully I’ll never be uglier! My wife commented the other day that all men are alike. All men? How in hell did she find out?”

Never stop laughing! That will always be the right choice for all of us.

What is a Grandparent?

To mark Grandparents Day Sunday, September 8, I thought that seeing what kids say about grandparents would be fun. Enjoy.

Taken from comments by 8-year-old kids.

Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.

Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them.

They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.

When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

They talk to us about the color of flowers.

They don’t say “Hurry up.”

They wear glasses and funny underwear.

They can take their teeth and gums out.

They answer questions like: why isn’t God married?

When they read to us they don’t skip. They don’t mind if we ask for the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us.

They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us, and kiss us even when we’ve been bad.

And when asked where his grandma lived, a 6-year-old answered: She lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.

Cannabis and Other Sins

As we all know cannabis is a psychoactive drug that expands the mind and the consciousness. Whether people refer to it as pot, grass, weed, reefer, it is now legal in many American states and in all of Canada so users are not afraid to be open about their habit. When I complained to a 93- year-old relative that the smell coming from my neighbor’s cannabis smoking was bothering me, her answer surprised me: Tell them they don’t have to smoke it, they can put it in food. I have never studied the many ways to use cannabis, but I wonder how my relative seems to know them! Does she bake “special” goodies for her buddies?

She should remember that overdoing cannabis can prematurely age the human brain by a number of years a new study on brain aging has found. So, does that mean that the forty-something pot heads are really in their 50s when it comes to brain age? Wow!

And what about those who use cannabis for medical reasons? Do they have to worry about their brains aging faster than other people? I’ll let the researchers tackle that one.

And let’s not forget that we don’t know the long-term effects of pot smoking on various organs including lungs. Many people still remember that at some point not so long ago doctors recommended smoking cigarettes! It seems we learn the hard way.

            There are other sins that affect brain health. What about those heavy alcohol drinkers? Alcohol has been found to contribute to some 60 different health conditions, and those who overdo it can expect the heart to circulate the blood alcohol throughout the body, leading to changes in normal body functions. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of many chronic diseases and other serious health problems.

Certainly something people should keep in mind before pouring themselves another drink!

And what about cigarette smoking? Many people feel they are simply unable to quit.

A couple in their early 60s I know are still smoking and hold on to the notion that it’s too late for them to stop. It’s never too late especially with all the various medications and emotional support available today. 

            To overcome bad habits humans have to be committed to making an effort. That certainly applies to another sin: swearing. Something to remember is that children have youthful hearing and absorb whatever reaches their ears. 

The Green Thing

At the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
           The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."
           He was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day. Back then, they returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so they could be reused over and over. But they didn't have the green thing back then.
         In her day, people walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.
          Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because there was no throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts. Wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. But that old lady was right they didn't have the green thing back in her day.
          Back then, there was one TV or radio in the house, not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not the size of Scotland. Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gas just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she was right they didn't have the green thing back then.
          They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using plastic bottles. They refilled their pens with ink instead of buying a new one and they replaced the blades in a razor instead of throwing the razor away just because the blade got dull. But they didn't have the green thing back then.

They didn't need a computer to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space to find the nearest pizza joint.

           Still, the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then. But given today’s dire predictions from scientists that the world has only ten years to change its way or else face the point of no return when it comes to curbing the ever-increasing global temperatures perhaps it’s time to learn a lesson or two from generations that didn’t have the green thing.

Musings on Aging

An older gentleman had severe hearing problems for some time. When he consulted a specialist he was fitted for a set of hearing aids with which he could hear perfectly. A month later the doctor commented: “Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.” The man replied: “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to conversations. I’ve changed my will three times!”

Hospitals require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. When a young nurse found an older man dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, she told him she would help him. He replied that he didn’t need any help to leave the hospital. After the nurse insisted that rules were rules, he reluctantly let her wheel him to the elevator. On the way down, when the nurse asked him if his wife was meeting him, he said: “I don’t know. She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.”

“Why did you decide to go back to college?” a woman in her eighties was asked. She replied: “I’m here to meet a rich husband and have a couple of kids.”

An older woman had to make a speech at a banquet. After being introduced she stepped up to the podium where she dropped her three-by-five cards on the floor. A little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said: “I’m sorry I’m so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me!”

Words to live by:

We make a Living by what we get, we make a Life by what we give.

Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. There are many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

Aging does not require any talent, practice or ability. The idea is to grow older by always finding opportunity in change.

Some Musings

While driving in the last few weeks, it became very clear to me that in North America, at least the northern section, we have only two seasons. We have winter, of course, then the rest of the year is construction season.

            Everywhere I went I saw lines of orange cones standing at attention making sure that drivers became frustrated by the delays! It is certain that new road infrastructure and repairs are never static and forever ongoing, but are they properly coordinated? It seems to me that it might not always be the case when you follow the path of one detour only to come to another detour!

            Drivers can only dream of cone-free summer driving one of these days!

            On my outings in the last few weeks, I also found myself studying people whenever I went. One day I saw a man walking his tiny little dog that would easily fit into a purse. To me, somehow, the picture didn’t seem right. Should not large men have large dogs? Behind him was a middle-aged couple walking a dog the size of a horse. No kidding. The furry dog was larger than a Great Dane and wider. I immediately assumed that they have large rooms in their house! 

            The way people dress in summer is always interesting, don’t you think? One day I saw a fellow walking by wearing a warm hoodie, while a woman behind him was essentially wearing a bra with the tiniest of shorts. Someone’s thermostat on the fritz?

            One day I saw a thirty-something woman who caught my attention because of the lovely bird tattoos on the back of her upper arms. As a person who has been doing targeted exercises to keep the back of my upper arms from jiggling and wiggling I wondered how the woman’s birds will look when age and gravity catch up to her, as they surely will. The lovely wings are bound to require some surgery!

            In a restaurant I saw a young couple who were getting a lot of attention because of the baby with them. The child could not have been older than a few weeks, and the parents alternated holding him. It was a hot day and the air conditioning in the restaurant was quite a shock compared to the outside temperature. Would that affect the child? I wondered. Maybe not, but I was reminded that when one of my sons was very young he ended up with pneumonia after a similar outing. I wanted to talk to the young couple, but wisely decided there were enough people around to guide them.

            While enjoying a cold drink in a fast-food place one warm day I saw a lovely young Japanese woman walk in attired in a traditional geisha kimono without the white face makeup but with the traditional hairstyle. Not the kind of garb you see often on a hot summer afternoon (perhaps she was rehearsing a play??) but obviously the need for a cool drink was imperative.

            I was glad to be able to get away from my regular routine for a while. It renews the spirit, but I was not as glad to see that some people are still treating the earth with little respect. When you stroll in a park or on the beach you still see empty soda cans, water bottles and fast food wrappers just tossed on the grass or in the sand even though trash and recycling bins abound nowadays. Obviously not everyone is on board when it comes to keeping our world clean.

            That is indeed a sad state of affairs!

Ah, Summer!

Well, it’s finally here. Snowfalls and ice storms of not so many months ago are forgotten as we complain about the heat! At least now we can cool off in the lake, in the pool or in a nice well air conditioned cinema, the later being, I suspect, the reason summer movies are so popular.

            And in the summer you don’t need a shovel.

            It’s the perfect time to be doing things that take us out of our regular routine like spending more time with family, enjoying gardening, catching up on our reading in the shade of a large tree, being more active with all sorts of outdoor activities, watching the starry night sky, or whatever else we feel like doing. We feel freer, don’t you think?

            It’s time for vacations, for taking time off which is what I will be doing for a few weeks. I will then be back to my blog renewed by the ease and calm of the warm season.

            Wishing all my readers a great summer.

           

Eye Scans and Alzheimer’s Disease

For those of us who have relatives who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, recent studies show hope for the future.

Two new studies suggest signs of Alzheimer’s disease are visible in the eyes before symptoms appear. Research by ophthalmologists at Duke University and in Israel show that a new, non-invasive imaging device can see signs of Alzheimer’s disease in a matter of seconds. The research showed that the small blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye are altered in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Even patients who have a family history of the disease but have no symptoms show these telltale signs. And they showed that they can distinguish between people with Alzheimer’s and those with only mild cognitive impairment. 

A new kind of precise and non-invasive imaging has assisted much of the recent research on the eye’s connection with Alzheimer’s. It enables physicians to see the smallest veins in the back of the eye, including the red blood cells moving through the retina.  

Because the retina is connected to the brain by way of the optic nerve, researchers believe that the deterioration in the retina and its blood vessels may mirror the changes going on in the blood vessels and structures in the brain, thereby offering a window into the disease process. 

At the moment diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is a challenge. Brain scans are expensive and spinal taps can be harmful. Instead, the disease is often diagnosed through memory tests or observing behavioral changes. By the time these changes are noticed, the disease is advanced.

Even though there is no cure, early diagnosis is critical as future treatments are likely to be most effective when given early. Early diagnosis would also give patients and their families time to plan for the future.