There, I said it. I didn’t say “advice on aging” or “advice on getting older”, I just said it like it is – getting old! It’s been that kind of week; more friends than usual in our group of oldsters have had various reminders of their, shall we say, vulnerability. Lots of what author and physician Atul Gawande, in his book Being Mortal, calls ODTAA. One Damn Thing After Another. And on top of a few serious and mostly just frustrating medical ailments, a non-medical emergency hit recently. Believe it or not, several of us have unexpectedly lost our long-time cleaning services! Can you imagine?! Talk about a serious setback. Good thing this rude awakening has come at a time when most of us can’t see well enough to know if there’s too much dirt around!
Given this sobering state of affairs, I thought I’d share some entertaining advice and observations on old age that have been made over a long period of time. If nothing else, these offerings can remind us that these challenges are nothing new. We’re not breaking new ground, after all. And we have the advantage of being the first generation to grow old with the Internet to keep us informed and entertained! What’s not to be grateful for?!
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And I’ll close with this important reminder to younger readers.
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Your post hits the mark with me. My Dad aged well in the following way … he made technology work for him in every way he could. He used his tractor to get around his property. He wasn’t afraid to use a cane and had quite a collection. He used every sized font on the computer so he could do his genealogy work. I am trying to follow his example. I use a cane and just got a great spike to go on the end of it so I can be more confident walking on ice.
Thanks for sharing a terrific example, Jane. And you are a fine example of following in his footsteps. Having many interests that sustain you mentally through writing and painting, spiritually through your love of nature, and physically by figuring out a coping strategy, makes for a winning recipe for happiness in this phase of life in which we find ourselves. I know for me, blogging alone adds to my quality of life.
I have been away from regular blogging for a while, but my discovery, in its absence, was that it connects me with like-minded friends, gives me a way to explore ideas in front of an audience and let’s me combine expressions of creativity in a different way. So, I’m back!
My experience exactly. Welcome back!
I enjoyed this one! I just did a prompt for Jamie Dedes (The Poet by Day) about the positives of getting older. I used to love George Burns’ humor when I was younger but now that I am older I can (unfortunately) see the truth in his words! 😂
Gosh, Irma, you have a long way to go! But don’t worry, it’s all good!! 😊
Love the George Burns observations. I have my first ever sore knee which has affected my running, hopefully not permanently.
Oh no, Roy, that’s discouraging. RICE, right? Rest, ice, compress, elevate. You probably don’t want to compress your knee! Rest and take lots of ibuprofen is my usual route. Let’s not even think about it being permanent. The Jersey running community needs you … and you need running! Fingers crossed.
I remember being out in the timber with my grandpa..going to guess he was late 60’s… and him being frustrated he couldn’t do the physical things like when he was younger…(in his prime, there is a story of him grabbing an escaped market hog by the ear and back leg and throwing it over the fence) so I know it’s coming…..like you said, the challenges are nothing new..and yet they are when it’s now me and not some old person. Love your sense of humor Jane. You are still one of my role models! DM
I’m one of your role models, Doug? Yikes, that’s a lot to live up to. I guess I’d better keep trucking! 😏 The image you paint of your grandpa and the hog take me back to our farming days. A neighbor down the way drove the school bus and also had a one-man slaughter operation. He would do the same thing with our pigs. They’d squeal just like they did when the vet came to “cut” them!
As I watch my son in high school, I realize more and more what an accomplishment it was to graduate without Google! 🙂 And Wikipedia. Thank you for the giggles . . .
Lol. And often when I google something the instant a question pops into my mind (many times a day), I think of my Dad, who’s been dead for over 50 years. He used to send us to his beloved World Book encyclopedias whenever we asked a question. Every single time. He would be so astounded at the ease of finding those answers now.
My mom used to do the same! We had a set like you did:).
Too funny. Google is quite the replacement … and it takes you straight to Wikipedia! What’s not to like?! 😊
Love the George Burns quote!
Hi Jenny. After reading his quote and then checking the obits, you ate breakfast this morning, right?! Or was it the thought of bending down to tie your shoelaces? 😏😊
Always good for a Friday!
And on a Friday we’re ready for all the help we can get! 😊
Thank you for the reminder Jane
As often as needed, Tim! 😏