The other day we had an event happen to us that turned out to be very interesting to examine. The power went off in the buildings in which we live from 9am to 2am the next day. At first it didn’t mean anything to us. We were cocky. It had stopped raining heavily and just a little mist was falling . What we hadn’t taken into consideration was the food in the refrigerator? The food in the freezer? No computer? No home phone? No washing machine? No TV, No Lights?, NO HEAT!!!! Now that’s a different story! I had been sick in bed for about 11 days with a cough and cold and there was a light drizzle and freezing outside. We couldn’t cook and decided to run out for a early, quick dinner. We left our dog, Sophia, at home but bundled her in her favorite blanket. We came back and Bob made a roaring fire and we lit a bunch of candles in the living room, with a couple of flashlights and TALKED. That’s a new thing to try. Our neighbor friend stopped by with her dog to toast themselves in front of the fire and we were all in our jackets but very comfortable and actually enjoying ourselves. There were no dings from texts, no background TV noise, no new messages to look at. My I pad and cell phone, were quickly running out of juice and it was kind of a freeing feeling. OK ,we were on a desert island but we were on the island together, Bob, Sophia and I. The three of us got into bed (at about 7:30) with two comforters loaded on top of us, some flashlights pointing to the bathroom and a couple of big candles for a little atmosphere. I guess what I’m trying to say, is , I was very content! Bob had his girls with him, so he was happy, and Sophia was ecstatic!! It’s not a new lesson but in this age of technology, we become dependent on all our gadgets. If we’re not on our computer then we are watching television, somewhat indifferent to the noise. We have become accustomed to it. We forgot, silence is golden! Bob fell asleep, quickly, as usual and I laid there awake thinking , how interesting an experiment this was. I didn’t feel as though I was missing anything. I too, fell asleep. I remember, dimly, Bob saying the lights are back on, but I was out for the count and Sophia and I snuggled back to sleep. It was like camping out. It was fun and, really, we don’t need everything the way we think we do. Do we? Once again, welcome back to my old readers! I'm so excited about the new website. For my new friends, I'm glad to have you! Please be sure that you are subscribed to my weekly blog by submitting your email. I am so looking forward to hearing from you.
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Happy New Year! I’m always excited about January. January brings a new beginning! Everything is possible! New promises and new objectives are promised to ourselves. A clean slate! I can’t wait to get at it! Get off the sugar kick, get rid of carbs and step up the cardio. I know, I say the same every year but every year I believe myself. The last couple of times I spoke, I have had men come up to me and say. “You, know we are aging too! Why don’t you talk about us?" Well, of course it’s true! We are all aging from the day we are born, both men and women. I always thought men had an easier time with it but I see it is tough for them in different ways! I thought the top problem for men would be the loss of their identity once they stopped working in their field. Now in retirement, it is time for them to find another source of identity. In their old lives, they had assistants to do their phoning and their planning. They had co-workers to ask questions of and plan out projects with. Now they are in a foreign land, alone, and expected to do all this themselves. It’s difficult. Because we are living longer they need to find new passions, new ways to express themselves.
We women, find aging a little bit easier in those departments. We have other worries. We know we have to keep our minds active. We know we must find firsts to keep relevant! We need to have empathy for men with the losses age brings them. Firsts are hard to find in your 70's, 80's and 90's but they are there and they are really necessary! I started Tai Chi last year for the first time. My husband started Pilates. Both firsts. I spoke to a group in SB and I heard a 92 year old woman started Yoga. Also at that same talk there was a couple that had just married. Both were 89. That may not have been the first time they got married but it certainly was the first time they got married at that age. The point is you are never too old to look and follow a dream of yours I find there are four simple rules to live in a Healthspan instead of a Lifespan for both men and women; Exercise, keep your brain active, Eat well, and stay socialized!
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December 2020
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