Aging Well June 11th 2013

How many push-ups can you do? Or are you like me: the bigger challenge is just getting back up off the floor with some kind of grace and dignity!  

Many of you are already active and can testify that you don’t have to relive your junior high P.E. class to enjoy the benefits of exercise and movement. It can be as simple as walking around the block or throwing away the TV remote – or even the TV. It can include water aerobics, gardening, dancing, or movement classes at the Center. By staying active thirty minutes a day you can improve or maintain your strength, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness.

But try to avoid the excuses. Even with physical limitations, doing something is always better than doing nothing. If it becomes boring, mix it up and be creative. And even though you haven’t lost any weight or that extra inch around the waste, keep moving. It is still good for you.

There are also plenty of inexpensive ways to keep moving: a few plants here and a walking stick there or classes at the Center. And if you just don’t have the get up and go - to get out and move, reward yourself. Buy yourself a large chocolate milkshake. (Just kidding!)

Exercise with friends. The social connections will make it fun, more interesting and a little peer pressure can be the motivation that keeps you going. And start small. You’re not getting any younger. Just because you were able to do it twenty years ago, doesn’t mean you can expect to start off at that same level today.

But the point is that it is never too late to start being more active. But start small, make it fun and be creative. At our age we may no longer be the youthful hare of Aesop’s Fables. But we can still follow the tortoise’s example where slow and steady wins the race.

Physical health is June’s theme in your Passport to Happiness Calendar. And this month’s event will again take place at the Center from 3:00 – 4:30 on Wednesday June 19^th. Don’t forget to bring your passport! And I promise there will be no push-ups or sit-ups. But maybe a few jumping jacks? 

It is already approaching June 15^th - the third Saturday of the month which means SATURDAY BREAKFAST at the Center – this month sponsored by Ron Sutherland in honor of the 1947 The Dalles High School State Football Championship Team.  The menu includes Texas style French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, fruit and your choice of a morning beverage. Breakfast is served from 8:00 – 9:30 and the cost is only $5.00.  And before you move on, does anyone remember who the 1947 TDHS football coach was?

The Center’s annual summer rummage sale starts Thursday June 27th at 9:00 AM and runs through Saturday the 30th. We are now accepting used items you may have around the house or garage that need a new home. Give the Center a call or leave the items outside the basement door.

To sweep a few cobwebs from your noggin, try this little activity. For two weeks switch your watch to your other wrist and see how long it takes you to learn the new arrangement. (And count how many stares you get as you glance from one wrist to the other to find the time.)  

But if that doesn’t work for you, see if you can read the Center’s music announcement. rofeB eht neercsnus sehsaw ffo, gniyalp thginot ta eht retneC si “nitraM dna sdneirF”. dnA no yadseuT, enuJ ht81, “namurT” lliw eb gnimrofrep. cisuM strats ta 00:7, enoyreve si emoclew dna snoitanod era detaicerppa.

The name of the second-best-selling band in the United States: a four person English rock band formed in 1968 that recorded the Classic Rock radio staple “Stairway to Heaven” is Led Zeppelin. (And the winner is Anne Hutson.) But one last music question. There were plenty of R&B or Doo Wop groups in the 50’s. But what was the name of the group that formed in 1953 and hit upon a successful formula of updating old standards, such as "My Prayer", "Twilight Time", and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" scoring four number one hits between 1955 and 1958? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or have it delivered by the Great Pretender.

Well, it has been another week trying to finish off the ice cream cone before it melts. Until we meet again, it is never too late to wish upon a star.