Aging Well in the Gorge November 7th 2018

A nice group has been gathering at the Center at 11:00 on Fridays to share thoughts about life from a sixty, seventy, eighty and even 90-year-old perspective. Called “Let’s Talk” the group has decided to keep meeting and you are welcome to join us. Next Friday the topic of our conversation will be what do we enjoy doing with our time. Traveling? Volunteering? Hobbies? Taking naps in the afternoon?

One topic we have already discussed is what we worry about. And what do you think the most common answer was? It was falling - which most everyone has experienced including myself. One take away from the discussion was the importance of paying attention - which isn’t easy for me. When I’m moving, I like to let my mind wonder which I find therapeutic and often helps me remember what I’ve forgotten. But that isn’t always a good idea if you want to remain vertical.

Paying attention can help you avoid those painful lessons learned, such as Lesson One: hold on the handrail when using the stairs, because the stairs is the last place you want to fall. Or Lesson Two: pick up your feet when walking to avoid the little stumble which can turn into a nasty fall and black and blue all over.

Whether you are driving, walking, climbing down the stairs - pay attention. It is your insurance plan to avoid any unnecessary unpleasantness. A vacation stay in the nearest hospital is not the ideal way to spend time away from home.

This year November 11^th falls on a Sunday, so Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, November 12^th. Consequently, on Monday the Center and Meals-on-Wheels will be closed, and the annual Veterans Parade will be held starting at 11:00. Also, if you haven’t checked it out already, Columbia Gorge Veterans Museum will be open on Monday from 10:00 – 3:00 PM.

And speaking of Veterans Day, I use to include an apostrophe in Veterans Day. But I’ve learned. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs website, the official spelling should NOT be possessive case with an apostrophe "because it is not a day that 'belongs' to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.”

There is a wealth of information on the Internet – some amusing, some frightening; some informative and some brain numbing. But one gem I came across on the Next Avenue website was an article explaining the calming effects of - what do you think? Aromatherapy? Yoga? A nice soak in a hot tub? No. It’s therapy chickens! I never would have thought - maybe because I grew up in the city where the closest I came to farm animals was a yappy family dog. But apparently, if you are stressed out dealing with your latest ailment or your adult children telling you how to live, you should consider raising chickens.

And the Center can get your started. On display at the Center is a beautiful two-level Chicken Coop for which you can purchase a raffle ticket for $10 or three for $25. But here’s a better idea. Win the chicken coop for your adult children - so they can relax and stop bothering you!

The second-biggest charting artist of the late 1950s with thirty-eight top-40 hits, who hosted a variety television series from 1957 through 1960; and appeared in more than twelve Hollywood films was Pat Boone. (I received correct answers from Alice Mattox, Dale Roberts, Sherry Brent, Sandy Haechrel, Jess Birge, Bobetta Stewart, Carol Earl, Lana Tepfer and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Michael Carrico - living in the Columbia River GorgeUs.)

I’m going to stick with music, but a decade later - during the “British Invasion”. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the band with the photogenic lead singer and a simple, non-threatening, and clean-cut image that in 1965 had four top-three hits including a recording of a British music hall song which the lead singer’s Irish grandfather use to sing. Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send your answer with a family picture of Mrs. Brown and her lovely daughter.

Well, it’s been another week wishing that as I grow older there would be at least one thing getting easier.  Until we meet again, keep moving even though at times it may seem like you’re going backwards.

“The soldier, above all others, prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” General Douglas MacArthur