Posts Tagged ‘age’
Are you old?
This study reveals we don’t know much about health, even our own, but the general consensus was that you’re old at 57. I’m way past that, but until I had a heart problem in my late 60’s, I felt pretty much as I had in my 30’s. Then my thyroid stopped working . It seems to become uncooperative every few months, and I up my medication for that, but don’t take the one medication designed for my particular problem, which has several unpleasant side effects and several signs that counter-indicate the medication, all of which I already have from allergies. So I am old, and my hair has thinned and is white, but when my thyroid cooperates I can outwork most people half my age.
I never understood the old adage “you’re as old as you feel” when I was young, but it is true. There are a few people who actually enjoy ill health — for attention, caring, touch, comfort, or what have you. I would prefer to lean on family and friends, but some people have neither. If they have a pet they generally do much better, though one of their worries is what will happen to that pet should they no longer be able to care for it. If they don’t have family or friends who will take the pet in, that is an additional worry. I have fostered several dogs from such households. The dogs were usually confused, sometimes upset at the new arrangement, but they all settled in eventually and seemed to enjoy the new surroundings and all the wildlife to be studied or chased or just barked at. My own dogs have been very gracious about sharing their territory and pets with strangers, possibly because they are accustomed to having the dogs of family members stay here when their owners are away. They all seem very happy to come here, and when they see their owners, very happy to leave.
Courtesy of my increased medication, I am still old by all standards, but not nearly as old as I felt before the dose was upped. Be aware of your family’s medical histories — you can’t necessarily change any of it , but you can avoid doing things which might kick-start an inherited tendency. I inherited my mother’s allergies and thyroid problems and blood sugar problems. My heart problem was a defect which caused no symptoms and remained hidden thorough stress tests. A heart catheter finally revealed the problem. I also have a slightly malformed hip structure which I was unaware of and discovered only when my thyroid began affecting my muscles and put so much strain on the hip it began complaining. I inherited my father’s muscles, athleticism and sense of humor. Without those gifts I probably would not have survived those from the maternal side. My point is, ask questions so that you know what your family may have a genetic tendency towards. Did anyone have a job which might have caused particular problems? If your problem is excess weight, consider what you eat. I had to learn that a small amount of truly scrumptious food was preferable to a plate of anything mediocre. I have screwy blood sugar, but I eat a diabetic-style diet – no sugar and few high-glycemic foods. I eat more meat than recommended, but it stabilizes my blood sugar and provides strength. When my thyroid gets balky I eat more carbohydrates for the energy boost. Baked new potatoes and yellow or white onions is one of my favorite side dishes and goes with everything. I have birthday cake when appropriate, but only a sliver. I have a cold beer every few weeks. I quit smoking years ago. Do what is in your control to make yourself feel better and learn what it may profit you to avoid.
COVID-19? It is a nasty, potentially devastating disease. My first rule is to basically ignore whatever the WHO, CDC, and NIH say. All three of them have been spectacularly wrong in their prognostications over the past few decades , although my late uncle who once worked in that field says the CDC did pretty well for a government agency until it allowed liberal politics to overcome sound science. For example, the 66,000 new cases in New York were not in the population allowed to go to work and have some semblance of a life. Not, those cases were among all the people on lock-down for the past two months, so isolation doesn’t appear to work, does it? I believe I’ve already mentioned that wearing a mask offers some protection, but you need eye wear with it for a more complete outfit. I spotted trouble on the horizon early and filled my pantry and freezer and planted a bunch more seeds to enable rolling harvest dates. My herbs are at work in my kitchen and I’ve already enjoyed baby spring lettuces, radishes and carrots. If you have a single sunny window, you can grow herbs — your food and palate will appreciate the freshness.
I’m having lunch with three dear friends this week after a two-month absence of our monthly luncheons – I am so looking forward to it, even though the restaurant will be under the new normal social distancing garbage. That was a bit selfish — I have not had cold or flu in over 50 years, not even when caring for relatives with rotavirus or norovirus (those two wreak havoc on cruise ships). I have been fortunate to lead a very healthy life with apparent natural immunity to viruses and the customary childhood diseases and a number of other less common diseases. I am grateful for that, as it enables me to fetch and tote for those less lucky than I.
Decide your level of comfort after assessing what risks you might be subject to and go live your life accordingly. I hope you do not live in one of the blue states where Democratic mayors and governors have decided that COVID-19 has given them the right to engage in unlawful behavior at your expense, you might find some pleasure in reminding them that if their own families or staffs don’t obey the authoritarian rules, why should you? Go out, be sensible and spend less of your time fearing coronavirus and more making your government officials afraid of you.
Counting age…
I consider myself fairly well read, and I love useless bits of information about other people and places, but I had no idea the old South Korean system of calculating age was still in effect. Officially, it isn’t in the ultramodern nation, but in reality it is still not merely recognized, but also widely used, so most South Koreans simply becaome accustomed to having two ages.
Having a mother…
…who lives in the same house for decades can result in her not throwing away your baseball collection. And in this case, it turns out your mother leaving your stuff in the attic means you end up having Mickey Mantle cards so old that they are worth a LOT of cash.
Last of an era…
An Italian woman who was believed to be the oldest living person has died. Emma Morano was the last known survivor of the 19th Century.
Little girl and old man…
No, this has nothing to do with Bill Clinton or Anthony Weiner. It’s about what happens to a sad old widower when a four-year-old child notices him in a grocery store and they strike up a friendship.
Keep working…
This 100-year-old lady does, but do you believe there is a single millennial with this sort of work ethic, much less this attitude?
http://www.wgrz.com/story/life/2015/10/19/unstoppable-100-year-old-works-6-days-week/74251790/
2015 in pix…
The party of old white rich men offers a black, a woman, and a couple of Hispanics, versus the Democrats who offer mostly old white people, including one woman, an admitted socialist, and ideas which have never worked anywhere on earth in history. Two sets of photos are worth thousands of words.
George H. W. Bush falls…
Even a former President of the United States is subject to the infirmities of old age, but you need not be old to experience balance problems. In Mr. Bush’s case, his Parkinson’s disease was probably a contributing factor. I wish a speedy recovery for this good and decent man.
UPDATE: President Bush has been discharged from the hospital to recover at home.
Ignore doctor, outlive him…
This charming lady of 104 makes a pungent observation about the doctors who warned her that her intake of 3 Dr. Peppers daily would kill her.
Time for Thorns 