Author: Marianna Crane

After a long career in nursing--I was one of the first certified gerontological nurse practitioners--I am now a writer. My writings center around patients I have had over the years that continue to haunt my memory unless I record their stories. In addition, I write about growing older, confronting ageism, creativity and food.
My memoir, "Stories from the Tenth Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers" is available where ever books are sold.

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: S

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable S is for Successful Aging Live Long, Die Short, A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging by Roger Landry, MD, MPH The information in this book is based on the findings of a ten-year study from the MacArthur Foundation’s Research Network on Successful Aging. The study…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: S

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: R

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable R is for Regret Regret, one of the ghosts of aging, comes upon us one day dressed up like wisdom, looking profound and serious, sensible and responsible. It prods us to begin to look back. It presses us to question everything we’ve ever done: I should have…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: R

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: Q

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable Q is for Quality of Life Quality of life (QOL) is the degree to which a person is healthy, comfortable, and able to participate in or enjoy special occasions and life activities. It is critical for health care professionals to take quality of life into account when…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: Q

Blogging from A toZ April 2024 Challenge: P

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable P is for Purple Poem I have long loved this poem that I think of as the Purple Poem. It was written in 1961 by Jenny Joseph, who was just 28 at the time.   The poem snubs its nose on expected behavior as one ages. I…… Continue reading Blogging from A toZ April 2024 Challenge: P

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: O

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable O is for On Aging On Aging Poem by Maya Angelou When you see me sitting quietly,Like a sack left on the shelf,Don’t think I need your chattering.I’m listening to myself.Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!Hold! Stop your sympathy!Understanding if you got it,Otherwise I’ll do without it!When my…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: O

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: N

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable N is for Nostalgia I have lived almost 82 years. A lot has happened in my life. And a lot of memories come flooding back with a deep longing to experience them again. Nostalgia, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is a sentimental longing or wistful affection…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: N

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: M

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable M is for Music is Magical I was standing in the middle of an aisle at the Dollar Store. It was the beginning of COVID, and our neighbor told me that the store still had thermometers on the shelves. The song, Silhouettes on the Shade came over…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: M

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: L

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable L is for Laughter I stumbled across an article from the Mayo Clinic while googling the health benefits of laughter. In the article, Dr. Edward T. Creagan, an oncologist, comments on the health benefits of laugher, which is my “L” word today. Imagine my surprise as a…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: L

Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: K

Aging: the Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable K is for Keep It Moving Twyla Tharp’s book is different from the usual books and articles I’ve read on “successful” aging that focus on scientific studies. Twyla mixes common sense, creative motivation, and lots of interesting anecdotal stories about famous folks, mostly in the arts, such…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: K

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: J

Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable J is for Jump The older woman stood in front of me, hands on her hips, “You know old people can’t jump.”  Frankly, I didn’t. She had taken part in an exercise program I choreographed to the oldie’s songs that included a couple of jumps. I was…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: J