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
Tag: aging
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: 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
Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: I
Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable I is for Immediacy I return to the book: The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister. She writes about immediacy. Here’s what she says: ‘Act your age’ can be useful advice when you’re 17; it’s a mistake when you’re 77. When we start acting old, however old…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: I
Blogging from A to Z Challenge: H
Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable H is for Hearing My 20-year-old grandson told me that his friend has the same hearing aids that I have. I was showing him how I can program my hearing aids on my I Phone to provide different sound levels and clarity depending on where I was.…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z Challenge: H
Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: G
Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable G is for The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully I was given this book a few years ago by a friend and fellow writer who happens to be my age. Once when the heavy load of aging troubled me, she thoughtfully gifted me this book. It’s…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: G
Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: E
Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable E is for Exercise I follow the blog: Better Health While Aging by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH. Her blog is a common sense, understandable, practical guide about aging well for both the elderly and their caregivers. Exercise is important. It can mean the difference between remaining independent…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: E
Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: C
Aging: The Good, the Bad, and the Tolerable C is for Classes As a retirement present when I left the Veterans Hospital in Durham, NC, I received a gift certificate for a couple of writing classes. My fellow nurses understood that one of my goals in retirement was to write—and be published. The first class…… Continue reading Blogging from A to Z April 2024 Challenge: C
Getting Older: Charting the Uncharted 