Category: comments

If you read my profile, you will see that I’ve published a few books, myself, so I know how much effort goes into producing 600+ pages.  Unfortunately for seniors, heavy hardcover books can leave you with sore fingers and achy shoulders, depending on the severity of your arthritis.

I’ve just returned from the library, and as I stood perusing the shelves, I realized that I was unconsciously bypassing thick books.  I know—I could miss something really great.  But there’s always Kindle if I see a book that looks like a MustRead.  And,  let’s face it, there’s lots of competition for readers among authors, and millions of books on the market. 

It tough enough for seniors to deal with childproof lids on medications, but it’s almost as bad trying to get a cartridge of computer ink out of it’s plastic case. I’ve been digging at a pack with a scissors now for about 10 minutes, and still haven’t gotten the doggone thing to open up.

Another pet peeve is toilet bowl cleaner.  Ugh, that’s nasty stuff, but we all have to keep it on hand.
Of course, the manufacturers have to be extra careful because it’s not only toxic, it can burn your skin.  You sure don’t want a kid getting even near it.  So of course, getting the cap open is an exercise in frustration.  You twist and turn it this way and that.  Then you pound it and squeeze it.  Just as you’re about to go back  to the #DollarStore and ask the clerk to open it, you finally hit the sweet spot.  Voila, it’s open!

My husband has a cousin who lives in LA.  Last week, she had to walk to the supermarket to find someone who could open a pickle jar. I know, they sell those rubber things that are supposed to help you get a grip, but they don’t really do the job.  Maybe they should have a senior friendly section in the supermarket with easy to open products.

Have you written yours yet? A few years ago, I realized I had begun to read every obituary in both the #IndianapolisStar and our local paper.  Many days, they are the most interesting thing to read, especially if you’re fed up with political news.

Some obits are long and extremely detailed, which leads me to believe the deceased may have had a hand in it. Who else would remember every single award a person ever won, all the countries visited on their many trips, every job they’ve held, and all of their hobbies? Still, I enjoy all the details, but then I’ve always loved #autobiographies.

The published  names are also interesting.  Women often list three or four last names, beginning with their maiden name, then on to the surname of each husband. Some people who’ve been married more than once start by naming their first husband from whom they were divorced and had x number of children with. Then, they go on to name subsequent spouses and progeny. Inevitably, these detailed obits also describe the person’s social life, club memberships, achievements not only of themselves , but their children.

Many spiritual people confidently state that the dead person has been received into the arms of their “Lord & Savior.” I always admire that kind of faith.

Finally, will they have a conventional church funeral or a heathen #memorial service at cocktail hour? Some have both, but it’s usually one or the other. Many opt for nothing at all as it is stated, ” at Jack’s request, there will be no services.”

So, the next time you think there’s nothing of interest in the newspaper, head for the obituaries!

Did you ever think your would live to #eighty?  As a teenager, and even as I approached #retirement, I never considered the idea that I might reach that milestone, and be living with a husband who is 4 years older than me. Now, that’s really old!

The day a child is born, actuaries in the insurance business give him or her an #expiration date. Currently, babies born now are expected to live until 80.

So what about those of us who were born before 1937? If born in the years before that, you were expected to leave this world at 65. So, we #octogenarians are living past our expiration date; 50% of our birth year buddies have already left us.

You have to be blessed with fairly good health to get this far.  And yet, you realize it can’t go on forever. When you catch the flu and run a fever, you wonder if it will turn into pneumonia. Ten years ago, if  I came down with a virus, I felt confident that if I slurped chicken soup and waited for the fever to break, I would soon be well.  Now, the same symptoms bring on a tinge or worry that I might not make it this time.  Is that pain in my chest indigestion or a heart attack?  Should I call the  doctor  or wait a few days to see what happens?  But when all’s said and done, you figure you’ve had a pretty good run, and so what? Just don’t buy green bananas.