MORE ADVENTURES IN AGING

 

There are many folks who hate the thought of aging. They don’t want to think about it let alone read about it. They refuse to allow the aches and pains... or drama to happen to them. The Adventures of Aging! As if. 

The anti-aging generation spends literally thousands of dollars and time with surgeons who will make them look twenty again. Good for the surgeons, but not especially for the want-a-be young again. Even if you look sixteen years old you’re never again going to feel the energy of a sixteen-year-older. Simple truth, You'ree going to feel older. The aging process lets no one off. (Maybe Dorian Gray)

 I recently heard over twenty-two million dollars was spent last year by folks paying what it takes to look young again. No matter how big your lips are, you’re going to be smaller in stature before you hit retirement age. I just discovered I’m two inches shorter than what I’ve been measured most of my life. What happened to five foot seven? How has that happened? (Never mind, I know. My modeling future is gone.)

And I am stressed almost daily by my outrageously high blood pressure, inherited from my mother and hers. This portion of the aging problem began way early in my life. Way before the researchers at Kings College in the UK discovered that dark chocolate is something everyone with high blood pressure should be eating every day. Not one doctor has prescribed a bit of dark chocolate after every meal! Why have I been taking these awful medicines (several!) when a bit of chocolate after my meals would be so helpful? And enjoyable.

This is still early in the new year and while I could make a new resolution, I don’t make resolutions. I do set goals. It’s not too late for me. One important goal is to more personalize my writing, my opinions.  I’ll be frank with what I’m exercising and talk less about studies on superagers. An * step in aging is for we elderly humans to exercise. Sadly, I haven’t even been walking my poor long-suffering dog. (But he has a nice back yard.)

So exercise is my number one goal - I fear making too many goals and then failing at them all. Chances of success are better with under three. I also hope to find a smaller abode. I don’t need an office anymore. I don’t need to write books…AI will do that.

In the end I will keep on this aging journey and enjoying the adventures to come. I'll be reporting the adventures in aging that I may experience in 2026 - and you might too. Let's do it together. Life is full of surprises. You never know what’s going to happen and it may just be wonderful…wonderfulness right around the corner.

 

 

 

 

UNEXPECTED

This is what a blog looks like when you leave it hanging. Unintentionally. 

Space

Space

And you’ve seen it right here for several weeks.. This empty space was the result of an unexpected event. I did not mean to do it. Just like I did not ever mean for dead-air while I worked in broadcasting. Dead air and empty spaces are equally verboten. Not permitted. Unacceptable to the extreme.

I had researched a topic, opened a Substack account and was poised to write. When…And then…

Unexpectedly I stopped.

Writing. Altogether.

Ah. Yet another adventure in aging.

The unexpected happens. Especially during the advanced aging process - because according to my theory, (Yes, I've developed several) we’ve become more vulnerable mentally as well as physically. 

Now, everyone over aged ten has been warned that unexpected events happen when you are least prepared for them. But how does one prepare for the unexpected? Simple answer is you cannot. 

I have no idea why I abruptly stopped. I know concentration and caring became a problem.  Does anyone really care about the obstacles in aging? Perhaps I should write about sex... after seventy. Maybe some other controversial topic? I was totally stymied. 

The physical issues are fairly well-known on this aging journey of ours but the mental issues? No one wants to talk about those - beyond dementia. We explore because we want, no, need to know more as scientists seek a cure. Diagnosed mental illness obtains research and funding. But not all is diagnosed yet.

Depression among the elderly is steadily gaining more attention. It's a question asked on Medicare tests, "Are you depressed?" "Do you experience depression?"  (No one says yes.)

Elderly depression and anxiety is acknowledged by doctors but dismissed by superagers who refuse to have their somewhat lofty (longevity) status challenged or tarnished. Besides, there's a pill for that! 

Have I suffered from a sudden lack of self-confidence or a spurt of depression? I truly don't know. But when facing the unexpected, I know we all benefit from time, professionals, family, friends, and yes, even ourselves. Be ready! 

Enjoy another small triumph signaling the end of another un-asked for adventure in aging.