Have you traveled less during the pandemic? My wife and I have until we were vaccinated, and felt safe enough to drive to Seaside to spend a night at the coast and walk along the too cold and windy beach. It was the first time we had driven past Hood River in fourteen months! 

Living under a cloud of COVID uncertainty and doubt; worrying about our friends, family, businesses and communities, it’s easy to slide into life’s doldrums. Jackson Rainer addresses this state of mind in his post “How to be More Optimistic” found on the Next Avenue website.

When we experience stress such as the pandemic, the hardwiring of the brain directs our attention toward the perception of threat and danger. But with the encouraging news that millions of people are being vaccinated, we may need to make intentional cognitive shifts toward a positive future rather than focusing on the difficulties.

Optimism is defined as “the cognitive ability to understand the current situation as it is and work for changing things in favor of ourselves”. Not easy when we have experienced so much negativity over this last year.

Some of us may already have an optimistic disposition: seeing the glass half full. Some of us may be more pessimistic seeing the glass how empty? And there are always a few who ask, “Who drank my water?”

However, you are inclined to see a situation, the more you look to the future and focus on ways of increasing positive emotions, the healthier and happier you’ll be. But it us up to you.

According to Hamid Mirsalimi, a clinical psychologist practicing in Atlanta, there are three steps you can take to counter the pessimism of always expecting the worse and instead increase your optimism.

1. “Analyze your thoughts and give yourself credit.”  Instead of being your worst critic,  think of your best possible self. When you encounter a challenging event, consider how much influence you have, where you’re in control and how in the past you’ve used your strengths to get through difficult times.

2. “Minimize the negative when it is realistic to do so.”

As they say “dirty diapers” do happen. When you acknowledge there are some things you can’t influence and you did all you could, it allows you to accept and then adapt for a better future.

3. “Put away the to-do list. Focus on effort, rather than results.”

Positive thinkers focus more on the process than the results: drawing for your own joy and not for other’s approval – although that is nice. And don’t ignore your emotions and feelings which have a negative effect if unaddressed. Once we acknowledge how we are looking forward, rather than what has caused emotional distress, worry lessens.

By imagining a positive future where we know what we can change and what we cannot; and viewing ourselves capable of creating more positive outcomes, we can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

It’s exciting to hear about so many people being vaccinated. People are talking about visiting their loved ones and traveling again without the COVID worry. With momentum building and the supply of doses increasing, I’m looking forward to reaching that elusive goal of herd immunity and stopping the spread of COVID-19.

The name of the popular student study guides with the yellow and black covers was CliffsNotes. I received correct answers from Joanie Gilbert, Susan Ellis, Steven Wollfest, Tina Castanares, Barbara Cadwell, Lana Tepfer, Jean Harmon, Katherine Schlick Noe, Margo Dameier, Jess Birge, Dave Lutgens, Linda Frizzell, Rhonda Spies, Gene Uczen, Carol Earl, and Marilyn Wall this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. (For clarification not everyone actually used CliffsNotes – at least that’s what they said!) Last week I missed Jennifer Stager.

There were many ways to “bare” yourself during your youth: skinny dipping and mooning (which I am sure none of you ever did!). But this craze was one of the biggest and strangest trends of the 1970s and was the inspiration for the novelty/country song written and sung by Ray Stevens. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this fad? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a video of the 1974 Academy Awards.

Well, it has been another week, racing the leaves down the sidewalk on a windy day. Until we meet again, one thing I’ve found during the pandemic is I look much better wearing a mask!

“There’s a lot of optimism in changing scenery, in seeing what’s down the road.” Conor Oberst – musician

I’ve been around the block enough that each time it seems to get longer and I think back to when I would ask my mother “Do I have to?” But now there is no one to tell me, “You better before your father gets home!”

So how do you stay motivated instead of sitting on the couch in front of the 40’ flat-screen TV enjoying an episode of Midsomer Murders for the third time? (Ah, the benefit of a poor memory!)

In her web post, “The 5 Things I Want to Learn in My 60s”, Melissa T. Shultz describes the way she stays motivated, challenging herself to discover new experiences. 

How? By creating her own What’s Next? list: a positive, purposeful, ongoing set of goals that keeps her pointed in the right direction and always looking forward. 

So this week how about finding some time to create your own What’s Next? list. And to spur your imagination, below are Melissa’s five goals on her What’s Next? list – and I’ve added a few suggestions of my own.

1.) “How to Find My Voice Without Words” – learning to express herself through painting. Or you could add understanding modern art to your list, so the next time you go to an art museum, you’re not asking yourself “What was he thinking of?” 

2.) “How to Make and Drink a Martini”. Or maybe something more appealing: researching and tasting local wines starting by taking the OSU course “The Sensory Evaluation of Wine” in Portland.

3.) “How to Mentor Better”- by speaking “with” instead of “to” someone. You could volunteer mentoring students at your neighborhood school where you’ll find yourself invigorated by their youthful energy or really, really tired!

4.) “How to Plank for More Than 3 Minutes” – by understanding what is required to build muscle. Or you could study and take up Tai Chi: a low-impact, slow-motion exercise that can improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. And can help prevent falls!

5.) “How to Make My Grandmother’s Chicken Soup.” Or how about learning to bake, such as a delicate loaf of baklava you saw on The Great British Baking Show?

These are some ideas to start you thinking about what would be on your What’s Next? list. By setting goals, it can help you find your motivation, rekindle memories, tap your creativity, and seek and fulfill your Big little dreams. 

I often must be reminded about what I need to do otherwise it will slip off my radar – and let’s face it, my radar is getting smaller every day. So, as a reminder, you have until March 19th to complete the Community Survey for Older Adults online at www.capeco-works.org or you can call 541-705-5434.

A random view on aging: “We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.”

The singer who first performed “Me and Bobby McGee” written by Kristofferson was Janis Joplin. I received correct answers from Susan Ellis, Steven Wollfest, Barbara Cadwell, Patty Burnet, Rhonda Spies, Julie Carter, Ricki Duckwall, Sandy Haechrel, Kim Birge, Margo Dameier, Gene Uczen, Pat Evenson-Brady, and Dave Hanson this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

Remember in high school or college when you were stressing out trying to finish reading the novel in a week – and then in the bookstore, you found your salvation? For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the popular student study guides with the yellow and black covers first published in 1958? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with the Classic Illustrated comic book Robinson Crusoe.

Well, it has been another week, enjoying my memories while not always trusting them. Until we meet again, it’s the wonderful time of the year when flower buds once again poke their sleepy heads out to see if it’s time to get out of bed.

“Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves and then we have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.” Snoopy

Nutritious Home delivered meals and pick-ups for anyone over 60. 

Hood River Valley Adult Center – Call 541-386-2060. 

The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels – Call 541-298-8333. 

The Sherman County Senior and Community Center – Call 541-565-3191 by 10:30 AM and leave a message with the number of meals needed and names of each person.

Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office call the 509-773-3757 or the White Salmon office call 509-493-306.

Skamania County Senior Services – Call 509-427-3990.

Seniors of Mosier Valley – Call 541-503-5660 or 541-980-1157 at least one day in advance to order a Grab-N-Go meal. Monday and Wednesdays from 11-11:30.

It is 2:15 on a Saturday afternoon. As I am writing, my eye lids are slowly, unwillingly closing; my fingers are typing a row of ZZZZZZZZZZZZ’s; and I know, from these telltale signs, it must be time for a short nap. 

Whether it is painting a sunset illuminating the Columbia Gorge, writing a poem expressing the indescribable joys of grandchildren, or creating a walking stick out of a hand carved handle attached to a discarded pole, these are all creative acts: fashioning something unique and personal out of the ordinary.

As part of the human race, we are meant to create – evident by young children building forts out of discarded boxes or our prehistoric ancestors drawing on cave walls. It is who we are. But many of us have been told verbally and silently – we aren’t good enough. And we got the message. We lost interest in the creative arts and the creative process and spent our time pursuing careers, raising families and rooting for our favorite basketball teams – Go Blazers!

But as older adults, we are finally able to free ourselves from those internalized constraints learned over so many years and start exploring new forms of self-expression. We can start enjoying what we once lost, stumbling toward new personal discoveries by trying, testing, and trying again. It can start today or next week in art classes, at home or in the workshop – whether you are 65 or 95.

And just maybe, as an added benefit, while absorbed in these creative pursuits, the aches and pains and daily challenges we all face might just be forgotten – at least for a while.

In this month’s “Through the Eyes of an Elder” Antonia Rojas shares her story of how she found her creative spark as a young child and nurtured it, turning that small spark into an enduring flame. She writes about how she now sees that “life is art”, how “dreams are the stuff real life is made of” and that you can express yourself “where no one sees”. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read Antonia’s beautiful story of how she found her passion and still pursues it to this day.

I know Amy Mollett at the Center in Hood River and myself in The Dalles have been receiving a tremendous number of calls regarding AARP Tax Aide Program. They have been working hard but are very limited in the number of volunteers and resources, so please be patient. (Patience seems to be a theme during this pandemic!) Next week I will share the latest information, or you can skip the middleman and email Tax Aide at gorgetaxaide@gmail.com.

Some advice from the “all-knowing” Internet.

1. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice. 2. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. And my favorite, 3. You’re never too old to learn something stupid. 

The female singer who recorded “I Fall to Pieces”, “She’s Got You,” and “Crazy.” before her untimely death in a 1963 plane crash was Patsy Cline. And there are plenty of Patsy Cline fans out there because I received correct answers from John McEwen, Anna O’Donnell, Steven Wolpert, Barbara Cadwell, Candy Armstrong, Tina Castanares, Jim Ayers, Lana Tepfer, Anne Saxby, Sandra Fritz, Diana Weston, Sandy Haechrel, Dave Lutgens, Vern Johnson, Margo Dameier, Kim Birge, Keith Clymer, Verna Browne, Pat Evenson-Brady, Lou Gehrig, Gene Uczen, Nona Moore and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Sandra Fritz who believes Patsy may still be “Out Walk‘n After Midnight”. And last week I missed Jim Ayers.

This book is often referenced in political discussions because of its themes of nationalism, surveillance, and censorship. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what is the title of this classic literary example of political fiction published in 1949 that popularized commonly use terms such as “Big Brother”, “doublethink”, “Thought Police”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a poster of the Party’s three slogans.

Well, it has been another week, wondering “Why?” Until we meet again, there are many older adults who could learn the new technologies but just refuse to – and there are days when I think they made the right decision. 

“In retrospect, it becomes clear that hindsight is definitely overrated!” Quote from Alfred E Neuman, the “What, me worry?” kid.

Nutritious Home delivered meals and pick-ups for anyone over 60.

Hood River Valley Adult Center – Call 541-386-2060.

The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels – Call 541-298-8333.

The Sherman County Senior and Community Center – Call 541-565-3191 by 10:30 AM and leave a message with the number of meals needed and names of each person.

Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office call the 509-773-3757 or the White Salmon office call 509-493-306.

Skamania County Senior Services – Call 509-427-3990.

Seniors of Mosier Valley – Call 541-503-5660 or 541-980-1157 at least one day in advance to order a Grab-N-Go meal. Monday and Wednesdays from 11-11:30.