It was a busy weekend – maybe it was the warm weather – but I didn’t have enough time to finish my thoughts on one of my son’s favorite topics: how living with less stuff can equal more happiness. Of course as a carefree young single man, he doesn’t have a whole lot of possessions to worry about. But it is a subject of interest for many of us “empty nesters” who have too much space filled with too much stuff – at least until the kids come back home to roost. And this extra week gives those of you who have downsized a chance to share your thoughts and any regrets by emailing me at smckay1948@gmail.com and I will try to include them in next week’s column. Sally McBain will be the featured speaker for the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on May 1st. Sally has worked in the field of aging most of her adult life and has witnessed, in various care settings, older adults who are unable to communicate and no one really knows who they are. The result of her experiences is a recently published work “Soul Portrait” which she wants to be “an important component of every one’s retirement plan, as well as a critical part of the family discussion as we age”. As Sally explains, “Soul Portrait helps each of us understand who we are and also encourages our caregivers, family members, friends, and health care personnel to provide us with the best care possible should the time come when we cannot speak for ourselves”. You can learn more about what inspired Sally to write “Soul Portrait” and what she hopes the book will accomplish at next week’s Tuesday Lecture starting at 11:00. It is that time of year again – time for the annual two-day celebration filled with the Friday night’s Lip Sync, live entertainment, vendors and the Saturday parade starting at 11:00am. And before the parade, why not stop by the Center for a breakfast of strawberry topped Texas French Toast with scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and your favorite beverage – all for only $5.00. Breakfast starts at 8:00 and will continue until 10:00 for the late arrivals. Tonight at the Center, the Strawberry Mountain Band will keep you off your seats with a dance friendly mix of country and western. And next week we start the monthly rounds again with guess who? No, not the classic Canadian rockers “Guess Who” but again with the Strawberry Mountain Band – back to their regular slot on the first Tuesdays of the month. Doors open at 6, music starts at 7:00, everyone is invited and donations are suggested. We have a date! Last week I mentioned in order to celebrate Older Americans Month and this year’s theme “Never Too Old to Play” the Center is going to host a Team Trivia Night. And now the date is set for Friday May 18th from 7:00 – 9:00. Until then the “Remember When” question will be one of the questions that will be used on Team Trivia Night, so you faithful readers who attend can have at least a foot up on the competition – that is if you don’t forget! Last week’s answer was “Grapes of Wrath” published in 1939 and written about Depression-era migrant workers. (And the winner of a Cherry Festival breakfast is Jim Gordon.). This week’s “Remember When” question is “What event did an estimated 500 million people worldwide watch live on July 21, 1969 – which at the time was the largest television audience for any event in history”? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or fly it to the Center in the talons of an Eagle. Well, it has been another week separating the chaff from the wheat. Until we meet again, sometimes the shortest distance between too points is around. (But don’t ask me what that means.) “You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it’s all right.” Maya Angelou (Well, it looks like I’m a little short this week. I could do a clumsy tap dance or sing off key, but why not a few bad puns to keep you grinning – or groaning. “I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.” Or how about, “I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.” And if that isn’t bad enough, here’s one more, “I couldn’t quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.” And as Porky Pig would say “That’s All Folks!”)