Well, how about that for a wild Wintry Mix? I hope everyone survived – safe and warm with no broken bones, spoiled food, or frayed relationships from too much time too close together. But at least we don’t live in Minnesota where I’m told they have four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction!
What’s distressing is even when we get past this first winter storm with temperatures that were much too cold, there are still sixty-six days until the start of spring. I think there should be some meteorological law that states the colder the winter, the quicker spring arrives!
But I don’t think that will happen, so a few winter safety tips could still be helpful. But what don’t you already know about staying safe during the winter? I mean you have made it this far – and you’ve probably seen much worse.
I’m not sure there’s much, but maybe a few of the many tips from “Tip Sheet: Winter Safety for Older Adults” found at HealthinAging.org might help prevent injuries during the winter months.
Fires and carbon monoxide: If you use a wood or gas stove, make sure it is properly used, vented, and cleaned. You can even install carbon monoxide detectors in your house.
Space heaters: Make sure they are at least three feet away from anything that might catch fire; place the heater on the floor surface, not a table, that is hard, level, and nonflammable; and turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Shoveling snow: This can put added stress on your old ticker when it is already working double time to keep warm in the cold weather. So, don’t push it – or hire someone. (Before I had a chance, a young neighbor without asking shoveled our steps which was very considerate, but offended my I-can-still-do-that! self-image.)
Slipping and falling: Every winter I hear of someone breaking a leg, arm, or hip. So be particularly careful of icy steps and pavement that appears just wet but is iced over; wear boots with non-skid soles; use a cane or ski pole when walking; and don’t forget to “walk like a penguin”.
But you knew all of that, right?
So maybe the best advice is just to stay alert and take your time. We may not be as quick or flexible, but our years of experience should make us smarter and wiser so we are safe during these winter months.
Brain Tease. Each pair of hints below relates to two words. One of the words is the other one spelled backward. What are the five word pairs? 1. married, moisture; 2. retain, sneaking look; 3. weapons, tight fit; 4. portion, catching device; 5. prize, furniture compartment.
The duplicating machine often found in schools, libraries, and churches in the 50s, 60s, and 70s was the mimeograph machine, or ditto machine (spirit duplicator), or a hectograph which apparently all coexisted at the same time. I received correct answers from Jonnie Anderson, Debra from Lyle, Bruce Johnson, Tina Castanares, Judy Kiser, Melanie Perkins, Sandy Haechrel and Rhonda Spies who neither one liked the icky smell, Donna Mollet, Rebecca Abrams, Dave Lutgens, Linda Frizzell, Lana Tepfer, Kim Birge, Elaine Kirby, Pat Evenson Brady, and Melanie Perkins who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
Max Fleisher brought to the movie screen such comic characters Popeye, Superman, and this caricature of a Jazz Age flapper. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this 1930s animated cartoon character and famous sex symbol (if a cartoon character can be considered a sex symbol, but it was the 30s!)? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or drop it off with the Talkartoon “Minnie the Moocher” with Cab Calloway that’s considered one of the greatest cartoons of all time.
Well, it’s been another week, ducking and dodging – which isn’t getting any easier. Until we meet again, as Hal Borland, once said “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”
“One can follow the sun, of course, but I have always thought that it is best to know some winter, too, so that the summer, when it arrives, is the more gratefully received.” Beatriz Williams
Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Townhall (541-308-5997) – Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
Answers: 1. wed, dew; 2. keep, peek; 3. guns, snug; 4. part, trap; 5. reward, drawer.
