I can imagine my children asking me what do I have to stress about. I don’t have the social drama of dating; I am not dealing with the stress of a new job; and I don’t have to find quality childcare for the kids. But I can find plenty to stress about! What does that pain in my chest or in my stomach mean? Why do I keep forgetting where I put my glasses? And what does it mean “forever”?

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by our need to adapt to change. And there are many sources of change: environmental stressors (e.g., weather), social stressors (family responsibilities), physiological stressors (illness), and cognitive stressors, (need to be “perfect”).

Stress happens to all of us, and it can be beneficial. But it becomes a problem when it starts interfering with our functioning and daily activities. And that can occur particularly during the holidays when there are new responsibilities, and we may feel less in control.

Here are some tips I found that can help manage stress, particularly during the holidays.

Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.

Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious, or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others is also a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.

Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect. You may want to do as I do: lower the bar. Someone needs to instead of trying to outdo each other’s family gathering. “I really enjoyed your Thanksgiving dinner. It was so much better than Scott’s last year!

Set aside differences. Holidays are a time to come together: to forgive and forget, and not a time to pull apart.

Stick to a budget. For example, give homemade gifts such as a knitted blanket. They are more appreciated and have more meaning than store-bought items.

Plan ahead and avoid the last-minute panic. If you start feeling everything is getting too hectic take a deep breath and make a plan. Try setting aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends, and other activities. Plan your menus and then make a shopping list. And friends will help – if you ask.

Learn to say “no”. Saying “yes” when you should say “no” can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and family will understand if you can’t participate in every activity. If it’s not possible to say no, remove one of your other activities to make room. There are only twenty-four hours in a day.

However, don’t abandon healthy habits. Eat well, get enough sleep, and don’t forget your regular physical activity whether it’s your daily walk or Strong People’s class.

Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that will clear your mind, slow your breathing, and restore your inner calm to reduce your stress.

As we begin another wonderful holiday season, don’t let any negative stress get you down so you can’t enjoy the holidays – and life.

Brain Tease. How many bricks does it take to complete a building made of brick?

The 1978 horror film in which a San Francisco health inspector and his colleague discover that humans are being replaced by alien duplicates is Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I received correct answers from Nancy Higgins, Eva Summers, Dave Lutgens, Jim Tindall, Judy Kiser, Bruce Johnson, and Deloris Schrader this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Mike Yarnell

The election is over, but in wasn’t over for this famous politician who after he lost the 1962 California gubernatorial election lashed out at the media and told reporters “you don’t have [me] to kick around anymore, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference.” For this week’s “Remember When” question, who was this candidate who made a political comeback that seemed nearly impossible after his “last press conference”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with the bio of Pat Brown who in 1962 won his second term as California’s governor.

Well, it’s been another week, pushing clouds in the sky. Until we meet again, according to Zall’s Second Law, “How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on”.

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.” Winston Churchill

Answers: ˙ǝuo ʇsɐl ǝɥ┴ ˙ǝuo ʎluO

It’s always during the first week after the time falls back an hour that I realize I really don’t like driving in the dark! It’s pitch black by 5:30 and I still have places to go. Many of you may feel the same way, and it’s not surprising.

As we grow older our eyes change: vision in daylight may be just fine, but our night vision becomes less acute. Our pupils shrink with age, so we become less sensitive to changes in contrast and less able to distinguish objects from their background. And most annoying, after seeing the glare from the bright lights of oncoming headlights, it takes us longer for our visual acuity to return to normal.

So, if I have to drive to the store after dark – because someone forgot to get the milk for breakfast – what should I know so I can drive safely? Tom Vanderbilt in his article “Why People Have Difficulty Driving at Night” on the AARP website offers some thoughts.

• Stick to the roads you know and are more confident driving. This year I’ve decided if there is an alternative familiar route, I’m going to avoid the narrow side streets.
• Be cautious when approaching unfamiliar Intersections or changes in traffic patterns.
• Don’t rush. Allow yourself extra travel time when driving at night; drive at a reduced speed to give more reaction time for unexpected obstacles; and plan for extra driving time if conditions are bad.
• Stay focused on driving and avoid distractions – which is good advice whenever you are diving but is often ignored. And don’t drive if you are stressed or tired.
• Always drive defensively. In my high school Driver’s Education class – when they had such classes in high school – I was taught to stay behind the car in front of you by one car length for every 10 mph – which nowadays means someone is always cutting in!
• Make sure all your windows and mirrors are clean. Dirty windows tend to fog up more often at night.
• Make sure your headlights are aligned properly. You don’t want to throw too much light toward oncoming traffic and less on the road ahead – if only everyone else would do this.
• Set the illumination levels of your dashboard lights and any in-car screens to low. Bright light inside makes it harder to see outside.
• Use your brights at night in almost all cases when there are no oncoming cars – although in the city there always seems to be too much traffic – because high beams give you the best chance of reacting fast enough to an unexpected hazard. But even on dark, rural roads without much traffic, some three-quarters of drivers typically use their low beams, causing drivers to overdrive their headlights.
• Take a driving course such as the AARP Smart Driver online class or an in-person class when available in the Gorge.
• See a physician regularly for eye exams to be sure your eyes are still fit for driving at night.

If you must drive after dark, consider these suggestions to make it safer for you and others driving down the streets and highways. You don’t want to be surprised and suddenly hear something go crash in the night.

Brain Tease: Anagrams are words formed by rearranging another word’s letters. Try to solve these anagrams of five celebrity names. Good luck!

Big Melons; Twisty Flora; Mice Tours; Nerdier Robot; Travels Tonelessly.

The next question for your “Soul Portrait”. “Do you have a favorite vacation spot or place you go to relax?”

The candidate who made a political comeback that seemed nearly impossible after he held his “last press conference” when he lost the California Governor’s race in 1962 was Richard Nixon. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Doug Nelson, Judy Kiser, Donna Mollet, Dave Lutgens, Pat Evenson-Brady, Lana Tepfer, Eva Summers, Jess Birge, Rebecca Abrams, Mike McFarlane, and Ken Jernstedt who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Donna Mollet.

Hollywood isn’t without scandals and one of the most infamous occurred in the 1950s. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the name of the singer and actor who was one of the most popular artists before his scandalous affair with Elizabeth Taylor while married to Debbie Reynolds  Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with the 2001 film These Old Broads in which Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds starred alongside Joan Collins and Shirley MacLaine.

Well, it’s been another week trying to run when I can’t hide. Until we meet again, when it’s dark, keep your light shining.

“Anyone who isn’t confused really doesn’t understand the situation”. Edward R. Murrow

Answers:  oɹᴉN ǝp ʇɹǝqoɹ ;ǝsᴉnɹƆ ɯo┴ ;ʇɟᴉʍS ɹolʎɐ┴ ;uosqᴉפ lǝW

There will be a time in your life when you have that “ah-ha” moment. For Judy it was recalling an occasion, years back, when she looked out her hotel window and saw an older man – much older than herself – shuffling along the sidewalk. He wasn’t dirty but you wouldn’t say clean either – and his pants and shirt didn’t match in color or pattern. She remembers her immediate reaction – a sense of sadness and pity.

Years later, when she again pictured that scene, it was her “ah – ha” moment – for she realized, it didn’t really matter how he dressed, how he looked, and whether he shuffled or ran. It didn’t matter. At this time in her life, she understands that what was once so important is no longer: your mobility, social position, appearance, clothes. And it was liberating – providing a new sense of freedom; creating opportunities to pursue her postponed callings and no longer bound by unnecessary social constraints. (Let me pause here to make it clear – there are limits. I don’t want to see anyone dressed for Halloween as Lady Godiva!)

This sense of freedom leads to a new awareness of what is important: a trueness to self and accepting who we are; meaningful connections with friends with all their gifts and faults; and an appreciation of the banquet that lies before us. By learning and discovering these new understandings of life, these “ah-ha” moments, we can look forward with anticipation and hope, as each day we bravely step into the future.

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the early signs of dementia. But how can you accurately determine whether what you fear is true?

There is no single test that can determine if a person is living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Physicians use diagnostic tools combined with medical history and other information including cognitive and functional assessments. However, according to the National Institute on Health (NIH), the most accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias currently requires either a sample of cerebrospinal fluid or a PET scan, neither of which can be done in primary care clinics.

Today researchers are working on developing a simple, affordable, and accessible blood test that could be performed by your primary care provider in their office. In a new study, funded in part by NIH, researchers have developed a blood test that predicted a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with 88% to 92% accuracy. Clinical evaluations done in primary care settings performed without biomarker-based blood tests were only 61% accurate. Although further testing is needed, this is exciting news.

However, advances like these are only possible if individuals step forward to participate in clinical trials and studies. Last spring I participated in the PFX Dementia Study at OHSU which I won’t take time to explain except that I failed the cognitive test of how to get to OHSU’s Marquam Hill Campus. And I used Google Maps!

You can find a list of trials for Alzheimer’s and other dementias by searching online for Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch. Or for trials and studies at OHSU, you can find them at https://trials.ohsu.edu/. Who knows, you may find one you’re interested in and help researchers better understand and treat the different forms of dementia.

Brain Tease. Inside each set of the following words are a pair of smaller words. By putting “and” between them, you’ll make a familiar phrase. For example, “Thighbone/Swallowtail” conceals “High & Low.”

1. Skyrocketing/Trolleyman
2. Thermometer/Apoplexy
3. Delaware/Bordering
4. Surprised/Trashiness
5. Throughout/Stumblebum

The baseball player nicknamed “Mr. October” because of his baseball heroics in October was Reggie Jackson. I received correct answers from Steven Woolpert, Judy Kiser, Dave Lutgens, Donna Mollet, Nancy Higgins, Bruce Johnson, and Jay Waterbury this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Marta Moser and Eileen White.

In this 1978 horror film, a San Francisco health inspector and his colleague discover that humans are being replaced by alien duplicates; each a biological clone of the person replaced, but devoid of empathy and humanity. For this week’s “Remember When” question celebrating Halloween, what was the name of this film which was a remake of the 1956 film of the same name? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with a tray of pods with pink flowers.

Well, it’s been another week, doing the best I can with what I’ve been given. Until we meet again, sometimes we must eat what is served – even if it is liver and onions!

“Getting old is like climbing a mountain: you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!”  Ingrid Bergman

Answers: ǝlqɯn┴ ⅋ ɥƃnoɹ ˙ϛ ’ǝuᴉɥS ⅋ ǝsᴉɹ ˙ㄣ ;ɹǝpɹO ⅋ ʍɐ˥ ˙Ɛ ;doԀ ⅋ ɯoW ˙ᄅ ;lloɹ ⅋ ʞɔoɹ ˙Ɩ

Are you tired of all the attack ads – she said this, he did that – and you don’t know who to trust? Thankfully in two weeks, all the campaigning will be over and we’ll know whether our candidates won or lost. (Okay, maybe in three weeks – maybe four? Well, I hope at least by the end of the year!)

But what will still remain is mistrust in our government. In 1960, according to the Pew Research Center, 70% of Americans “trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time” and not surprisingly that percentage has dropped to 20% in 2022.

There hasn’t been a time when this country was free of cynicism and mistrust of government. as demonstrated by these Mark Twain quotes from the late 1880s.

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

“Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.”

And from the political wit and entertainer Will Rogers during the 1920s.

“Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money to even get beat with nowadays.”

“If you ever injected truth into politics you have no politics.”

During these times of mistrust and polarization, it is often hard to understand what others are thinking and experiencing because let’s face it, do we really want to know? We have our news sources and they have theirs; we have our friends with whom we agree and they have theirs, so we see the world through different lenses; ours are clear and focused. Theirs? – so scratched and blurry that they can’t see what is actually happening.

So we avoid those difficult political conversations because they’re just too frustrating and stressful. And we keep saying to ourselves, “I just don’t understand what they’re thinking!”

Nationally there is a movement called Braver Angels: the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic.

Their vision is an America where there is a respectful embrace of political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes, and where competing perspectives – whether Red, Blue or Other – work together to strengthen our nation.

Today the Columbia Gorge Alliance of Braver Angels is working to promote such a vision in the Gorge; initiating conversations where the intent is not to change people’s views of issues, but to change their views of each other.

If you are interested, whether you are of a Red or Blue political persuasion, you are invited to attend the Braver Angels Columbia Gorge Alliance meeting on Thursday, November 7th, 6:00-7:30 PM at The Dalles UCC Congregational Church, 111 E 5th Street. The time will be devoted to discussing local, state, and national election results and to continue efforts to bridge the partisan divide.

To learn more contact the Red-Leaning Co-Chair Doug Roof at   droof@braverangels.org, or the Blue-Leaning Co-Chair Tom Aspitarte at taspitarte@braverangels.org. You can also visit the Braver Angels Oregon website at https://braverangels.org/oregon/

It may be idealistic to believe we can bridge the political divisions by engaging in heart-felt conversations while listening to those with whom we disagree. But by looking for common ground and ways to work together, we can act to bridge the partisan divide, reduce divisiveness, and strengthen our democratic republic.

Brain Tease. Which three US states have been merged together in the following letters? C O N E A L H I W J I F E R S O R O N I E Y A

The actress who played Peter Pan on Broadway in 1954 and also starred in the Broadway productions of South Pacific and Sound of Music was Mary Martin.

I received correct answers from Judy Kiser, Nancy Higgins, Donna Mollet, Bruce Johnson, Jim Tindall, who mentioned that Mary Martin was Larry Hagman’s mother, Dave Lutgens, Pat Evenson-Brady, Kim Birge, and Jayne Guidinger this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Donna Mollet and Rebecca Abrams.

This season’s World Series begins October 25^th to determine the champion of “America’s Pastime”, so this week is my annual baseball question. For this week’s “Remember When” question who was the New York Yankees player known as “Mr. October” who in the deciding game of the 1977 World Series hit three straight home runs each off the first pitch?  Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or drop it off with a number 44 New York Yankee jersey.

Well, it’s been another week, stuffing another quarter in the parking meter of life. Until we meet again, keep a smile on your lips, a bounce in your step, and a little laughter in your voice

Answer: ˙ʎǝsɹǝſ ʍǝN puɐ ‘oᴉɥO ‘ɐᴉuɹoɟᴉlɐƆ

Okay, you’ve done everything I wrote about in September to prevent a fall: staying physically active, finding out about the side effects of your medications; standing up slowly; using a cane or walker when needed; keeping your bones strong; and fall-proofing your home.

But what should you do if you still fall?

A sudden fall can be startling and upsetting – and maybe a little embarrassing, but stay calm and take the following steps as recommended by the National Institute on Aging.

Breathe. Take several deep breaths to try to relax. Remain still on the floor or ground for a few moments. This will help you get over the shock of falling.

Decide if you are hurt. Getting up too quickly or in the wrong way could make an injury worse.

If you think you can get up safely without help take the following steps to crawl to a sturdy chair and sit down.

1. Roll over onto your side.
2. Rest again while your body and blood pressure adjust.
3. Slowly get up on your hands and knees, and crawl to a sturdy chair.
4. Put your hands on the chair seat and slide one foot forward so that it’s flat on the floor.
5. Keep the other leg bent so the knee is on the floor.
6. From this kneeling position, slowly rise and turn your body to sit in the chair.

Get help. If you’re hurt or cannot get up on your own, ask someone for help or call 911. If you are alone, try to get into a comfortable position and wait for help to arrive. Prepare for a fall by keeping a well-charged cordless or mobile phone with you at all times and arrange for daily contact with a family member or friend. Emergency response systems are another option: These systems enable you to push a button on a special necklace or bracelet to call for help. Some smartwatches also have this feature.

After a fall, set aside some time to figure out the root cause of the fall. Was it the small throw rug you didn’t pick up? And always tell your doctor if you have fallen since your last check-up, even if you did not feel pain when you fell.

Taking a fall is bad enough and we don’t want to make it worse. Spending two weeks away from home in rehab is not my idea of a vacation!

Brain Tease. It is amazing what the brain can do – when it works! Can you raed this? Olny 55 people out of 100 can.

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Last week I asked what was your favorite cologne/perfume during your younger days and I received answers from Bruce Johnson, Doug Nelson, Dave Lutgens, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Judy Kiser Debbie Medina, Linda Frizzell, and Kathy Bullack. See if you remember these colognes that were mentioned: English Leather, Old Spice, British Sterling, Brut, Witch Hazel, Lilac Vegetal, and Blue Aqua; and perfumes: White Diamonds, White Shoulders, An Evening In Paris, Tigress by Faberge, Chanel #5, and Charlie. And for this week, everyone wins a free quilt raffle ticket.

Peter Pan the 1954 musical was first performed on Broadway in October 1954. In 1956 NBC presented Peter Pan live as the first full-length Broadway production on color TV attracting a then-record audience of 65 million viewers – possibly including many of you. It was restaged in 1960, and that version was rebroadcast on NBC in 1963, 1966, and 1973.

For this week’s “Remember When” question, who played Peter Pan and also starred in the Broadway productions of South Pacific and Sound of Music? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with the Original 1954 Broadway Cast Recording.

Well, it’s been another week, appreciating the little things. Until we meet again, as the late local guitar-playing and entertaining Andre Lamoreaux once told me:” When they stop listening before you stop playing, you know it’s time to go.”

“I don’t see much sense in that,” said Rabbit. “No,” said Pooh humbly, “there isn’t. But there was going to be when I began it. It’s just that something happened to it along the way.”

You may have heard Gen Zers are “addicted to technology and can’t handle face-to-face interactions”; Millennials are “entitled and lazy”; Gen Xers are “cynical and disaffected”; and anyone over 65, well, we’re all set in our ways, lead inactive lives, and aren’t interested in technology.

These are all examples of ageism: “the stereotypes (how we think), prejudices (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age” as defined by the World Health Organization.

To draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in our society, particularly for older adults, the American Society on Aging (ASA) is celebrating Ageism Awareness Day on October 9^th.

“We live in an aging society, which is a wonderful, remarkable thing,” says ASA’s President & CEO Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD. “However, too many of us view aging with fear, denial and even hostility. We are all growing older. We can’t afford to limit ourselves and other people with such negative and harmful views, and why would we want to? Let’s lean into the opportunities, diversity and full range of experiences that come with aging.”

Although we know all too well that we do slow down; and it may be more difficult to carry that 30 lb. bag of bark mulch, and we may not be as mentally sharp recalling information, most of us older adults are mentally and physically active and wiser! with a great deal to contribute.

But societal norms that see us and old age as a stage of decline can create obstacles and barriers robbing us of financial income, independence, and dignity – negatively impacting the quality of our lives.

Worse than societal ageism is when we internalize the ageist stereotypes and start losing confidence in ourselves; start depending on others more than necessary; and stop taking the initiative and responsibility for our own lives – to our detriment.

However, there are many recent examples of older adults living rich and meaningful lives.

Locally, at the 2^nd Annual Conference for Older Adults in the Gorge at One Community Health in Hood River, it was inspiring to see the older adults recognized for demonstrating how to stay active, engaged, and healthy as they grow older – and you probably know many more.

Then there is actress Jean Smart who at the age of 73 won another Emmy Award for best lead actress in the comedy series Hacks. Series co-creator Paul W. Downs, during his comments, pointed out, “About 20 percent of our population are over 60-plus, but they’re only 3 percent of those characters on television”.

You also may have heard about 81-year-old South Korean fashion model Choi Soon-hwa who competed in her country’s Miss Universe pageant.

As she told the Associated Press, “I want people to look at me and realize that you can live healthier and find joy in life when you find things you want to do and challenge yourself to achieve that dream.”

Ageism can be found everywhere in society: our workplaces and health systems to stereotypes we see in entertainment, advertising, and the media. And it affects all of us from how we feel about ourselves to how we feel about younger generations. So, let’s ignore the ageist beliefs and instead treat all ages from 9 months to 99+ years with understanding and respect.

Brain Tease. Here is one for you who miss your high school math classes.

“Use all the digits from 1 to 9 to complete the equation ??? x 3? = ????”

The next question for your “Soul Portrait”: What are your pet peeves?

The name of the 1961 game show that consisted of two teams of two players trying to guess a given word from one-word clues was Password. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Eva Summers, Judy Kiser, Kathy Bullack, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Rhonda Spies, Lana Tepfer, Dave Lutgens, Donna Mollet, Doug Nelson, and Melissa Hayes this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

This week you can’t go wrong! During high school, dating wasn’t easy for me. But to assist in that extracurricular activity, I would wear one of the popular colognes. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was your favorite cologne or perfume you wore during high school or college? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with a bottle of Jade East, my favorite cologne.

Well, it’s been another week, spending too much time looking for the delete key. Until we meet again, as Rob VanCleave once told me, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

“Life is an improvisation. You have no idea what’s going to happen next and you are mostly just making things up as you go along.” Steven Colbert

Answer: ㄣϛᄅㄥ = 6Ɛ x 98Ɩ

Has your wife ever reminded you to turn off the engine after you parked? (I would remember eventually.) Or you forgot where you left your phone and realized it’s in your back pocket (But I always put it in my front pocket!) Or even worse you forgot your wife’s name? (Now, that I won’t forget. It’s “Honey.”)

Most of us worry about our memory and whether we might have Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. But what should we be concerned about? At the recent half-day conferences named Mini-McGintys in Hood River and The Dalles — a third will be held in Moro on October 23^rd — the Oregon and Southwest Washington Alzheimer’s Association presented the following 10 warning signs of dementia plus what is typical age-related change.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life such as forgetting recently learned information, or important dates or events. Typical change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems such as changes in the ability to develop and follow a plan or keeping track of monthly bills. Typical change? Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks such as trouble driving to a familiar location or remembering the rules of a favorite game. Typical change? Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.
4. Confusion with time or place such as losing track of dates; forgetting where you are or how you got there. Typical change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships which may lead to difficulty with balance or judging distance. Typical change? Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing; having trouble naming a familiar object, or using the wrong name. Typical change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things; putting things in unusual places; or accusing others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses. Typical change? Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8. Decreased or poor judgment when dealing with money; paying less attention to grooming or staying clean. Typical change? Making a bad decision or mistake occasionally, such as neglecting to change the oil in the car.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities caused by a decreased ability to hold or follow a conversation. Typical change? Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.
10. Changes in mood and personality and becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. Typical change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If you notice any of these changes, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor – as I have already done. With early detection, you can explore treatments that may relieve some symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer.

Brain Tease. One more riddle for your brain. “What three numbers will give you the same answer when either multiplied or added together?”

The name of the 1971 Motown song that included the lyrics: You know we’ve got to find a way / To bring some lovin’ here today is “What’s Going On” sung by Marvin Gaye. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Donna Mollet, Dave Lutgens, Rebecca Abrams, Judy Kiser, Keith Clymer, Doug Nelson, and Jess Birge who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

In 1961 Goodson-Todman Productions produced a game show that consisted of two teams of two players each and one player on each team is given a word and the other player tries to guess the word from the one-word clues. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this game show ranked number eight by TV Guide of the 60 greatest game shows ever? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with the popular board game of the show.

Well, it’s been another week, looking forward to the geese flying south. Until we meet again, if you don’t know the words to the song, you can always hum.

“Just because the person criticized you is an idiot, doesn’t make him wrong”. Roger Rosenblatt wrote in his book Rules for Aging.

Answers: Ɛ puɐ ᄅ ‘Ɩ

Well, it is officially fall, my favorite season when I can enjoy the cooler weather and start wearing my favorite sweaters. And every year the first week of fall is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, the nationwide observance to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.

Falls are the leading cause of injury for people over the age of 65 and were responsible for nearly 3 million emergency room visits for older adults in 2021. And unfortunately, the risk of falling and fall-related problems increases as we age.

You probably know these by heart, but here is a reminder of some actions you can take to prevent falls.

1. Stay physically active. Plan an exercise program that is right for you and includes balance and strength training exercises: Yoga, Tai Chi, or a Strong People’s class.
2. Find out about the side effects of any medicines you take.
3. Stand up slowly – especially if nature calls during the middle of the night!
4. Use an assistive device such as a cane or walker if you need help feeling steady when you walk. Or hold hands with your partner. People will think, “Oh, aren’t they romantic!”
5. Always tell your doctor if you have fallen since your last check-up, even if you did not feel pain when you fell.
6. Keep your bones strong to help prevent fall-related fractures and serious injury. Calcium and vitamin D can help as well as weight-bearing exercises such as walking, dancing, and hiking.
7. Fall-proof your home: declutter your living space, remove tripping hazards, and in your shower or bathtub use nonslip mats – or a bath seat if needed.

In addition, here are my five rules I try to follow because I’ve fallen and broken my hip once and I don’t need to do that again!

8. Keep your hands out of your pockets while walking.
9. Always hold on to the stair railing.
10. Don’t shuffle – which I do too often.
11. Pay attention – and don’t rush.
12. And most importantly, fight the urge to jump on your grandchild’s skateboard!

We think falls won’t happen to us, but they often do. We need to do what we can to prevent falls because one fall can change your life forever.

BRAIN TEASE: Let’s move on to this tease and it’s a little tricky – unless you have heard it before.

“A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1.00 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?”

In her book Soul Portrait, Sally Zuck McBain wrote that a passion is something you not only love to do, you have to do it. So, the next question for your “Soul Portrait” is: What are your passions?

In 1960 Sam Cooke sang “Don’t know much about history / Don’t know much biology” in the song “Wonderful World” – not to be confused with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. I received correct answers from Judy Kiser, Shelly Hinatsu, Donna Mollet, Rhonda Spies, Keith Clymer, Rebecca Abrams, Kathy Bullack, Dave Lutgens, Lana Tepfer, Eva Summers, and Kim Birge this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

I began the month with the lyrics of a 1965 Motown song, and I thought I would close this series with a 1971 Motown song which may be as relevant today as it was when first released. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the song that included the lyrics:

“Mother, mother / There’s too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother / There’s far too many of you dying / You know we’ve got to find a way / To bring some lovin’ here today – yeah”

Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of Barry Gordy founder of Motown Records.

Well, it’s been another week, enjoying sleeping with the windows open. Until we meet again, explore the impossible – you may be surprised.

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” – Victor Borge

Answers: ˙0Ɩ˙Ɩ$ sᴉ ɥɔᴉɥʍ ɟo ɯns ǝɥ┴ ˙ϛ0˙Ɩ$ sᴉ ɔϛ uɐɥʇ ǝɹoɯ ɹɐllop ǝuO 0ᄅ˙Ɩ$ sᴉ ɔ0Ɩ + 0Ɩ˙Ɩ$ ‘0Ɩ˙Ɩ$ sᴉ ɔ0Ɩ uɐɥʇ ǝɹoɯ ɹɐllop ǝuO ˙ɔ0Ɩ ʇoN ˙ɔϛ sʇsoɔ llɐq ǝɥ┴

The leaves haven’t started falling, but I thought it would be good to share my annual reminder to prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment early – particularly this year.

Each year the insurance companies can adjust their Medicare plans, and the Open Enrollment period (October 15^th through December 7^th) allows you to decide whether your Medicare plan is still the best option for you or if it’s time to switch. This year is particularly important because 2025 Part D prescription drug plans must cap out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs at $2,000 a year. This is good news, saving hundreds of dollars for many Medicare recipients. But according to AARP, “That change will have a ripple effect on Part D and Medicare Advantage plans’ other costs and coverage, making it especially important to review your options during open enrollment this year”.

Start by reviewing your plan’s “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC). It describes any changes to your current plan for next year. Then ask yourself the big three Medicare questions.

1.) Does my plan allow me to go to the providers I want, including my pharmacy?

2.) Are my prescription drugs covered?

3.) How much does the plan cost?

To help navigate your way through the Medicare maze there is help. You can visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan, study the Medicare & You handbook you received in the mail, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) where help is available 24/7.

If you’d rather talk to someone face-to-face, you can meet with a private insurance broker who specializes in Medicare. Also in Oregon, you can schedule an appointment with a trained impartial SHIBA volunteer counselor by contacting Halla Graves, the SHIBA Coordinator, at 541-288-8341 or email her at hallagravesshiba@gmail.com. To find assistance in Klickitat County, contact Senior Services Information and Assistance to schedule an appointment: Jill in White Salmon at 509-493-3068 or Doreen in Goldendale at 509-773-3757. And in Skamania County call 509-427-3990.

It’s important to understand your Medicare options so you can make informed decisions – both for your health and your pocketbook.

The Oregon and Southwest Washington Alzheimer’s Association will host two Mini-McGintys: single-day conferences featuring the latest in Alzheimer’s and dementia science, tips and practical information for maintaining brain health, and community resources for those affected by or concerned about dementia. These events are free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided!

The first will be held on Monday, September 23^rd from 10:00 to 2:00 in Hood River at the FISH Food Bank at 1130 Tucker Rd. The second will be held on September 24^th from 12:00 to 4:00 in The Dalles at the Bargeway Pub.

BRAIN TEASE: One more Anagram puzzle. You know the drill: unscramble the letters to make a word and then determine what the four words have in common.

MANY DO; SEA DUTY; SANDY WEED; YARD HUTS

The next question for your “Soul Portrait”: What memorable events do you treasure?

In 1965 Sonny and Cher recorded their first hit song “I Got You Babe”. I received correct answers from Sandy Haechrel, Nancy Higgins, Dave Lutgens, Lana Tepfer, Jess Birge, Judy Kiser, Bruce Johnson, Rebecca Abrams, Donna Mollet, Eva Summers, Debbie Medina, Craig Terry, and Shelley Hinatsu this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

And last week I missed Dave Lutgens, Donna Mollet, and Rebecca Abrams, who all remembered “My Girl”.

For this week I want to go back a little further to 1960 when this song was released. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the song primarily written by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert and sung by Sam Cooke that included the following lyrics?

Don’t know much about history / Don’t know much biology / Don’t know much about a science book / Don’t know much about the French I took / But I do know that I love you / And I know that if you love me too …

Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a DVD of the 1978 film Animal House in which it was featured.

Well, it’s been another week, observing life from the off-ramp. Until we meet again, as Garrison Keillor advised, “When in doubt – look intelligent.”

“Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.” Dennis Waitley

Answers: ˙ʞǝǝʍ ǝɥʇ ɟo sʎɐp ǝɹɐ ʎɐpsɹnɥ┴ puɐ ‘ʎɐpsǝupǝM ‘ʎɐpsǝn┴ ‘ʎɐpuoW

Last week when I suggested you solve your hearing problems by teaching your spouse how to enunciate using Tongue Twisters, I hope you didn’t take me seriously because as I grow older, my attitude is, “If I can laugh at it, I can live with it”.

But laughing is not always easy, because it can be tough living with hearing loss. It puts a strain on your relationship with your spouse when you misunderstand what she said, “For the third time, could you take out the trash?”. Hearing loss also makes it difficult to follow conversations in large or even small groups, so you become more socially isolated. What’s the point of participating if I can’t understand 80% of what is being said?

People are often unaware that hearing loss is like playing Wheel of Fortune where the players try to identify a phrase with only some of the letters visible. With hearing loss, you are trying to do the same, but with sounds instead of letters. You are constantly combining these incomplete sounds with other clues: lipreading, body language, and context to understand the words.

If you feel your spouse is mumbling – and she gives you that cold evil glare when you suggest tongue twisters, or if you have difficulty hearing in crowds, you should probably have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist.

Improving your hearing will improve your relationship with your spouse, reduce social isolation, and best of all, when you have that puzzled look, people will stop YELLING AT YOU!

Friday, September 20^th from 11:00 – 2:30, One Community Health is hosting the 2^nd Annual Conference for Older Adults in the Gorge bringing together older adults who are living rich, vibrant lives as they grow older. It will be held at One Community Health in Hood River and lunch will be provided. Register by Friday, September 13^th by calling the Mid-Columbia Senior Center (541-296-4788); Hood River Valley Adult Center, (541-386-2060), or One Community Health, (541-386-6380). The conference is sponsored by MCSC, HRVAC, One Community Health, and Bristol Hospice.

You don’t always want to be worrying about every possible disaster: earthquake, fire, train derailment, but when one does occur, you want to be prepared. To learn more about preparing for various emergencies, join NW Natural and local experts at “Get Ready” on Saturday, September 21^st from 10:00 – 1:00 in The Dalles at the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue. There will be prizes and the first 300 people will receive a free lunch.

And here’s a tip I learned from Tonya Brumley, NW Natural’s Community Affairs Manager for the Columbia Gorge. To create a record of your possessions in your home, videotape every room. It will provide fond memories for your children – and maybe one day your insurance agent will thank you.

BRAIN TEASE: See if you can solve this Anagram puzzle by unscrambling the letters to make a word and then determining what the four words have in common. Good luck!

Shingle, His Naps, She Nice, Manger

The next question for your “Soul Portrait”: What do you like to celebrate?

The singing cowboy who starred in movies and his television series was Gene Autry whose signature song was “Back in the Saddle Again”. (Almost as many answered Roy Rogers who had a similar career but is associated with the song “Happy Trails to You” written by his wife Dale Evans.) I received correct answers from Judy Kiser, Lana Tepfer, Dave Lutgens, Eva Summers, and Pat Evenson Brady, this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

The song written by Smokey Robinson and recorded in 1965 by the Temptations was “My Girl”. I received correct answers from Doug Nelson, Nancy Higgins, Bruce Johnson, Mike McFarlane, Lana Tepfer, Rhonda Spies, Judy Kiser, Ken Jernstedt, Eva Summers, and Deborah Medina who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

This couple met in Los Angeles in 1962 and became one of the greatest duets of all time until their divorce in 1975. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of their first single that included the lyrics:

They say our love won’t pay the rent / Before it’s earned / Our money’s all been spent / I guess that’s so, we don’t have a pot / But at least I’m sure / Of all the things we got

Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a DVD of the four seasons of their comedy show.

Well, it has been another week, looking for the right balance. Until we meet again, when was the last time you did something for the first time?

“A person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.” –Shirley MacLaine,

Answers: ˙ʞɐǝds ǝldoǝd sǝƃɐnƃuɐl ǝɹɐ uɐɯɹǝפ puɐ ‘ǝsǝuᴉɥƆ ‘ɥsᴉuɐdS ‘ɥsᴉlƃuƎ