Technology is changing so quickly, it’s mind-boggling. Take music players for example. Just in our own lives, we have gone from the Transistor radio (when we could take our music out of earshot of our parents for the first time) to the Audio Cassette, the 8-track Tape, the Walkman, the Compact Disc, the MP3 Player, Apple’s iPod and now smartphones that can play your favorite music.

Today’s technological advances provide many benefits for older adults. They can help us live safer and longer in our own homes and even prevent our helicopter children from insisting we move closer to them. In our homes, we can install Smart Smoke Detectors, Smart Indoor Cameras, Smart Locks, Smart Doorbells, and Smart Security Systems that can all connect to our Smartphones. It seems like everything is smart – except for me!

Also with any of the major platforms: Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home you can turn off lights, play music, find the time, and check the weather just with a voice command. Remember when we have to get up out of our chairs to change the TV station?

But many older adults are hesitant to jump on this bandwagon: it’s too complicated, I still haven’t been able to connect two lights to Alexa; it can be “throw up your hands” frustrating; and how many times do you want to call your children or grandchildren for help? It’s scary.

Then there is the privacy issue. As with many of you, my wife is still uncomfortable with a device you can talk to. What else is it hearing? Although, I tell her in our house there is nothing anyone would want to hear. Our life is not very exciting.

Even with all the benefits, I can understand why many older adults are hesitant. In 10 years, I can imagine myself resisting the latest technology when I hear some experts predicting we may see hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of humanoid robots that Elon Musk has said can basically do anything we want. “It can be a teacher, babysit your kids, it can walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, just be your friend, serve drinks. Whatever you can think of, it will do.” Now that’s scary!

So in the future when my children start insisting on buying me the latest humanoid that can do everything for me and I can just sit in my rocking chair and snooze away, I’ll just have to say, “No thanks. I’m doing just fine.”

Brain Tease: Good luck on this one. It may take a while.

Five words that contain MU as a letter-pair have had all of their other letters removed and placed into a pool. Put those letters back in their proper places. What are the words?

*MU**, MU****, *MU***, **MU**, ***MU**

Pool: A, A, B, C, D, E, E, E, F, G, I, K, L, N, O, R, S, S, T, Y

Because Charlie Brown couldn’t cook, Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock helped him prepare a gastronomical feast that included toast, pan-fried popcorn, pretzel sticks, jelly beans, and ice cream sundaes. I received correct answers from Judy Kiser and Donna Mollet who are both winners of a quilt raffle ticket during this busy holiday season.

My children said they wanted to watch Babes in Toyland when we gather in California for Christmas, but I don’t know which version: the 1986 release, the 1961 Disney release (starring my Mickey Mouse Club heartthrob, Annette Funicello), or the original 1934 version in which Stannie Dum and Ollie Dee rent rooms in Mother Peep’s shoe in Toyland and stop the evil Silas Barnaby from marrying Bo Beep.

For this week’s “Remember When” question, who were the comedy duo that starred in the 1934 version, and who were internationally famous for their slapstick comedy playing the clumsy, childlike friend and the pompous bully? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with two bowler hats worn by the comedy duo.

And I’m sorry to report that even though I entered a raffle ticket for every “Remember When” winner and I even tried to bribe my friends at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, no one who entered won. I’m hoping for better luck in April when the next drawing will take place during the Cherry Festival.

Well, it’s been another week, wondering if it will snow before I get the snow tires on. Until we meet again, when you fight your battles do it with a smile. It will confuse them.

“Grief is like the ocean, it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn how to swim.” Vicki Harrison

Answer

∀˥∩WɹOℲ ‘ƎS∩WƎq ‘Ǝפp∩WS ‘⅄NI┴∩W ‘ʞƆ∩W∀

Thanksgiving is a time when many of us gather around the dining room table with family and friends, sharing our blessings and stuffing ourselves with delicious home-cooked culinary delights prepared by a kitchen saint. (And when we start imitating the animal kingdom by adding an extra layer of body fat to keep us warm during the long, cold winter months.)

But as we enter the winter holiday season, this is also a good time to slow down, take a deep breath, and offer that simple prayer: “Thank you”. Thank you for the many blessings that are visible but often out of focus as we are distracted by all the daily noise and our self-absorption.

Thankful for our friends and family who are still with us and for the comforting memories of those we have lost. Thankful for the neighbors who keep an eye on us and offer help even when we think we can do it ourselves. And thankful that each morning we can wake up, get out of bed, and start moving – although it may take a while to loosen up the old joints.

But maybe we should also be thankful for our misfortunes that remind us not to take anything for granted and to cherish each day – one day at a time.  And then we can ask ourselves the question Charlie Brown posed “What if, today, we were grateful for everything?”

One of the strengths of our communities is our local businesses, and many small retail businesses depend on the holiday season. By shopping locally, you not only support those businesses, but you can ask questions in person; see what you’re buying (“It looked so different online!”); and discover those unique special gifts. So, during this holiday season don’t forget to shop local!

Also to sustain a vibrant and healthy community, it is important to support our art, cultural, and historical non-profits. For everyone who lives in Oregon, this is your annual reminder to consider giving to the Oregon Cultural Trust. You have until the end of this year to donate to a qualifying nonprofit and the Oregon Cultural Trust to receive a matching Oregon tax credit.

All you do is donate to any of Oregon’s arts, heritage, and humanities nonprofits which include forty in Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco counties (listed at www.culturaltrust.org). Then make a matching gift to the Cultural Trust to claim your contribution to the Cultural Trust as a tax credit – which means your donation to the Cultural Trust won’t cost you a thing! The Oregon Cultural Trust supports local communities by funding county Cultural Trust Coalitions that annually distribute grants to area schools and non-profits.

Brain Tease: Another anagram puzzle where a word or phrase is made by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase. Each phrase below is an anagram of the thing it describes. For example, Dirty Room the answer is Dormitory.

1. A Rope Ends It; 2. Here Come Dots; 3. Cash Lost in ’em; 4. Alas! No More Z’s

You may have downsized, or at least tried, and offered your treasured family China or silverware to your children, and received a polite “No Thank you” or “Are you kidding?”

But as we age there are a few things we would like to keep around. For the next question of your Soul Portrait, “What do you want in your surroundings?”

The NBC television show that featured concealed cameras filming regular people in unusual situations was Candid Camera.”

I received correct answers from Pat Kelly, Steven Woolpert, Nancy Higgins, Jay Waterbury, Rebecca Abrams, Judy Kiser, Lana Tepfer, Dave Lutgens, Donna Mollet, Kim Birge, Eva Summers, Rhonda Spies, Craig Terry, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Bruce Johnson, Deborah Medina, Mike Monroe, Barb Weiford, Ken Jernstedt, and Marny Weting this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

In the popular animated television special A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving released in 1973, Peppermint Patty invites herself to Charlie Brown’s grandmother’s Thanksgiving dinner, so Linus suggests they also have a Thanksgiving dinner at home.

For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was one of the five items prepared for their Thanksgiving feast at home? (You don’t have to know all of them!) Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with the opening football gag with Charlie Brown and Lucy.

Well, it’s been another week, trying to remember, did I just add three or was it four tablespoons of sugar? Until we meet again, as my old friend Sophocles once said, “Old age and the passage of time teach all things.”

“Everything will be OK in the end – and if it’s not OK, it’s not the end.” The movie Slumdog Millionaire.

Answers: sɯɹɐl∀ ǝzoouS ˙ㄣ ;sǝuᴉɥɔɐW ʇolS ˙Ɛ ;ǝpoƆ ǝsɹoW ǝɥ┴ ˙ᄅ ;uoᴉʇɐɹǝdsǝp ˙Ɩ

I’ve shared this before, but I feel this advice from the website Next Avenue is worth sharing again to help avoid the tension and conflict that can occur when families come together from far and wide during the holidays.

First, bury the hatchet (and although tempted – not in someone’s back!). You may not forget past wrongs but try to maintain a spirit of forgiveness.

Second, simplify and reduce stress. Don’t be totally worn out when guests arrive. Determine ahead of time what is essential and what is not. And skip what is not.

Third, sneak in a few breaks to relax before, during, and after the gathering.

Fourth, reinvent your traditions. Find a new location for the gathering. Or go as a family to help volunteer for a community event. Think outside the turkey roll.

Fifth, rethink your gift-giving. Donate on behalf of your loved one to a non-profit. Or give “experience” gifts: tickets to the theater or a gift card to a restaurant they would not normally visit.

Sixth, and maybe most importantly, hold your tongue – even when they have it all wrong! Follow the advice of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and philosopher, who suggested letting your words pass through three gates before you speak.

At the first gate, ask yourself, ‘Is it true?’

At the second ask, ‘Is it necessary?’

At the third gate ask, ‘Is it kind?”

Families can provide support in difficult times and at other times a source of anxiety; they are connections to the past, and our hopes for the future. And when families are often scattered and disconnected, gathering together is a special time to be enjoyed and cherished.

Now if you don’t have a family gathering planned and would like good food and good company – and no cleanup! – on the 28^th I know of two free Community Thanksgiving Dinners in the Gorge.

In The Dalles area, there is the Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Academy (1112 Cherry Heights Road) sponsored by the Salvation Army. To order a delivered meal call Kris Harmon at 541-296-6417.

And in Hood River, there is a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Riverside Community Church at 317 State Street from noon to 2 p.m. in the Riverview Room.

These Thanksgiving dinners would not happen without the volunteers helping with food prep, serving, and clean-up. To volunteer in The Dalles call Kris at 541-296-6417 and in Hood River you can sign up online through Sign Up Genius at this link: https://bit.ly/thanksgiving-sign-up.

Brain Tease:

Take the given words, and by moving a single letter from one word to the other, make a pair of synonyms, or near synonyms. For example, given: Boast – Hip, move the ‘s’ from ‘Boast’ to ‘Hip’ creating two synonyms: Boat – Ship.

1. Inks – Tiles; 2. Ride – Relive; 3. Gaze – Freed; 4. Snail – Pike; 5. Snag – Cold

The next question for your “Soul Portrait”. “Are you vain about certain things?”

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 was Eddie Fisher. I received correct answers from Marny Weting, Steven Woolpert, Dave Lutgens, Lana Tepfer, Eva Summers, Rhonda Spies, Jess Birge, Judy Kiser, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Pat Evenson-Brady, Bruce Johnson, Doug Nelson, Nancy Higgins, Ken Jernstedt, Donna Mollet, Rebecca Abrams, and Cheri Brent who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. The drawing will be held on the 23^rd during the Mid-Columbia Senior Center’s Annual Holiday Bazaar from 8:00 – 2:00.

Before reality TV became popular, this NBC television show featured concealed cameras filming regular people in unusual situations. For this week’s “Remember When” question, can you complete this show’s famous catchphrase, “Smile, you’re on ______ ______”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with the episode that included former President Harry Truman.

Well, it’s been another week, wondering what this winter will bring. Until we meet again, we take care of ourselves by taking care of each other.

“I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.” – Rudyard Kipling

Answers:  ploɔS – ƃɐN ˙ϛ ;ǝʞᴉdS – lᴉɐN ˙ㄣ ;pǝǝℲ – ǝzɐɹפ ˙Ɛ ;ǝʌǝᴉlǝɹ – pᴉɹ ˙ᄅ ;sǝᴉ┴ – sʞuᴉ˥ ˙Ɩ

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