For many of us, 50 is a faint distant memory – okay, maybe that’s just me! But looking back, have the years since middle age been what you expected? Retirement and years of nonstop leisure? And is there anything you wish you had known to prepare for your later years and that you would want to share with your adult children when they reach 50?

George H. Schofield, Ph.D. in his book How Do I Get There From Here? Planning for Retirement When the Old Rules No Longer Apply describes three overlapping life stages between 50 and old age that are not defined by age, but defined by the life situations each person experiences. By knowing these life stages, Schofield believes it can make it easier to deal with the expected and unexpected changes that will undoubtedly occur.

The first stage is New Freedom. Often this stage starts when you become an “empty nester”: the kids have moved out, and you have extra time, now that your life no longer revolves around the kids.

Or you have been at your job for some time and have met most of your career goals. You then realize there is more to life than your career, triggering a re-evaluation of your life’s priorities. But it can be disorienting and confusing, not knowing what to do with the extra discretionary time.

The second stage is New Horizons. You start feeling comfortable with the new freedom and begin to realize what you want to do with the extra time by learning more about yourself. What are you curious about? What do you want to learn? What do you want to be good at during this stage in your life? It could be starting a new career, working part-time doing something you truly enjoy, acquiring a new hobby, or returning to a hobby you had once enjoyed.

The third and final stage is New Simplicity. You’re tired of all the competing demands and have decided you no longer want to or no longer can handle all the complications in your life. It is just too much: too much house, too much yard, too much clutter, too many volunteer commitments, and too many dreams and goals that will never be realized. You start to take time to scale back.

Have you experienced any, or maybe all of these stages? Or are you like me, bouncing around in the third stage wondering if there is even a fourth stage: New Questions – “What is life all about?”

Brain Tease. One of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Healthy Habits for your brain is to challenge your mind. Last week I suggested using your non-dominant hand to do simple tasks. If you found that too easy, here is another challenge Try to carry on a conversation with a friend while saying every sentence backward and see if your friend can understand you. For example, instead of “How are you” you ask, “You are how”. Or “Do you think I’m crazy?” becomes “Crazy I’m think you do.” Your short-term memory can generally hold seven items, so keep your sentences short. And if they start walking away, shaking their heads, yell out “Brain your challenge also can this.”

The name of the Broadway musical based on T. H. White’s novel The Once and Future King is Camelot. It included a lyric President Kennedy was especially fond of, “Don’t ever let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was Camelot” which was written by Alan Jay Lerner, JFK’s classmate at Harvard. I received correct answers from Ken Jernstedt, Donna Mollet, Kathy Bullack, Judy Kiser, Bruce Johnson, David Liberty, Pat Evenson-Brady, Lana Tepfer, Dave Lutgens, Debbie Medina, Jess Birge, Kathy Smith, Rhonda Spies, Doug Nelson, Linda Frizzell, Eva Summers, Craig Terry, Ken Jernstedt, Nancy Higgins, and Jonnie Anderson this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

This week let’s shift from Broadway to a 1967 anti-establishment film starring Paul Newman and George Kennedy. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the film in which a decorated war veteran is arrested for cutting down parking meters one drunken night and sentenced to two years on a chain gang where he clashed with the “Captain”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or return your answer with a carton of fifty eggs.

Well, it’s been another week talking too loud so I can hear what I’m saying to make sure it’s what I meant.  Until we meet again, as the writer Dashiell Hammett once said, “You got to look on the bright side, even if there ain’t one.”

“The thing that’s important to know is that you never know. You’re always sort of feeling your way.” Diane Arbus, Photographer

During this time of the year when all the excitement of the holidays is over and the sun becomes that friend who runs off to spend the winter in Arizona, there may be days when you feel a bit down.

These winter blues are fairly common and usually clear up in a short amount of time. But if you find yourself singing the blues, there are tips you can follow to help you sing a different tune.

First is simple: open all the curtains in your house and “Let the Sunshine In”! Also, if you can, spend time outdoors: take a morning walk to increase your natural light exposure.

Some tips don’t depend on the weather: getting plenty of sleep, staying connected with loved ones, practicing relaxation exercises, and I would add, watching your favorite comedies – even for the third time!

Also, find ways to stay social. You can participate in activities at your local senior center. Or you can invite friends over to play cards, discuss a favorite book, or enjoy a glass of wine while discussing your favorite book.

And how about starting your own exercise group? On the living room floor, you and your friends can do stomach crunches, leg lifts, and push-ups just like in your high school P.E. class – except now you have to figure out how to get back up off the floor! (On second thought, a chair yoga class is a much better alternative.)

You may want to skip the stomach crunches with friends, but staying physically active is important if you want to beat the winter blues. There are simple exercises you can do by yourself at home that don’t require a large space or special equipment: wall push-ups, stair climbs, sit-to-stands from a dining room chair, bicep curls with full water bottles or jugs, and plank holds from your counter or couch. (You can find videos of these exercises on YouTube.)

And If you find it hard to get motivated, try rewarding yourself. Maybe a bowl of Tillamook Udderly Chocolate Ice Cream?  Although that probably isn’t the best idea for your waistline.

There is one caution. Even though experiencing random days when you feel down, drained, and even depressed is normal, when you are feeling down, hopeless, unmotivated, and discouraged for days, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD which is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. If you experience these symptoms, you should reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health professional because there are treatments available.

During these often dreary winter days, it is easy to get stuck inside with the winter blues. But these tips can help you enjoy these winter months as you wait until the summer when we will all wish it was January.

Brain Tease. Instead of a tease here is a challenge. Identify a common task: drinking your coffee, brushing your teeth, or eating a salad, and use only your non-dominant hand.

It will probably feel awkward and frustrating, but that is a positive sign. Using your non-dominant hand engages your brain in entirely new ways by forcing your brain out of auto-pilot and making it think more about your movements. But you might want to practice in private before you embarrass yourself in public.

The name of the fictional teenage girl amateur detective in the book series first published in 1930 was Nancy Drew. I received correct answers from Donna Mollet, Judy Kiser, Dave Lutgens, Kathy Hannen-Smith who still has 26 of the books, Eva Summers, Rhonda Spies, Lana Tepfer, Paul Armerding, Barb Blair, Marny Weting, Marlene Clymer, Rose Schulz, Nancy Higgins, Darlien France, Doug Nelson, and Kathy Bullack. (And I learned from Pat Evenson-Brady that Hillary Clinton, Sonia Sotomayor, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Laura Bush have said Nancy Drew was a formative influence when they were growing up.) For this week, the winner of a quilt raffle ticket is Joy Ingalls.

During the 1960s several Broadway musicals reflected the idealism of the times. One of the most popular was based on T. H. White’s novel The Once and Future King and ran on Broadway from 1960 to 1963 starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this musical which after JFK’s death became associated with his administration? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or return it with the original cast album which was the top-selling album for 60 weeks.

Well, it’s been another week living a life where everything takes a little bit longer. Until we meet again, what if the hokey pokey is really what it’s all about?

“Always leave them laughing when you say good-bye.” George M. Cohen

After a wonderful trip visiting our children in California, Rita and I are back in the Gorge gradually returning to our regular routines and fighting the urge to fly back to San Diego whenever the temperature drops below 40.

Besides hanging out with our children, I learned a couple of things on this trip.

I didn’t know when scanning your carry-ons while going through airport security you don’t have to take your shoes off if you are seventy-five or older. That was a pleasant surprise until I thought, how did they know I was over 75? Was it that obvious?

But what was most valuable is I gained a better understanding of how the sometimes complicated relationship with your children can evolve over time.

During the trip while staying with my son and his wife, we would take short trips, and every time I sat in the back seat. When it was time to get out of the car, my son would run around and offer to help me extricate myself out of the back seat.

My response each time? “No, I can do it!” as I struggled to bend my knees to my chest, twist around to get out the door, and stand up.

But later I realized that simple gesture was a way to say he cared and instead of pushing him away with my “can do” attitude, I should have accepted his help. Why should I disregard his sense of caring that is important to him? And I did need the help!

So the lesson I learned is when your children want to help, let them and show your appreciation. Now don’t get me wrong, there are limits. If they start to tell me where I should live, someplace safe with more care, then I’ll have to tell them lovingly, No, way!

Now that we have seen the streets and hills painted white, it’s time for that annual reminder to “walk like a penguin”: pointing your feet out slightly; bending your knees and keeping them loose; extending your arms out to your side and hands out of your pockets; and taking short steps or waddling.

It’s also helpful to assume all wet and dark areas on the pavement are icy – especially around snowbanks where the melt–off freezes overnight.

Whether it’s icy or not, it’s a good time to remember falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. So, if you need to go outside in the ice and snow, don’t rush, stay focused, and “walk like a penguin”!

Brain Tease. This should be a simple one. What does this mean, T RN?

For the last three weeks of the “Remember When” questions, let’s see if I can get it right.

For December 18^th, the answer was Matchbox Toys. I received correct answers from Katherine Smith, Rebecca Abrams, Rhonda Spies, Debbie Medina, Eva Summers, Craig Terry, and Donna Mollet. I also received other answers you may remember. Kathy Bullack answered Tonka Toys (the Winifred Museum in Winifred, Montana, has a collection of more than 3,000 Tonka Toys!); Craig Terry preferred Dinky toys; Judy Kiser remembered Tootsietoy, and Donna Mollet remembered there were Corgi Toys before Matchbox.

For December 25^th, Donna Mollet’s favorite Christmas present was a bicycle she named Jamie, for Marny Weting it was “Robert the Robot” and for Becky Podvent it was a large Davy Crocket doll she received when she was five.

For January 1st, the name of the group of entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford was the Rat Pack. I received correct answers from Debbie Medina, Craig Terry, Bruce Johnson, Lana Tepfer, Judy Kiser, Steven Woolpert, Nancy Higgins, Pat Evenson-Brady, Linda Frizzell, Keith Clymer, Melissa Hayes, Rhonda Spies, Dave Lutgens, Mike Yarnell, Rebecca Abrams, Ken Jernstedt, Donna Mollet, and Doug Nelson.

The winners of the quilt raffle tickets for the last three weeks are Katherine Smith, Becky Podvent, and Craig Terry.

Many of the books we read as children were created in the early 1900s by Edward Stratemeyer: The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, and my favorite The Hardy Boys. With the success of the Hardy Boys, Stratemeyer created another mystery series about a fictional teenage girl amateur detective.

For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the heroine in that book series first published in 1930? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with the first book in the series The Secret of the Old Clock.

Well, it’s been another week, wondering what I should expect iduring this new year. Until we meet again, walk carefully, stay warm, and keep smiling.

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.” Cesare Pavese

Answer: uɹn┴ ∩ oN

December is always a busy month: wrapping gifts, mailing Christmas cards, baking cookies, and visiting family you didn’t see over Thanksgiving. So at the beginning of each year, to make my life a little easier during the busy month of December, I have repeated the lessons I’ve learned over the years from listening to older adults who are much wiser than I am.

One of those older adults is Gary Young and instead of sharing my annual list of lessons learned, I thought I would share some of Gary’s 100-plus thoughts he has collected over the years. And it was not easy to reduce the list to 30.

1. Giving a young person something of yours creates a treasure and reduces clutter.
2. Death is too serious of a topic not to make fun of.
3. The James Webb telescope reveals creation and faith beyond my comprehension.
4. I’d put on a good face, but I like this one.
5. Death ends suffering, but not sorrow.
6. Being happy takes practice. Daily – perhaps hourly.
7. People seldom die on their own terms.
8. I have nothing left to be embarrassed about; just ask my nurse.
9. I am overburdened with alone time.
10. I’ve been wrong about many things, right about a few, and it’s hard to tell the difference.
11. Serious thoughts demand laughter.
12. Not everyone has the opportunity to grow old.
13. “If I donate my body to science, does that mean I’m finally going to medical school?
14. There’s no sense taking things to the grave; there’s no room.
15. Most things mean something else.
16. It’s best to face the music, you can hear better.
17. Would it really matter if my left hand knew what my right hand was doing?
18. Too often we don’t know the pain of others.
19. Being elderly, you can get people’s eyes to glaze over by saying, “When I was young…”
20. Always look for someone to take your place.
21. I don’t want to know the answer to: “What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
22. Keeping your nose to the grindstone and your shoulder to the wheel, is painful.
23. In Kindergarten my favorite time was afternoon nap. Being old, not much has changed.
24. The trouble with laughter is that we don’t do it enough.
25. When the phone was on a cord I could always find it.
26.      There are things I can’t remember, but I wish I could.
27. There are things I can’t forget, but I wish I could.
28. It’s always good to know where the nearest restroom is located.
29. Live as long you can, as well as you can, not a moment less, or a moment more.
30. If I sit on my porch and wave, a parade might just go by.

Now are there any life lessons you would add?

Brain Tease: All the letters have been advertently mixed! See if you can decipher these quotes taken from famous Missourians.

1. Ni awtkr am- Tpy geni revira tsu jtni ala ined. –
2. Namu rtsyr rah- Go date g not g nihs aw nid neir fat nawu oyfi.
3. Ar rebig oy- esl eere hwem osp ud nell i wuo ye rasecn ahc gni og eru oy ere hwwo nktn odu oyfi.

In the early 1960s, a group of entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford often appeared together in Las Vegas and in films. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name given to this group of entertainers? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with a DVD of the 1960s movie Ocean’s 11.

Well, it’s been another week, wondering now that 2024 is over, what’s next? Until we meet again, have a safe and happy New Year!

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” –Oprah Winfrey

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through

Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Wednesdays with music on 2nd and 4th 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).

Answer: ˙ǝɯɐu suosɹǝd ǝɥʇ ɥʇᴉʍ ƃuᴉʇɹɐʇs ‘spɹɐʍʞɔɐq pǝllǝds ʎldɯᴉs ǝɹǝʍ sǝɔuǝʇuǝs ǝɥ┴

1. uᴉɐʍ┴ ʞɹɐW- ˙ʇdʎƃƎ uᴉ ɹǝʌᴉɹ ɐ ʇsnɾ ʇ,uᴉɐ lɐᴉuǝp
2. uɐɯnɹ┴ ˙S ʎɹɹɐH- ˙ƃop ɐ ʇǝƃ ‘uoʇƃuᴉɥsɐM uᴉ puǝᴉɹɟ ɐ ʇuɐʍ noʎ ɟI
3. ɐɹɹǝq ᴉƃo⅄- ˙ǝslǝ ǝɹǝɥʍǝɯos dn puǝ llᴉʍ noʎ ǝɹɐ sǝɔuɐɥɔ ‘ƃuᴉoƃ ǝɹ,noʎ ǝɹǝɥʍ ʍouʞ ʇ,uop noʎ ɟI

During this season of peace and goodwill, it is a good time to reflect on the importance of being connected in caring relationships with others, because even though we often hear of “independent living” we never are independent – nor should we be.

The African word Ubuntu which means “I am what I am because of who we all are” describes the relationship we have with others: the natural interconnectedness where we both give and receive, as we help others while others help us. This interconnectedness makes us more complete human beings and stronger communities as we share our strengths and talents to offset our weaknesses.

As we age we tend to move more towards a dependency on others: opening doors, needing a ride or help with daily bathing. But as we learn to accept more help, we can also continue to find ways to give back and stay interconnected with life’s give and take.

For example, we can volunteer for one of the many local non-profits. Or we can give back in more subtle ways: offering a word of encouragement, a friendly smile to a haggard cashier, or being an example of how to live with dignity and grace during difficult times.

As Joni Mitchell once sang, we have seen life “from both sides, now”. We know the ups and downs; the successes and failures; the loves and losses. And with that perspective, we all have much to offer.

Since this column is the last one of the year, I want to thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to read this column. It’s been a privilege starting back in 2008 writing for The Dalles Chronicle and now with the Columbia Gorge News. There will come a time to “let go”, but as long as I can find something to steal – oops, I mean to share – I will keep writing. I must admit it has gotten harder to find the right word or phrase. But I’ve found one of the benefits of writing is that you have time – and often it takes way too much time – to arrange these marks on the page to appear halfway intelligent or at least coherent. 

I’ve also discovered writing is like a form of meditation: you aren’t worrying about your next doctor’s appointment, what to prepare for dinner, or those scattered papers on the floor. You’re focused just on your writing – and hours later you’re wondering, when did it get dark outside?

Writing is a true pleasure, so why don’t you pick up a pen or tap those keys on the keyboard and start writing – whether it’s a daily journal, or your “soul portrait”? Or how about your life story – and don’t be afraid to embellish it. Who’s going to know? 

When you write don’t worry about what others think. Jump in. Be fearless. And start writing that gripping soap opera for cats with steamy cat scenes. It could be the next Netflix series.

Brain Tease: All the letters have been advertently mixed! See if you can decipher these quotes taken from famous Missourians.

1. Ni awtkr am- Tpy geni revira tsu jtni ala ined. – 
2. Namu rtsyr rah- Go date g not g nihs aw nid neir fat nawu oyfi.
3. Ar rebig oy- esl eere hwem osp ud nell i wuo ye rasecn ahc gni og eru oy ere hwwo nktn odu oyfi.

The brand of small die-cast toys first introduced in the 1950s and designed for the co-owner’s daughter because her school only allowed children to bring toys that could fit inside a matchbox was, you guessed it, Matchbox Toys. 

Well, it’s the holidays and I’ll be surfing the California waves – in my daydreams, and I needed to submit this and the next week’s columns early. So, as I have done in the past, in three weeks I will share the names of everyone who sent in the correct answers. 

This week’s” Remember When” question has no wrong answer. What was your favorite Christmas present when you were young? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with a 1950s Lionel Train Set.

Well, it’s been another week, remembering what is truly important. Until we meet again, have a Very Merry Christmas!

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

Answer: ˙ǝɯɐu suosɹǝd ǝɥʇ ɥʇᴉʍ ƃuᴉʇɹɐʇs ‘spɹɐʍʞɔɐq pǝllǝds ʎldɯᴉs ǝɹǝʍ sǝɔuǝʇuǝs ǝɥ┴

1. uᴉɐʍ┴ ʞɹɐW- ˙ʇdʎƃƎ uᴉ ɹǝʌᴉɹ ɐ ʇsnɾ ʇ,uᴉɐ lɐᴉuǝp
2. uɐɯnɹ┴ ˙S ʎɹɹɐH- ˙ƃop ɐ ʇǝƃ ‘uoʇƃuᴉɥsɐM uᴉ puǝᴉɹɟ ɐ ʇuɐʍ noʎ ɟI
3. ɐɹɹǝq ᴉƃo⅄– ˙ǝslǝ ǝɹǝɥʍǝɯos dn puǝ llᴉʍ noʎ ǝɹɐ sǝɔuɐɥɔ ‘ƃuᴉoƃ ǝɹ,noʎ ǝɹǝɥʍ ʍouʞ ʇ,uop noʎ ɟI

In two weeks, it will be a new year: the traditional time to make your New Year’s resolutions that are full of optimism and hope.

But do any of you make New Year’s resolutions anymore? And do you really need to? I mean at our age, we’ve experienced enough that we should have it all figured out, right?

Some of you may think New Year’s resolutions are just a waste of time setting us up for disappointment, but New Year’s resolutions can be an opportunity to imagine what new goals you want to accomplish in the upcoming year: walking a new trail in the Gorge, finishing reading that book you were given two Christmases ago, or getting in shape so you can spend more time with your grandkids!

There is much we can’t control: medical emergencies, the size of our social security check, or whether it is going to rain or snow. But there are many aspects of our lives we can at least influence.

So here we are, about to enter a new year, when we can look ahead and decide what we want to do to make our lives the best they can be.

What is important to you this coming year? What are your New Year’s resolutions?

If you can’t think of any resolutions, consider these suggestions from the Medium website.

1. Become a Mystery Pineapple Giver: Secretly leave pineapples at neighbors’ doors to spread tropical cheer all year.
2. Hold Daily Conversations with Houseplants: Provide motivational speeches to boost their growth and document their responses in a journal.
3. Write a Soap Opera for Cats: Script dramatic adventures for feline actors, complete with love triangles and cliffhangers.
4. Hold Weekly Disco Parties for Houseplants: Play “groovy” music and use disco lights to create a fun atmosphere for plants.
5. Train to become a Professional Cloud Interpreter: Develop skills to interpret and narrate the stories behind cloud formations.
6. Start a Band Using Only Kitchen Utensils: Form a musical group that uses pots, pans, and spoons as instruments.
7. Start a Collection of Invisible Art: Curate an impressive gallery of art that only you can see and describe.
8. Build a Time Machine from Cardboard Boxes: Attempt to visit the past or future from the comfort of your living room.

So, take out a pencil and paper. And hurry, you don’t have much time. Sooner than you think, it will be December 18^th, 2025.

Brain Tease: You are on your way to visit your grandchild who lives at the end of the valley. It’s her birthday, and you want to give her the cakes you’ve made.

Between your house and her house, you have to cross 7 bridges, and as it goes in the land of make-believe, there is a troll under every bridge! Each troll, quite rightly, insists that you pay a troll toll. Before you can cross their bridge, you have to give them half of the cakes you are carrying, but as they are kind trolls, they each give you back a single cake.

How many cakes do you have to leave home with to make sure that when you arrive to visit your grandchild you have exactly 2 cakes?

The American musician, singer, and actor who recorded the Christmas classic “A Holly, Jolly Christmas” was Burl Ives. I received correct answers from Steven Woolpert, Mike McFarlane, Judy Kiser, Dave Lutgens, Rhonda Spies, Jim Tindall, Rebecca Abrams, Paul and Maria Kollas, Donna Mollet, Rose Schulz, Lana Tepfer, Craig Terry, Doug Nelson, Bruce Johnson, Keith Clymer, Eva Summers, Kathy Bullack, Becky Podvent, and this week we had two folks join the “Remember When” family for the first time: Kathy Hannen-Smith and Paul Amerding. And being it’s the “Holly, Jolly Christmas” season, they both receive a free quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Donna Mollet

This toy brand was first introduced in the 1950s and because it was inexpensive enough for children to afford, it became the household word for small model toy cars. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the biggest-selling brand of small diecast model cars and trucks until Mattel introduced the Hot Wheels series in 1968? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with a Superfast No 9 AMX Javelin in Blue.

Well, it’s been another week, wondering which way is ahead. Until we meet again, when it’s slippery outside don’t forget to walk like a penguin!

“There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus.” –Bob Phillips

Answer: ˙ǝƃpᴉɹq ʎɹǝʌǝ ɹǝʇɟɐ sǝʞɐɔ ᄅ ɥʇᴉʍ noʎ sǝʌɐǝl ɥɔᴉɥM ˙ʞɔɐq ǝuo ǝʌᴉǝɔǝɹ noʎ puɐ ‘sǝʞɐɔ ɹnoʎ ɟo ɟlɐɥ ǝʌᴉƃ oʇ pǝɹᴉnbǝɹ ǝɹɐ noʎ ǝƃpᴉɹq ɥɔɐǝ ʇ∀ ˙oʍ┴

In less than two weeks, Rita and I will fly to California for our annual Christmas visit with our son and daughter – hearing about their adventures and hopes, how they are managing life’s changes and challenges, and exchanging gifts.

And every year I realize how different our lives are. They have good paying jobs – although working too many hours; one is living alone and the other is married and supporting a family of one dog, and they have attended concerts in L.A. and traveled abroad. 

And my wife and I? We are working half-time – certainly not full-time, and have become comfortable in our everyday ways: same house, same friends, same meals, same interests – and maybe an occasional trip to the coast. But all familiar – maybe too familiar. 

Then at some point, our lives will change, whether we want to or not, and we will shift from what is familiar to the unfamiliar, maybe moving into a retirement community – our children will insist it is for our own safety, or no longer able to enjoy our hobbies because of chronic pain. Or worse yet, losing lifelong friends because they have moved or passed away.

Moving from what’s familiar to the unfamiliar can be uncomfortable and confusing. You may wonder how to deal with things you don’t want to experience; how do you adjust and cope with what you feel you cannot endure? But cope you must, because there is no alternative. You either cope well or badly.

Joan Chittister in her book The Gift of Years eloquently discusses how adjustment is a part of aging and it is up to us to decide whether to live our later years with despair and anger or with joy and anticipation.

For instance, you can decide to fight the inevitable changes, blaming others and destroying good relationships when you may need them the most. Or you can passively accept your new situation, but emotionally refuse to adjust – living in the shadow of what once was but no longer can be and making life a struggle.

Or you can cope with the stress of change with courage, experiencing the losses, but also seeing the new gifts surrounding you while anticipating the joys of the daily small blessings.

Joan Chittister believes the challenge of these years is “that we must consciously decide how we will live, what kind of person we will become now, what kind of personality and spirituality we will bring into every group, how alive we intend to be”.

The blessing “is being able to live so openheartedly, and to adjust so well, that others can look to us and see what being old can bring in terms of life, of holiness, of goodness to make the world new again”.

When we were young, we constantly adjusted to new situations: marriage, children, and careers; then as we grew older we became comfortable with the familiar and anxious about the unfamiliar changes. But once again as we enter a new year, living life as it comes to us not as we insist it to be, may be our greatest opportunity.

Brain Tease: Two quotes with all the vowels removed. (Hint: Each quote starts with “I”.)

1.” knw tht thr r ppl wh d nt lv thr fllw mn, nd ht ppl lk tht!” Tom Lehrer

2. “lv Mck Ms mr thn n wmn ‘v vr knwn.” Walt Disney

The comedy duo that starred in the 1934 version of Babes in Toyland and who were famous for their slapstick comedy were Stan Laurel and Ollie Hardy. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Judy Kiser, Eva Summers, Jess Birge, Dave Lutgens, Rhonda Spies, Doug Nelson, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Rebecca Abrams, and Nancy Higgins this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Dave Lutgens and Pat Evenson-Brady, 

The song “A Holly Jolly Christmas” was featured in the 1964 Christmas special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and was re-recorded and released in 1964 as a single. For this week’s “Remember When” question, who was the American musician, singer, and actor with a career that spanned more than six decades who recorded this Christmas classic? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of Sam the Snowman.  

Well, it’s been another week, wondering if the sun will shine today or not. Until we meet again, enjoy the quiet evenings of winter.

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” –John Boswell

Answers: 1.)  ¡ʇɐɥʇ ǝʞᴉl ǝldoǝd ǝʇɐɥ I puɐ ‘uɐɯ ʍollǝɟ ɹᴉǝɥʇ ǝʌol ʇou op oɥʍ ǝldoǝd ǝɹɐ ǝɹǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʇ ʍouʞ I

2.) ˙uʍuʞ ɹʌ ʌ, uɯʍ u uɥʇ ɹɯ sW ʞɔW ʌl

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