I just didn’t think it would happen this soon. Why, I’m only 64! But I should have seen the signs: the conversations with my son about realizing your creative vision, minimalistic living, TED videos on happiness and the most recent scientific research on aging. (He is currently working in a university biology lab researching how to reproduce heart cells so one day a new heart or heart values can be grown for patients with heart disease. Who wants a pig’s valve when you can have your own home grown one.) All cool stuff – he is a bright boy – but I just thought those conversations were a product of our close father/son relationship: sharing ideas and learning from each other’s generational experiences.

But last week I found out something rather disturbing. I heard he thought it would be a good idea for my wife and me to move down to the bay area. I imagine many of you have had the same experience – your children telling you what you should do with tone of voice indicating now the children know best. I can imagine something like this when I’m 80, but not now – I’m not even retired. And what else will he be thinking? I shouldn’t drive in the snow. I need to take Vitamin D. I should make more money. (No, sorry. That was my wife’s idea!)

But after 64, 74 or 84 years of life experience – both good and bad, we “old folks” probably have a pretty good idea of what we want to accomplish in the remaining years we have on this earth. And even though I love my kids, there are times when the song lyrics that were so appealing when I was a teenager still ring true when my kids give me advice, “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want!”

For the 11:00 Tuesday Lecture series at the Center, I have been showing taped videos of lectures I found online – from a Google Talk on “Technology and Aging Gracefully” to a Stanford Alumni Weekend presentation on “Successful Aging”. (And saving you the price of admission and the trip to Palo Alto.) But once again I am lining up speakers, live and in person, discussing issues from a local perspective. Next Tuesday on the 21st, Julie Reynolds who works for Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living will explain the STEPS program – Self-empowerment Training for individuals who Employ home-care workers and who are People with disabilities or Seniors. The lectures are always free and afterward you can stay for lunch provided by Meals-on-Wheels.

appreciated always are donations and welcome is everybody, 7:00 at open Doors. “Gold Country” his performing Truman it’s week next And. sweetheart! your bring you sure make So. Day Valentine’s celebrate to activities several planned have they and Friends and Martin feature will music night Tuesday. (Oops, got turned around. I think I’m okay now.)

On Saturday the 18th Old Fashioned Bingo is back at the Center. It is open to all ages from seven to one hundred and seven, so you can bring your kids and grandkids. And it is affordable. The hard bingo cards costs $3.00 a piece or two for $5.00. There will be nine games of traditional bingo with a payout of $5.00 a game and concludes with a final blackout game for a payout of $25.00. The fun starts at 3:00 and will end at 4:00 when we start setting up for Saturday Night Bingo which starts at 6:00.

The travel essential that families used to guide their way across America was an AAA TripTik. (The winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Lyn Dalton. And the previous week’s winner of the Spin and Marty question, which I forgot to include last week, was Joann Scott.). But this week’s question is about politics – specifically political humor. Before Saturday Night Live and Tina Fey, this comedian impersonated John F Kennedy and recorded the album “The First Family” in 1962, which became the fastest-selling record and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1963. What was the comedian’s name? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or put it in an envelope postmarked with the zip code 02647.

Well, it has been another week trying to remember what I’m suppose to do next. Until we meet again, as I heard at the Center, “There may be snow on the mountain, but there is still fire in the belly.” And you can take that anyway you want!