There is something wrong with this picture. When I was employed, leading a very active life, there seemed to be ample energy for all the demands. Not so, now! If my energy surplus for a day’s activity demand is good for around four hours that’s pretty good. The litany of reasons, excuses, apologies and ailments will not be inventoried here.

The needs and legitimate appeals for attention and assistance by others drains what little energy remains by end of day. Phone calls that come after dusk don’t exact much enthusiasm. Social interchange that reaches much beyond 8:30 sees me checking out or blinking down. Where is that sudden burst of energy that once reinvigorated the body after dinner? Doesn’t seem available!

Expecting the unlikely is a notoriously bad habit among seniors. It is so easy to drown in the despair about what may be. It is even easier to float in it, until you are far out at sea, with little idea how to get back to shore and reality.

Alfred E. Neumann of Mad Magazine made famous the line “What Me Worry?” It is a provocative thought to ponder. Why worry? The unlikely likely will not happen. Venturing into its dark caverns can lose you in serpentine trails that seem to have no end or exit. You may get caught in the carnival like maze of a haunted house, from which escape seems a questionable outcome.

Lots of seniors, however, pursue hours on end in search of the unlikely “what ifs?’ Fretting is as poor a use of time and as unproductive in its investment as anything one can do. It changes no outcome. It adds

Is this really what I think it is? Just another Hoax! Where do these people come from? What planet are they on? Yet, day after day, these phony appeals stack up on Internet Email. Their stories are [ppt;u yp;f/) and also poorly told. They want to give me money by the truck loads, if I will just give them a tiny bit of information so they can transfer all this glorious, once in a lifetime, fortune to my account. What a crock! Does anyone really believe this kind of come on? Has anyone ever responded? Would they admit it?

If I could just come up with some flim flam shenanigans instead of writing this column, maybe I would be flying off to some paradise in my private jet.

To the point, the most useful button on any computer is the one labeled delete. It serves the function of ignoring the stupid, low life, manipulative types who work on the naive. This is probably the

Reread the title, it is “When it’s over 100, keep your cool.” The “it” refers to the temperature not your age. This record heatwave in parts of the country challenges the wisest to stay indoors in the hottest part of the day. But, come on, we all know that. Sure, that’s why people still challenge Mother Nature by leaving their dogs in a locked car in July. That’s why, no matter what, that yard has to be attacked today, and that includes between the hours of 12 and 4. That’s why duffers take on the golf course no matter what.

I have been guilty of ignoring the signs, even though I am rather conscientious about taking breaks, drinking plenty of H2O and avoiding the hours noon to four. It is easy to get goal directed and to ignore conventional wisdom to stay inside.

Keeping your cool however extends beyond just using common sense about weather. If our ages matched the temperature, my age would be at a pleasantly cool Bahamas’ like number. If I could

Senior Moment’s is a little late this morning. Our Server Network was down all day yesterday. I guess it’s a little like the train is late or the plane is cancelled or the Doctor is in surgery. Things happen. When you become dependent (co-dependent?) on some of life’s necessities (again ?) it seems to affect us at our core.

These times seem to be flush with conveniences. We are daily met with excuses and disclaimers: Sorry, but that delivery didn’t come in; Our supplier will restock in two to three weeks; the Plumber is just overwhelmed and can’t get to your place for ten days; the electrical outage was unexpected and will be turned back on in 48 to 72 hours; that part for your car is not available; the doctor/dentist cannot possibly work you in until next month. Such is daily life in a world of conveniences and services.

Passing along largesse and history. It has taken my wife and me over 35 years together to collect all the belongings which occupy our home and lives. For a long time we saw those belongings as a symbol of status and decorator quality and lots of excitement and fun because of the memories that went with them.

Now, they are mostly in the way. Its difficult to move around so much, literally move around, from place to place, with all the stuff hampering us. But, it is satisfying to begin to let some of it go. It is particularly gratifying when coming across something that strikes you as a perfect gift and reminder of your love for a grandchild or a friend. That is the release from things that one seeks in sorting out the stuff from the chaff. Both are unnecssary in our lives. Someone else may appreciate it all the more.

Once upon a time, there was a man who decided he would take a backpacking trip. Taking seriously the counsel of those who had engaged in such an adventure, he went to the Outpost to secure the necessary gear. With both the help of well meaning friends and, of course, several of the customer service clerks he ended up with the largest back pack fully equipped with every conceivable eventuality he might encounter.

Following on that he went into mapping out his trail he would encounter rugged territory, but with his trutsy top of the line Swiss Knife, his pack full of everything but a plasma tv, he would be well prepared, as in the Boy Scout motto song.

When everyday is a holiday for retirees what’s the good of a weekend? What sets it apart, giving it its own special notoriety.  Slipping into the rut of Friday and Saturday and Sunday being just another day is dangerous.  Not fatally dangerous, mind you, but dangerous!  When days become like pennies, that you no longer stoop to pick […]

For a considerable while following surgery, the temptation was large to give in to my body’s craving to do nothing. The minimum amount of activity would pull me into its lair and the sofa or bed would hold me in its trap. Slowly, I got into a walking routine each day with our dogs and that began to offer some satisfaction, but by and large activity was kept at a minimum. Ah, the luxury of being lazy and blaming it on my recovery from surgery. Perfect!

I have no idea the number of wonderful movies which gave me cause to lie or sit in comfortable recline while being mesmerized to do nothing. Just push the remote, find the escape button and there you are once again transported into inertia.

Oh, don’t misunderstand. I would do a few menial chores now and then, but nothing requiring exertion. After all, I was still recovering. Likely, the truth is I was giving into my body and my psyche, which prefers inactivity over work. It is so easy to surrender to the syndrome of idleness.

So, how are you doing by now?  As for me and my house, the economy, world condition, issues affecting all ages seem to be blossoming like dandelions in early spring.  One of my little nephews, Max,  was caught saying and doing something with which his parents  disapproved.  Scolded, he remakred to his brother “Charlie, this […]