Lately I have been thinking about things that happened in my lifetime that those younger would not know. Most of them a trivial but interesting. Some not trivial.
Before 1955 income tax was due on the Ides of March (the 15th).
“Under God” was not in the pledge of allegiance until 1954 when President Eisenhower signed it into law.
I remember watching some of the McCarthy hearings since we lived outside of Washington, D.C. They were not broadcast nationally in total. Even as a teenager I couldn’t believe the stupidity involved.
I remember the Hungarian uprising since we had a Hungarian student in our school who was a refugee.
Everyone was upset when the Russians launched Sputnik and beat us to space.
We had a telephone that was a party line. That meant that there were other people using it too. Each household had a separate ring. Our number was 237j. How long ago was that?? I have no idea.
Writing yesterday I alluded to the fact that being in a residence for independent seniors brings to the front of our view that we are at risk to be ignored by everyone else. Now by saying that I don’t mean that our families just walk away and leave us. Mostly that is not the case. But the reality is that we are deemed “less than.” Less brains, less physical ability and less important. We are the ignored minority.
I love the poems by Ogden Nash and this idea brought to mind a poem that brings out this point very clearly.
People expect old men to die, They do not really mourn old men. Old men are different. People look At them with eyes that wonder when… People watch with unshocked eyes; But the old men know when an old man dies.
This is so very true.. and yet the collection of wisdom, knowledge and ideas here is amazing. We are blessed with so many who have designed things now used by everyone, were professors in just about every field of endeavor. written books both fiction and non-fiction. I could go on and on. We are still alive, thinking, giving, sharing and loving.
In a more alert world we would be considered the “institutional memory” that is so important. It helps to keep us from making the same mistakes over and over.
We are here! We are useful! We are wise! Ignore us and you will be the ones who are “less than”
It’s been so long since I have written. I hope I haven’t lost complete connection with Word Press friends. I don’t know what has stopped me from writing. I have been too distracted. I hope that I can get back into my routine. A lot has happened around here and I am learning about being the transparent generation. For that reason alone I need to keep posting about how it feels to feels to be 82…a minority that most people don’t recognize.
More about that later. Just want to get back posting and sharing. Peace to everyone.
Those of us who are in the last chapter of our lives need to know that we can still make a difference. Continue to live each day to leave behind a legacy of love and caring.
They used to say that nothing stays the same but death and taxes. I have decided that as right as this is something supersedes these and it is change. Change is always with us. It comes when planned and when unexpected but it always comes.
Since fall of 2020 my life has been the perfect example of change. With two moves, losing my husband and my home (had to sell when moving), living in a completely different state(one that acts as if it is its own country) and living in an Independent Living Retirement place, change has become normal. I just expect it and keep going.
Living with others who have retired and seeing mostly grey hair around me has been interesting, challenging, disturbing and comforting. There is sometimes the feeling of living in the British comedy “Waiting for God.” It can be hard to accept living where (supposedly) you know you will die. You have to develop a different mind set.
In some ways it it like living in a college dorm. As a community, there are rules that must protect us all somewhat like those in a HOA setting. For those who have been independent and masters of their own choices it can be frustrating.
Those are some of the negatives. It is wonderful, however, to have 3 restaurants on site and cook only if you want to. It is so good to have conversations with people who remember the things you do and understand your references to events and people of the past. (Some young people are so clueless it make me wonder what is being taught in school.) It’s a miracle to have my apartment cleaned once a week.
Soooo, although life has been challenging with lots of changes, it has also been interesting, stimulating, and life enhancing. There are so many things to do. We are connected to the University of Texas and can attend things there as we want. Events and activities are fun and improve minds and bodies. Life is good. You just have to reach out a grab it.
Today I have managed to pull myself away from the TV and tamp down my anxiety. The weather is beautiful and I intend to sit on my balcony and enjoy the fresh air. Life is always challenging and I am not the only one to freak out at times.
I have been asked to sit on a committee for Health and Wellness and I will soon find out how much importance is placed on the input of the committee and if it is worth being on. It’s like living in a very strict HOA (community with rules) and takes some time to understand how things work and how to get possible things done. The trick is to not expect the impossible. After all, funds for things are not limitless.
This is why living in a retirement community is like living in a dorm in college (bad side) or being on a cruise ship (good side). There are benefits and losses. We just have to decide what matter the most.
The weather has changed at last and the air is cool and crisp. The dogs and I both love to walk when it is like this. We took the longer walk. Old bassets don’t do long or fast walks but today they were up for more exercise.
Dealing with the dogs has been a challenge in the last week. Crash (male) had diarrhea and Tillie (female) a bladder infection. This is the first time since we have had them that either of them has had any real problems but as we get older things happen. They have both been to the vet and both are better.
Basset mom is better too now that they have more or less recovered.
Living in Texas is a whole other world. Recently the legislature here decided that it is fine for anyone to carry a gun, without a license. No restrictions. Then last Friday there was a shooting in the busy downtown area. Anyone wonder?
There are some other strange things that has been passed by this group but I am not going into all of that. I have to say that some groups in other states have also done some peculiar things. I am no longer living the real world. It seems as if each state is trying to see who can be nuttier….both groups on the left and on the right. Are they trying to outdo each other?
I guess I am too old to understand all of this. Is there no one reasonable left?
Anyway, I get to move to my own world next week and I suppose I should just stay there until I shuffle off. At least most of the people my age seem sane. Maybe even those with dementia are better that those controlling our governments.
Today memories have taken over my thinking. I have taken myself back to my childhood and remembered lying on the floor in front of the fire at night and listening to the radio. You heard me right. There was no television. The radio was our entertainment and I can tell you scary programs and worse when it is your own mind conjuring up the villain. There was “The Shadow” and one with a creaking door. Less stressful programs were “Let’s Pretend” “Fibber McGee and Molly” and many others.
Television didn’t come into my life until sometime in the 50’s. My grandfather bought one for his office. He didn’t worry about those of us a home. (he and my grandmother lived with us) I used to go to his office just to see this magical thing.
Later we were able to get one for our home. It was a small oval screen and the picture was black and white. There weren’t a lot of programs and I don’t remember many of them. Strangely enough I remember the radio programs more.
In the late fifties I remember going to a teacher’s home to watch something from Disney in color. That seemed truly amazing.
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