AN UPDATE ON ME BEING OLD 

The Old Rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I just had my 84^th birthday. I guess it is something to celebrate for not many people get a chance to do so and at my age there are fewer survivors each day as I grow older.  And, being old is a serious challenge which I have addressed before on this Blog.  In fact, each year the challenge grows more serious as I find myself not being physically capable of doing things I could do with ease just a year ago.  Yes, changes are coming more rapidly than I expected and this concerns me for I do not have many changes left in me.  I fear not as many changes as I can tolerate for I probably have several years left to live. Well, that is my thought now.

I will attempt to document some of those changes I have experienced since I turned 80 years of age when I decided I had become old and started to write this Blog.  Of course this metamorphosis being old was indeed a gate through which I recognized as significant and one in which there was no turning back, for this was a journey of time and a person cannot turn back the clock. Simply these were changes which I have found occur more rapidly each year.

I think the most aggressive change I have found is in my ambulation, you know walking either for simple exercise or to get someplace.  This was once a form of exercise which everyone calls probably the best form of physical activity available especially for old people.  Some four years ago I had a regular walk which I took about three times a week each of which covered about 3 miles that took me about an hour.  Frequently, I had a friend walk with me.  Over these four years, my walk went down to 2 miles then just a walk through the park which was about one mile until now I will no longer even attempt that.  And, my friend who is a few years younger than I am has recently become quite ill with pneumonia and COPD so that she can no longer do this walk.  I suppose she could come back from her medical problems and do that walk again. But not me, because my problem is not medical it is simply age!

Now, I am admitting to a profound change in one of my physical activities which I thought I could continue to perform until I died. Yes, some of my physical problems involves back pain but the work of walking that distance three times a week is just too great for me to perform anymore.  Of course, this is distressing but even more so because it has happened so rapidly. Yes, a year ago I was walking in the park and enjoying it.

Not only my capability in this walk is gone, I have no desire to even attempt to do it.  And, this lack of enthusiasm for my walk I see in just doing odd jobs about the house.  One such activity is keeping my patio deck cleared of leave.  Instead of doing it daily when there are few leaves I put it off for several days when it becomes a major chore. By that I mean instead of just a few minutes to do that job like it did a year or so ago it will take me nearly an hour.  And, it hurts…Why do I do this?  Because I have lost the motivation necessary for me to get out there and do it when I should!!!!!

When I went to a store I would park further from it than I had to so I would get some walking exercise.  Now I try to get as close to that store door as I can.  And, I am thinking about getting a handicap sign to hang from my car rear-view mirror to get parking closest to the store!

I continue to go to the gym for strength training and my aerobics on the stationary bike which I use to do each twice a week.  I have found excuses to reduce this activity to once a week. So, my gym routine is Monday I lift weights, Wednesday I do my aerobics and Friday I walk for about twenty minutes on a short circular track at the gym on a carpet.

And, walking on a carpet instead of outdoors on asphalt makes lots of sense for when I fall and I will, it hurts less.  Interestingly, I did fall the other day doing my walk at the gym.  Two young guys came over to help me get up but I declined their help and was able to do it by myself which was important. But, it was embarrassing for me for it showed my vulnerability from being old which I am not pleased about.

Now, I am doing an hour of physical therapy with a therapist twice each week to strengthen my lower back and reduce the pain.  You know with a back without pain, I might get back to doing my walk in the park, but I think it is more than just pain so I know that will never happen for several reasons other than back pain.

The lower back pain and reduced mobility is a common malady of us old people. In a recent issue of the Discover magazine it has a page where it lists. ‘20 Things You Didn’t Know About’ something.  The March 2016 issue has the something ‘Your Back’.  And by far the majority of those 20 things were about our spine pathologies.  It notes that lower back pain is the most common backache to which I am sure we old people will agree.

Of course I find it most difficult to get down on my knees or bending over to pick up something.  Some of this of course has to do with my back problems but also simple physical mobility is significantly reduced.  I find myself at times walking like an old person taking unsure shorter steps. For years I thought of painting the inside of my garage.  Of course that would require some repair work on the cabinets and walls.  I could have done it last year, I think, but I would not even attempt it now.

Other changes I have found over these last four years includes my reduced thirst desires and less interest in foods for I am sure my tasting and olfactory senses are less keen. Re my water intake I have a large glass of water on the kitchen counter which I keep full just to remind me that when I see it I take a good drink.

Besides the maladies I have just listed, my balance has gone south.  Walking up and down stairs without holding onto the banister is difficult.  I always try to do it without holding onto it but my hand is just an inch above it just in case. I think challenging myself physically like that is important and slows this aging process down, but I am not sure. I know, I will not walk down stairs without a banister.

I am working on my poor balancing by standing on one leg.   Years ago it used to be easy but now I have a chair in front of me using my index finger resting on its back for much needed support for my balance.  I do that exercise once each day standing on each leg five times for 10 seconds each. It seems to be helping my balance for now I can do some of it without using my index finger.  I guess this is progress well at least my balance is not getting worse.

Even though my physical prowess has diminished at least my mind remains sharp and that is much more important than being able to walk long distances. And, I am still very capable at driving my car.  In fact, I am sure I am a better driver than when I was a young man.  At least, I do know I am much more careful. And, I continue to have excellent vision with minor correction with bifocal glasses.  I just had my eyes checked and some minor changes in my prescription. Leg reflexes are important here and mine are still quite good.

Of course it takes more time to clean my patio and make my bed but I still do it.  Yes, I make my bed every day.  I never fail to do so even years ago I didn’t really care and frequently I just didn’t take the time.  Now, it is very important that I make it each and every day for if I didn’t I would get a feeling that I am less capable because of old age.  And, I don’t want that feeling. Yes, I can and do make my bed every day!

Other daily chores includes cooking my meals which I still enjoy. My cooking includes making my own pie crust (some people have never learned how to do that) and cooking some fairly complex dishes. Since I live alone I probably throw out much of it because it is difficult to cook for just one person.

I just hosted our biweekly bridge game.  It was my turn and it went well, which included serving an upside down cake for dessert which I made. Of course moving furniture and putting up the card table, chairs, and small food tables required some physical effort which was accomplished without much effort.  Maybe that is the secret it didn’t take much physical effort. Hey, and I won the game…

Oh I suppose someday I will not make my bed or clean off my patio.  I will stop going to the gym; you know, give up. And, my ability to walk from my car to a store will be compromised. That day is coming for sure but at least I still have the desire and physical ability to put it off for I hope several years.  But an old person never knows what is just around that time corner.

On the Web News I recently read that Cindy Crawford (you know that famous model) just turned 50.  And, she noted that ‘age is just a number’.  Let’s see what she says when she reaches 80.  Let me see, that would make me 114 years old.  I can hardly wait.

Strangely I am complaining about living.  I guess this is a sign of being old.

P.S. I just got word from Amazon that I just sold another book, my e-novel Mary.  Wow… What I am suggesting here is that my readers should buy my book for it is a really really wonderful story.  Get on the Web and type in Mary by Russell Burton and there it is for sale at a very reasonable price.  And, I thank you.

2/16

THE CHALLENGES OF BEING OLD

The old rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I fell again the other day.  During my walk through a city park with asphalt covered walk paths.  Of course in order to break the fall and protect my face I threw my hands forward which suffered the most damage.  My left hand was most hurt with numerous small cuts from the surface rocks of the asphalt.  I also have a deep gash in the tip of my fourth finger which is particularly bothersome as the tips of fingers are particularly sensitive to touch and therefore pain.  My right shoulder aches some.

Of course we old people are prone to falling as we trip more easily as we walk and our balance is not what it use to be.  My tripping problem is because my right leg suffers from a mild ‘drop foot’.  I should have had surgery to correct it immediately but I did not know what my problem was so I delayed any medical help until it was too late.

I did find some exercises on the web which are supposed to help ‘drop foot’.  I looked these up the other day in hopes of improving some of the mobility of this foot and leg.  They are simple to perform so I started the most promising one yesterday.

Now, I started with this little story because it is only one of the many challenges we face when we get old.  I emphasize the word ‘CHALLENGES’ for I think it describes well the problems we face and must overcome each and every day as we grow older. 

As we slip into the ‘old age’ stage of life, it sneaks up on us for it is something different from anything we have experienced before.  Certainly the physical aspects of being old are particularly difficult and for me surprising.  I write surprising because for 80 years I had been physically active without any serious chronic problems.  Oh sure I would hurt myself on occasion but within a few days I would be back to my normal self. 

Well in my old age getting back to my normal self is not what it use to be but of course it is better than the situation I am now in after my fall.

I wish I had been better prepared for these challenges of old age because even though I witnessed my folks growing old, the thought that I would do and be the same just didn’t enter my mind for some unknown reasons.  I think another reason we are unprepared is because of our misunderstanding of old age.  You know such wonderful things as we are retired so we don’t have to work anymore, the kids are gone so we don’t have to put up with their problems, we get up in the morning when we feel like it, and we do what we want to do all day and night.

You know what is called ‘The Golden Years’.  So, we get caught up in this wonderful motto and sometimes we can’t wait to get to those good old Golden Years.  I have never heard anyone talk about the challenges of the Golden Years and that is why we get blind sided.  Yes, no one talks about the challenges of being old.  Yet, suddenly we are there without any preparation for entering into this new and final stage of life.

Somehow this does not seem right for all of our other stages of life we learn about them before we get involved.  When we are young we go to school for our education to prepare us to become adults.  Once we reach adulthood we learn a trade or go to college to prepare for our life work.  As adolescence we learn about sex, love, and social rules to prepare us for living a ‘normal’ adult life.

So where are the classes to prepare us for the challenges of being old?  Where are the rules we should follow in order to live a full life when we are old?  I guess what I am seeking is what things should I be doing or should have done to prepare for my final stage of life. 

The one thing that is emphasized is do you have enough money for retirement?  Of course we are bombarded with this ‘help’ because those interested are trying to get your money to ‘help’ you.  Yes, enough money is important for in some respects it will guide your future activities and even thoughts in old age. 

But, there is much more to living as an old person than having money.  Yes there is information out there in magazines such as AARP Magazine, on the web, on TV and even some classes for retired people offered by local education systems. But, all of this information is piece meal without any instructions of how or where to get it.

How about a one or two semester 3-unit college classes with the primary goal of teaching people in their seventies how to prepare and live in their soon approaching 80s and 90s.  Perhaps even into their 100s.  I read the other day that those born now, half will live to be 100 years or age.  Shouldn’t we have some understanding and education about the challenges we will face during our last one or two decades of life which can be argued are our most challenging?

Another reason for this type of education before we get there is because some of the preparation will require time to perform.  And, we should be warned about the consequences of life without proper preparations.

A good example is getting physically fit for old age and then remaining so as we get even older.  I think a good example of the rewards for staying physically fit is the minor injuries I suffered when I took that unprotected fall on my face on asphalt.  Certainly I could have easily broken an arm or leg if I had not been in good physical shape from my gym workouts every week.  I could even have had some brain injury if I had not been strong enough to break the fall and protect my head from sustaining a devastating blow.

I was fortunate that I began physical training shortly after I retired and I have kept it up.  No where were there courses which taught about being old where I would have learned about the benefits of physical conditioning.  Does anyone reading this article know that after age 30 we lose 1% of our muscle mass each year without proper physical exercises?

Of course there are many other challenges of being old which can be addressed by knowing about them and their proper remedies; i.e., balance, mental recall, nutrition, hydration, even types of physical entertainment, and driving a car just to name a few.  Certainly, knowledge of common old age pathologies their prevention and remedies would be most useful.  This would have been of great value to me because when I got ‘drop foot’ I would have known what to do.

Now we have loads of ads informing us of having a thing around our neck to call for help after we have fallen.  I am not discounting their value but shouldn’t we be in good enough physical condition with old age to be able to get up after we fall? 

So I conclude with the idea that at age 70 we all should be required, yes required to take a free two semester 3 unit college course on the challenges of being old.  

P.S.

The night after the day I fell, I did not sleep well as a rib hurt when I laid down in bed.  There was a position which I was able to move to which lessened the pain but it still did hurt and I did not sleep well that night.  The rib pain was not changed with breathing so I assume it was only the rib that was bruised.

The second day after the fall I awoke with both shoulders aching I am sure they absorbed much of the impact as I attempted to brace my body from the fall. But of course it could have been much worse.

5/15

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ENCLOSED

The old rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I received a small brown envelop from an insurance company in the regular mail, what is now called snail mail.  Just above the address to me in huge bold letters was the title of this essay. Also printed on it just below my name and address was the less large still in bold capital print message, ‘PLEASE OPEN IMMEDIATELY’. Well, with all of this hype, I could not resist but to sit down immediately and find out what important information I was about to receive that I needed to know immediately.

Not surprising, it was an application for me to enroll in their life insurance plan.  Included was a table of monthly premium amounts as related to the amount of the insurance policy and age of the person to be insured.  Interestingly, the table started at age bracket 45-49 issue age.  Of course the age bracket that interested me the most was the last one 80-85.  Yes, if you are 86 years old this life insurance policy is out of reach obviously because of your age.  Now is that blatant age discrimination or what?!!!!

How lucky can I be for I am still able to buy this life insurance policy.  I have always argued that the name they give to these insurance policies is not accurate.  Simply they do not insure your life, they insure your death.

Included on the page which provided the chart with premiums and age was an outline of coverage and benefits which included 11 items all in bold capital lettering and each was enticing.  Who wouldn’t take advantage of this opportunity when it was clear that enrolling included: CASH BENEFITS; AFFORABLE RATES; NO MEDICAL EXAM; YOU CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN; COVERAGE FOR YOUR SPOUSE; COVERAGE FOR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE; COVERAGE TO AGE 100; YOUR CHOICE OF FOUR (4) BENEFIT AMOUNTS; RATES NEVER INCREASE AND BENEFITS NEVER DECREASE; AND CHOOSE YOUR OWN BENEFITS; 60-DAY FREE LOOK.  Wow, what a deal and I am still eligible!

Of course what caught my eye was I could be covered until I reached the age of 100 which of course is my goal.  But, I must act soon because in a couple of years I lose this opportunity. The explanation of this benefit starts ‘simply pay your premiums on time and your policy remains in full force and effect until age 100’.  And, when you reach the century mark they will give you a cash payment equal to the amount of your policy.  Hey you don’t even have to die!  How cool is that?

The bracket which caught my eye was the biggest at $10,000.  And, why not take advantage of this really good deal with the maximum payback to me.  Well for that insurance level the monthly premiums was a mere $166 per month and I get a 60-day free look and the rates never increase nor do the benefits never decrease.  And, I cannot be turned down. 

Under outline item 2 where affordable rates are covered I am informed that these rates are as little as the cost of a cup of coffee each day.  At my age that cost of a cup of coffee will be $5.53; what a deal.

Well, understanding that I can have this coverage until I am 100 years of age and then get my $10,000 back without even dying is a real steal and this insurance company hires math wizards to come up with these affordable rates which will obviously bankrupt the company. On the other hand, how can this be such a good deal when insurance companies must be making money to stay in business and this insurance company is a big one?

So I got out my little calculator and decided to do some figuring.  Now a premium at $166 per month adds up to $1992 each year.  In five years, I pay just under $10,000.  If I live to be 100 I get back my $10,000 but I have paid $31,872!!!! Now, I haven’t calculated the interest that this money has accrued over those 16 years.  Let’s say I invested this money at 5% I would have received an additional $12,800.  Add these numbers and what appears is the hefty sum of $44,672.  The insurance company has made a hefty $34,672 using my money.

I don’t know what it is like to live to be 100.  I suppose it is quite exciting particularly if a person is in good health.  And, to receive a check from your insurance company for $10,000 a person’s excitement at that age could be over the top.  Of course, as shown above by saving and with a simple investment of that money the check would be for $44,672!  Now that sum of money is really over the top.

Now I feel pretty healthy and my geriatric physician considers me so healthy that I need to see her but once a year instead of the usual twice a year schedule of appointments. I decided to look up on the web Actuarial Life Table published by the Social Security Department.  At my age of 83, their calculations determine that I will live another 6.65 years.  But, I may well live longer for at the age of 84, I have a life expectancy of 6.21 years.  That is at my age next year my life expectancy is reduced by only 0.44 years and that reduction is less each year I live.  Even at age 100 the table shows life expectancy to still be 2.1 years. Hey, I may never die.

I suppose someone will think about the possibility of dying a couple of months after taking out this policy with a payout of $10,000.  You may not be feeling all that chipper right then.  Well looking at the small print you will not get the $10,000 until the policy has been enforce for two years except for accidents.  During those first two years if I die all I get back are the premiums I paid plus 10%.  Not bad interest rates except I have to die to collect it.

Now looking further at this two-year exemption before I can collect the $10,000, if I die during the third year of this policy I will be paid the $10,000 but over $4000 of that $10,000 is my money which I have paid as premiums so really this is a $6000 policy not the $10,000 the insurance company claims it to be - some smoke and mirrors here?

Oh sure, I read in the obituaries everyday people dying in their early 80s but considering the population in my city of 1.4 million many of which are 80 and over most of us are staying alive.

Okay I am having fun with this insurance company about their life insurance deals.  And, this insurance company is like all the others, they provide a product but at a price.  But, should they be allowed to sell this death roll of the dice at such a high cost.  And, using their terms such as cash benefits, affordable rates, and rates never increase, benefits never decrease to entice an unknowing old person.  For many people this sounds too good to be true especially if you get excited about that whopping $10,000.  But now under closer scrutiny it really isn’t that good for in fact it is not good at all.

Of course, if someone is lucky enough to collect on their life insurance policy when they have paid less than what they get, congratulations.  Oh my, the payee is not receiving this money but the beneficiary is the person who is really the lucky guy.

Well with that happy note, I close but I must remind you about the excitement in store for anyone who buys my e-book novel on Amazon. It costs only $5.99 and is full of excitement, terror, romance, and it is a mystery.   Now this is a better deal than the insurance policies I have been writing about.  And, you don’t have to die to enjoy it. Just click on the web ‘The Old Rusty Nail’ by Russ Burton.  

3/15

THE POPE’S VISIT

The Old Rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

As I write this it is October 2015 and Pope Francis has just finished visiting the U.S. Before his arrival and especially during his visit there was great concern about his safety for more people are killed with guns in this country each year than probably all the other advanced countries in the world. And, for good reason we own more guns than all the people in the world.  I have heard that there will be more protection efforts for him than any other dignitary who has visited in the past. How interesting that a man of peace needs to be so protected.

Of course he is aware of these concerns and when asked about that possibility he remarked “…at my age I don’t have much to lose...”.  A rather profound statement and only one which can be appreciated by us old people for we all understand that dying for us is part of living and is not nearly as tragic as some young person dying.  You know all of those young soldiers killed in useless wars.

I do not have any religious convictions though there are numerous religions to choose from. Still it was fun for me to watch and listen to this person for he is wise and of course a special kind of dignitary. A special dignitary indeed for he was welcomed getting off his plane by President Obama and his family. And, as the religious leader of some 350 billion people throughout the world he has considerable political power.

Some of the fun is to watch people watching the Pope as he drove through DC in his little Fiat.  He rides in this little car instead of a huge limousine because he likes to be thought of as a spokesman for the poor. And, he is and I like that…  Of course the Fiat is made in Italy next door to his country the Vatican and with its size it can be carried in his plane. I assume his little car has not been made bullet proof such as the President’s huge limousines which each weigh several tons. Of course this speaks once again to our gun insanity.

 Of course the TV is constantly covering his visit which to me became tiresome and a bit boring after a while. He addressed our Congress which had the news media and I am sure members of Congress in suspense for he said what he wanted to say and since he is a spokesman for the poor some of his speech was politically incorrect.  He noted the importance of climate change to humankind, our immigration issue, and the huge gap here between the rich and the poor who use to be called ‘middle class’.  The Republicans did not like those concerns so they were generally quite but did cheer when he talked about the Catholic stand against abortion.  Of course no Republican yelled out that he ‘lies’ like one of them did to our President.   

There is something about abortion which I too dislike for it is killing a live fetus which could have lived and become a human; perhaps President of the United States.  Who knows…  Still, I justify this act because the mother and too the father at times do not wish it to live so what kind of life would it have?  Interestingly, Republicans want the fetus to live but have no interest in its future immediately after it is born and may well need financial help.

This Pope is trying to bring the Catholic Church into the 21^st century. He has addressed to some degree several ‘sins’ which the church had embraced for centuries. These are abortion, gay marriage, and divorce.  Even though they are still considered against church rules, those who have committed these serious sins are able to seek absolution. Even though 79% of Catholic members accept these changes some ultra conservatives do not agree.

Absolution is not a new activity in the Catholic Church for a person could pay the Church a hefty sum to obtain it but it was doable. The doctrine has not changed just the money handlers in the Church.

Its fight with science over evolution was resolved in the 1990's much to my surprise when Pope Paul accepted the science of evolution by finding that it did not conflict with the teachings of the Bible. Of course resolving those conflicts with the Bible is not difficult for the word of the Bible can be meant to say most anything.

He skipped the special luncheon they had for him after his speech but chose to eat downstairs with the staff people.  Good for him…  Interestingly and quite profound visits by dignitaries usually have little to no impact after they leave.  But, the next day the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, resigned from the House.  Wow… He is a very religious Catholic and the Pope’s address got him thinking about the turmoil he has had as Speaker.  And, I saw a Republican Senator on TV denounce climate change as a hoax but then say that we need to invest more in non-carbon energy technologies.  Okay…

The Pope’s last stop was Philadelphia where he visited a prison and talked with some of the prisoners who of course were stunned.  Whether this activity will change their minds and behaviors is something to be seen in the future.

He also denounced the Bishops who hid the pedophile crimes of the clergy saying that they will be held accountable.  Once again we will see.

A couple of days after he left the United States it was revealed that he had had a conversation with Kim Davis who was the Kentucky clerk who had denied to give marriage licenses to Gay couples.  She told the press that she had a 15-minute conversation with the Pope who congratulated her on her stand supporting the Bible’s stand on Gay marriage.  The Vatican did not deny this conversation but noted that it was not a personal conversation but part of a group activity. 

Then word came out that he had a personal conversation with a long-time friend who is gay.  So, now that this has come out with photographs and lots of grinning I am relieved that he is in support of gays.  Interesting there were no photographs of the Pope with Kim Davis so her story has much less credibility

Still, I am embarrassed though that out country is so well known about our gun violence. Certainly this country has a fixation on guns. I guess about 30% of Americans own guns of some type.  Most I suppose are for hunting but there are millions of these guns called assault weapons which are made for killing people.  Why people buy these things, and they are not cheap, is fascinating and a bit scary for they shoot rounds at an amazing rate with clips which hold 30 or more bullets.  And, I am sure these shells cost a considerable sum of money.

Recently we have had many killings by people who are considered insane as if simply killing a person is not an insane act.  Those people against any kind of gun control and they are in a minority agree that crazies should not have guns but without any sensible gun controls.  Go figure…

I wish he would talk about gun control here but probably not even though it would be most appropriate considering all of the efforts and expense spent in keeping him safe.

Of course, the Pope after numerous appearances and addresses all with great fanfare gets on his plane and flies home much of what he said is clearly forgotten except of course the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives which put the GOP into some turmoil.   

9/15

TEN REASONS TO KEEP FIT AS YOU AGE

The Old Rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I ran across this article which I had forgotten I had saved a couple of months ago while I was still in Western New York State where I live during the summer.  Many times in this Blog, I have written about my summer stay there in my condo in Westfield NY on Lake Erie and attending the Chautauqua summer 9-week program.

This article which appeared in the August 21 2015 issue of the Chautauqua Star, a local newspaper, in the Health section naturally caught my eye for I have written several articles on the importance of regular physical exercises in us old people.  I liked the words in the title ‘… as you age’ used instead of the word ‘old’. Yet, it is indeed for us old people staying fit although words which indicated that this was the intended audience were few and far between.  ‘…deteriorate with age’ was used once; ‘older adults’ was used twice; and finally a reference to the ‘NIH National Institute for Aging’ suggested that the article was aimed at us old people.  Oh yes, a picture showed four relatively aged people all smiling holding up weights.

By the way, I have found the National Institute for Aging a wonderful source of information in support of us old people.  All you have to do to enjoy those benefits is bring it up on the Web and join.  It is free and immediately various topics on aging are provided to you on the Web on nearly a daily basis.

Back to the article, I found few new thoughts on this very important topic regarding the importance of physical fitness in us old people. Still its importance cannot be overstated so I will review it for my readers even though much of it I have previously written.

Like I said reference to us-aged people was rarely mentioned in this article so as is the case a good physical fitness regimen is important to adhere to during our entire lifetime.  So, like mentioned in all of these types of articles, it is never too old to start.  Of course, obtaining your physician’s permission might be in order. 

I began my physical activities at the local gym when I retired at the age of 68.  Of course, as I progressed I did indeed become stronger which became somewhat of an obsession to continue to increase my strength using heavier weights.  This desire became ridiculous when I decided I was an old person at the ripe old age of 80.  I have written previously about this metamorphosis in my aging process which did cause me to change my approach to living including working out at the gym. 

Now what is important here to note is that I only changed my approach to these exercises. Simply instead of trying to increase my strength I decided to reduce the weights I used to levels which were about half of what I had previously used and dramatically slowed the duration of each exercises rep to where I take twice as long to perform one rep.  Of course the physical work remains the same for it is a function of the duration of the exercise.  And, I think using less weight when a person gets old is an important safety factor.

This approach has been successful in maintaining my muscle mass and strength.  Of course, like this article and every other article on physical conditioning, bone density is increased or at least maintained.  Maintaining bone density is very important for us old people because among many other benefits, when we fall (and we will) we won’t break bones. It was reason number one in this article as it should be.

Reason 2 was that it keeps a person fit thus reducing the possibility of becoming disabled. Now, that makes sense.

Reason 3 noted that exercising increases metabolism thus keeping us from getting fat.  I see few old people who I would call fat.  Interestingly, in a previous article I noted in my Blog that in one study being a bit overweight was helpful in reaching the age of 90.

Reason 4 stated that exercises helped to reduce falls by improving balance and muscle strength.  The former is very important for like I have noted before, balance in us old people needs lots of help for it declines significantly as we experience advancing years.  Now, of course these exercises aimed at our balance are quite different than what I would include in working out at the gym.

 

I have an article from NIH National Institute on Aging which suggests some ten-specific exercises helpful in improving balance which can be done at home.  The two I use twice daily is standing on one leg for ten seconds ten times with as little assistance as possible such as touching the back of a chair with only one finger.  Eventually no support is necessary and then it is attempted with eyes closed.  I have not gotten that far yet. My other balance exercise is walking a straight line putting one foot in front of the other foot.  Not easy…

Reason 5 is the maintenance of flexibility.  At the gym, I work out on a machine for that purpose going through ten types of stretches. Of course just putting your shoes on and tying the laces is a form of flexibility.

Reason 6 is the social aspect of it.  You know meeting friends or going to the gym with an acquaintance.  Here I disagree for I see friends at the gym chatting for over an hour instead of lifting weights.  I do have friends there but I smile and say hi and get on with my exercises.

Reason 7 suggests that exercise is good for a person’s mood.  By that, it means that it is good for the mind, reduces depression, and improves your sense of what you can do.  I have read previously that keeping one’s mind sharp must include some form of physical exercise.  That is, just challenging the mind with mental exercises is not enough.

Reason 8, 9, and 10 were lumped together as a kind of summary which emphasized that with age comes physical deterioration of all body functions that can be greatly slowed with exercise.  The four major exercises stressed included: Endurance, Strength Training, Balance and Stretching. 

The conclusion included the following tips for success:

• ·        Schedule your exercise times as you do your daily activities.
• 
  
• ·        Start slow, increasing your physical activities when it feels right.
• 
  
• ·        Persuade a friend to workout with you for it supports motivation.  I have found this not necessary and I think in my case would not be helpful.
• 
  
• ·        Use different weights at times to prevent boredom.  I have done the same exercise regimen for nearly 16 years and I am never bored.
• 
  
• ·        Use various other physical approaches in one’s daily activities such as parking further than necessary to go to your destination. In a sense, I do that for I do not look for the nearest parking place. Take the stairs not the elevator was another suggestion.  I usually do that and I think this also helps with balance. I attempt to walk both up and down the stairs without holding on to the banister.  Of course my hand is right there just above the banister in case I begin to fall.
• 
  

Of course, the number one factor in all of this is motivation. The best example of regular physical workouts can be found in football players.  Most everyday they spend many hours in the gym working out to get stronger.  Of course that is their job which if professionals involves loads of money. 

Certainly we can find motivation enough to work out a few hours each week in order to maintain a reasonable form of quality of life! And, motivation is inspired by just doing it on a regular basis like an hour a day for four days a week.  Personally, I find that if I develop a schedule, then I can stay with it.  But, of course it takes a couple of weeks to make those exercise activities routine as it becomes part of a person’s life. 

T   There is no doubt that these exercises take physical effort and sitting in an easy chair in the living either reading a good book or watching TV is a lot easier.  But, when you do that you are acting like a sissy and being old is not for sissies.  

I     If you insist on reading a good book, I suggest my e-book “Mary’ a thrilling horror adventure.  But to find it on Amazon you must include my name Russell Burton. It costs $5.99, a reasonable price for such a great story.

10/15

KNOWING HOW TO DO IT…

The Old Rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I just finished having installed new granite countertops in my kitchen.  In the process the plumbing had to be disconnected from the old countertops.  Of course this meant that when the next countertops were in place the plumbing had to be reconnected. 

Now this activity did not appear to be much of a challenge for me because I know a considerable amount about plumbing in fact I installed the existing plumbing.  Oh I forgot, I installed those fixtures about ten years ago when I was a young 72.

Well disconnecting the plumbing from the old countertops was not that difficult ten years ago.  You know getting down on my knees and then lying face up with my head under the sink. Now that has become much less easy at my age of 82.  Still throwing caution to the wind, I was able to disconnect the PVC plumbing from the garbage disposal and the other sink drain.  Of course the water lines which would be reused for the new faucets were disconnected to find one leaked so that had to be replaced.

 So, off to the Home Depot to get a new cut off valve where I was told you might need a new compression attachment which meant cutting off the old one from the copper tubing.  Nothing ain’t easy but the new valve did not leak and without all of that major surgery I had what was to become the easiest part of this job.

The countertop guys arrived asking if the stuff was disconnected.  A resounding ‘YES’ put smiles on their faces for I guess sometimes they have to wait while the work is done.  And, like all capitalists say ‘time is money’.  And, these guys work for a no none sense entrepreneur which of course is a small business capitalist who does and must watch every penny. I know for I was one once.

It wasn’t long and they had ripped out the old countertops laying bare the collapsed plumbing.  I had to add a couple of wooden support wall boards for the new tops but that was not difficult because I didn’t have to get back down on my hands and knees.

The next day the owner arrived to measure for the new countertop template. Of course this activity is a very important step in the process of building a countertop out of

3 inch - thick granite which is going to fit.  Especially critical is the opening for the double stainless steel sink.

I had elected to use my old sink as a new one would cost me $200.  Now that does not sound like much when the new tops cost about $4000 but you know every penny or rather every two-hundred dollars count.  I should not have been surprised when he said these old sinks will not work.

I frowned when I asked “Why not?”  Well he explained that the granite will be much thicker than the old countertop. So instead of the sink lip sitting on top of the counter top it would have to be placed and attached under the top.  And my old sink was not designed for that kind of installation. After a one-sided discussion it was agreed that I will buy a new sink – one of course which can be attached under the granite. 

So, there goes my $200 down the drain ‘no pun intended’.  After he left I had to go ‘online’ to their specified supplier to pick out the sink I wanted.  This e-stuff always worries me for many times I fail but this time it did work and I picked out the double sink which I wanted.  Well, I didn’t really want it but I had to have it. The new sink like the old is a deep one with a larger sink on the left.  Not much different than my old one which I liked so I was pleased at my selection.

In four days as promised the owner and his crew of two husky men arrived unannounced at 8:30 in the morning with the new granite countertop and sink.  They liked my support wood work which made me proud.  So, they began with the owner measuring, etc. to be sure it would fit.  I asked for the sinks to be taken out of the truck so that I could install the drains before they were put in place.  

Now this idea allowed me to simply attach the plumbing to the new drains without having to do so standing on my head under the sink.  A very clever ploy, I must admit. After about an hour he, the owner said goodbye that the tops fit perfectly and his crew would finish the job.

Early afternoon they left with some instructions on what I had to do like put in place a couple of screws to the dishwasher and of course seal the granite with some liquid I could get at Home Depot.  So, down to my Home Depot I drove and bought a small can of the stuff for $22! 

After carefully applying the liquid as noted on the label, I proceeded to work the plumbing.  I was confident that I could get this done in an hour or so, but I first had to wait while the glue which held the sink in place had dried.  So as instructed after twenty-four hours, the next afternoon I began to replace the plumbing.

First was the garbage disposal which is a large one and very heavy and cumbersome.  Cumbersome because this all takes place on my back looking upward trying to juggle the heavy thing in place so the metal ring can be slid into the sink drain. I had a friend over to help with this installation for it is a two person job.  The idea of course is that I lift and the other person slips the ring into place.

Well this was much easier said than done for it is a very heavy and large garbage disposal. In fact, it was so heavy that lying on my back I could not lift it into place.  I was able to get it on top of a plastic cake cover so that it was within one inch of the drain.  We pried it up the rest of the way with wooden stakes.  But, it had to fit just right or the circular metal lever would not do its job.  With the wooden stakes it was levered into place and it fit!  The circular lever was pushed into place and the garbage disposal was attached to the sink!

Like my Christian helper screamed, “Halleluiah, it’s a miracle”.  I will argue that it was not a miracle but hard work with some luck.  I guess some people will argue that it was not luck but God’s will.  Whatever…

After some consternation the facets were in place and fastened to the counter top.  I was tired and my friend had to get home to care for her dog.  Still I was pleased with our progress and looking forward to an hour of work the next day connecting the PVC pipe to the tub drains.  What could go wrong?  I had detached them in a few minutes so reattaching them would not take that much longer.  Right?  No, Wrong!

Of course it would take longer because I had new sinks with drains located differently to each other.  Simply the PVC pipes and P-trap would not fit the new drain locations.  I knew I could make it fit but it would take a great deal of time and several trips to my Home Depot.  Now I understand why professional plumbers come to the job with a big truck full of plumbing fixtures, PVC pipe, and lots of tools. 

By six thirty that evening I had finally bought and cut the needed plumbing supplies so I was able to attach it all to the two drains.  It fit and didn’t leak nor did the water lines to the faucets leak. Very tired and frustrated I had a drink, light dinner and went to bed more tired than I had been in a long time.

The next morning with my aching body all I had to do to complete the job was to put liquid soap into the container I had fitted to the counter top.  But, the pump did not work!  I tried everything but still I could not get soap to come out of the small tube sticking out of the metal pump head.  Very frustrated, I phoned the faucet company for help.  The answer was “Oh they don’t work sometimes, so we will send you a new better one and without charge.”  Wow how lucky can I be.

My point of course is these kinds of home jobs always take more time and effort than planned.  But, with age my frustrations grow much more rapidly and so do the aches and pains.  I can not count the numbers of times I got up and down with great caution holding on to the edge of the counter top to help me stand. 

Yes, I knew how to do it but the time is coming when that will not be enough.  I will not be physically able to do it anymore.  Simply, I will need to hire someone to do something which I know how to do.  That time will be very difficult for me to accept.  But, I know that day is coming.

4/14

BIOLOGICAL VS CHRONOLOGICAL AGE

The old rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I ran across a news article the other day noting that biological age may have something to do with a longer-life span.  Many articles ago in this blog I wrote about the importance of biological age as a better measure of age than simply ‘years of age’.  Certainly, we see people of the same age who look much older or younger than their real age and I suspect that their looks are a good indicator of their biological age. Interestingly, we always compliment a person on how young they look, never how much older a person looks than their chronological age. I guess this is an intuitive sign that aging is not a good thing.

In this regard, age is welcomed at a young age but not so when we get older. In my late teens I would use a fake ID which showed me to be older to get into a bar to buy a drink or a pack of cigarettes. Now, when someone tells me that I do not look like I am 83 well 83 and a half, I smile for I take it is as a complement.  And, I let them know that I not just 83 but I am getting closer to 84!

When I was a young boy I was always pleased to be considered older than my chronological age older because I was small for my age until I was 15 years old and I wanted to be a young man. Like now, I was not just 6, I was 6 and a half. You know more like a man.

Now, this news article mentions ‘looks’ as a criterion of biological aging but then sites a couple of university studies one which seriously measured this type of aging using several physiologic, physical and anatomic parameters plus cognition.  One-thousand subjects were involved in one of these studies with surprising results. When the group reached 38 years of age their biological ages ranged from 30 to nearly 60 years.  What is meant by ‘nearly 60’ was not explained.

Of particular interest to me were those physical activities which I have not found to be somewhat challenging in my 80s were showing up already in some of those subjects who were only 38 years of age! These were called ‘basic tasks’ such as climbing stairs and carrying groceries. I would assume that their balance had also deteriorated some which I find at times difficult for me to handle.

Now the study found that cognition was negatively affected in those people who had aged more rapidly which was assumed to be a normal result of aging.  I certainly disagree with that assumption as I have noted in previous blogs. Of course, I agree with some of their other findings for I am experiencing them in my aging process but not any loss of cognition.  In regard to physical aging, I recently read of a woman who is 90 having just completed a marathon race. I suppose she thinks that physical problems are not a natural aging process. Of course, she will eventually have these physical problems but at a much older age.

This article concludes by suggesting that previous studies on aging had used older people beginning with the age of 50 whereas this aging process begins at a much younger age.  I agree with that assumption but then it was suggested that by determining a faster aging process in younger people that would allow for ‘…prevention of age-related diseases, opening a new door for anti aging therapies’.  Unfortunately, no anti aging therapies were identified. Of course, this aspect had to be considered for the writers to show somehow that their findings could affect life span.

The conclusion also suggested that by determining the biological age of an individual their level of health would be measured with a single number. This number might be used to assess the health of a community.  I don’t believe that this idea will catch on.  You know having a 38 year old woman accept her age as 60. 

Certainly applying anti aging therapies at a younger age would make them more effective but what exactly are these therapies?  I would guess that one of them includes ‘working out’ at a gym.  I do that which I have written about previously and I think it has helped me physically and my muscle mass has remained pretty much intact. My chest muscles, you know my ‘pecks’ are still visible.

Besides lifting weights I do my stretching exercise which I find helpful in putting on my socks and shoes. Twice a week at the gym, I get on the stationary bike and pedal for 30 minutes as my aerobic exercise.  It lets me know that I have just pedaled over 5 miles which of course is a lie for I have not moved one inch.

As I mentioned balance is a problem which I find at times troubling and it seems to be progressing more rapidly than I expected.  I understand that this malady is because the sensory aspects of the soles of my feet are wearing out. I do agree with that take on it for I find wearing thin sole shoes helps me with balance.  And, walking on a hard surface allows me more freedom of balance than walking on a thick carpet.

Now, I do have more difficulty going on walks than I did a few years ago and with some pain especially in my hip area.  This pain is annoying but not debilitating.  Still, pain makes walking less fun so I do it less often and for shorter distances.  So, it is important to challenge these aging problems with more walking such as parking further away from the grocery store entrance. Of course, this is not natural for most everyone tries to park as close as possible. Even parking at the gym finds most cars as close as possible to the front door.  How strange…

I am now, for the summer of 2015 living in my condo on Lake Erie in Western New York where I attend the summer session of the Chautauqua program.  This activity requires considerable walking which is good for me. I suppose each day I go there I walk about 2 miles.  Now sometimes I catch a bus from the parking lot to the Grounds which shortens my walk by half.  I use to wave the bus driver off when he stopped to pick me up but sometimes if I am hurting I accept the ride. When I do this I remember my uncle who would visit me here a few years ago.  He is ten years older than I. After a few yearly visits he declined my invitation noting that he was holding me back in our walks from the parking lot. Of course, in reality the walk hurt him too much. I did not understand then but I do now.

The science I reported on was not as informative as I would have liked it to be for I wanted to learn more about this biological aspects of this aging process I am now experiencing.  You know, let me in on some secrets on how I can do it better. Regarding the faster biological aging process nothing was noted regarding aging habits which we all know affects aging such as smoking tobacco. It is well known that smoking causes a drying of the skin which results in more wrinkles especially on the face. And, exposure of skin to the sun can cause more wrinkling.

The study cited did not mentioned if it had controlled for these things nor did it get into sleep and work habits all of which I think would have some effect on aging.  And, what about nutrition although I think diet is over played in aging; you know paying more for ‘organic foods’.

As a scientist I would have thought this study would have controlled for some of these parameters. So, this study really raised more questions than answers. In that regard, I was disappointed in it but it did reinforce my thoughts on this subject for I am sure we all have been shocked how old someone appeared when we hadn’t seen that person for a few years.  And, how little some people have aged; you know, ‘You haven’t aged a day since I saw you last!’

On the other hand, we never say even though we think ‘Oh my god how old you look what happened? Have you been sick or something?” You know looking old suggests that being sick had something to do with it. Yep, people do not want to look older that they are except when they were young kids wanting to grow up to be more like dad and mom.

8/15

LONG TRIPS ARE TIRING FOR OLD PEOPLE

The old rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I just returned from a two-week trip from my home in San Antonio, Texas to several locations on the West Coast.  It was not a difficult trip.  By that I mean, things went pretty much as planned and I do plan well.

My plans are well thought out and make loads of sense.  That is I do not put a lot of activities into short periods of time as I use to do.  And, when it comes to driving each day I make sure that I have made motel reservations so that I am compelled to stop when I reach that motel.

Not many years ago when I got into my car to begin a long trip, I would drive for many hours, usually until it got dark and I would start fairly early in the morning.  That is I would drive for twelve hours or more each day.  It would not be uncommon for me to drive 800 miles or more in one day.  To make things even more tiring I would stop infrequently at rest stops and would take along snacks, fruit, and nuts for my lunch.  That is I would not stop for lunch.

Well, I don’t do that anymore.  In fact I try not to drive more than seven hours with at least an hour break for lunch.  And, yes I stop at most rest areas. So, in order for me to accomplish such an easy trip, I make reservations at motels for those six-seven hour driving days.

Even so, after a couple of weeks of traveling with two time zones thrown in when I got home, I was not at the top of my game.  I slept okay, but I was not ready to expend much work and effort for several days.  For instance, I did not get right back into the gym training thing for a few days.  I just didn’t feel that ambitious yet I was not particularly tired. 

As the days pass, I always begin to want to do some things so I know I am getting back to what I will call ‘normal’.  Well normal for someone in his 80s.  Certainly normal for me now is not what normal use to be like when I was much younger.

Years ago, upon my return from a long trip frequently from overseas with several time zones thrown in I would immediately get right back to work doing things unfinished when I left.  But, not anymore!  And, it takes me a while to understand what is going on.  Oh, yes I just returned from a trip and I am not up to my usual par.  This has happened to me several times before of course.  It usually takes about two weeks to get back to my normal activities.

This trip was a first for me in which I used my newly purchased Magellan Road Mate.  I have a friend who uses a Garmin and really enjoys it.  He has used it a few times with me driving and it worked well.  Was not the shortest way to get to where we wanted to go but it did work.

So, when I had an opportunity to buy something like it on sale for less than $100, why not?  I used it in my home area to get used to it so I was ready to give it a whirl on this trip.  I was so certain that it would work I didn’t take a road map with me!  Well that was dumb.

What I am noting here is that my first experience was not a good one, for it failed on the first day to take me to where I had directed it to go.  Fortunately, I was going to a friend’s house so I phoned him for directions.  He told me that yes the Magellan does not work for his address.  He had phoned them about the problem but they never fixed it.  And too, it directed me a very long distance to his house before it quit.  And, it just quit without any warning.  The woman’s voice didn’t say goodbye or that she was lost.  It just quit!

With that uneasy beginning I proceeded on the remaining parts of my trip still relying on my Road Mate. As I got more experience with it, I found it to be useful.  Still, it took me on routes to places which might have been the shortest but was certainly not the simplest.  So, will I trust it and not take a simple road map anymore?  No!!!

My trip took me to my 1956 Veterinary Class Reunion in Palm Springs.  Yes, my 1956 graduation – some 58 years ago! Rejoining my old classmates is always an interesting experience.  I note interesting because it has both ups and downs.  The ‘up’ of course is seeing my fellow surviving classmates each year who can make the trip.  I suppose about half of those surviving can not travel anymore and hearing about there poor health is really a downer.

This year one classmate who attended had Stage-4 lung cancer, so this will be his last trip.  Even though he was in some pain he insisted on attending one last time. 

Interestingly, he was the first person I met when I arrived at college as a pre-veterinary major.  He was a World War II veteran and like me was trying to get into veterinary school.  I lost track of him until the first day of veterinary school and there he was a freshman just like me.

I wonder if I was in pain and about to die if I would want to come to our annual reunion.  I guess I would.

Our class was an interesting one as about half were WW II veterans, so they were a few years older.  Obviously most of those attending the reunion are the younger classmates such as me.  This year only six of us made it.  That is not very many when we had 52 graduates. More were supposed to come this year but old-aged heath raised its ugly head which at the last minute made them cancel their trips.

My classmate who hosted us this year became frustrated as he had hoped for more of us to attend.  And at the start of his planning he received many yes’s so he was very excited.  Then the cancellations started coming in and of course that troubled him.  So, next year we plan to take a 3-day cruise.  No planning will be involved.  Those attending will just buy their tickets and we all meet on the deck. 

Maybe I will attend next year.  I hope so but one never knows.

Don’t forget to buy my novel ‘Mary’ on Amazon for $5.99.  Yes, ‘Mary’ by Russell Burton.  It is a mystery with adventure and at the end much terror.  A great read!!!!

As always I can be reached at burton.russell@att.net  But please write in the title ‘The Old Rusty Nail’ or it will be deleted. That is I don’t click on any emails unless I know the name of the writer.

THE LOST ART OF PENMANSHIP

The old rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I received handwritten thank you cards the other day from my two grandchildren.  Their penmanship, if it can be called that, was horrible and consequently I could not read some of it.  One started the note with a crude form of cursive which gradually transformed into printing.  The other was entirely printed.  Now the person who tried handwriting was 14 years old and a freshman in high school getting very good grades.

I mentioned this to a friend the other day and she told me that her son who is an attorney only prints.  And, then I was reminded about a TV cable repairman who wrote down on a piece of paper some things I wanted him to relate to his supervisor and he too printed.

So, what is going on?  Well, to begin with cursive is not taught in school anymore.  How sad but true.  I remember especially my eighth grade practicing cursive with all of those perfect written letters, both little and capital, in a huge size posted on the walls above the blackboards. Oh how we tried to duplicate those examples of perfect cursive but of course none of us were ever able to write like that.  Still, at lease we wrote so that someone could read it.

The letters that we tried to duplicate were beautiful and what could be called perfect.  At that time, I understood that a certain woman wrote those letters and that was what she did for a living.  Now, I think making cursive a profession is a bit extreme but it still should be taught in school!

And, speaking of reading it a friend of mine told me that one of her grandchildren can not read cursive – only printing.  That made me think maybe my grandchildren will not be able to read my short notes which I wrote in cursive and sent back by regular postage (you know snail mail) to each of them.  I guess I should have printed or written the notes on my computer and sent them email.  But, to me receiving an email is not nearly as friendly or caring as getting some hand-written note.

Okay, my handwriting is not what it use to be.  My signature is in the form of a few bumps and squiggles that can’t be read but interestingly it makes my documents legal and that can only be accomplished with my handwriting.  Yes, it is possible to e-cursive but it is still some form of handwriting.

So, apparently cursive is going the way of the Dodo bird and I think that is too bad for many reasons. The most important one is that only humans can write in this wonderful flowing manner that relates information to other humans. Another reason is that the printing I have seen is not neat and hard to read for it is a mixture of small and capital letters.  Another reason is it takes so much more time to print than to write in handwriting.  

Of course the computer and other e-things are the reason for this loss of hand writing ability as texting becomes a primary mode of communication which is the new form of writing. And, oh how rapidly these young people can text on that little key board – some with fat fingers.  I must admit it is a remarkable skill, but somehow does not compare with cursive.  I can imagine some poor lost soul not being able to write a simple message in huge letters to ask for help to some overhead plane trying to rescue that person. Okay, they would print it.

But of course the computer does offer a form of printing which is perfect and rapidly performed, especially if one learns touch typing.  I guess touch typing is still taught in schools, but I see kids texting ‘hunt and peck’ and not even using complete sentences with many ‘misspelled’ words like ‘u’ for ‘you’.  Okay so they are not misspelled only shortened using some form of short hand.

Speaking of short hand, I remember when I was attending school in the winter in South Dakota between the second and fourth grades, my folks paid to have me go across the street to someone’s home and eat a hot lunch.  They had a teenage daughter who was constantly practicing a form of written short hand.  She was attempting to make each letter exactly like the one in the book.  I think she was practicing for a contest.  I am not sure they teach written shorthand anymore.  Probably not….

What is amusing to me is that some computer software is available that prints words in cursive style.  Now, I wonder why they would write such software when people are not interested in writing it themselves anymore and I assume not interested or capable of reading it anymore.

I know I have fallen way behind on all of this e-stuff probably like most old people. I guess some of it I should have tried harder to understand but learning how to misspell words and write incomplete sentences is something I just won’t do.

I just finished reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin which brought back memories of reading the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.  Of course both of these wonderful manuscripts were written in beautiful cursive by men who were just writing
English and not professional penmen.  I assume today if any group of people had the ability to write such profound words of wisdom and agree on them (which I doubt with our present political system) they would be produced on a computer using ‘Word’ or on an Apple.  To me there is something about that which is just plain wrong.

Thinking back more than two hundred years ago, about what a person who lived then would think of life now if they could be made to live again.   In particular, Benjamin Franklin who was a brilliant person with his marvelous intellect and interest in new inventions. I think he would fit right into our present high-tech world.

I guess I’m no Benjamin Franklin.