In the not-too-distant future I will be facing retirement from a job "in town." I literally live in the woods (in Maine). The depressing isolation that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic showed me that I do not want to merely be at home for the rest of my life. I will be seeking out ways to stay in touch - in person - with real humans. Not sure what I will find or do to help me meet my need for humanity - but I hope that trips to New York City are involved in those plans. The last trip my husband and I took just weeks before the shut down was a trip to NYC and the memory of those days has mentally carried me through the last few years. We walked our feet off - spent a day just being in Central Park - I saw the castle and the obelisk for the first time. We spent a good chunk of time just people watching. I love your now home - having grown up an hour's commute from it. And I too know that New York City folk are actually pretty wonderful. As a teen I once fell while crossing a busy NYC street, and people instantly came to help me up and made sure I was ok. So I especially loved your column this morning. Thank you.
Central Park is a good place to go to observe humanity. The runners, the strollers, the dog playground, the apartment kids tearing around, the cellist sitting in the meadow playing Bach, the weddings, the chatter in passing.
At age 55, I also, plucked myself (with the furry beloveds) out of the woods.
After 16 years, without any sunrises/sets (due to the tree height/coverage) that was enough to come to the realization that only wildlife belongs inside forests.
Only after my first year there, was I able to acclimate my breathing to the constant humidity. As a 13 mile-per-day runner, I'd suddenly needed an inhaler. Now, as a city dweller, my breaths are no longer difficult.
These few things were not considered upon heading into their habitat. Cute, little, isolated log homes are not for long-term residencies, and mental health.
Protein builds up on posterior capsule where artificial lens has been inserted. This causes blurry vision. Laser apparently destroys or knocks this protein off the capsule. This happens in about 20% of people who have cataract surgery.
Lovely, wise column today. I would add that people are glued to their screens because they are isolated and lonely. Get out, make small talk, smile at infants, pet the cat. Enjoy this precious life. ❤️
When I go to the VA for my semi-annual checkup, knowing that the person drawing my blood sample is not an automon, I ask: aI usually ask: "How many of these do you draw a day?" The answer is usually, "Oh, about 50."
I always talk to the blood-drawers, too. The one I used to go to 15-25 years ago turned out to be the same age as I was and her mother was dying of cancer at the same time mine was. One year later, both of our mothers had died. A year after that, both of our fathers were dying of cancer, and the following year when I had blood drawn, both of them had died. She retired at about the same as I did, and my PCP retired soon after that, so I had to start over with a new (young woman PCP) and a new. younger phlebotomist, too.
I go to yoga because I need to move and there are young people there. My husband and I go to the north Maine woods because he likes to fish and I like to swim and there are republicans there. I don't like what they do or say but I consider it exposure therapy. I get around our small city on a moped because it makes me feel free. I choose to feel young -- somedays it works.
PS I’m an ocean swimmer in Vancouver and todays column resonates with me because it speaks of needing to be amidst other people. I know ocean swimming sounds solitary but it’s a great comfort to be surrounded - or at least in reasonable proximity - to other enthusiasts for sloshing around in pea-soup coloured water, but the real draw is the hot tup therapy of talking story with people I’d never otherwise meet and sharing our common humanity.
And, PSS, I didn’t feel like getting up to drive across town to swim today, but reading how isolation is the enemy got me going again. Thanks, Garruson, for the motivation!
It's been shown that isolation can shorten your life. I like a little quiet time but I do enjoy the company of younger people it just makes me feel younger and more alive. Everything in moderation. I love the limerick but more importantly I'm glad the doctor was help to improve your eye sight.
I sometimes start conversations while waiting in line in stores. Recently I was at a help desk at a supermarket and an older lady was buying lots of different types of lottery scratch tickets. I was a little bit annoyed because I was in a hurry, but when she finished I said, "Good luck - my brother won $1,000,000 from a scratch ticket last year." She had a look of shock on her face, so I told her that once all the state and Federal taxes were taken out, he only got $410,000. I was afraid that I might have been a bad influence on her since she might be more inclined to throw more money away on lottery tickets. I have never bought one, but I have gotten some as gifts and won $10 from them a few times.
At the Mayo Clinic myself today for a followup look at whether the non-malignant little tumor in my head is still not growing. Mostly just affects my hearing on one side. I’ll watch for some sweet encounters today with care givers and this wildly diverse humanity who come here. Curiosity, sociability and humor are fine companions for my life as an 80-year old.
gosh, i love you! xx's
Just so, Mr Keillor.
In the not-too-distant future I will be facing retirement from a job "in town." I literally live in the woods (in Maine). The depressing isolation that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic showed me that I do not want to merely be at home for the rest of my life. I will be seeking out ways to stay in touch - in person - with real humans. Not sure what I will find or do to help me meet my need for humanity - but I hope that trips to New York City are involved in those plans. The last trip my husband and I took just weeks before the shut down was a trip to NYC and the memory of those days has mentally carried me through the last few years. We walked our feet off - spent a day just being in Central Park - I saw the castle and the obelisk for the first time. We spent a good chunk of time just people watching. I love your now home - having grown up an hour's commute from it. And I too know that New York City folk are actually pretty wonderful. As a teen I once fell while crossing a busy NYC street, and people instantly came to help me up and made sure I was ok. So I especially loved your column this morning. Thank you.
Central Park is a good place to go to observe humanity. The runners, the strollers, the dog playground, the apartment kids tearing around, the cellist sitting in the meadow playing Bach, the weddings, the chatter in passing.
Last time I went to Central Park, a guy was playing the guitar and singing "Strawberry Fields Forever." It doesn't get any better than that.
The sneaky artisan porking his wares for $20, only to later discover it was Banksy.
Volunteer if you can at a food pantry or at one of your local schools. Get involved with the young they will make you feel young too,
Good day, to you, Debbie.
At age 55, I also, plucked myself (with the furry beloveds) out of the woods.
After 16 years, without any sunrises/sets (due to the tree height/coverage) that was enough to come to the realization that only wildlife belongs inside forests.
Only after my first year there, was I able to acclimate my breathing to the constant humidity. As a 13 mile-per-day runner, I'd suddenly needed an inhaler. Now, as a city dweller, my breaths are no longer difficult.
These few things were not considered upon heading into their habitat. Cute, little, isolated log homes are not for long-term residencies, and mental health.
What was the diagnosis for that blurry vision, and how did laser surgery treat it?
It's a simple procedure, often used after cataract surgery, to clarify vision, and I don't have the terminology but for me it was a miracle.
Protein builds up on posterior capsule where artificial lens has been inserted. This causes blurry vision. Laser apparently destroys or knocks this protein off the capsule. This happens in about 20% of people who have cataract surgery.
Lovely, wise column today. I would add that people are glued to their screens because they are isolated and lonely. Get out, make small talk, smile at infants, pet the cat. Enjoy this precious life. ❤️
Today’s column was delightful!
When I go to the VA for my semi-annual checkup, knowing that the person drawing my blood sample is not an automon, I ask: aI usually ask: "How many of these do you draw a day?" The answer is usually, "Oh, about 50."
I always talk to the blood-drawers, too. The one I used to go to 15-25 years ago turned out to be the same age as I was and her mother was dying of cancer at the same time mine was. One year later, both of our mothers had died. A year after that, both of our fathers were dying of cancer, and the following year when I had blood drawn, both of them had died. She retired at about the same as I did, and my PCP retired soon after that, so I had to start over with a new (young woman PCP) and a new. younger phlebotomist, too.
Thank you for those lovely words. I should read them every morning. If I do, I’d never get depressed.🌈🙏🌸
I go to yoga because I need to move and there are young people there. My husband and I go to the north Maine woods because he likes to fish and I like to swim and there are republicans there. I don't like what they do or say but I consider it exposure therapy. I get around our small city on a moped because it makes me feel free. I choose to feel young -- somedays it works.
Bless you. Have a great summer. Good to hear from someone who has a song written about her.
PS I’m an ocean swimmer in Vancouver and todays column resonates with me because it speaks of needing to be amidst other people. I know ocean swimming sounds solitary but it’s a great comfort to be surrounded - or at least in reasonable proximity - to other enthusiasts for sloshing around in pea-soup coloured water, but the real draw is the hot tup therapy of talking story with people I’d never otherwise meet and sharing our common humanity.
And, PSS, I didn’t feel like getting up to drive across town to swim today, but reading how isolation is the enemy got me going again. Thanks, Garruson, for the motivation!
It's been shown that isolation can shorten your life. I like a little quiet time but I do enjoy the company of younger people it just makes me feel younger and more alive. Everything in moderation. I love the limerick but more importantly I'm glad the doctor was help to improve your eye sight.
I sometimes start conversations while waiting in line in stores. Recently I was at a help desk at a supermarket and an older lady was buying lots of different types of lottery scratch tickets. I was a little bit annoyed because I was in a hurry, but when she finished I said, "Good luck - my brother won $1,000,000 from a scratch ticket last year." She had a look of shock on her face, so I told her that once all the state and Federal taxes were taken out, he only got $410,000. I was afraid that I might have been a bad influence on her since she might be more inclined to throw more money away on lottery tickets. I have never bought one, but I have gotten some as gifts and won $10 from them a few times.
Maybe next time you'll say, "Good luck -- my brother won $410,000 from a scratch ticket last year."
I wanted to be realistic and let her to know that the number that shows up on the ticket is a lot more than you actually get!
At the Mayo Clinic myself today for a followup look at whether the non-malignant little tumor in my head is still not growing. Mostly just affects my hearing on one side. I’ll watch for some sweet encounters today with care givers and this wildly diverse humanity who come here. Curiosity, sociability and humor are fine companions for my life as an 80-year old.
Putting on my walking shoes; Goodbye blues; The Frump will be indicted; Hello world; I’m so excited!
A most welcome moment of optimism!