For over 60 DUers ,or those feeling it is passing you by

[JitterbugPerfume]

at any age.
What do you do to keep your mind active ? Sometimes I feel like my brain is rotting as we speak.

What do you do to fight off the grim reaper?

[femmocrat]

1. Unfortunately, I still have to work!

I refuse to get brain-rot, though. I read a lot, do crossword puzzles, exercise (but not enough), and keep up on current events.

I have a friend in her late 70s who is really sharp. She works for political campaigns, keeps well informed, writes LTTE, calls talk radio stations, and is always calling or writing her representatives about important issues. She also works part-time!

I will never, ever go to bingo or sit on a park bench all day! Keeping active is the key to longevity.

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. bingo? Bah!

I try to exercise (mostly gardening) watch my diet , although I need to lose weight, and read . Taking classes is a good way to keep in the flow of things too.

I have just been feeling vulnerable since my younger sister who did all of the right things had a stroke

[femmocrat]

5. Sorry about your sister, Jitterbug.

:hug:

[JitterbugPerfume]

8. thanks femmocrat

Her stroke kind of gave us ( my other sisters and me) a reality check . Vi was the one who was always wanting us to try new things and go to new places . She will be ok , she is only 62 and determined to be well again.

We were in the habit of having two sister days a year , no matter where we lived , or whatever else was going on . We are all but the youngest over 60 but we just never considered that anything could happen to any of us because afrer all we are tough old broads from good strong KY stock .

[RebelOne]

27. I'm 70 and still working full time.

I don't know what I'd do even if I did ever retire. I would be bored silly.

[old mark]

3. I have been a musician since age 13 or so, and I play guitar every day

as the mood strikes me. Our living room has 4 guitars and a bass in it, a Stratocaster, a telecaster, an SG and a Yamaha acoustic, plus a Hoffner bass copy. I also have an art studio upstairs - I paint make sculptures and odd items. I also sell stuff online - old books and collectable stuff and a few good antiques that I bought over the last 10 years just for that purpose. I don't feel like anything is passing me by that I'll miss. I could have happily spent my entire life doing what I am doing now, and I hope to be able to keep going for a few more decades at least..
My main problem is that I spend too much time on this bullshit website.

mark

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. your life sounds fascinating mark!

I have seriously thought about learning a new instrument.

I spend way to much time here too

[old mark]

25. JP:, my dad learned piano when he was 70. Never played any instrument,

took a course offered in a local newspaper, became an Elton John fan, and can read music and play pretty well - (he does not practice enough.)

The world is out there and you can do anything.

mark

[JitterbugPerfume]

28. That is really admirable mark!

My ex sold my piano :-( but that is water under the bridge

another thing that keeps us young is giving up our grudges, hurt feelings and not dwelling on the things that makes us sad

[old mark]

30. JB Casio and Yamaha make very good electric keyboards that

are very reasonable and there are a lot uf used ones for a few hundred dollars.

mark

[knowbody0]

6. I just turned 61

and I've never been more happy and at peace. Stuff just makes sense now that used to drive me into la la land. Reading, and volunteering here and there. I actually look up at the sky and think that if this is all that there is, I would not mind at all just being air.

my advice: stay in the present, cause no harm.

[JitterbugPerfume]

7. Good advice

I am 68 and I am so far behind in my reading that I will have to live as long as my dad did (95) just to catch up

[In_The_Wind]

9. I'm starting over at 60.

My brain is on hyper-drive at the moment learning and thinking of ways to make the business a success.

The grim reaper is gonna have to move PDQ double time to catch me anytime soon.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8794535&mesg_id=8794535

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8794535&mesg_id=8794619

[JitterbugPerfume]

10. sounds like fun!

[In_The_Wind]

22. It has been fun.

[handmade34]

12. good luck!

[In_The_Wind]

23. Thanks

[handmade34]

11. appropriate question...

I take 6 credits every semester online (Business Law and Nutrition now - Access and Marketing next), walk a few miles everyday, call and write congresspeople everyday, puzzles and games, laugh a lot, eat healthy non-processed food... and it's taking all that and I still struggle...

[JitterbugPerfume]

17. I buy CDs and DVDs from

The Teaching Co . I am now doing My Friendly Universe with lecturer Neil DeGrasse Tyson. They aren't for credit but they sure are mind expanding especially if it is subject new to me. I find that I need to keep trying new things or I just get in a rut!

[shanti]

13. well

i'm 53 and just starting to have some major physical ailments. it's hard when you can't EAT like you used to:( time for a major lifestyle adjustment...

[JitterbugPerfume]

18. my diet would not even recognise

my diet from 20 yr ago! I have given up processed food and eat only tiny amounts of meat with lots of fresh fruit, fish and veggies . Fighting the extra weight gain which I know contributes to
the physical aches and pains is a REAL pain

[Kingofalldems]

14. Daily crossword puzzle

[JitterbugPerfume]

19. I did so many puzzles

that I can't face another one

[Adsos Letter]

15. Read; every day, mostly History...and keep pursuing an advanced degree...

Walk. Go places with my 19 year old daughter (sometimes) and talk to her daily (almost), for perspective.

Argue with the radio talkshows (KGO, AM, San Francisco) and occasionally call in to do so in person.

Photography; nothing special, or skilled, just getting out and looking for things, making the senses work.

I am 53 but am fighting "early-onset" passing me by... :D

[JitterbugPerfume]

20. you have to fight that demon daily!

If I didn't have books (around 350 at last count) I would probably be bat shit crazy by now .

I live alone with my three cats and there is no one here to monitor my sanity , or lack thereof LOL

[triguy46]

16. 1. Sudoku; 2. Exercise; 3. Red, red wine. 4. Zoloft

[JitterbugPerfume]

21. sounds like a plan

especially that red red wine!

[Tobin S.]

24. I'm 36, but I felt that way for a while

I think some of that has to do with the fact that I'm single and I don't have any children. Most people my age have at least one of those things in their life that keeps them engaged. I just settled into a pattern and a daily routine that didn't require me to think a whole lot or be engaged.

Lately, I've decided to change that. I've been looking for a mate for a while, and while I've not been successful in finding someone to share my life with, I've at least gone out on a few dates that have shaken up my routine and introduced something new into my life. I also read a lot more than I used to. I've decided to keep my body in the best shape I can through diet and exercise and I've made a lot of progress. I started a couple of hobbies: coin collecting and learning to play the guitar. And this one might not sound all that healthy, but I think it is: I've spent some money on myself. New clothes (I needed them anyway), new TV, new computer, new car stereo. I was a tightwad there for a long time and while it got me out of debt and improved my credit score, I wasn't doing a whole lot of fun stuff with my money.

[JitterbugPerfume]

26. Tobin ,

I admire you more than you know. You are a wonderful young man and any girl who finally ends up with you will be a lucky girl. You bring to a relationship a wealth of life experience and a loving attitude

I have the feeling that you are fine.

[Trailrider1951]

29. Here are my "feel young" answers:

At age 47, I learned to ride a mountain bike on trails through the woods.

At age 49, I took up mountain bike racing. The next year I won our state's championship series in my class and category (beginner women 40-99, old ladies division)

Today at age 57, I am taking piano lessons. I have always wanted to learn to play, and now, after 5 lessons, I can play "Jingle Bells" with two hands!

Can you think of some things you always wanted to learn, but did not have the time when you were younger?

Keep on learning new things, and remember, "practice makes perfect".

[JitterbugPerfume]

31. I have a LIST

of things I wanted to do when I was younger and raising my family.

[jellen]

32. working older DUers

Perhaps this is a poll but I'm still working at age 69. How many of you out there are still working at 69 or older?

[JitterbugPerfume]

35. sometimes I regret leaving the work force

[RebelOne]

44. I'm 70 and still working full time.

Fortunately, I have a cushy desk job. But the salary isn't cushy. I'm also collecting social security. I could not afford to live on just that, so I will be working until I drop. Plus, my medical benefits are way better than Medicare. That's another reason I still keep my job.

[JitterbugPerfume]

50. that is admirable

I don't think I could do a full time job!

[timtom]

33. I play the Celtic harp

and I have begun re-reading Plato, Saki, O Henry, and some of the 20th-century playwrights. Oh, yeah. And Heidegger's Introduction to Metaphysics.

I also do crossword puzzles -- NY Times -- In ink (but I always have a few words that are written over).

I listen to old radio shows like Jack Benny, Information Please (that's a good one), Kraft Music Hall.

[JitterbugPerfume]

36. Celtic harp!

that is beautiful

I am in a reading genre rut . I need to try some new (old) authors .I have Great Authors of the American Literary tradition CDs and I am getting some really great ideas from them > I also have Shakespeare CDs
Celtic Harp! How difficult is it?

[timtom]

47. It's as difficult as any...BUT

it's a very forgiving instrument! You will be able to generate pleasing and soothing sounds in minutes.

But, what of these CD's? I've not heard of them.

[Moondog]

34. Not to that milestone yet, but

I retired too young, I think. I rediscovered photography a couple of years ago. Which is a good excuse to get out and go places. I do a little charitable stuff. I think, periodically, about going back to work but haven't because in the end I don't want to take a job away from someone who actually needs it. I could start my own thing up, probably even create a few more jobs, but truthfully I wasn't having that good a time when I was working. I retired so that I had a hope of getting some enjoyment out of life before I snuffed it. So, I take trips, do photography, and fool around with Photoshop.

[JitterbugPerfume]

37. I love travel I wish I could afford to do more

I nicknamed my grandson Moondog--Moondoggie years ago. He is in his 20s but he is still Moondog

to me

[Moondog]

40. Interesting. I saw that movie.

A long time ago I was on active duty, and one day I was informed that Moondog was my call sign because, wait for it, I was born in July. Many, many years later, when I was signing up on DU all the names I could think of were already taken, and this was the only one I could think of that wasn't.

[azmouse]

38. Get out and try something new.

Seems to be what most here are saying. Life isn't over until it's over. :)

Things I would suggest:
Go to a professional sporting event even if you aren't a fan.
Read a type of book that you thought you'd never like.
Learn a new hobby.
Do a daily crossword puzzle.
Try a new hairdo.
Wear something you thought you'd never wear.
Pamper yourself with your fav coffees, soaps or perfumes.
Get up early just to watch the sunset.
Go out late at night and look at the stars.

[JitterbugPerfume]

41. wonderful suggestions

thanks!I love seeing the sunset on the lake

[FloridaJudy]

39. Dance in the rain.

Make quilts. Read at least one novel and one non-fiction book a week. Sudoku. Call/write my Senator and Congresscritter every other day. Volunteer for a charity. Go to AA meetings. Try making something complicated from scratch. Make friends with all the neighbors' dogs. Play computer games. Rent weird little movies from Netflix. Make jewelry. Knit. Laugh a lot. Buy a season pass to the museum. Take the dog for long walks.

And if I ever take up golf, or start eating dinner a 4 p.m. I've given instructions for my family to shoot me.

[JitterbugPerfume]

42. It's raining and I am tempted!

My neighbors need something to talk about LOL.

My neighbors dog loves me because I don't yell if she poops in my yard as long as she doesn't trample my flowers or try to eat my cats! Museums are my favorite places because everything there is older than me:evilgrin:


Years ago my mom tried to teach me how to crochet She said I needed to get my nose out of books occasionally


She failed .

We are four sisters --Two do beautiful needle work and two are all thumbs

[JitterbugPerfume]

43. I put my arms out and did a couple of turns as I got my clothes off of the line!

freedom feels good

only I didnt go naked --even MY neighbors don't deserve that!
They already think I am a bit eccentric :)

[Demoiselle]

45. Crossword puzzles, exercise, and righteous anger. (eom)

[JitterbugPerfume]

46. my dad lived to age 95

he was to headstrong and contrary to give up, and for that I am grateful.

[Road Scholar]

48. I'm writing a book. It started out to be a few notes for the kids,

but it is turning out to be a book about myself, my wife when we were kids growing up.I did some research to include my parents and my wife's.
I can close my eyes and go back to sock hops in the gym, the Beatles, the Kennedy days, even when gas was twenty nine cents a gallon.
Here's the funny part, I'm certainly not a writer as you probably can see but it doesn't seem to matter to them.

[JitterbugPerfume]

49. that is a wonderful thing to do

my dear friend Oneighty did that before he passed . He told me many times that he had to hurry and get it all down before he died .He had serious health problems and realised his time was short. I have copies of all of his stuff, even some that wasn't in the books and I will treasure it forever

[Road Scholar]

51. We never know how much time we have left and at 66

I need to keep writing. There's so much to write. It's almost 200 pages with all the pics. I was in HS in Orlando and saw Shepard make his historic flight from Cape Canaveral. I could see the vapor trail from the student parking lot at Edgewater High. I saw Kennedy's inauguration speech in chem 1 class and I remember everybody in Orlando poo pooing Walt Disney for thinking he could make something out of that swamp near Kissimee. It was just an alligator and snake farm in 1961. Some said it was a shame that he couldn't live to see the finished product. Some others said the only way it could have existed was if Disney saw the finished park before it ever was built.
I remember crying when JFK was assassinated. Yeah a big ol dummy like me gets choked up once in a while too.I saw Oswald get shot by Ruby on Black and white TV. I remember how depressing 1968 was. I totally understood the riots at the Chicago Democratic convention. I saw Rosie Grier wrestle down Sir-han Sir-han down on TV. Remember the first moon walk? I ain't talking about Michael Jackson. LOL

[JitterbugPerfume]

52. i remember all of that , and more

I remember seeing Eleanor Roosevelt on TV, Harry Truman running against Tom Dewey,The execution Julius and Ethyl Rosenberg(did I get the name right), duck and cover in school., when "Under God" was put in the Pledgeof Allegiance, McCarthy, the coronation of Queen Elisabeth and much much more

Damn I'm old:hi:

[Road Scholar]

53. LOL. I hear ya!

:toast: :hi:

[raccoon]

54. Improve my Spanish skills, listen to CD's from the library

from the MODERN SCHOLAR series, learn about some plant/wildflower, etc., that I'm not already familiar with, etc.

[JitterbugPerfume]

55. one of my best memories of my mom

is going to the library and checking out "Wild Flowers of Kentucky" climbing in her old truck and hitting the country roads armed with the book on a wildflower hunt. We picked elderberries , pulled bittersweet off of trees, gathered wild greens for dinner. picked up pop cans along the roads and redeemed them for cash,and we knew where there was a persimmon tree. She knew a stream wher water cress grew. I miss my mom she knew a lot about a lot of stuff

[Tikki]

56. Well, I still listen to the same music...I didn't change my taste in music...

I was so mad and disappointed in the decision on 8 that I spent
most of yesterday blasting my Old School Punk and Psychobilly...I don't know
if it keeps me younger..It sure does make me feel better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_TNzJtVQ8I
Adolescents...."Amoeba"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWjyxtTpfRA
Weirdos...."Helium Bar"


Tikki
p.s. I didn't have to grow old into Jazz...always have loved it...

[JitterbugPerfume]

57. yesterdays decision on 8

didn't make sense to me . The married Gays can stay married , but other Gay couples in California can't marry?That is fucked up on so many levels---