SuperAging

SuperAgers – “SuperAgers” are defined as adults over age 80 who have the memory abilities at least at the level of individuals 20-30 years younger.”

More on ‘SuperAger’ below – just keep the quote in your mind for now

Now that September is here and the NCAA and NFL are in full swing, I thought I’d start it all off with one of my favorite ‘sports’ one liners:
Quotation – “What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here?!” ? Slim Pickens in his role as Taggart, a henchman in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974)

Happy Saturday Morning – It’s almost a scary thing. Wake up with the streetlights still on, and there parked out front, is a car I’d not seen before in all its glittering Nitro-Blue glory. It’s almost too much.

There now, with coffee in hand I can slide more quietly into Fall. Last Sunday evening the city bade farewell to summer with a stunning display of fireworks. Even on my way home, I believe my ribcage was still vibrating. ”Quite the spectacle it was”, as Joda would say.

Words – Seeing a photo of a passenger duct taped to his seat I glanced at the accompanying TMZ article:

“Our sources tell us the man was screaming about Jesus and going to hell, prompting a Black flight attendant to walk over and attempt to calm the situation.
We’re told the man called the flight attendant the n-word and (he) also hurled anti-gay remarks using the f-word. Our sources say the man’s behavior became more intense and violent as he hit the passenger next to him….”

I am certain that 9 out of my 3 readers have seen this article, however, I have a bit of an add-on spin on the matter.

Reading this TMZ piece I began to wonder how long it’ll be before substitute letters used as place holders for the actual word will be outlawed. How will the news articles manage writing an article where writing the ‘f-word’ or ‘n-word’ too will be deemed so inappropriate, so offensive, each causing such microaggressions so as to not being allowed in print?

See the path we’ve embarked upon?

As an aside, realize that the complete ‘n-word’ itself is perfectly appropriate when used in much of today’s Rap music. Bizarre, isn’t it?

Quotation – “Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” anonymous

A Symposium – Sure, it took planning, but Thursday at the Oasis center in nearby Loveland I attended a Symposium – mostly professionals who needed their professional credit hours, I was one of a small cadre of plain folk seeking to learn a bit.

Symposiun for Elder Care Professionals & Our Community

A total and wonderful surprise came prior to the start of the event. Coffee in hand, I made the rounds looking at each of the 57 exhibitors’ tables at the event. Then, looking up, there was my daughter-in-law Cathy. Seeing her in her work environment and the chats here and there we had during the event absolutely made my day!

Several highlights filled the day, each with a keynote style address and Breakout sessions.

A. A legal session dealing with the representation of those with diminished capacity. Creating awareness of all the little nooks and crannies to maneuver through the various trip points when it comes to individual and family desires and the law.
B. Dealt primarily with a guide to Dementia management. This became a realistic resource for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
C. This was a highlight by a Dr. Molly Mather, PhD. She discussed a 25-year ongoing long style research study on who exactly are the “SuperAgers” and what lessons are we learning. Should you want to dig a little more, here is the link at Northwestern University
D. As a late selection I choose a Breakout to gain insight into the offerings of the Pace Association. It’s primarily for those who want to stay in their home. Who with some assistance are able to stave off a residential facility. Pace is all over the nation and if of interest just search Pace Association in your system’s search bar.

So, what did I learn? I learned that it’s never too late to stick with healthy habits, explore the new, stay active (sweat a little), keep on learning, eat healthy, stay engaged, stay involved, and do what I struggle with – get enough sleep.

In other words, for us wondering how best to move along the elder path we need to continue to love our brain!

As Maya Angelou once said; “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This week’s Interlude – Will be a ‘Yes’ moment when you realize the name of the piece. It was released in 1969 (the golden age of Rock) and it was difficult to not enjoy a bit of sing-along whenever it popped up on my car’s little AM radio. When you click on the attached audio snippet is that very popular song as performed by Maynard Ferguson with Jazz Horn.

Hint: The original group to record the piece was West Coast American and helped to introduce mainstream audiences to writers such as Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Paul Williams. Still stuck? A desperation Hint: The name of the group references staying warm on a cold night.

Good luck, I know you’ll get it right!

If you want to see and listen to this wonderful number, copy the answer below and place it onto the YouTube or Spotify search bar. Remember, no cheating on the answer.

The photo below I took at the last Sunday Riverfest finale and thought it would be good visual close for this week’s Ramblings.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk
BONUS POINTS:

Almost 100% of our population deems Education as being important for quality of life as overall welfare, and I could go on. Recently all our 50 states were ranked by WalletHub. The ranking considered academic ranking relating to student performance, funding, safety, class size, and instructor credentials.

It might be interesting to ‘fish’ which State is the lowest ranking in their nation’s education rankings.

1. “Oklahoma”
2. “North Dakota”
3. “Alabama”
4. “Maine”
5. “Alaska”
6. ”New Mexico”
7. “Florida”
8. “Hawaii”

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 4
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Maynard Ferguson: “Eli’s Comin” released by Three Dog Night in 1969