So our geriatric internist sent us blood pressure cuffs and electronic devices that will record our daily blood pressure and send results electronically to our doctor for monitoring. During set up, the machine talks to you like she thinks she is Alexa. So now, we have added b p cuffs – one for each of us, and the electronic computer that monitors and sends the info onto doc, along with the grab bar poles, and the lift assist, and the walker, and the three canes, and the dry mouth lozenges, that now decorate our living room/dining room. It’s beginning to look very geriatric every single day. It’s beginning to look very geriatric every way I turn…
Jewish Baby Boomers
It’s beginning to look geriatric, every where you turn…
Yes, we are getting geriatric altogether, me, my husband, and our house. We just installed a floor-to-ceiling pole. Not for me to dance on, although one day if I get dementia, I just may. It’s so that my husband can grab onto it in order to get in and out of bed. He is suffering, according to the doctors, from the condition called “deconditioning,” which means his muscles are weak.
When we looked at recliners, we skipped over the ones that catapult you across the room. Sure, it would be easier for my husband but the goal is to strengthen, not weaken the already weakened muscles.
We just ordered a lift assist, a device that is supposed to help me help my husband to lift himself when he gets stuck in a chair.
My husband’s occupational therapist comes up with all these gadgets and devices, devices that make me realize that he is not the only one who needs assistance, that he is not the only one aging.
My pillbox that now occupies our dining room table reminds me that he is not aging alone and all these devices that now reside in my house, are a constant reminder that we are getting old altogether.
THE YIZKOR CANDLE by Jacqueline Becker as it appears in MSK anthology
It was time to light the Yizkor, or memorial candle. We traditionally light it during the week of shiva, or mourning. We light it at sundown just before we light the four major holiday candles. We also light it on the anniversary of the death of a close member the family. The candle represents the soul. Yizkor is the command verb to remember. It would translate into: “He SHALL remember.” Remembering is imperative in our religion. The candle is meant to burn a full 24 hours.
When our department took our supervisor out to celebrate her retirement, we went to a small, lovely Mexican restaurant. It was late afternoon and the staff began to light the candles on our table. My colleague-friend, Debbi, looked at me and I looked back at her. We were the only ones who understood. We burst out in laughter. We could not hold back as the tears streamed down our cheeks. To be continued tomorrow…
My promo is over in 2 days and so far…
221 people are reading my book over the last 3 days.
I BOUGHT A RASH GUARD SURFER OUTFIT…
NOT because I am taking on surfing as my next hobby. No, I bought the outfit so that I will not be so cold in the fall when I continue to exercise in the water. The lifeguards told me a rash guard will keep me warm and since I am up to doing 50 minutes of exercises in the pool, I want to maintain my ability if I can. My husband said I look “hot.” Let’s remember that he is in his mid 70s and is living in his imagination!
5 more books sold!!!
Thank you – whomever you are – for purchasing and reading my book. If you have had a difficult life, were married, divorced, remarried, if you have now have grandkids, and you are still laughing – you will relate to the story of my life! 18 % of sales goes to Memorial Sloan Kettering for keeping me alive!
Publishing brings unexpected benefits…
I “met” author of Bandstand Diaries, Sharon Sultan Cutler, on linked-in. We were on the phone for an hour and found out we have much in common. If you have any BANDSTAND fans, check out her book which is loaded with photos. Of course we exchanged books!
Four more just sold…
This book is an easy read but makes you think. Please take it with you to the beach or pool or consider giving as a gift. My book goes great with summer.
I JUST GOT ANOTHER BOOKING!
Ok – so it is for next April…But I just got booked to do my Aging Discussion next April. Sharing my stories from my book, RAGING AGAINST AGING, poems by Judith Viorst, Dr. Seuss, and citing Nora Ephron, we explore the five major concerns of aging. This is NOT a How-To, because I do NOT know how-to age, we discuss our feelings using humor.
MY BOOK KEEPS SELLING!!
My book keeps selling. The sales are all in the U.S. so far but they are selling!
Hope you enjoy the read!
randomthoughtsfromthe60s 