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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A is For Aging

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My theme for the 
A-Z Challenge is
Aging into Longevity

 Aging was something
that never entered my
mind until that
morning of March 15,
2010. I recall my
exact thoughts,
"Today is my birthday
and I am 80. Holy
Cow, that's for old
people." And then I went a little crazy.  I wasn't prepared for
this interloping number that had silently crept into my life. I
had ignored the nagging little signs of saggy skin, stiff fingers
and indigestion. Dummy, why didn't I pay attention?

Now, 5 years later, I've done my homework into this thing
called aging and I realize it's not so bad, after all, if I follow
a few new golden rules.  I am going to alphabetically share
with you, some of my mistakes and learning, and what I
wish I had been doing sooner.  Then it becomes a fun
project because only I can reap the rewards or suffer
from my own stupid mistakes.

I love projects. My kids say, " to keep Mother happy, give
her a project.  I became my new project. 

So here goes.
Posted by at

52 comments:

  1. PaulaApril 1, 2015 at 3:21 AM

    What a good attitude! I'm right behind you and I can't believe it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:55 AM

      It can be a happy time if we feel well and are short of aches and pains.

      Delete
  2. Pat HattApril 1, 2015 at 4:30 AM

    I use your tips indeed, as I got 50 years to go before 80 takes seed. Unless aliens blow us up first haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:59 AM

      If I had to bet, I might take your second choice. I just heard that we lost potatoes and apples to the modified tinkering. They announced it with such a jolly voice, that now our apples won't turn brown. No, they'll just be a hard rock in the gut. ha

      Delete
  3. Eat To LiveApril 1, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    Well shoot!!! I missed your Birthday. I remember you telling me your son came... but I think I forgot to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eat To LiveApril 1, 2015 at 5:51 AM

      By the way. Getting old sucks!!

      Delete
    2. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:59 AM

      Terry
      It's OK. I missed yours at first, too. Big deal, huh?

      Delete
    3. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:02 AM

      Terry
      It can be sucky but I can think of more sucky things. Hope you got spring and he didn't pass you by. .

      Delete
  4. Arkansas PattiApril 1, 2015 at 6:35 AM

    I am not looking forward to 80 but if I can do it like you have these past five years -- then I am golden. Looking forward to your thoughts through out this project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      Patti
      If your health is good or even tolerable, old age isn't so bad. It works, too, that is if you have the time. I most often have to spend all morning taking care of myself.
      And that includes the bread baking, the fermenting, etc. Now is not the time for short-cuts in health or food. Hahaha You'll do beautifully when the time comes, Patti.

      Delete
  5. Suddenly SusanApril 1, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    I'm so glad I found your blog last year in the AtoZ and I am soooo looking forward to your posts this year. Great start you have here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 2:05 PM

      Thank you. I just added you to my blog roll. I enjoyed your A.

      Delete
  6. UnknownApril 1, 2015 at 7:39 AM

    I've always had a fear of aging. I'm turning 19 on May 5th and it's just starting to hit me that this is my last year as a teenager! I think aging is just a number. If you believe you're a kid, then you'll be a kid!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Al PenwasserApril 1, 2015 at 8:19 AM

      I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me, "How OLD are you?"
      Which is something considering I was 19 during the Carter Administration.

      Delete
    2. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 2:13 PM

      Morgan
      Here's a tip
      It gets better then the teens so have no fear. :You are a Gemini of many talents, ruled by Mercury with a gift of writing, and talking.
      cheers

      Delete
    3. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 2:18 PM

      Al
      Since I turned 85, people tell me, "You don't look 85."
      Oh yeah..... what do I look 84? What the heck difference does it make (shades of Hillary) when one is in their 70's or 80's?

      Delete
    4. RiverApril 1, 2015 at 6:48 PM

      I'm still a big kid wondering when I will start to feel old. It hasn't happened yet, except on those few mornings when it takes me a half hour just to get out of bed. I'm almost 63.

      Delete
  7. Al PenwasserApril 1, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    I remember being depressed when I turned 40.
    Then, I turned 50 and wished I was 40.
    In a few years, I'll turn 60 and wish I was 50.
    And that I didn't pull a back muscle when I farted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 2:20 PM

      Al This made me laugh out loud. Even that didn' pull a back muscle. LOL

      Delete
  8. Susan KaneApril 1, 2015 at 9:07 AM

    "Becoming your new project" is so well written, meaningful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 3:40 PM

      Seems we are always are own projects. Who else would take us on as a project. LOL

      Delete
  9. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 9:47 AM

    Karen
    Boy do I understand hair. I've never had Rapunzel hair but now it's even thinner. I just cut it off below my ear yesterday. Institution bob.
    But Karen at 66, you have wonderful years ahead of you. I still enjoy so many things and I keep on taking up new hobbies. You'll have your singing and what a blessing that will be for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. joehApril 1, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    I'm going to need all the help you can give me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:42 PM

      Hey you're just a babe in arms yet but it good to think "diet health" before it actually comes.

      Delete
  11. Hilary Melton-ButcherApril 1, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    Hi Rosaria .. you'll be an inspiration to us all and we'll learn some lessons from the Ageing wonder at BeaJayBlock blog! Take care .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:46 PM

      Hilary
      Aging wonder. Ha But definitely aging. Wish I'd started thinking about it sooner.

      Delete
  12. Alex J. CavanaughApril 1, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Give me tips! I still have three decades to go before I hit eighty and I want to stay as young as possible until that time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:48 PM

      Alex
      Three decades. That sounds good to me. Ninja's always stay young.

      Delete
  13. Su-sieee! MacApril 1, 2015 at 12:06 PM

    Awesome, Manzi. I'm looking forward to your series. Would there be for itching, I hope. The Mama is having a horrible battle with itching lately, and I wonder if it has to do with aging. Her doctor just says it's dry skin, but her skin is not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:51 PM

      Susie
      Where is the The Mama's itching.... under the skin or on top? I thought shingles but that is more of a hurting and the doctor would most likely recognize that.

      Delete
  14. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 12:19 PM

    I hit 80 last year & it hit me back!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 5:56 PM

      Fishducky
      That brought out a big laugh. Shades of Henney Youngman. Haha

      Delete
  15. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 12:58 PM

    I just posted (not an A to Z) about feeling Old(er). And I'm only 75. I'm going to be following your posts with great interest, Manzi. Maybe I'll pick up some pointers on how to stay as young as you are!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:02 PM

      Ann
      That time creeps up on us like a cat. I never hear or see that darn cat coming but eventually I hear her purring. It would be wonderful if we could just get old age to a grand purr with a snazzy rhythm.

      Delete
  16. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 1:11 PM

    'A' is for applause and admiration. And may you have many more birthdays :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:18 PM

      Wendy
      I miss your wit and sparkle. I've been extremely sporadic with my posts. I'm trying to get it ALL in. Haha

      Delete
  17. BevimusApril 1, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    What a fantastic theme for the month! And how lucky are we to be learning all the nuggets of wisdom you'll be sharing with us! I'll be reading, for sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:23 PM

      Beverly
      A fantastic A Day. Off to a grand start. Thanks for the encouragement.

      Delete
  18. martineApril 1, 2015 at 2:14 PM

    Looking forward to your words of wisdom, been feeling a few aches myself recently.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:30 PM

      martine
      Sometimes it's just an "achey, breakey " kind of day. I hope it's all gone by tomorrow.

      Delete
  19. Holy Ghost WriterApril 1, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    I'm climbing up there with you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:32 PM

      Holy Ghost
      Well, let's slow down a bit cause it's going WAAAAY too fast.

      Delete
  20. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 4:25 PM

    I'm 20-some years behind you, but this sounds like an excellent way to prepare for what's ahead! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:50 PM

      datatater
      Yes and it's not so much of s shock when it finally arrives. LOL

      Delete
  21. RiverApril 1, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    "I became my project"
    That's a great idea and I may just copy it. As soon as Easter with it's chocolatey deliciousness is over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ManzanitaApril 1, 2015 at 6:53 PM

      River
      Now that we have the time, we cab take that time for us. But you still have a distance to travel. Lucky Babe, you. LOL

      Delete
  22. NicoleApril 1, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    Becoming your own project is the best kind of all! :) It will be interesting to learn some of the lessons you've picked up in your 80 years (happy belated birthday to you, by the way!) of being on this earth. I like what you said about aging and your project... "I can reap the rewards or suffer from my own stupid mistakes."

    At 80+ it looks and sounds like you have this longevity thing down and I wish you many more happy, healthy and fun years to come filled with all the projects you love.


    ~Nicole
    The Madlab Post

    ReplyDelete
  23. Alex HurstApril 2, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    I'd say you're already on the right track... 85! That's amazing. How cool that I can read about your experiences this month, and hopefully learn good practices for my own future. :)

    Alex Hurst, A Fantasy Author in Kyoto
    Out of Print, Fiction authors and their shorts

    A-Z Blogging in April Participant

    ReplyDelete
  24. mail4roseyApril 2, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    I'll be paying attention. I'm starting to see skin get a wee bit loose, and when it's cold my hands look like my grandmother's did. I like it because it reminds me of her, and I hate it because, well oh boy... here we go. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. ClickApril 2, 2015 at 11:33 PM

    This is a lovely start to the A to Z Challenge. I'm a little like you, I always need a project too. :-)

    Looking forward to the rest of your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Book DragonApril 8, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    This sounds like an awesome project! I did the same thing at 50. Well, the "where did the time go" part and the "what happened to me" part. I'll be reading more of your lessons but I'm not sure when I'll be back....off to bookmark you!

    Gina, I'm #1302 today, blogging at Book Dragon's Lair

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownMay 28, 2015 at 4:53 AM

    Congratulations and thanks for sharing your wonderful attitude. I'm firm believer in approaching life with a smile. This was my first year to participate in A-to-Z and I'm still finding great blogs like yours on the Roadtrip

    ReplyDelete

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