Helen Hudson
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PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES
More than 40 years ago, Simon & Garfunkel recorded a song on their album, “Bookends.” It was a minute and a half piece about a photograph that said, “Preserve your memories. They’re all that’s left you.” How were they so wise at only 27? I am a hoarder of memories. For 50 some… Read more
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THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
This cute, furry-legged fellow ambled across our deck a few weeks back. Any rock climber would envy his ability to ascend a vertical face. What? You don’t think he’s cute? That’s the funny thing about the mind, isn’t it? One persons’ fascination can be anothers’ terror. This morning at Trader Joe’s, I met a charming,… Read more
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. . .A GRAIN OF SALT.
Here are some contradictory tidbits that I’ve been ‘digesting’ from recent news: Practicing yoga increases cortical brain thickness in the region responsible for executive function and induces a sense of peace in the practitioner. Yoga causes as many injuries as other sports, including “drop foot.” Salt is important for maintaining normal blood pressure and iodine… Read more
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DON’T NUKE…..CUKE!!!
If you think that today’s 20-something is, “irresponsible” and “doesn’t consider the future,” get this: People over 50, and there are 76 million of us, don’t either. In a recent survey, fully ¾ of us said that we have profound worries about aging. Our top two concerns are, “losing our independence,” and “being a burden”… Read more
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GOTTA HAND IT TO HIM
As I was getting out of the pool today, a little boy sitting on the top step looked me up and down and said matter-of-factly: “You’re squishy!” “Squishy?” I repeated. “Yes, squishy,” he said. Now I may no longer have my 20-something body but I would hardly consider myself squishy. So I plunked myself… Read more
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A WORD TO THE WISE IS NOT SUFFICIENT
The FDA, “responsible for public health,” approved pesticides on crops in the 40’s, birth control pills with life-changing, side effects in the 60’s, and Celebrex in the 90’s, which is now in the middle of a class action suit, and had Frances Kelsey not intervened, Thalidomide would have been approved for pregnant mothers in the… Read more
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THE HARDEST WORD TO SAY
It’s only two letters. You’d think that it would fly right off the tip of your tongue. Nope. It protects you not just from yourself but also from others. It can be your strong defense or a gentle offense. It encourages you when you’re about to give up and discourages you when you want to… Read more
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UP TUMAMOC!!!
Too many of us, old and young, are loathe to get out of our comfort zones. It’s nice feeling cozy in your routine, always knowing what the day will bring. Thing is you can’t grow by sitting still, anymore than a muscle gains strength without use. Any challenge, no matter how small, builds us and… Read more
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BROKEN BUT BLOOMING
I’m a pretty adept gardener but removing mistletoe from Palo Verde trees and pruning huge, spiny branches is not my forte. So, last week I hired a gardening crew for a few hours. When they arrived, I cautioned them to, ‘be careful’ of some of my new plantings. Now granted, most people do not scatter… Read more
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SHADOW BOXING
Last night at an alumni gathering from my college, something became very clear to me: I am NOT ready to be old yet. Don’t get me wrong—I know how old I am. I’m just not ready to act it yet. After being around my contemporaries for several hours, I came home thoroughly depressed. Maybe it… Read more
AGEFULLY AGING 