Month: April 2024

One reader of this blog remarked to me recently that my blogs sometimes had a theme of “aging.” I defended that it was not the case. Upon reflection, however, I am more aware of aging and how it impacts my life.

I recently saw the following quote and it humorously portrayed how I am feeling these days: “I don’t feel like I’m getting older. It’s more like my warranty has expired and my parts are wearing out.”

I used to say that I felt like I was 35 rather than my age when in my early 60s. The number moved to 55 in my early 70s. I hope I am not in denial. All of us hear the platitude, “Act your age,” — I don’t know what that means!

I have slowed down a bit and I am trying to accept that reality. I am working to enjoy slowness in my life. Slowness seems less stressful. Slowing down, however, does not mean quitting. I know that I will never run the Boston Marathon as I had hoped years ago. I know I will not be climbing the highest mountain peaks (e.g., Kilimanjaro) that I had once dreamed of doing. Aging and slowing down is the reason. Nevertheless, many accessible mountain trails remain explorable, and I can do those.

I notice lately that strangers treat me a bit differently probably because I do look “older.” The white hair may be a signal that I may need help lifting my carry-on into the upper bin of an airplane, even though I am still quite capable of doing that. I appreciate people offering kindness to me, and I also reserve the right to determine for myself what I can and cannot do.

Ageism is the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination against others or oneself based on age. I try not to connect ageism with myself and yet that attitude rears itself. I know people in my community in their 80s who are more physically fit than me. On the other hand, I also know people my age who would not reflect my active life.

I am not sure what the message of this blog is other than to highlight thoughts that have been occurring to me. I look forward to a long and healthy life as I age.

PS I am off on a long-distance hiking trip (acting my age?) so will not post for a couple of weeks. George Bernard Shaw reminds me, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

I was walking downtown to meet some friends for dinner. People were gathered along the Knoll-Willows Open Space looking at something with spotting scopes and fancy cameras. “What’s going on?” I asked.

A man responded enthusiastically, “There’s a mountain lion resting on the snow just below the knoll.” I couldn’t see anything then but when I looked through his scope, I saw the beautiful animal. Without the scope I could see a tawny lump off in the distance.

At that moment, I saw my first mountain lion in the “wild.” I have seen mountain lions in zoos but never in an unconfined environment. A mountain lion came to the open space not more than 200 yards from my home. It apparently killed a deer and then hung around to devour the deer and rest between meals. Later that evening it left the area.

I love cats. Seeing the mountain lion was thrilling. On the other hand, I was also glad when it moved on as the “urban-wildlife” interface was not the best circumstance for either the lion or town residents.

These large cats have ranges including mountains, forests, and deserts. They have muscular bodies, powerful limbs, and long tails, which help them balance. I have always loved that my cat, Gitch, has similar physical characteristics. Mountain lions are carnivores and primarily prey on deer, although they may also attack elk, bighorn sheep, and small mammals like rabbits. They hunt alone by ambushing their prey.

Mountain lions are not a species of concern for extinction. However, they face threats such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and conflicts with humans. Currently an initiative is being petitioned for the Colorado general election ballot to ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in the state. If the petition is successful, Colorado voters may get to determine the future fate of these cats.

I have never seen a mountain lion in the wild during my 50+ years of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park because these animals generally avoid humans. Attacks on humans are rare. Like many wild animals, however, humans can encroach and threaten their territories and they will retaliate to protect themselves and their young.

I feel privileged to have seen this cat. I worry, however, about what the future may hold for these predators as well as the wolves in our state. In the meantime, I will enjoy the knowledge that these big cats are part of my ecosystem.

I always wanted to be in a book club. I rationalized, however, that I read enough for my job. I read an occasional novel, or a book related to pop psychology or something that had implications for my work on social justice. Usually I did not discuss these with anyone. Since retiring, I have had time to read “just for fun.”

About a year ago, an opportunity occurred. I learned that our local library sponsored a group of women called “Book Broads.” I didn’t know anyone in the group but thought it could be interesting.

When I perused the readings from their past three years, I saw a few books that I had read. I am not a fan of science fiction or fantasy, but do like historical fiction and increasingly, young adult novels.

When I read a book, I imagine what the characters are like. I note lines that inspire me. I like the way words are used. When I go to the monthly club meetings, I expand my mind regarding other’s impressions that I had never considered.

The Book Broads randomly draw a person’s name each month. That person gets to suggest three possibilities for reading in a future month. The members vote. My name was drawn at the second meeting I attended, and I begged a skip as I did not know if what I liked might resonate with the others. A couple of months later, my name came up again and I made suggestions based on nature themes. The book chosen provided enthusiastic discussion about trees, wars, generational trauma, and cultural conflicts.

I enjoy the book club. I meet new people and have especially appreciated the diversity of ages in the group. It is refreshing to interact with 30something folks as well as baby boomers.

Engaging in these discussions expands my perspectives. Sometimes I listen to others and find my understanding of the book deepened way beyond my initial interpretations. In addition, although I have not enjoyed some books as much as others, reading new genres moves me out of my comfort zone. Members of the group are respectful of diverse opinions through our social engagement.

I am grateful to be a member of this book club. I look forward to each month and the opportunity to discuss literature, bond with new friends, and expand my intellectual development.

I was a stranger 10 days earlier. During the festivities marking the end of Ramadan, however, I was treated as a dear family member. This occasion happened 50 years and its memory is extraordinary for me. To celebrate, I am observing the holy month of Ramadan in a personal way.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide. I am not a Muslim but have known many Muslims through personal and professional connections over the years.

I first learned of Ramadan (called Ramazan in Türkiye) when I spent six months on an international exchange program in Türkiye. I participated in the experience with two host families. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations during the daylight hours. At sunset, a large meal shared with family and friends breaks the daily fast.

In addition to fasting, Muslims increase their prayers and engage in acts of charity and kindness throughout the month. In some ways the traditions are like what Christians, especially Catholics, might experience during Lent. Ramadan concludes with the festive day of Eid al-Fitr marked by prayers, feasting, and the giving of gifts. It is a time of joy and gratitude.

During the latter days of the month of Ramazan in Türkiye, I was staying with an extremely poor farm family in Samsun, close to the Black Sea. I was supposed to move to another family right before the end of Ramazan and my host family asked if I could stay for the Eid al-Fitr. I loved the joy of that celebration and the variety of food that came in endless amounts.

I am not fasting from sunrise to sunset, but I am keeping Ramadan by not eating sugar or drinking alcohol or sweet drinks during the daytime. I decided to undertake this gesture to remind myself of the specialness of my Muslim friends.

Ramadan will end this year on April 8. I will celebrate it quietly as I remember my time in Türkiye and the Muslim friends that I have known. I will also remember how the tenets of Islam and my Christianity are similar in the focus on gratitude, generosity, love, and kindness.