I have one resolution

"Brrrrr! it's cold out side" 2013 coming to an end. Usually a time for passages, reviews and resolutions. many bloggers list their top 10 blogs of the year. When you were a kid did you ever think what life would be like in 2014? There has been a lot of changes. I remember as a kid watching or reading a Dick Tracy strip and imaging a wrist watch where you could talk to people any where you were at. Recall the badges on Star Trek. Well we have those things now and what do people do with them? They text, don't talk. We finally got the technology and we don't use it. It is harder to talk to someone now than when we had party lines. We have ID calling and I guess that cuts the call before it can happen.
Maybe your experience is different than mine. You may get calls all the time.
Cars are more efficient, but not enough. Insulation has improved our winter experience and air conditioning our summer. But in so doing it has taken us off the porch in the summer to escape the warm indoors and has made our outdoor experience less safe. TV has changed, more choice bigger screens and sound. Computers and pads expand our virtual world and experience. I miss the beach club in the summer.
As far as the good old days one has to be careful. If we don't experience some new old days we may have missed the point. That is my resolution to have as many good days as I can. Keep walking

Merry Christmas from the Fatman

Simon Beck Snow Art - walking in the snow

Here is an amazing piece of art where the artist walked in the snow to achieve it. The lines are the footsteps made. Like sand art and ice sculpture art doesn't last long, except through camera lens. Thanks Deborah for the link.
This piece he skis out to and walks his pattern or picture.
Simon Beck had to get his 10,000 steps on days he has done his art.
There is no fear that I may attempt this, I can't walk a straight line. But my piece could be modern. Any way type in his name and snow art on Facebook and enjoy his art.
My friend Ken and myself would probably enjoy doing beach art in the Caribbean, it would look like crap but the weather suits us.
Just for the fun of it, Merry Christmas. I have studied it out and am convinced Christmas actually is in

Hill country around Bethlehem

the spring. The events we celebrate in the Bible happened over a two year period and here is the kicker, Mary walked her trip to Bethlehem and they did not walk as the crow flies but down the Jordan River. A long way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Read the Matthew and Luke accounts and you won't find a donkey. If they had one, the donkey would have been used for supplies. Think of our own wild west, the wagons were used for haul, wives and kids walked most of the way. Any way Christmas programs put it all together for an evening or day program. Poor people all over the world walk. Jesus mother in her late forties walked with Jesus from Cana to Capernaum, a nice 17 to 20 miles. Mary was a walker and very fit. Just using the little grey cells. Keep walking     

Try the putz workout

Walter Matthau

Besides 20 minutes on the bike, I purposely found time for 30 one minute workouts through out the day. Pushups, sit ups, one minute runs, dips, squats, walks, bringing in the groceries, stairs plus chores around the house. I think it can be part of a fitness program. If you are battling diabetes, movement throughout the day can make a big difference. Days I am researching and writing I will practice 1-4 minute workouts through out the day.
I had a friend who sat too long and had a clot that killed him. Moving is good. I like to call it my putz workout out.  Grumpy Old men

John Gustafson: Moron!

Max Goldman: Putz!
Just for fun here is Max up to no good.

Max Goldman: You mean the low-life, ass-wipe, egg-sucker John Gustafson?

Snyder: Have you seen him?

Max Goldman: The man's crazy. Loco. Always hanging out around those kinky strip bars. You know, the ones where the men take their clothes off. That's of course if he's taken his medication.

Snyder: Medication?

Max Goldman: Yes, without it he could be anywhere. Wandering around talking to the trees. I'm telling you the man's a menace, he's always drinking, starting fights.

Keep walking

Loss can be very hard...big part of who we are

My dad and still have coffee
He would laugh at this

One therapist shared with me as I was dealing with depression that eventually all therapy deals with loss and leads to the ultimate loss of our own mortality. Loss in life is hard and painful. I read an article today, Running Away From My Grief–Literally By Alicia Sparks 

Alicia has some good ideas, but I believe we should take time to grieve. Getting back into our life will happen but grief will happen and it is normal. We may have an idea of 30 minutes then I will move on. 30 minutes may work for a sitcom but it won't work for grief. I believe it gets in-touch with needed emotions that we need in loss. Grief like love is to be experienced. I can't say I like the experience but I needed it just the same. 

From the Bible death is our enemy because of sin and the fall all experience it. Some may become aged and welcome death but for many death comes to soon. There is an immediate separation between the living and the dead. The desire to have one more conversation, one more cup of tea or coffee. Regret and re-do-over, I wish...all come into play. 

If grief is hard you know you loved the one departed. If grief is not what others experience, know that like every other experience each one is as unique as a finger print, a snow flake. 

Grief has its limits. For the Christian their is hope in eternal life, there is a reunion where we will recognize our love ones and continue our relationship with them. This is called in part the Christian's hope. "To be absent from the body and present with the Lord".

There seems to be a common grace where grief eases up and we are able to move on. We are not alone in this experience and we are comforted by others in their experience with grief. 

Alicia shares nine things which you can look at the link below on how to use running to help your grief. I might add you can use biking, walking, swimming in the same way. 

I few ideas I gleaned was

1. Honor and respect the one lost.  Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor from "The Guards" respects and honors his father's memory. His fathers love of books and love for him makes Jack a very human character you care about. But his mother was harsh and sucked the life out of others. Jack can not respect and honor her loss and it may be that which hooks him into alcohol and prevents him from making intimate connections with loved ones. He can not change who his mother was nor gloss over it. It is the stuff of abuse and betrayal. Honor and respect helps us moved to a good place with those who are gone, but if something happened that hinders us we may need help to forgive or let go the negative impact on our lives. 
2. Talk to your loved ones while you walk or run. Me I talk to my dad when I feel like it and I have a cup of coffee on Saturday mornings in the very kitchen we used to have a cup of java. I think we all talk to our love ones or am I wrong here?
3. Do something for them. In NCIS Gibbs works in a work shop in his basement doing different projects where his lost family memories are kept, his ex partner Mike. I believe working wood is a therapy for him. Tommy McDonald has a work shop program where he keeps a picture of his sister lost early in life. I think there is something to this. Alicia writes about running for your loved one. Doing something with our bodies I think will help us process grief. 

Any way some thoughts I hope you find helpful. Keep walking

Winter is here, Snow removal safety

Snow house in Jerusalem - Ferrell

Cutting grass, shoveling snow have been a part of my walking program for years. Daily walking I think is a key to these activities. Check out step conversions for these activities. If you are not walking or exercising hire them done. Winter brings special problems which Health Day briefly covers. (link below.

• To conserve heat our blood vessels constrict and blood is moved to the core of the body. That is why we should warm up and move before we shovel and heat up the body. 
• Wearing layers and covering body helps keep the warmth close to our bodies and I would thing our blood vessels more open. 
• Push the show and not lift. And for me use a snow blower for most of the work. Allowing the machine to work make this closer to cutting grass.
• Now this is my favorite part, I have now time limit to finish the job. I can work for 10, 15, 20 minutes and take a break. I can sit on my deck and drink a hot chocolate, tea, or coffee, listen to music, enjoy the view and go back to work. This is really good with heavy wet snows, or heavy accumulation. You can prioritize your work and finish it when you have time.
• Part of a ten thousand step day. I usually do 3,000-4,000 steps removing my snow. 
• Sharing the blessing of work, I usually do my neighbor's front and help a vet. 

Not sure it is for you? No problem hire a neighbor kid or somebody in need of a buck. Do an indoor walk with Leslie Sansone. When you are done sit outside on your deck dressed warm and enjoy a beverage with me enjoying the fresh air. As always if you are starting a walk program check with your doctor. Keep walking
http://news.health.com/2013/12/14/snow-shoveling-health-tips-as-winter-looms/

Independence in Retirement? a few thoughts

If he is like me there may not be bait on the line -
Sorry dad and Rich

Independence in Retirement? I read an article today where people over 45% of people 65-69 will need some assistance in their daily life. That may include devises and Tech stuff that are used independent of others such as a cane. Many of us have already used eyeglasses and in the future hearing aides. Life can be adapted and enjoyed. In my blog I have talked about walking, strength training and flexibility as a way to slow down the aging process with the idea of greater control over our activities and life. In retirement now I have been able to get back on track to lose weight. Why? I want to live better in the years ahead.
I have been thinking about independence has to be more than self reliance. Independence has to be more than a second childhood. You and I have seen the ads, retired people walking the beach, dancing, eating in restaurants in exotic locations. I am all for that stuff on vacation, dinner dates and times to relax. Not doing that stuff all the time keeps it special. Today I was watching my wife and grand-daughter making cookies and doing homework together. Listening to them, they were having fun. Both of them were sharing their memories together. We actually had the privilege of being to the beach with that grandchild and it was a memory. But I can't say it was better than what I saw today.
Working on our health is about the ability to move and think; but it is also about to feel the ones in our lives, friends and family still kicking and enjoying the day the Lord has made. Independence to not be lonely. I got a big kick out of my three grandsons doing stuff for me this year. To see them flex their muscles and brains to do some projects around the house. I could have hired it out, but their help was better. They did most of the work and I mostly watched fetched, and talked. My littlest grandchildren bring their own joys.
Time brings its challenges and we may need a little help from time to time, but that ain't all bad. Keep walking.

care more about others at holiday gatherings..Laugh a little

Laundry room excellent place to air family laundry
Scene from Dan in Real Life

Holidays bring friends and family together. But if your friends or family include two or more people there is likely to be disagreements in issues, or philosophy, behavior, attitudes, beliefs and the list goes on. A family or circle of friends may include different political parties. If your family includes young people they may be independent and indifferent to our two party system.
I can remember back in the day when kids and parents didn't agree, most of that turned out to be not as important as family, friends, and caring. I have been to many funerals where regret was stronger than the argument.
I was thinking of a thought by Nelson Mandela where he felt it is easier on humans to love than the opposite. Paul shares great ideas about love and its healthful effect on human relationships in 1 Corinthians 13
Get out your Bible and Consider:
13:1-3 It is easy to be divisive in relationship to things we experience vs. 1, things we know, vs. two and things we practice vs. 3. Being older I have knowledge and experience, the kids being younger are keen to their learning and fresh experience. Both sides can claim superiority.
In verses 8-11 we see our experience, knowledge, and practice is incomplete at best. In verse 12a I like the KJV, "For now we see through a glass, darkly". In modern translations, "dimly" used the most, "imperfect" in the TLB. So many things we know more but we have a lot more to learn. Think in the medical terms what we know about heart, cancer, and diabetes; we know a lot but we haven't cured these things. There is a feeling by many that we are just beginning to learn. We draw lines in the dirt and it matters but we are still learning. What we experience, know and learn is important but we all see things from our point of view. We have limits so we should give ourselves some slack.
The solution is seen in vs. 4-7 and vs. 13. What matters the most is love. Love is not romantic here. Vs. 4-7 define love. Love is that which seeks the other good above oneself. It is the Gk. word "ἀγάπη" referring to God's love for us. Love is...
Friends and family who have in front of them "love is" will work through the knowledge, experience and practice issues we have and some how embrace one another in the process.
Two thoughts...I (old guy) need to listen as the Grandpa it is easy to preach, but I have more fun listening; and all of us need to respect, trust, forgive and care for each other. Laughter seems a good idea in all of this as well.
Laundry problems in life don't belong on a talk show for others to laugh at and they don't belong in our holiday gatherings as well. Laundry seems best when private and personal. Personal agendas will be played out selfishly and usually backfire. I always told my kids I am not going on Oprah, Jerry Springer and the like. They can go on, but I am not watching. Family laundry isn't somebodies entertainment in a modern gladiator stadium or studio. And at the family gatherings it is not the time either.

Funny scene

There is a scene in "Dan of Real Life" where mom and pop talk to Dan about his issues in the laundry room. It is a great scene as mom and dad reach out for his best. That is a private moment. Parents with intelligence and a sense of humor. Besides the shower scene it is the best scene in the movie.
yesterday shoveled for 20 minutes. Dry snow and cold, the best. Doing stuff around the house, putz workouts are healthy.
Keep walking

Is it wise to extend life? Weighing in

Getting older and is it wise to extend life to 100 or beyond is in public debate these days. At the heart of it will be cost. The focus has been are we extending life to be lived or prolonging the time we die. We know as government takes control of medical spending inside the beltway elitism will swing to saving money by limiting end of life medicine. I have been looking at articles meant for student interest and education and the articles are framed in such a way that extending life is either wrong or unwise. Like many social issues kids are being programmed to accept the idea of what the elite think is best for them. Increasingly the elderly will be seen as a burden to a growing number of people who have come from fragmented and dysfunctional homes.
I would like to look at aging science from a different point of view. Learning and research has a way of filtering down to better ideas and care. There are a lot of people who are living better because of aging science. The three things that matter, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, care has improved and people live better and longer. We know a lot about preventative care and I have seen it out in the neighborhoods and parks where people walk. Obesity has become the new smoking warning and I believe we will see improvement.
I believe it is important to value seniors. Their contribution and presence gives perspective that glues us together. In our lives they still means a lot. My parents passed early and when they are gone they are missed. Living well and even experiencing the effects of aging are part of the human experience.
In the Bible a few thoughts center on human value:

Net Ps. 92:14 "They bear fruit even when they are old; they are filled with vitality and have many leaves."

NASB Job 12:12 "Wisdom is with aged men, with long life is understanding."

NASB  Zech 8:4 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age." 

NASB Ps. 71:9 "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails."

NKJV  Isa. 46:4 "Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you ! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you."

NASB  20:29 T"he glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair."

I wonder as the "Great generation (those who went through the depression & WWII)" passes if we will respect the baby boomers. 

A friend of mine shared the view it is good we old guys retire and give our kids an opportunity to work. I actually have seen many articles and discussions on that point. What I think is more crucial is creating more jobs that matter. Inside the beltway doesn't seem to have much thought on that. 

I hope we keep aging science out there and deal better with those who are in there last moments. I know it will improve living. Something more than cost is at stake. Keep walking

Fat and healthy is a myth, new study says

Time to get moving

Good morning walkers. I had reported on a blog a week or so back on an article that pointed out fat people can be healthy. By healthy I am referring to common health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar. I did not read in article about people being fit physically. I do think a fat person working out and doing aerobics is a good thing. But right on cue I read research that calls this a myth. The LA Times ran an article Fat and healthy is a myth, new study says. The article says "you may be healthy now, (which is what I reported) but wait ten years you will be proven wrong." Briefly the article explains how weight over time hurts our health. Yet I know people in their 80's who are heavy and are not diabetic, have heart disease or high blood pressure. One man I know has real low cholesterol. I believe he is an anomaly. 
The new study does confirm a growing support to the idea that most of us if we remain fat or obese will have health issues as we age. I do think there is a time limit we have to lower our weight if we want to increase our chances for health. What I believe is a fact and offers hope is that if you are fat and start walking and converting your diet to portion control and healthy nutrition you are on your way to better health. It is important not to give up and be realistic about how long it will take  to lose the lbs. 
I have been reading how difficult it is for diabetics to lose weight. Exercise alone won't do it. 
I have been looking at my own progress and I know it is harder now than when I was younger. 
The good news is I am stronger than I was two years ago and I regularly use the stairs now. I was doing longer walks 5 years ago than I am now and that is something I wish to improve on again. I am sleeping better. I have solved my ankle pain with an orthopedic brace. I took time two years ago to rethink my Cerebral palsy and revisited specialists and it really paid off. Medical advances are a blessing and give a chance to age living and not just age dying. 
It is not uncommon to read health articles that are contradictory. You have to look at who is doing the study and how big is it and is it supported by many other studies. When you get in the article often it agrees with other studies, but has been re-frame to be in conflict and therefore read. If you are fat and moving that is good, but more it forward with me and lets get a little skinnier.  

Hurtful wounds

As we get older sometimes our words get a little looser. I remember in Bible College profs talking about a ex-prof suffering from dementia then in a nursing home swearing like a sailor. Of course many are like the dad in Christmas Story who swear like an art form. But in many work places public talk can be different from private talk. Working in a hospital and school for over 40 years I have chosen not to swear. That doesn't mean never.
But more than word emotions seem harder to control for many seniors. Then there is the other side of it how often do we lose our cool and words, with seniors. I imagine there is a little give and take. If both parties are trading insults that may be the way it is. But how many of us say something that we regret? I have seen kids wanting to clear the air to only hurt and break relationships. They didn't have that in mind when they started to share feelings. Parents have done the same and where we hurt is with those we love. In the New York times Paula Span's article Words that Wound, reported the senior's point of view concerning verbal abuse. I think we can all understand the situation of a caregiver getting frustrated and a senior getting upset over the struggles of aging. Lemon and Matthau in their many versions of the Odd Couple gave us insight with their humor of grumpy old men.
To me the first step to healing starts with here is where we are at. There is not a course that prepares us for getting old or dealing with those that are. We are each of us unique. We are either the child or parent in the changing of our relationship. Care-giving in this relationship is far from easy. Receiving care from someone you gave care to is harder than we have imagined. Changes are more difficult and with less support we find ourselves unprepared.
I don't think it is easy nor should it be, but we can work towards it being caring and in the end something we are glad we did. There are resources out their to help the caregiver, but what about seniors? Many are members of AARP or other senior interest groups. There are web sites designed for seniors, some I have a page about good sites. What ever end you are at here it is good to share with your friends.
Reading other experiences may be helpful. Getting involved with our friends who need care may also give us insight on how we can make this experience better. It may be helpful to reach out if you feel lonely or frustrated about getting older. I have mentioned before 25% of us experience depression. For me it was better to seek help than remain depressed. One thing that happens is who cares what others think. What is best for me and those I care about. It may be a road less traveled. Keep walking.