When you're almost 85 and you've recently lost your mobility--that is, your ability to walk very far without a cane and without pain, there isn't much you can do with your time. Well, perhaps there is for some people, but not for me. Before we went to Virginia on the auto-train a couple of months ago, I was taking pool therapy a couple of times a week. But now, I've lost my interest in that; I don't think it was helping me that much or quickly enough for me to return to it now. It's just too much to pack a bag, drive to the Y, wait for someone to wheel you to the pool because it's too far to walk there; then to get into a little room, take off and hang up your clothes, put on a bathing suit--and pool shoes; have a therapist walk you back and forth in the pool for 45 minutes and then wait for someone to wheel you back to the dressing room where you reverse the procedure you took when you first got there--only this time with the additional chore of drying yourself with a towel. It simply isn't worth the effort for this person. And golf is no longer part of the retirement equation--especially when you can't walk from the golf cart up a hill to the green, and then after three putts to bend down and take the ball out of the hole, when if you do bend that far you damage your back worse than it was when you first went to your orthopedist. And, too, you can't risk putting on your socks for the same reason. Fortunately, Rhoda has developed a lot of skill in doing that particular chore--whenever she's around to do it. Then, of course, a multitude of would be helpers advised that I go to the gym and lift weights. Well, I did "pump iron" for several years before I got down here, and I did look somewhat like Schwarzenegger. Didn't I say "somewhat"? Pumping iron, besides being boring is also not easy on a man's back, front, top, or bottom. So, I don't do that. How about bowling? Well I tried that when I was able to walk, but I always bowled my golf score. I threw more gutter balls than Ralph Nader got votes. I retired from bowling with a 73 average. About the only exercise I get is writing--and thanks to the computer for that. So, at 84, that's what I do--write. I've written my autobiography and I've published three books of blogs since I began writing them. I began before I really knew what a blog was. I still am not sure. Maybe they're all op-ed pieces. Maybe diary entries? Besides writing, I exercise by doing x-word puzzles--especially the Sunday Times and Washington Post puzzles. When I say I "do" them, I don't mean to imply that I finish them. At one time I could and did finish them, but now they are simply exercises for my brain and my memory. Also, there are fond memories of 5-mile walks, 8-mile runs, 80 laps in the pool, sex every night. (Did I say "every" night?), softball games, racquetball, and pinochle.
Well, I just realized that with the love letters I've been getting from former students and colleagues, there's one more thing I can do--teach. And so, I've decided to revive my course called "Fun With Shakespeare" and I will be teaching "Hamlet" starting in January in the Clubhouse TV Room. And should you not want to spring for the course fee, at least buy one of my books, so that I can feel that I'm making a contribution to society by helping to rebuild our economy.
5 comments:
It's disappointing to hear that your pool therapy is no more, since many of us believe it's the best thing for you. I understand how the preparation gets to the point where it's not worth the 45 minutes of training. However, perhaps you can resolve much of the hassle by driving to the pool when already dressed in your bathing suit? Wheelchair dumps you in the pool, and when you are done, bypass the locker room, directly to the car (towel on seat to soak up any residual water). Soon, you'll look like Weissmuller instead of Schwarzenegger.
Spending your days writing and teaching. Some people would give their eye-tooths (?) for that. (Where did that expression come from?!) ;-)
I agree with you Joel, but the Red Baron doesn't want to put in the time to try to improve his health. He would rather bemoan the fact that he can't do this or that and just think negatively. It's his loss.
Good thing it's Red Baron who's being negative and not Norman! The Norman I know is a mensch, not a kvetch. Red Baron I'm not so sure about ....
Listen to your offspring, Baron. Joel, in particular, has the right system. Robin is also correct. The NR that I know has always done whatever it took, however difficult.
If I had not walked in the pool, I would now be unable to move at all.
It is very painful to walk and I sometimes must stop frequently, but I am still on my feet. You can be too, and it IS worth it.
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