Miscellaneous Forum

I reckon for me it's staying "young at heart" my sister is only 66 and acts like she is ancient.I keep as active as I possibly can in my late 60's which in turn keeps your body supple and fit.I try and keep up with the ever changing world we live in and keep an interest in the younger generations. Cathy,I also laugh a lot and often see the funny side of life. Example----I had a handyman in the other day to fix up my garden tap and other small jobs and when he was ready to leave he could'nt find his paperwork,he had put it on Rex's rosewood urn box which sits on a small table near the back door and I said to him "they are sitting on top of my husbands ashes" he nearly passed out,poor chap!!!when I laughed and told him that my husband was probably checking the figures for me so I would not be ripped off (retired accountant)his whole persona changed,and he didn't charge me for anything haha. I consider myself 'a young oldie' Cheers Dorrise xx

My mom-in-law was referring to herself as as 'senior citizen' when she was my age (57) but we've run across 70 and 80 year-olds chugging along very nicely on national park trails. I think much of it what you allow your mind and body to tell you, and how hard you try to keep all the parts moving? Granted, some folks do experience unfortunate physical challenges at a younger age than others for reasons they couldn't prevent.

I agree. Unfortunate physical challenges hinder your ability to stay fit and youung. But even then, some people manage to overcome such. I have a friend who was a thalidomide (sp?) baby and was born without any limbs beyond the elbows and knees. He is a very successful attorney now. But I do think that thinking Young and staying physically fit are big key factors. A good sense of humor is key also. My own Mom never seemed "old" since she could laugh with the best of them....a little "fighting Irish" gal. Dorrise, I can "see" your sense of humor in all you say and do. Young people seem to appreciate it when the "older set" makes the effort to remain active and young.

I think of my grandparents who were born mostly in the 1890s, and they were "old" in their 60s...then I think of my parents...my mother passed last year with an untreatable brain tumor at 86, but full of energy and life up to nearly the end...and my 88-year-old father still plays golf three times a week! My parents are (were) easily 20 years younger than the generation before, thanks, no doubt to better diet and exercise...what a difference! Now if I could only match my parents in their diet and exercise, I could be younger, too! ;-) Bill

and by "older set" I am referring to anyone over 30......lol

By physical challenges I meant that some folks are predisposed to have prematurely bad knees, hips, heart problems, arthritis and certain types of cancer. Genetics, ya know. Dory, you'll be forever young. :)

A lot of our parents had a much easier life than their parents. Hardships can take a real toll on your physical and mental being. Our parents also benefited from modern medicine. My Mom was fairly active her entire life and my Dad is still in great shape ....for his age. Until 2 years ago, he did all his yard work, mowed the grass, trimmed the trees and shrubs, etc. I will say that they watched their diet and did stay active. No bingo for them....lol. I think that all of us here must be fairly "young" for our age, since we ARE intune with the computer, internet, world affairs, and seem to have a good sense of humor. Wouldn't last long here if you could not joke around. :-)

"Old" is 10 years older than me! More seriously, people today don't seem to age physically as fast as earlier generations(Better diets and medical care, perhaps) but state of mind also counts a great deal. I think most of us know a few people who are definitely old at 50 or 60, and others who are still young at 75.

I think it's a matter of howyou behave. Sometimes when i meet old school friends (usually the ones who never left the village) then i see some people who look and act like cranky old idiots. they look 10-15 years older than they are and spend most of their time complaining about things. I do on the other hand know lot's and lot's of people who are well in to their 60's and 70's and live a life that is more active than many young people. I do for instance know a guy who is around 80 years old who lives outdoor all year around. In the summer he lives in a tent on the beaches of Scandinavia and in the winter when it get's cold up there then he flies south. The past 2-3 winters he has been living in a cave on Gomara Island on the Canaries.

Old has always been about 15 or 20 years older than me! I don't think old is necessarily a number - it's probably more of an outlook. In my opinion, people who tend to joke (a little rather than going overboard), who dress in t-shirts and jeans or shorts, who take part in activities that younger people do too (possibly cycling or back-pacing or something like that) or keep up with modern music tend to seem younger than those who are more serious, dress older, knit or play bowls (no offence to knitters or bowlers) or like Cliff Richard or Neil Diamond (sorry but ...).

There are only 3 age groups: the very young, the very old and people my age. At 76, I consider myself very lucky as I am still physically able to do most of what I want and other than having a really terrible memory still pretty active mentally as well. I have come to realize that while staying active and maintaining a good sense of humor go a long way, there is much about the ravages of age that is beyond our control. Both my wife and I try to work out 3 times a week and play some golf. Equally important is reading and being in a couple of groups who discuss books that we have read (I don't call them book clubs as we do not have wine at them.) I have also taken up the study of French at a local university's night school. I find it very challenging and the progress slow, but also stimulating and fun.

To me, it seems to be a state of mind. You are young as long as you THINK you are, physical inadequacies included. Yes, as you chug along, your joints seem out of sync, your body is not as flexible as you would like it to be, your memory is no longer razor sharp but if your mind is still active and kept active, you will never age. My idol is Dev Anand, who died early this year aged, only 88 in London while working actively on his next movie. He was forever working and working and casting younger and younger actresses in his movies ;-))

Aged? at 65? Bloody cheek! I'm 60 this month. Apparently I don't look my age which is interesting to say the least. There are ladies my age around here who look about 90, tightly permed grey hair, sensible tweed skirts and suits, sensible laced up granny shoes, mouths downturned or tightly pursed like dog's bottom, never a smile in sight and ALWAYS complaining. I think it is your attitude to life which keeps you young. If you find things funny and laugh a lot, it makes your face look bright and cheerfully welcome. Yes bones and joints hurt more, but if you think about that, it brings you down. Keep moving for as long as possible. A good diet and some excercise keep things in working order. Everybody could benefit from a good *service* occasionally. Keeping your insides healthy makes you healthy on the outside. Speaking of which, must get back to blitzing the house..... we've got guests from now until the end of September!

My mother reckons it's over 80, as that is when she has found she is unable to do things that she used to (though she is still growing her own tomatoes and runner beans and can walk a fair distance).

I will be 65 in a few months and will start collecting OLD AGE Pension as they call it here in Canada. I certainly don't feel "OLD" tho, I just recently had to have a pacemaker put in. Now, I always thought those gadgets were for old people. What do I know, eh! A few years ago, when we were vacationing at some Mexican resort, Hans and I went to a night club (I think it was Carlos O'Brian's) where a lot of younger folks were. They played "JUMP" and we were all jumping and having a ball. One young man came up to us after the dance and said "I want to be just like you two, when I get old". OK! thanks, I think!

At least, some of us are admitting our ages :--)) Me? I'm barely out of my teens!

I hope to be old soon. There are so much events advertised as great or fun for young and old. As a middle-man I always feel left out. PJ

I always said I am XX years young ::)

Ok Anil. IF we have to start admitting ages........... I'm "39" and HOLDING........isn't that what Jack Benny did? :-)

@Kathy, Thank You for introducing me to Jack Benny! Googled him. Was not aware of him. Now, hooked on him.

I think how you feel your age depends a lot on how you live your life too. when i have been working and stressing for 10 weeks i feel like i am somehwere between 87 and dead, but then i take a few weeks off and live good healthy life and suddenly i am out exercising hard 8-10 hours a day, drop a bunch of kilos from the fat belly and then i feel like i am 20 again and do 50 situps at the end of the day, purely cause i am bursting with energy. The main photo on my vt page was taken on my 43rd birthday earlier this week and as you can see i still act my age :)

I dont hide my age, just when in person ::) I am too young for that lol!!!

A lot of people have told me I look younger than my age (turned 30 recently), maybe it's because I take care of myself. Though I'm not into sports, I am physically active (I dance, and since I don't have a car I walk a lot during most days). I don't smoke and I take care of my skin (exfoliation, eye gel/cream to prevent/reduce wrinkles, etc). I know some people who are in their 40s and still look good and are in good shape, but even they say they can feel their age even if they don't look it. One is 43, in great physical shape (dances salsa and flamenco regularly) and she says her body feels a lot stiffer in the morning than when she was younger. I do know she smokes so maybe that is a contributing factor. A long time ago, I thought 21 was the best age, and that after that it would just be downhill. I thought 22 was much older than 21, and that I would be "old" after I turned 22. I realize now that it was silly to think like that, but I was very naive back then. I still am in some ways, but a lot wiser now than I was back then. The only thing that is making me sad about being 30 is the fact that 10 years ago, I figured I'd be married by now and that still isn't happening. I know lots of people marry past 30 (I know someone who married past 35 last year), but when so many people my age and younger are getting married, even if I'm happy for them, it makes me feel like I've missed the boat.

My good friend says marathons are too hard now, but she still runs half marathons. She is 78. My running days are long over because of arthritis, but I still have my sense of adventure. I only look my age (72) when my joints are really hurting.

Amelie, do remember to count on your fingers all the things YOU have done that your married friends have not. I'll bet that taking a minute to add up the blessings and adventures may make you feel a bit better. :O)

I think some people just want to be "old" - I keep getting AARP stuff in the mail and sometimes it just gets thrown out right before it gets in the house (AARP is some sort of older people's association that peddles different stuff). This is a good one. Love Jesse's post of 78 and marathons - I still run 5 K's ... and keep as active as possible. Am terrified of retiring (gezz, my husband keeps talking about when we retire - ... ) - but I enjoy my work except when it interferes with traveling. And I am not looking forward to the end of the year when I'll have to go thru that mess with Medicare selections - argh! Sometimes I find myself talking about someone to younger people and saying something like ("they're older") - later realizing these people are younger than I. Confused? Nah - I think it is just the way you think of yourself. When traveling though Kathy, it is good to be realistic of what the other person can do. OK I confess I got my husband into a one hour hike up a mountain near Krakow, but he came thru with flying colors - but it all depends what the other person is used to.

Leave it to Suet to say what she means....lol: There are ladies my age around here who look about 90, tightly permed grey hair, sensible tweed skirts and suits, sensible laced up granny shoes, mouths downturned or tightly pursed like dog's bottom, never a smile in sight and ALWAYS complaining. No grey hair for this kiddo. Nor perms or tweed skirts....lol. I try my best to dress attractively and with the current fashion, without going over the edge and looking totally foolish....like a teeny bopper. I exercise if not daily then at least 3-4 times a week. I'm the one parking my car at the far end of the parking lot to avoid the idiotic dings on the sides of the car. Good exercise. :-)

Another sign that I'm getting old - someone I know got ordained as a priest several years ago, which means I now have to call him "Father Chris". He's 2 years younger than me and now I have to call him "Father". 10 years ago, most of the priests I knew were middle-aged and older (the youngest priest I knew before Chris got ordained was in his 30s when I met him).

You've really got me going on this one Kathy. I'm 61 and don't feel old in the slightest but I'm surprised at how many young people are prejudiced against older people because of their age. I'm not ready for the grim reaper yet but being in younger company very often makes me feel older not younger.

actually, some people look great with grey hair like richard gere for example. me thinks men only.......what's that saying? "blondes have more fun".