Archive for July, 2008
Mental-pause—A Brain Game
Many women over fifty complain they become more forgetful. In fact, some have affectionately dubbed this phenomenon “mental-pause,” and there are real physiological reasons behind it. There are estrogen receptors throughout your brain, including the hippocampus, and this is the part involved in certain aspects of memory. So, when estrogen levels drop, your brain and your ability for recall are affected.
In fact, I know this to be true in my own life. Things seem to be slipping through the cracks, and every day brings fresh surprises and more than a few awkward moments. I have to run back to the store because I neglected to buy the milk, I forget names and stand mutely by when it’s obvious I should be making introductions, and, without my datebook, I wouldn’t remember any of my appointments.
But, before you get too worried that your own gray matter is graying, check out this fun little test. It’s called “How Old is Your Brain?” I did and was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I’m beginning to feel my noggin literally popping with new and sprightly dendrites!
To play:
1. Touch “start”
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1
3. Memorize the numbers’ positions on the screen, then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest one.
4. At the end of the game, the computer will gage the age of your brain.
Good Luck!!
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Women Over 50—I’m Too Old For Fangs
For those of you my age, you’ll remember with fondness the name of Phyllis Diller’s husband. It’s lost in my memory bank (too many withdrawals by now) as to the reasons for such a moniker, but I love the name. So, you know I’m not writing about him.
No, I mean real fangs—well, not exactly “real.” But, I came upon a pair yesterday and they were doozies!
My husband and I had the unfortunate experience of getting a flat tire on the freeway. A piece of some type of metal garbage flew off a truck landing right in front of us. My husband didn’t have a chance to avoid it and, a few seconds later, we heard a loud “bang” and the car lurched to the right. Actually, we were very lucky because we were driving in the far right lane. So, we pulled off onto the shoulder of the road and immediately called for service.
About a half hour later, the tow truck appeared and out popped a burly looking young man. He appeared to know what he was doing and was polite and friendly. It was when he was pulling off the hubcap that I noticed it. He had a huge four or five inch tattoo of a skull on his inner forearm. Adding to the startling effect of this particular piece of artwork, rather than teeth—the skull boasted fangs.
Okay, call me judgmental and old, but my mind started reeling. Was there a serial killer, with a tire iron in his hand, kneeling right next to me? Was he some fugitive from justice who had forged documents so that he could get a legitimate job and blend in with the rest of society? Were my husband and I in mortal danger?
Thankfully, the answers to all these questions are probably “no,” but it does give one pause. Why in all of creation do the young folk of today plaster their bodies with these huge and disturbing designs? They certainly make going barefoot and growing out your underarm hair pale by comparison!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 8 so far )Boomer Diva Nation
Boomers are a generation that “gets by with a little help from our friends.” We treasure these women who through the years have stood by our sides, wiped our tears, and delighted in our triumphs.
Now, there are amazing new ways to reach out to people and get close. I posted a couple of weeks back about my new cyberspace friends. Although I never would have believed it, through the magic of the Internet, people can actually develop close relationships.
I am fortunate to belong to an incredible group of baby boomer woman, Boomer Diva Nation, and they connected to me by way of this blog. They are about to celebrate their one-year anniversary and I want to share a little of what these ladies have meant to me.
Through the group, I’ve met many new friends who have gone out of their way to support me both personally and professionally. They’ve cheered me on for my successes, and encouraged me during the downtimes. They’ve helped me in real ways: invited me to appear on their radio shows, shared tips for improving my web presence, and suggested creative new ways to express myself.
As the leader, Beverly Mahone, says: “We are talented women who come from very diverse backgrounds around the globe. We come from all walks of life and different races and are eager to share our knowledge and resources. We’ve had a few bumps in the road and some detours but we continue to persevere.”
What better sign of true friendship than to persevere through the bumps and bruises of life? If you’re interested in finding out more about the group, you can check out the anniversary press release. For those of you in need of cyberspace friends, this is truly a wonderful group to belong to.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )Women Over 50–My Bottom Line
For those of you who are regular readers, you know that I’m all for celebrating growing older. Many women report that their happiest, most productive years are those past fifty. As far as I’m concerned, I’m more confident, more outspoken, and more assertive than ever before. I guess you might say that I’m feisty!
Nevertheless, there are some joys of youth that I miss—especially in summer. Remember going to the beach with your girlfriends, holding hands, and watching the waves slap the shore? What a delight!
And then as you grew into your teens and twenties, the summer took on a whole new meaning. With short shorts and halter-tops, it became the season for flirting and hoping to attract that perfect beau who would set your heart to pounding.
And now that we boomers find ourselves on the far side of fifty, what does the season of sunshine bring to us? Actually, it’s a chance to return to our childhood and, once again, frolic in the waves. The view might be a bit different but the fun’s still there.
And that’s my bottom line!
Women Over 50—The Laughs Just Keep Coming
I’ve blogged about this lady before. However, if you boomer gals are like me, then they’re one or two deficits in your memory bank. Repetition is comforting—actually it’s essential. Otherwise, each day would be filled with such twists and turns that I’d feel I had a recurring role on the Twilight Zone. But, I digress… back to the funny stuff.
Mrs. Hughes is a hoot! She began her career as a comedienne at the tender age of forty, inspired by the sassy Phyllis Diller who took to the stage around the same age. These two ladies have some amazing courage… not to mention talent.
Although this old bod will never see forty again (and neither will Mrs. Hughes), she can serve as an inspiration for those of us seeking new careers in middle age. What could be more daunting than mounting the steps of the dais and delivering your first stand-up routine? Anything we might try would seem mild by comparison.
At any rate, I share her wonderful comedy with you once again. She recently appeared on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson and brought down the house. The clip takes about five minutes to view, so sit back, relax, and get ready to chuckle—better yet enjoy a hearty guffaw at this lady’s irreverent take on parenthood, marriage, and the joys of being an old broad.
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