In the current age poll, there is a question regarding why there are not more older folks in the group. Here are some thoughts about "old" and our society and me.
As to what happens to folks in their 60's and so?
A couple of things.
1. Knees do wear out. I have a number of neighbors in their 50's and 60's whose knees have given out - one with a replacement implant. However, this is absolutely no excuse for not participating in some sort of activity, and, indeed, biking, for many, is one of the better knee exercises.
2. There is a psychological "thing" that starts happening to you. I was out for dinner the other night, and a neighbor (whose parents in their early 70's have an apartment in their basement) came up to our table to tell us all about the "senior center" and how everyone gets in a van and goes on "trips" and "excursions" to see things!!
I was really pissed at this unwanted and unneeded advice, and I guessed it showed. I talked about getting ready for the "Ride the Rockies" one more time, and I should have asked her if the "senior center" had a team for RTR - and if they did, I would join the SC. But I did not think of that until later.
I can think of nothing more absolutely frigging boring than going in a van with a bunch of seniors off to visit the zoo or whatever!!
So, there is a psychological "preset" that once you are a certain age, these are the things you are supposed (by society's standards) to be "doing." Bah humbug!!
When I say I "bike" to other seniors, they sort of visualize me and my wife doing a 2 mile pedal around the neighborhood. However, there are more and more rebels in the senior world who do what THEY want, and I DO see a number of seniors on bikes in the area.
Heck, I can think of only one of our immediate neighbors who could begin to keep up with Nora and me on our daily 2 mile power walk - which we do no matter what the weather - and these are folks in their 30's and 40's. It was 18F last night, and was snowing and there we were all bundled up on our power walk.
3. MOst folks start becoming less and less active, and spend more time in the house. Neither Nora (age 65) nor I (age 63) ever want to "retire." Both of us love to work at REAL jobs - not "volunteer." We like the pay check, also. Again, others find this hard to understand. To us, "retirement" is the first step to putting our feet in the grave. We LOVE being out with others with vital and interesting ideas. I stopped work for a year and one-half a few years back and the deterioration in my thinking processes and involvement in life was extremely apparent to me. It was scary - I could not remember where I put things, became disassociated, etc.
Okay - enough ranting. But now you know why I hate to be called "old" on this forum, and I hate it when others identify themselves as "old." "Old" is a state of mind that is counter-productive to maintaining my vision of myself as a productive, active, participating member of society.
