haha
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18474041/
This was in my MSN Health Email when I returned from a walk this afternoon. Frankly, I have been happier at times than I am the last few weeks. Things are not wonderful with my wife, I lost my dog, my kids are busy, etc.
But I noticed how I basically felt good and at peace with life when I was returning home from a walk to do a few errands and pass the time. I stopped in an upscale thrift store, if this isn't an oxymoron. It's a Cancer Society store, and managed by two older aristocratic ladies-- one a Scot from Edinburg and the other a Brit with an Oxbridge accent. They alone are worth the walk. But additionally, they have fabulous clothing tastes. Today I bought a great looking suit which will require only slight pants alterations ($12), and three very nice apparently new shirts all for $25.50. It's Thursday, so the men's clothing department is 50% off! Also, usually when I go there some of the middle aged women patrons give me a little light flirting.
Next went to Starbucks (no really good coffee in this town!) and enjoyed the comfortable chair, reggae and friendly atmosphere as well as a doppio espresso macchiato. I sat around for a while reading a story about the mob in South Boston back in the 60s and 70s, and about Louise Day Hicks and Judge Garrity (many of you from Boston will remember both these people).
Next I stopped at a butcher where the pony-tailed owner is a huge fan of John and Yoko, and Beatles music is always playing. There are small statues of John and Yoko. Everyone there is very nice and friendly.
By the time I got home I felt quite a bit better than when I went out, that is for sure!
Anyway, when I saw this article I was not surprised. Not only from my own experience, but also that of the older guys I have met around here, as well as my own father. Living in a nice walkable area where he could make friends and pass pleasant time really helped my Dad as he got older. He just didn't get rigid or opinionated like many older men because he had so many young contacts. He told me he tried to meet young people because they were not near so likely to die as his age-mates. That alone might be some sort of anti-depressant I guess.
Ha
This was in my MSN Health Email when I returned from a walk this afternoon. Frankly, I have been happier at times than I am the last few weeks. Things are not wonderful with my wife, I lost my dog, my kids are busy, etc.
But I noticed how I basically felt good and at peace with life when I was returning home from a walk to do a few errands and pass the time. I stopped in an upscale thrift store, if this isn't an oxymoron. It's a Cancer Society store, and managed by two older aristocratic ladies-- one a Scot from Edinburg and the other a Brit with an Oxbridge accent. They alone are worth the walk. But additionally, they have fabulous clothing tastes. Today I bought a great looking suit which will require only slight pants alterations ($12), and three very nice apparently new shirts all for $25.50. It's Thursday, so the men's clothing department is 50% off! Also, usually when I go there some of the middle aged women patrons give me a little light flirting.
Next went to Starbucks (no really good coffee in this town!) and enjoyed the comfortable chair, reggae and friendly atmosphere as well as a doppio espresso macchiato. I sat around for a while reading a story about the mob in South Boston back in the 60s and 70s, and about Louise Day Hicks and Judge Garrity (many of you from Boston will remember both these people).
Next I stopped at a butcher where the pony-tailed owner is a huge fan of John and Yoko, and Beatles music is always playing. There are small statues of John and Yoko. Everyone there is very nice and friendly.
By the time I got home I felt quite a bit better than when I went out, that is for sure!
Anyway, when I saw this article I was not surprised. Not only from my own experience, but also that of the older guys I have met around here, as well as my own father. Living in a nice walkable area where he could make friends and pass pleasant time really helped my Dad as he got older. He just didn't get rigid or opinionated like many older men because he had so many young contacts. He told me he tried to meet young people because they were not near so likely to die as his age-mates. That alone might be some sort of anti-depressant I guess.
Ha