Most of my writing has focused on being a senior, and I never liked that label. I associate it with being in the last year of high school or college, and I graduated from both of those a long time ago. I have a grandchild who was a high school senior last year, is now a college freshman, and hopefully, inContinue reading “Please Call Me An Older Adult, I Haven’t Been a Senior Since College”
Author Archives: sherryderen
Supernumerary?
I know, “supernumerary” is a difficult word to pronounce, with unclear meaning, and it has been significantly declining in usage since the 19th century. Nonetheless, it describes what I sometimes feel. Definitions include “extra, present in excess of the normal or needed number,” and synonyms include “superfluous.” At the end of a busy life, asContinue reading “Supernumerary?”
Keeping Things of No Use
Why do I keep things that have no use? Sometimes I look around my apartment and think I need to clear out some stuff I never use, but it’s not easy. In the kitchen, I now only do minimal cooking. I often buy prepared foods and use the microwave more than the stovetop or oven.Continue reading “Keeping Things of No Use”
Maturation of Aging
One of the reasons I started this blog several years ago was because I found it so surprising that I was becoming an older person. Who me? No, old people were some aunts and uncles and other older family members, or people I saw on the street pushing rollators. When I saw an older personContinue reading “Maturation of Aging”
Bagels for HOW MUCH?
Many older people complain about high prices, and inflation keeps increasing the cost of lots of things, especially since the COVID pandemic. I thought I had gotten used to these increases, but wow- some prices still shock me. I am first generation born in America. My parents were born in Eastern Europe, came to theContinue reading “Bagels for HOW MUCH?”
Surprises
One of the things that can make life interesting, and sometimes even fun, are the surprises that can appear. I recently had a reminder of this. We were planning a party in my apartment for my granddaughter, for her high school graduation. My son and daughter-in-law told me they arranged to get some entertainment forContinue reading “Surprises”
Bring on the ’80s
What does it mean to reach the ‘80s? There’s no escaping the fact that when you reach that decade, you are considered old. As I approached that age I became more interested in reading the obits in the NYTimes, with a focus on ages and causes of death. I was concerned when I saw thatContinue reading “Bring on the ’80s”
Steppin’ Out
When I was in college, I learned that taking on another identity, even briefly, gave me pleasure. I remember going to Forida during a college school break with a friend and when we went out one night I suggested that we take on other identities, and use foreign accents. Let’s say we are Russian-born, andContinue reading “Steppin’ Out”
Time Off For Retirees
I worked as a research scientist for many years, and was conscientious about doing my best and getting tasks done on time. But now that I am retired, and have more freedom and choices about what I will do, I miss having days off. What’s a day off when you are retired? I decided IContinue reading “Time Off For Retirees”
Paper Checks and Landlines
As I get older, I find that there are some technological advances in managing the tasks of daily living that I haven’t fully embraced. I still write paper checks, reconcile my bank account statements, and carry cash. Many people I know tell me they don’t carry cash or write checks anymore, and they never reconcileContinue reading “Paper Checks and Landlines”
Reflections on Aging 