sherryderen

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”

Elasticity of Time

I have recently noticed a strange contradiction in my perception of time. As I get older, I am more aware that my future time is getting shorter. I have completed the great majority of the years I will have. This makes me want to be more deliberate about what I do with the remaining time.Continue reading “Elasticity of Time”

Fragments of the Past

For my last birthday party, my daughter framed some old photos of me and placed them on tables around the party room. There was one that captivated me immediately, it was of me and a girlfriend, standing on a beach in our two-piece bikini bathing suits. Mine was a yellow polka-dot bikini, a popular styleContinue reading “Fragments of the Past”

Untethered

I was tethered for much of my life, with lots of things I had to do. It never bothered me, but I often looked forward to times when I had less responsibility- be it vacations, or when my kids were grown, or retirement. Through graduate school there were lots of assignments, and most of myContinue reading “Untethered”

Unexpected Changes That Aging Brings

In the past few years, I wrote several essays related to changes that aging brings. I anticipated many of these, like changes related to my health, and welcomed others, like having more free time for activities that I care about. But I am also finding some unexpected changes that require adaptations, and even challenge someContinue reading “Unexpected Changes That Aging Brings”