Aging

What is the purpose of college? The dictionary suggests "an educational institution or establishment, in particular one providing higher education or specialized professional or vocational training." Not surprisingly, the definition says nothing about being purely for those who have just entered adulthood.

The Economist is one of my favorite magazines for the hammock. So much wit and wisdom in each issue, and they’ve usually got a finger in the wind for trendspotting.

You work overtime and get paid 1.5 times your normal pay rate. America works overtime, and the country’s longevity grows by 1.5 times (from 1911, when it was 52, to 2011, when it was 78). Pretty miraculous, right?

I don’t know about you, but I strongly reacted to reading about Bryan Johnson, a wealthy entrepreneur from Venice Beach who is so enamored by the idea of becoming biologically young again that he’s spending $2 million per year to “live the dream.”

A Mexican cardon cactus can live 300 years, which is about 50% longer than a saguaro which is more likely found in the U.S. The patina of an old cactus is so unique.

President Joe Biden has an odd language of aphorisms that’s both old-fashioned and unsettling. In his recent State of the Union address, he issued a challenge to new House Majority Republicans by saying, “As my football coach used to say: ‘Lots of luck in your senior year.’”

Okay, after yesterday’s post, I decided to lighten it up a little today. Why did The White Lotus have to kill Jennifer Coolidge off? She was the primary reason I watched that dishy soap opera.

Many years ago, I told a lovely older woman she was a role model for me as I deeply appreciated her poise and presence and how plain-spoken she was. She told me something I’ll never forget, "I am you twenty-five years from now.” Wow!

Defining life stages is a modern phenomenon. “Adolescence” was introduced to the world in 1904 by psychologist G. Stanley Hall. His published works helped society realize that our teens are in a transitional life stage between childhood and adulthood. Before that, you hit puberty, and you were suddenly an adult.

Is Father Time the bully that sneaks up on you or the fairy that grants you wishes? Your answer to that question will determine how long you live, not to mention the quality of your life.