
[ Picking cherries ]
Yes, I could go on and on about things like that happening to old people, but I choose to tell it like it is. I still bend over to tie my shoe laces, and I can get up again. We two who used to walk marathons and much lesser hikes don’t do that as much any more, but I have learned to be content with a daily walk of a mile or two along our walking trails

[ Part of our five mowing acres ]
That addresses the physical part of getting older, but how has us affected me socially? I have a hard time thinking of things that are very different because we have so many friends, both old, young, and in-between. Until I went off to college I guess I was not overly friendly because I felt that the other kids had so much more than I did, not realizing living the good life does not depend on material things. When I finally found that out, I gathered friends everywhere because I just did, and still do, like people! What a real blessing each one is to me!

[ Friends at Price Chopper ]
I am glad and thankful for the good life the Lord has given me and feel that I have had a very blessed time. I have been more than satisfied with our family, with the chance to help others when they are hurting, and need a hug or a pat on the back. We especially enjoy the work we do with the Harvesters’ group who distribute food to those in need. I can’t come up with a time in my life when I was really dissatisfied with life!

[ puzzles, cryptograms, Rummi-Kub ]
- stamp collecting which I started about 65 years ago (I enjoy passing on some of the duplicates to the kids around and taught that honor in our church work with some of those who wanted to learn)
- reading (we have so many books that the shelves all over the house are filled to more than capacity)
- cooking and baking, mostly with the old stand-bys that I have made for years
crossword puzzles, cryptograms, and sudokus - photography (I surely am nowhere near being a professional, but I enjoy nature so much that I can’t turn down a chance to come up with beautiful nature pictures)
[ Old barn photographed on a walk ]
- writing material for our blog which we have been doing since August 2014
- playing games like Rummikub. We usually play several games of that before going to bed.)
The only thing I would say to others about life and aging is to make the most of what you have, not desiring to have the best of material things, but taking advantage of the many opportunities God gives to us every day to enjoy His bountiful blessings. Use what you have to make those around you happy, and your life will have a real purpose! – CHRIS