Antoinette's Page

Vol. 2,  No. 25, November 13 2011

TITLE: “ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: I say fight it, with a donation, prevention & care giver support!*”

INTRODUCTION

I am again thinking about our Moms and Dads, the greatest generation according to Tom Brokaw. I am also thinking about those people, the elderly, who have Alzheimer’s disease.  And I am thinking about us Baby Boomers looking out for our parents. This is another with the  theme of family. I will do a mini series on this. Today’s edition is about love and this disease. My book of the week, a very fitting one I might add,  is “The Notebook” [Mass Market Paperback] by Nicholas Sparks (Author).

PREVIEW: Next week, in the continuing series on holidays and special dates, I will give you a post on Thanksgiving (U.S.)  …Gobble Gobble ,,, I’ll do the stuffing….but it’s BYOT: Bring your own turkey.

MY LIFE & TIMES*

My friend’s mother has Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughter quit her job to be the main caregiver. Her life is now very stressful and this has affected her health. The mother now doesn’t recognize her own daughter; the mother refers to her as “the nice lady who takes care of me”. It has come to the point that the mother does not remember how to swallow and this has led the daughter to put her in a residence. 

At a conference that I attended in early November 2011, a clinical psychologist lectured on the 65+ years. She noted that these are known as  “The Golden Years”. She rejected this label. She asked: “What’s so wonderful about these years?” According to her, a person is elderly and probably has health issues and less strength. Vitality diminishes –   no matter how healthy a person is, Many elderly also must deal with loneliness and in many cases less income. 

The other side of the coin – is well in mind but ill in body. My mother has a sharp mind, but her body is failing her. Physically, she has many serious maladies – she also has various aches and pains.  She is very well aware of what is happening to her -she is sad and depressed.  Is this better?  I don’t think so. In some ways, this is just as difficult.

THE AUTHOR:  Nicholas Sparks

On December 31, 1965, in the heartland – Omaha, Nebraska, Nicholas Sparks was born. His father was a professor and mother an optometrist employee and also a homemaker. His national origin was English-Irish plus a smattering of European. The family was Roman Catholic. He did well at university. He wrotes a few novels, never published. He bouinced aound jobs. He co-wrote another book – it was published and had moderate success. He wrote “The Notebook”. It found a big audience.  He is a very accomplished author.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Sparks)

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:

Some are:

• The Notebook (October 1996)
• Message in a Bottle (April 1998)
• A Walk to Remember (October 1999)
• The Rescue (September 2000)
• A Bend in the Road (September 2001)
• Nights in Rodanthe (September 2002)
• The Guardian (April 2003)
• The Wedding (September 2003)
• Three Weeks With My Brother (April 2004)
• True Believer (April 2005)
• At First Sight (October 2006)
• Dear John (October 2006)
• The Choice (September 2007)
• The Lucky One (October 2008)
• The Last Song (September 2009)
• Safe Haven (September 2010)
• The Best Of Me (October 11, 2011)

Film adaptations

Some are:

• Message in a Bottle (February 12, 1999)
• A Walk to Remember (January 25, 2002)
• The Notebook (June 25, 2004)
• Nights in Rodanthe (September 26, 2008)
• Dear John (February 5, 2010)
• The Last Song (March 31, 2010)
• The Lucky One (April 20, 2012)
• Safe Haven (film) Set to be released in 2012

THE MOVIE: The Notebook”
This was a solid romantic movie of 2004 with a twist, being Alzheimer’s. The artists include Nick Cassavetes, director and in the younger period, film stars, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams and the elder period, James Garner and Gena Rowlands. It struck a huge chord. I saw it with my daughters. I like it a lot.

THE BOOK:  “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks (Author)
The story is one summer, boy meets girl. He had big dreams. She saw something special in him.  But there was a catch – she was from money, he wasn’t. In the fall, she went back to reality. She was expected to marry a professional. Her mother encouraged her to follow her heart. She went back to honey boy. He received her with open arms. They married, had a family and a great life. Fade-out and Fade-in. The love story continues. But real life plays its cruel tricks. She is elderly now suffering from Alzheimers’s disease. He lovingly visits and cares for a wife truly loved. The readers cheer – this is what love is all about. This story sets the bar at love. We all, love-searchers, now  have something to shoot for. This story of the best of love is remarkable and exilerating. It shows that Alzheimer’s patients could live out their lives; and love does indeed, conquer all … even Alzheimer’s disease.     

CONCLUSION

Getting old can be the pits. Bad disease is really bad news. Alzheimer’s affects 35 million people worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of death among the elderly.

Personal Comments

 Scientists are working hard researching  Alzheimer’s disease. There is no cure for this terrible illness. I hope that it’ll be soon.

It is important to keep your brain active.  To keep learning and to read is very important. An idle brain is unhealthy.  

Alzheimer’s disease affects many people. Not recognizing a loved one must be devastating. The awareness of this illness in a family is a great tragedy. 

In many instances, the caregivers are the husband/wife or an adult child.               

Loving is good and it certainly makes the medicine go down easier.  

The Point

We must find a cure to Alzheimer’s disease.

Everyone can and must carry on their own personal fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Caring for Alzheimer patients is JOB-#1 for each and every one of us.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

1. Give generously to continue the research of Alzheimer’s Disease – the scientists are hopefully close to a cure;
2. Rally lawmakers to do more for caregivers especially the primary care givers.  
3. Be there for a loved one if he or she has this illness; in this regard,
3.1 Keep in mind, always, that this is the same person who loved and cherished you before the illness even though, you may now be a stranger to them;
4. Keep an active mind; in this regard, 
4.1 Read every day … anything you enjoy is fine;
4.2  Keep learning; in this regard,
4.2.1 Take courses if you can;

Alzheimer’s disease hurts everyone – let’s beat it!*
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===================================================================================================
ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER?, TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Charlton Heston: Alzheimer’s & the NRA
“In August 2001, Charlton Heston announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and would soon be stepping down as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). “If you see a little less spring to my step, if your name fails to leap to my lips,” he remarked, “you’ll know why. And if I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway.” Shortly thereafter Details magazine’s Tony Hendra published a list of “questions no one asked but which should worry everyone who has all their marbles”: “Will Chuck still have 24-7 access to his arsenal?” he wondered. “And does the Second Amendment cover the right to bear arms when you’re directing traffic in your pajamas?”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=18585

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Ronald Reagan: Alzheimer’s Moment
“Some time after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Ronald Reagan was visited by biographer Edmund Morris in his office overlooking Century City: “I’m not on your list today, Mr. President. Just wanted to say hi — see how you are.” He [Reagan] rose with his usual air of gentle surprise, but I got the feeling that if I had come in through the window he would react no differently. As I made desperate small talk, he held on to the edge of his desk. “Sir, those lead soldiers make a great display! Like when you were sick with
pneumonia in 1915, and played with armies on the counterpane?” He smiled faintly, not remembering, and I noticed something unimaginable before: a patch of silvery stubble on his chin. It glowed incandescently as a sunbeam slanted across his face. “Uh — the fellow who made them, he—uh, came…” “Came and presented them to you?” “Yes. He — we — we had to make space, uh — move those trees.” Mystified, I followed his gaze, and saw only a red-bound set of “Public Papers of the Presidents: Ronald Reagan,” relegated to the shelf beneath the soldiers. Well, if a poet can compare stacked volumes to garners of grain, I guess a retired statesman can call his collected works trees if he wants. They do, after all, bear fruit, in a dry sort of way. And President Reagan did love to prune speech drafts and proclamations with his sharp pen, just as he pruned the live oaks and madronas at Rancho del Cielo. “See?” he would say, after having buzz-sawed this or that grove to a Seurat-like geometry. “See where the light comes through?”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=19154

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: George Burns: Burned Up?
“George Burns, famed for his love of fine cigars, was a longtime member of L.A.’s exclusive Hillcrest Country Club. When Burns complained one day about the club’s new ban on smoking, a special sign was posted for Burns’ benefit: “Cigar smoking prohibited for anyone under 95.”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6503

S & R* QUOTE #1: Steve Jobs
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/

S & R* QUOTE #2: Steve Jobs
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/

S & R* QUOTE #3: Adrienne Rich
“We see daily that our lives are terrible and little, without continuity, buyable and salable at any moment, mere blips on a screen, that this is the way we live now. Memory marketed as nostalgia; terror reduced to mere suspense, to melodrama.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
—————————————————————–—————————————————-
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Alzheimer’s disease (AD)”; “old age”; etc.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, simply Alzheimer’s (as astand-alone attributive adjective noun), and folk-etymological names such as “old-timers’ disease”, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which becomes worse as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.[1] Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age,[2] although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer’s is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.[3]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer’s_disease

Old Age
“Old age (also referred to as one’s eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage) and the elderly.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_age

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

“Alzheimer’s is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.[3] Although Alzheimer’s disease develops differently for every individual, there are many common symptoms.[4] Early symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be ‘age-related’ concerns, or manifestations of stress.[5] In the early stages, the most common symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events.

As the disease advances, symptoms can include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, trouble with language, and long-term memory loss. As the sufferer declines they often withdraw from family and society.[5][7] Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.[8]

The cause and progression of Alzheimer’s disease are not well understood. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain.[11] Current treatments only help with the symptoms of the disease. There are no available treatments that stop or reverse the progression of the disease. As of 2008[update], more than 500 clinical trials have been conducted to find ways to treat the disease, but it is unknown if any of the tested treatments will work.[12] Mental stimulation, exercise, and a balanced diet have suggested as possible ways to delay symptoms in healthy older individuals, but they have not been been proven as effective.[13]”

SCHEDULE III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Tips on caring for a relative affected by Alzheimer’s disease

“The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Canadian seniors is predicted to increase dramatically over the next 30 years, but the task of primary caregiver will likely still fall on close relatives. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada projects that the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases will nearly double in this time, putting long-term care beds in nursing facilities and hospitals in high demand. Experts note that, with the proper support, living at home and with relatives can help keep individuals affected by dementia in the best mental and physical health possible. It’s crucial that individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias remain in a familiar environment for as long as possible, said Anju Bunwait, a certified dementia practitioner and manager of clinical practice at Bayshore Home Health. The CDP designation is administered by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners an organization formed in 2001 to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer’s education to professionals and other caregivers who provide services to dementia clients. Bunwait recommends that families follow the steps below to make educated decisions about caring for a loved one who is affected by Alzheimer’s disease.Learn about the disease. Educating yourself on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can help you know what to expect in terms of the disease progression, methods of caregiving, as well as help you better understand and appreciate the your loved one.Communicate. Communication is key when it comes to understanding a person affected with Alzheimer’s disease and relieving their anxiety. For example asking questions using open and relaxed body language instead of correcting their mistakes will help them communicate with less distress and confusion.Work with a certified home care professional. All Bayshore Home Health clinical managers across the Lower Mainland and Victoria are certified dementia practitioners and can help with proper communication techniques, interventions for disruptive behaviours and tools for addressing concerns such as wandering, poor nutrition and sexuality. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. Family and friends can help in many ways, from spending time with the person affected by the Alzheimer’s to performing small tasks, like picking up groceries. Community support groups are also a good way to network, learn and get support from the people around you.”
www.newscanada.com
“News Canada” <article@newscanada.com>www.newscanada.com”

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Seniors shown how to prevent falls in the home
“The old line Help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up has become a TV cliché over the years, but for seniors, a fall can represent a serious and potentially fatal health risk. Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization among seniors and can be attributed to approximately 40 per cent of nursing home admissions, said Chris Clark, the Vancouver director of BayshoreHome Health, a company specializing in home care for seniors. Clark notes that his staff are working more and more with clients to safety proof their homes against potential fall hazards as they and their loved one move into old age. One in three seniors will experience a fall, but learning fall prevention strategies can vastly reduce the risk of fatality and the severity of an injury following an accident. Below Clark offers his top five tips to minimize the risk of falls. More information about fall prevention strategies is available online at www.bayshore.ca.Install safety bars. Clark highly recommends this precaution in the shower and bathtub area. A combined bathtub and shower is less likely to cause falls once slippery than a simple walk-in shower with no sitting area.Maintain an exercise regime. Bayshore Home Health’s caregivers recommend that seniors focus on exercises to strengthen their balance, in addition to hazard-proofing their home. Keep a clear line of sight at all times. Attention to detail and visibility can save a senior an unnecessary and trip to the hospital. Something as minor as a loose rug, a misplaced or hard-to-see object, or even poor lighting can trigger a fall. Avoid steep stairs wherever possible. If you’re in an apartment complex, the elevator is the safer choice, and some homes and buildings have motorized chair lifts installed that can take you up the stairs while you sit safely.Keep a phone nearby at all times. Being able to call for help should an accident occur while you are alone is an important safety measure. Having a phone near the bed, or carrying a cellular phone on you at all times can ensure that you get help quickly when it’s needed.”
www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #3: Sandwich generation healthier, wealthier but worried
“Canadian parents who also provide support to their own parents are in better physical, psychological and financial health than the average Canadian. But these members of the “sandwich generation” are also concerned about the impact that the eldercare is having on many aspects of their lives, according to the most recent health survey conducted by Desjardins Financial Security (DFS).”They seem ready to deal with the challenges of supporting both parents and children simultaneously,” says Nathalie Tremblay, health products manager at DFS. “But they know that this is going to affect their lives in many different ways.”In fact, this demographic totally or somewhat agree that this assistance impacts:

 Their mental health (67.3 percent)
 The well-being of their family (62.4 percent)
 Their physical health (60.1 percent)
 Their professional life (58.2 percent)

Close to 60 per cent of Canadians indicated that government-funded home care was one of the three most important resources to help them assist their parents’ daily activities. This reliance on the health care system was even higher among the sandwich generation with 68 per cent convinced that their parents could easily access publicly-funded home care in case of a critical illness.
“This is an alarming statistic,” says Bart Mindszenthy, co-author of the best seller Parenting Your Parents and expert in elderly family care giving. “It’s my feeling that the health care system simply can’t effectively cope with the number of people requiring care as our population ages.”

Opinions varied across the country

Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers were most confident in publicly-funded home care to meet their parents needs in the case of a critical illness; 71.4 and 71.2 agreed respectively, compared to 59.1 percent overall.Quebecers were least concerned about the impact of caring for their parents on their health and finances. In the case of finances, 45.4 percent totally or somewhat agreed that there would be an impact, compared to 60.9 percent overall. Ontarians were the most willing to make significant lifestyle changes (such as taking a leave of absence or turning down a promotion) to care for their parents. Saskatchewanians were least willing to make significant lifestyle changes (such as taking a leave of absence or turning down a promotion) to care for their parents. Manitobans would be least able to adapt to the loss of income if a leave of absence was necessary to take care of a parent. Albertans would be most able to adapt to the loss of income if a leave of absence was necessary to take care of a parent. British Columbians were most concerned about the impact on their physical health of caring for their parents.”
www.newscanada.com
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Vol. 2,  No. 19,  September 25, 2011
TITLE: “RETIREMENT: Income, Pension, Planning, Calculator, etc.  – What do want? – I have thought about it!*”
INTRODUCTION
The end of summer 2011 was different – big time. I RETIRED. My whole world shifted and my everyday changed. I want to give you a look inside … behind the front lines. I don’t have to theorize about a person retiring,  I am living it. I know of what I speak. My book of the week is:  “About Schmidt ” (Ballantine Reader’s Circle) by Louis Begley (Author). Hence, my subject is retirement.  (Editor’s Note: This is the second of a series on re-careering in midlife, retraining and retirement.)

PREVIEW #1: In a day or two, look for my next recipe installment, (located in the very same place), in another of my blogs. entitled, “CUCINA D’ANTONIETTA*”(Antonietta’s Kitchen*), “the art of food, wine, family & more*”. This time, I am cooking up, “Peperoni Ripieni a l’Antonietta” (Antoinette’s Stuffed Peppers). Bring your napkin.

PREVIEW#2: Next week, I will give you another installment of my series on parenting, schooling and the return to class. This time, my sub-topic will be mentoring… it’s an important component of a sucessful educational career. Please come by and check out my post after the bell rings at 3:00P.M. I will be waiting for you.    

MY LIFE & TIMES*

In my family, my father retired first. He was 65 and sold his business/truck.  Shortly after, he got a part-time job, pumping gas, a few days- a-week. It was at a gas station of a friend. HE LOVED IT! My mother waited until she was about 65 and then retired. She then busied hereself with her home, family, etc.

When I started thinking seriously about retirement, I spoke with friends and acquaintances. Some retirees said that it was a great time and place. These people were overjoyed – they explained that they had plans – places to go and things to do. Not everybody saw it that way.  A number of people who I knew, worked beyond their minimum years of service.  They didn’t have another job. They couldn’t imagine what they would do. They just stayed put. One was in his seventies.

I retired a month ago.  Many people at my former workplace were incredulous. Some said: “You are not old.” I said: “I feel young.” Others said : “You look so young. ” I would reply: “Thank you for the compliment.  Still others asked: “Why did you do it.” I answered: “It was the right time for me.” 

First, after 35 years of service, I was entitled to a full pension. Staying put would not get me  much more in dollars and cents. My decision was logical – it was to my advantage. Second, I was too young to stop working and I had another job lined up. That made it easier to come to the decision. Third, I was ready for something different – I was looking forward to a new career. I put in a few hours a week after 5:00 P.M. beforehand and had an idea of what to expect.  But emotionally, it was another story. I didn’t expect to be so emotional and sad. I really missed the routine and the social side of the workplace. It took me by surprise. 

A few years ago, I went to a seminar about retirement.  The speaker, who held a big position remembered when he entered his former workplace, the security and support staff would warmly greet him. He received a smile and several friendly words. Now that he had retired, he found that things had changed a lot. Now, when he went to visit, not many people acknowledged him.  How sad? 

THE AUTHOR:  Louis Begley

Begley was born on October 6, 1933 in Stryj of the then Poland, the only child of a physician. He survived the Holocaust  (i.e., the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during W.W.II.) Using forged identity papers,  pretending to be Polish Catholics, his mother and he survived. In 1959, on graduation from Harvard Law School, he practiced law with a New York firm. He retired on January 1, 2004. He went from writing legalese to novels. He is a writers’ writer. He has the awards to prove it:  (a) The Irish Times-Aer Lingus International Fiction Prize; (b) National Book Award Finalist; (c) National Book Critics’ Circle Finalist; (d) PEN/Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award; (e) Prix Médicis Étranger; (f) Jeanette-Schocken-Pries; (g) Bemerhavener Bürgerpreis für Literatur; (h) American Academy of Letters Award in Literature; (i) Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung Literaturpreis; etc.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Begley
 
SERIES/COLLECTION
Books
• Wartime Lies (1991)
• The Man Who Was Late (1993)
• As Max Saw It (1994)
• About Schmidt (Ballantine Reader’s Circle) by Louis Begley (Author) 1996
• Mistler’s Exit (1998)
• Schmidt Delivered (2000)
• Shipwreck (2003)
• Matters of Honor (2007)
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Begley

Movie: “About Schmidt ”
The 2002 film adaptation of the Begley’s novel has Jack Nicholson as its star. Kathy Bates is the female star. Early on, you see him at the office, quite “dorky”, yet seemingly successfully fitting in.  Gazing at the clock, Jack’s character is waiting for the hours to tick down. We realize that he is retiring. He soon finds that life in the retirement lane is slower. Indeed, he doesn’t strike you as “fast and furious”. He then becomes quirky, not quite knowing what to say and do, seemingly not fitting in anywhere. His escapades are really misadventures. At one point, he meets the Kathy Bates character, a senior citizen flower child of the 1960s.  You fill in the blanks. 

THE BOOK:  “About Schmidt ” (Ballantine Reader’s Circ.) by Louis Begley
This is one man’s story of death, retirement and inheritance. Albert Schmidt is a widower – this is about his life after he lost his wife of many years. He is a retired lawyer. Surprise surpsise….he has an unhealthy diet. He owns a house in the Hamptons. He has an adult daughter, Charlotte. She is a yuppie, in public relations for BIG tobacco. He wants to leave his home to his daughter, but she doesn’t want it. Life is simple yet complicated at the same time. Such is the time after work. It is one man’s take on the retirement stage. It is more than interesting. Read between the lines. Learn and retire better.   

CONCLUSION

Many of us will probably retire. Retirement could be wonderful or bad – indeed, truly great or really bad. Which will it be for you?

Personal Comments

Retirement could be a very tough time and place.  One really doesn’t know what to expect. When you get there, it might be overwhelming.

The transition from the work force to a stay-at-home retirement could be a shock to your system. Once the novelty of retirement wears off, some people whoosh like a popped balloon. On leaving their lifetime work, they lose themselves. They seemingly lose who they are: their (work) identity. They see their self worth sink to zero.

First, I say that they are wrong. They are who they are. What they did to make a living was only a part of who they are. They are worth much more than their job function.  In a family, they are unique: a son/daughter, husband/wife, father/mother, brother/sister, etc. They love and are loved.  That’s just the start. Connect the dots!  

Second, think about retirement… no really think about it.  You need to find your new life….just like the hamburger…just the way you like it! 

You work so long, looking forward to retirement. You dream – you have so many dreams.

You want to have a pleasant retirement. It is very important to have plans before you retire.  Many people think about the financial aspect of retirement.  “Yes” money is important. But, it’s not the whole story. It’s also about what you will do, day-in-day-out. If rich and famous, you have the means to go here and there, hobnobbing or some such. (Don’t envy them – many find such a life unfulfilling.)  I think that re-careering is a good option. A second option is volunteering – helping those in need, whether locally, regionally or whatever.  Other alternatives are: physical exercise and training, hobbies, sports, educational courses, etc.  I am sure that you can come up with ideas of your own. Being without activities to occupy your time could spell trouble in retirement.

Remember the slogan that starts with: “You’re not getting older….”  I think you’re getting better because you’re closer to retirement. 
 

The Point

Retirement is a huge challenge. Do it right! Retire well.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
Dos & Don’ts – if at retirement age:

1. Remember the slogan that speaks of being worth it. I agree.  Recognize that you’re a high value person. Your retirement can be great.  
2. Make sure that retirement is financially feasible; in this regard,

2.1 Evaluate your pension income – use an on-line pension calculator;
3. Figure out what you’re going to do. Don’t retire unless you have something to occupy your time. Try to find something about which you are passionate.
4. Make a plan; in this regard,

4.1 Set new goals- you need goals;   
4.2 Make your dreams happen. Remember the slogan that speaks of Freedom ??. It is all about dreams.  

4.3 Develop your strategies to get to the place where you want to be;

4.4  Set up an anticuipated schedule;

5. Get prepared for the transition; in this regard,

5.1 Recognize that retirement is one of the major transitions in your life and the last. The transition to retirement could be less painful if you have a plan.
5.2 Take into consideration your state of mind – embrace a better attitude ;

5.3 Prepare to be emotional – I think that you then might find it less difficult;  

I want your retirement to be amazing?Don’t you? Open your horizons. It is possible!* 

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com  –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com  – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
================================================================================================
 
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
================================================================================================
ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER?, TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Classic Groucho
The day after his retirement, Groucho Marx, having long planned a trip to Paris, hopped on a plane to fulfill his dream. Upon his return, he was met at the airport by a friend named Herb. “Well,” he asked, “how was Paris?” “Oh, it was fine,” Groucho replied, “but I wish I’d gone twenty years ago.” “When Paris was really Paris, eh?” Herb remarked, sympathetically. “No,” said Groucho, “when Groucho Marx was really Groucho Marx!”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=11501

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: No, By George!
Late in life, George Burns was asked whether he planned ever retire. “Retire?” Burns replied. “I’m going to stay in show business until I’m the only one left!”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=5823

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Pothead Prime Minister
One day in October 2003, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced that, although he had never smoked marijuana before, he might be willing to try it after his retirement, even if efforts to decriminalize it failed. “I will have my money for my fine [in one hand],” he declared, “and a joint in the other hand!”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=14875

S & R* QUOTE #1: Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
That “change makes us uncomfortable” is now one of the most widely promoted, widely accepted, and underconsidered half-truths around…. [I]t is not change by itself that makes us uncomfortable; it is not even change that involves taking on something very difficult. Rather, it is change that leaves us feeling defenseless before the dangers we “know” to be present that causes us anxiety. (from Immunity to Change)
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/

S & R* QUOTE #2:  Audre Lorde
Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now.
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/
 
S & R* QUOTE #3: Parker J. Palmer
I want my inner truth to be the plumb line for the choices I make about my life — about the work that I do and how I do it, about the relationships I
enter into and how I conduct them.
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/index2.html
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
—————————————————————–———————————————————————-ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “retirement”;  etc.

Retirement

Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely.[1][2] A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retirement
SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:
In most countries, the idea of retirement is of recent origin, being introduced during the 19th and 20th centuries. Previously, low life expectancy and the absence of pension arrangements meant that most workers continued to work until death. Germany was the first country to introduce retirement in the 1880s.The “standard” retirement age varies from country to country but it is generally between 50 and 70 (according to latest statistics, 2011). In some countries this age is different for males and females, although this has recently been challenged in some countries (e.g., Austria), and in some countries the ages are being brought into line.[4] The table below shows the variation in eligibility ages for public old-age benefits in the United States and many European countries, according to the OECD.
Country Early retirement age Normal retirement age Employed, 55–59
 Employed, 60–64 Employed, 65–69 Employed, 70+
Austria 60 (57) 65 (60) 39% 7% 1% 0%
Belgium 60 65 45% 12% 1% 0%
Cambodia 50 55 ? ? ? ?
Denmark none 65 77% 35% 9% 1%
France 62* 65* 51% 12% 1% 0%
Germany 65 67 64% 23% 3% 0%
Greece 57 65 51% 31% 8% 1%
Italy 57 65 (60) 34% 12% 1% 0%
Netherlands 60 65 53% 22% 3% 0%
Norway 62 67 ? ? ? ?
Spain 60** 65** 46% 22% 0% 0%
Sweden 61 65 78% 58% 5% 1%
Switzerland 63 (61), [58] 65 (64) 77% 46% 7% 2%
Thailand 50 60 ? ? ? ?
United Kingdom none 65 69% 40% 10% 2%
United States 62 67 66% 43% 20% 5%
Greater wealth tends to lead to earlier retirement, since wealthier individuals can essentially “purchase” additional leisure. Generally the effect of wealth on retirement is difficult to estimate empirically since observing greater wealth at older ages may be the result of increased saving over the working life in anticipation of earlier retirement. However, a number of economists have found creative ways to estimate wealth effects on retirement and typically find that they are small. For example, one paper exploits the receipt of an inheritance to measure the effect of wealth shocks on retirement using data from the HRS.[15] The authors find that receiving an inheritance increases the probability of retiring earlier than expected by 4.4 percentage points, or 12 percent relative to the baseline retirement rate, over an eight-year period. A great deal of attention has surrounded how the financial crisis is affecting retirement decisions, with the conventional wisdom saying that fewer people will retire since their savings have been depleted; however recent research suggests that the opposite may happen. Using data from the HRS, researchers examined trends in defined benefit (DB) vs. defined contribution (DC) pension plans and found that those nearing retirement had only limited exposure to the recent stock market decline and thus are not likely to substantially delay their retirement.[16] At the same time, using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS), another study estimates that mass layoffs are likely to lead to an increase in retirement almost 50% larger than the decrease brought about by the stock market crash, so that on net retirements are likely to increase in response to the crisis.[17]More information tells of how many who retire will continue to work, but not in the career they have had for the majority of their life. Job openings will increase in the next 5 years due to retirements of the baby boomer generation. The Over 50 population is actually the fastest growing labor groups in the US. This might have something to do with the economy, or the fact that this generation is outliving any previous generation and needs a job to entertain them! A great deal of research has examined the effects of health status and health shocks on retirement. It is widely found that individuals in poor health generally retire earlier than those in better health. This does not necessarily imply that poor health status leads people to retire earlier, since in surveys retirees may be more likely to exaggerate their poor health status to justify their earlier decision to retire. This justification bias, however, is likely to be small.[18] In general, declining health over time, as well as the onset of new health conditions, have been found to be positively related to earlier retirement.[19]Most people are married when they reach retirement age; thus, spouse’s employment status may affect one’s decision to retire. On average, husbands are three years older than their wives in the U.S., and spouses often coordinate their retirement decisions. Thus, men are more likely to retire if their wives are also retired than if they are still in the labor force, and vice versa.[20][21]
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retirement
SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1:
Consider downsizing in retirement when faced with mortgage debt The first wave of baby boomers will turn 65 this year but many may not be ready for retirement. A recent poll from CIBC reveals that nearly half (46 per cent) of our country’s baby boomers still carry a mortgage and 75 per cent still carry additional debt. The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) advises that downsizing to a smaller living space can help reduce mortgage debt and could also offer other lifestyle benefits. Smaller houses and condominiums can require less maintenance and leave more free time to enjoy living. The decision to move from the family home to a smaller house, townhouse or condo is becoming more popular, said Barbara Sukkau, president of OREA. Homeowners should take the time to consider what they can afford, what kind of lifestyle they want to have and what type of home they’d like to live in.Sukkau offers the following advice:
-Consider your debt: How much do you owe on your mortgage and how can downsizing help you to pay this off much faster?
-Figure out how much of your debt you can pay off by looking at the principal owing compared to costs related to selling. Then take into account other housing costs related to
your new space such as reduced property taxes and utility fees to get a clearer picture.
-Remember, condos also have maintenance fees that can rise over time if the building doesn’t have a sufficient reserve fund in place.
-Consider your current lifestyle: How many rooms do you need? How long will the kids still be living at home? How often do you have overnight guests? How much stuff can you get rid of? It’s important to consider what you’re willing to give up in return for a downsized space, including whether or not you still plan to host family holidays.
-Consider your future lifestyle: Do you have plans to travel after retirement? Is deteriorating health an issue? Perhaps a single-level home like a bungalow or a low maintenance space like an apartment would suit your future needs. With proper planning, downsizing can get you the lifestyle and home that you want. Visit howrealtorshelp.ca to help you when you decide.
www.newscanada.com
“News Canada” <article@newscanada.com>www.newscanada.com”
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Retirement planning with annuities
According to Michael Aziz, regional vice president of individual insurance product sales at Desjardins Financial Security, annuities can be an important part of a retirement plan. “Annuities have become more than just a source of life-time income,” said Aziz. “Some can be used as a charitable donation, and that’s a very smart tax and estate planning strategy.” We asked Aziz to give us a tour through the different types of annuities: To start, what is an annuity?An annuity is a long-term savings contract designed to provide you with guaranteed income.
How does it work?
An annuity allows you to convert your savings into regular income, which is paid out over a specified period of time or for life. For example, the funds are invested and then after a prescribed period of time the client receives an income at regular intervals for a pre-determined period of time or until their death, depending on the type of annuity chosen. These payments are determined based on factors such as life expectancy and current interest rates.What kinds of annuities are available?There are four that are most common:
A life annuity provides a guaranteed and predictable income for life. It’s safe from market fluctuations and can be reversible, meaning that when the person dies, the annuity payments continue and are paid to their beneficiary. Term certain annuity provides a regular guaranteed income for a specified period. If the person dies before the end of this set period, the annuity is paid to the beneficiary. Adapted life annuity, also called an impaired risk annuity, is designed to meet the needs of a person who has been diagnosed with a critical illness or whose life expectancy has been reduced. The payments the person receives are higher than conventional life annuity payments because they factor in their special circumstances.A charitable annuity allows a person to support a favourite charity while still receiving a guaranteed regular income for a specified period or for life. He would also receive a tax credit for the donation. To learn more about how to include annuities into your retirement plan, speak to your financial advisor. Or for more immediate answers, visit
Desjardins Financial Security at www.desjardinslifeinsurance.com.
www.newscanada.com
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Vol. 2,  No. 18, September 18th, 2011
TITLE: “WORKING, CAREER: Finding jobs online or classifieds, etc. – You can do it – I believe in you!*”

INTRODUCTION

With the start of autumn, people are concentrating on work. I am thinking about a person restarting a career or making a  job change. My book of the week is:  “10 Strategies for Reentering the Workforce: Career Advice for Anyone Who Needs a Good (or Better) Job Now by Mary E. Ghilani (Author) . Hence, my subject is the search for a job .  (Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series on working .) 

PREVIEW: Next week, I will continue on with the theme of re-careering in midlife, retraining and retirement.  Indeed, life after retirement can be a new career.  What do you think?  Check out my post, if you please, on my blog next week and see my point of view. I would love to hear back from you.

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Working

I am no expert. But I have worked all of my life. Working hard is second nature. Dressing PROPERLY for the office is my personal rule. I have learned to work with my co-workers not against them. I will buy the coffee and in the morning, make the coffee. If my work mates don’t carry their weight, I will stop. I believe in being honest and sincere and respect the people with whom I work. I don’t believe in payback – this is because the employer is the ultimate victim. I am true blue  – I will be a listener and I will offer advice if asked. All of this to say, I think that I did something right. I was given a retirement party when I decided it was time to leave (More about retirement next week.)           

From my work experience, I have seen a few things:
1. A newbie gets a job in a big place by applying to join the occasional pool – these people fill in where there are absences.
2. A lower-level employee moves up by applying to a higher position and he or she has a good chance of getting the job by meeting all of the requirements. (Therefore, it is necessary to check out the requirements to ensure that you qualify.)
3. An ambitious employee intent on moving up, needs to get the skills by asking for and taking extra courses and training. Remember no pain..no gain!  

 
THE AUTHOR: Mary E. Ghilani

Ghilani is a nationally certified counsellor with 15 years of academic and career counselling experience with college students and adults. In education for 20 years, she is currently the director of Career Services at a community college in northeastern PA.  She says that “Her areas of specialty include career assessment, career change, internet resources, resume writing, and job search strategies.”

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:
Some of her published works are:
• Second Chance: How Career Changers Can Find a Great Job
• Web-Based Career Counseling: A Guide to Internet Resources for Researching a Career and Choosing a Major
• 10 Strategies for Reentering the Workforce: Career Advice for Anyone

THE BOOK: 10Strategies for Reentering the Workforce:Career Advice for Anyone Who Needs a Good (or Better) Job Now by Mary Ghilani

The goal according to her is to achieve a satisfactory work life. She is a realist …. telling us that S…. (it sounds like split) happens.  There is economic necessity, brought on by a plant closing, corporate downsizing, etc. There are also life-changing circumstances like divorce, injury, etc. And there are those who wake up one day and say that they need a change.  She says that people therefore need to look for new work. To do this, she takes you by the hand and goes through the steps. These are reflected by the Chapter roll with these topics: 1. Understand today’s workforce; 2. Assess your present situation; 3. Deal with common emotions; 4. Take stock of what you already have; 5. Make a career decision; 6. Identify your options; 7. Overcome obstacles; 8. Plan your career strategically; 9. Remember: its never too late to go back to school; 10. Reenter the workforce; 11. Afterward where do I go from here, by her printed words, she acts as your personal counselor. This is a HOW-TO instrument to help you get to the employment side of the street. She even has included sample resumes, cover letters, Web sites addresses.  She says that “This book is to the best possible to find a better job or improve your employment situation no matter your stage of life you are in your career ” (pg. .. )  I believe that she is right. This is truly a “soup-to-nuts” manual. Use it!

CONCLUSION

I get it. Making a living is important. Paying your bills is urgent. Getting a job is job #1.
 
Personal Comments

Sometimes being out of work is forced upon you by circumstance. Sometimes it is voluntary. It is also common during one’s midlife.  In many instances,  a second career or a new job could be a healthy change.

Job hopping is not viewed as a positive, but being stalemated in the same job is also a negative.  What to do? Sometimes, you have to change the company in order to get there. 

Loyalty to the same company gives you comfort, security, seniority and in some cases a pension at the end of the tunnel. But things are a changing. A few years ago, I was watching a television show where young people were being interviewed on their views regarding job, career and employer loyalty. Their take on this was to stay with a company as long as it suited them and until the next opportunity came along.  They didn’t believe in being loyal to a company for 35 years or so as their parents had done. And with pension horror stories in the last years, we know that pensions are not 100% or forever. 

With a new company, you’re the last on the totem pole.  Last one in, the first to go… if there are lay offs.  That’s something to contemplate.

If you want a second career, don’t be afraid to do it. It’s not an easy move to make.  It takes a lot of effort.  It’s never too late. It could be right for some people – it could be a bad idea for others.
The Point

After Labor Day, with summer holidays over and people back at work, many people job-hunting are looking hard.  With production jobs exported elsewhere, and in today’s economy: the stockmarket tanking and major employers fiercely job-cutting, there are too many people applying for the few jobs available. Competition is fierce. With jobs now a political football in the United States and other places, real help from governement might not trickle down to you early enough. (What do expect? Our politicians are gainfully employed, so they really don’t understand and they don’t feel the pressure.)  Job fairs are big events and too many people show up – the  line is unbelieveable ….snaking around the block. All of this to say: it is not easy to find a job.
 
ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

If a there is opportunity at your company,

1. Set your sites on the job that you want and proceed one step at a time, moving up to the next job until you get where you want to be. Remember climbing the ladder is what will get you to your goal. 

2. Take courses to get more skills or retrain, if needed;

3. Know your market before you jump;to this end,
3.1 Research thoroughly:
3.1.1 Gather newspapers: major dailies, community weeklies and monthly ethnic papers, etc.; 
3.1.2 Surf the Internet;
3.1.3 Check out Government job banks;

If a job seeker,
4. Start with a positive attitude (especially if you’re pushed);

5. Analyze the jobs being offered and not being filled and verify why;
6. Let the marketplace talk to you: the need/what work that it wants done and which need(s) is/are going unsatisfied
7. Ask yourself if you could do this; if not, and if entrepeneurial, strive to organize a business to satisfy this need;
8. Write up a report to yourself and determine the prospective employers; and to this end,
8.1  Rethink the basics…think out of the box … not how much you need to earn to pay your bills; instead ask yourself: “How can I make a future employer make money?” and (b) “How can I get this message delivered to the decision-maker in charge at my employer candidate?” 
9. Network;
10. Look the part: dress up and groom to look your best; 
11. Stay busy and volunteer to be out and about; 
12. Strive to get out in front of the pack; to this end,  
12.1 Make a once-a-week caravan visiting local employment/placement firms to leave a business card along with CV;  and I also suggest that you introduce yourself to the receptionist,  return every two weeks asking if there is anything new and also if there are companies just not getting enough employees;
12.2 Call attention to yourself with a curb side advertising board in order to publicize your offer to work; 

13. Think long and hard before giving up your current job; more precisely,

13.1 Ask yourself  (a)”Am I afraid of getting another job, equal or better, such with a pay equal or better?” or (b) “Am I really confident that I can get it done?” 

12.2 Go for it IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE PERSISTENCE;

13. Be smart at your new job – you thereupon, should  
13.1 Stay connected, once you do leave, to people from your previous workplace;
13.2 Make note of the positives in your new job;

13.3 Focus on your new duties and do your best always;

I get it.  Employment income is really important to you.  I hope that some of my thoughts give you an idea and spur you on. Let’s get to work!*

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com  –   saveandread

P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com  – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
=============================================================================

ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER?, TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Michael Moore: Battling Hypocrisy
“Many of Michael Moore’s stunts effected remarkable changes. In “The Awful Truth,” he staged a mock funeral for a man whose HMO had refused to cover his condition, prompting the HMO to reverse its policy. In Bowling for Columbine, Moore took two Columbine victims to Kmart headquarters and persuaded the company to stop selling bullets. His television show, “TV Nation,” once did a story on undocumented workers who had been fired for trying to form a union, and was pleased to learn that they got their jobs back. Moore, however, was not always sympathetic to the plight of the working man. One day during the first season of “TV Nation,” Moore called Eric Zicklin and another novice writer into his office. Though they had been given the title of associate producer, neither was a member of the powerful Writers’ Guild. Neither, therefore, was entitled to health benefits (or to a percentage of video and rerun sales). “Michael said, ‘I’m getting a lot of heat from the union to call you guys ‘writers’ and pay you under the union rules,'” Zicklin recalled. “‘I don’t have the budget for that. But if they keep coming down on me that’ll mean I’ll only be able to afford one of you and the other one’s gotta go.’… He wanted to let us know that this would hurt us if it continued. We were scared out of our minds. It was like a theme from Roger & Me.”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=19290

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Crappy Job

“Early in his career, in a bid to gain industry contacts, Quentin Tarantino posed as a journalist working on a B-movie anthology. The ploy worked; many directors (including Brian de Palma) actually believed him and agreed to an interview. An earlier ploy also worked, albeit with mixed results. Having cold-called a number of Hollywood big shots asking for work, Tarantino finally landed a job as a “Production Assistant” on a workout video. Not until he had arrived on location, however, did the future director receive his assignment: cleaning dog feces from the front lawn of the house in which the video was being shot.[Tarantino dropped out of school in the middle of ninth grade. His mother insisted only that he get a job. He agreed, and promptly began working as an usher at the Pussycat Lounge – a local porn theatre.]”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=11416

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Rodney Dangerfield: Young Stud
“When I was trying to get in show business, it was rough, you know,” Rodney Dangerfield recalled years later. “So Monday and Saturday I drove a laundry truck and Thursday and Friday I drove a fish truck. I worked for the little fish market in Kew Gardens. “One time, I was delivering some fish to Jamaica Estates – that’s a high class section, you know. I stop at a red light and all of a sudden a really attractive lady stops along side of me. She looks at me. She smiles and tells me to follow her. ‘Whew,’ I said, ‘did I get lucky! Wow. I should have taken a shower, you know.’ “So I follow her. She pulls into the driveway of a big expensive house. So I get out. Before I do, I check myself in the mirror to make sure I’m okay, you know. So I get out and I walked over to her and said, ‘Where do we go from here?’ She says, ‘Nowhere. I was just gonna show you a shortcut to my house. You’ve got my fish in your truck.'”
[“I was gonna say to her, ‘Lady, you should see what I’ve got in my pants!'”]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=19000

S & R* QUOTE #1: John F. Kennedy
“The only reason to give a speech is to change the world.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/changegrowth/

S & R* QUOTE #2: Marcus Aurelius
“Observe always that everything is the result of change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing Nature loves so well as to change existing forms and make new ones like them.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/changegrowth/

S & R* QUOTE #3: Mary Engelbreit
“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/changegrowth/index3.html
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
—————————————————————–———————————————————————————————
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are:  “employment”, “employee”, “career change”; etc.

Employment
“Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:”A person in the service of another under any contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written, where the employer has the power or right to control and direct the employee in the material details of how the work is to be performed.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment

Employee
“An employee contributes labor and expertise to an endeavor of an employer and is usually hired to perform specific duties which are packaged into a job. In most modern economies, the term “employee” refers to a specific defined relationship between an individual and a corporation, which differs from those of customer or client.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment

Career
“Whereas a career comprises the work activities that can be identified with a particular job or profession, having multiple careers is the growing trend in the late 20th century and early 21st century. These multiple careers can either be concurrent (where a worker has two simultaneous careers) or sequential (where a worker adopts a new career after having worked for some time in another career). Both may occur for different reasons.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_careers

SCHEDULE II

STUDY/STATISTICS:
“A primary goal of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) was reducing welfare dependency through job preparation and employment. Rather than having entitlement benefits, welfare recipients now face time limits and must, along with their caseworker, develop a program that will assist them in preparing for employment and finding a job. Prior work with the Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD) first longitudinal file found that for approximately 1.1 million people who moved from welfare to work between 1993 and 1997, over one-third were employed in low wage, service sector jobs. Using the SPD second longitudinal file (SLF), supplemented with data for occupational measures from the dictionary ofoccupational titles (DOT), a better picture emerges on the types of jobs that former welfare recipients get.”
Source: – http://www.census.gov/spd/workpaper/Assessing_Employ_Outcomes.pdf

SCHEDULE III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Urban student interest in biotech on the rise
“The number of students choosing a career in agriculture biotechnology is climbing, and many of them are coming from urban, not rural backgrounds, says a professor of Field Crop Pest Management at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.We are seeing a lot of students with an interest in pest management, said Dr. Art Schaafsma, who teaches graduate students as well as students in the diploma program.Our enrollment has increased by about 30 per cent in the past few years, he said. Surprisingly, many of these students were raised in an urban setting.According to him, they are drawn to the field with the promise of marketability after graduation. We are seeing a shift in attitude. A lot of people are starting to see that agriculture is not just farming, it’s a whole lot more.This is a critical shift for farmers and agriculture businesses that have traditionally preferred to hire youth with farming experience. However, with the decrease in the number of farms, there are fewer young people available who have that necessary farm experience.Students from urban areas are seeing that these are interesting jobs, and that they involve a lot of technology, claimed Schaafsma.  In fact, we like to say that one of the farmer’s most valuable tools is his blackberry. With it, he can find the identity of a weed, buy and sell and keep track of his records. When all is said and done, many of his students choose agriculture biotechnology because they know they will be immediately graduation. They see that the field offers tons of jobs, good jobs, secure jobs with secure companies. That’s what matters most.”
www.newscanada.com
“News Canada” <article@newscanada.com>www.newscanada.com”

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Make your summer job pay all year long
“The new school year is the perfect time to get a fresh start, but it can also be an expensive time of year for students leaving for university or college. As the summer winds to a close, realizing just how much money you’ll need for tuition, books and living expenses can be a real eye-opener but it is possible to stretch your summer income throughout the school year.
Here are some tips:
Start tracking your spending now  Most people have no idea how much money they spend in a month. Whether it’s books or burgers, tracking your spending will help keep it in check so you don’t run out of cash before final exams. Free personal financial management tools like Mint.com track your spending, help plan budgets, and alert you if  you’ve spent too much in a particular category, such as entertainment.
Consider your expenses and look at alternative solutions If your budget is coming up short, start looking into some cost-saving options. For example, textbooks can be a huge expense, but if the course material hasn’t changed from last year, buy used at half the price. Need furniture for your dorm room? Hit the garage sales or check online for dealson discounted or used items before heading to Ikea.
Fill your grocery cart with more, for less
Start comparison-shopping by looking at flyers to find the best deals. Keep tabs on your grocery budget each week and curb that expensive takeout in favour of a home-cooked meal. Mint.com users say they spend 40 per cent less eating out once they actually pay attention to what it costs.
Boost your bank account  If those summer dollars just can’t cover it all, look into a part time job. There are lots of opportunities on campus if you check out the student services centre. Many colleges and universities also offer a wide variety of untapped scholarships and bursaries. Do some digging and determine if you’re eligible the additional cash in your account could help get you through to the end of the year.”
www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Vol. 2,  No. 4, May 29th, 2011

TITLE: “OLD AGE: I declare that all is/will be well for those of us getting older (i.e., older people)!”*

INTRODUCTION 

My book of the week is: “Aging Social Policies: An International Perspective” [Paperback] by Robbyn R. Wacker (Author), Karen A. Roberto (Author). This is because May 2011 is “Older Americans Month”. Now that it is nearing its close, I thought it a good idea to share some of my thoughts about age, older age and aging.  This is my topic of today. 

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Like you, I am going through the life stages.  I aged through my childhood, teens, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood; and now, as I approach my sixties, I am middle -aged – for me, this is between the ages of 50 and 70. In my view, the senior period might start in my 70s while the elderly period will come much later. 

Through my 40-50 something eyes, I watched my parents grow older. My father – he was so handsome and a beautiful human being – has passed away. My mother – she continues to be a lovely lady – is a big part of my life. While aliling, she is valiantly living on, a shining example for me. They worked physically and this, in my mind, contributed to their aging harder. In her sixties, I remember my mother considering herself as being elderly. She is a noble person. She has a great expression in Italian, loosely translated, it is: “a beautiful shoe becomes an ugly slipper.” Dear Mom, I do not agree; in your case, the beautiful shoe has become a strappy (party) shoe, wearing the ‘wear and tear’ as medals of honour!

Through these same eyes, I look upon my daughters, two fine young adult women, moving down the road of life. I have great pride in who they are and what they are accomplishing. And with new life added to the family, I have become a young Grandma.

I have been told that I look younger than my years. I do not agree. But, if true, I would attribute this to my being active and taking care of myself. I look forward to staying this way in the future. I am on guard for the first hint of those dastardly wrinkles. I admit sometimes thinking about having a face lift.  When it comes to skin, I understand that one needs a very good moisturizer.  (I am aware of the commercials publicizing skin creams and the like; but I believe that these products do not bring back youth.) I always aim to look my best. Like the next gal, I am aware of my body, its positives and negatives. I am also conscious of body image through the media. I am a woman wanting, not to be young, but rather, to be youthful. I am intent on staying attractive inside and out and aging gracefully. I look back with nostalgia to the way I was when younger, but happy to be where I am today!

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
“To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/topicsage/

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Betty Friedan
“Older, we must move, and stay, and move again, to keep our life-giving ties alive, for this movement is our fountain of age. And there’s a freedom in realizing this, a new freedom to move or stay, new necessities and possibilities of choice.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/topicsage/

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*:Hosea Ballou
“Forty is the old age of youth, fifty is the youth of old age.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/topicsage/

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Sarah Bernhardt
“In her last years, Sarah Bernhardt lived on an upper level in a Paris apartment block. One day an admirer visited her, arriving at her door out of breath from having climbed several flights of steps. “Madame, why do you live so high up?” he asked. “My dear friend,” Bernhardt replied, “it is the only way I can still make the hearts of men beat faster.”
[Trivia: Bernhardt was obsessed with death. As a teenager, she made frequent visits to the Paris morgue to gape at corpses of derelicts dredged from the Seine. She begged her mother to buy her a rosewood coffin with white satin lining. This item – in which she often slept and was eventually buried – became part of the Bernhardt legend.]”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=716

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: George Burns: Burned Up?
“George Burns, famed for his love of fine cigars, was a longtime member of L.A.’s exclusive Hillcrest Country Club. When Burns complained one day about the club’s new ban on smoking, a special sign was posted for Burns’ benefit:
“Cigar smoking prohibited for anyone under 95.”
[“I got nervous when I was asked to play God,” Burns recalled of his role in Oh God. “We’re both around the same age but we grew up in different neighborhoods.”]
Burns, George [born Nathan Birnbaum] (1896-1996) American comedian and actor [noted for his role (as the endlessly patient husband half of the Burns & Allen comedy duo, 1923–58) in various films and television programs; for other roles in such later films as The Sunshine Boys (Oscar, 1975) and Oh God!; and for such books as Gracie: A Love Story (1988) and All My Best Friends (1989)]”
[Sources: US News and World Report, November 22, 1993, p. 25]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6503

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Jack Benny: Thirty-Niner
“Well into his sunset years, Jack Benny often claimed to be thirty-nine years old. Frank Sinatra’s gift to Benny on his 80th birthday? Two copies of a book – entitled Life Begins at 40.
[School teams at Jack Benny Junior High (in Benny’s hometown of Waukegan, Illinois) are still nicknamed the 39ers.]
[Trivia: Brigham Young University sociologist Philip R. Kunz once examined a random sample of 747 obituaries published in Salt Lake City in 1975. Incredibly, he found that 46 percent of all deaths came within three months after a birthday (and 77 percent within six months). Only 8 percent came during the three months preceding a birthday.]
Sinatra, Frank [“Old Blue Eyes”] (1915-1999) American singer and actor [noted for his captivating voice; for his many musical recordings; and for his roles in such films as From Here to Eternity (1953, Academy Award), Guys and Dolls (1955), and The Manchurian Candidate (1962)]”
[Sources: M. Driscoll, ed., 5087 Trivia Questions & Answers; Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=7895

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #4: Rosalind Russell: Timeless Insult
“At a luncheon party one day, a snooty young actress fixed Rosalind Russell with an icy gaze and said, “I dread to think of life at forty-five.” “Why?” Russell replied. “What happened?”
[“Flops are part of a life’s menu,” Russell once remarked, “and I’ve never been a girl to miss out on any of the courses.”]”
[Sources: Reader’s Digest, June 1942]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4906

THE AUTHOR: Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D. & Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
These are two learned ladies.

Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D

Wacker is Assist. V.P. for Research, Dean of the Graduate School and International Admissions, and Professor of Gerontology at the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, Colorado. She is a researcher – her area of interest is international aging social policy and psychosocial predictors of community service use among older adults.  She rendered legal aid to seniors. She has published over 60 papers and presentations. She has received numerous awards.

Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.

Roberto is Prof./Dir. of the Center for Gerontology and the Institute for Society, Culture & Environment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. She is a researcher – she looks at the more aged and the interplay between health and social support. She focused upon older women. She has published over 100 papers and presentations. She has received numerous awards. Dr. Roberto is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, serving as the 2009 chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences section of this society.

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books: Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D
*Community Resources for Older Adults: Programs and Services in an Era of Change 3rd ed. by Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D. & Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
*Community Resources for Older Adults: Programs and Services in an Era of Change by Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D.
*Older Wards and Their Guardians by Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D.

Articles: Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D
*Juried publication and presentaions (See http://www.unco.edu/nhs/gerontology/vita/wacker.pdf)

Books :Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
* Aging Social Policies  An International Perspective
* Pathways of Human Development: Explorations of Change (with J. Mancini, 2009)

Articles: Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
*over 100 scholarly articles and 30 book chapters

THE BOOK: “Aging Social Policies: An International Perspective” 3rd ed. [Paperback] by Robbyn R. Wacker (Author), Karen A. Roberto (Author)

There is a trend in the demographics of western democracies: aging populations. This is  caused in part by the aging of Baby Boomers -those born after WWII, and their now reaching their sixties.  Births are also down. There are numerous concerns: the health, financial, and social needs of this aging segement of the population.  This book is comparative in the sense that it looks at U.S. policy in contrast with those of other nations. Furthermore, it is to bridge the divide between policy and real life and facilitate analysis. More precisely, it addresses:1. The context of aging social policy; 2.  Aging social policy comparisons: (a) Retirement   (b)  Employment; (c) Housing; (d) Health care; (e) Mental health; (f) Community support; etc. 3 Future of aging soiciety;  etc. They wrote. ” … We are indeed living through a unique period in history and a time in which governments willl be compelled to consider myriad aging social policy questions  ” (pg.3) They are right. Start here in your research project into your life, today, tomorrow and forever!

CONCLUSION

Like the United States, the people of Canada and the nations of Europe are getting older. Such is life; it is also due to the baby boom following WWII. Thinkers, researchers, scholars and also everyday people ponder much about the aging of our people. There are many problems and issues. Here’s a thought: we should celebrate our elders throughout the world. I vote that the United Nations proclaim May 2012 as Older WORLD CITIZENS MONTH.

My personal comments

Each person starts his or her life at their birth date.  From then on, we all age every minute of every day.  Just as it does to you, age touches me personally.

The point

Don’t worry about age – it is only a number. It does not define you. Instead, it is merely a guide to where you are on the life journey. Where you truly are is what you do with your day and how you live it!   

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
Everyone should:
1. Think positively;
2. Start each day with the desire to take advantage of your gifts, blessings and opportunities; and also make a memory that you will later, look back upon with nostalgia;
3. Don’t waste your time and energy fretting about aging and searching for the elixir to make you young again;

4.Recognize that the true fountain of youth is a combination of a state of mind and also, effort on your part; to this end, I encourage you to:

4.1 Eat right – from all food groups in moderate quantities and calorie intake; 
4.2 Live a healthy life style – this means being active, both mentally and physically;

4.2.1 Be aware that physical activity means exercizing regularly, having a program comprising both cardio and weight training. Who knows? You might become firm, fit and lean!
4.3 Use a quality moisturizer – this is both for women as well as men; 

5. Intend to retire happily; to this end,
5.1 Start each day with a sense of adventure and wonder, looking to: (a) Being productive always; (b) Living an active life, one of (i). Lifelong learning; (ii). Travel; (iii). Personal growth continually; and (iv) Being in the service of our fellow human beings.  

I look forward to family and friends singing my next year’s happy birthday song. Now please pass me my slice of cake. Thank you (in advance) , dear God,  for another year!

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Schedule I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
 
For today, my word/phrases are: “old age, etc.”;
Old age
“Old age (also referred to as one’s eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage) and the elderly. As occurs with almost any definable group of humanity, some people will hold a prejudice against others—in this case, against old people. This is one form of ageism.

Old people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. For the biology of ageing, see senescence. The medical study of the aging process is gerontology, and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Older_people

Bonus fact #1: Older Americans Act
“The Older Americans Act of 1965 (Pub.L. 89-73, 79 Stat. 218, July 14, 1965) was the first federal level initiative aimed at providing comprehensive services for older adults. It created the National Aging Network comprising the Administration on Aging on the federal level, State Units on Aging, and Area Agencies on Aging at the local level.[1] The network provides funding – based primarily on the percentage of an area’s population 60 and older – for nutrition and supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention/health promotion services, elder rights programs, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Native American Caregiver Support Program.[2]
In 2006 congress reauthorized the act in its entirety, effective through FY 2011.[3]”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) –  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Older_Americans_Act

Bonus fact #2: Older women
“Older Women” is a 1981 single written by Jamie O’Hara and recorded by Ronnie McDowell. “Older Women” would be Ronnie McDowell’s eleventh country hit and the first of two number one songs on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of ten weeks on the country chart [1].”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Older_Women

Schedule II 

STUDY/STATISTICS: Older Americans Month: May 2011
“A meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter’s proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition.”

39.6 million
“The number of people 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2009. This age group accounted for 13 percent of the total population. Between 2008 and 2009, this age group increased by 770,699 people.”
(Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2009-sa.html>

88.5 million
“Projected population of people 65 and older in 2050. People in this age group would comprise 20 percent of the total population at that time.”
Source: Population projections <http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/summarytables.html>

545 million
“Projected 2011 midyear world population 65 and older. Projections indicate the number will increase to 1.55 billion by 2050. The percentage of the world’s population 65 and older would increase from about 8 percent to about 17 percent over the period.”
Source: International Data Base <http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/groups.php>
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau) –  http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff08.html

Schedule III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Aging isn’t an option – being prepared is
“(NC)—This is the year when the first wave of Canada’s “boomer” generation turns 65, and chances are that retirement is one of the main things on their minds – but it’s also something “pre–retirees” should be thinking about too.

“Even if you’ve got decades to go before you reach this milestone birthday, it’s still a good idea for you to be considering how you want to spend your retirement years,” advises Lee Anne Davies, head of retirement strategies at RBC (www.rbc.com/yourfuture).

Your health is one thing you can focus on now. In fact, good health was selected as the “best outcome” for retirement by 28 per cent of Canadians about to turn 65, in the most recent RBC RRSP Poll.

Keeping your finances in good shape can also contribute to good health, by reducing or eliminating money–related stress. One way to improve your financial health is to ensure you have a formal written plan. In fact, another finding in the RBC RRSP Poll showed that, of those Canadians turning 65 this year with financial plans in hand, 71 per cent believe that they are better off financially as a result of their plans.

Another important step is creating a personal advisory team. You will likely have many formal and informal guides, such as financial advisors, clergy, and health professionals who assist you through the various stages of your life.

“Finding trusted guides to help you with your life planning is a key part of being prepared for whatever comes your way,” adds Davies. “Whether you want to create a written plan or continue to fine–tune the one you already have, an RBC financial planner can help you lay the foundation for a happy, healthy retirement.”
www.newscanada.com – http://www.newscanada.com/print-june-aging-isnt-an-option—being-prepared-is-67951

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Put life back into living with chronic illness

“(NC)—No one likes getting older. With each passing year, life can bring with it new challenges, new ailments and new obstacles. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to slow down the progression of health conditions.

Although many older individuals live with chronic health conditions — in fact, 71 per cent of Canadians age 60 – 79 have at least one—there are many things they can do to maintain vital, active lives.

“Those afflicted with chronic health problems often feel as though they have little control over their life, but the truth is there are so many little things they can do that can make a big difference,” said Sue Kelly, a registered nurse and director of health and wellness for We Care Home Health Services. “There are numerous lifestyle choices elderly Canadians can make that will profoundly affect not only the quality of their life, but also their ability to be independent of others’ care.”

Taking a page out of We Care’s free Get Going to Keep GoingGuide, Kelly offers the following tips:

Get Eating: Eating a healthy balance of nutritious foods can be easy and fun by choosing a new fruit or vegetable to explore each week. A healthy diet promotes brain function and provides essential nutrients to the body’s most critical organs.

Get Active: If possible, get walking, stretching or doing simple exercises. Staying active not only helps mitigate the current symptoms of chronic pain, but can help generate additional energy and stave off other illnesses.

Get Involved: Getting involved in regular volunteer activities is a winning proposition for everyone: you, those you help, and the community around you. Doing so helps keep your mind sharp and induces confidence that, in turn, reduces stress.

Get Happy: As we age, it’s not uncommon to feel afraid, anxious, depressed or lonely. To help combat these feelings, try to stay socially active and don’t hesitate to talk about your feelings.

Get Help: Learn to identify new symptoms and act on them immediately by talking to your doctor, a telehealth line, a provincial home care agency, or a private home health care provider.

A free copy of the Get Going to Keep Going Guide is available online at www.wecare.ca/GetGoing.”

www.newscanada.com – http://www.newscanada.com/print-june-put-life-back-into-living-with-chronic-illness-67553

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 1,  No. 22, November 14th 2010

TITLE: “If working beyond age 65 is admirable, I say Betty White working and succeeding at 88 is a MARVEL!*”

INTRODUCTION

My book of the week is: “Here We Go Again: My Life In Television” by Betty White.  Hence my topic is working beyond age 65 and being active and productive well into your 80s.
IT WORDS FOR ME!*

For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “career”, “encore career”and  “old age”.

Career

“Career is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as an individual’s “course or progress through life (or a distinct portion of life)”. It is usually considered to pertain to remunerative work (and sometimes also formal education).The etymology of the term comes from the Latin word carrera, which means race (as in “rat race”, see Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careerareerism).(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career

Encore career

Encore career is a term used to describe work in the second half of life that combines continued income, greater meaning and social impact. These are paid positions often in public interest fields such as education, the environment, health, government sector, social services and other nonprofits. The recent introduction of encore fellowships seeks to open up access to such encore career opportunities to both mid-life careerists and social purpose organizations.This term was first made popular by Marc Freedman, the CEO of Civic Ventures in his book Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life.[1] Popular use of the term:Nicholas Kristof, writing in the New York Times, notes that Bill Gates’ switch to working full-time for his foundation “is part of a booming trend: the ‘encore career’ as a substitute for retirement. Definitions are still in flux, but an encore career typically aims to provide a dose of personal satisfaction by ‘giving back.’” [2] Writes Kristof: “If more people take on encore careers…the boomers who arrived on the scene by igniting a sexual revolution could leave by staging a give-back revolution. Boomers may just be remembered more for what they did in their 60s than for what they did in the Sixties.” Syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman cites Al Gore as a “poster child, the model for what Marc Freedman calls the ‘encore career.’ The head of Civic Ventures, a think tank promoting civic engagement as the second act for boomers, Freedman says, ‘Gore found himself by losing himself – literally losing – and being liberated from ambition, the idea that there’s a particular ladder you have to scurry up and if you don’t make it to the top it’s all over. Essentially he found a different ladder.’” [3](Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encore_career

Old Age

Old age (also referred to as one’s eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage) and the elderly. As occurs with almost any definable group of humanity, some people will hold a prejudice against others — in this case, against old people. This is one form of ageism.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_age

Bonus fact #1: Historical changes

By the late 20th century a plethora of choices (especially in the range of potential professions) and more widespread education had allowed it to become possible to plan (or design) a career: in this respect the careers of the career counselor and of the career advisor have grown up. It is also not uncommon for adults in the late 20th/early 21st centuries to have dual or multiple careers, either sequentially or concurrently. Thus, professional identities have become hyphenated or hybridized to reflect this shift in work ethic. Economist Richard Florida notes this trend generally and more specifically among the “creative class”.

Bonus fact #2: Different concepts of career

The traditional concept of career has been concerned with progression up an ordered hierarchy within an organisation or profession.[1]

Career refers to an individual’s work and life roles over their lifespan. This version of a career makes it clear that people can progress through their career horizontally as well as vertically.[1]

Bonus fact #3: Supporting careers

Career Assessments are tests that come in a variety of forms and rely on both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Career Assessments can help individuals identify and better articulate their unique interests, values, and skills. Career counselors, executive coaches, career development centers, and outplacement companies often administer career assessments to help individuals focus their search on careers that closely match their unique personal profile.

Career counseling advisors assess people’s interests, personality, values and skills, and also help them explore career options and research graduate and professional schools. Career counseling provides one-on-one or group professional assistance in exploration and decision making tasks related to choosing a major/occupation, transitioning into the world of work or further professional training. The field is vast and includes career placement, career planning, learning strategies and student development.(Source:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career)

STUDY/STATISTICS

Research

In 2008, Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., conducted a survey of 3,500 Americans ages 44 – 70 (commissioned by Civic Ventures and MetLife Foundation) about their interest in encore careers. The Encore Career Survey [4] found that 5.3 to 8.4 million of those surveyed are now in encore careers. “The survey results suggest that the number of people choosing encore careers could grow rapidly. Of those not already in encore careers, half say they are interested in moving into jobs in such fields as education, health care, government, and the nonprofit sector. A companion survey [5] found that half of nonprofit employers find hiring encore workers “highly appealing.” Those with experience hiring older adults are most enthusiastic about doing it again.
“What if, over time, 100,000 people interested in encore careers were persuaded to launch 10-year encore careers? That would mean one million years of service dedicated to areas like education, poverty, and the environment,” writes Marc Freedman in an essay written for the Encore Career Survey. “What if we could persuade a million more to do so? Applying this human talent and experience to the big challenges of our time could be as profound a contribution as those made possible by new technologies or even massive infusions of philanthropic dollars.” (Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encore_career

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: 2010 pension reform strikes in France

The 2010 pension reform strikes in France are a series of ongoing general strikes and demonstrations in France which have occurred during September, October and November 2010.

They have involved union members from both the private and public sectors protesting in cities, including Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Toulouse and Strasbourg, against a proposal by the French government to raise the normal retirement age for public pensions from 65 to 67 and early reduced pensions from age 60 to 62, which the Assemblée nationalehas approved,^[1] while temporary pre-crisis taxes cuts are maintained for the benefit of the richest individuals and companies, and top government officials are subject to an ongoing corruption inquiry.^[2] Those who object to the changes say the poorest will be most affected by them.^[3]

^{(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)}

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_French_pension_reform_strikes

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Saturday Night Live

In May 2010, White became the oldest person to guest-host Saturday Night Live, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award.
(Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_White

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #3: Honorary forest ranger

“WASHINGTON, November 9, 2010 — Betty White’s lifelong dedication to protecting wilderness and wildlife was recognized today when the U.S. Forest Service proclaimed her an honorary forest ranger.” (Source: USDA Forest Service) http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2010/releases/11/betty-white.shtml

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #4:  Betty White plays football on candy bar ad

An extract of the dilaogue is:

“[Football Player Man – Two] …You(‘re) playing like Betty White, out there!

[Football Player Betty White]…That’s not what your girlfriend says.”

(Source: http://lybio.net/snickers-football-player-betty-white-game-2010/commercials/)

MY LIFE & TIMES*

One of my all-time favorite sitcom shows was “The Golden Girls”.  Along with Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan, the show was immensely successful and it ran for a long stretch from 1985 through 1992. I watched the show religiously.  Even with my busy schedule, I always found time to enjoy the great comedy. Without fail, I found it hilarious and entertaining.

I have always worked full-time. Sometimes I wish I had furthered my education. I always wanted to improve my career. But I had another important job: I raised a family too. My daughters were my priority.  I had to be there for them.  I was the soccer-mom – running after work to drive them to their activities, piano lessons, Italian school, swimming lessons, etc. Some people called me super-mom.  I was so busy- it was hard. Once my kids had grown, the focus was for me to excel at work. I started to analyze my career. At this point, I was promoted to a better position.  After a few years and having come to a point where I could retire from my workplace, I was itching for my next challenge. I knew that I still wanted to work and be productive. I believed that a second career was in the cards for me. Alas, an opportunity to become a blogger came my way; and I must say: ” I’m enjoying it immensely.”

THE AUTHOR: Betty White

“Betty Marion White was born on January 17, 1922 in Illinois.  She is a woman of many talents – actress, comedian, author and former game-show host.  Her parents later moved to Los Angeles, California during the Great Depression and she attended high school in Beverly Hills.  Betty White was best known for her roles in the Mary Tyler Moore show as sue Ann Nivens and of course the popular show The Golden Girls as Rose Nylund.  She began her television career 3 months after high school but when the World War II broke out she joined the American Women’s Voluntary Services.  Her roles as Sue-Ann Nivins on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls were her  most recognized and popular roles. She began her television career 1939 till present.  White had three husbands:  Dick Barker (1945); Lane Allen (1947–1949) and Allen Ludden (1963–1981) (his death).” (Source/Fact source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia)

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books

Some books authored by Betty White are:

• Betty White’s Pet-Love: How Pets Take Care of Us (1983) (With Thomas J. Watson)
• Betty White In Person (1987)
• The Leading Lady: Dinah’s Story (1991) (With Tom Sullivan)
• Here We Go Again: My Life In Television (1995)

THE BOOK: “Here We Go Again: My Life In Television” by Betty White

Betty’s career and life and the progression of TV are intertwined. She got her start in Hollywood on television in 1949 and for 46 years has been a recognizable actress and star of the medium. The shows, on which she appeared were hugely successful. Her quirky roles made her memorable. There was flakey Sue Ann on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the quaint, well-grounded Rose on The Golden Girls. She has also been on four, count them, Betty White Shows. Her personal life also included TV. Her late husband, Allen Ludden, was a successful game show host. Her sugar and spice and sheer plunk made her a hero of many. Her book takes us behind the camera. She has made us all TV insiders. More, she has made us all good friends sharing her experiences: the good with the not so good. The book can be described as like hanging out with Betty. Thank you mate. Quick pass the clicker!

CONCLUSION

I see Betty White as the little engine that became a locomotive. I also see her as the entertainer regardless of age, who has stayed fresh and relevant. She is the poster person for those 60 something, with the credo, YOU CAN! Here’s a woman who has maintained a full-time successful career, finding new audiences, even after all of these years; and this 88 years young wiz-kid is still going strong.

I was told about the Keep Going® Award.” The web site asks: “Are you proud of someone who always does a good job? Did someone you know reach a milestone or achievement? Does someone in your life need encouragement and support?  Show them you care by printing or emailing a Keep Going® Award.” (Source: http://www.energizer.com/energizer-bunny/Pages/keep-going-award.aspx)

Accordingly, I recognize BETTY WHITE, 88, with her ‘never quit’ spirit*; and in behalf of all of her fans everywhere, I give her this award. It is well deserved and very appropriate.

My personal comments

I am spiritual.   I believe:

• That life is a gift. It is NOT more valuable when you are younger. It is equally precious as we age.  It is NOT something to waste.
• That we were each put on this world with a destiny. It is up to each person to fulfill it.
• That there is joy out there for each of us.  It is up to each person to find it.
• That we each have one or more purposes in life. It is up to each person to discover what it is and then to make it happen.
• That we each must NOT be idle; instead, we must look to the needs and well- being, not only of ourselves, but also, of our family, community, nation and our fellow man worldwide. It is up to each person to figure out what that is and to do it!
• That as we get older, perhaps we have health issues, are slower and tend to be more sedentary. However, we are also wiser and we know that the glass is half full!
• That work is good for everyone, regardless, whether as a volunteer or paid, whether as an employee or a consultant, whether full time or part time, whether done at home or at a workplace, etc.
• That being productive makes us feel good, gives us a sense of satisfaction and self-worth; and I want that for each one of you.

The point

We each have a contribution to make in our interest and also for others. Betty White is my inspiration. She spurs me on. In turn, I hope to spur you all out there in Internetland to accomplish your personal best.  Here are some suggestions:

1. Try your hardest at work … always;

2. Believe in yourself – you are uniquely you!

3. Take advantage of training and re-training opportunities, this in order to work better and open doors; indeed, doing your job more efficiently is a door opener!

4.  Make the move to climb the ladder at the right time in your life;

5. Make a change in career, when and if the time is right – you can do it!

6. Make retirement your personal rennaissance;  with this in mind,

• Re-career if paid work is still for you.
• Make fitness and good diet a priority: learn about it and participate!
• Take interest courses to better yourself.
• Volunteer at a local hospital, church or religious facility, etc.
• Join a charitable association and help make things happen!
• Discover your home town, state/province , country, etc.:  its special sites, history and most of all,  its future!
• Be a regular at your local library.
• Travel to the extent possible, taking into account your health and pocketbook.
• Find time to play – all work and no play makes for a dull person.

Let’s go!

P.S. If you can, please tell me about your new adventures.  I am truly interested.

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2010 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 1,  No. 12, August 29th, 2010

TITLE: I AGREE WITH TOM BROKAW – MY PARENT’S GENERATION IS THE GREATEST!*

S & R*N Vol. 1, No.1, August 29th,  2010

SAVE & READ* S & R* NEWS*

Dear Readers,

Greetings from Cyberspace.

With this post, I have reached the 12th edition  (three months plus milestone). I am told and am proud to report that our unique reader and hits stats are cascading: doubling, trebling, and more over this period. We had a dream. I thought that this site was a good idea. I intensely want this Internet address to stand for high quality and fair dealing. It must because my name is front and center. Your approval by virtue of your visits means that I am on the right track. I humbly say thank you. But rest assured that I will not sit on my laurels. We are continually making additions and improvements.  In this space, I will henceforth report what’s new.

This week, I am pleased to announce that we have our first audio-video component – look for it on the Save and Read* Home Page at the left under the buttons in the square, asking: “What is Save and Read*”- press the button and off you go. As well, Save and Read* has its very own Hall of Fame*- look for it on the Save and Read* Home Page at the left, the third to last button bearing the inscription, “Hall of Fame”, press it and you may view the Save and Read* Top 5 selections from prior months. Also, I will upload tomorrow, the second edition of my travel blog. At present, it can be accessed by pressing the “Blog” button -it is the second to last button on the left, then press the button at the top, the first after home, bearing the inscription, “Travel (mis-) Adventures”; and please do join me on my travels. In addition, I will upload tomorrow the second edition of my cooking blog. At present, it can be accessed by pressing the “Blog” button -it is the second to last button on the left, then press the button at the top, the second after home, bearing the inscription, “Antoinette’s Kitchen”; and please do join me on my food escapades. If you have a comment about these blogs – I ask that you kindly use the ‘contact us’ button, the last on the left hand side of the Home Page.

That’s all for now.

Have a great week.

Yours truly,
Antoinette

P.S. I am very appreciative to those of you who have communicated with me via ‘the contact us’ page or post comment. Friends, thank you …thank you…. thank you… It is important for me to get the feedback. I then can move onward and upwards. It is also important when you advise of technical problems with the site. We then can make modifications so it could be better and easier to use. I truly want Save And Read* to be the best that it can be.*

MY LIFE & TIMES*

“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw is my book for this week. It got me thinking about my parents.

My folks were toddlers when the depression in the 30s hit. Life was hard then. They did not have any luxuries…they were lucky if they could get a good meal every day. They were both very young when in Italy, they had to face the horrors of World War II. However still old enough, they had vivid memories. Growing up, I heard tragic stories of their war time experiences. My parents suffered hunger, pain and fear. From one day to another, they did not know where they would get food and if they would live to see the sun rise the next day. I have often said that it’s hard for me to imagine how they got through it!

Once the war was over, my parents got married. In post war Italy, my father could not find work. Therefore, they decided to emigrate to Canada, the land of opportunity. Once here, they worked VERY hard and achieved much success. Although feeling loyalty to the land of their birth, they loved Canada –  they made it their permanent home. When I was very young, my parents became Canadian citizens – I remember how so proud they were that day.  Although highly proud of their rich Italian culture and heritage, my folks embraced Canada in its richness as well. Like the gum commercial, they were two (both Italian and Canadian) in one!

My parents are my all-time heros. My father was the best. He awakened very early and worked all day supporting his family, intent on giving us the chances that he did not have. Yet, on returning home each night, he assisted my mother; and more still, he was patient and loving with his children, who were jumping to get his attention. He was kind, gentle and also instructive. With my father, my mother had a real love affair of a marriage. She was my SUPERWOMAN – she worked SOOOOO hard. She did everything WELLLLLl She made the time to do everything.  She worked outside the home and brought home a pay check. She ran an efficient household of a husband and four children. The home was meticulous. The meals were well- cooked and tasty. She was VERY watchful of the kids- she made sure that we were on the straight and narrow.  She did it all; today, middle aged, I wonder: “How did she do it?” I get tired just thinking about it.

This said, due to author Tom Brokaw, I turned my thoughts to my parent’s generation overall. Here is some of what occurred during their lifespan. (I think that you should sit down, … it might take a while.)

(Stock market) Crash of 1929 (also known as THE GREAT CRASH and also Black Tuesday)

The Wall Street (United States) Crash of (October 29) 1929) was terrible. People were wiped out financially. Investors jumped out of windows to their death. It was the implosion, causing a chain reaction of world-wide proportions.  It began a 10-year global depression.

Great Depression

It was launched after the Crash of 1929. It impacted onto the entire world and had severe effects, as for example, whether working or middle class or higher, personal incomes collapsed dramatically. Countries saw a major drop in profits and prices and also much lower tax revenue. International trade fell by one half. Unemployment in the U.S. sky-rocketed upwards to a lofty 25%, and in some countries, to the awful high of 33%. Businesses closed. Construction was very slow. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices sunk like a stone by 60%+-. Farms were lost. Homes were abandoned. People migrated to the over-crowded cities. Urban areas were hard hit, especially where heavy industry was situate. Soup kitchens became the common place for the hungry. It was bad…really bad.

It was the longest- 10 years, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century. Now in the 21st century, economists point to it to show how bad things could get.

World War II

It was a worldwide military conflict, in which, all of the GREAT POWERS were involved. Churchill in the U.K. (and King in Canada ) and Roosevelt in the U.S. led the Allied countries. The Allies included the U.K. (inclusive of Canada, Australia, etc.), who fought early, suffered much, but never gave up. They were heroic as for example, during the siege in the Far East (Hong Kong, etc.), the Dunkirk escape, the Dieppe raid, the Battle of Britain, the North Atlantic (U-Boat) War, etc. , to name a few.  France fought and was occupied and the hearty Free French and the brave underground kept fighting and along with the allies liberated their homeland. The Poles, Czechs, Italians, etc. sustained unimaginable horrors.  The Soviet Union was invaded, and there was much devastation on their soil. The U.S.S.R. sided with the western democracies. The Yanks from the United States led by Eisenhauer, Bradley, Patton, Nimitz, MacArthur, etc. fought courageously alongside the U.K. troops led by Montgomery, etc., in North Africa, Middle East, Europe: D-Day on the Normandy beaches, Holland, Battle of the Bulge, Sicily with the brave Italian partisans, the Pacific: Midway, etc. The other side was the Axis, comprising rogue regimes: the Nazis in Germany, the Fascists in Italy plus the pre-war militarists of Japan, etc.

Never before in history was war so BIG, this with over 100 million military personnel mobilised. Countries put their total economic wherewithall in support of the total war effort. The Axis made civilians open season. The Holacaust happened and must NEVER be forgotten. This conflict was DEADLY! Lives lost are estimated to have been between 50 and 70 million.  This was a NASTY time for all!

Korean war

The Korean War (1950–1953) followed the second world war and the surrender of Japan and after the division of the peninsula with the U.S. troops in the south and the Communists in the North.

Cold war

Churchill coined the expression, “Iron Curtain”. As the second world war was winding down, the U.S.S.R. was becoming dominant in the vacuum that was Eastern Europe. The  Cold War is the conflict between the Communist nations led by the Soviet Union and the democratic nations led by the United States. The U.S. had the atomic bomb. The U.S.S.R. got it later. Missiles were built as delivery systems for the atomic bomb. It was a scary time. Dr. Strangelove was a movie that poked fun at a very unfunny situation. It was conceivable that a super power would start a conflict that could spell the end of the world.

Great Emigration (Post W.W. II)

From 1941 to 1950, 1,035,000 people emigrated to the U.S., including 226,000 from Germany, 139,000 from the U.K., 171,000 from Canada, 60,000 from Mexico and 57,000 from Italy. The (U.S.) Displaced Persons (DP) Act of 1948 finally allowed displaced people of World War II to start emigrating to America. Canada was another major destination. Palestine, now Israel was another. Lives were re-launched at this time.

Soviet 1956 Hungarian invasion

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was spontaneous. After an announcement by the ruling council to negotiate a withdrawal of Soviet forces, it changed its mind and moved to crush the revolt. On November 4th, a large Soviet force invaded Budapest and other regions of the country. These Soviet actions increased U.S.S.R. domination and fear all over Europe.

Vietnam war

The U.S. fought a war supporting the Southern regime as against the Communist North. The U.S. was afraid that other countries would fall into the Communist fold. It fought hard – but peaceniks objected. The U.S. did not win the war and casualties were 50,000 plus.

The U.S., nevertheless, declared a peace treaty and departed leaving Vietnam to the Communists. The U.S. and the world was deeply fragmented as a result.

Cuban missile crisis

This is also known as The October Crisis in Cuba. It was a stand-off between the nuclear super power of the U.S.S.R. as against the nuclear super power of the U.S. The U.S.S.R. was building missile sites in Cuba, just a mere miles from the U.S. homeland. The U.S. led by President J.F. Kennedy said NO! After a blockade and days when the entire world was at the precipice of the abyss, the U.S.S.R. by Nikita Kruschev ordered the removal of the weapons to which the U.S. objected.

THE AUTHOR

Tom Brokaw, born in South Dakota on Feb. 6, 1940, graduated from the University of South Dakota, earning a degree in Political Science. He started his career as an American television journalist. He hosted major NBC News programs: The Today Show, NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press.  He has won awards. He is respected by colleagues and the public. In a few words, he is one of the best that TV has given us.

SERIES/COLLECTION

This thoughtful man, who has lived history, is an able author. His books include the following: (a) 1998 The Greatest Generation; (b) 1999 The Greatest Generation Speaks ; (c)  2001 An Album of Memories ;  (d) 2002 A Long Way from Home: Growing Up in the American Heartland ; (e)  2006 Galen Rowell: A Retrospective – Foreword by Tom Brokaw; (f) 2007 Boom!: Voices of the Sixties Personal Reflections on the ’60s and Today .

THE BOOK: “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw

The book is about Americans who matured during the Great Depression and fought World War II. “The Greatest Generation” is a term coined by Tom Brokaw. Their achievement was growing up in the U.S., doing without at the time of the Great Depression, and then fighting the good fight in World War II and also building America, and its increasing productivity and growing GNP output on the home front. It is a book, an everlasting testament to the sacrifice and achievement of a generation, of which my parents were and are a part. Read this suberbly written book; and learn about their times, real lives lived and the great things done because: they had to be done and someone had to do it. You will also want to pay tribute to these remarkable people. Indeed, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said: “This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”

CONCLUSION

Get ready world – I have a conclusion;
Get set – you might not like my message; and
Go – Listen up – it’s important!

My personal comments

This GREAT generation had too much to bear during their lifetimes. And yet they overcame all and they did it all!

The point

We owe our parent’s generation respect and homage. As they age, it is our duty to see that their well-being is assured. We, the Baby Boomers are the sandwich generation. I am now walking in those shoes.

I exhort my generation mates to extend respect and solace to the GREATEST GENERATION. The time is now – they are aging as I write. They need your attention NOW! I am not telling you to do as I do, to the extent as I do. All I am saying is “DO!”. Make time to visit and/or call on the phone. Also, make sure that they have food, shelter and personal care. If they are not self-sufficient, step up to the plate. If you are without funds, give of your time liberally …after work hours if need be. Do not pass the buck to another sibling, organize the care as needed. If able financially, write a cheque and further cheques as needed.

“Why?” I answer: “First, because they deserve it. Second, because you will feel better for it now and especially after they are gone. Third, your children are watching – what you do now will pay dividends or give you cause for regret later when you are at the stage of life of receiving aid due to your old age.”

Finally, I say DO IT because it is the right thing to do!

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *

ALP

CREDITS

-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*”
program.

*TM/© 2010 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.