Friday, April 22, 2011

Old Folks At Home

Thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

Job 11:17
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Hello Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
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On Wednesday I finally put all my curmudgeonly misgivings aside, and coerced by an artist friend went kicking and screaming into the local senior center. I did that because at 72 I'm considered a "Senior" or old coot, old fogy, old geezer or some other appropriate appellation.

I already knew some of the people there through the artists association to which I belong. So I was welcomed and had a chance to chat with some of the other people. One of the reasons I have avoided that place for so many years is that I didn't want to sit around talking with old folks about the good old days. I was pleased to find that no one was doing that.. In fact, short of the public schools, this is probably the most active group of people in the community. There are all sorts of projects going on and they are always looking for new ones.

I was asked if I would put one or more of my paintings in the art room. I was asked if I could start a play reading group. I was given coffee and some delicious pastry and introduced to more people than I can remember.

There were no relics lolling around in wheelchairs, feeling sorry for themselves and waiting to be entertained. These folks were entertaining themselves. I left with a very good feeling about the place.

I was taken around and shown some of the various rooms where projects were going on, charitable efforts and creative works. At one point I heard the thunder of feet and a group of teenagers passed me by. It seems there are activities for all ages of people at this place.

My guide, Linda, was very helpful in showing me around, getting me to meet people and giving me some valuable information; the gentlest ox goad, ring in the nose, I can imagine. Evidently next Wednesday we're going back for lunch, at which time I'll find out more about the place and the people. Who knows, if they accept vagabonds, I may even plunk down my dues and become a "Senior."

Then, stand back and pardon me if I shine forth and be as the morning.

DB - The Vagabond
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Mind Twister Of The Week Answer
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1. Here are three numbered statements.
2. Two of them are true.
3. One of them is false.
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How many of the statements are true? Why?
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Well it didn't take long for Geo to come up with the answer' Here's his reasoning.

#1 seems visually verifiable as true. There are three numbered statements.
#2 claims two statements are true.
#3 says the same thing. So, if #2 and #3 are true, #1 must be false. However, since #1 doesn't refer to the content of #2 and #3, only to their being numbered, I consider all three statements true.

Geo.
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And here's mine.

I arrived at the same conclusion with a slightly different route.
1. is obviously true as you say.
If 2. is also true then the 2 true ones are 1 and 2. Statement 2 only says 2 are true. It doesn't say only 2 are true.
But if 3 is the false one then what it says (1 is false) isn't true.
That leaves 3 true ones.

Now I have to dream up another puzzle Geo. See what you make me do?
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SPRING QUESTION
(This is not a contest)

NASA has planned to send a two man mission on an 18 month trip to the planet Mars. It would take 6 months for the astronauts to get there and after 6 months of exploration another 6 months to return.

Should they do it and why, and if not, why not?

dbdacoba@aol.com

5 answers so far

I eagerly await your answer.

DB
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6 comments:

pacifica62 said...

My god, I don't know what seniors you have been living around to get your misguided opinion of them. There are few old coots, fogys, or geezers amongst today's seniors. People are working longer, staying healthier, and have very active lives. I am actually delighted to hear that your impression of this group of seniors, anyways, has changed your mind and brought you more up to date. I hope that you get involved in some of their activities. Pretty soon you will be feeling as young as they do.

Geo. said...

Re: Mind Twister. Even tho we reached the same solution, I can't help feeling the puzzle has another surprise. I'm reminded of the syllogism Ambrose Bierce provided in The Devil's Dictionary to prove that if one man can dig a posthole in 60 seconds, 60 men can dig a posthole in one second. Hope some of your other readers chime in on this one.

Valerie said...

I hope you enjoy your new surroundings, DB, and I am sure they will be happy to have you! Sounds like it has been positive thus far, wonderful!! Have a great Easter weekend, my friend! Hugs!

pacifica62 said...

Why do they call is "logic" when it does nothing but surround your brain in some big mind numbing billowing fog. Can't understand the question and can't understand the answer either.

Arlene (AJ) said...

DB sounds like the Senior Center was a fantastic place to go, socialize, offer your great knowledge, meet new people, I hope you'll continue to go....just think what a blessing it will be to all of them to have you there and what you'll contribute with all your experiences in life and knowledge. The Senior Centers in our area that I read about always seem to have some fun, great things going on. How fab that they'd want to share your pictures in the art room with others. Starting a play reading group, how fantastic, you'd be perfect for that and contribute so much.

Remember age is just a state of mind, it's what you make of it for yourself that determines if you are old in mind or young and from all your readings that you've blessed us with dear, you're be forever young at heart. Go for it DB and enjoy.

Ken Riches said...

Sounds like a place full of promise and new adventures, new stories, and new blog entries.

Glad you put aside your notions and made the effort. You will enrich many more lives there.