39 and Holding Club

Monday, March 8, 2021

Happy UN-Birthday 39ers MARCH 2021

Playing with the Age Markers

I have long eschewed our standard “senior” and “elderly” descriptions for those of us in “hazy” older ages. There are relatively pleasant terms for those in younger stages, but once you reach a “certain age,” many young’uns simply look at us as “old,” without thinking about our lives before now, or how we were once their age.

Wiki: “The United Nations has agreed that 65+ years may be usually denoted as ‘old age’” …

They’re not taking into account, as we often say here, “Age is a number, ATT-i-tude is LIFE.” You needn’t “act” young or immature—that can just make you appear cartoonish to everyone else. But thinking young and letting your ATT-i-tude flow from your inner child, is a must. Of course, there may be natural limitations, but a lively bearing—the hallmark of youth—and positive ATT-i-tude can go a long way to belie age and may even lessen age-related problems.

To really confuse the issue … Wiki: “One study distinguishes the young old (60 to 69), the middle old (70 to 79), and the very old (80+). Another study's sub-grouping is young-old (65 to 74), middle-old (75–84), and oldest-old (85+). A third sub-grouping is ‘young old’ (65–74), ‘old’ (74–84), and ‘old-old’ (85+). Describing sub-groups in the 65+ population enables a more accurate portrayal of significant life changes.” Phew! That’s a lot of sub-groups! And “more accurate portray of significant life changes.” Oh, do I have a problem with that!

How about if we change it up a bit, at least in descriptive words, to be a tad more relevant, dignified and snappier? Whaddaya think …

Strictly speaking, we have “childhood,” roughly the formative years through 18 (most countries’ age of majority/Wiki); “adulthood,” looking at 19 years-50; and my preferred additions … “elderhood,” 51-65 years; and let’s revise “senior citizen” to “seniorhood,” at 66+! Shall we go on?

Let’s face it, we’re living longer, so if we continue the trend, we’ll need some fun labels for those past traditional “old age.” I favor “seniorhood” keeping us intact until around 80, at which point we could become “geniarianhood”—for all the older genarian terms, like octogenarian (80-89), sexagenarian (90-99) … and centenarian—those who have exceeded “normal” life expectancy—100+. And these days, normal would be … ????

If still a viable part of society, why segregate and alienate our elders by tagging them with a limiting moniker? Youth in ATT-i-tude can be a part of any age.

Let’s get on with our UN-birthdays …

Celebrating MARCH 39ers ~ And More!
March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted due to winter. For 2020, we were interrupted not just by winter or wars—making 2021’s March Spring is especially welcome.

With businesses and fun places beginning to open up again, there are any number of ways to celebrate March 39ers’ UN-birthdays. Combine your day with some special days below and go a little crazy, but first, a bit of serious conversation on things that may keep us from feeling our best …

Some folks feel the winter more than others, making winter even more painful. Hopefully, springing into March with help, along with National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month. without a link association, I visited my health go-to-site for you, at which Mayo Clinic typifies this condition as “…a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and that can't be fully explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest.” (FYI, May 12^th also recognizes the whole grouping of Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases Day.)
I remember decades ago that even if this ailment (and fibromyalgia; similar in scope) was given credence by a doctor, it was minimally treated as a “woman’s condition” and rarely taken seriously. As often is the case, science has come around to realize it’s real (and guys suffer with it too) and debilitating, if not treated.

March 8^th: Enough seriousness. Let’s break out the party! It’s Fun Facts About Names Day! Even a whole week which began yesterday—Int’l Celebrate Your Name Week—is lauded on this site with things to do every day through the 21^st.
But today we “start with the facts, ma’am, just the facts …” Do you know, “U2's original band name was Feedback”? Or "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." was advice from John F. Kennedy, and for totally useless information, “Octotorpe is the name of the "#" symbol on a telephone.” Have fun!

March 14^th: Today is a great opportunity for Write Your Story Day. Are you into genealogy? If not, do you have an interesting life you’ve thought about pouring into a short story or even a book? Or … something for everyone, how about leaving a “living legacy” for your descendants? Since this special day had no official link, take a look at one of our sister-sites for tips to write your legacy: 39 and Holding Club and Penchant for Penning.

March 17^th: Combined with Spring, St. Patrick’s Day tends to put a spring in our steps after a long winter. Remember, you don’t need to have Irish DNA to be Irish for a day. ♪ *When Irish eyes are smiling … ♪

March 22^nd: A special day seemingly made for 39AHC, though there is no official link. However, a few years back, I created one that tells you about the adorable 1951 movie, starring a budding blonde bombshell mega-star… think you know who it is? 39AHC adopted the movie As Young As You Feel, as an official club holiday on this date. Enjoy!

Week of March 21^st-27^th: While you’re watching the movie, grab your popcorn and smother it in chocolate to honor American Chocolate Week!

For 39ers who Follow the Stars …
Sensitive and caring Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) mingles with the daring and fiery Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) as March UN-birthday 39ers herald the seasonal change from winter doldrums to springy Spring.

     If there’s a Pisces in your life, you’ve likely experienced the watery emotions of the fish, deep and sometimes muddy. Take heart … March is cosmic and energetic for Pisces and moods lighten up as the month progresses, urged along by you and their great social connections.
     As for Aries, well … it’s a busy business month for them. We know Aries is strong and capable, but this month they’re a ball of energy to be reckoned with. Advancing on a professional level for most of the month, they dance straight through the Ides of March with panache and perseverance.
     Pisces finds its light green Zodiac color peaceful and healing, and though passionate red is attributed to Aries, no doubt Kelly green would make a terrifically appropriate accent!

Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude
Give yourself a break. Stop thinking you’re growing older, with the wisdom to know, old is relevant. ~ L. Rochelle

Cheers to your Happy UN-Birthday MARCH 39ers
This one’s for you, kids – Steven and Susan!

Club 39 Nifty Gifts
Join the 39 & Holding Club!
Chat on Twitter: @39HoldingClub

*song credit: “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” Emmet Cahill; an official Celtic Thunder release.

<><><><><><><><>

*Important Legal Message: Any data, links, or opinions in this site are for your information only and does not constitute legal or medical expertise of any kind. My expertise is writing and sensible reporting. Period. Please use all data, links, or my skewed opinions at your own risk.

Are you a 39er this month? Feel free to share your UN-birthday comments below (click on Comments or if it says No Comments, click that to be the first) and tell us how you really feel about your age and aging. Keep the stories coming!

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!

<><><>END<><><>

Sunday, February 14, 2021

A Single 39er’s Funny Little Valentine

As a single 39er, I am often alone on Holidays (especially the past year) and today—Valentine’s Day 💖—is no exception. When this happens, I tap into my inner child for joy and happiness, which helps keep me young in body, mind, spirit, and soul.

Many incurable romantics never lose their delight over the simple things on Valentine’s Day … flowers, chocolates, a sweet note, and an adorable plush animal … meet Cocoa …

Bought myself a Valentine’s Day gift yesterday. I licked my lips thinking of a small chocolate box to buy—I believe in treating myself on holidays when I’m alone—or maybe, especially because I’m alone.

So I trolled the “seasonal” aisle at the grocery store (obviously not looking for gourmet chocolates), and there were a couple of shelves with Russell Stover^® plush pups holding a box of chocolates with a rose in the mouth. I doubt they were selling well. Unfortunately, the stem of the rose looked more like fangs on either side of the pups’ mouths. Ah well. Cute try!

Taking a step down the aisle, sentimentality took hold. I don’t know about guys, but many women will always have a soft heart for stuffed animals and all things childlike.

I weighed the price of $8 for a small box of cheap chocolates against the $8 sale price on the pups holding a little smaller size box of RS tasty sweets. Goodness knows, I don’t need the extra chocolates (which of course, never stops me), so my inner child took a closer look at the better value array of, soft, furry “Cocoa the Love Pup.”

While one might think they all look the same, I found early in my stuffed toy buying and gift-receiving life that not all adorable stuffed animals are created equal. There are always slight-to-significant manufacturing anomalies that can make or break the “cute” of a plush.

I rummaged through the shelf of tawny little guys in front of me and my attention was drawn to a shy one in front that seemed a tad “off.” Hmmm.

Pushing past him I pulled out a couple from the side and back, looking for one that better suited me. They all looked pretty much the same, with shiny red heart box, rose-fangs, and “Russel Stover” stitched on the bottom of the left paw.

Going back to the pup in front, I noticed his nose is crooked and his rose stem looked more like fangs than all the others in his “litter.” And then I saw that “Russell Stover” was sewn upside down on his paw. Out of curiosity (a writer’s bane) I pawed through two more bins of plush pups, but only the “runt’s” paw exposed an upturned brand name.

Poor baby. Definitely the less desirable of all his siblings. That was the final test … my heartstrings tugged and his destiny became my “rescue pup” for Valentine’s Day!

Finished with my shopping and returned home with “rescue” Cocoa in my care (Cocoa is the company name for him—I would have named him Buster), he sat contentedly watching me from the sofa as I settled back at my desk. Perusing the store receipt, as usual, to check my expenditures, my eyes spotted Cocoa’s line item.

That’s when I realized that the $8 I thought I’d spent on Cocoa had discounted to $4! Since their original selling price was $12, it confirmed my suspicion that these poor little plush pups were a good idea at the drawing board, yet somehow lost their tail-wagging factor in manufacturing. But still …

Happy Valentine’s Day to me for a great buy and a satisfied feeling that my rescued Cocoa would have languished with his siblings until a donation cycle (or, gasp! recycling). The point is, you might be alone, but if you treat yourself, your reward could be a fun surprise.

At every age, Love comes in many forms … pick one and enjoy your Valentine's Day!