I Drink a lot of coffee... Now the Swedes say that could prevent Alzheimer's

I was happy to read a Yahoo article in which a Swedish study showed that folks who drink five or six cups of coffee a day in middle age reduce their chances of getting Alzheimer's disease in their later years.

As I approach my later years, already with enough medical problems to make me wince, Alzheimer's is something I really hope to avoid. Now all the coffee drinking I've done (and still do) seems to have a reward.

The few times in my life when I've given up coffee for a number of months at a time are behind me. My praises to caffeine.

A fine article. And it's not unlike a feather floating down which you watch and appreciate but don't necessarily have a comment to enhance it.

AMEN to all of it!

Gollygeewhizzakers,and I thought I was the only one blogging about life after sixty. LOL...just discovered your blog...delightful. Looking forward to reading and catching up with past entries.

Thanks for the comment and the quote, Kay. I hadn't heard it before, but I do believe it. Worrying & wishing (though I do my share) are really just future thinking.
I'm gonna practice 'til I get it right.

Kate,

We certainly do need to change our culture of obsolescence and our consumer economic model. Without a change we will deplete our natural resources and pollute our planet to the point that it won't sustain life. And, as you say, living in the present does greatly enhance one's attitude and relationships. But, I believe that we have to do more than just imagine "a new and different country."

We've got to take an active role. I don't believe that the future takes care of itself. We've got to choose and support leaders who have the intelligence, desire and skill to replace planned obsolescence and consumerism as an economic model, to ensure that no one is without health care, etc. Leaders who have the moral fiber and strength to resist the influences of money and power. Leaders who will work to eliminate political and corporate greed. Leaders who will work to eliminate corporate welfare. Leaders who will, by example, work to restore ethics and honor as driving forces in our society. Do such Utopian leaders exist? No! But, I'm sure that there are plenty of qualified people who could work at making the needed changes. Unfortunately, our political system is such that raising money becomes the primary objective of a candidate, which leaves them beholdin' to special interests.

Since I try to be pragmatic, I'm neither fearful nor hopeful, just cynical about whether any of the things that I listed above will happen. Despite the economic, ecological, and political shambles we find ourselves in, I've not lost faith in the inherent goodness of the majority of people. I've just lost faith in their ability to avoid being hoodwinked by those with special interest agendas.

Most people have been raised to respect and not question authority (their parents, teachers, religious leaders, etc.). Consequently, people unconsciously develop a mind set that is to some degree based on an uncritical acceptance of the opinions of others. This makes it easier for them to uncritically accept things, as long as they fit into their particular mind set. This is one reason politicians like polls; they allow the politicians to play to the biases and prejudices of the majority.

Unless people learn to put aside their prejudices and knee-jerk emotions long enough to use a little critical thinking, they will continue to be bamboozled by politicians and special interest proponents, and we will continue to pay through the nose for Wall St. and other corporate bailouts, for unnecessary wars based on lies and deception, for unemployment caused by outsourcing of jobs overseas, etc. By being caught up in the mundane and not expending the time and effort to do a little fact checking, people can't weed out the misinformation, spin, and downright lies propagated by the special interest proponents (which include politicians who have been accepting corporate favors and contributions for years or have their own special agendas). To compound the situation, this false information is disseminated in the national media by some uncritical, biased, and lazy reporters and talking heads (some with their own agendas).

So, unless people become more critically aware (which I strongly doubt), they will never clearly understand how they are being used to further these special interest agendas. And, yes, we'll continue to pay. Not just with money, but with the lives of our young. How many more flag-draped coffins have to be returned to the U.S. before people wake up and do something to make those responsible accountable for their actions?

No offense taken, George. In fact, I was very pleased with your discussion.
You were just addressing a different part of the cosmic puzzle and you are not wrong.

I can't MAKE people smarter or less greedy or anything at all, really. So, I work for a better world in my way. I have neither the intellect, the power, or the position/connections to argue with the 'suits'. And I strongly believe that my manner of being in my skin CAN make a difference.

AND, you taught me a new word: screed. That is not what you wrote above, however. Thanks.

Marylou, WELCOME. Hang out here a bit and you'll meet tons of us who write about the processes we're all involved in.

Miki, thanks for your comment and your enthusiasm for "getting on with life". Me, too.