October Elder Meetup in Lake Oswego, Plus...
Wednesday, 01 September 2010
Two weeks ago, I offered two possible dates for an elderblogger (and readers) meetup at my home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Responses are in and Saturday 9 October is the majority choice.
That doesn't mean those who preferred 16 October can't attend if your schedule allows. Just let me know. You can do that in the comments below or use the “Contact” link in the upper left corner of this page.
If others who are hearing about the event today for the first time would like to attend, of course you are welcome. Just follow the link above to read the particulars (although 9 October is now the date) and send me a note.
Also, would anyone who is definitely attending let me know how many of you there are – spouses and significant others are welcome. Soon I will send out an email to attendees with more information.
Because that's not much of a blog post for everyone else, here are a couple of little things I was saving for the next Interesting Stuff post.
Better Choices, Better Health
The National Council on Aging (NCOA), which was so helpful with my research into reverse mortgages, is offering a free, online Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), developed and tested at the Stanford University Patient Education Center.
It is a pilot project and at this time available to residents of only seven states: California, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oregon. So if you live in one of those places and want to know more about managing one or more chronic health conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis, you can read more and register here.
The Majestic Plastic Bag
In an effort to do my part for the environment, one of the things I try to be careful about is to take reusable bags with me to the market. If you think that's too small a practice to be bothered with, this mockumentary that Darlene Costner of Darlene's Hodgepodge sent me should change your mind.
GreenSpirit
In keeping with the same idea as that video, Marian Van Eyk McCain of Elderwomanblog has edited a new book titled, GreenSpirit. According to one reader, it is
“...a rich collection of thought-provoking writing, providing nourishment for the green soul. Edited by writer Marian Van Eyk McCain, a woman committed to living lightly and with integrity, the 29 contributors include Matthew Fox, Satish Kumar and Neil Douglas-Klotz.
“These were the names that were familiar to me. The other luminaries address just about everything – life, the universe and not only why we are here, but how we arrived. The writing weaves together science and creativity, art and social action, as well as green spirituality.”
All proceeds go to the U.K. Charity, GreenSpirit. You can purchase the book via links to The Book Depository, which ships worldwide for free, or to Amazon – both U.S. and U.K. - at this website.
Silly Elder Fun
Kate of KateThoughts sent along this video of Tim Hardin singing some songs old rock stars you will recognize will be singing soon. I only wish Mick Jagger had been included.
At The Elder Storytelling Place today, Johna Ferguson: Revenge
Oh goody re October date....count me in...Wordstock is also happening that weekend in PDX...I plan to attend some part of it...Thanks for gathering us...I look forward to it.
Posted by: Gaea Yudron | Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 08:38 AM
Yes, yes! So looking forward to it. Wrote you into my calendar in INK! Just me only so far, have a sister there I hope will come as well.
Posted by: Celia | Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 09:32 AM
Thanks for the mention, Ronni.
It would be lovely to join all of you, but it is not possible for me.
Jo Ann of ALONG THE WAY wrote me mentioning using Skype as a means of participating, but I do not have a Web Cam and Skype does not have closed captioning, so I don't think it would work for me. I will check it out, though.
Posted by: Darlene | Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 09:39 AM
I put it on the calendar and unless something comes up, we should be there-- two of us.
Posted by: Rain | Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 09:40 AM
You lucky ducks who can be there! I'll be there, but on Skype! Aren't we lucky to live in this hi-tech time......well sometimes it's a good thing! Dee (BTW, Darlene, my son has Skype with a tiny little camera that he got for Christmas. He downloaded Skype easily so perhaps you could do it that way. PS: I also turn the volume way up when the grandsons call! Hope this helps. Dee)
Posted by: Dee | Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 03:14 PM
I'm just going to miss being in the area. Darn. Well, maybe next time.
Posted by: Hattie | Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 05:38 PM
You lucky ducks who can be there! I'll be there, but on Skype! Aren't we lucky to live in this hi-tech time......well sometimes it's a good thing! Dee (BTW, Darlene, my son has Skype with a tiny little camera that he got for Christmas. He downloaded Skype easily so perhaps you could do it that way. PS: I also turn the volume way up when the grandsons call! Hope this helps. Dee)
Posted by: Dee | Thursday, 02 September 2010 at 04:22 AM
I know the Better Choices, Better Health workshop will also be offered at 13 different locations in the Pittsburgh, PA area, beginning in late September. There is no cut-off date for registration, as the classes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can view a pdf with more info about the Pgh workshops, here: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx
Also, I attended an information session about the workshops and they sound incredible. I heard from people who had completed the classes and they simply raved about how this workshop had changed their ability to really live and enjoy life in spite of chronic disease or pain. I would highly recommend checking it out to anyone who is remotely interested.
Posted by: Bridge Station | Thursday, 02 September 2010 at 10:25 AM
2 of us are planning to be there. I tried the link, but on Submit it switched to Google.
Posted by: Jami Hart | Thursday, 02 September 2010 at 12:15 PM
Regrettably, I can't make the meet-up, but enjoyed the voyage of the plastic bag. I do try to bring reusable bags when I shop, but one burning question remains unanswered: if I don't keep at least a few used plastic bags around, what should I use for garbage? We live in a multi-unit condo complex with large dumpsters. Throwing loose garbage into them would be unsanitary and is prohibited. It doesn't make sense to buy NEW plastic bags--which require oil to produce--and paper just doesn't work for wet items--besides, paper bags are made from trees.
If anyone has a good practical solution to this problem, I'd love to hear it! In the meantime, at least I'm re-using my plastic bags.
Posted by: Elizabeth Rogers | Thursday, 02 September 2010 at 07:40 PM
What's the designated Skyping time frame on Oct. 9th for us to call in? Guess you'll let us know all the scoop when closer to the date.
FWIW for those calling in who have hearing loss, they often have problems with group conversations. They would likely appreciate speaking to one person at a time as opposed to trying to follow a camera focused on a group conversation where speakers and/or topic is frequently changing.
Posted by: joared | Thursday, 09 September 2010 at 02:52 AM