THE WAITING ROOM

                                                     

We Seniors spend a lot of time in waiting rooms, (obviously).One time stands out in my mind

as especially interesting.That day I took the  seat next to a grey haired woman who had her head

down totally rapt in a crossword puzzle. I love puzzles so I leaned closer to her to peek at it.

Without looking at me she covered the page with her arm making it impossible for me to read.

Was it an act of hostility, I wondered?

So I studied her face, etching it in my mind for the next time I'd see her... I knew what I would

do because I recognized a fellow addict.

A few weeks later I did see her again in that same waiting room. And again there was an

empty chair next to her. I was prepared with an enlarged copy of a crossword puzzle so I

opened it and began by reading the clues aloud to myself..."Sun Dried Brick" and I answered

myself, "Adobe". The next clue was " Head of City Government". Of course I knew it but I

hemmed and hawed...until I finally murmered the answer to myself. Then came my 'coup d 'etat.

 I was excited, and decided to sing it rather than just say it. " Summertime...and the

livin' is ..., ....is hazy.."  I chuckled as I sensed her agitated movement next to me.


I had her number, so I predicted that I wouldn't have to wait long.

"Excuse me"  she said, pointing to my puzzle. "The answer is 'easy', not 'hazy' ".

"Wha! Oh! yes, ...easy, ' the livin' is 'easy'. Thanks!"

She put her hand out for a handshake, "My name is Sandy."

"I'm Bev," I said, "Nice meeting you. I love crossword puzzles, don't you?"

"Oh, one of my favorite things to do! It's good for us too, keeps the mind active...

and sharp..."

" And it's fun!" I added.

" I can use a cup of coffee, how about you?" she asked.

After both our appointments were completed, we went out for coffee...the first of many times.

They say that friendship is based on shared interests, And both of us being compulsive obsessive

 types,we each had our crossword puzzles with us wherever we went.





                                                                      THE END

Seniors and Sounds

SO it's true that many of us are hard of hearing and using hearing aids,

but  aren't we also less noisy compared to other ages groups?

Infants, to start with... they bawl a lot and at any time of day or night. ( Remember

how we tried to interpret the wailing, was he hungry, did she want  a diaper change...or

needed sleep?

Then  as toddlers the noisiness came from their running and playing. Those were happy

sounds.

Chuck E Cheese! Omg, beyond noisy which is why the kids love it. When we can't take it

any more we can just leave...(with an excuse of course, so as not to hurt anyone's feelings.)

Now to the teens. Surely they are the noisiest  group of all, in particular their 'music'.

If you're lucky enough (I'm being tactful) to be caught at one of their parties, there are 3

things you can do.1)Take your hearing aids OUT of your ears. 2) Stuff some cotton INTO

your ears. 3) Again, make an excuse and say 'goodbye' quietly. Don't announce it.

(Note to you 'ethical' people out there; (a 'little white' lie could be an act of kindness,)

especially if it's a birthday party or other special occasion.

But whatever you do, please don't tell them what we seniors talk about all the time, that

their entire generation  are going to go deaf, not  just hard of hearing but stone deaf!

It seems that their ears always have wires hanging from them and music (?) blaring,

blasting through at high volume.Why? Why does it have to be that loud? We heard

'Ol Blue Eyes' Frankie just fine when he sang," Someday, when I'm feeling low...and

the world is cold, I will get a glow just thinking of you...and the way you look tonight."

It was sweet, it was mellow. And it didn't burst our ear drums!

So why can't they be like us, quiet? In a roomful of seniors many,(most?) will be dozing.

The rest will be ultra relaxed...(or are they dozing too with eyes open?) So we don't

make any noises, unless you count the involuntary sounds. Getting up from a chair is

not, as the young'uns think, so easy for us anymore.With it comes grunting and

groaning...ugh.

And then there are those other sounds, the cracking, grinding and popping! from my

knee joints.

Embarrassing? Yes, but it goes along with aging so to quote one of my favorite

 sayings; widely used by people of all ages,  "IT IS WHAT IT IS."

                          THE END