Changing Gears: Stretching for the extra miles
Several things are likely to become noticeable as we increase in age; at least, that is the case at our house. For example, we are making more trips to our doctor. Our medicine chest is home to more prescription drugs, which seem to be crowding out various grooming items that have claimed space there for years.

Four funerals and some festivities
Remember cocktail parties? They don't seem to happen often anymore. Maybe we finally realized that giving people plenty of drinks and then sending them out on the road was not a good idea.

Teaching by example a long-lasting lesson
Teachers can have a great impact on our lives. I know I had many who made a big difference in my life.

Sorting exercise fact from fiction
Last month's issue featured some of the excuses that people establish in their minds to create exercise avoidance. Once you overcome the negative excuses that have been inhibiting you from exercising, you will need to recognize some exercise myths. These oft-repeated principles have never been validated by medical or scientific research.

John Adams, a model of successful aging
Having the opportunity to speak with David McCullough, author of John Adams, at the St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading in November was wonderful. He told me that his feelings were the same as Adams' when it came to aging. Having a positive attitude where hope abounds was a main ingredient of Adams' home life.

Volunteer work for Hospice is his passion
Of all Vernon "Buck" Allen's community and volunteer activities, his passion is working at Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, where he has volunteered for nearly 20 years.

Is there a gold medal just for watching?
Don't do it! I know the temptation is there. Watching the Winter Olympics brings out our spirit of Rugged Adventurousness. We remember when we sped off down some hill on some kind of slidy thing. Maybe it's the memory of skiing down pristine slopes and having no fear, just exhilaration. Maybe it's memories of sitting on a Flexible Flyer, feet at the controls and a good hill with only crashed friends as obstacles.

Helping where it counts most
SUN CITY CENTER -- Jeanette Kyllonen enjoys the singing birds and the lake view from her home in Kings Point. In gratitude for that peace and security, she volunteers with the Sun City Center emergency squad, which responds to neighbors, and, if necessary, takes sick or injured residents to the community's South Bay Hospital.

Briefly
Tips on Alzheimer's care

Two retirements didn't cool her desire to serve
Since moving from Michigan more than 40 years ago, Georgia Keiser has been closely involved with her community. She retired in 1984 after having been a secretary in the Hillsborough County School District for 13 years.

Fun's a breeze in this month of March
"It is the kind of spring morning -- candid sunlight/elucidating the air, a flower-ruffling breeze." Billy Collins, in A History of Weather, describes the best kind of March mornings as only our poet laureate can. Let's hope we have a solid 31 such days in the March to come, which would be most welcome for some of the exciting outdoor activities scheduled for the windy month.

After 50, her life just kept getting richer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Lilyan "Vee" Dayton did some writing early in her career. She was an editorial assistant while serving in the Air Force from 1949 to 1952; wrote a column for the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base newspaper, the Skywriter; prepared news releases and did publicity, acted and directed for a theater group; and was a stringer for the Dayton Daily News.