Women still working after 60

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Elizabeth, Age 70

My 70th birthday followed the publication of WOMEN STILL AT WORK–PROFESSIONALS OVER SIXTY AND ON THE JOB in June 2012 (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers). 70 Candles readers will be intrigued by the stories of older women who are continuing to work past conventional retirement age (part time or full time) and their reasons for doing so. BookList gave it a ***starred review***. You can go to https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442215504 for reviews and more information.

A good friend sent me the link to 70 Candles. What a find! My book addresses most of the 70 Candles categories, including Work Life and Retirement, Health, Financial Challenges, Ageism, Family, and more.

As soon as WOMEN STILL AT WORK came out, older working men began asking, “What about us?” So, I am busily researching and writing a ‘sequel’ re Men Still at Work (to be published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2013-14).

Posted in 70 from other perspectives: looking forward and looking back, Financial Challenges, Work life and retirement | Leave a comment

Seeking new passions

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Star, 69 and 6 months

I recently stumbled upon your blog while surfing the Internet and am glad I found 70 candles, as I will be turning 70 in six months. I have been thinking how I want to celebrate this milestone and decided to plan a gift to myself. Even though I am married with 2 stepchildren and one grandson, I did not want to depend on them to do something. So last year I booked a walking trip of Tuscany to coincide with my special day. I will be celebrating in Italy with a younger girl friend who shares a birthday around the same time.

Turning 70 is not like turning 60. It sounds old to me even though I have heard that 70 is the new 50. Most of my friends are younger than me and luckily, I am blessed with good health so I can keep up with them physically and mentally. I am glad to serve as a role model for them as they age.

I recently retired from a 40+ career as a physical therapist. As I move into a new decade, I am looking for a new passion to sustain me into my seventies…

Posted in About turning 70, Looking ahead, Share your story, Stories, Traveling | 4 Comments

Then and now

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Hideko, I will be 70 this New Year’s Day

I miss the girl I used to be so many years ago
With three inch heels and slim of build
And heart with laughter filled.

I love the woman I am today
With orthotic shoes and wide of build
And heart with loving filled.

Posted in 70 from other perspectives: looking forward and looking back, About turning 70, Our bodies, our health, Poetry | 3 Comments

Financial pain

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Hi,

I made bad financial choices and lost all my retirement savings at age 69–trying to determine if anyone recovered from such a devastating experience? Is it too late to still enjoy life? I’m getting very depressed about the situation and would love to hear from other 70 year olds.

Thanks,
Abbie

Posted in Financial Challenges, Networking | 3 Comments

I Want to Live in a Blue Zone

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Jane, Age 72

Blue Zones are areas in the world that have been studied because of the longevity of their populace.

Oh to live beneath the azure blue sky in Ikaria, Greece, where the air is clean and the water sparkles, pure and cold, and the hillocks beckon the walker. I would happily trade in my car, give up the rides to the Mall, to bask in the brilliant Aegean sunshine, tend hearty gardens, and eat wonderfully nutritious food…with my glass of wine.

This Blue Zone, described by Buettner, seems a dreamy place to live; long afternoon naps, pleasant evening with pals, and exceptional health. People there live unusually long lives; they are in good spirits, and they stay well, until the end.

Is it possible to borrow elements from that tableau…(My husband just brought home goat’s milk)…and reap some of the same benefits? Or is this American landscape already too polluted by chemicals in all we breathe, eat and drink?

Our exercise is contrived in gyms, not natural in the fresh air. Our meals come in various plastic packages, not pulled fresh from the land. Our environment is noisy with traffic, not peaceful with the sounds of nature floating around us.

It takes concerted effort, to even try to capture the essence of that place, and those lives. Fresh vegetables and fruit, yogurt without chemicals, lots of purified water to drink, more walking, more time with comrades, work that is joyful, pleasure that is frequent.

Okay, I’ll try the goat’s milk, but first, another glass of wine!

Posted in Our bodies, our health, Stories | Leave a comment

Financial matters

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Anonymous, Age 66

I was shocked last year when I realized I was 65. This year the additional year was no big deal. My story is not so great. I chose poorly when I remarried. We are now separated and I’ve had to go through bankruptcy proceedings. I’m now on a very limited income for the next five years. I will be 71 at that time and I feel it’s too late for me to accomplish anything in the way of security for the time I have left. I have a part-time job and my social security, which will cover my basic expenses until I’m ready to die.

Posted in 70 from other perspectives: looking forward and looking back, Financial Challenges, Looking ahead | 2 Comments

“Young-old” with gratitude and angst

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Nancy, Almost 70

Turning seventy in four days!

I read about this blog in the Taos Institute’s July 2012 Positive Aging Newsletter. I am delighted to find it just before my turning point in four days – a lovely birthday surprise! Turning sixty five and becoming Medicare-eligible was a turning point for me too. This was actually the first time I experienced some angst regarding aging. I am a counseling psychologist and organizational consultant. I worked primarily in medical centers and adult education. During the past five years I have learned more about and worked as a volunteer in the aging well field. I have been married for thirty four years, have two sons in their 20s who are still single and an extended family who live nearby. I hope for grandchildren in the near future. We live in the country near Seattle. I am active at Seattle University in multiple roles, volunteer in social justice and aging well projects, enjoy a robust spiritual, social and cultural life and delight in sailing the waters of Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia.

I lead and participate in two aging well learning communities, one based in Ignatian Spirituality and one secular, which meet in-person monthly. One of them has met for three years. Being part of these communities is such a gift and opportunity for continued personal growth for all of us. We read books, view films, hold an annual Poetry Out-Loud Festival, have potluck dinners, go to community events and share our lives with one another resulting in laughter, tears, insight and rewarding relationships.

Turning seventy is a major transition for me. I am seeing myself as part of the “young-old” and have both gratitude and angst about the change. I am committed to age well with consciousness, courage and contribution. Having companions on the journey will help me follow through on that commitment. I am delighted by the invitation 70 Candles offers to join this virtual community. I accept with pleasure. Thank you for the invitation.

Click here to Reply or Forward

Posted in About turning 70, Family matters, Gratitude and Spirituality, Looking ahead, Work life and retirement | 3 Comments

Live it up now!

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Sandy, Age 70

When I turned 70 last January my 87 year old friend exclaimed “the 70’s were the best time of my life!” She also said the 80’s haven’t been too bad either. Her secret….staying healthy and active.

I have a lot of friends older than me, so I still feel like one of the younger ones. However, I’ve begun to spend money more freely, with the attitude of “I’d better live it up now as the end may be near”! Like one other woman said, I hope I don’t end up a “bag lady” living out of my car!

Thanks for this great idea…..don’t you just love what women are doing these days!

Posted in About turning 70, Our bodies, our health, Stories | Leave a comment

Looking forward

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Pat, Age 68 years, 8 months

Today I met my sister-in-law for morning tea as it was her 70th birthday.
She was not happy at the realization that she was now 70, but I pointed out to her that it was a good achievement to now be at the age of 70 as she has had a happy life and good health. For you see my circumstances are different as I have suffered cancer in 2007, and again in 2009. I am now well, so when I will be 70 in December 2013, I will be very happy to have made it to that age.

Here’s looking forward to a happy & healthy future.

Posted in Gratitude and Spirituality, Looking ahead, Our bodies, our health | 2 Comments

Medical ironies

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Blog Mavens

Barbara, Age 78

Don’t know if this is exactly a story, but I thought I’d tell you a couple of ironic things. I went to the dermatologist. While I was there I asked him about a kind of dark indent in my cheek. I’m overweight, but he told me it was from a lack of fat right there! I also have spider veins and some varicose veins on my legs. When I found a black spot on the back of my tongue, I had it checked out at the dentist. He said it was very definitely a varicose vein! I couldn’t believe it.

Posted in Our bodies, our health | Leave a comment