Category Archives: Getting Old

Simple-minded

Posted on May 14, 2014 by hessd

The topic on my mind today is dementia.  That is not what the adjective “simple-minded” has ordinarily referred to, but I have a plan for today. I have kids (and step kids) who are going to read this, so I … Continue reading →

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Honoring the Elderly

Posted on May 8, 2014 by hessd

Respect for the elderly.  That was always a hard sell for me when I was young.  I think I was a more achievement-oriented than a traditional-values little kid.[1]  Now I’m old and it still seems mostly like a scam to … Continue reading →

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Being nice to Siri

Posted on March 18, 2014 by hessd

Siri, would you set an alarm for 3:30 please? Siri, set an alarm for 3:30. Damn it, Siri, I told you to set an alarm for 3:30 As you know, “Siri” is a “personal voice search assistant.”  She (Siri has … Continue reading →

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Robert Dahl, R.I.P

Posted on February 10, 2014 by hessd

Robert Dahl died this week at the age of 98.  The man loomed over political theory before, during, and after my years as a political scientist.  When I began reading political science, Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American … Continue reading →

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Valentine’s Day 2014

Posted on February 9, 2014 by hessd

I do love Valentine’s Day.  It has taken me awhile to get there, but I am there now. I started having trouble with Valentine’s Day in elementary school.  It was our practice that everyone was to get valentines from everyone … Continue reading →

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Belonging to the Narrative

Posted on February 3, 2014 by hessd

  As a rule, I am pretty sensitive to attributing personal traits to impersonal objects.  You can tell, I am sure, that I am going to suspend that today and you are right, but let me illustrate it first.  It … Continue reading →

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Two Cheers for the Community of Loiterers

Posted on January 24, 2014 by hessd

Here is today’s dilemma.  I don’t really know what to do about it.  That’s why it gets only two cheers. THERE’S an old Italian saying, “A tavola non si invecchia,” which means: At the table, you don’t grow old.” All … Continue reading →

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Let Even the Old Rejoice

Posted on January 14, 2014 by hessd

  Every year, as close to Epiphany as we can get it and still have it fall on a weekend, Bette and I invite friends over to read W. H. Auden’s poem, “For the Time Being” together.[1]  It takes about … Continue reading →

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The Best Practice for Dying Well is Living Well

Posted on January 7, 2014 by hessd

“Death” is the end of life.  “Dying,” on the other hand, is life’s last task.  I have heard it is a difficult task; difficult, at least, to do well.  On the supposition that we are likely to die as we … Continue reading →

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What Good Health Is For

Posted on November 4, 2013 by hessd

So I’ve been thinking about getting old and what I ought to do about it. The model that has suggested itself comes from all the 10K races I have run over the years.  I should say that for me, even … Continue reading →

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