Summer activities for the “older set”

Summer is upon us. Oh yes, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!

Splashing in the pool. Playing baseball in the park. Climbing maple trees in the front yard. Riding bikes on dusty back roads.

Now those were the days! Days of long, long ago for me! Just talking about all that activity makes me tired!

This summer — the summer of 2010 — I will be reaching a monumental milestone in my life — my 60th birthday.

Go ahead — laugh! Your time's coming. And for those of you who've already experienced this strange phenomenon, my apologies — I don't mean to step on any toes here!

Now if you think I am nearing this most significant anniversary of my birth — having a family the size of ours — and doing so without a great deal of torment, you must be on something.

Becoming part of the elderly crowd and being a mother to seven grown children can really bite big time!

My husband and children have been ribbing me for many months now. I just know plans of my extreme embarrassment are in my near future.

Not to be brought down by thoughts of aging, I have recently been contemplating summer activities we could plan that would accommodate the more elderly-side of the population, as well as those that use a bit less — shall we say energy.

I actually decided to surf the internet for summer activity ideas. While searching sites providing ideas for activities for older people, the first thing I ran in to were articles on preventing falling, living independently and simple tests for dementia. What's up with that? Oh, the future could be interesting!

There were several ideas for us elderly people to do in the summertime. Suggestions included things like picnics. I love picnics! It did mention packing foods that are soft and easy on the palette and sitting under a nice shade tree to prevent age spots!

Gardening was mentioned. OK! I realize there are a lot of people who love gardening. I USED to love gardening. As I've said before, I've raised many-a veggies for the family through the years. I just don't think gardening is all that exciting as I get older. That pain in my back and legs didn't used to be there when I stooped to plant or reap  vegetables back in those early years.

One activity mentioned for elderly people that I thought was especially interesting was playing in the sprinklers. OK! Now, years ago, our children ran through the sprinkler — or squirted each other with the garden hose — on many hot, humid summer afternoons. I distinctly remember getting involved in this sort of play; however, the Daddy in the family didn't much like being squirted. And he was very vocal about that fact.

Now, Roger and I are alone in the house pretty much all the time these days — except for when we have an occasional visit from kids or grandkids. Imagine if I were to ask if he would like to come out and play in the sprinkler with me. I'm not saying he'd say yes and I'm not saying he'd say no. But imagine the eyebrows of those driving past the house. Oh my!

Another activity suggestion was going to the park to play. Oh BROTHER! "Hey Roger, let's go to the park and play on the swings!" Now, with suggestions like that, I'm afraid Roger will be having old Connie locked up somewhere! Plus, he'd probably want to do "under-doggies" and I'd end up falling out of the swing and breaking a bone or something.

There were suggestions like taking a walk with an ice cream cone or cold drink. I say it'd be even better if one were to drive through somewhere to get the ice cream or cold drink and cruise the city streets.

Go to the zoo. Yes, the zoo was a suggestion. Oh my goodness! I didn't like going to the zoo when our kids were little. I do remember one trip we made to St. Louis with our six oldest kids. We visited the zoo — partly because it was free.

While we were there, I did enjoy watching the penguins and polar bears; however, we were quite appalled to see the apes flinging their poop all over the place. Just not my cup of tea, so to speak! So I don't think I necessarily want to go to the zoo now that I'm in my retiring years.

Attending kids' ballgames was on the list. Now, that's something we frequently do in the summertime. From T-ball to big kids' baseball, we have grandkids involved and we enjoy watching them play. We also enjoy hearing comments from the crowd about how talented our grandchildren are. (They get it from me!)

Another interesting suggestion is sitting together with someone special to watch a sunrise or sunset. They say you should listen to the sounds of crickets and frogs in the summer evenings. It's reported to be quite stimulating. That's all I need — stimulation! It would actually be quite relaxing to sit outside on a starry evening looking for the Big Dipper and finding the North Star.

Sitting under a shade tree — maybe even taking off your shoes and feeling the warm grass. Reading a good book on the front porch swing (something I've rather enjoyed for quite some time). Going to a summer parade. Watching fireworks on the fourth. Taking in an outdoor music concert. Cooking fried green tomatoes. Putting up a flag. These are just a few of the suggestions.

One Website said this, "Shell some peas, snap some beans, eat some fresh tomatoes."  (It didn't mention slicing the tomatoes — guess older people aren't supposed to handle sharp objects!)

I'm sure as the years pass there will be all kinds of enjoyable things I can find to do in the summertime. I'm looking forward to the summer of 2010. Being with family. Enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.

I don't care if I DO turn 60, I'm still going to have fun!

–Connie Goff is a reporter and weekly columnist for the Maryville Daily Forum.