The question is, can we afford it? — I just finished reading an article about some super-rich guy in Los Angeles who is spending $2 million a year to stay alive. For a long, long time. Or so he believes. His regimen includes taking 100 supplements a day, eating only within a five-hour window of time (6:00 a.m…

In 2000, when I turned 50, a diagnosis of osteopenia forced me to create an action plan to avoid a further decline into osteoporosis. It was scary because I wasn’t just losing bone density, but I was also losing my ability to walk without pain in my knees and hips. …

I read obituaries every morning in each of the five newspapers I subscribe to. I don’t read every word of every obit. But I try to spend time looking at the photographs and names of the deceased as a way of honoring the dead. Why do I begin the day…

Names were changed to protect the guilty. I believe that there are people who deserve to die an ugly death. Tony was one of them. When his ex-wife, who had once been my best friend, announced his death on Facebook, I smiled. Does that make me evil? I don’t think…

I’ve been using the term geezer to refer to myself since I joined AARP at age 50. I like that it adds a bit of levity to the conversation. For instance, if I want to make sure I’m receiving a senior discount at the grocery store or the cannabis dispensary…

I’ve stopped striving. My self-worth is no longer based on the criteria of workplace achievement. Retirement has improved both my self-image and my creative output. Why? I am no longer plagued by imposter syndrome. What is imposter syndrome? According to a Forbes Magazine article about how this condition affects Latines…

Water as Blood

Why I decided to get hearing aids and why you may want to be tested — Doc: Well, María, you have moderate hearing loss that affects your ability to hear soft consonants, like b, p, and f. Me: Did I lose my hearing because of too much rock and roll? Doc: (with faint smile) No, it’s aging. It happens. Family and friends were much relieved when…

Don’t worry, because I don’t mind — I’m 72 years old and have never been embarrassed or reluctant to reveal my age. I can’t recall refusing to disclose my birth year or being tempted to prune a few decades off the vine of age if asked. Not that anyone ever asks. Asking someone’s age is on the…