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John Sackett's avatar

Denis, Great insights. Transitions, especially into old age, are difficult. Karen and I anticipated the changes ahead and moved into an assisted-living facility before it was necessary, actually the independent-living side of the facility (assisted living light). It does make life easier and more fulfilling, but it takes metal strength to make the transition. More fishing, skiing, camping, golf, etc.

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Denis Benjamin's avatar

John, you are right about the challenges. For me, giving up some of the things that I enjoyed was the hardest. I have given my golf clubs, fly-rods, and weapons to the two boys, hoping that the one who lives in Jackson Hole will take advantage of all the fishing opportunities. Vivien has hung up her skis and tennis rackets but has successfully transitioned to pickleball. We still do short hikes, but Central Texas is almost devoid of mushrooms. Importantly, we both stay very active - fitness center, swimming, aqua-aerobics, walking, gardening etc.

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Roz Lowen's avatar

Old but still having fun!

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Denis Benjamin's avatar

So are we. We love living in the large Sun City community north of Austin, which offers miles of trails for hiking and a vast array of activities. There is so much to do that we have scaled back on our travel. I enjoy seeing your mushroom pics and skiing, two things that we have finally given up.

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Roz Lowen's avatar

I can't believe that you could give up mushrooming

It is avway of life. You still contribute to Fungi Mag. And when you are on those trails near you I bet you still have an eye out for mushrooms.

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Denis Benjamin's avatar

Roz, what I meant is that I don't intentionally go mushroom hunting. I still notice the few that fruit here along the trails, although Central Texas is almost a macro- myco-desert.

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Karen Ireland's avatar

Dear Denis,

I LOVED this one. Have liked many of the others BUT this one hits so close to home. As another retired pathologist, we have 2 sayings: 1) anyday you look down at the green and not up at the brown is a good one 2) anyday I can swing my legs out of bed and get up is a good one.

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Denis Benjamin's avatar

Karen, I hope you’re enjoying your retirement. I, too, relish getting out of bed each morning and becoming vertical.

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Joel Kaufman's avatar

In the Quintin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown, Robert DeNiro , a gangster and the title character come out of a film in an LA multiplex , they have been arguing throughout the movie, and can’t find their car. She starts taunting him, so he shoots her. Sounds awful, but in the film’s context it is funny.

Most of this piece fits me perfectly.

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Norma-Jill Jacobson's avatar

I laughed so much I wet my pants

Just another sign of aging!!!!

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Jennifer Abermanis's avatar

I love this Denis! How true!

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Denis Benjamin's avatar

Hi Jennifer, pleased that you enjoyed it. I do miss those days of foraging for chanterelles and traipsing through the forests of the Pacific Northwest. And I still remember, with great relish, the crawfish and shrimp boil in your backyard a year or so after you arrived in Seattle.

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