Open Thread - Thurs - 11 Dec 2025 - New! And Old!
New! And Old!
A few days ago one of the advocacy groups I'm involved with and following led me down a rabbit hole to another advocacy area which I'd never even knew about, ever. And it's IMPORTANT. I'm sure many of you know about this, but I didn't realize that there were groups fighting Ageism, fighting against the images our society (and many other societies) make about old people, and how societies treat old people.
Artwork from Growing and Older (link below)
What a great rabbit hole! I'm just getting started and already much of the stuff I'm learning from these groups has lifted up my spirits, making me feel as good about myself and what I can do. I'm setting some possible goals, new goals for the next few years. Good stuff! Below are some of the sites I've found. There is much more out there, for sure!
Old School: A Hub for Age Equality and Ageism Awareness
Another Christmas Song!
This one is not super happy. But damn, it had/has a lot of influence. And, boy, does it bring back memories, I was 22 when it first came out. It inspired me to do a lot of things, including feeding people, fighting against rich people hunting animals (fox hunting in Britain), marching, protests and helping however I could. Do They Know It's Christmas, by Band Aid. (More info- it made 8 Million pounds! all for feeding the starving).
Here's the original video, errr, the mild version of the original video (no film/or pics of the starving):
And here's the much harsher version, with starving and dying people...
And, just cause this links the two topics in today's Blog, here's a short done by someone showing the singing stars in Band Aid as they are today! 
https://youtube.com/shorts/_OcI3bxrCgA?si=yhIYlX2ReVLtphbD
Ok, here's the open thread! What's up, whatcha doing? Reading? Thinking? Listening to? Remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Happy Thursday!
We've had windy weather, and some rain, but not like it is in southern WA. Today I went outside to do some work and nearly got blown over, but it was 'warm' (58 F), which is so strange! At 11:42 PM, it's 50 F. 50!!! Crazy!
Hope y'all enjoy the musical memories and are having a good time today. Tell us what's up!
Ohh, just a tidbit. Nikko is earning a new surname for himself. Jaska was 'Volebane' because she was really good at hunting voles. Nikko is 'Hawkbane' because he's learning to protect the chickens from the hawks and is getting quite good at it!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Growing old gracefully
.
one of my docs suggested that as a goal and it made
some sense at the time. Although, can't say I have the
art form down pat as new limitations evolve with the years.
Which require new adaptations. Bumbling is more like it.
Ah well. At least a portion of me is still young?
Could also be the imagination.
PS - You might want to break out the rubber raft.
Potentially catastrophic river flooding anticipated in western Washington state next couple of days.
https://balancedweather.substack.com/p/potentially-catastrophic-river-fl...
Thanks for the OT Sima!
Zionism is a social disease
Dear Sima, being en agée myself, I am so much more
aware of what I know now that I didn't even a decade ago. I'm amazed at how connecting the dots on various systems, issues and solutions is getting easier and easier.
Learning from people who know more than I do is a great pleasure and for the younger folks possibly ways of survival.
I remember my horror at the rush to put old(er) people in separate living quarters e.g. assisted living; nursing homes; dementia units; especially in New York at the beginning of the Covid onslaught. It seemed to me the goal was to erase people with accumulated knowledge that could help people be self sufficient. We can't have that can we.
To me learning by watching someone and working side by side with them is the best way to acquire new skills.
In the last ten years I've become much more aware of how to grow my own food; how systems like dry toilets and permaculture work; how to cook with much more gusto; how older European housing made of rock and permeable mortar work as healthier places to live; how to eat healthier and to create herb and spice remedies as well as more natural substances for healing; and much more.
I hope to sit with a water color artist after the first of the year to learn how to mix paint and make colors. Possibly learn how to sketch as I can't draw. I can use flowers in wonderful palettes of color from spring to late Fall. I paint with plants. Others say they can't, but it is also learned. The artist told me it's never too late to learn new ways.
I am so glad you highlighted one of my favorite subjects.
Oh, last thought: for those of us losing strength and dexterity I think the answer is to live with or in a community of younger people who could use the experience and they can use their more nimble and stamina-filled selves to create the systems that will help with resilient and happier living.
A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.
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A very good point you make
.
Co-existence with the young and old becomes more
resourceful as opposed to isolation of talents / experience.
The ancient lament - if only I had known then what I know now ..
Zionism is a social disease