Category Archives: intergenerational

The collector’s burden

Posted on March 6, 2020 by stillalife

Living in ground zero of the U.S. coronavirus infection made me think twice before posting a blog on something frivolous. Then I decided that people might benefit from a short break from newspaper and TV news that focuses almost exclusively … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, friends and family, intergenerational, personal reflections | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Generation gap from a new perspective

Posted on January 9, 2020 by stillalife

For the first time I understand what it means to be on the other side of the age gap.  Not that I haven’t had many glimpses earlier, but now they’re following me everywhere. I remember the gap between my views … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, intergenerational | Leave a comment

The thrill of finding your ancestral roots

Posted on October 11, 2019 by stillalife

Recently a friend posted on Facebook — in all caps — her excitement of learning that her ancestors came from Northern Nigeria and that she was a “full Fulani woman. I found my home. My heart is full.” In response, … Continue reading →

Posted in intergenerational, personal reflections, travel | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Who is the real you? Ask someone else

Posted on September 14, 2018 by stillalife

Recently, a newcomer appeared at my monthly lunch with former work friends: a daughter-in-law who was visiting from another state. In other words, a younger person. While aging is not a focus of our conversations, when we meet the topic … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, changes after retirement, intergenerational, personal reflections | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Poverty chic: stigma or style?

Posted on July 16, 2017 by stillalife

I just listened to a humorous song called “Problems” by the Seattle-based trio, Uncle Bonsai. The title is short for “We’ve got problems in the first world too.” What are these problems? Per the song, they include having too much … Continue reading →

Posted in intergenerational, personal reflections | 7 Comments

Why we need older friends

Posted on March 18, 2017 by stillalife

Earlier this week, I watched three buses from an elder housing community pull out of the parking lot near a theater where we had just seen a play. Ah, so that explained the presence of so many eighty-somethings in the audience. … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, intergenerational, personal reflections | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

How to talk to old people

Posted on March 29, 2016 by stillalife

While I was working, I never had occasion to work with a supervisor younger than I was.  Which is why I can’t speak personally to issues that arise when older workers have bosses from the millennial generation. (Depending on the … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, current events/themes, intergenerational, personal reflections, technology | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

One way to escape the sense of entitlement

Posted on February 2, 2016 by stillalife

Yesterday was my mother’s birthday. No matter what our age, we never stop thinking about our parents. Inevitably, when we’re younger something reminds us — not always as a good memory — of a childhood experience, a family outing, a … Continue reading →

Posted in friends and family, intergenerational, personal reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Finding inspiration in the life of a 95-year old

Posted on January 23, 2016 by stillalife

Meet my friend Eleanor. She’s a terrific writer, former teacher, advocate for the mentally ill at city, state and national levels, addicted thrift-store shopper (though she claims to have quit cold turkey this past year), patron of the arts, and all-around … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, inspiration, intergenerational, writing | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Genealogy lessons

Posted on December 8, 2015 by stillalife

Yoo Hoo! School is almost over. Children and teachers might shout something like this near the end of every term, though as a rule retirees don’t.  But I’m saying it now.  I’m sick of homework and happy to have almost … Continue reading →

Posted in friends and family, intergenerational | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments