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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2022)
The Columbia Press January 21, 2022 7 www.corkeycomics.com ZED by Duane M. Abel Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Secrets among the seniors I was thinking the other day about all the money women are saving by not applying lipstick because they’re wear- ing masks in public. There are so many positive things about the pandemic, right? It’s probably a good psychological exercise to think of the advantages of a situation instead of the in- conveniences. One of my sons-in-law loves to pick up books on aging to further educate me (I sus- pect) in the art of aging. He himself turned a young 70 during the Christmas sea- son. One of the books contained several articles from the 1970s about growing old. It dawned on me that I was probably using such tactics on my own parents about that time. I suppose it is my “kids” turn to help me. I think I may have entered my era of “growing old.” Some of the books on aging that I’ve been given or have purchased seem to have a ba- sic theme expressed by “old- er people” -- Why am I still here? What is my purpose? Who needs me? “So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom,” Psalms 90:12 admonishes us. Henry Wadsworth Long- fellow was past 70 when a younger person asked his se- cret of continuing creativity. Longfellow pointed to an old apple tree covered with blossoms and said, “I try to be like that tree. I grow a little new wood every year.” There again, I keep remind- ing my senior friends as well as myself that having a good attitude is half the battle and, perhaps, more. I recall going over our 50th wedding anniversary photos with local photographer Lisa Lamping (almost 25 years ago now). As she pointed to the wrinkles that were obvi- ous on both of us, she offered to do some “touch-up” and “erase” those wrinkles. Almost simultaneously, we both said, “No. Please don’t erase those wrinkles. We earned every one of them.” To this day, when I study that photo, it delights my soul that we kept our wrin- kles. Hopefully, most were from smiling! I am reading a book that was written in 1911 and it’s amazing how the author’s thoughts on aging and re- tirement parallel those of today’s retirees. We have the same problems and blessings overall. The main differences, however, seem to involve se- crets. We are blessed nowadays to be willing to share things -- even secrets -- more read- ily. At the same time, we pos- sess the wisdom to know that some secrets should remain private. More than a century ago, age was considered a blessing from God rather than some- thing to be covered up with cosmetics, surgery, hairpiec- es and even lies, as some do today. There can be so much coverup that some hardly recognize their true selves. Retirement was a common source of dissatisfaction. A common grumble from the wife of a retiree: “Half as much salary; twice as much husband.” Spotlight on the City by Jane Sweet, harbormaster Marina plans include help from advisory panel A new Marina Advisory Committee has been formed by the City Commission and our first meeting was held in March 2021. The committee was formed as a citizen advisory board intended to work closely with the Marinas Department. The committee is helping to develop a comprehensive master plan for both mari- nas, providing input in im- mediate and future capital improvement spending, and finding funding sources, as well as any other assistance the city’s marinas may need in developing and planning for future success. A big thank you to all Ma- rina Advisory Committee members for their time and for the energy they dedicate. They are a huge asset. The second phase of the Hammond Marina dredg- ing was completed recently, and we are waiting for the post dredge survey to be per- formed. Bergerson Construction was our dredging contractor and the company seemed positive with the results of the project. It is the city’s goal to work toward regular mainte- nance dredging, so we’ll be setting money aside each year in the Hammond Ma- rina Capital Improvement Fund to support future dredging needs. Design plans are being drawn up by PBS Engineer- ing for the rehabilitation of the commercial work pier in Warrenton. The project is being funded by urban renewal dollars sup- ported by the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee and the City Commission. It is a much valued, used and needed asset for our commercial fishing fleet. The rehabilitation proj- ect will ensure that the pier is available for years to come. We hope to begin the first phase of the proj- ect in July. Another big thank you to the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee for their time and continued support. I am also happy to report that the Marinas Department just filled the position of ma- rina foreman. Don Beck has joined our team and brings a vast amount of knowledge in many different areas of maintenance and repair that we need to provide marina users. Don started his position Dec. 1 and already has made huge contributions in main- tenance, repairs, planning and providing consistent productivity with the mainte- nance crew. He’s a very positive person and brings us fresh ideas and approaches to our mainte- nance and repair needs. We’re lucky to have him. Special columns in The Columbia Press Every week: Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Week 1: Mayor’s Message by Henry Balensifer Week 2: Financial Focus with Adam Miller Week 3: Spotlight on the City Week 4: Here’s to Your Health from CMH
