Maturity, Wisdom, and Photography
Mar 20, 2020 19:53:39 #
A few years ago I stepped off a tractor and my foot hit a rock and twisted. Had a slight pain but it got tolerable after a few days. A couple years later I did it again. An x-ray showed that I broke my ankle the first time. The second time took longer to heal.
One of the physical therapy exercises was to stand on one leg and wave the other leg around. Then do it with the other leg. Since then I have been doing that and it has helped me maintain my balance (although my wife accuses me of being unbalanced a lot). So I try to keep at it.
Now, at 80 my wife won't let me climb ladders any more. My balance is degrading (slightly) along with my hearing. But it's not too bad and I still go to the gym and do the treadmill for a mile uphill plus some machine work to keep my joints moving. (Although the gym is closed for a couple weeks these days so I have to walk around the block a couple times).
One of the physical therapy exercises was to stand on one leg and wave the other leg around. Then do it with the other leg. Since then I have been doing that and it has helped me maintain my balance (although my wife accuses me of being unbalanced a lot). So I try to keep at it.
Now, at 80 my wife won't let me climb ladders any more. My balance is degrading (slightly) along with my hearing. But it's not too bad and I still go to the gym and do the treadmill for a mile uphill plus some machine work to keep my joints moving. (Although the gym is closed for a couple weeks these days so I have to walk around the block a couple times).
Mar 20, 2020 19:54:55 #
This has to be high on my list of grim threads. Mom said (up till the last tiny bit of 89 years) " Do everything you can, because once you stop, you can't anymore." Quix out.
Mar 21, 2020 03:27:37 #
flyboy61
Loc: The Great American Desert
quixdraw wrote:
My Dad, a physician, used to say "If you are feeling old and creaky, consider the alternative and enjoy life".
Mar 21, 2020 03:38:28 #
flyboy61
Loc: The Great American Desert
Woodsman wrote:
You made a wise decision and are not alone in your... (show quote)
About 10 years ago, shoveling snow for my neighbors, wearing Ice Cleats; one of them came loose, and I decided to finish the job with only one. I fell, and my knee took about 6 months to feel better, Now, at 80, I walk with a staff, and when it is snowy/icy, add traction devices I got from LL Bean, and agree with one of the old timey photographers who said, "Nothing more than 300 yards from the car is interesting!"
Mar 21, 2020 04:49:33 #
National Park wrote:
Very true; gives you a second point of stability when a foot is off the ground. A trekking pole or two can help immensely with balance, and when a trail gets steep or squirrely.
2 years ago, was at Zhangjiajie, China, hiked up a peak (constant UP), then took a cable car down due to approaching darkness. Last year, year's pass still valid, went back. Same peak; this time, cable car up, hiked down. All the way, kept thinking I couldn't believe I'd hiked UP the peak.
70 this year; the mountains do get steeper, so that's why I go while I still can. Figure I'll have plenty of time to PP my photos when the legs go; hopefully, the eyes will still be there.
Mar 21, 2020 12:02:11 #
I'm 85 and have come to recognize the limitations it brings that the OP described. I use a monopod as a walking stick when the terrain dictates. I have even obtained a crafty walking stick to use when I need two hands of support over rocky ground. Fortunately my camera holding and steadying skills are still top notch and I still capture the images I want without the encumbrance of a tripod in most situations, although I have several good ones. Such is life. It's good to still have the desire and the ability too "...get out there."
Mar 21, 2020 12:29:43 #
I'm 86 and my profession was ballet dancer. Now I can't stand one one foot more than a couple of seconds. My balance is way off and have to be very careful wherever I trod. Keeping still long enough to take a photo is a challenge also.
Mar 21, 2020 12:57:24 #
Mar 21, 2020 13:29:07 #
Yup, I agree with all of you, i am turning 80 in may. I still ride a bike, and do some hiking but much more mordantly, and carefully. While I may be coming to the end of the trail, I plan to keep on, keeping on as long as I can.
Mar 21, 2020 17:05:02 #
budlor
Loc: christiansburg,VA
I'm 73 and handicapped and I just caught the photography recently so some shots are not available to me.
Mar 21, 2020 17:07:14 #
Mar 21, 2020 21:28:11 #
hernyferd
Loc: California and New York
Holy smoke! You're 70 and feeling old? How did that happen to you? You are in a late prime of life, not old! Do not give in to the calendar, but work out with weights, T'ai Chi, walk, just stay active. Yes, be cautious, but not sedentary. Who am I to say you are still young? Just a 90 year old geezer, as my son named me. No insult, because a geezer has been around, seen things done things and has not quit living.
Mar 26, 2020 21:12:17 #
glwalden
Loc: MISSOULA,MT.
I am 72 now and the best thing I've done is started using a good walking stick. A good friend makes them and gave me one as a gift. I've thanked him more than once. I can still get most places, it just takes a little longer.
Apr 1, 2020 15:16:05 #
flyboy61
Loc: The Great American Desert
mniblick wrote:
My Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother had a crochet sign on her kitchen wall. "Ve get too soon olt, unt too late schmart". I didn't really get it until recently when I over-hiked while alone and didn't know how I was going to get back to my car.
Showin's better'n tellin'!
Myself, I go with the old-timey photog who said "NOTHING more than 300 yards from the car is interesting!"
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