Engage in Cognitive Exercise

Michael knew that there were times when she more than half suspected that he was emotionally different from most boys.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

A study published on February 17, 2009 found that certain mental activities, like reading magazines or crafting in middle age or later in life, may delay or prevent memory loss. This study was conclusive by neuropsychiatrist, Yonas Geda, of the Mayo Clinic.

Don’t stop reading. When you finish one book begin another. And do not just pass that COLOR ME MINE shop. Drop by and create a crafts project! You do not have to be an old-timer to do so either!

The American Academy of Neurology reported the following:

The study involved 197 people between the ages of 70 and 89 with mild cognitive impairment, or diagnosed memory loss, and 1,124 people that age with no memory problems. Both groups answered questions about their daily activities within the past year and in middle age, when they were between 50 to 65 years old.

The study found that during later years, reading books, playing games, participating in computer activities and doing craft activities such as pottery or quilting led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss compared to people who did not do those activities. People who watched television for less than seven hours a day in later years were 50 percent less likely to develop memory loss than people who watched for more than seven hours a day.

People who participated in social activities and read magazines during middle age were about 40 percent less likely to develop memory loss than those who did not do those activities.
"This study is exciting because it demonstrates that aging does not need to be a passive process. By simply engaging in cognitive exercise, you can protect against future memory loss," said study author Yonas Geda, MD, MSc, a neuropsychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "Of course, the challenge with this type of research is that we are relying on past memories of the participants, therefore, we need to confirm these findings with additional research."

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 10, 1984
Wednesday

Work was slow once again. I only had about eight business calls. One of my calls was a 'call back' to Michael Lane. I ended up selling him an RCF (Remote Call Forwarding) service that allows for $385 sales credit on my productive worksheet.

I had only a large yogurt (peach and strawberry mix) and a small lemon yogurt for lunch. I sat out on the steps with Barbara Reynolds. It was nice. I broke down and had a vanilla milkshake, too. I love ‘em.

After work I telephoned my Dad and went over to enjoy dinner with him. We started to watch a little television when Sherri called.
“Hi Michael, would you come over to watch Ashley for a while?”
“Sure, is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just have to pick up my friend, Gina, who just flew back from a trip to Paris.”
“Oh, okay, I’ll be right over.”

It is fun watching Ash. I did not mind at all. I kept my appointment with the Sperm Bank earlier today but there’s still no word yet on a pregnancy. How nerve racking. Let it be done so I don’t have to keep going anymore.

Gina and Sherri watched a bit of TV with me, then I left and went home to see DYNASTY. The episode was good and juicy as usual.

I telephoned Paloma and we had another good talk.
“I received an application for Air France. I want to work as a stewardess,” Paloma said.
She has wanted to be a stewardess since she was eighteen years old. Now she is twenty-five. She explained that she has to be between twenty-one and twenty-seven to apply for the position. She is all excited about it. She has such high hopes. I am crossing my fingers for her to get the job. Paloma mentioned layovers. We talked of marriage again. I am seriously considering marrying Paloma, but I am unsure if ‘solid love’ is truly there. I can’t help but wonder if it could be a mistake. We do have so much fun together. Maybe…

I went to bed as did Paloma (with each other on our minds). I could just feel it.

She was reading “Looking For Mr. Goodbar”. It’s funny because I actually told her how I thought of her today when I saw that candy bar (Mr. Goodbar).
“I thought of you when I saw a bicyclist and other times today,” Paloma said.