By Nan Donovan, columnist
It’s time to get your summer clothing out, put away your winter coats, plan your vacations and do all the things that we love about summer.
I’m ready for all the fun things we have been doing for years, plus now as Senior Citizens we may have to do some things like take extra precaution to our own bodies.
Like sun screen. I’ve always put it on when I would go out and lay in the sun for a couple of hours just to get a tan. Silly, wasn’t it? Don’t remember when was the last time I actually stayed out in the hot, burning sun just to get a tan. And then, years later, I heard all the bad news about how you could get cancer from the sun.
I don’t know if I’m wiser or what, but now I do know you should stay out of the hot sun as much as you can. And if and when you have to go out, make sure you have a protective sun screen applied. A lot of the medicines caution you against the sun.
Another thing about that beautiful sun we long for in the winter that can cause such unhealthy effects is what we call Heat Strokes. Some people I’ve talked to tell me that they have had this problem. It comes on very quickly. They say, in most cases, you just feel very tired, or dizzy but the thing is, you had better get help fast. It’s nothing to fool around with.
Something we don’t think about is drinking enough water. It’s always good to keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and believe me, there is nothing as refreshing as a cool glass of water. It took me many years to adapt that habit.
For those of you who do not have the convenience of air conditioning, check with the local Social Service Office. There’s one thing they are really adamant about, that you should not be hot in summer or cold in the winter. I was talking to a man about this and he told me that he didn’t have heat or air conditioning in his house. I ask him why. He said he couldn’t afford it. Then the conversation was over. He is like a lot people, he was just too proud to ask for something he needed.
I’ll just say this and I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings — never be too proud to ask for something you really need. There are too many people who do without because they are too proud or maybe it’s embarrassment. They can’t bring themselves to ask. Get over it!
Now back to my vacation plans. I plan on going to my beloved Juniata County, Pennsylvania for a couple of days in August. Can’t wait. But this weekend Jodi and Dennis Dillman are coming down here. I’ll be so glad to see them.
Till next timed, be safe.
“The Right Age” is a weekly column written for senior citizens by 84-year-old Nan Donovan, who has lived in the Shenandoah Valley for 45 years. She has worked for newspapers, as well as radio and television stations, including WLCC. She moved to the Valley from Pennsylvania.
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