Stated Fair III

Aloma and I visited the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh several years ago.  Last year after we moved to Cary, I realized the fair was only twenty minutes away.  I decided to go again.  While Aloma enjoyed the fair once, she had no interest in going back.  So last year I went by myself, walked around and watched people for a couple of hours and decided I was going to make this an annual event.  After all, the price was right - free for seniors.

This year, I picked a sunny, crisp day for my visit.  Crowds were above average, making my people watching even more fun.  Families, couples and disabled groups were everywhere.  Teens seemed to be arriving just as I was leaving.  I visited a grist mill, a forge, a glass blower and made the rounds to see the animals and plants.  A crowd gathered for the black angus judging.  Someone pointed out the odds on favorite to win - and they were right.  The biggest sweet potato was 9.17 pounds.  Yeah!  No chickens were on site because of bird flu in the midwest.

Food concessions took up most of the space.  Every imaginable type of food was available, most of it from two food groups, fat and sugar.  Most people were munching on something.

A gospel group of six musicians and singers entertained many of us outside a small chapel.  The best music was by a bluegrass trio,  A young woman played a lively violin and sang beautifully.  I had picked up a cup of ice cream churned by John Deere engines and sat listening to the bluegrass music.

The North Carolina State Fair is definitely an annual event for me  God willing, I’ll be back next year.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com

Huge Relief

The purpose of my blog is to share what it’s like to age through my 70s and, if I’m lucky, through my 80s.  As I age, much of my time is spent just attempting to stay healthy.

Aloma is taking part in Duke’s Tommorrow Study researching Alzheimer’s disease and they test her memory every 6 months, so she thought it would be wise for me to take a screening test for Alzheimer’s.  I agreed and scheduled a test with my primary care doctor.

The test only took 15 minutes and I flunked it, or at least I didn’t so well.  My doctor said the test indicated I have “Mild Cognitive Impairment.”  He recommended a comprehensive mental exam that would last five hours.  He scheduled the exam, but couldn’t get me in for two months.

I was taken by surprise by the results of the screening tests and was devastated.  My greatest fear is dementia that incapacitates me.  I would be a burden to Aloma and maybe require a nursing home that would drain our resources.  I would rather be diagnosed with terminal cancer.

For two months, the results of the screening test and the upcoming exam were on my mind.  I was a nervous wreck when I finally walked into the psychologist’s office.

The exam consists of more than 15 separate test, mainly for memory.  A few were easy, others were close to impossible.  I tried to relax and do my best.  Dr. Harris was personable and encouraging.

The bottom line - I passed and with flying colors.  The doctor said I have no indicators of Alzheimer’s and have a memory better than most others of my age and education.  I asked him if I should return for a follow-up exam in the future, and he said no follow-up was necessary.  I should be fine.

The 100 pound weight I had been carrying on my shoulders suddenly disappeared.  I never felt so relieved.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com