Firsthand | experiences with aging
By Lynn C. Anderson
As we age and encounter more challenges while traveling, it’s good to bear in mind that our worst experiences often make the best and funniest memories. Remembering is one of these challenges.
Several years ago, I was returning to San Diego after having spent the holidays in Minnesota. My daughter Stephanie had given me a jar of her incredible homemade jam that I put in my carry-on luggage. During the security check at the airport, the TSA agent removed the jam from my carry-on, and told me I couldn’t take it with me. I had forgotten that jam would be considered a liquid or gel and had to be three ounces or less.
My sad face was evident as I explained that this was a gift from my daughter. The TSA agent took pity on me and said, “Well, I guess it’s okay since it’s frozen.” It was not frozen, but I realized what he was doing and responded not with “Yes”—since I didn’t want to lie to TSA—but rather with “Whatever you say,” and I was allowed to take the jam with me. Needless to say, I have been very careful not to forget TSA regulations since then.
During my decades-long personal and professional engagement with international education, and thanks to speaking several languages, I have managed to see a good part of the world, find my way, and not feel like a foreigner. Despite that, I have managed to almost miss trains, get lost, mix up words and cause embarrassment, and be clueless about some customs. This has gotten worse over the years, but also makes for good stories.
I recently heard a presentation by a psychologist who said it isn’t that we forget, it’s that we fail to remember. We set down our keys or glasses randomly without thinking to ourselves, “I’m putting my keys on the kitchen counter,” or “I’m putting my glasses on the table by the recliner.” Without giving our brains this information, she said, there is nothing for our brains to remember.
Being intentional about remembering can help contain forgetfulness.
Also, before you start wondering, “Am I doing things right?” you should ask yourself, “Am I doing the right things?"
News
Make your own discoveries in Portugal in 2025 on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. Deadline to express an interest is Friday June 7, 2024.
Spend eight nights in Madrid and Barcelona in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime provinces for 11 nights in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend four nights in Québec City in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend 9 nights on the Douro River in Portugal in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace and explore Mexico City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character in 2025. Deadline to express an interest is Friday, June 7, 2024.
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: