Ageing comes in spurts

 In the 1980s, I served as the department head at a large senior secondary school, where I worked closely with many older teachers. I noticed that as they reached or approached 60, many of them began experiencing more health problems than they had just a few years earlier. At the time, I assumed the stress of the job was the culprit and even made a mental note to consider retiring around 60, just in case I too started facing similar health challenges. But, as it turns out, I was wrong.

Recent research has shed new light on aging, revealing that it doesn't happen gradually but in significant bursts. According to a study by scientists at Stanford University, humans experience two major "spikes" in aging—one at around 44 and another at 60. These findings explain why we often notice sudden changes in our health, such as the appearance of wrinkles, aches, or more serious conditions like cardiovascular or musculoskeletal issues.

Professor Michael Snyder, a geneticist and the director of Stanford’s Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, explained that aging can feel like a sudden shift rather than a slow, continuous process. In fact, some evidence even suggests another spike in aging might occur around age 78.

As someone who will be 78 this year, I’m intrigued to see how these theories play out in my life. I did retire at 60, though it took me another 11 years to fully transition into retirement. Thankfully, I haven’t faced too many health issues so far, and I hope that remains the case as I approach this new milestone.

The takeaway? We can't control the natural aging process, but we can certainly make lifestyle choices that help us stay healthy and energized as we age. By staying active, eating well, and focusing on our overall well-being, we can manage the inevitable challenges aging brings and enjoy a fulfilling, healthy life.

More jokes for the fall

 1. Why don't scarecrows have brains? They're full of straw.

2. What do you call a scarecrow who's really good at his job? A scare-excellent.

3. Why did the pumpkin get a ticket? It was caught jack-o'-lantern-ing.

4. What do you call a pumpkin that's afraid of heights? A squash-afraid.

5. Why did the leaf change colours? It was feeling autumnal.

6. What's the difference between a scarecrow and a zombie? A scarecrow has a brain.

7. Why did the scarecrow love his job? He had a great outlook.

8. Why did the turkey go to the psychiatrist? He was feeling fowl.

9. What do you call a really small pumpkin? A mini-mellow.

10. Why did the scarecrow need a new job? He was too corny.

11. What do you call a pumpkin that's really shy? A gourd-geous.

12. Why did the scarecrow go to the doctor? He had a straw-berry in his teeth.

13. Why did the leaf love autumn? It was his favorite season.

14. What do you call a pumpkin that's really old? A vintage gourd.

15. Why did the scarecrow go to the dentist? He had a toothache.

16. What do you call a pumpkin that's really fast? A gourd-zilla.

17. Why did the scarecrow love his job? It was a real scare-tactic.

18. What do you call a pumpkin that's really sad? A gourd-geous mess.

19. Why did the scarecrow love his job? He had a great outlook on life.

Some Dad jokes for the season

1. Two peanuts were walking down the street on Halloween. One was a-salted.

2. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!

3. What’s the best band to listen to in the fall? The Spice Girls, because everything’s pumpkin spice!

4. Why do trees hate math? Because they keep losing their leaves!

5. How do leaves get from one place to another? They autumn-mobile!

6. Why don’t skeletons go trick-or-treating? They don’t have the guts!

7. What do you call a fall sweater party? A knit-picking event!

8. Why did the apple go to school? Because it wanted to be a smart cider!

9. What did the tree say when it lost all its leaves? "I’m falling for you!"

10. How does a pumpkin get into the Halloween spirit? It gets lit!

11. Why did the turkey join the band? Because it had the drumsticks!

12. What do you get when you drop a pumpkin? Squash!

13. What do leaves say when they fall? "I’m feeling a little rake-ish today!"

14. How do you fix a broken pumpkin? With a pumpkin patch!

15. Why don’t apples and pumpkins ever play hide-and-seek together? Because good luck finding them—they’re always in plain spice!

16. What did the leaf say to autumn? “I’m falling for you!”

17. How do autumn leaves get in shape? They hit the rake!

18. Why did the corn stalk get in trouble? It was being too ear-responsible!

19. What do you call a large group of autumn-themed friends? A fall-owship!

20. Why did the squirrel bring a suitcase to the tree? It was ready to branch out!

Fall a time for dreams to come true

October, a month of transition, marks the end of summer's warmth and the beginning of autumn's embrace. It's a time of renewal and fresh starts, a season that inspires new beginnings. September is a special time when summer ends and brings October and its fall promises something fresh. It is also a time of renewal. The first weeks of Fall are seen as a chance to begin anew, to make a fresh start. Fall invites this sense of starting over.

Nature's playful dance in September, with its alternating rain, wind, and sunshine, mirrors the internal turmoil of transformation. Mother Nature continues to play with us in October—the rain and winds come hard, only to be followed by the rebound of sunny, warm days, as if summer’s last breath insists on staying. But we know, deep down, that we are in a time of new beginnings just as much as it is the end of summer. Fall is a season of rebirth, a time to shed the old and embrace the new.

Summer fades, and fall draws near, but this isn’t an ending—it's an opportunity. Soon, the darkness of winter will arrive, when dreamers dream of renewal, lovers dream of love, and poets and writers simply dream. There is something transformative about this season—it holds a promise of more than just harvest, but the chance to reimagine, to explore new possibilities.

As autumn winds blow and winter's approach looms, remember the cyclical nature of life. As fall’s winds blow and winter drifts closer, the river of life may slow, the highs and lows are less, and while we move toward the great ocean, we know we are continuing the eternal cycle of life. The rhythms of nature show us the same truth—change is constant, and renewal is essential.

While the river's activity may diminish, the system of life continues its eternal dance. Spring, with its renewed energy and hope, is a favourite season for many. However, autumn's harvest and promise of a new day hold a special allure for me.

While in Australia, I discovered the profound value of walkabouts. These solitary journeys offer a chance to explore uncharted territories, open one's mind to unexpected possibilities, and witness the magic of life unfolding. In the same way, fall encourages us to walk a new path, to embrace the unfolding magic that comes with change. Dreams, often unanticipated, can surprise us with their proximity, even when they seem distant. Dreamers know that dreams are often closer than we think. Most of the time, we don’t even realize how close we are to them until they’ve already come true.

Sometimes, even the day before a dream becomes real, it can feel a million miles away. But the winds of fall remind us that renewal is always near, and the new is often hidden just behind the familiar.

Spring is a season of hope, renewal, and energy, but fall is my favourite. In the fall, we don’t just hope for renewal; we experience it. The harvest brings both joy and the promise of a new day, a time for the new to take root and grow.