Heather Farm Park and Happy Earth Day

For those THD Residents who are not familiar with Heather Farm Park, here's some information that you may be interested. I have not been to the Park nor to the Bancroft Gardens recently. Looking forward to visit both Park and Garden in the near future.   

Heather Farm Park is a 102-acre community park in Walnut Creek, California. It contains the Gardens at Heather Farm, a swimming pool, inclusive playground, sports fields, equestrian center, dog park, fishing pond, nature area, lake, and other amenities.

In 1874, on the site of the current park was a health spa, Sulphur Springs Ranch. Race horse breeder John Marchbanks (also written as Marchbank) bought the property in 1921 and named it Heather Farm after his favorite horse, King Heather. An arena on the farm was used in the filming of the 1931 movie Sporting Blood.

In 1965, Walnut Creek voters approved a municipal bond to fund community parks. The city was able to purchase some of the land that had been Heather Farm, and also received five acres of land donated by Phil and Ruth Bancroft (whose garden became the nearby Ruth Bancroft Garden). Heather Farm Park opened in 1970.

Issue #066 -Latest News on Heather Farm Park

Walnut Creek Spotlight April 19, 2024

Good morning, Walnut Creek! Today's ( 4/19/24) Walnut Creek Spotlight is all about the exciting $77 million upgrade approved for Heather Farm Park. This project promises to revolutionize our local recreation with a state-of-the-art aquatic and community center. Funded by Measure O, the construction is set to begin in summer 2025, but the design phase starts this September.

https://youtu.be/muFQ8OO10iw?si=6_ucscKOPH0hQHHA

Here's a bonus article on my Hibiscus Collection in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer. It is a must view if you love flowers.  

https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2024/04/my-hibiscus-collections-in-gardens-of.html

Lastly today we also celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics." 2025 will be the 55th anniversary of Earth Day.

Three Types of Aging/Passover Holidays

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• The topic of aging gracefully is a popular topic during meal times here at THD. Allow me to post an article on the three types of Aging that I have read recently. The Chemistry of Aging I will discuss in my future blogs. There are 3 types of Aging.  
• 1.Chronologic age is based solely on the passage of time. It is a person's age in years. .. 
• 2. Biologic age refers to changes in the body that commonly occur as people age. ... 
• 3.Psychologic age is based on how people act and feel.

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/older-people%E2%80%99s-health-issues/the-aging-

body/overview-of-aging

Aging is a gradual, continuous process of natural change that begins in early adulthood. During early middle age, many bodily functions begin to gradually decline.

People do not become old or elderly at any specific age. Traditionally, age 65 has been designated as the beginning of old age. But the reason was based in history, not biology. Many years ago, age 65 was chosen as the age for retirement in Germany, the first nation to establish a retirement program. In 1965 in the United States, age 65 was designated as the eligibility age for Medicare insurance. This age is close to the actual retirement age of most people in economically advanced societies.

When a person becomes old can be answered in different ways:

• Chronologic age is based solely on the passage of time. It is a person’s age in years. Chronologic age has limited significance in terms of health. Nonetheless, the likelihood of developing a health problem increases as people age, and it is health problems, rather than normal aging, that are the primary cause of functional loss during old age. Because chronologic age helps predict many health problems, it has some legal and financial uses.

• Biologic age refers to changes in the body that commonly occur as people age. Because these changes affect some people sooner than others, some people are biologically old at 65, and others not until a decade or more later. However, most noticeable differences in apparent age among people of similar chronologic age are caused by lifestyle, habit, and subtle effects of disease rather than by differences in actual aging.

• Psychologic age is based on how people act and feel. For example, an 80-year-old who works, plans, looks forward to future events, and participates in many activities is considered psychologically younger.

Normal aging

People often wonder whether what they are experiencing as they age is normal or abnormal. Although people age somewhat differently, some changes result from internal processes, that is, from aging itself. Thus, such changes, although undesired, are considered normal and are sometimes called "pure aging." These changes occur in everyone who lives long enough, and that universality is part of the definition of pure aging. The changes are to be expected and are generally unavoidable. For example, as people age, the lens of the eye thickens, stiffens, and becomes less able to focus on close objects, such as reading materials (a disorder called presbyopia). This change occurs in virtually all older people. Thus, presbyopia is considered normal aging. Other terms used to describe these changes are "usual aging" and "senescence."

Did You Know...

Average life expectancy has increased a lot, but maximum life span has increased little if at all.

Exactly what constitutes normal aging is not always clear. Changes that occur with normal aging make people more likely to develop certain disorders. However, people can sometimes take actions to compensate for these changes. For example, older people are more likely to lose teeth. But seeing a dentist regularly, eating fewer sweets, and brushing and flossing regularly may reduce the chances of tooth loss. Thus, tooth loss, although common with aging, is an avoidable part of aging.

Also, functional decline that is part of aging sometimes seems similar to functional decline that is part of a disorder. For example, with advanced age, a mild decline in mental function is nearly universal and is considered normal aging. This decline includes increased difficulty learning new things such as languages, decreased attention span, and increased forgetfulness. In contrast, the decline that occurs in dementia is much more severe. For example, people who are aging normally may misplace things or forget details, but people who have dementia forget entire events. People with dementia also have difficulty doing normal daily tasks (such as driving, cooking, and handling finances) and understanding the environment, including knowing what year it is and where they are. Thus, dementia is considered a disorder, even though it is common later in life. Certain kinds of dementia, such as Alzheimer disease, differ from normal aging in other ways as well. For example, brain tissue (obtained during autopsy) in people with Alzheimer disease looks different from that in older people without the disease. So the distinction between normal aging and dementia is clear.

Healthy (successful) aging

Healthy aging refers to postponement of or reduction in the undesired effects of aging. The goals of healthy aging are maintaining physical and mental health, avoiding disorders, and remaining active and independent. For most people, maintaining general good health requires more effort as they age. Developing certain healthy habits can help, such as 

• Following a nutritious diet

• Avoiding cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol use

• Exercising regularly

• Staying mentally active

The sooner a person develops these habits, the better. However, it is never too late to begin. In this way, people can have some control over what happens to them as they age.

The Beauty of Aging

• “Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” ... 
• “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” ... 
• “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. ... 
• “Count your age by friends, not years. ... 
• “Aging has a wonderful beauty, and we should have respect for that.”
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https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2019/02/are-you-aging-gracefully.html

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of the most beautiful sunset ever photographed.

I will give you a dollar if you can guess the location of this Photograph~💚

My Personal Wish of a Happy Passover Celebration to All My Jewish Friends here at THD. We have a number of Jewish Residents here at THD that I know personally and also my guess because of their last names.  

In case of you do not know what is Passover:  The holiday starts Monday, April 22 and ends Tuesday, April 30.

• It commemorates the biblical story of the Jewish people's escape from slavery in ancient Egypt. During the first two and last two days of Passover, some observant Jews do not work, according to Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. Passover observers eat matzo, an unleavened bread, which is a flat crisp bread like a cracker. It's a reminder that there was no time for the dough to rise when the Jews fled Egypt.  The first Passover Seder will be on April 22 after nightfall, and the second Seder will be on April 23 after nightfall.
• People who observe the holiday try to avoid food with grains, known as "chametz," like breads, pastas, pizza and beer.

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  THD has prepared A SPECIAL DINNER to celebrate Passover as follows:
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  The holiday, which is about freedom, will be a particularly emotional one for many Jews, because of the ongoing war in Gaza and record antisemitism.
• Lastly here my quote on Old Age: Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do. You can't stop the plane, you can't stop the storm. you can't stop time. So one might as well accept it calmly and wisely- Golda Meir, 1898-1974, Israeli Prime Minister.

Lunch Excursion to Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, Yesterday

Yesterday's lunch excursion to Sam's Chowder House in Half-Moon Bay, is one activity that I will always remember during my stay here at THD. It reminded me of my younger years. The weather was perfect, company excellent and the food was delicious as advertised. There were sixteen THD residents who participated in this outing, Thank You Nancy ( our driver) and Karen ( our Chaperon) for your capable services and enthusiasm during the trip.      

I ordered my favorite appetizer- Oyster Rockefeller and my cravings for Fish and Chips satiated. These two dishes  gave me pleasant memories (see detailed explanation below).

The Oyster Rockefeller I ordered was as delicious as my own recipe. It is slightly different, but I will order it again, if I have another chance to visit Sam. Here's a photo of my own Oyster Rockefeller and my recipe.https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/07/i-cooked-oyster-rockefeller-yesterday.html

   

My Fish and Chips a year ago, in Fair Oaks, CA via Door Dash. 

Here's a summary of Sam's Ads: ( Scroll Down)

Specialties

Open daily for indoor and outdoor dining and takeout. Fresh daily catch, Sam's famous lobster roll, fish and chips, Maine lobster, farm fresh salads, clam chowder, fried calamari, and other seafood specialties. From the seafood and meats, to the produce and artisanal cheeses, Chef Rossman's mantra is sustainable, fresh, local when possible and always seasonal. Produce in the fields of Half Moon Bay in the morning often finds its way onto the salad plate at Sam's by evening. This passion for fine, fresh ingredients is evident from the house-made dressings, sauces, pastas, and charcuterie, to the house-made desserts. Sam's is committed to the environment and offers sustainably-fished seafood items and hormone-free meats. Even the cooking oil used for the restaurant's famous fish and chips is cholesterol and trans-fat free, making it perfect for recycling. The buildings rooftop is covered with solar panels and the restaurant uses 100% biodegradable and compostable boxes made from sugarcane for to-go packaging.

 Here's my own recipe for Oyster Rockefeller,

https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/search?q=oyster+rockefeller

Downsizing versus Aging-in-Place

The following is an article I read recently that reminded me of a Bridge Buddy who has not made up her mind whether to downsize and reside here at THD or age-in-place in her huge single residence home with a huge backyard and all the familiar items/properties she has owned for several decades. I hope by reading this she will make a decision soon whether to downsize or remain in her home.     

I wrote an article that Downsizing is not for the Faint-hearted recently. In that article I described how I felt getting rid of my possessions via estate sales, donations or just thrashing it, because I will be moving to a smaller place.  I did age-in-place for a year with the help of Home Care Aides and occasional visits from closed relatives. I felt that after one year of living alone, it is time for me not to be isolated, be able to play bridge again and establish new friendships in a an active senior Living Community. THD is a perfect place for me for my well-thought downsizing decision.  Downsizing was not easy, but after making a decision, I felt it was the best decision for the duration of the last stages of my life here on Planet Earth. 

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2023/03/downsizing-is-not-for-faint-hearted.html 

Here's a summary of the article I read on Downsizing versus Aging-in-Place written by Lauren Rosales-Shepard and the link is posted below. The other link is a  article on the same subject. Please take time to read.  

"The older population in the United States is greatly increasing, with the number of seniors (those 65 or older) expected to almost double by 2060. Life expectancy, too, has climbed. As a result, a growing number of homeowners find themselves en route to retiring into a conundrum: do I stay in my home and age in place, or do I downsize? 

The pros and cons of each option seem at first obvious. If you downsize to a smaller home, you will have much less space to maintain (especially yard-wise!). On the other hand, if you stay in your home and age in place, you’re in your home–you know the space, the community, already. Downsizing requires moving, and when has that ever been anyone’s idea of A Good Time? But your current home is full of empty rooms, now that your children have grown up and flown the coop; it can be lonely. 

It’s a tremendously weighty decision. Like any life-altering choice, there are complexities to consider, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

Downsizing

If the members of your household have dwindled to two or one, you would undoubtedly embrace being responsible for less space. You would have fewer rooms to clean if you downsized, not to mention less (if any) yard to mow and rake. Plus, were you to relocate, you might possess the luxury of choice–without needing to be near a job, you could choose to be near family, or in a more appealing climate, for example. 

Homeowners who look to relocate into a smaller autonomous home may, however, run into severe cost issues. Purchasing a home in today’s market will subject one to skyrocketing mortgage rates amidst ever-rising inflation. Both of these factors may make it more difficult for you to sell your current home for the funds to purchase a new one—that is, if you can even find one! There is an extreme housing shortage. In addition, there is an even more blatant scarcity of smaller homes, as they are simply no longer being built. But seniors who would be open to apartment-living (no yard!) face an obstacle, too: the paucity of multifamily housing. Nationwide, there is very little zoning that permits multifamily housing to be built. Zoning often not only prohibits multifamily dwellings in particular, but also might limit the heights of buildings and include minimum lot-size and square-footage requirements. Those apartments that can be built tend to be luxury condos, or publicly-subsidized low-income housing–nothing in the middle, which is often the space that seniors on a fixed income would financially occupy. 

Similar dynamics exist in the senior living industry, which is continuously innovating to present desirable options to aging adults of means. Senior living facilities often put on social events, and promote opportunities for residents, however independently they are able to live, to meet, mingle, and form friendships. This is great news for one’s health, as social isolation and loneliness frequently have deleterious effects on seniors–indeed, the related health risks are comparable to that of smoking and obesity! Frequent social interactions can slow symptoms of dementia in aging adults". 

Aging-in-Place


"According to AARP surveys, 90% of seniors (65+) want to age in place–in other words, to remain in their current homes. The main reason for this preference is a desire for social connectedness; those who are already familiar with and active in their communities do not want to lose that built-in social network. Although many assisted living facilities, retirement homes, and luxury senior living developments do feature social activities and engagement, it is daunting for anyone to start from scratch and facilitate new friendships. It can be even more difficult for an aging individual who is more likely to want to cling to the familiar. 

Familiarity is also key to a sense of agency and independence. While a new neighborhood could be difficult to navigate, if one were to age in place it might be easier to satisfy the basic needs–groceries, clothing, appointments, etc–without help. Access to affordable transportation options tends to be scarce, and so those aging adults who cannot or do not drive themselves become isolated and are far less likely to take active steps for self-care. Those who opt to age in place frequently do so because it seems like the best way to maintain their autonomy for as long as possible. 

There are significant factors to take into account when considering aging in place. Do you foresee yourself needing assistance with activities of daily living? Will you require help with chores and additional home/yard maintenance? Even if you don’t think that either of these possibilities belong to the near future, it’s important to make a plan just in case. This plan can include at least budgeting for various potential home modifications, as well as for services you may later need–lawn care, snow removal, grocery delivery, dog-walking, routine in-home medical care, etc. If you live in a two-story house, you should be especially cognizant of the potential renovations that you may require: installing or tightening handrails, placing extra lighting and non-slip material on the stairs, even installing a lift in case of extreme loss of mobility. Bathroom renovations, in particular, may need to be extensive. You may want to consider whether it is possible to relegate your daily life to the main floor alone, as well( Does not apply if you reside in a ranch style home-no second floor as in my case)". 

Conclusion: There is no one right answer for everyone. Aging-in-place may be statistically popular, but not all places are suitable for that plan. You must think of your own priorities, financial situation, as well as health profile to make the most logical, beneficial decision. Be sure to talk to your doctor, your family members, and your heirs to gather the most relevant and informed perspectives.

Source: https://www.unison.com/blog/downsizing-vs-aging-in-place/#

https://margolisbloom.com/planning-for-life/should-seniors-downsize-or-age-in-place/