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Gary Gruber's avatar

Oh so amusing and timely. Love the 90 yr old reference reflecting on passing 80. I did that by writing a book for my close friends and family on my 80th birthday, "Pearls From An Irritated Mind." That was 7 years ago. I got my hearing aids last year. I think what they do is simply turn up the volume because now I have to turn down the volume on the TV. And, honestly, I hear the TV fine. My wife maintains I have "selective listening" and I'm typical husband not responding to what he doesn't want to hear! So, there's that. I don't particularly like the sound of my own voice and just tried a podcast recording. Listened and didn't like it. When my mother was 90, her husband got two new knees and I asked her what she was going to do to keep up with her bionic partner. She said, "I'm going for new hearing aids." So we need a little more assistance. Fine with me. I'm going for a long walk today.

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Katharine Hill's avatar

Thanks, Gary. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the sound of my voice at the doctor’s office yesterday. I’ve also called in to the local radio station a couple of times and hearing the playback wasn’t as cringy as I thought it would be. Good to think of you still roaming the world!

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Gary Gruber's avatar

Thanks, Katherine. I had my editor and office partner listen, and she said, “I think it’s good” I said, “It doesn’t sound like me.” I may have to reassess. Thanks too for “still roaming the world” for which I am enormously grateful to still be doing. Just looked at a cruise in the western Mediterranean but that research is just beginning. I am not a fan of cruises with more than 300 people. And, I don’t particularly like being on a schedule planned by someone else, aka a tour company. We’re also talking about taking a walking tri[ while we still can, one of those village to village treks.

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Irma Stuart's avatar

What a wonderful post, Katharine! Exactly what I needed to read today, really made me smile, in recognition and solidarity. Keep on speaking, Katharine, we need to hear your voice. 😀

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Michael G's avatar

Thank you for getting new hearing aids. Now that you hear better, maybe there will be a reduction in online screaming with all caps.

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Katharine Hill's avatar

By whom??

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Michael G's avatar

Clarification. Not you, you don’t use all caps. It’s the opposition that does. I’ll give up on humor; it works just as well online as sarcasm.

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Katharine Hill's avatar

Trying again to post a thank you. Had it all done and posted when I saw a typo. Anyway, Michael G., just glad for the reminder not to stoop to that level. Hard not to get one’s knickers in a twist these days though.

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