It's A Senior AfFAIR

If you use your TV remote

to make phone calls,  you might be a senior citizen.











When you see another woman wearing ugly shoes

and you ask if they are comfortable, you might be a senior citizen.



If a young person tells you how good

copied from webstaurantstore.com

the Black-Eyed Peas are and you say thank you, you might be a senior citizen.

T

There are so many programs now for Senior citizens. Taking care of the body and mind is important once the routine of work and family takes a dramatic change.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) sponsored a Senior Fit  Health Fair at Railroad Park.

According to trekbirmingham.com  ideas for  a park in downtown Birmingham began as early as the 1950’s and was tossed around for the next 50 years.

During the fall of 2010, the park became a reality. The original name, The Railroad Reservation Park  was changed to Railroad Park. Honoring  the railroad history of Birmingham, Alabama  the 19 acre property is a sweeping vista of flora native to the area. Along with open lawns, well defined arbors are placed strategically throughout the park providing a shady respite for joggers and those escaping the excruciating southern summer heat . Water features add calm and beauty as visitors relax on benches and structures many of which were built from recycled bricks and other objects unearthed during construction of the park.  

Up until this year I’d never set foot onto Railroad Park.

Attending the Senior Health Fair afforded me the opportunity to visit the park.

There were a number of booths available providing, minimal eye tests, hearing tests, information on heart, blood pressure, memory, transportation, care giving respite and much more. All was informative. 

Periodically, exercise routines were demonstrated with 

impromptu participation by attendees. 

Healthy food was available .

These are some of the freebies doled out by the vendors. 

If it was something I couldn't use, I didn't take it

See the green arrow by the ear buds? They must 

have been for children because the span from left ear to 

right ear under the chin was about 5 inches. 😮 Couldn't 

use them.

I've seen these representations of Vulcan in other places in the city.

Each one is unique.The plaque to the lower left shows

who is sponsoring this particular artistic design .

 This one is titled  Magic City Lights. I'm unable to decipher its artist.

I'm appreciative to BCBS and others for sponsoring this Senior Health Fair.  I plan to participate in the various programs as long as I can. When I was a child it seemed that seniors A.K.A. "old people" just sat on the porch, were cranky to kids, and went to church. Now that I have become a senior, there are so many programs and activities available to ensure the golden years are bright. 

That's It***

Next week - "He stole my skin"

You might be a Senior Citizen

If you get up every morning and head to your closest fast food restaurant for coffee,
   You might be a senior citizen.

If you know that a senior coffee at McDonald's in Pinson is 64 cents, Center Point 54 cents, and Trussville 66 cents,
    You might be a senior citizen.

 If the trash can in your garage is filled with empty coffee containers from fast food restaurants,
   You might be a senior citizen.

If you like your coffee with 7 to 9 creams, know that you're lactose intolerant and keep Lactaid or similar  lactose products in the console of your car,
   You might be a senior citizen.

 If you know the names of the employees at the food establishment, they automatically know what you want without asking you, and proceed to pour it up,
    You might be a senior citizen.

Then again it could mean  something completely different.

That's It ***

Seniors Line Dancing Competition

There were no judges but everyone was a winner. That had been predetermined at an earlier time. The event was held this past Wednesday, August 29th  at the Trussville Civic Center. Four groups from different senior centers were there to show off their line dancing skills.

Among them were the Fairfield Swinging Seniors. They took the stage clad in red long sleeved tee shirts, white slacks, white shoes and white gloves.  They danced to Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough. Not sure if they planned it that way but August 29th  is the birth date of The King of Pop.


Representing Fairfield ,Alabama



Shepherd's Center East, Movers and Shakers

 Dressed in sleeveless sequined shells and draped with $ earrings and $ medallions the Movers and the Shakers didn't disappoint  dancing to Johnny Kemp's, Friday Night, Just Got Paid. Wearing jackets, positioned with their backs to the audience, two of the dancers threw off their jackets when the music began turned and threw money out into the audience. They were quite a hit with the audience as they performed their synchronization to the beat of the song.


Trussville's Best



Trussville's Best was right at home at their own civic center,  Their performance was precise as they danced to an upbeat arrangement  of  The Tennessee Waltz by Ireen Sheer. To this same music they were performing the Tennessee Waltz line dance. You can see an example of it by clicking the link above. After reviewing the dance I see now why one of the ladies was counting to herself the entire time. It wasn't out loud but I could see her mouth moving.   As most of these groups go there are usually very few men . This group had only one. He held his own and was a credit to the men.



Time Travelers

Men In Black was what came to mind when Time Travelers took to the stage. Outfitted in black slacks, vests,white shirts, ties and sunglasses their dance routine was elaborate and well timed. Dancing to Pit Bull's rap of , Back In Time the dancer's kept their grave expressions in keeping with the Men In Black III theme. Pit Bull mentions in his rap the very outfits the dancers are wearing. Like most rappers his beats are  samples from other artists. I recognized the background music immediately as Peaches and Herb singing Love Is Strange done to a disco beat. The song has been done by other artists  but the one done by Peaches and Herb's  is most memorable to me.

After all of the presentations the audience was to vote on who they thought was best. As mentioned before the MC stated that all groups would be part of the Master's Games that will take place in October . As the votes were tallied dancers and audience were invited to line dance to a variety of music.

Here's my first attempt at uploading a video. It's 59 seconds long.

THAT'S IT***