What signals spring for you? Is it the new leaves budding on the trees?  The first blossoms?  For many it’s being able to get out and preparing their gardens.  Whether it’s flowers, vegetables, herbs or a combination of all of them, there is just something about digging in and planting that is therapeutic.  In fact there are plenty of articles out there that will tell you exactly what the benefits of gardening can be, for example, stress relief.

Even me, someone who has long come to realize my thumb is far from green, can find enjoyment in adding small plants to containers and watching them grow and bloom.  Are you anxious to get your garden on?  Share it with us in the comments section below or via your own post in the Boomer Voices section.  And don’t forget, Baby Boomer News has a section called “Can You Dig It” for those gardeners among us.

You might be surprised.  There’s the Canadian curler Carolyn Darbyshire-McRory who at 46 years old (my age) is the oldest Olympian on the Canadian team.  And before you use the excuse that curling isn’t exactly a sport that requires youthfulness, let me inform you that she isn’t the oldest Olympian competing at the 2010 games.  There is also 51 year old Hubertus von Hohenlohe, the lone Olympian representing Mexico in Alpine Skiing.

And I’d bet that both of these athletes have the same exuberance that the younger set have.  After all, being over 40 didn’t dampen Dara Torres’ excitement about competing in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.  It also didn’t stop her from bringing home three silver medals.

It’s inspiring for me to see these Boomer aged athletes. It makes me realize that age really is just a number and that dreams are attainable no matter what that number is.  Do you have thoughts on Baby Boomers in the Olympics?  Or are you reaching for dreams?  Share your story with us here in the comments area or through the Boomer Voices section.

“I admit I’ve been married a time or two. I admit I know I’ve been called a fool.

Well that was many years ago, now I’ve changed. I’ve learned to play by the rules.

No more cattin’ around in the kitty pool. I admit, I want to start a brand new life.

And I admit it, I want to find another wife.

Don’t want no babies, no 20 year old girl,

I want an older lady who can rock my world.

One that knows the difference between right and wrong,

and knows how to love me all night long.

I want a 50 year old woman.”
” I want a 50 year old Woman”  Words and Music by Lonnie Carpenter

Ok, you are fifty-something, your kids are grown and out of the house, single and looking for love. Now What? Where do you go? What do you do? Is it too late to find the love of your next life? That’s what many of us 50 year old men are asking these days.  Does anyone really want to hang out at bars and ogle over the room of women while sitting on a bar stool with a beer in your hand hoping to get lucky that night? Not me! I know there have been great romances and marriages that have been created by such encounters but mostly not.

So now what? What are we looking for in romance now?  I’ve always been told that in order to find the right person you need to be the right person first.  If you want an attractive woman, be willing to work out and eat right so you’ll be physically attractive to them.  Know your weaknesses and accept your failures so that you are not overly conscious about your faults and no be so dang sensitive. Hey we all have faults and failures don’t we?  Mostly we just want a friend we can enjoy this wonderful life with and be able to share our views of the world openly and candidly.  You have to be able to talk and laugh about our past mistakes and be proud of the good things we have done with our lives and for others.

And hey, let’s not forget about the bedroom.  We may feel like we are old sometimes but we still have physical needs that need to be met and a healthy sexual atmosphere is just a natural progression of a loving relationship.  Like the adage goes “use it or lose it”.

Oh well, I’m the eternal optimist and I believe there is some one for everyone if we will just be patient.  And like I said, be the kind of person that you would like to attract.”  People in their 50’s still look good (some of you ladies are really hot) and are wiser because of our experiences, we hope.  That’s the reason I want a 50 year old woman and not some immature young thing that hasn’t a clue about what life’s all about.

Lonnie Carpenter, is a songwriter and singer who takes you back to the cool, swinging and romantic days with his one man show – “The Classic Hits of Yesterday”.  Contact Lonnie at 704-798-2821 or by email at lonniec923@yahoo.com

Still, with so much snow on the ground, and school cancellations in effect, I couldn’t help but recall the memories of my own childhood snow days.

A snow day was better than a holiday because it came unexpectedly, perhaps negating that spelling test or math quiz that we all were dreading. Those of us that had to be dragged out of bed on normal school mornings could be found sitting by the television or radio well before our alarms went off, listening intently to the listing of school districts, practically holding our breath in anticipation. It was music to our ears when the DJ or news anchor called out our school. Fist pumping, happy dances and shouts of joy were performed in celebration before rushing to the kitchen to grab breakfast.

Ah yes, the advent of a snow day turned even the most reluctant riser into an early bird. A bowl of cereal was quickly devoured and then we began the process of getting ready to head out into the snow. Long johns and sweaters, snow pants, scarves, mittens, hats, heavy wool socks, bread wrappers on each foot to make sure the snow that got into the snow boots didn’t make it to our feet. Last but not least, the winter jacket, which was more like a parka.

Yes, we probably did resemble the Stay-Puft marshmallow man.

We were ready to head out into the snow to build snow forts guarded by snow men, go sledding on the nearest snow bank, and have massive snow ball fights. We took breaks only for lunch and a bathroom break and then we were back outside. And by the time it began to get dark and our parents called us inside, we were covered in snow.

Our cheeks were rosy from the cold, but underneath all of that protective gear we were sweating. We dug into our dinner, ravenously hungry from all the activity and by the time bedtime rolled around there wasn’t the normal battle for five more minutes because our eyes were already drooping with exhaustion.

Do kids still spend their snow days that way? Do you have winter weather memories? If so, please leave a comment or share your own story in the Boomer Voices section.

I know I’m not alone in my techno-boomer status, because I’ve seen plenty of my contemporaries with iPhones and Blackberries, working on laptops from local coffee shops and sitting in airports with the recognizable white iPod headphones.

But what about you?  What technology have you embraced and what have you rejected?

Are you excited about the iPad or do you see it as just another high priced techno-toy?

Do you depend on techno gadgets?   Are you a Techno-Boomer?  Share your thoughts on the latest techno gadgets right here in the comments section or write your own post about it in the Boomer Voices section.

The unemployment situation is only one contributing factor, as the author points out, and it’s a risk that some can find hard to take. But after reading the examples of baby boomers who have blazed the trail to business ownership, it’s clear that not only can the risk be worth it financially, it can also be fulfilling.

Many of us have had dreams of taking our passions and turning it into a business, but until the current economical crisis began, we really didn’t consider it to be a real option.  After all, most of us were firmly entrenched in steady jobs working for someone else and doing quite well.  We never dreamed the day would come when our jobs would be in jeopardy, or worse, gone.

But with true baby boomer ingenuity many of us (me included) have decided that waiting for the recession to end and jobs to return just wasn’t an option. So we’ve taken the plunge and become entrepreneurs.
And why not?  With all of that experience working for others, we bring a myriad of talents, skills and experience to the table. Amazingly we’ve found that even years of being involved with the PTA and other volunteer activities are helping us to strike off on our own and follow a dream.

Rather than being a detriment, our age is a benefit and many of us are taking advantage of it.

If you’re one of the growing number of Boomerpreneurs we want to hear about you and your business. Consider it a chance to spread the word about your business.
Leave a comment on this post, or write about your entrepreneur adventure in the Boomer Voices section here at your Boomer Community.

I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the less enthusiasm I have regarding New Years Resolutions.  Of course it could be my history of breaking them before Valentine’s Day.

Regardless of my lack of enthusiasm, it doesn’t stop me from making them.
This year the old standby to lose weight is there disguised as ‘eat healthier’ and ‘get more exercise’.  Another repeat is to give back to my community in some way, shape or form.
I’ve added a few new ones too, like staying in touch with family and friends better. I’ve even taken action on that one by building a family website where all of us can check in on each other.
I’ve decided to try to look upon them less as yet another resolution and see them more as goals to enrich my life this year and beyond.
How about you?  Do you make resolutions for the New Year?  If so, we’d love to hear about them.  Leave a comment or share it in the Boomer Voices section.

Well, of course, there’s the animated cartoon “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, I’ve been watching that since I was a child and I always seem to find a way to watch it every year, usually with one or both of my children. Is there anyone out there that wasn’t scared by the Abominable Snow Monster when they were small?

Another animated classic that makes its way onto my television every year is the original “Grinch that Stole Christmas” not the live action re-make, the original complete with the creepy green Grinch and the Who’s down in Whoville singing “Welcome Christmas”.

When you talk about the non-animated Christmas favorites, “A Christmas Story” has to be at the very top. Now that TNT plays the classic for 24 hours starting Christmas Eve, we always wait until then to watch. Who can’t relate to “You’ll shoot your eye out kid.”?

That’s followed closely by “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Is there anyone that doesn’t love Clarence the angel getting his wings?

What about you?  What holiday movies and shows make your yearly ‘must see’ list?

Share them with us either in the comments section or via the Boomer Voices section of the blog

I remember the Mystery Date game. It was my aunt’s favorite game and I can remember playing it with her often. I also remember several gifts that I practically begged Santa to bring me for Christmas.

The first was the Barbie Camper Van. I was big into Barbie as a 7or 8 year old, and my own family had the neatest VW camper van, so it stood to reason I wanted my Barbies to have one too. I can remember not only sending a request on my letter to Santa, I also passed it along when I sat on Santa’s lap.

The second gift that I remember feeling was the most important thing in the world for me to have was a bicycle. But not just any bicycle, a pink bicycle with a banana seat. Remember those? I was on my very best behavior from October through December in the hopes that being good would convince Santa Claus that I should be the proud owner of that bike.

Luckily, I didn’t suffer the same fate as Laura and Neil in the movie, they didn’t get their special gifts and stopped believing in Santa. Santa came through for me. In fact, I can still remember the excitement of seeing that camper van, left unwrapped under the sparkling tree with a live action barbie to go with it. A few years later my banana seat bike stood reflecting the colored lights of the Christmas tree. That’s right, I still believe in Santa Claus.

How about you, can you remember a gift or gifts you just knew Santa would bring you?

Those Were the Days My Friend…

By Mary Ann Dore

I think I’m turning into an old and crotchety Boomer! I’m tired of watching yet another police squad use a battering ram to break down the door of suspected drug house. The Housewives of (fill in the blank) are not women with whom I’d want to associate. Watching the turmoil on another episode of John and Kate doesn’t make me feel good. Entertainment Tonight doesn’t entertain me.

When did reality TV and CSI become the standard fare of evening TV? When did hundreds of channels from which to choose help make my choice of the off button easier? Do the kids of today or even yesterday know what comedy without personal injury or off-color language is?

I want to escape from reality shows, I want to be entertained with rib-tickling, bellylaughing, side-splitting comedy. I want to be able to turn back time and let the pressures of my day dissolve in laughter.

I want to watch Vicki Lawrence and Harvey Korman make Carol’s shoulders shake as they veer from their rehearsed lines, to hear Goldie’s infectious giggle as she “Socks It To Me”. I want to hear Sonny and Cher’s banter and I’d even listen to Captain and Tennille sing “Muskrat Love” again.

I’d prefer to get the day’s news from Rosanne Rosannadanna, to hear Ernestine snort as she dials the phone and asks “is this the party to whom I am speaking?” I want to watch Flip as Geraldine exclaim “The Devil made me do it!” I want to hear Flo’s southern drawl exclaim “Kiss My Grits” again. I’d love to imagine sipping a beer at the bar and joining the other patrons as they yell “Norm!”

I want to see John Belushi’s antenna wiggle as he portrays a Killer Bee on SNL, or John Cleese lope up the stairs at Fawlty Towers. I’d love to laugh until it hurts at Tim Conway’s Siamese Elephants or Dentist’s sketches.

I’d venture to guess that with 90 million Baby Boomers in North America, I’m not alone in my longing for the return of the funny side of TV. The good news is that Hulu.com and YouTube provide the escape I’m seeking in short excerpts from some of the classic comedy shows.

What shows would you like to see return for your viewing pleasure? Inquiring minds want to know – voice your opinion in the comments section of this post or a post of your own through the Boomer Voices section.