At my apogee, I was a tall 5'9 3/4" and could even leap to touch the basketball rim. Well, I just took my annual physical and, presently, I just managed to stand 5'7" small. Clearly, I'm shrinking and I have learned the shrinkage has something to do with my posture, gravitational pull on my spinal discs and the deterioration of the intervening …
My full given name is Fred C. Klein and the C. might as well stand for Chip as I am so addicted to them that I well might be made of them. Then, last week I sat next to my fellow Friar and New York Health and Aging GC Gideon Schein and right away I noticed his appreciable weight loss and, of course, always looking for a dieting SECRET, I asked him …
We were recently winding down our Memorial Day Weekend vacation and starting to experience that all too familiar gnawing feeling of return to the real world anxieties and problems. Just then I spied the words "Harkuna Matata" written under a wooden bridge covering a pool lap lane. I looked up the meaning of those words and what a perfectly timed …
I was taught that little things mean a lot and I respect that verity. I know someone who has 2 friends with whom he makes a point to check in (text) with on a regular basis. One is a high school classmate who is progressing nicely following an "episode" and another is a club friend who is recovering well from abdominal surgery. He feels he is he …
I'm a dreamer (morning, noon and night) and I remember many of my in sleep dreams. Most, if not all, are not good. For example, last month I propelled myself out of bed to escape a particularly gruesome situation and landed on my head. I will never forget that dream no matter what my brain damage may have been. Many of my dreams are recurrent lik …
When we were young we worshipped the sun and could never get enough "Rays". "Catching Rays" with a reflector while coated with iodine laced baby oil was de rigueur. The above picture is representative of my "Chocolate Man" period. However, as the years passed (and the ozone layer burned away) baby oil morphed into sun screen as the sun began to …
I have kept a hand written daily diary religiously since 1/1/70. It is a ritual which serves many many purposes. Some of the positive benefits are historical and others are mental. I started reading it 11 years ago and each night I am reading 34 years ago today and a year ago today. The benefit of such perspective is immeasurable. The invariabl …
I was on such a roll: not having had a cold for over 2 years and then I came down with a dreaded Summer cold in mid July. At this writing it has settled in my chest and I have lost my voice. The mistake I made, according to Joanne, was that I didn't dial it back and give Nature a chance to cure me. Rather, I continued to push my every day swimming …
Over my many years I have learned that there are three stages in life: Youth, Middle Age and "You Look Good!"I'm not saying that I look good, but I have survived the first two stages and work hard every day living right to earn the third accolade. If anyone is interested in the details feel free to let me know. :)
I am a lifetime athlete: who played Soccer in college, finished 33 (26.2 mile marathons), ran 3000 miles per year for over a decade, ran at least 2 miles for 620 straight days, completed triathlons, competed in countless road races, survived three 24 Hour Relay races, swam 170 straight days, recently planked for 10 minutes and continue to pitch for …
I've had three knee operations at my neighborhood Glen Cove Hospital on Long Island. My wife and son have also had procedures there. We are all satisfied patients.I was turned on to Glen Cove Hospital by my good friend Dr. David Berger who is head of anesthesiology there.This great local hospital was founded before World War II to serve a blend of …
According to Wikipedia, sleep is a naturally recurring state characterizedby altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity and inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles. Wikipedia goes on to say that during sleep, most systems are in an altered anabolic state accentuating the growth and rejuvenation of the immune, nervous, skeletal …
In addition to this weekly creative outlet I also utilize Facebook daily. Last week I posted the above photo along with the words "Until one has loved an animal part of their soul remains unawakened".Truth be told, they are not my words, but the tag line of our Pet Insurance company. Whatever their origin, these words muster up and describe an inne …
Someone once said there are 3 stages in life: youth, middle age and "you look good". Funny, but so true. My next birthday will be my 73rd and I'm pleased to say I'm comfortably in the third stage and plan to continue until I'm 100. I work very very hard in my daily battle with Father Time. Not many people would be willing to pay that price. Hard wo …
When I was young I had no direction and wondered aimlessly and accomplished little. I can't pinpoint the moment in time when my self hatred overwhelmed my sloth, but there was a metamorphosis as I got into sports and athletics. I learned about training and getting into shape as a competitive necessity. Then the running boom arrived and I became a r …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend