The ones whose knees sound like popcorn.... I did not know how to describe the sound my knees made yesterday, but that is it. I am 68, but know from dad, 92, how dangerous it can be to fall... 4 years ago he broke 5 ribs and ended in hospital for 2 weeks, but went back home. 2 years ago he fell at the retirement home where mom was and dislocated a shoulder. This time, he decided to go to that same retirement home. He is quite happy there and it gives me peace of mind to know he is safe there, surrounded by friendly people, with good food and lots of activities (this is NOT in America LOL). 2 years ago I stumbled in the woods, thankfully without much more than some bramble scratches, but since then, I have a sturdy stick with me and use it! Laugh who wants to, they will get there too one day.
glad you are back, and hope you will make a complete recovery!
You got chromebook too! I have it for 3 years now and love it. It got an extension so you can see youtube and films without interruptions or adds! No more concerts in 8 pieces !
I would like to share that not everyone in their 70s is going to have poor health or significant reductions of mobility. It all depends! I am 72 and when I retired eight years ago, I promised myself that I would move every day and I do. I play tennis and golf and lift light weights. I felt I got into the best shape of my life!
Unfortunately, my 74-year-old husband suffered a major stroke four months ago, and I am now his 24 hour around the clock caregiver. He has paralysis on his right side and is learning to walk again. He spent 7 weeks in rehab and I was there every single day monitoring his progress. So I know a lot about parallel bars, and they are a gift from heaven to be sure to get back up on one's feet and walking again . Personally , because of caretaking duties my exercise is reduced, but I'm still getting out to play tennis and golf each week. If you saw me running around the tennis court, you probably wouldn't believe I'm 72 , but I am.
Anyway, I hope people do not lose faith or think that injury, falls, immobility etc are automatic for people in their 70s.
My hope and advice is take care of your body, eat healthy , hydrate and keep moving, and practice a balanced posture every day!
Cosmic Onion: I wish you a speedy recovery and thank you for sharing your ordeal with your readers. We can get strong at any age, it's a different kind of strength than when we were young but we can work with what we have and where we are at.
Many prayers for you Lone Wolf! Try exercising sitting in a sturdy chair and doing small strength building exercises. Chair yoga or chair tai chi for seniors. I just got a tai chi kindle book for chair tai chi. I'm fighting to stay mobile, too.
Wishing you a safe — and hopefully speedy — recovery!
This brought tears to my eyes because my sister and I are doing our best to care for our 80-year-old mother. She fell a few years ago and refused to let my niece take her to the hospital. Then, during the week of May 6, 2026, she fell again while taking out the recyclables. But she didn’t tell my sister and me until that weekend because she was in pain.
Long story short, I could probably write and produce a documentary about her ER stay and the decline of the U.S. healthcare system — along with the people working in it. Many of the employees were personable, but they were not exactly the picture of health and wellness themselves. At times, I found myself worried that they might experience health issues — a heart attack, shortness of breath, etc. — while trying to care for my mom.
Honestly, I wish I were a multi-multi millionaire because I’d hire an on-call concierge doctor for her so she wouldn’t have to deal with the hospital system unless it was absolutely necessary. And even then, ideally, that doctor and their team could manage most situations directly and only bring in specialists when needed.
Make sure the nutrition dept is satisfied,because some of what you describe occur in my mind when there are problems in delivery ( psychogenic ) departments the body requires to FUNCTION.Without function the structure fails while illusions become the so called false truth or suffering.
Rock on wolf man. I'm 70, and my body has been betraying me for 8 years. No falls, nothing dramatic, just failing me. Constant pain, weak legs. I hardly ever leave the house. I've experienced most of what you just wrote, especially the mental stuff. I just keep pushing on. Walk some everyday, chores around the house - but it SUCKS. Can't do rehab or medical - no money. That's probably saved my life. My husband is 78 and has the body of a 50 year old. No pain, no lack of strength or mobility. He's my rock. NEVER went to a doctor or took any meds.
Glad to see you're surviving the test of over 70! Had a few similar and now fully understand the difference of living longer than your partner and managing the rehab alone. Missed your quirky wisdom! Good to see it hasn't changed.
...That too is Love Embodied and Life Receiving Life. So Bravo! Kudos and all the things! We don't really know what we're made of until tested, eh? Now you do. And, with all of us out here in Substack-land cheering you on, happy to hear from you again, and most especially, wishing you well, perhaps it's time to retire the Lone part. Cuz clearly you're not. We love you! ❤️
With old age comes short comings. I try and not think about them but they are there. I had a stroke about 16 months ago. Another short coming. I try and not think about it.
I've had a good life. My wife, man my wife, she is the best. I love her. Everything we have is paid for, everything. I started stacking about 15 years ago so we don't need the money. Anyway, I'm rambling again, another short coming.
This is the kind of battlefield nobody puts in recruitment commercials: an elder gripping parallel bars, knees sounding like a haunted popcorn machine, trying to win back three feet of independence from gravity. That is not “just rehab.” That is a holy war for the bed-to-chair transfer, the bathroom trip, the right to stand without terror. Young people measure strength in miles and gym selfies. Old pilgrims measure it in inches, and frankly, some of those inches require more courage than half the inspirational nonsense we staple to office walls.
Aging is not for the faint of heart. I completely relate. Great to see your posts again.
So true Genie, so true.
Or as they say: Getting old ain’t for sissies…keep on truckin’ brother Wolf
The ones whose knees sound like popcorn.... I did not know how to describe the sound my knees made yesterday, but that is it. I am 68, but know from dad, 92, how dangerous it can be to fall... 4 years ago he broke 5 ribs and ended in hospital for 2 weeks, but went back home. 2 years ago he fell at the retirement home where mom was and dislocated a shoulder. This time, he decided to go to that same retirement home. He is quite happy there and it gives me peace of mind to know he is safe there, surrounded by friendly people, with good food and lots of activities (this is NOT in America LOL). 2 years ago I stumbled in the woods, thankfully without much more than some bramble scratches, but since then, I have a sturdy stick with me and use it! Laugh who wants to, they will get there too one day.
glad you are back, and hope you will make a complete recovery!
You are stronger than you think!
You are a warrior with wisdom, you are not a victim… you are a warrior… older,wiser with inner strength…. That’s the strength that matters!!!
Keep up the good fight. 🏃🏻♂️ we take our abilties for granted until they leave us. Good to have you back.
hard to learn Chromebook, LOL
Totally relate to the Chromebook learning curve! Pretty steep lol
You got chromebook too! I have it for 3 years now and love it. It got an extension so you can see youtube and films without interruptions or adds! No more concerts in 8 pieces !
I would like to share that not everyone in their 70s is going to have poor health or significant reductions of mobility. It all depends! I am 72 and when I retired eight years ago, I promised myself that I would move every day and I do. I play tennis and golf and lift light weights. I felt I got into the best shape of my life!
Unfortunately, my 74-year-old husband suffered a major stroke four months ago, and I am now his 24 hour around the clock caregiver. He has paralysis on his right side and is learning to walk again. He spent 7 weeks in rehab and I was there every single day monitoring his progress. So I know a lot about parallel bars, and they are a gift from heaven to be sure to get back up on one's feet and walking again . Personally , because of caretaking duties my exercise is reduced, but I'm still getting out to play tennis and golf each week. If you saw me running around the tennis court, you probably wouldn't believe I'm 72 , but I am.
Anyway, I hope people do not lose faith or think that injury, falls, immobility etc are automatic for people in their 70s.
My hope and advice is take care of your body, eat healthy , hydrate and keep moving, and practice a balanced posture every day!
Cosmic Onion: I wish you a speedy recovery and thank you for sharing your ordeal with your readers. We can get strong at any age, it's a different kind of strength than when we were young but we can work with what we have and where we are at.
Many prayers for you Lone Wolf! Try exercising sitting in a sturdy chair and doing small strength building exercises. Chair yoga or chair tai chi for seniors. I just got a tai chi kindle book for chair tai chi. I'm fighting to stay mobile, too.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Yep movement is critical not only for the body but the mind as it helps the hippocampus store memories.
Here's a great exercise I do daily, just skip the parts you can't do or try a softer version of it for the problem areas.
https://youtu.be/Bn4RX0UbEhY
I also do a few minutes a day of QiGong which has done wonders for tightness in my fascia.
https://youtube.com/@holdenqigong
Get well!
Two 👍👍 for you Rob. Keep on truckin'
Right on baby! Will DO so I can BE as GOD intends.
Wishing you a safe — and hopefully speedy — recovery!
This brought tears to my eyes because my sister and I are doing our best to care for our 80-year-old mother. She fell a few years ago and refused to let my niece take her to the hospital. Then, during the week of May 6, 2026, she fell again while taking out the recyclables. But she didn’t tell my sister and me until that weekend because she was in pain.
Long story short, I could probably write and produce a documentary about her ER stay and the decline of the U.S. healthcare system — along with the people working in it. Many of the employees were personable, but they were not exactly the picture of health and wellness themselves. At times, I found myself worried that they might experience health issues — a heart attack, shortness of breath, etc. — while trying to care for my mom.
Honestly, I wish I were a multi-multi millionaire because I’d hire an on-call concierge doctor for her so she wouldn’t have to deal with the hospital system unless it was absolutely necessary. And even then, ideally, that doctor and their team could manage most situations directly and only bring in specialists when needed.
I like Will Harlow UK physio and his exercises for over 50's; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei7ecehRj6M
https://www.youtube.com/@yes2next Easy exercises, lots of variety for beginner seniors to gain strength,balance and mobility.
I am praying for you....
thank you Emmy
Make sure the nutrition dept is satisfied,because some of what you describe occur in my mind when there are problems in delivery ( psychogenic ) departments the body requires to FUNCTION.Without function the structure fails while illusions become the so called false truth or suffering.
Rock on wolf man. I'm 70, and my body has been betraying me for 8 years. No falls, nothing dramatic, just failing me. Constant pain, weak legs. I hardly ever leave the house. I've experienced most of what you just wrote, especially the mental stuff. I just keep pushing on. Walk some everyday, chores around the house - but it SUCKS. Can't do rehab or medical - no money. That's probably saved my life. My husband is 78 and has the body of a 50 year old. No pain, no lack of strength or mobility. He's my rock. NEVER went to a doctor or took any meds.
Never take meds! Good advice.
Glad to see you're surviving the test of over 70! Had a few similar and now fully understand the difference of living longer than your partner and managing the rehab alone. Missed your quirky wisdom! Good to see it hasn't changed.
...That too is Love Embodied and Life Receiving Life. So Bravo! Kudos and all the things! We don't really know what we're made of until tested, eh? Now you do. And, with all of us out here in Substack-land cheering you on, happy to hear from you again, and most especially, wishing you well, perhaps it's time to retire the Lone part. Cuz clearly you're not. We love you! ❤️
I am 71.
I have fallen.
I get up and do life again.
With old age comes short comings. I try and not think about them but they are there. I had a stroke about 16 months ago. Another short coming. I try and not think about it.
I've had a good life. My wife, man my wife, she is the best. I love her. Everything we have is paid for, everything. I started stacking about 15 years ago so we don't need the money. Anyway, I'm rambling again, another short coming.
Lucky fella.
Exactly right!
This is the kind of battlefield nobody puts in recruitment commercials: an elder gripping parallel bars, knees sounding like a haunted popcorn machine, trying to win back three feet of independence from gravity. That is not “just rehab.” That is a holy war for the bed-to-chair transfer, the bathroom trip, the right to stand without terror. Young people measure strength in miles and gym selfies. Old pilgrims measure it in inches, and frankly, some of those inches require more courage than half the inspirational nonsense we staple to office walls.