Aging ain't for Sissies
Aging isn't easy. My name is Marcy Backhus and I am your host! Make sure your complete well-being is handled with a community and information that can make it easier and FUN. Aging needs humor, which you can find in the "Aging ain't for Sissies" Podcast, along with informational guests that give us the information we need.
Aging ain't for Sissies
Borrow a Ukulele, Skip the Bill: Library Hacks for Savvy Seniors
Remember when libraries were just about books and stern-faced librarians? Those days are long gone! Today's libraries have undergone a remarkable transformation into vibrant community hubs offering a treasure trove of free resources that would make even the most frugal among us do a double-take.
In this eye-opening episode, we explore the surprising evolution of modern libraries and the astonishing array of free services they now provide. From technology lending programs that include tablets and Wi-Fi hotspots to cultural passes that grant you free access to museums and parks, your library card might be the most valuable item in your wallet. The "Library of Things" concept lets you borrow everything from power tools to air fryers, ukuleles to croquet sets – all without spending a dime.
We also discover how libraries are creating inclusive spaces for aging populations through initiatives like Memory Cafés, which provide supportive environments for people with dementia and their caregivers. These thoughtful programs reflect how libraries continue adapting to meet community needs while fostering connection and engagement.
Between exploring these remarkable library resources, we reflect on the gift of aging itself. Those wrinkles? They're evidence of laughter and life experiences. Gray hair? A crown of wisdom earned through years of living. As we navigate the challenges of growing older, we recognize that aging is not about losing time but gaining perspective – and perhaps borrowing a ukulele from the library to strum away our worries. Visit your local library this week to discover what free treasures await, and don't forget to mention where you heard about these amazing resources!
Hello and welcome to Aging Aimed for Sissies. My name is Marci Backus and I am your host. Well, welcome back, my fearless, fabulous listeners. This is Aging Aimed for Sissies, the podcast where we laugh at life, side-eye, the nonsense and try to age like a fine wine, or at least like a box of wine that's been refrigerated. Well, I have a kind of a funny story about box of wine. So those of you that have been listening for a long time know that I am sober, 37 years, 38.
Speaker 1:In January At home, when I drank, box wine was my go-to. And just in case you need to know this, you know, once you think your box of wine is empty, if you take out the metal bag and cut it open, there's a whole other glass of wine in there, and, of course, only an alcoholic would know that, but thought I'd share that with you, just in case you're at the end of your box of wine and you need another glass. So hope everybody is doing well. I am taping this a little early this week because I will be leaving tomorrow. It's Thursday. I will be leaving for Seattle for a wedding of a young man that I watched grow up and looking forward to some time in Seattle, it'll be great.
Speaker 1:I came across something called the Gift of Aging and, if you indulge me, I'm going to go ahead and read it to you, because, after all, this is a podcast on aging, and today we do have some things to talk about. Today we're going to talk about freebies at the library you didn't know you need, and I'm going to ask you to hang on, because there are some freebies at the library that I had no idea existed and they're pretty fabulous. So hang in there with me. We'll get to that, but right now I want to read to you the Gift of Aging. The gift of aging is something we don't always recognize. While we're young, we spend so much time worrying about the lines on our faces, the gray in our hair or the slower steps we take that we forget what they truly mean. Wrinkles aren't flaws. They're proof that we've smiled, laughed and cried through a lifetime of moments. Gray hair isn't something to hide. It's a crown of wisdom earned through the years of experience. Slower steps don't mean weakness. They mean we've walked far enough to know that life isn't a race. It's a journey.
Speaker 1:The hardest part of growing older is saying goodbye to certain chapters, the noise of children running through the house, the energy of youth, the people we've loved who are no longer here. I didn't expect to get choked up reading this, but the beauty of aging is realizing how rich those chapters were and how much love we still carry forward. Aging is not losing time. It is gaining perspective. It is the privilege of seeing the seasons change, of watching children grow into parents, and of knowing that your presence has shaped lives oh my goodness in ways that will last long after you're gone. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 1:The truth is not everyone gets the gift of aging. Every birthday is not a burden but a blessing. Every year is another chance to love, to laugh, to live, to leave behind a legacy of kindness. Because the gift of aging is simple. It means you were given time, and time is the most precious gift of all. I really love that and I read it so many times in my head and when I read it out loud it got me choked up. So I hope that changes your perspective.
Speaker 1:I, my perspective on aging has been changing a lot over the last few years, not only because I have this wonderful friend group that are older and wiser than I am. I love you all, but you are. I am old as well and I have my wisdom, but you have taught me a lot. You have taught me about what the gift of getting age really means, and aging for sissies is the truth. It's not easy, but it's a wonderful gift, all right. So enough of the waterworks and all that. Now let me ask you this when was the last time you set foot in the library? No, really, think hard. Was it when your kids were little? Because it was for me. I haven't been in a library since I moved to. Chicago was for me. I haven't been in a library since I moved to Chicago when you needed a quiet place to hide from your spouse, or maybe when you were dragged there in 1978 by a librarian who smelled faintly of dust and disapproval.
Speaker 1:Well, buckle up, because libraries are not what you think they are anymore. They've had a glow up. Forget about just borrowing books. These days, you can walk into your local library and come out looking like you raided Amazon without spending a dime. That's right. Freebies, freebies and honey they're sweet.
Speaker 1:So today we're talking all about the surprising, and I am telling you these are surprising things your library has that aren't books, and, trust me, some of this will blow your bifocals right off your face. So hang in there, give me a minute and we're going to get started on what's happening at your local library. Glow up, all right. Your library has had a glow up. Now, again, not all libraries have had a glow up, so you're going to want to look for one in your area that has these items. But these items that we're going to talk about today are widely available at larger city libraries, maybe even small town libraries, I don't know, but at least I'm going to give you a list of things to go look up Now.
Speaker 1:Think about it. If a library hasn't changed with the times, it's going to die like a dinosaur death. Right, books are important. I love books, but with the availability of things online, I know that a library's function needed to change and I'm grateful to see it has. So the first thing is technology. Libraries have basically become Apple stores, minus the smug 20-something in a beanie trying to upsell you a $90 phone case. Absolutely true.
Speaker 1:Did you know that you could check out tablets and Wi-Fi hotspots at some libraries? Yes, you heard me. You can literally walk in and borrow an iPad and FaceTime your grandkids, all without paying your cable company. Another dime. It's like Robin Hood, but with Wi-Fi. And don't even get me started on free internet access.
Speaker 1:Every library has Wi-Fi now, so that is every library. If your library doesn't have it, shame on them, because kids everybody needs access to Wi-Fi, and I know there's a lot of cities that have free Wi-Fi throughout the city. Don't even get me started on the free internet access. Every library has Wi-Fi now, which is great, because nothing says high culture like streaming the Golden Bachelor while sitting next to a guy researching 17th century pottery. Needs to be a balance, people. We can still watch the Golden Bachelor and be refined.
Speaker 1:But think about it If you need Wi-Fi, if your budget is tight I know that this isn't for everyone, but free is free, and if you can get free Wi-Fi at your library and you need it, that is a place to find it. You can also get hotspots. What's a hotspot? A hotspot creates Wi-Fi wherever you are. So if you can check out a hotspot and you can have Wi-Fi in your home or apartment or on your vacation or whatever, it's a great thing to do. If you're not sure about hotspots, look it up. Check it out If it's something that works for you. Check out and see if your library has hotspots. All right.
Speaker 1:Number two, cultural cheats. All right, let's talk culture. I have to admit I am a reality TV junkie. I do love my culture. I do go to the theater, I do listen to live music, I do listen to jazz in my house, but you know, there is nothing like reality TV for me. I do love me a housewife. I do love me a survivor. I've never missed an episode of Survivor. I've never missed an episode of Survivor. I've never missed an episode of Amazing Race. I have watched those since day one. Anyways, forget that.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about if you do need culture Museum passes. Your library probably has them. You can skip those ridiculous $25 tickets to the art museum and stroll right in free of charge. Imagine it you walking through the museum, chin held high, looking at a Picasso. Like you get it. I do get it actually when in reality you're thinking this guy just forgot where the ears go. But hey, you got in free and suddenly you are an art critic.
Speaker 1:Well, my son, who is an artist, told me something. I said does it ever bug you when? Because he did go to school at the Art Institute, which he has access to, the Art Institute, which is a, if you don't know one of the top art museums in the world and his school was inside that. Don't know one of the top art museums in the world and his school was inside that. I said did it ever bother you that people look at paintings and go, oh, a kindergartner could have done that? He said no. And I said well, why? He said because art is to make you think. And if they're thinking that, at least they're thinking. And I thought, dang Alec, good education, I love it. So, yeah, art is to make you think, so if you think a piece could have been done by a kindergartner, at least you're thinking.
Speaker 1:But free museum passes I had no idea that that is something that you could get at a library. I also want to make you aware that many cities, the city of Chicago, for residents, we have free museum days and we have some of the best museums in the world here the science and industry, the field museum, you name it. We've got it here and there are freebie days every month, almost all year long, I do believe, maybe not in the height of the season. Also, I found that my Alaska Airlines credit card, which is bank by Bank of America, if you have any credit card bank by Bank of America. There are museums, including the Art Museum here in Chicago. You can get in free the first weekend of every month. So I'm going to go back. Just take a little brief moment from talking about libraries to make sure you're looking at your credit cards and what benefits they give you. They give you a lot that you aren't aware of. So take your time, look at your credit cards. If you're planning a trip, find out what credit card can do what for you on your trip. All right, so again, your library free museum passes. Check it out. I also know that they, um, they have, uh national park passes that you can borrow, so take a look at that too.
Speaker 1:Memory lane this one tugged at my heartstrings. Memory Cafes yes, libraries host these amazing gatherings for people with dementia or Alzheimer's and their caregivers Music, gentle activities, conversations. It's beautiful. So not only do they have kids story time, libraries are now reaching out to an aging community. Let me tell you, even if you don't have memory loss, half of us could use a memory cafe. I mean, how many of you walked into your kitchen this morning and forgot why you were there exactly? I say we make memory cafes mandatory for everyone over 50. Free coffee, a little storytelling, maybe a dance break. Who's with me? Who's going to the library for Memory Cafe?
Speaker 1:I think this is a great opportunity. Check your libraries. If your libraries have it, you might want to let some of the Alzheimer units in your area know that it's there. They may not even know. You could put them together and create something beautiful, interesting enough too. In Denmark I live there there is a library in Denmark where you can check out people. Yes, people. You can go to the library and register. If you are an expert at something, or if you have gone through World War II or something of value that people might want to talk about, you can register yourself and somebody can check you out. Isn't that cool. Check out people. I think we are so full of information and interesting things that I think it's super important. All right.
Speaker 1:Next one, segment four here stream and Zoom. Now brace yourself for this one. Libraries are basically Netflix. Now you can stream movies, tv shows, even music with apps like Hoopla and Canopy. I don't know those apps, but they're free. No subscription, no $17.99 charge sneaking into your credit card bill every month. So Hoopla and Canopy are two free apps where you can stream movies, tv shows, even music, and, the best part, you don't have to remember to cancel the free trial because, let's be honest, none of us ever remember to cancel a free trial. That's how I accidentally paid for Paramount for nine months. Nine months and I only watched one documentary about Elvis's socks.
Speaker 1:You know, I think we need to just really take a step back and look at what we can get for free, not just in our library, but in life. Everything is so expensive. Anywhere you can save a buck. I know Craig and I joined. We got a Panera that opened a kiosk on the corner here where we live. It's just a takeout. You can't eat there, you can just order. And we went ahead and got there $12.99 a month, unlimited drinks, and we can go in any time of the day. Craig gets a coffee, or I get a soda, or I get an iced tea or an iced coffee, and that's for the month, and it is saving us a bundle, although Craig has taken on the buying a treat too, which whatever. Anyways, we're trying. Okay, we're just trying.
Speaker 1:All right, borrow the unborrowable. Here's where things get really wild. The library of things yes, that's a real name. You can borrow stuff, random, fabulous stuff. Want to try an air fryer without committing the library's got one? Need a ukulele Boom library. Want to digitize those slides for 1972 where your husband looks like a helmet? There's a film converter at the library. I've read about library lending tools like actual power tools. Imagine that you can go to the library, check out a drill and pretend you're handy for a weekend, then return it before anyone asks you to fix something else Genius. So I'm not saying every library has this, but libraries are expanding Again. They need to to survive. In order for those books to stay there, they may need to rent out a drill, or check out a drill, excuse me, rent, see, it's free. Genius, playtime anyone. Libraries are also lending out games, board games, yard games, even croquet sets, which means, yes, you can now be the cool grandparent who shows up with dominoes and a bocce ball. This is great.
Speaker 1:I worked for the city of Irvine for 10 years. I worked in the child care coordination office. I was a librarian for a few of those years. At a children's library A children's library we checked out toys. Yes, toys. All of our toys were educational, fun and well taken care of. They were organized. They were kept clean, they were kept neat. I then became in charge of the library and loved that part of my life. I will have you know that the city of Irvine has taken over the county libraries in the city. They came in and saw our children's library and our toy checkout system and they have taken it, adopted it and are going to add it to all their libraries. It does mean that my little tiny library that I worked at and loved and helped curate with many other people is now gone. But what a great time in my life.
Speaker 1:And yes, so you can check out other things from your library. Maybe it's a ukulele, maybe it's a croquet set for a barbecue, maybe you want to play somewhere over the rainbow, I don't know. You can be really cool without having to buy all these things, especially if you've downsized like I have. I don't have everything anymore like I used to the ability to go rent a drill or check. I say rent and I don't mean that check out a drill would be great. Anyways, your library is more than it used to be.
Speaker 1:If you haven't stepped foot in your library, it's time to do that. I plan on doing it this week. I haven't done it. Well, not this week because I'm flying out, but next week it. This week I haven't done it. Well, not this week because I'm flying out, but next week, next week. So let's recap your library can now hook you up with Wi-Fi, museum passes, streaming services, tools, games and even a ukulele. That's not just a library, that's Target.
Speaker 1:Without the checkout line, the moral of the story aging might not be for sissies, but free stuff sure makes it easier. So do me a favor this week, march yourself into your local library. Tell them that Aging Ain't for Sissies, sent you, and when they look at you blankly, just smile and check out a ukulele. Or tell them about my podcast. That would be great, trying to get my viewership up or my listenership. I have listeners all over the world. You guys are awesome, but we need more. I need this to make me money, not cost me money. So until next time, keep on laughing, keep aging boldly and remember life is too short not to borrow an air fryer. Go out and do something positive.
