NIAGARA, Wis. — As my mother aged, she maintained a really great attitude. No matter how many aches and pains she developed, she’d always say, “Well, any day above ground is a good day.” Or she would simply comment when she wasn’t feeling her best, “It beats the alternative.” My mother lived until she was 92. I hope I can have her attitude as I get older.

There is, after all, no escaping the aging process. We cannot, no matter how much we would like to, stop the passage of time. But we can adjust our thinking and our attitude so that aging does not get us down and prevent us from making the most of the time we have remaining to us. The passing of time is, after all, an inescapable part of the human condition.

We all have the same conundrum: while we generally want to live a long life, at the same time we lament getting older. But while we can’t fight the inevitable aging of our bodies, we can shift our perspectives on what it means to grow older. To some extent, aging is a state of mind. Instead of mourning the loss of youth, we can celebrate every extra year and be grateful for each new day.

Many people throughout history have adopted this philosophy, and their attitudes toward getting older are reflected in these quotations. If you are struggling a bit with the aging process, maybe their insights can help you develop a different perspective —

— “Nothing is inherently and invincibly young except spirit. And spirit can enter a human being perhaps better in the quiet of old age and dwell there more undisturbed than in the turmoil of adventure.” — George Santayana, philosopher, poet and writer

— “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball — the further I am rolled the more I gain.” — Susan B. Anthony, Women’s Rights Advocate

— “A human being would certainly not grow to be 70 or 80 years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species to which he or she belongs. The afternoon of human life must also have a significance of its own and cannot be merely a pitiful appendage to life’s morning.” — Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist

— “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” — Henry Ford, industrialist

— “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” — Frank Crane, clergyman and writer

— “I believe the second half of one’s life is meant to be better than the first half. The first half is finding out how you do it. And the second half is enjoying it.” — Frances Lear, editor, writer, magazine publisher

— “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

— “The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquility of the evening. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.” — W. Somerset Maugham, British writer and physician

— “The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” — Madeleine L’Engle, writer

— “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” — Sophia Loren, actress

— “If you are pining for youth, I think it produces a stereotypical old man because you only live in memory, you live in a place that doesn’t exist. I think aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person that you always should have been.” –David Bowie, British singer, songwriter and actor

— “Since our society equates happiness with youth, we often assume that sorrow, quiet desperation, and hopelessness go hand in hand with getting older. They don’t. Emotional pain or numbness are symptoms of living the wrong life, not a long life.” — Martha Beck, American author

— “When you get to my age, you’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you. I know people who have a lot of money, and they get testimonial dinners and they get hospital wings named after them. But the truth is that nobody in the world loves them. If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don’t care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.” — Warren Buffett, American investor and philanthropist

— “Today, I am 64 years old. I still look good. I appreciate and enjoy my age … A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it. You still bring to bear all your prior experience, but you’re riding on another level. It’s completely liberating.” — Nikki Giovanni, American writer

My maternal grandmother lived until she was 99 years old. She worked hard all her life as a farmer’s wife and mother of three children. She raised chickens, and the egg money was hers to use as she pleased. She was the epitome of calm, and took life as it came. As I age, I find myself thinking often of both her and my mother. They had very different personalities and each woman had her own set of challenges brought about by life’s circumstances. Yet neither of them lost hope or heart in the face of adversity.

If any of you reading this today have struggles in your life, I hope the wise words shared will help you live your daily lives with more ease.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: Music by the Beauty Shop, 10 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo. Fun morning with games, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Resident council meeting, 11 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Working puzzles in the lounge, 10 a.m.; enjoy music at the nursing station, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Music fun at the nursing desk, 10 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games in the dining room, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show channel, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; puzzle time, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 3 p.m.; web browsing, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; penny ante, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.: wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2 p.m.

Friday: Getting pretty, 9:30 a.m.; men’s club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Mother’s Day party with Freddie, 2 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/fill in the blank, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Manicures and sitcoms, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; coffee time and a movie, 2 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Group Therapy, 2:30 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; history of Cinco de Mayo, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Cinco de Mayo party – chips and salsa, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m., desserts and conversation, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; social hour, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Gardening Club, 5:30 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; magazines, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Mother’s Day tea party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures and sitcoms, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee or crafts, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and spelling bee, 10 a.m.; individual communion, 10:15 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 p.m.; courtyard bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; music with Bob Larson and fiesta Mexicana snacks, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; baking cupcakes, 10 a.m.; flyswatter balloon, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; afternoon cinema and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; bean bag toss, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Cranium Crunch, 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour/who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; bunco, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/joke of the day, 10:30 a.m.; movie, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; drama club; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles, drama club.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation, noodle ball, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Soft tacos, cheese nachos, sopapilla cheesecake bars.

Wednesday: Chicken Alfredo, broccoli, breadstick, salad.

Thursday: BLT wrap, baked beans, cole slaw.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Friday meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetable, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Chicken stir fry over rice, Oriental vegetables, fruit salad, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: Ham and grilled cheese slider, tomato soup, cole slaw.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots.

Crystal Falls Center

906-875-6709

The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken bacon ranch wrap.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes.

Wednesday: Pepper steak, rice.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 244.

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken teriyaki bowl, Oriental vegetables, pears.

Tuesday: Broccoli cheese soup, ham and cheese sandwich, Jell-O.

Wednesday: Pineapple pork chops, peas, garlic and cheese biscuit.

Thursday: Italian wedding casserole, carrots, pudding, dinner roll.

Friday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards – Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899.

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Menu for the week –

Monday: Cheeseburger, french fries.

Tuesday: Chicken broccoli stir fry, rice.

Wednesday: Cheesy cod, oven-browned potatoes.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Egg roll in a bowl, copper pennies, fruit.

Tuesday: Cranberry chicken, wild rice blend, green beans, fruit.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, baked sweet potato, broccoli, fruit, pineapple cherry dump cake.

Thursday: Mother’s Day dinner — roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, bean medley, lemon meringue pie.

Friday: Cheesy taco casserole, cole slaw, fruit.

All meals are served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site Mondays through Fridays at 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call 715-589-4491. Homebound meals will be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, broccoli, sliced carrots, fruit cocktail.

Tuesday: Beef taco bake, lettuce-tomato-olives, corn, Spanish rice, pineapple tidbits.

Wednesday: Chicken cordon bleu, loaded mashed potatoes, Key West vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, strawberry peach crisp.

Thursday: Cheeseburger, whole wheat hamburger bun, oven potatoes, vegetable, fruit cup.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Open for Thursday evening meal. Salad bar open 4:30 p.m., with meal at 5 p.m.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday a 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo. Chicken soft tacos, Mexican pinto beans, street corn, tropical fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken cordon bleu, roasted sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, fruited Jell-O, wheat bread.

Thursday: Mother’s Day lunch — Beef tips with gravy, mashed potatoes, asparagus, wheat dinner roll, apple pie.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. — those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal. Menu for the week —

Monday: Sloppy Joes, fries, carrots, tropical fruit.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn.

Wednesday: Wet burritos, refried beans, Spanish rice.

Thursday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, biscuit, broccoli.

Birthdays and bingo on Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Beef stew, biscuits, side dish, dessert.

Wednesday: Poor man’s lobster, baby reds, vegetable, bread, dessert.

Thursday: Cube steak or liver and onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, bread, dessert.