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Kitchen Table Kibitzing October 11, 2026 [1]

['Side Pocket', 'Citizen Earth']

Date: 2026-10-11  

Life goes on

Daily Kos, like many condo associations, caters to those over 55. I found some demographic statistics: 30% 55-64 and 30% 65+. I’m among the oldest, at 87, but occasionally someone claims even older. My experience was 60s….a few aches and pains; 70s….slightly forgetful; 80s….then it hits, for most of us, anyway. I have a privileged view, attending a senior center every week, with a range of folks from 55 to 94.

Y’all are going to have to get used to my writing more and more about mortality, and it’s something I predict will happen to you as time marches on. Today I will mention vision. Macular degeneration is of two types, wet and dry. It is primarily a disease of aging. Wet can be mitigated somewhat with injections, but dry is more common and occurs with age. Though there are new therapeutic clams for treatment with light therapy, which is very expensive, I was told by a specialist not to bother, though other doctors in the clinic were ready to $$$$$procede. I trusted that doctor.

The upshot of the progression is that it makes reading more and more difficult. I need a bright light to read easily, and what’s best for me is reading in direct sunlight. In deciding what to read, if given the choice between a good book or a large print book, I’ll go for the large print.

Virtually everyone I know keeps reading glasses in every room, and I note racks of reading glasses in Costco and every Dollar store. Be prepared for the inevitable.

I can see well enough to sink the pool balls in the pockets. That’s of prime importance.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/11/800110883/community/kitchen-table-kibitzing-october-11-2026/

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