I’ve been interested in cryptic crossword puzzles since the age of 13, when
I accidentally got a clue right in the London Times cryptic crossword (”Greet
Asians in mountainous area (10) “). The answer was ‘Himalayas’-and I thought
they were supposed to be really difficult! Either I was really clever, or they
weren’t that hard after all. I chose the last option, and have been a cryptic
crossword fiend ever since…

Solving crosswords is all worthwhile when you come across great clues (as well
as making you look good on the train). The more artful and topical the clues,
the better, and I expect to see crosswords with the answers ’sub-prime’ and
‘northern rock’ in very soon.

As an occasional complier of crosswords, I also have huge respect for the setter
who builds puzzles where long chains of related words have been linked together
and almost miraculously worked into the grid. So I have absolutely no hesitation
in saying that my all-time favourite answer to a cryptic clue has been:

‘There are holes in the sky where the rain gets in; but they’re ever
so small-that’s why rain is thin’.

… I have no memory of what the clue was, but who cares? Fitting that answer
into a 15 x 15 square grid was a work of genius!

When it comes to clues, some of the ones I’ve loved the most have been because
of the timing - one that really sticks in my memory was published in 1992, a
week or two after a scandal involving the UK’s then Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The clue? “Not a moral man, unfit for public office (6,6)”. The answer? Norman
Lamont. What a great way to be told at that time that the Chancellor Norman
Lamont was an anagram of ‘not a moral man’!

I’ll have to admit, I was an Ironworker by trade and always thought of golf
as a game for sissies. I’m sorry if you’re an avid golfer but that’s the way
I felt. Next thing I know, my oldest son takes up golf. Oh, no, I thought, where
did I miss out on his upbringing?

He played for about eight or ten years and all the time, telling his younger
brother and I how great the game was and how much he enjoyed it. Every time
he invited us to play or even brought up the subject, he was in for a lot of
ridicule. The next thing that happened was that he finally got his brother to
go and play a game with him. That did it and my younger son was hooked.

You can’t possibly know what that did to a guy with an Ironworker’s outlook
on life. Well, after about another two years, the boys were playing every Tuesday
after work and I was missing their companionship. I figured that the only way
I would be able to spend some time with them was to belly up to the pro shop
and try the game out for myself.

You probably already know the end of the story. I became a stark raving maniac
over the game. Now I’m calling them up on other days like Saturday and saying
“Hey, let’s go to the new Championship course here in Tahoe and smack some
balls around.”

I’ve got my own set of golf clubs, shoes and all the trimmings and I’m having
a blast at a game that I wouldn’t have given a chance if it wasn’t for my two
sons defying my bias against the game. It’s kind of funny how life takes these
little turns, as we grow older, isn’t it?

Many people wonder just how wise it really is to start learning golf at 45.
Some argue that starting so late is bad because many older adults have health
problems that can complicate the process of learning to golf effectively, while
others argue that it is only excuses that keep older adults from learning to
play. Many others argue that learning to golf so late in life is simply a waste
of time.

The truth lies somewhere in the middle of arguments generally, but in the case
of golf there is no reason why learning to golf late in life is not something
that is possible. From an exercise perspective golf is a great way for older
adults to get out of the house to socialize while they are exercising at the
same time. In addition, the natural movements of golf helps encourage strength
that is necessary for functioning in normal every day life, such as back strength
and even leg strength.

Some argue that learning to golf so late in life is useless because there is
no way that an older adult can carry the golf bag. This seems almost as a silly
excuse, because many golf courses offer caddy’s who are available to help
and assist even younger adults with their golf bags. Choosing the right golf
course can often be a key factor in the success of learning to golf as an older
adult.

Another key advantage that older adults have is the ability to spend more time
learning, older adults tend to be much more patient than younger adults who
are wrapped up into technology more. This flexibility and freedom often makes
it possible for people over 45 to spend more time enjoying the finer mechanics
of golf, rather than trying to rush through a 18 hole course. Deciding how you
personally feel about learning golf after 45 is something that is a personal
decision from within, that only you can decide upon for sure. I’d love to hear
your thoughts….

Learning how to swim is not only an important part of growing up, but it is
also a fun form of exercise and a great first step in for baby boomers for a
lifetime commitment to physical fitness. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise
because it tones the entire body while providing an excellent cardiovascular
workout, and strengthens the heart muscle while improving delivery of oxygen
to muscles.

Since 1906, when George Corsan, a Detroit YMCA fitness instructor, modernized
the way people learned how to swim, YMCA aquatics staff have been matchless
in their preparation and proficiency. Today, with more than 2,000 pools across
the country, YMCAs are in the position where Americans go to find the most belief
in instructors of swimming lessons and lifeguard schooling.

Tens of millions of people across the United States have been educated how
to swim at the YMCA, together with Olympic medalists Mark Spitz, Greg Louganis
and Janet Evans, as well as President Ronald Reagan.

Swimming lessons provide baby boomers with necessary skills to be safe in and
around water. In adding together to building character and self-confidence,
baby boomers learn about safety, and rescue skills, and water actions. These
significant survival skills allow baby boomers to enjoy a lifetime of both fun
and healthy movement at pools, beaches and water parks.

Swimming is also an ideal exercise for Baby Boomers and other older adults
who want to preserve their fitness, but may require having to give up high-impact
or repetitive-motion actions such as running, cycling and aerobics. YMCAs also
offer water fitness lessons and spirited swim plans for baby boomers.

This year, the YMCA of the North Shore is set to help children, families and
baby boomers ring in the swim period by providing water safety instruction,
swimming lessons and other fun aquatics programs, obtainable to all ages-from
babies to senior citizens.