The Aging Brain

I read an interesting article today which implies that older folks don't remember things as quickly because their brains have so much more stored info than do younger brains.

" who has the better memory: the young person who knows a little and remembers all of it, or the older person who has learned a lot and forgets a little of it?
His research, published in the January 2014 issue of Topics in Cognitive Science, argues that studies on memory ask the wrong questions. It could be that older, wiser heads are so chock full of knowledge that it simply takes longer to retrieve the right bits. (It's important to note that the research is aimed at healthy, aging brains, not those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, which rob the brain of memory and other abilities.)"

I think this makes a lot of sense and no doubt all you readers who have so many things crowded into your brains will agree.

I visited my doctor this morning who determined I have bronchitis, and put me on the "Z-Pack" antibiotics. She went through all the blood test results from yesterday and explained why some might be on the "low" side.  There was nothing she seemed to worry about.

She spent a lot of time discussing diet, things I can eat, how often, things I might avoid to begin with at least.  I don't think anyone expects me to pop back up soon after surgery, and the recovery will go on for a while longer.  I'll get through it.  Just driving downtown this morning and two trips to Costco (the pharmacy didn't have my meds the first trip) should have me pretty wilted, and I am tired but I will make it.

I'm back on the daily low dose aspirin, so it won't be long until I look like a battered woman.  It's been so nice looking at my arms and hands clear of bruises.

I sympathize with commenter Nancy1340, and am glad her aunt recovered from the effects of the flu shot.  I worry about getting the shot, but feel I have no choice in my run down condition, as well as the fact that I'm around my little grandchildren quite a lot.  They bring things home from school and of course they pass it on.  I could not deal with the flu right now - so I'm between the proverbial rock and a hard place!

After a run on beautiful sunny weather I believe we are in for a few days of rain, which we need desperately.  I hope the mountains get plenty of snow pack, as that ultimately becomes our water source.  Folsom Lake reservoir is so low that the old gold rush town of Mormon Island has been uncovered.  (I just checked the weather widget on my computer and it looks like they've cut the expected rain days down to just one.  Not good.