CROSSVILLE —
I now have what I officially call “menopause brain.” I can’t remember at times even the most trivial of things. Other times, I have absolutely no problem recalling names, stories, etc., as easily as a computer would. Unfortunately, the forgetting is more common than the remembering.
For example, the other day, I was trying to remember what a cantaloupe was called. I knew what it looked like; knew it was a fruit; knew it was orange and had kind of a scaly exterior, but for the life of me I couldn’t recall the name. Conversely, our minister asked how old Joseph was when his brothers sold him into slavery and I knew immediately the answer was seventeen. One would think I could easily remember a cantaloupe and struggle with the age of a biblical character when he was sold into slavery since one is talked about more often than the other. But not in this brain which often feels as if it belongs to someone else.
Our friends and we have decided that memory is the reason we have to travel in packs to Sunday lunch, ballgames, dinners or movies: it takes all of us to tell a story. Our conversations often go like this: “Oh you remember the guy that used to teach at so and so and he had the wife with the beautiful blonde hair” at which someone will jump in and yell the first name: “Jim!” After a few more “clues” and minutes of silence as we try to retrieve the second name someone will finally blurt out, rather proudly, the last name is “Smith.” Often by the time we play three rounds of “what is the person’s name” we have forgotten the reason we brought them up in the first place. Normally, by the time we have finished eating, watching the game, or whatever, we actually manage to finish one story. The next time we are together…it begins all over again.
When I talk about short and long term memory with my Roane State psychology students, I often show a clip from the animated film “Finding Nemo.” I like for my students to see this video piece because there is a character named Dorrie voiced by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres who has extreme, short term memory loss. I often feel exactly like Dorrie.
I walk into rooms and forget why I went into the room. I ask a question, not realizing I just asked it, or I ask the question and immediately forget the answer.
Another thing I noticed I do is make up new words or combine words or use the first letter of the correct word but the wrong word. Someone asked me the other day at church where Michael was. I tried to say “Michael is at the Titans game.” What actually erupted from my mouth was “Mitan.”
Also, for example, if I am trying to say the word “letter” I may say “long.” I use a word that starts with the right letter but makes no sense in the sentence.
Lastly, and probably the most frustrating of all in regards to my memory, is my absolute and utter lack of recall when it comes to people’s names. I am absolutely horrible. I have thousands of students each month in class at the various county schools. I can see one of them out and about in town and tell you what school they go to, what seat he/she sits in and what period I have them in class. But ask me their names? I couldn’t tell you if my life depended on it. As a remedy, I often make up little stories that will help me remember someone’s name but all too often…those stories make it worse. We once met a couple whose last name was Price. The husband looked like Drew Carey on the Game Show the “Price is Right.” So, I decided that will be easy to remember: I will associate their last name with the game show and I will recall it easily. The next time I saw them? I called them the Careys. Again, right show: wrong association.
Then there was the time I went to the store for bleach, apples and gas. Association? BAG. I came home with a new pocketbook…
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Someone will be “King of the Mountain” after this week’s clash between the Cumberland County High School Jets and the Stone Memorial Panthers. The two teams square off on Friday night on Panther Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
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CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children will benefit from a Demolition Derby at the Complex on Saturday night. The action starts at 6:30 p.m. There are three classes: 4 cylinder; Stock V8 and Modified. Cash prices will be awarded to first through third place in each category. For additional information, contact Scott at 931-261-3814, Robbye at 931-261-1311 or Judy at 931-267-6559. Admission is $10 and all proceeds will go to the work on behalf of abused and neglected children.
Lifestyles
Around the Town: Menopause brain affecting my memory
- Lifestyles
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Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Pleasant Hill Elementary honors volunteers
Mary Ann Kotus-Huff, principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School (PHS), recently welcomed volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea. It was held in the gaily decorated new all-purpose room of the new annex. Volunteers were treated to sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and cupcakes.
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Plateau Gardening: Transplanting tips
My landscape is perennial–based. There are vines, trees, shrubs as well as herbaceous (soft-stemmed) vegetation in assorted categories-ornamentals, herbs and food crops like rhubarb. Annuals in containers are used to add splashes of color. At this time of year, I usually have a few recently purchased plants waiting to be transplanted (see the accompanying photo).
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Fair Park offering help for senior dog owners
A dog is a senior's best friend. Family and friends are not around much, and everyone is so busy. After retirement the free time seems to be longer. Many seniors would be very lonely if it was not for their four-legged friends. Dogs are a big part of the family, so they need to learn to be obedient to make it easier on the relationship.
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The beginnings of Cumberland County Discovery Gardens
It was a great day in 2004 when Walt Hitch looked out his window and studied the three unused acres that accompanied his hundreds of acres of AgResearch lands.
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CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
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Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
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Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
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End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
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Seniors to visit Sutton General Store May 18
On May 10, the members of the 127 Senior Center had a good time socializing, playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by Arlene Simmons, with the prizes furnished by Bob Folger, with State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published May 15, 2013.
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