When I signed up for “An Introduction to Creative Writing”, I felt certain returning to college would be healthy for my aging brain. What I discovered was it could also be healthy for my aging brain and body.
Off and on now for many years I’ve tried to sit down and write. We all have a lifetime filled with stories, often returning unexpectedly, begging to be told. So, when my good friend, Dr. Kathleen Hudson, posted on Facebook she would be teaching a class in creative writing in the spring at Schreiner University, I saw it as a chance to gain skills and finally put some of my stories into written words.
On returning to Kerrville in February, I stopped at the Schreiner registration office. I had already paid a $20 registration fee, they were holding my spot in the class. I gladly paid the Senior rate: $150. Student rate: $750 (3 credit hr course). For a senior mostly living off Social Security, that’s a major perk!
As we were finishing up, I asked if they could tell me my Student ID so I could sign into their WiFi. They said sure, but if I had time I could also stop at Campus Security, they would print my photo id. I asked if it gave me a break on meals. They said, “sure, it’s good for anything available to students”. Could I use the fitness center? “Of course”.
As I write this, I’ve been using the fitness center for 4 weeks, today I begin class. I average about 2 hours at the Mountaineers Fitness Center 6 days/wk. Better than the high priced NYC fitness centers I once belonged to, the fitness center has proven to be a huge free perk for senior fitness.
I live in a little cabin, 6 miles away from campus and just a 12 minute drive. My typical week has been going like this:
- Coffee and breakfast at my cabin. It varies, but typically it includes an egg, avocado, cultured cottage cheese, walnuts and blueberries, all organic.
- Weekdays the center opens at 8:00, I’ll arrive by 8:30.
Weekends at noon. Working on senior fitness for the body. - M-W-F are designated strength exercise days. I alternate mostly upper body, then lower next visit. Takes a 76 year old a tad longer to recover than the average Schreiner student.
- Tu-Th-S are yoga and medicine ball days. The “S” can be either Saturday or Sunday, mood dictates.
- All 6 of the workout days I do 20 minutes of warmups on the recumbent bike to start, followed by some stretching and 20+ minutes on the treadmill at the end.
- M-Tu-Th-F afternoons, Creative Writing, senior fitness for the mind.
Fellow seniors, those interested in total senior fitness, consider becoming a fellow senior student. Use all the facilities available, your aging brain and body will love you for it!
