Having been around the block for a few decades, I can’t help seeing different trends and styles disappear, then circle back and become popular once again. Look at clothing. In recent years, several styles have found a second life: tie-dye shirts, mini-skirts, and bell bottoms — such as what Kendrick Lamar wore during his Super Bowl Halftime Show that created quite the excitement about something many of us wore during our younger days. (Although we didn’t pay $1,300!)
But not every clothing trend is from the past. I never considered wearing pajamas outside the house, flip-flops during winter, or skin-tight yoga pants in public. But I guess each generation has to stretch the boundaries in their own way.
And what about the language of our youth — those words that identified us as being “cool” or “hip” in the 1950s and ‘60s? Do they have a second life? Could we start a national tidal wave resurrecting a few linguistic antiques from the past? Just imagine hearing comments like “Hey, big daddy that cane is far out.” Or, “Man, there’s nothing cookin’ around here. Let’s split this retirement home and find some pad where we can crash.” Or, “Hey, baby, if I can find the car keys do you want to go see the submarine races?”
(I apologize for using the worn-out stereotypes. I couldn’t help myself!)
So what do you want to bring back to the world stage of slang? Grody? Fuddy–duddy? Or how about ginned-up (which means dressed–up for those who might have had a different idea.) We could bring coolness back to today’s generations and it could all start with us. And wouldn’t that be groovy?
•••
It is tax season and as a reminder, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing free tax return preparation services and counseling for any taxpayer in the Columbia Gorge who needs it. Tax-Aide volunteers are trained to help you file a variety of income tax forms and schedules, but there are some more complicated situations where they may be unable to help.
There are three options.
1. You can schedule an in-person appointment where the volunteer will complete your return on-site in one visit.
2. You can schedule an on-site Facilitated Self Assistance appointment where you prepare and e-file your tax return at a computer station using free Tax Slayer software from AARP and a Tax-Aide Counselor will be available to answer your questions.
3. You can prepare your tax return on your own using the free software provided through the Tax-Aide website.
There are no income restrictions for the in-person tax preparation, but there is a $84,000 AGI limit for the Facilitated Self Assistance or the free online option.
To learn more about how AARP Tax-Aide can help you, what documents to bring, and how to make an appointment, log on to gorgetaxaide.simplybook.me. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available by appointment through April 14th at the following locations:
Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood River campus, 1730 College Way, 1- 5 p.m. Mondays
Hood River Valley Adult Center, 2010 Sterling Place, 2-5 p.m. Thursdays
Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W. Ninth St., The Dalles, 3-6 p.m. Fridays only, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays
•••
Brain Tease. Do you remember the answer to this Brain Tease?
What word starts with “e” ends with “e” and only has one letter in it?
•••
The 1968 Presidential candidate who described some of his opponents as “briefcase-totin’ bureaucrats, ivory tower guideline writers, bearded anarchists and … pointy-headed professors” was the former Alabama Governor George Wallace. I received correct answers from Kathy Bullack, Donna Mollet, David Liberty, Doug Nelson, Maria Kollas, Lana Tepfer, Rebecca Abrams, Rhonda Spies, Tina Castanares, and Judy Kiser, this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. Last week I missed Nancy Higgins, Rebecca Abrams, and Kathy Hannen-Smith.
•••
Another clothing style that has become popular again is calf-length pants which today we call capris. But my sister called them something different when she wore them during her teens. For this week’s “Remember When” question, during the ‘50s and the early ‘60s what was the common name for these calf-length pants that were often associated with Audrey Hepburn? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a Blue and White Schwinn Fair Lady bicycle with stainless steel finders, front carrier, and a 2-tone saddle seat — all fit for a queen!
•••
Well, it’s been another week trying to remember to FOCUS! Until we meet again, as a friend told her doctor, “I’m not depressed, I’m just pissed!”
•••
“Beauty, after all, is just a point of view.”
— Twiggy
•••
Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services — Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior Services (509-427-3990).
Commented