Exactly two years ago, I wrote the first entry of the
70-something blog. Since then, I have posted 211 entries, and there have been
12,594 visits.  (I’m sure Huffington Post
gets more than that in one day, but who cares?)  I have written twice a week, every week. I
plan to keep it up until I start the 80-something blog.  I hope I can, and I hope you will stick with
me. Here’s what my first entry said.

“You are invited to join me on a journey into my
seventies. Thirty-seven days from now I will celebrate the beginning of my next
decade. Ten years ago, I kept a journal of my 59^th year in
preparation for turning sixty. Sixty sounded very old then. I had no idea that
in my sixties, I would travel to Cuba, I would bicycle in New Zealand, France,
Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Ireland and more, that a child of mine
would publish a book and another give us two grandsons. I didn’t know I would
study beginning Spanish or still be working at a job I love after 27 years. I
certainly didn’t expect to replace a knee. I didn’t know that I would have to
give up gluten for the rest of my life.

So what will the 70’s bring? Sure, some sad
things—a given as we age—but I will try to embrace change and appreciate each
day. A big order, but I’ll do my best.

Over the years, I’ve published a lot of “personal”
essays and even more travel articles as an extracurricular activity. But this
is my chance to write what is important to me. I’ll let you know my triumphs
and my low-points.

I’ll probably write about my parents and being a
parent. I’ll write about the role exercise plays in my life and should play in
yours. I’ll share my thoughts about ageing in the workplace. I’ll report on my
efforts to catalogue my wrinkles.  And more.

Please stay tuned”