Page 46 - 2019junejuly

Reflections

D id you know reading books may lengthen your life? by Katie Butler Johnson

I just stumbled across a recent Yale University study of the
reading habits of 3,635 seniors which determined those of us
who read books, especially novels, appear to outlive our non-book- The Dallas Museum of Art sponsors a series called “Arts and Letters
reading peers by as much as 23 months! Live” which brings in well-known authors for ticketed events. A
while back I heard Salman Rushdie speak at one such event. He
The study never deduced that reading books CAUSES longer lives, was under a fatwah. There were police
but, that, perhaps because it keeps the guarding the cordoned off perimeter of
brain active and helps one develop the Museum as well as two burly body
emotional connections to others, guards on the stage and some in the
reading books leads to longer life. back of the room to protect Rushdie.
Here’s what I find most intriguing: All that added a touch of danger to an
3.5 hours of book reading, essentially already exciting evening.
a sedentary activity and sedentary Just days ago, I attended an Arts and
activities usually aren’t associated Letters Live program co-sponsored by
with longevity, was found to be as the World Affairs Council of Dallas /
beneficial to long life as 3.5 hours of Fort Worth held at Temple Emanu-
EXERCISING! El. It featured David Brooks, the NY
I dare say many of you out there would Times journalist, and his book - “The
rather be cozy on the couch with a Second Mountain.” Brooks’ book is
novel in hand than dripping with sweat inspirational. It’s waiting for me on my
on a treadmill - especially if the benefits were a swap! bedside table right now.
Along with getting to meet diverse characters and experiencing the I could go on and on about books, but, I’m running out my allotted
thrill of traveling through time and space on an author’s words and column space. So, I’ll end by saying: When you’re at Celebration’s
with our imagination, it can now be said that books not only bring life “Love, Laugh and Learn” this July, come say hello and bring along
to our days but also add days to our life! some titles to share. I’m always on the hunt for my next great read.
Do you remember the first book that mesmerized you? Mine was
James Mitchener’s “The Source.” I envision Mitchener in his
Doylestown study in the 1960’s. I can almost hear the rhythm as he
pounds the keys of his manual typewriter while documenting the epic
story his characters are dictating.
Then there was “Clan of the Cave Bear.” Did you ever read that
series? I discovered it in the 80’s. I’d tuck the latest volume into my
carryall so I could sneak in reads whenever time allowed.
I never thought much about what life must have been like before Navigate the Maze of Senior
recorded time. I’m glad Jean Auel did. She introduced me to her
vision of it as she spun her tale about Ayla and possibilities in the age Housing with my FREE SERVICE.
of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons.
If you’re a “bookie” like me, you have both a stack of books you’re
eager to devour plus a stack you’ve read and just have to share with Independent Living, Assisted
others. Living, Memory Care &
There are many venues in Dallas for great book reviews. If you are Residential Care Homes in
new to our area, you may not have discovered the following two. Dallas/Fort Worth.
The programs at Highland Park United Methodist Church are free and
open to the public. All you need to do is ask to be put on their email
list to get notice of the lectures. Contact Richard Stanford: stanfordr@
hpumc.org. Call Lori Williams at
The HPUMC 2019 Rejebian Summer Series starts in June and will
feature our beloved Rose-Mary Rumbley on July 31st. Don’t miss 214.783.1222 to
Rose-Mary! She’ll review “The Library Book.” (If you haven’t read find the right home for
it yet, it’s well worth the read. it’s a fascinating history of the origin you or your loved one.
of libraries and their far-reaching programs plus a well-researched
account of the disastrous 1987 LA library fire.) loriwilliams-seniorservices.com

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