This short, fully produced audio essay – with music and sound effects – is a rumination on growing old, with a nod to the effects of Alzheimer's. It's funny, a little wry, and ultimately hopeful. Can be trimmed for length.
More from Rosemary Langford
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This fully-produced 2:40 personal essay wonders if a woman's place really IS in the kitchen. If not, what then? It might be sub-titled, "How to leave the kitchen with your ...
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Related Pieces
Transcript
There's a nursing home near us with a sign in the drive that reads, "Dead End. No Turnaround." [rimshot] No kidding. I'd be curious to meet the person who posted that sign. A friend told me recently that as a child she was afraid of old people. Who isn't?! Even old people are afraid. Especially old people.
I think a lot about getting old. Something about the "dead end" aspect of aging disagrees with me. Not the dying, so much as the inevitable journey toward the exit, of which there's only one. No turnaround.
Turns out it's a myth, I guess, but I've always thought the Eskimos had the right idea, one day sailing out to sea on a chunky ice floe, bumping up against other!floesi keeping a big eye out for polar bears on the shore. I picture a sunny day, the elderly explorer sitting upright, legs straight out, wearing a furry hood and sealskin shoes. The horizon is Oh, so biue - full of pro...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Today (December 19) is the anniversary of the death of Aloysius "Alois" Alzheimer in 1915. Alzheimer is credited with identifying the first published case of "presenile dementia," which according to the Alzheimer's Association now affects 5 million Americans. Pacific Northwest writer Rosemary Langford, who has a family history of Alzheimer's, thinks a lot about aging and identity. She wonders, "Who are we?" and "Where are we going?"
OR
Today (September 21) is World Alzheimer's Day. Alzheimer's now affects 5 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association. And with a family history of Alzheimer's, Pacific Northwest writer Rosemary Langford thinks a lot about aging and identity. She wonders, "Who are we?" and "Where are we going?"
OUTRO:Last line of the piece is: "I know FOR SURE I'm Rosemary Langford." Announcer's outro could be: "I know that I am [announcer name], and this is [station]." Music tails out at end to accommodate announcer outro.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crowd in the Palace | Dan-O at danosongs.com | 00:00 | |||
| Wait for the Dawn | Dan-O at danosongs.com | 00:00 |
