Sunday, May 22, 2022

RONNI BENNETT'S LEGACY -- AGING FUTURE TALK

Having expressed I may occasionally share here excerpts with links to pertinent writings from "Time Goes By" (TGB) blog of deceased Ronni Bennett (RB), I feel compelled to share some related thoughts I've had.  

If you wonder why I plan to sometimes reference TGB, this is why.  I think the content in some of Ronni Bennett's writings coupled with the comments on those topics are pertinent today and for the future.  I also want to make others aware TGB remains accessible on the internet even though new blog posts there are no longer being added and comments are closed.  Ronni had responded to her followers wish TGB remain available on the internet after she learned she would soon die.  She arranged for TGB to remain active with a friend becoming the new blogger, but unfortunately, the blog became inactive for unknown reasons as some of you know and I've previously mentioned  -- in case you think I'm repeating because I'm old and forgetful. 

Occasionally, I will reintroduce RB's writing on topics just as I did in my previous blog post about women controlling their body's health by adding TGB blog excerpts with links.   Please note I said, occasionally, which may be infrequently, subject to my recollections or research of some of what Ronni wrote.  On a light note, here's 

John Lennon singing "Grow Old With Me" (Version 2003)

"New version of the unfinished song" reported to be John's last recording.  Arrangement and backing vocals were added to the demo of John (July 1980) in 2003."

         

Before Ronni was "old", in her early years, prior to TGB, you might be interested in this link to her 2005 post with a photo from her 1970 radio days with her husband then, Alex, also John and Yoko.

Ronni's concisely worded writing is a talent in evidence on TGB.  She had name recognition and credits aiding her in developing new timely information sources forged over the years from her TV appearances, radio interviews, writing for major print media.  RB had the ear of some tech people to whom she advocated for functional digital device design features to best enable older people using computers.  She encouraged and promoted older people becoming computer literate from the early digital days.

She had influential professional and personal contacts with many who respected her, to name just a few means that informed her and promoted what she said and wrote.  Quite possibly some of those many references and sources would have been provided to the friend she expected to continue her blog, but that's not known, and I don't have access to any of that information.

Some of what RB wrote stimulates thoughts of expansion on certain subjects, updating information, adding new ideas and more.  These are all writing possibilities in exploring what it's like to get old, exposing ageism, examining issues impacting our aging population like preserving Social Security for future generations, insuring health care at reasonable cost or discussing universal health care as Ronni strongly promoted.  She championed women's rights noting imposed political challenges that have become more pronounced today.  She urged one and all to actively engage in our political process, by knowing our candidates, voting to preserve this democratic republic, rejecting those who might give us a theocratic autocracy.  

TGB topics are ongoing, surfacing periodically with some warranting attention to what our government is or isn't doing.  Resurrected TGB excerpts will enrich the conversation which RB would likely welcome, I think.  She often wrote, "Talk among yourselves." encouraging more dialogue when she wasn't able to participate.  New generations thoughts would certainly be welcomed since if they live long enough, everybody gets old.  We seem to have evolved into an even more troubling world from when she departed only some 18 months or so ago.

I think RB would welcome having links on blogs and references to her TGB writings elsewhere.  She demanded civility in comments so would likely want that to continue on any writings that included her words.   I interpret that civility to be maintaining a level of respectfulness with the intent of fostering tolerance of differences in a pleasant communication environment.  

RB was a strong advocate for free speech but had some common sense expectations for reasonable behavior.  Snarkiness was rejected on TGB, as those commenters could quickly be banned from her blog if they disregarded her warnings.  Criticizing someone with whom there is disagreement in a way to hurt their feelings or to be rudely disrespectful was not acceptable.  Satire, RB appreciated.  She did express her views on some political and social issues to which a few of her readers objected, threatening to abandon TGB.

Truth was RB's requirement for her TGB writings, so she included links documenting the verifiable facts, following the best ethical and journalistic standards.  Opinions were clearly differentiated as such and she disapproved of so-called news sources who violated that basic standard. 

(Click on American Press Institute's description of the ethics and journalistic standards which mentions bloggers.  Note: RB never referred to that site or any source on these matters of which I know.  I've added this link as just one on the subject to which readers here can refer if interested.) 

TGB was created to talk about aging as it really is, but eventually included the final stage of death in a way neither she nor any of her blog followers expected.  Life must have become quite a challenge for her when she suddenly had to cope with the knowledge her days were numbered.  Her own death was coming much sooner than she might have anticipated though she selected the option of choosing precisely when her life would end.   Legal, safe and possible medical benefits of cannabis for pain, anxiety, sleep, other self-medications or experiences to address fear of death, as well as Right to Die issues were all topics for further exploration and discussion. 

RB wanted to write the truth about aging years.  She stressed what she wrote was her experience, that we all age differently but may have some commonalities.  In her youthful fifties she said so much of what she saw in the media -- broadcasting, print, and then internet, characterized older people's years as doom and gloom, filled with disease, debility, and decline.  She noted some, but not all, may unpredictably have varying degrees of those experiences.  She wondered what becoming old would really be like for herself, or if those days and years might have more desirable aspects.  Surely not all was negative.  

Her alter ego, Crabby Old Lady, took over TGB on occasion grousing, griping, and grumping-about to complain about one thing or another.  After all, isn't that one of the stereotypical descriptions attributed to old people?  Guess what!  Old people aren't any more one dimensional than any other age group.  On TGB it was okay to feel angry, disgusted, discouraged for a little while, but just don't get stuck in that mode.  

A good dose of humor was frequently injected into TGB as were regular musical offerings from all genres magically conjured by Australia's Peter Tibbles with Assistant Musicologist Norma.   

TGB's aging bloggers over the years reveal much happiness and contentment as most adjust and adapt to whatever their circumstances.  More focus has occurred in recent decades on the significance of leading a healthy life for longevity which has been increasing.  A recent setback shortening U.S. lifespan due to the Corona virus plus greater recognition of detrimental environmental concerns impact us as we age.  Existing and new topics needing our perspective are ever-changing and never-ending.

For any who do not know of Ronni Bennett's professional background, many of her years were spent in several major cities, before working in various broadcast venues in New York City radio and network television, beginning before cable TV and the internet came into prominence.  In addition to being the first editor of cbsnews.com when the network finally decided the internet was here to stay, she had occasion to travel around the world meeting many national figures, celebrities, and others when she became producer on several television programs including with Barbara Walters, Dick Cavett, Whoopi Goldberg to name a few of her credits.

"Time Goes By" is a significant part of whatever may be Ronni Bennett's legacy.   No individual can ever be fully replaced by another so won't occur for Ronni either.   No new blog would be a replica of "Time Goes By."  

Meanwhile, we can extract from TGB ideas and thoughts resonating today that are especially meaningful to all who read here.

What are your thoughts about this and any current topics that are of interest to you now, even into the future for our aging population? 



27 comments:

  1. My only comment is that I think ageism had something to do with her being unable to continue her career. She felt that they wanted younger and different energy in the production venue. I have no idea if that was true, but it certainly happens in many industries and she was devastated that she had to retire.

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    1. Yes, that was true she came face to face with ageism when she experienced it herself. That is what prompted her to address the issue which occurs much too often in many settings. My husband encountered it after he turned 40, learned of a group 40 Plus which was mostly white collar jobs for men which exists still today. All the more reason efforts have been all these years and still are needed to neutralize that discrimination.

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  2. I miss Ronni too and can only think the person who was to continue the blog was intimidated by trying to follow Ronni. However you are stepping up and doing a fine job carrying the torch. Keep it going.

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    1. So many of the issues she addressed are still prominent today and the more who point them out as encountered in everyday life which she did and encouraged others to do the same, the more likely they'll lessen.

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  3. I followed TGB for years from Vancouver Canada where I live. I am a seniors housing consultant and author. My third book is called (at the moment) Here to Help: The Book Club Guide to Aging. The last chapter in the book is called Conversations with Ronni Bennett. One of her Crabby Old Lady posts electrified me and I contacted Ronni to ask her if I could include it in the book. After reading the Introduction to the book she agreed, adding that most of the books she had read on aging were "useless" (her word). That led to a number of conversations, several of which are in the book. It is now in the final
    editing stages and I hope will be published within six months or so. In the meantime if you want to contact me directly please feel free to so at mancer@luminaservices.com. I miss her.

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    1. Thanks for the information. I recall a post Ronni wrote discounting so many books on aging, so if she agreed to be published in your book she must have been impressed. I'll be interested in learning more about when it's published. The conversations you had with her will be interesting, I'm sure.

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  4. Once I clicked on the link to the post from 2005, I spent about an hour going from link to link on Ronni's blog, learning about her life. Today I took a long walk with a friend who is 75 years old and whose husband is close to her in age. We talked about the things you write about on your blog and that Ronni wrote about on her blog, mostly about how we are going to be able to afford to live in a place that is fast becoming one of the more expensive places to live in the United States. I am low income. She and her husband have a modest income.

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    1. Following TGB posts from link to link is what can happen I've found, too. Much to consider for all that is occurring in our world and we do have to devote some time specifically to ourselves. Consideration we have adequate financial support is definitely a major issue since the day of seeking a part time job for a little extra income is likely in the past and no longer an option for many/most/all at a certain age, assuming one would be hired in the first place. All the more reason to become reacquainted with what our Congress is doing or not doing to ensure Social Security remains viable.

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  5. I followed her for years and still miss her wonderful posts and insights. I was so disappointed that her friend did not continue it. She was one of a kind

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    1. I agree, she offered a unique perspective, with a questioning mind whether some agreed with her or not which I appreciated, too.

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  6. Thanks for keeping Ronni’s legacy alive. She was one of a kind and I’m honored and lucky to have met her. Not just met her, but stayed with her a few times (saying she didn’t want me to leave – I think she meant it).
    I tried to contact Autumn (who was supposed to take over the column) several times but didn’t receive a single reply.
    Anyway, keep up your good work.

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    1. Thanks, Peter. Miss your special Sunday programs, but people can access all that music from every genre imaginable you provided. As you know, there's a link at "MUSIC" on the TGB home page, or here's that link to 612 music blog posts there:
      https://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/elder-music/

      I made an effort to reach Autumn, too, several ways and finally in a direct email, but never received a response either. I even asked she offer some explanation and if she was unable to publish on TGB for some reason, to contact whatever blogger(s) she chose with some comment they could publish for her. No response.

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    2. It does make you wonder if there was anything nefarious going on. I hope not for Ronni's sake. I mean to not answer anyone even privately…sounds suspicious

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    3. Oh, I don't think anything nefarious, Mary. Autumn may have changed her mind for some reason. Or, there may have been technological changes beyond control after Ronni died that put a fly in the ointment of her plans. TGB has remained on the Internet as she arranged, the blog just isn't active as she had wanted and expected it would be. Maybe someday we'll learn what happened, or maybe we'll never know.

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    4. She meant it.

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  7. I truly miss Ronni and have to credit her along with some others with my founding of my SOS group (Support our Seniors) where I advocate for seniors on public media, etc. I had some correspondence with her over the years and she did a huge job, a full time job, on TGB. One thing I didn't like, were her segments with her ex. I found him very unsympathetic. But that's just my opinion. She was so helpful and so very brutally honest. A huge loss.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. I'm glad to learn Ronni was so helpful to you. She was definitely dedicated to promoting seniors lives. We could certainly use her honesty today.

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  8. "This morning finds me with an overwhelming anxiety. I have been up for hours, and have reached for my phone three times to call one of the only people I know who could understand, empathize, and validate the terror I am feeling about the state of the world and more so, the state of our country." I know the feeling. The state of the UK is just as worrying, and anxiety seems like a very normal reaction.

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    1. Anxiety certainly is a feeling the state of our world elicits that many of us feel. Perhaps with our blogs we have a cadre of people in countries other than our own who can "... understand, empathize, and validate the terror I am feeling". Still, we must keep living our lives, realizing our limitations to alter the situation. By the same token, we assess what we can do in our little corner of the planet and doing what we can when we can, such as voting.

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  9. Ramana Rajgopaul5/28/2022 6:20 AM

    This is a trial post to see if it gets published.

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    1. FWIW I didn't moderate comments until 12 noon U.S. PDT just now.

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  10. Ramana Rajgopaul5/29/2022 3:32 AM

    I am the only one among my siblings and cousins and almost all my friends, who lives with his offspring. Most others either live alone or, have moved to Homes for Seniors. Most have adjusted to the empty nest syndrome and the reality of today's life. Some have psychological problems and are deteriorating before my eyes. I think that the ageing problems are universal now.

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    1. Aging issues due seem to be universal now as cultures change in many where fewer older people live with family as once was the practice.

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  11. You are doing exactly what Ronni had wanted and hoped for--her work and readers' conversations to remain and continue for the benefit of all. Since the person who agreed to do it did not, thank you for honoring Ronni in this way. Perhaps one day you will leave this with yet another to carry it on.

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    1. Thank you. I, too, hope others, even now, will refer to Ronni's words, quote her in what they may write, or find stimulation for blogging topics. I would certainly hope that when I ultimately stop blogging there will be at least one, ideally many others, who will continue to carry on writing about topics Ronni introduced, expanding on them, adding new ones emerging in our future.

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  12. Thank you for this. I followed Ronni for years and contributed a few guest posts over that time. In fact I came here from a comment on one of her posts. Like others, I have tried to contact her friend, if only to open up a single post where the conversation might continue. I can see how following in Ronni's footsteps would be difficult and keeping to her standard of writing intimidating. I've just started a new blog which I intend to be much more personal than the one I ran when Ronni was still with us (that was Panchromatica). Inevitably this will include ageing - I'm 75 so I can hardly ignore it - although probably not in the same intensely personal style as her. The new one is simply called Ian's Jottings and will is found at https://www.ian-bertram.me. Like you, I shall be referring to Time Goes By. I'm currently researching a post on health issues here in the UK, building on one of my posts there from 2012.

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    1. Pleased to hear from you, Ian, and appreciate your comments. I'm glad to read your new blog writings will to some degree reflect Ronni's legacy furthering the conversation about aging, including references to her writings. I think this is exactly what she hoped her blog would stimulate. I'll plan to bring your blog to the attention of others reading here in the future.

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