Lake Oswego is having great Autumn weather. Crisp and cold at night, sunny and 70 during the day. I've been going out and about more before the rains begin.
What is a QR code?
It was initially designed in 1994 by a Japanese company to track parts as they moved through the automobile assembly process. QR codes (or Quick Response codes) are two-dimensional codes that you can scan with a smartphone. The code contains information, usually a site address, and once you scan it, the code connects you with a resource on the web.
The QR code might have just remained a workhorse for product cataloguing if it had not been for another invention: mobile devices with cameras. As people soon became inseparable from their smartphones, everyone always had a QR code scanner at their fingertips wherever they went.
That said, its rise to mainstream adoption wasn’t easy. As recent as the 2010s, you needed to download a variety of apps to scan various codes. Very frustrating and not exactly what we’d call good user experience.
But as it turns out, QR codes were just ahead of their time. It took awhile for smartphones to catch up, but these days, you no longer need a separate app to scan QR codes. For instance, iPhones with iOS 11 (launched in 2017) or later can read QR codes using just the standard camera app.
Nowadays, QR codes are used for a myriad of purposes, such as:
The first time I used a QR code was in the late 90’s at a historic State Park and I had to download a special QR reader. Now? My iPhone is a reader! When my sister was in town, we went to a restaurant where you have to order via QR and we paid that way also.
In the future (and some trendsetters are already doing some of these) you might be able to scan a house For Sale Sign and get all the details. Packaged goods might have a QR that shows you recipes using that item, name tags at conventions (no more running out of business cards), to get more signatures for a petition (change.org) is already doing this)
Saturday, September 28 was my 40th wedding anniversary. I am celebrating tonight with Prosecco and his favorite dessert ... vanilla ice cream with 40 gallons of chocolate sauce (no whipped cream to keep it low cal)!
Aging doesn’t always feel good. But it seems to bring wisdom and balance. People are living longer as societies are getting grayer.
There really are some great things about aging. I’m enjoying being 72 and 1/2 (except for a few recent and weird health issues) (My mouth is about 90% better since August).
My favorite part of aging? No alarm clock. I’m no longer a morning person so I plan my life after 11:00 am. Well, one day a week I get up at 7:00 am to take the boys to school. Mom takes them two days and Dad takes them two days so I volunteered for Fridays. They have this down to a science and after a nice breakfast we are out the door at 7:45. Luckily I take Mr. 13 to the elementary school where Mr. 10 goes as he prefers to catch that bus to middle school because it arrives 10-15 minutes early so he can socialize. I do set a Friday alarm.
Being retired allows me to be grateful for even the small things in life. No more rushing around to fight the traffic to get to work. I always leave early for appointments so if there is road work I don’t panic. I enjoy the scenery along the way … even the Oregon rain. (Especially thankful for GPS in case my sightseeing causes me miss a turn, she simply reroutes me)(In a kind voice). I have a handicap placard that often reserves a spot for me, if needed. (Two artificial knees)
My social friendships are more purposeful. I no longer entertain and especially not more than 8 at a time. Maybe this winter I will use our Clubhouse and kitchen and entertain a bit more. One room is like a large living room with a gas fireplace and a buffet shelf for plugging in crockpots for soup and salad night. Or sparkling wine and desserts. Although now it will probably need to be daytime events since most of us no longer drive at night.
The WLLO Village is a perfect way to select a few friends and acquaintances to visit in person. I’m still working my way out of being a Covid introvert. I do quite a bit of volunteering with them as long as I’m not the person in charge. It’s all volunteers and it’s hard to make them follow- up on their commitments. We’ve had two hosts “forget” they signed up for a Zoom event so I’m thinking I will now need to remind them a day or two before. IF they didn’t mark their calendar, I have them find their own replacement.
Grandsons. Best thing about aging! I’m on Facebook and I love when each day they show something I posted 5 or more years ago. My 14 year old as a 2 year old playing golf with an upside down pink flowered cane on my patio. The 10 year old being 18 months, playing in a bubble bath cheering “bubbles” over and over. I’m so lucky to be able to have us all live together.
And don’t forget Senior Discounts! Even though the age requirement is much higher than when my parents were retired, it’s still a thrill to me to get 10% off groceries or something free when I order a fast food burger or salad.
In fact, there are several Ted Talks and articles about older people being happier. Here’s an 11 minute version by psychologist Laura Carstensen:
https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_carstensen_older_people_are_happier?subtitle=en
I had my second root canal, tooth 13, fixed last Tuesday. On Friday I got a toothache. After hours on a holiday weekend. Hmmm, can I keep it at bay til AFTER Labor Day. No. By Saturday my cheek was swollen and Aleve/Tylenol wasn’t keeping the pain in check. My wonderful dentist came in at 11am to take a look. He decided it was an infection at tooth 13. He prescribed 14 days of Amoxocillin and Norco, a pain reliever.
(The spot above my left eyebrow was from dermatologist)Lake Oswego is having great Autumn weather. Crisp and cold at night, sunny and 70 during the day. I've been going out and about more b...
