One for older folk

It is a tragedy how often people buy into the myth that our cognitive abilities inevitably diminish once we are in middle age.

If you are of over a ‘certain age you might enjoy this encouraging list from Psychology Today.

• Leo Tolstoy learned to ride a bicycle at 67.
• Queen Victoria began learning Hindustani at 68.
• Giuseppe Verdi was still composing operas in his 80’s.
• Somerset Maugham wrote his last book at 84.
• Frank Lloyd Wright designed his last building at 89.
• In their 90’s, Robert Frost was writing poems and George Bernard Shaw was writing plays. Georgia O’Keefe was painting pictures, and Pablo Casals was playing cello.
• Oliver Wendell Holmes was still dominating the Supreme Court until he retired at 91.
• Linus Pauling (chemist) was actively publishing just before his death at 93.

Leopold Stokowski (conductor) recorded 20 albums in his 90’s and signed a six-year contract at 96.