Camp Codger

Ills and pills. Sometimes it seems like it’s the number one topic of discussion at the table when a gaggle of senior citizens gathers for dinner or coffee. And it’s natural. Our aging bodies are beginning to fail us in our golden years and retirement gives us time to ponder our increasing infirmities. A game that one of the old codgers likes to play is to quietly track how long it takes during a gathering of his aging cohort before the first mention of the aches and pains of growing older. Quite often, it’s the first conversation after the usual greetings.

In this episode, Richard and Randy share their recent experiences in local hospital emergency rooms. These surprise events managed to derail a scheduled Camp Codger recording session a few weeks back. Fortunately, all is well with the guys, and we managed to pull together a replacement episode with a bit of fancy footwork. It also gave us the impetus to record our first episode on the medical issues of older people.

Listen as the old codgers regale us with the trials and tribulations of visiting the ER. They wax eloquent about the exceptional medical care they received during their unexpected journeys into the healthcare system. Richard and Randy close the episode with the thought that they need to do a better job listening to their bodies. Equally important, they need to listen to the counsel of family and friends when something doesn’t seem right.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about ills and pills or something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

The "best bands of the 60s" is often a popular topic of discussion when old codgers get together. In this Camp Codger episode, we take a trip down memory lane to reminisce about our favorite bands and musical artists. We touch on the obvious great bands like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones, but we also take side trips during our musical journey and recall other, lesser-known favorite artists. Richard reminded us of the prolific Leon Russell while Gary brought back one of his favorite bands, Blood, Sweat & Tears. Randy was spot-on when he added The Kinks to our list of great bands. It's impossible to decide which of the best bands of the 60s is really the "best". We love them all and relish the thought that we grew up during an incredible era of influential music.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Whether you celebrate the season with utter abandon or just hunker down and try to survive Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, a holiday survival guide might be in order. As you might expect, the old codgers have a range of opinions on how to handle the holiday season. In this episode, we explore the challenges of Christmas tree lights that don't work and buying the perfect gift. We also look at the pleasures of big dinners with family and friends as well as starting an ugly Christmas sweater tradition. Our holiday survival guide provides a few tips on making it through another holiday season.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Are retirement communities on the horizon for the old codgers? As they look forward to another winter of shoveling snow, the guys wonder when they are ready to consider the big move. They discuss whether the advantages of warm weather and endless leisure activities are right for them if they head to the Sun Belt. Retirement communities affiliated with universities are attractive alternatives for lifelong learners. And then there is the looming elephant in the room—the challenge of downsizing into a smaller space. Spoiler alert! The old codgers are still pondering this major life decision.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Birthday celebrations for seniors are top of mind for the old codgers this week. They discuss how they like to celebrate their birthdays (Gary quietly celebrated his 74th last week), their best birthdays, and whether they like birthday parties. Gift ideas for seniors are on the agenda as well as the sad decline in sending real paper birthday cards, not digital "cards". When it comes to birthday celebrations for seniors, the guys do represent diverse views ranging from "Meh, don't bother me" to "Yea, another birthday party!" They all agree that when it comes to the big numbers—70, 75, 80—a serious celebration is in order. In the final analysis, they all agree that recognizing that they made it another year is worth a modest celebration.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

In this episode, the old codgers offer a few travel tips for seniors they learned during their recent adventures on the road, in the air, and while in Europe. While the news reports about the challenges of air travel can seem overwhelming at times, we suggest a few travel tips that can make it a bit easier on the body and soul. Travel in our golden years can be exciting, frequently fun, and almost always memorable. Folks who follow our travel tips for seniors may find their trips less hectic and more relaxing by not trying to cram too much into their sojourns.

As a special treat in this episode, Randy delivers a little ditty he composed to help senior citizens remember what to take with them when they head out to run errands. Randy titled it An Old Codger Leaves the House. Be forewarned, after listening to Randy sing his masterpiece, the lyrics have the potential to become a first-class earworm. On a positive note, you will never leave your glasses, wallet, keys, or phone behind again.

Glasses, wallet, keys, and phone. Keys and phone.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Retro toys 2 continues our discussion of memorable toys from our childhood. In this episode, the toys we discuss range from our first bikes to the always-popular Mr. Potato Head. We didn't forget about yo-yos, coin collections, the basic red wagon, and the real antique toy, a View Master. Who needs YouTube when you have a large collection of reels? Speaking of YouTube, check out this video of a serious View Master aficionado. Join us for retro toys 2 as we wrap up our trip down memory lane.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Cars were a defining element of the old codgers' lives as children, young adults with their first cars, and even as they grew older. Randy and Gary along with guest host John Foster reminisce about the vehicles they grew up with and their favorites. Surprisingly, all the guys shared a passion for Volkswagens of all vintages ranging from Gary's 1960 VW Microbus to John's 2004 VW Phaeton. As discussed in this episode, Randy and John retain their love for cars (Gary, not so much). Randy is looking forward to the car of his dreams, the VW ID Buzz which blends the nostalgia of his 1966 VW Microbus with the practicality of an electric vehicle.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Randy and Gary discuss whether keeping score in retirement makes sense. We both spent long careers measuring ourselves against our peers and cultural norms. Competing was implicit in our work environments. Promotions, winning new business, or just being recognized for our capabilities were important metrics. Even our recreational activities like golfing, running, and bicycling often included keeping score.

In retirement, we can travel, golf, hike, bike, or take up painting. While meant to be relaxing and enjoyable, these activities could present opportunities to measure ourselves and compare our results to others. The reality is that, with the exception of a few professional athletes, age impacts our ability to perform competitively. Should we even bother keeping score in retirement?

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

Retro toys capture the imagination of the old guys in this episode. From Schwinn bikes, Radio Flyer wagons, and Frisbees to Play-Doh and chemistry sets, these lucky old codgers seem to have owned all the classic toys from the 1950s and 1960s. Richard recalls his delight at collecting rocks (yes, rocks...), stamps, and coins while Randy waxes nostalgic about the fantastic bounce of Superballs. Gary's Red Ryder BB gun was an exciting (and considered dangerous by mothers) and popular toy for boys. Join us as we take another trip down memory lane to discuss retro toys.

Would you like to hear when the old codgers are rambling on about something else? Subscribe to our weekly Camp Codger newsletter to receive an email notification each time we publish a new episode. You can also subscribe and listen on your preferred podcast app. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please click the Share button below and Like Camp Codger on our Facebook Page. Finally, have some feedback for the old codgers? Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].