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Poll

Do you support the proposed Master Plan for Pensacola Beach

Yes, I'm all for it

Yes, but it needs some tweaking

No, it's too expensive

No, leave the beach alone.

View results

Senior Scene

Arriving after the Gulf Breeze Seniors meeting at the Recreation Center had already started, I circled the back of the room to deposit my magazines and paperbacks on the place we reserve for them. I saw two other women immediately rise and head for the table. I knew they were headed for the fashion magazines I always bring after I finish reading them. Whether it's Harper's Bazaar, Vogue or Glamour, 'we girls' love them all.

Many years ago when I was a design major at the Philadelphia College of Art, I had been chosen to spend a summer in New York. Those magazines were a most important source of fashion wisdom to someone from 'out of town." Coming from a background of Pennsylvania Dutch 'plain' folk who did not stress appearance except for cleanliness (and of course Godliness came first) fashion was a strange hope for a career. Nevertheless, it was my dream.

I soon became aware that the actual makers of the garments lived a life that was a far cry from that of the person who conceived of the designs. In the designers' workshops, rows of seamstresses spent their days making someone else's dream a reality. I also had the opportunity to see how much work goes on behind the big glamourous fashion shows.

Just take a peek behind the scene on the runway: lots and lots of actual labor. Just seeing the show on the runway was amazing. I guess that is what growing up is all about: we all have to learn that there's no fun without somebody's work.

Still, women young and old love those "what to wear" tomes, even if a day out at the senior club is as dressy as it gets.

I know we all have heard this ad in finitum, but it is worth repeating. There are several things YOU can do to control high blood pressure. Those that involve diet, weight maintenance, exercise, and stress reduction, are under your control. Avoidance of excessive salt intake, smoking, alcohol and caffeine as well as obesity all play a part in achieving the right numbers. Your doctor will also be able to give you medicine that can help, but you should be in charge of the basics. According the National Institutes of Health, about 30 percent of all Americans over 17 years of age have high blood pressure. And half of that number do not know they have it.

High blood pressure often leads to heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure. Consequently, it should be checked regularly. Remember these magic numbers: 139 or less over 89 or less.

There, wasn't that easy?

If you have always had a desire to attend the Pensacola Opera, but have been reluctant fearing that a lack of knowledge might interfere with your enjoyment, you still have some high-tech options to help you.

If you missed the two free programs in March to familiarize you with this month's opera, you can visit the Pensacola Opera's web site at Pensacolaopera.com to learn about "Lucia De Lammermoor," a setting of Sir Walter Scott's famous romance novel by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. And even though it will be sung in the original Italian, there will be projected supertitles above the stage so you won't miss a thing.

Be prepared for the thrilling high notes that will leave you breathless as you experience Sir Walter Scott's novel at its steamy best.

Worth pondering The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -Anonymous

See you next week.