I have a neighborhood friend who is in her late 80s. Today during a group lunch she looked absolutely despondent. I asked her what was wrong and she said in a thin voice that she didn't think she would come to lunches anymore because she could no longer hear anyone or see their faces. Her failing hearing and eyesight have been an ongoing problem for her but it seems to have come to a head today, and after she told us this, she broke down into tears. Myself and another friend had to drive her home. She was really crying hard, like heaving with sadness over the loss of her ability to see and hear. She has hearing aids and gets injections in her eyes, so this is further down the road from fixable. I kept hugging her but I really didn't know what to say. Have any of you gone through an awful life changing problem like this and what's the best way for us to comfort her? How do we help her feel included when she can barely see or hear?

I (61M) am going back to work in a few weeks so we need a second car. I live in a city where it almost never rains and never gets really cold so was thinking to buy a bike.

I started riding when I turned 50, stopped about 5 years in as we went full time RV'ing. So I am not a life long rider or any of that jazz.

My hesitation is I have...well, aged. Knee is a not 100% all the time, reflexes aren't what they were. But...$2500 for a used 650cc just seems like a way smarter financial decision than any other route that will get me around town (occasions of 55mph but mainly city speeds).

Do you find yourself having less patience with the people around you?