| On Life and Love after 50 eNewsletter June 5, 2026 Coping With Growing Older By Columnist Tom Blake  Columnist Tom Blake, before addressing a + 55 crowd re: aging Coping with Growing Older eNewsletter June 5, 2026 The May 15, 2026 eNewsletter was written by Debbie, the therapist, and was named “A Match at Any Age.” The topic was the two of us (Debbie and Tom) joining her friends—Beverly and Richard–in going to the movie Michael in Long Beach and then the four of us having dinner at the nearby Cheesecake Factory afterwards. Debbie has known Beverly for 50 years. In 2004, Debbie introduced Beverly to Richard, and they have been a couple ever since. I had never met them. Richard impressed me. He is 91, though you would never guess it. He is in incredible shape. He swims and bikes daily and is as sharp as a tack. He has aged well. I’ve thought about Richard and his age since meeting him a month ago. Mainly, because all too often, I’ve been seeing on the news or in newspapers that many celebrities, including singers, are having health issues that are affecting their careers. At age 86, these stories get my attention and remind me to keep writing and stay busy. For example, this last weekend, I saw Barry Manilow, age 83 (this month), interviewed on Good Morning America, saying he might be unable to sing anymore because he’s lost his voice to throat cancer. He doesn’t know if his voice is ever coming back. He has sold 85 million records with songs like Mandy, Copacabana, I Write The Songs, and Lola. And then, also this past week, I read that Frankie Valli, 92, of the Four Seasons, has had to cancel his remaining 2026 tour dates due to health reasons. He hopes he can sing again in six months or so. The Four Seasons are noted for Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, and Rag Doll, plus many more. Recently, Rod Stewart, age 81, cancelled two of his Las Vegas Caesars Palace shows on May 30 and 31 due to health reasons (sinus infection, doctors’ orders). He also cancelled his June 2 Caesars Palace show. Among his famous songs are Maggie May, Reason To Believe, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? You’re In My Heart. Stewart has had 10 #1 albums. In 2009, at age 62, Linda Ronstadt announced she had to retire from singing because she had also lost her voice due to progressive supranuclear palsy. She is now 79 and is known for songs such as Blue Bayou and You’re No Good. She produced 24 studio albums. In 2018, Neil Diamond announced that he would no longer tour or perform live due to Parkinson’s Disease. Known, of course, for songs such as Sweet Caroline, I Am, I Said, and my two favorites, Holly Holy and Dry Your Eyes. Diamond is still recording and producing music at age 84, just not performing live. One exception to age and health taking their toll on notable people is Clint Eastwood, who turned 96 on May 31, 2026. In 2020, I wrote a column titled “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” about the movie of the same title, in which Eastwood starred. In that column, I included three quotes that Eastwood made to help seniors remain positive, particularly during difficult health times. One quote: “Get up and go outside. Don’t Let the Old Man In.” Another: “Stay close to your friends.” And third: “Look out your window and smile. Don’t Let the Old Man In.” I recommend the Lone Wolf Productions video, “Don’t Let the Old Man (or Woman) In.” It’s an amazing four-minute synopsis of that movie and features Toby Keith and Clint Eastwood. Here’s the link. Don’t Let The Old Man In In 2017, Eastwood was quoted as saying, “I would rather die on set than retire.” He has officially retired, according to his son Kyle, and he is still alive. We are all growing older and need to try to manage our health to the best of our abilities. Of course, there are many health issues we have no control over. However, by keeping our minds active and our bodies moving, just as Richard mentioned at the beginning of today’s column, about his daily swimming and biking, we’re doing our best to be around a little bit longer. By the way, the link to my website is listed below. A few of you have asked to check out the website. Keep on Truckin’, Champs. Tom Blake PublishingDana Point, CAtompblake@gmail.com click on link below toFinding Love After 50 website |
| Tom Blake Publishing | Dana Point | Dana Point, CA 92629 |
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Since 1994, Tom Blake has been a newspaper columnist on the topic of finding love after 50
On Life and Love after 50 