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Oh, I like the people.
And, I like the physical activity.
And, sometimes I have good games.
We bowl on Fridays, it's the Senior League.
You have to be 50 or over to participate.
And, it's a mixed league. That is, husbands and wives,
or girlfriends of friends.
Once in a while, I have a really good game,
one of those days when you can do no wrong.
I try to throw a good ball.
And get as many pins as I can for my team.
I didn't learn to bowl until I was 70.
When I was a girl, my boyfriend took me to the bowling alley
once and that was scandalous because nice girls didn't
go to the bowling alley in those days.
Because they drank beer. I never heard any foul language
but, anyway, it wasn't a lady-like thing to do.
June 28, 1915.
That makes me 98. And a half.
In my senior year, the '32 Olympics were going to be
held in Los Angeles, and for the first half of the year,
we did all kinds of athletics. Different sports that would
be held at the Olympics.
And, then all of the sudden it was cut off.
I don't know why the school board decided that the
girls shouldn't do these things anymore, but somebody
decided it and that was the end of our athletics.
Now, women participate in many sports, and can excel
in them. And, they have lots and lots of choices.
And, I think it's a good thing.
My husband and I feel very fortunate to be in Fairbanks.
Because there are many things for senior citizens.
We have a wonderful pool where you can swim or
use the gym upstairs. There is a senior center,
there are better prices for seniors at many things.
On their plays up at the university.
I used to bowl three times a week, now I just bowl on Fridays.
Yes, we're rarely at home.
We know we should move to town, because sometimes
the weather is too severe, but we like our independence
where we are.
We feel very fortunate to be in Fairbanks.
People look you in the eye and say 'hello' even
if you meet them on the street and don't know them.
And, you start up a conversation,
there's always the weather, you know.
One way or another.
I don't feel that I have been that unusual,
accept to have lived a long life.
I figure I have perhaps five years,
you know that would be quite a stretch at my age.
I should buy a new ball, but I haven't talked myself
in to it yet.
I mean, really, at 98 you know.
I mean, my life always been with people.
And, I think that's a good thing.