A couple evenings ago, my granddaughter sent me a photograph of herself and her fraternal twin brother. The picture is hanging over my computer and looking at them brings me great pleasure. 

I live in Las Vegas and have no desire to go to a casino. The question is, at the tender age of eighty five, what is there to do on a lonely Saturday afternoon?

My husband and I just moved into a new apartment next door to the development where we were previously living, and there is only one woman who also recently moved here to talk to.  

It is difficult to live far away from the people one loves. Family and old friends are only available via the computer or the telephone.  

I wrote an article for The Latest not long ago about loneliness, and it seems foolish to waste valuable time when one might be sharing it with a friend. Unfortunately, when I feel lonely, I smoke, and that is doing me no good right now as I write these words.

A wonderful way to give life meaning is to share it with others. The question is: how does one find friends at any age? I do remember that many months ago I volunteered to stuff envelopes at the local classical music station. It was in there where I met a delightful woman who became my friend. Unfortunately, she has moved away. It comes to me that perhaps calling the station and asking if they needed volunteers to stuff envelopes might be a good reason for me to go out and meet new people.

My husband has his own needs and can't always be available to take me where I might go to find some companionship, and he can't devote his life to chauffeuring me around, as I no longer drive.

I admit that there are many days when I don't feel well enough to go out, and that is one of the reasons that I decided to start writing for The Latest. Writing has always been a wonderful outlet for me, but in addition, it would be great if I could find another manner with which I can get to know new people. Writing will still be central to my life, but for an ex college professor, it is communicating person to person that I miss. It occurred to me that perhaps I should call the library and find out if they have book clubs that meet regularly. That might well be a way to provide those missing friends that I seek.

I know that they are always looking for people at the library to tutor young children. My primary concern there is that at my age, spending time with young children might expose me to germs that I don't need. In addition, such an activity wouldn't provide those friends for whom I am looking.

If my reader has any suggestions, I would be extremely grateful to hear from them.