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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet Clash with officers lands Medford man in jail on multiple charges UO students offered antibiotics after death of acrobatics athlete 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency services, Feb. 18 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet Clash with officers lands Medford man in jail on multiple charges Emergency services, Feb. 18 Emergency Services, Feb. 17 Emergency services, Feb. 16 Politics and Elections Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Community leaders saddened by governor's departure Education Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Medford School Board OKs full-day kindergarten Former superintendent sues district, board member Environment Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City Solar pavilion going up at Coyote Trails GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban State News Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Oregon Senate advances low-carbon fuel law Brown says inauguration speech will focus on restoring trust in government Oregon chub first fish to be officially taken off endangered list Day of transition in Oregon Legislature as Kitzhaber's exit nears Nation - World Obituaries Arthur �Art� S. Backlund Death Notices Lynn Ann Latham McCoy Lane Itol A. Downing Grant Edward Cochran Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Karl introduced as 3rd Kings coach of season Crater rally denies EP North Medford girls hold off Cavers Kentucky defense keys win over Vols LOCAL REPORT Varsity 541 College Sports Kentucky defense keys win over Vols W. Virginia squeaks by Kansas, 62-61 Senior's swan song Afengus, Champion to coach soccer, women's wrestling Harrison, Hendrix homer in OSU loss Pro Sports Karl introduced as 3rd Kings coach of season Pitchers, catchers will report this week Questions surround top quarterback prospects Teams mull options as trade deadline nears Blazers content at the halfway point Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Alaska Airline, brimming with confidence, adding six extended-range Boeing 737s by 2016 Josephine County to approve Southern Oregon business recruiting contract Blog: An empire built on a plastic-block foundation Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan GT-R Oregon Retina Specialists will expand into new building Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record The heart of Brammo will remain Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Editorials Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Our View: Time to end the vaccine exemption Our View: Hemp hemp, hooray — old crop is new again Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 13 Columns Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Michael Gerson: A call for 'patient pluralism' Kathleen Parker: No excuse for juicing the story Dana Milbank: Remembering the remarkable Kayla Mueller George Will: Curb your pessimism about terrorism Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South Debbie Snyder: Fleas annoy you and your pet Brent St. Germain: King cake is my kryptonite Food Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Citrus sensations Community blog: It's time to lavish love on heart-healthy lentils Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Community blog: Your Brain on Love Health Watch: The rise of wearable fitness tech Community blog: Are You Losing or Gaining on Your Investment in Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories The music that made Paris famous SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'Much Ado About Nothing' kicks off OSF's 2015 season Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'Much Ado About Nothing' kicks off OSF's 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra 'Broadway's Next Hit Musical' Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Dining The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet ... Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor ... UO students offered antibiotics after death of acrobatics athlete ... Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet ... Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor ... UO students offered antibiotics after death of acrobatics athlete ... Lost in Suburbia: So, this is 50 Comment By Tracy Beckerman More Content Now MailTribune.com By Tracy Beckerman More Content Now Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Tracy Beckerman More Content Now Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News OK. I’ll admit it … I’m 50. I know, I can’t believe it either. One day I was 40 and then, boom, I was 50. At first there was quite a bit of denial, and then anger and sadness, and finally acceptance. And that was just the day before I turned 50 when I did the laundry and accidentally shrunk my favorite jeans. The good news is they say 50 is the new 40. I don’t know who they are, but I suspect they are not 50 yet. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with turning 50. I’d rather be 50 than the alternative. However, 50 is that birthday when you realize definitively that you probably have more years behind you than ahead of you, unless of course you live in Okinawa, Japan, which has the largest number of centenarians per capita. I don’t happen to live in Okinawa, so I’m not counting on the fact that Willard Scott will be wishing me a happy birthday on “The Today Show” one day. Of course, if I live to be a hundred and Willard Scott is still around wishing centenarians a happy birthday, then chances are he is doing it from Okinawa, Japan. They also say that 50 is the time when you should get your first colonoscopy. Personally, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do less than celebrate this milestone with a colonoscopy, except, maybe, get root canal, which, by the way, I had four times when I was 49. I like to think that the root canal was my mouth’s way of preparing me for all the fun times to come. Considering I also had knee surgery and shoulder surgery when I was 49, you’d think I’d be grateful to turn the corner on my 40s. I was … until the doctor called the same day that my AARP card arrived to tell me it was time to get my colonoscopy. At least I think it was my AARP card. My eyesight is going and the print on the card was hard to read. Fifty is also the year I become an empty nester. I’ll have two kids in college and one dog at home. My husband and I have been waiting for 20 years for the chance to reconnect as a couple without having to do everything through the filter of parenting. Of course I’m not sure my husband will still like me as much as he did 20 years ago, especially with the prospect of having to listen to me complain about getting a colonoscopy over dinner for the next six months, which is approximately how long I expect to put off getting my colonoscopy. However, he’s 51 and hasn’t had his yet, so maybe we can get a two-fer. That would be a romantic start to our golden years together. I remember when my parents turned 50 and I thought they were so old. Fifty sounded old and 50 looked old. But when I look in the mirror at 50, I don’t see myself as old. I see a wide-eyed, eager 20-year-old. I see a new mom nervously entering her 30s. I see a confident, career-minded 40-year-old. They are all there … in the fine lines around my eyes and mouth and the creases in my forehead that I refuse to dull with Botox because I earned them and they don’t make me look old, they just make me look real. Not that I can see them anyway, you know. Because my eyesight is going. Become a fan of Lost in Suburbia on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LostinSuburbiaFanPage. By Tracy Beckerman More Content Now MailTribune.com By Tracy Beckerman More Content Now Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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