Joseph CascianiGeropsychologist, Consultant, Public Speaking, Freelance · Podcast Host of the Living to 100 Club | Clinical Strategies for Senior Residential Settings & Lifestyle Directors | Geropsychologist | Keynote Speaker

The World of a Busy Writer and Active Octogenarian with Marjorie Burns

6 Jan 2025 · 1 min

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1:00

In this interview excerpt, Marjorie Burns recounts a vivid childhood memory of leaping over a card table between her mother and grandmother, an act she feels she could not repeat now. She reflects on her current physical abilities, noting she can still swim and engage in activities she enjoys, though some feats like long jumps are beyond her. The conversation shifts to her adventurous side, with Burns describing past high‑altitude treks, including climbs on Mount Hood, a trek to the base of Mount Everest in Nepal, and a journey in Bhutan. While she did not summit these peaks, she emphasizes having been up close to them, illustrating a lifelong commitment to active, outdoor experiences despite her age.

Chapters

In a sense, I have this memory. I can hardly believe it's true. My mother and grandmother were playing cards in front of fireplace at my family home where I grew up, and there was a space between their table and the fireplace of maybe 2 feet. I don't know what made me do it, but I loped across the living room, jumped the card table, and landed. And they looked up and laughed. I don't think I could do that ever again.
Probably. You probably haven't tried that.
Long jumps that I can't do, um, but basically swim. I, I pretty much can do everything that I enjoy doing.
Well, have you ever done any mountain climbing other than the rocks?
A few times, uh, Mount Hood. Yeah, I've trekked up high in Nepal, um, to the base of Mount Everest and Bhutan. Uh, we didn't climb those mountains, but I was right up there.