I FINALLY bought one of those computer/TV screen video games called the “Wii.” It is great! I can play tennis, golf, bowling, baseball and boxing, all in my living room, using a paddle and some simple keys on the paddle.

At my age, getting daily exercise is important. Much of my day is spent sitting in a chair, reading materials, reviewing materials, studying documents, typing on my computer, watching business news that never ends, and generally failing to get more than a modicum of exercise.

THE WEATHER is often too hot, too cold, too humid, or too wet to go for a walk or otherwise engage in outside activities. I enjoy shooting hoops at my house, but even that is limited by weather and physical considerations. My ankles and knees are not what they once were, and that means it’s easy to turn or twist something unintentionally.

But the Wii? Oui, oui! It is fantastic. I recommend it for anyone middle aged or older, for it allows one to engage in some level of physical activity while pursuing games or sports one would otherwise not likely engage in.

I loved playing tennis until my 40s, but found that it became too hard on my ankles. I blew out an ankle when I was 39 playing softball, and that about ended my softball days. Golf was fun, but time consuming, expensive and fairly annoying. I loved bowling, but my knees began to give me problems with that game. I played basketball four times a week into my late 40s, but the next day I could hardly walk down the stairs in the morning, and was eating anti-inflammatories like breath mints.

I HAVE TAKEN to Wii like a fish to water. It’s really fun, and I get an amazing amount of exercise from using it. The tennis is especially exhilarating. The way the computer is modeled accurately after the games is an amazing feat of computer programming.

In addition to games, there are tests to determine one’s fitness age. Don’t ask me how, but I have scored an average of age 38 for my fitness, while my actual age is 59. How a man who has eaten as much bacon, eggs and gravy as I have can score that is beyond me, but I’ll take it!

My son is quite the expert at the game, and can beat me at just about everything. He’s 27, and has played computer games all his life, while I fell off the computer game activities some time back around the time of Miss Pac Man or Donkey Kong. We have a good time playing on the Wii, and it’s something old folks like me can enjoy with their grown children or grandchildren.

GET OFF your duff, get out your wallet, and invest in your health and your relationship with your kids or grandkids. This is one gizmo that won’t disappoint. If you loved the hula hoop or Pong, you’ll think you’re in hog heaven with a Wii.

You will cry “Wii! Wii! Wii!” all the way home!

© 2009, Pappy Moore, All Rights Reserved.

Pappy Moore is a humorist, a native son of East Texas who still makes the piney woods his home.

oaktreefm58@hotmail.com

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