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He said he grew up in the woods....He want to go to college...and take a course....he said it is his money and he is going to go and then get a Job with the National Parks....he said it is a 4 year course...and he already knows more than most of the teachers cause he grew up on the mountains.... Well...This is a man who will look at the dishes in the sink..walk around the table..come back to the sink...walk around the table...and repeat....he hates cutting grass and pulling weeds..I do it all.....He will prob want to either take over the class...or fall asleep....but I guess at any age it is nice to have a dream......I am wondering..what to do about this...HE does not even like to go in the woods for chiggers and ticks...LOL

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Why not have him take an online class? He will probably loose interest pretty quick. You can always tell him classes are full now and he will have to wait until next semester.
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Actually, for seniors you can get into certain courses for free in some universities. Take a look at community colleges and extension programs. Granted, it sounds like its just a fantasy, but if it does not cost an arm and a leg to indulge it might keep him a little sharper and a little happier than not. If he is physically able and there is a trailblazing group in your neck of the woods, maybe he could participate in some way. The LOViT Trail Dogs just finished a trail near Hot Springs AR and there were a LOT of old retired guys among them. Look up Lake Ouachita Vista Trail on Facebook to see some of them.
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Indulge him in the fantasy. Bless his heart, at least he has a specific dream. Order college catalogs, see if you can find any of the course books in the library or online. Help him "prepare" for taking classes. Point out any relevant articles you come across. Respect his interest.

I'm not so sure about indulging him in the actual activity. It would be blow to his ego to find out he is not regarded as knowing more than the instructors and a big disappointment to find out college classes are a lot of work.

I suspect the fantasy is more appealing than the reality would be.
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Pick up a couple books from a book store about forests and the ecosystems with lots of Pi tires of the forest. Create a diploma online and give it to him.
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Let him research getting the forms to apply to College, download them, pick them up. Let him fill them out. Let him see what college courses cost these days.
The forms will be a test and the prices will definitely shock. If he can clear those hurdles AND he gets accepted, you may have a freshman on your hands. Maybe he can move into the dorms and visit on holidays!!

No sense in YOU killing his dream. At least he has an interest in something.
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THANK YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH......This week are are visiting my sons in Lexington Park Maryland ....Leo seems to have calmed down a bit on the forest ranger part...At this time he and I do clean up the beaches all season long...and we went to a refuge and while my husband was visiting the movie area and watching some shows..I spoke with a Ranger who was doing his INSIDE detail..I quickly explained to him..Leo's condition ..and What we do to Clean the beaches...and I bought a REFUGE SEW ON PATCH...that is very nice and collectible and when Leo came around..the Ranger spoke with him about how he wished someone would start picking up trash on beaches..that was one of the biggest fears that all that waste come into the marshes...After Leo and he spoke for a while...The ranger gave him the patch I bought and made him an honorary forest ranger!!! HE gave him some papers on the Refuge, the parks and made my DAY and Leo's.....Leo is still talking about it and has sewn the patch on his Camera case...When Leo mentioned something to him about college...the ranger said..he would sure hate to lose a good beach comber to a college course when we need so many hands to help pick up the WORLDS POLLUTION.....so now that we are visiting our sons..and grandies..and having a great time...he seems to have let that go right now...but I am wondering when we get home....when things get back to ABNORMAL..LOL.what will happen...I love being here..with people who connect ....when I get home..I sometimes feel lost...cause for years he was the LEADER..NOT so much anymore..it is left to me.. I am considering every thing everyone has told me..putting all the good loving answers to my heart...PRAYING for you all...and THANKING YOU...with all my heart!!! Sorry I did not get back right away...I have been with my son..and left the computer in the car until today...MY DAUGHTER IN LAWS are great too...and so are my grandies!!!..
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I would also check on free online classes. There are several organizations that offer them. One that I know about is Coursers. Also check out TED talks online, there are a wide variety of talks on just about anything you can imagine. To find programs for free online classes google "Massive Open Online Class" or MOOC. The classes are huge but maybe this would provide the intellectual stimulation he is looking for, and that is a good thing. Also you could check out colleges that have forestry programs, go to the website for the bookstore, find out the text they are using and purchase it online through Amazon's, Abe books, etc. You can find them very reasonably priced.
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Sierra Club is also a great way to get involved. They do clean up & maintain trails etc. I am not sure how much physical work your husband is capable of. But it would not hurt to check out Sierra Club.
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Wow, Sherry! What you did at the refuge was brilliant! And bless that ranger for having the compassion and insight to engage your husband the way he did.
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Sherry, there must be some way to compliment and thank this ranger for his patience and compassion. Every little thing like this that we can do helps to raise awareness. I imagine that the park has contact us on it. But I would send it to the main office, is count or state or whatever.
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