Leaving 75 In The Dust

It suddenly dawned on me the other day that I am 75 years old and soon to turn the big 76.  Yikes!  How did that happen so quickly?

This is how I look at it.  There are perks. 

For one thing, I no longer need an excuse to stay off a ladder or not to carry heavy stuff.  And... I can love my new walking stick for rough terrain or even walking around the house if I feel like it. 

Further...  I can go to bed any time I want and not have to explain myself to anyone.   I could pretend not to hear things sometimes and get away with it.  Would I really do that?  I know that some people do. 

I love that I fit in with the white-haired crowd easily and therefore readily find people who laugh at the same things I do. Kindred spirits. These people also "get" my references to things.  They know, for example who Liberace was and understand that the sometimes glamourized hippies smelled bad. They remember things like Keds and when a sheet of bubble gum came with a baseball card. The women remember what it was like, as little girls,, to tuck their dresses into snow pants before walking to school.  Oh -- so many things to think about.

Another huge bonus in my case are adult children and close to adult grandchildren. They are totally capable of living their own lives and of making their own decisions.  The pressure is off.  I am in the relax mode.  Perfect.  If either do come to me describing a complicated situation that necessitates serious decision making, I am now where I can listen with care and ask them to let me know how it all turns out. Heaven!

I also like that I don't have to drive at night if I don't feel like it. I like that decisions to not do things are now socially acceptable. It takes the pressure off. Like I said ... perks.

So ... I suppose I should mention ... there are the aches and pains of aging as well as other assorted limitations. We all have our own bag of rocks (as my mom used to say).  I guess we find our way through somehow -- one way or the other... the best way we can.  Hopefully there is not a lot of complaining going on.  Personally, I have little tolerance for excessive "woe is me"... in myself or in others.  It takes up too much time.  I try not to do the woe thing and I only listen to it for what I consider enough time to be polite.  Dwelling on woe is a Big Bummer and subversive really. It's not good for anyone.

They way I look at it ...  we all know that not everyone makes it this far.  I personally feel that I should take advantage of the gift and try not to waste it or to take it for granted.  I will soon be over half way through the septuagenarian years.  Three quarters of a century has come and gone. Oh my....  

Wish I could remember how to nap. I so want to stay awake for 4th of July fireworks.  Happy Independence Day!  We are almost there.

The Potato Cannon and Heart Smiles

Taking a break from blogs remembering Covid. We all need that. This is a happier topic....

                        The Potato Cannon and Heart Smiles

So... I spent over a week with family -- overlapping visits.  My son and his family stayed with me.  My nephew and his family stayed in a lovely Barndominium called "Into the Woods" just a bit down the road from my home.  Outstanding accommodations all the way around. Check it out if you are headed the way of Corry, PA.  My daughter and her family live nearby -- just across the pasture plus a bit actually. Icing on the cake. Perfect.... 13 people in all.

I simply don't know where to start.  What fun -- nice and fun people ... so much laughter.  Dinners out. Dinners in. Make your own breakfasts and lunches.  Many helpful hands.  A trip to Niagara Falls for the Virginia Branch of the family.  My grandson from Terre Haute, IN and his girlfriend, born and raised in the flatlands of Indiana, went exploring - in search of curvy roads and rolling hills,  and my son and his wife from Danville, Indiana were off to the Southern Tier of Chautauqua Co, NY briefly -- followed by their traditional lunch at the French Creek Tavern.  Then there was a lovely afternoon of crafting with my creative great niece. Pickle ball and fishing.  Fire pit fires into the night. Special times for me with each and every one.  Am sure I have missed some of the activities ...  We gathered in the afternoons and evenings for the most part.  Good times. Special....  I think the only thing we forgot to do was to have a recorded skipping contest set to music. We had hoped to repeat that and to establish it as a tradition of such gatherings.  

Have to mention.  Now it is during those afternoon and evenings that the Potato Cannon appeared. It was impressive. We should have given it a name.  Don't know why I didn't think of that.  My nephew built it out of PVC pipe. That construction, along with hairspray, a long lighter and three 5 lb. bags of Russet potatoes did the trick. There were other games as well -- something involving baskets and little sacks of sand and then corn hole, of course.  Another fave involved teams bouncing a ball on a circle of netting ... Spikeball.  All were played pretty much rain or shine.  And of course we had professional photos taken one evening -- in the misty rain. (Thank you, Barb Beebe of Be Inspired Photography!) Mother Nature was not very cooperative, but we didn't really care and the photos turned out great.

A few final words on the impressive potato cannon.  Huge Hit! (Instructions may be found on YouTube, I think.) Talk about the perfect way to put a smile on one's face.... All it takes is shooting potatoes over the tree tops in my back pasture.  The thing is there was never one scrap of potato left on the patio in the mornings and not one potato to be found anywhere in the pasture.  I envision forest wildlife in a line at the edge of the woods eagerly waiting --- hoping the crazy humans are going to shoot more yummy food into the air for them. We were a bit of a loud bunch with the laughter and the cannon booms.  So fun.  As far as I know the neighbors are still speaking to me -- at least the ones that usually do.  

Alas -- all is quiet now.  Everyone arrived back home safely. Thankful in that. Long trips for sure back to Richmond, VA and West of Indianapolis, IN.  So... today I ordered prints and made a photo book. Empty nest syndrome all over again, but good memories for sure. They make my heart smile. My family is a gift... the best kind. I am so thankful for them. 

Life Goes On

                                   

                  June 16, 2020 - June 23, 2020

Police across the country are in the news.  Times are dangerous for those who support law and order.  The world continues to be upside down. The world watches as American cities are being destroyed. We have been subjected to enough destruction, violence and vandalism to last a lifetime.

Every day I am thankful that I do not live in a city where many are pretty much confined to an airless apartment.  I am able to get outside, pull a few weeds, breath fresh air and take a walk in my pasture.  Huge. Sometimes the small things are the big things. Nice to be able to avoid protests and riots.  I am so sick of angry, shouting faces.  It's so ugly on so many levels.

People shopping for clothes are now allowed to try them on... in some stores. Progress....

Some businesses are reopening within certain constraints like limiting the number of customers at one time. 

Erie County in Pennsylvania is entering the Green Phase within a week. Governor Wolf has set Pennsylvanians free!  We will now be able to get a hair cut legally and some restaurants will be allowed to reopen.  One step at a time.  

Some parents across the land have established "Under the Radar" sports for their children.  It seems a very healthy thing to do  -- in my opinion.  I think of it as the "Healthy Activity Underground ".  

The blame game continues in nearby New York State regarding covid patients being retuned to nursing home facilities.  Cuomo may have a big problem.

Trump rallies. No wonder Biden is trying to avoid debating with him. The right seems to be looking forward.  The left seems to be angry anti-everything. Huge contrast. I continue to wonder if politicians on both sides of the fence listen to themselves.  

Once again -- thankful I live in an area of Farmers' Markets and road side vegetable stands.  

Some schools with late June endings are holding Baccalaureate and Graduation Ceremonies in parking lots.

Life goes on...

Unhinged

                                

                                      June 8, 2020 - June 15, 2020

What in the world are people thinking?  The "Defund the Police" movement is totally off the wall stupid.  These are the same people who think that recent  demonstrations that tuned into injuries, killings, businesses burned and shameless lootings were not violent and were totally acceptable.  Beyond nuts. There is speculation and some evidence that someone, perhaps George Soros, is funding protestors.  Imagine that.

Biden is still in his bunker.  When will he talk to the American people? How can one run for President from a basement? The polls say he has a huge lead, yet we know nothing about him really.  There is reference to his handlers.  What? Who is in charge of that campaign? A President needs handlers? That's scary.

Am going to meet a sister/cousin to eat lunch on the porch of a nearby restaurant.  Excitement is high. It's been months since I have been out to eat anywhere.  What a treat! I don't think I will ever take such an opportunity for granted again -- ever. It is a touch of normal.

The "elite" continue the process of becoming totally unhinged.  It's unsettling.  Down has become up and vice versa. It seems that formerly intelligent people are caving into the "leftist lunies".  People of courage  who are not afraid to stand their ground seem few and far between. Bullies abound and they are mean.

Democrat Congressmen knelt on Capitol Hill with Kente scarves draped around their necks. I am sure they were trying to make a point of some sort, but it went over my head.  Wonder how the Ashanti Tribe felt about them wearing their cherished ceremonial cloth in some sort of demonstration? Today's Democrats do love to show off.

The country continues to be divided.  It doesn't help that the Dems have sorted people into little boxes and then lumped individuals they know nothing about into a box that they, the dems, deem to be correct.  It takes more and more courage these days to express even a mildly conservative view on anything.  

Some people seem to be almost overcome with a hatred for Donald Trump.  I don't understand the viciousness. Vitriol with a upper case V -- nasty and abusive. 

Protestors have been allowed to take over a section of Seattle, Washington.  What? I won't be moving the the great American Northwest any time soon.  American history is being torn down one statue after another.  Names of forts, military bases, and schools are being changed.  All this to appease a whiney bunch of libs throwing toddler-like temper tantrums. There must be more to this.  Something underground and cancerous.  Antifa is a new word in my vocabulary.  As if things were not bad enough.

People are able to get haircuts again and the world looks better groomed. Somehow that seems to matter.  Another step forward.  Then again -- man buns abound.

Special times continue with the Grandkids who are a most important part of my life.  Their world has shrunken and changed so drastically, but they are remarkable and resilient.  We will all be okay and hopefully come out at the end of the tunnel stronger and better people. They are the future. 

Enough Already

                                              

                              June 1, 2020 - June 7, 2020

Hopefully my county will move into the Green soon so that haircuts will become legal again.  So tired of masks and social distancing.

Am still considering a fencing project.  May call the fence guy to get my pasture on his To Do list.  There is usually a waiting period.  Don't know how busy he is these days. Perhaps he can use the work and the wait time won't be too long.

Riots continue across the country. I don't think rioters are adhering to the covid rules.  Not much makes sense anymore.  I am, of course, particularly concerned about my nephew and my cousin -- both police officers in areas where riots are happening. Hollywood elites are setting up 'Go Fund Me" accounts for rioters and looters.  I don't understand their thinking.

People in all walks of life are trying to do their best in most difficult situations.  Civil unrest makes no one's life easier. The atmosphere of unease touches everything... everyone. The Media manipulates coverage of everything to support leftist views and criticizes any thought with which the left disagrees. True journalism appears to be rapidly dying. I will not be cancelled.

Days continue to run together and day confusion is alive and well. Every day has become a "Blursday". Rioting, violence, destruction, and looting are now commonplace - in blue cities primarily.  Interesting. Protestors, local and imported, appear to be mostly representative of what some call the great American Unwashed.  

Ah --  as it turns out, the fence guy has all his equipment on the edge of town and will be here in a couple of days.  He will jump me ahead of about ten other jobs so that he won't have to move equipment more than once. Good timing. I am pleased.

Some dentist offices have reopened for emergencies. Some are charging a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Covid 19 fee of $15. 

Small businesses continue to close - victims of this forced shutdown as large chain stores are permitted to remain open. Logic?

Defund the police is the latest madness. Some of these leftist dems might feel differently if they had a prowler on their property or 1000 violent vandals headed up their driveway with bricks and built up self-righteous anger.

Tele-doctoring is a real, almost commonplace thing now. The word Zoom has taken on new meaning.

Decided to go ahead with a fence so my neighbor would not shoot my grandchildren's dog. The fence was installed in one day.  Dog and neighbor are now both safe.  Ta Da. Easy fix.  My neighbor, however, now does not speak to or make eye contact with me. Do I care?  No. Both sides of the issue are safe.  That's all that matters.

Now as we struggle to return to normal --  there is the killer bee threat.  Bring 'em on.. Seriously... enough already.

Insanity ramps up....

 

                        May 23, 2020 - May 31, 2020

The currently popular phrase alone together may go down in history as the "greatest" oxymoron ever, perhaps second only to living death. Call it plague humor.  Must also note that "day confusion" is a very real thing. I find myself checking to see what day it is -- sometimes more than once a day. I know for a fact that I enjoyed three Saturdays last week alone. I also know that I am not alone in this. 

The hygiene tip of the day continues to be keep your hands clean and away from your face.  People are also sterilizing their eyeglasses in phone sterilizers.  The world is weird/weirder. 

The schools have been closed for almost three months now. Memorial Day plans are cancelled across the country. It is times like this that I wish I had a flag pole. I would hoist a flag and pretend that all is well.

Some people have not seen their adult children or grandchildren now for over two months. The reverse is also true. Some seem to be curling up in a corner. Others are binge watching reruns on tv. No new shows or movies are being made. We all struggle to get through the days in our own way. Personally I have to believe that people need fresh air and other human beings more than lockdowns and isolation. Is that not common sense?

Some stores have reopened now, but no one is allowed to try on or return clothes.  It's not possible to donate anything either.  Crazy times.

I hired a mobile mechanic to work on my old lawnmower.  Who knew you could even do that? People are resilient and amazing - especially in hard times.

George Floyd is killed in Minneapolis. The country is stunned. Rioters react by destroying their own city. Obviously stupidity is rampant. The mainstream media describes the riots as "mostly peaceful" as Minneapolis burns behind them  --  on camera. Yes... stupidity is rampant.  The mainstream media thinks they can tell us what to think. They are wrong.  Insanity ramps up.

Summer recreation programs for children are cancelled across the country. The damage to our young continues in so many ways.

Received another email from Nancy Pelosi begging for money. I wouldn't give her a cent even if she shared her ice cream.  She is concerned that Texas is threatening her chances of expanding the Democratic majority. My question is "Why am I receiving emails from any Democrat?"  It's okay though -- let's me know where "they" are coming from and where they hope to go.  Bring the email on. I will not be intimidated no matter how mean they get. I refuse to be cancelled. 

Times are nuts.  One of my neighbors told me yesterday that he will shoot my dog the next time he sees it.  I do not have a dog.  My grandchildren do and she is here occasionally and is entirely contained on my property by invisible fencing. If this neighbor stayed off my property, there would not be an issue.  Obviously.  I can't help but think that that he underestimates my quiet wrath at the mere thought of him killing my grandchildren's dog. Like my Dad and Robert Frost said ... "Good fences make good neighbors."  A fence that one can see and difficult or impossible to climb would keep him safe ... which is, of course, the most important thing. I would never want anyone injured even if they were encroaching on my property.   Putting up an impressive fence gives me something to ponder at the moment. I know the perfect fence guy too. People need work. This may happen soon. Calm the storm. It's a simple remedy to a complicated situation and people and beloved animals would remain safe.

With barber shops and hair salons still locked down... there are more and more people with gray and white hair.  There are also more bedraggled looking heads of hair.  Reminds me of my college days in the late 60s and early 70s. I find it somehow amusing. I look for things to make me smile these days.  I think anyone hanging on to a ray of light does.

Times are crazy on so many levels.  We plod on.  What other choice do we have?  Just need to keep track of what is going on. We must be aware and document so as to remember. I also think we need to keep an eye on who is making money in or enhancing their power by this pandemic.  There is evil in the world and it is not a covid virus. It's worse than that. Insidious. Beware of those who accuse you of doing everything that they are actually doing. Keep your eyes open and your brain alert. 

Hidden Wounds

                           

                           May 16, 2020 through May 22, 2020

So... my daughter's 40th surprise birthday party came off without a hitch.  Her kids and a couple of neighborhood kids did all the decorating. They were an impressive team.  They texted me "Go!" when their Dad managed to get my daughter out of the house for a few minutes, and all four kids were outside in the pouring rain when I got there about two minutes later with the necessary supplies that we had bought together the previous week during a rare masked outing. They unloaded the Jeep in about 3 seconds flat.  By the time I got my vehicle parked behind a neighbor's enormous rhododendron bush and got back to the house, they were blowing up balloons, arranging plates, eating utensils, napkins, etc.,  and had everything ready in an half an hour. I did basically nothing but watch in awe, and the guests began to arrive within 15 minutes.  The surprise was a success! A good time was had by all. Restorative. We do cherish those few moments of normalcy in these nutty times. I think everyone there craved a bit of a reentry into family life.  It was lovely. By the end of the afternoon, men were gathered on the back deck solving the problems of the world, women were gathered around the table laughing and talking, kids were jumping on a trampoline in the rain.  Smiles everywhere.  I felt young again. It was a gift of a day not only to my wonderful daughter, but to everyone there... a touch of what life used to be before what I have come to think of as the damncovid.

In the meantime...

Politicians across the country are breaking every rule they impose on the common person, because they think they are "special".  I think I may understand now why people hate politicians sometimes.

There is a high school in New Hampshire that is using a local ski resort for their graduation.  The grads will ride in the chair lift. Ingenuity at its best.

Drive-by bridal and baby showers are now a real thing.

Friends are gathering in parking lots, driveways, on patios and open spaces.  Socially distanced  --  Face to Face chats are a necessity for sanity.

Daily emails with favorite people are becoming mandatory. The virus has everyone on edge a bit and emotions tend to be close to the surface. I find myself even writing thank you notes to the mailman and garbage pickup guys.  They write back.  Sign of the times.  

The Covid fearful wear masks when driving alone in their cars.  Only they understand why they do this.

Some businesses are now being allowed to call workers back in to work. How have people been surviving?

The world continues to take deep breaths and shutter a bit as they exhale.

A PA Health Official moved her mother out of a nursing home just before ordering the nursing home to allow recovering COVID patients to be returned.  Yes -- government officials deserve their unpopularity at times.

There is not a Lysol or Clorox wipe to be found anywhere. 

First doctors said that we had to lock down until a vaccine is developed. Now the same doctors are saying that locking down too long may cause irreparable damage.  Suicides in some states outnumber covid related deaths.

Hidden wounds of living during a pandemic begin to fester.