“Am I fooling myself, or am I really over the hill?”

This is the question asked recently by a lovely lady I met through the internet. It seems she was in a store and overheard a woman discussing her mother’s upcoming birthday party.

“Then she said that they were throwing this big bash because they didn’t know if this would be her mother’s LAST birthday….. after all, she’s going to be 65, she said!!!!! ”

Following are some of the responses she received to her question. Read them and rejoice!

“Your only as old as you feel. I’m still out mowing lawns at age 72. This is what keeps me going, as I ENJOY doing it.”

I might add that this gentleman has become a computer whiz and assists many others with his knowledge and expertise.

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MUSINGS BY GUBE
A Senior Moment

Most weekday afternoons Ann and I meet friends for coffee at Joe’s. Last Thursday Ann was napping and said she was just going to finish her siesta and for me to go on without her. About 45 minutes later in she came driving her car.

On Thursday nights some of the coffee group go to Palestine for supper as they have delicious potato soup as well as other assorted good things to eat. In as much as I had my van and Ann had her car I parked my van in the Wal-Mart parking lot and we went to Palestine in her car.

I usually get a medium size bowl of soup and a dish of macaroni salad, but this night I added a dish of Amish slaw, which is very flavorful. Their pies are outstanding and Ann had a big piece of Spanish Cream pie to compliment her meal.
After our meal I stopped in across the street from the restaurant to view the artwork that was on display. When I was finished we drove on home put Ann’s car in the garage and retired for the evening.

Next morning after I had finished reading my email I went out the door to go to the hospital for my morning exercises. Some body had stolen the van! I stood there in amazement thinking I must have left the keys in the ignition and the door unlocked. Nope, the keys were in my pocket. My next thought was that they hot-wired it, but one thing for sure it was gone.

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You know, it’s really quiet here in the country at night - and even in the daytime. What a change from the city where there is always noise, activity, and PEOPLE!

I kind of like it this way. After all, I can always go into town if I want some action. And people come here quite often, when invited.

We live on top of a hill a good half mile off the gravel road that goes by our property. We have horses running loose, and an oil well pumping away, as well as oil storage tanks about a quarter of a mile away.

I have a lot more room here than I had in my old apartment, as well as a very nice suite to myself. It’s a case of my being at one end - my son being at the other, and joint territory inbetween.

This has made the adjustment much easier for both of us. After all, two independent people do have two independent minds and ways of looking at things, and sometimes a bit of space can be a good thing!

All in all, I think I made a very wise decision by moving here, so I’m glad I did. I may even get around to unpacking my books one of these days!

For anyone who may be facing similar decisions in his or her life, please remember that change can be good. Sometimes, what appears to be a loss can, in the long term, become a gain.

Well, here I am again! It’s time to add another reflection to my continuing saga of an active senior’s changing lifestyle.

I suspect there are more than a few of us out here in cyber land who are experiencing similar changes and might find my reflections interesting. After all, we are all in this together aren’t we folks? We’re alive and kicking, and getting too darn old to suit us. But that’s nothing compared to the really serious problems that other people have.

This summer there have been floods and fiery conflagations wiping out people’s homes and all their possessions. Think of our brave American troops dying in Iraq, Afghanistan, all over this troubled world. They leave behind wives, children and families that will never enjoy the comfort of their presence. With all this, .our problems seem very small. Remember that old saying? You cry because you have no shoes - I’ll show you a man who has no feet.

In line with this raather long introduction, I wanted to tell you that I have recently moved in with my youngest son on a ranch in North East Texas, just over the border of the Red River from Olahoma.

It was a very difficult choice to make since I’ve lived alone and become very independent over the years. Not only that but he has also become very independent, just like good ole Mom. But certain medical issues have mandated my life change to a more protected environment and he was kind enough to arrange it for me. So far it is going well, but I have lots more to tell you, so stay tuned and I’ll back.