Aging....Can't Stop It ..So Enjoy!

Somebody once mentioned that age, numerical that is, didn't bother them.  But as the sixtieth occurred they said, with a touch of dry cynicism and a bit of melancholy, "this one hurts!"  On the flip side, a young woman began sobbing, dabbing her mascara ladened eyes, "I am turning thirty today, my goodness, I feel old!" Was I suppose to feel badly for her, show sympathy or offer some encouraging words? At double the young one's age, I think not!  As the sniffles continued, she began waving her hands, as if overcome by heat and with a voice reminiscent of Scarlet O'Hara, she wailed, "my babies are growing up, my oldest is almost nine, what am I going to do?" Really? My "babies" are a tad bit older than her for God's sake! However, in answer to the forlorn question, " ain't nothing you can do sweet cheeks!"

At a recent hors d'oeuvre party, many of the Guests were "seasoned," (old).  Should one judge them by appearance, the consensus would be unanimous , "old poops," as their thoughts, words and actions affirmed the message my brain was sending.  The differences in each gender were quite mind boggling and I found myself constantly seeking reassurance from my brain that this was not a typical cross-section of an active over fifty-five golfing community.   Trying to pinpoint what caused such narrow minded thinking,  their original geographical place of birth, revealed much about their food choices, their hard nosed opinions and why the question of my political affiliation was asked.

Knowledge gained from this recent social event, worrisome.  The existence of old fart males believing their female counterparts have limited brain functions and should only voice opinions when asked by THEM, is alive and well!  As my better half mused, "well my love, thankfully we won't be attending functions with that crowd again? Your points were well made, just wasted. They don't and won't understand!"  But damn, I felt good sharing and to some extent, scaring those with archaic opinions and a "drop the bomb" mentality.

Foods we eat have a direct affect on our brains, elderly middle America has eaten way to much corn
and wheat, adding the cheese, we now have a back up in bodily functions, allowing waste products to spew forth from their mouths.  Making mention of the fresh fruit and vegetables available at the local Farmers' Market, one would of thought I had two heads. Perhaps that too has something to do with my place of birth or political affiliation!

Random Environmental Thoughts

With constant bombardment by the media, social networks, environmentalists and the many others jumping on the environmental bandwagon, a lackadaisical approach towards reducing our carbon footprint is considered unacceptable. My first thought is: and......it should be? As billions of humans smother this planet, living in harmony with all things is a necessity: as......it should be!

Reaping the rewards of what our world offers is painstakingly hard work.  Healing the wounds, protecting the remaining functionality and beauty of this planet IS the responsibility of everyone.  What we fail to realize is the need for harmony, which can clearly be defined as the interweaving of all living things with a common purpose, survival.

Although all living species have survival ingrained  in their DNA, the opposite end of the spectrum is destruction.  We as humans, seem to be hellbent on annihilation of other living species and at times, even ourselves.  

Changing our mindset, not an easy task. Can we continue to rape the lands, creating excessive waste, believing it will  not affect this planet and its inhabitants?  The answer so much simpler than the solution, NO we cannot!

Statistics tell us we are NOT a naturally harmonious species, conquering and dividing, a way of life.  Very much a people with reactive personalities, individual needs and wants quickly satisfied, the long range effects not always a part of the though process, leaving lasting and in many cases, irreparable wounds. Yet thankfully, signs of remorse are now emerging, we do realize we want to leave our children a world worth living in. Perhaps it is the few diligently educating those that will change the mindset of the masses.

A Testimonial in Belonging

January always signals the final arrival of the annual mass migration of snowbirds to their winter nests.  For the most part they are a welcome addition to this southern land, pumping millions of dollars into our economy.  For those that live and work in this peninsula state, forgive us if we sometimes grumble. As a permanent transplant from a much colder climate, I too once felt the sometime resentment of these mostly hospitable and gracious southern people.  As a former resident of one of the most populated corridors in the States, traffic congestion was a way of life. How silly are we to think, the northeast cornered the market!

As most northeastern snowbirds arrive, they flock to the coastal areas of this tropical land.  Our landlocked species from the Midwest and central Canada, fill in the midsection of central Florida.  It is this midsection, we now call home.  Not that a coastal home wasn't considered, but the practical side of being a permanent transplant, better known as the "clipped winged snowbird wannabe', was purely a matter of economics.

As the only gainfully employed member of this golfing twosome, the older half now retired,  economically speaking, central Florida has it all. Fantastic weather, ask the MOUSE, he too calls this region, home.  Economically speaking, the past few years have not been kind to many, but many still flock to this region, need we ask why?

We had long considered being snowbirds but decided, much like an icy plunge into the cold waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean during the winter months, it was feet first and all in!  Having just passed our fifth anniversary, we consider ourselves Floridians.  Once asked by a newly arrived clipped winged snowbird wannabe,"when will I get that sense of belonging?"  Without hesitation, I ask, "did you bring your medical records?"

Our neighborhood, highways and byways are alive, we renew old friendships, welcome those that sometimes experience that nervous unexplained feeling of homesickness, urging them to relax, open their eyes and understand, change does the body, mind and spirit good.  Allowing it to invade your being you experience a re-birth, a sense of belonging!

It's Just a Cold, for Goodness Sake!

Symptoms of the common cold may include cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold, with rhinovirus causing approximately one third of all adult colds. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. Adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold occurs most frequently during the fall and winter months.

As luck would have it, I have three out of the five afore-mentioned symptoms, more than likely the fat rhinovirus, the culprit.  Runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion of extreme proportions have consumed my airway. Total blockage, deafness, heart stopping sneezes and a nose that Rudolph would die for.  Not to mention, I am cold, yet it's not cold out.  Perhaps an inner cold with one major exception, the God blessed nose, it's on fire.

Admitting I am a "woosie,"  I sense impatient defeat.  Nasal sprays, decongestants, eucalyptus lozenges, Vicks are just temporary relief.  I have taken Airborne, which for the record does dry up the runny nose, but everything else as well, so if sleep does come to the body,one awakens with lips stuck to to your teeth, tongue so dry, you feel like the neighborhood dog searching for the nearest waterhole on a steamy August afternoon!

Supposedly consuming large amounts of liquids is good.  So say those that do not have a cold!  Just when a comfy position is acquired and sleep is imminent, nature sounds it alarm, blow the ballasts!  This vicious cycle continues into the wee hours, decisions need be made; do I once again try to get comfortable, use more cold remedies, get up walk the halls of the house, plot bodily harm on those  within these walls that can breathe and sleep, therefore providing a partner to share my miserable feeling or do I suffer in silence? Perhaps sharing my misery with the world will suffice.

Writer's Block...Unplugged

Our ability to search the web for God knows what, is a mere lesson of sizable proportions, probably becoming more understandable when compared to something along the lines of Carl Sagan's "infinite possibilities." 

 Remembering a conversation years back when trying to understand the the depth of eBay auctions;  "as I racked my brain, trying to figure out something that would not appear for sale, enema popped out ( forgive the pun) of the swirling boiling mush of a brain, that is thankfully locked tightly within my skull!" When dissecting that statement, a first thought might be, who cares? But, upon further consideration  and curiosity, I typed "enemas."  The rest is history!

Knowing I should let my weary bones rest, the evil child within my brain once again begins its temper tantrum of stupid thoughts.  As I sit in the darkness of my living room, snuggled deeply within the favorite corner of my couch,  the struggle of thoughts surfacing and the powering down of the body, begin their mighty battle.  

Typing "dictionary" into search, a multitude of choices appear before me.  Having used this before, my immediate choice is  MERRIAM-WEBSTER  online.  I had thought about bookmarking this site, but then questioning myself; 

"How will I know if  any newer sights have been added?" I left it as status quo.  

"Writer's Block" now literally staring at me, I hit the search tab:  "a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece." I think it should say ,PEACE,  I'd like to be able to sleep.  M-dubya*as she prefers to be called, is loaded with great trivia for the evil child gnawing at my brain.

 Other phrases that rhyme with WRITER'S BLOCK were numerous, some silly and some I had no idea.  Searching for "alpenstock ," just because it rhymed and M-dubya*suggested I do so, I learned:  "long iron-pointed staff used in mountain climbing."  Perhaps one day I will have the opportunity to give the alpenstock a try.  As for now,  the evil one has learned something new, although trivial.  It should suffice, but taking sinus medication as a chaser, should do the trick.

*M-dubya: my friend MERRIAM-WEBSTER!