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Getting Older Challenges & Observations Part II 9/4/2017 6:06:27 AM
The challenges of getting older never goes away. Here is the second installment of my observations of becoming older. I am sure you can identify. Check it out.
When I was much younger, I did not look forward with a great deal of anticipation to getting older. One of my kid memories from the fifties is seeing an old couple, I probably thought they were well into their eighties, driving an RV. The old guy had white hair and leathery looking skin. So did the woman with him. Obviously I don’t remember my exact thoughts, but most likely it went something like this, “Geez!! They are way too old to be driving, let alone driving that big thing. I bet they have a hard time steering it!! They ought to be at home resting.”
I am not eighty yet, but do have the white hair that comes with advancing years. Today, when I see an older couple like that I admire them. They possess abilities far beyond the understanding of that little boy. Long life has a tendency to provide the tools needed to understand and negotiate through its challenges.
I posted some of those challenges in an earlier blog http://www.commonmanadventures.com/getting-older-challenges-observations/. The challenges and observations will never end. It’s kind of fun actually to go through. There is humor in life. Seeing it and laughing with it is good therapy. Here are a few more older challenges I observed: I remember when almost every truck I saw had a business name on it doors.
Why is it I can’t speak to a real live human on the telephone when I want to make arrangements to purchase something or to complain about something?
My wife sent me to the store to buy a certain brand of toothpaste. She failed to give me enough data to complete the mission. That brand had several choices. Whitening, extra whitening, mint, cool mint, advanced, regular paste, etc. I remember when given the brand name I only had one choice.
In 1973 I paid $2600 for my new Dodge Dart Sport. It had an automatic transmission, ¾ vinyl roof, and no air conditioning. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it sure looked fast. Today that brand new stripped down Dodge Dart version starts at $17,000.
What’s a phone booth? Only four working ones left today and they are in Manhattan, NY. In the 1990’s there were around 90 million. Cell phones are the reason for the near extinction of phone booths. Did you know cell phones will soon be replaced by free Wi-Fi Kiosk and cell phone charger stations?
Internet terrorism. Thirty years ago I didn’t even know what the internet was.
I suffer from Age Disease now. It’s the excuse I use when the body prevents me from doing what I once was able to do.
Ever go to the store and try to buy just plain o’ mustard? So many varieties now!!!
I have learned over the years to be selective about life’s battles. In other words I choose my battles.
I often read a paper for a different kind of news today. Which friend died?
Taking car keys away today definitely has a different meaning today than when I was sixteen.
I struggle with the new language of text!!
I have seen that deer in the headlight look when I mention to a youngster something called a push button on a phone.
Hollywood seems to have taken over our comics. I don’t recognize the characters anymore.
Superman and Lois Lane had a baby!!!
TV appears to have a much darker theme today.
I remember party lines when talking on the telephone. Now we have pass codes for phone security.
Most people have caller ID today. Its’ great. I can let the caller ID inform me who is calling me so I don’t have to answer if I don’t want to.
Colonoscopy is a very unpleasant word.
I am challenged by medication bottles. Very difficult to read the prescribed medication.
Driving for ten hours used to be no problem. I could easily do it in a day. Now it’s a two day trip.
Senior discounts are a good thing.
Mel Gibson and his wife share war wound stories in Lethal Weapon. My wife and I identify. We share who has the worst old age pain stories.
Recently I had an elderly friend of mine tell me doctor dating stories. When I asked what he meant he said they had to go to the doctor’s office so much they might as well consider it dating.
I’ve got more to say in this blog but just a minute. I’ll be right back. Gotta go pee!!
I bet some of you can identify.
