There's Always Something...

Atlanta...

Sport teams have their mascots these days. Most of them are pretty bad. Atlanta, however, has one that I rather like.

Men's Brains - and Women's Brains. Lord Help Us...

Well friends, here is the wisdom of the century and the secret of the battle of the sexes...

Dancin'

If I ever do get my video thing going, I think, in memory of Gene Kelly and that mouse - and this fellow dancing all over the world (literally!) - I will get some people dancing.

We Had a Family Time...

What a great week it was with Bo and Daniel coming east to Arizona!

 

Phoenix Suns...

We're passionate Phoenix Suns fans. this photo will give you an idea of why.

 

Steve...

There's no more loved and respected athlete  around than two time NBA "most valuable player, Steve Nash. Steve is point guard for the Phoenix Suns. The Boston Globe and Rob Galbraith caught this picture of him in last night's opening ceremonies. 

Steve left right after the ceremonies for Dallas, where he is starting point guard for the NBA's all-star game.

The reason I bring this up is that Jo Ann and I watched the often boring, but also often stirring ceremonies until late in the night. K.D. Lang's singing of "Hallelujah" by our favorite, Leonard Cohen, was stunning. Shortly after that, when Steve appeared to actually light the big torch, both of us bounced from our chairs, choking back tears and loudly applauded our hero. Scared the daylights out of our dogs.

Retiring with Purpose...

I'm not sure why people ask me about the secrets of happy retirement. Probably because of my former occupation which supposedly qualifies me as a bona fide "wise man", though, if truth be known, I don't know much more than the next guy.

Anyway, I usually give the classic new age reply; "follow your bliss" - but with slightly different wording. Many of my former parishioners advised me during my final year of work, "learn to say "no", then say it. Very good. Very wise. But not always that easy to pull off.

But those are the two principles I have followed in the "golden years". Bliss and thoughtful discipline.

As far as the bliss part is concerned, I have been blessed with several passions that consume my waking moments. Home and family come first, and easily so. Church, of course, remains vital, though I find it easier now to pick and choose when and how I participate. Very nice!

Writing, making pots, cooking good stuff, reading, photography and exercise are consuming passions that jostle each other for a portion of my soul and daily schedule. Not a single one of them fails to create excitement and fascination. They do have to take turns. I'm a bit like a hungry mule standing in a barn between several bales of hay. My chief problem is which bale to nibble on.

As far as the saying "no" is concerned; this is complex. I've never known an activity or a passion yet that didn't want or sometimes demand your whole loyalty. Communities are notorious for claiming to be "family" and setting forth agendas that subtly require one's presence and loyalty. The key guilt producing phrase is "I haven't seen you lately!"

Then, aging itself builds certain demands into one's life. Doctors appointments, forms to be filled out, strategies to be revisited, contacts to be made. Examinations and treatments, of course. Getting old isn't for sissies and one must keep those demands in some kind of balance as well. A huge percentage of one's time can be spent on the whole matter of getting old!

Balancing the positives and negatives. Keeping a sweet spirit while coping with the reality of life's negatives. Living with other people's expectations without losing one's soul. Being able to converse with people without fixating on one's health problems. Staying out of arguments about politics, even when you have strong political leanings. These are just a few of the elder's challenges.

Then, sometimes we just get tired.

Oddly, I've found these days to be the happiest of my lifetime. Appreciating the past, enjoying the present and joyfully anticipating what comes next, whatever that may be - that's the best I can do with the aging riddle.

New Car...

You see, I've been looking for a new economy car and I found this one in a nearby Arizona ghost town. I tried to make an offer, but couldn't find anyone around. So I tried to steal it but couldn't get it to start. So I took a photo and just think about it a lot.

 

Snow...

One of the pictorial blogs I follow regularly is the one put out by the Boston Globe.

The photos are so darned real that they plunge me into wonderful nostalgia.

I've lived in several snow states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, Connecticut, and going way back, Massachusetts - in addition to some that had SOME snow. Lots of fond, snowy memories. Maybe mostly enjoyed around this time of year. 

The romance of it can often blot out the tedious and sometimes violent realities of things that happen in the snow. Watching the recent weather reports is a sobering experience.

We rather enjoy the sunny 60's of the Arizona Solstice. I'm perfectly willing to relish the joy of the Globe's squirrel frolicking in the morning snow - at a distance.

Merry Christmas, friends!

 

The Importance of Good Donuts...

Maybe it's just cranky old me. 

But something funny happened yesterday. We go to this monthly get-together that keeps the residents of our community informed on what's going on behind the scenes. It isn't exactly the high point of the month for me, but I go because I don't want to miss anything.

Yesterday everybody seemed upbeat and positive. The atmosphere was relaxed; fun. Folks were hanging around the refreshment table - even going back for seconds. I did too. Lots of laughter. Then I realized what had happened. Someone on the staff had stopped by Dunkin' Doughnuts and loaded up with freshly cooked donuts. Then on to a New York bagel shop for freshly cooked bagels. The atmosphere and the food were electric!

The breakfast goodies generally consist of somewhat stale rolls from the day before - still cool from the night in the frig. I'd never given it much thought. Isn't that what happens? Besides, it gave me an excuse for not eating anything on top of our own breakfast of a few hours before. 

It also started the meeting on the wrong foot.

But that's the way it is and isn't the type of thing that folks talk about. Who wants to be a grouch?

There's a lesson here. For businesses, churches, clubs, etc. - any organization that starts things off with refreshments in the morning. There are few things as soul-satisfying as fresh, delicious, thoughtfully served donuts and coffee. It says to people in delightful terms, "you matter - and what we're doing here this morning matters!" Something like that may involve more effort, more thought, but it is a special gift to those fortunate enough to be there and it pays off in unexpected ways. This is second mile stuff.

I look forward to next month's meeting. Yes. I said that. I did. And I do.