My Mom lives pretty far away in Florida, at a very nice retirement home with full lifecare. She's approaching a milestone birthday (we are not allowed to celebrate that number). Her husband has deteriorated to a point where he needs assisted living, since a terrible bout of pneumonia in February. To make the trek from one residence to another on this large retirement community, Mom has to walk...or ride. She e-mailed me her excitement about her new full-size tricycle. It's from Walmart, doesn't cost too much, and will replace a rusted out heavy steel tricycle she can't push around anymore.

It flashed into my head that only 75 years ago, she was probably smiling when she anticipated her first tricycle. No doubt while pedaling along the avenues on Long Island, she had a big grin and felt so independent. Today, she has the same feeling. She has a new "toy" if you will, she can use it whenever she wants, and she can get all around the island (sidewalks covering over one mile).

I don't know how I feel, seeing this. I'm happy for her, of course, and glad she is staying active and getting around well. It's hard seeing parents age, though. I remember her as a hard-charging single mom working long hours in real estate, putting us through school with true grit and determination. Now, we're celebrating a new tricycle.

Her life is simpler, and happier, as it was 75 years ago. I hope I can also be happy as I age, and that somehow I can emulate her determination that today drives her to buying that new tricycle so she can get around.

There is no one size fits all. At least this has been what I have seen as I and my loved ones age. I'm 70 and work my ass off keeping up the farm. Is it simplier? Hell no, but I am plenty happy.

My dad died when he was 87. He had just finished building his fifth home. When I was down there closing up his estate, I could not believe all the projects (dune buggy, even a small airplane) he was also working on. He got jaw cancer and bam, six months later we buried him. He was happy as could be but there was nothing simple about his life.

Shoot, I have a BIL that is 79 and works four days a week stocking shelves during the night shift at our local Walmart. I don't think he is all that happy about it but I don't think I would call his life simple.

I guess you do what you have to do as you age and make the best of your personal situation. Sounds like your mom is happy and that is all that really matters. Good for her.

I'm 65 and I've sensed a change in myself.

i don't know, but she sounds like a wonderful woman and enjoying life. I hope she has many more youthful years ahead to enjoy life and her new ride.
I liked your post and hope you have a great weekend.
Your mother raised a good son.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

What is the truth (or happiness) for one is all that is important.

I'm 66 (that's not "old", right?) and I do find myself more inclined to get rid of stuff than collect it.

That's a major philosophy shift for a guy that's been a world-class pack rat since forever.

I still have a "Toy Budget" (being nicely enhanced by getting rid of stuff) but my tastes are a bit more discriminating (ie: expensive) than in the past.

I also find I'm much more inclined to write a check than to do physically demanding stuff for myself. Some is just plain laziness, most is a concentrated effort to preserve what's left of my joints.

my brother retired after 33 years with the same out fit, he had 4 1/2 months of r&r,
he still works with habitat for humanity , and now he is going to the pantry for five hours, three days a week,
thursday is a poker game at 1:30.

he takes care of his 4 acre lot.

he is 77 now,
then there are the 4 trips to chicago and nashville to see the grand kids.

I think he is as busy now as he was while working

67 is around the corner here shortly and I have surely changed.

I no longer dwell on possessions like I once did. I've given away several guns in the past few years. And it gave me a lot of pleasure to pass them on. Never thought I would be getting rid of them, much less as gifts.

Used to be nuts for hunting. Now I can barely shoot a coyote who is threatening the cats and dog here. I know I can't allow them, but taking their life is tough. Not so ten years back.

I've become more emotional. Situations I could shake off in the past...really get to me now.

Simpler? For sure feeling differently than I ever have.

Mating rituals don't take up as much time and energy.

Per OP question. I for 1 certainly hope so

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Mating rituals don't take up as much time and energy.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
67 is around the corner here shortly and I have surely changed.

I no longer dwell on possessions like I once did. I've given away several guns in the past few years. And it gave me a lot of pleasure to pass them on. Never thought I would be getting rid of them, much less as gifts.

Used to be nuts for hunting. Now I can barely shoot a coyote who is threatening the cats and dog here. I know I can't allow them, but taking their life is tough. Not so ten years back.

I've become more emotional. Situations I could shake off in the past...really get to me now.

Simpler? For sure feeling differently than I ever have.

I'll be 70 in a few months and you nailed my current feelings about my life.

I lived for hunting and fishing for many decades, but I have a very strong aversion to killing anything that isn't a direct threat to me or my family now. I still fish, just not as much as I used to.

I haven't given any guns away yet, but not having any family members that would enjoy or appreciate them I may just start selling them off. There are a handful of them that I still enjoy shooting but a bunch that I don't anymore. Big change for me right there.

Having battled cancer all of 2016 has really changed my outlook on life in general. Hard to describe, so I won't try right now.

It's amazing how little things can give me such great pleasure now. As an example, the other day I smoked some Salmon fillets and tried a different brine recipe and smoking method on the Weber kettle. Everyone that has tried it has said it is the best I have ever done and I have smoked, probably hundreds of pounds of fish over the years. A little thing indeed, but it's put a big smile on my face.

My life has become simpler and easier and I wouldn't change much about it.

Jim

My dad is 87 and loves life. He's in an assisted living facility across the parking lot from my mom's nursing home. He rides his scooter to go see her and to take her ice cream every day. He's on oxygen and needs a walker or scooter to get around. But he's always happy and cheerful. He says everyday is a struggle but he finds happiness in the simplest of things.

You finally come to understand all that you strive for comes to naught in the end, thereby teaching the final lesson.

Happiness as you age is very health dependent. We can talk about all of the wonderful things seniors do (golf, volunteer work, travel etc) but if a retired/aging person is dealing with serious medical issues, it becomes an all consuming fight against those issues and not about actually living. I've seen it all too often.

I'm 74 and although there are a few health things creeping in that will eventually get me, right now I actually feel a lot younger. I think working out at the gym 4 or more days a week helps this a lot.

If you want a graceful aging period, take good care of yourself when you're in mid life. You know all of the things you should or should not do. No guarantees except if you smoke, drink heavily, don't get proper exercise and keep your mind active your chances go down 10 fold.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
As an example, the other day I smoked some Salmon fillets and tried a different brine recipe and smoking method on the Weber kettle. Everyone that has tried it has said it is the best I have ever done and I have smoked, probably hundreds of pounds of fish over the years. A little thing indeed, but it's put a big smile on my face.

You know you can't put that out there without sharing the recipe, right?

With regard to the OP and previous posters, I'm only 52 (still just a kid) but I've gotten the same way with hunting/killing. While there is still few things I enjoy more than getting out in the woods in the fall, I've passed up more critters than I can ever remember. Part of it is that I don't have the energy or desire to drag them darned things out anymore, and part of it is it has gotten tougher to take the lives...at least for non-vermin type game. It's part of the reason that I've mostly stopped bow hunting. I've hunted with a bow since the late 70s and never had a problem sticking deer/elk, but of late, I've come to realize that it is just not humane (IMO) nor a quick death. I don't care for that. I'd certainly still employ my skills if I needed to, but I don't, so....

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
You finally come to understand all that you strive for comes to naught in the end, thereby teaching the final lesson.

Depends on the person, apparently.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gustofer:

You know you can't put that out there without sharing the recipe, right?

Here you go.

I started out with my basic recipe: first 3 items and added the rest.

4 cups water

1/4 cup salt

3/4 cup brown sugar (dark)

3/4 cup Teriyaki marinade

1/4 cup Soy Sauce

1 tbs garlic powder

1 tbs celery salt

2 tbs Worchester sauce

about 4 tbs Thai Sweet Chile sauce

2 shakes of Cajun Sunshine hot pepper sauce

I snaked 2 rows briquettes and blocked them in with 2 bricks. I was able to keep the temp at 190 degrees for 4 hours and it came out perfect.

Jim

I'm 68 next month and I long for simpler. Meanwhile, Mother at 92, seems to hang on to the present. I spend a lot of time helping, caring, loving Mother.

That sounds good Jim, I'm guessing they've got a little bite to them. I assume you brine them overnight (or so) and then dry them off prior to smoking/drying?