“New Year’s is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.”
The day is overcast but warm. The sun keeps trying to break through, but the clouds are too heavy. Every now and then the day lightens and I get hopeful, but then the sun disappears again. I don’t really mind today’s weather. I’m comfortable here inside and have no plans to be elsewhere.
Poor January 2nd. We had Christmas with all its preparations then a short wait until New Year’s Eve then New Year’s Day. Today is just another in a long line of days.
When I see pictures of singers I really like, I wonder how they got so old. Gordon Lightfoot is one example, and I couldn’t believe it when I realized Judy Collins is 72 or close to it. I have a friend who is eligible for medicare. What’s going on here? How did we all get so much older?
I think I was paying far more attention to life itself to realize that each day meant I was a day older. The first time I got a senior discount I needed a brown bag to stop me from hyper-ventilating. I don’t feel older. Admittedly, I’m a bit slower, and my word retrieval skills have ah, ah, you know, ah, deteriorated. On New Year’s Eve, I didn’t know a single song or singer. The audience was singing along. They all looked twelve to me, and I wondered why their mothers would let them out so late.
I like to think of the new year as a time for renewal, a time for a better me, but I’m been in the house so long I’m going crazy, and I haven’t given any thought to renewal. Yesterday I drove my new car around the block. I wondered where the crowds were and the flags and whether my pit stop was ready for me. I wanted to wave to the crowds in the same funny way as the queen waves, but I didn’t see anyone. Just riding around the block seemed that exciting.
Last night my foot and leg hurt. I moved to a more comfortable position and the pain disappeared, but I figure I need to take this really slowly. Tomorrow I’ll give it another try. I hope there will be crowds. I have my wave all ready.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Getting Old, New Year
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
January 2, 2011 at 3:11 pm
The alternative, dying young, is not an acceptable option.
The aches and pains only remind us that we are alive. Dead people feel nothing, I think.
Glad to see you back again.
January 2, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Bob,
You’re right about the option, but I think I’d feel alive even without the aches and pains.
Thanks-I’m glad to be back!
January 2, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Flag this post for the Coffee Book. I can assure you if you drive down here in my neighborhood of Range Road, I will be standing by the mailbox waving, waving, to you Queen Katalina in her new car. No kidding. I’ll be out there if you can make it. Then we will celebrate your being fully cured by having a few drinks on the beach. How’s that for an invite? Well you’re right, today is like any other day. Boring for me and I ran out of friends to ask over for dinner. They are all getting ready for work. That’s what keeps them young, and me too. I go to work tomorrow with the rest. So maybe you ought to file for a job at the local Library and start growing backwards. In a few years you can celebrate 59 again.
January 2, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Z&Me,
I am quite pleased by the invitation but even more excited that I’d have a waver. You’d also get a nod and a slight smile in thanks!
Nope, I really don’t want to work. I do enjoy retirement and the freedom I have every day. but I do like the counting backwards. That has merit.
January 2, 2011 at 4:41 pm
I was waving while you were driving and songs were going thru my head. I love what Zoey writes. Queen Katalina– fine name. I am still trying to wake up, and just listened to tune. I can’t imagine Pete Seeger being ninety. You made my New Year’s Eve, Kat. Keep feeling better.
January 2, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Thanks, Lori
It was good to know I had one waver. You’re right about Pete Seeger. I am always amazed that my favorites look different, older. I hear their voices and they stay young to me.
I actually went out for dinner tonight-pizza!!!
January 2, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Cheers
January 2, 2011 at 8:33 pm
This was fantastic!!!!!I loved it, even watched twice. Thanks, Minicapt.
January 2, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Like you, Kat, I find it curious to see so many of my favorite entertainers getting gray and wrinkled. However, even more disturbing is the fact that I turn on the TV or computer and find the latest updates on Erykah and Redman. WHO? I have no idea who they are talking about when they mention these young entertainers. I guess we all remain young in our imaginations. That is, until we pass a mirror or get those offers for senior discounts. Zoey & Me is correct though…growing old beats the alternative. Happy New Year to you, Kat, and to all your readers. May it be a year of good health and much happiness for everyone. PEACE!
January 2, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Rita,
Like you, I know very few of the new music stars. I stopped watching the Grammy awards a long while back. I look up on line the ones I’d know that never do make it to TV.
I figure I look younger than my years and no one will convince me otherwise.
Happy New Year and Good Wishes! Please Peace!
January 3, 2011 at 8:19 am
i agree this one goes i the book!
i too found myself very disappointed as we turned on the TV to watch the ball drop, not only does Dick Clark look already dead, they did not sing Auld Lang Syne, they sang New York, New York…it is always New York in times square, it is not always New Years!
i too, am older and less tolerant of all the new ‘entertainers’.
i am so glad you got out of the house for a bit, slow and steady wins the race kat!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
January 3, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Thanks, Splendid
I went out for dinner last night and my leg and foot ached all day so I took it slowly. I’m going to a movie tomorrow so I am finally getting a glimpse of the world.
January 3, 2011 at 12:19 pm
It´s a bit scary sometimes 🙂 The other day I was talking to a “kid” at work realizing I´m 26 years older than him!!! I just can´t understand how fast time flies by! My body feels lime it´s 102 years old but in my head I´m still 19 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a great day now!
Christer.
January 3, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Christer,
That’s all of us-long in the tooth but still young in our heads. The years pass too quickly.
January 3, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Dick Clark’s Rockin New Years Eve is an institution that has aged as poorly as the sadly afflicted host. Everybody watches, everybody talks about whether or not Clark should continue and speculates as to the reason he is still greeting the change in the calendar.
The show brings high levels of humor, from Mrs Dick seriously resisting her husband’s attempt at a mega smooch (get off you are slobbering on me) to the stream of second and third rate musical artists that are presented for our enjoyment. “I had a part in their success” slurred old Dick, and who do they wheel out ? The Backstreet Boys and the New Kids on the Block with careers that have been moribund for the last 10 years.
Do I care that these singers on not on my radar ? Nope, but I would be happy to discuss the wonders of the new Arcade Fire or Gorillaz or These New Puritans which I play quite happily alongside the Bob Dylan mono boxset, without too much concern over my ever increasing years.
We do get older, we do change, we loose those most precious to us but we reflect on our individual good fortunes and we look forward to the new and challenging.
SO, having said all that America’s Team extended their winning streak to four games taking out the Vikings yesterday at Ford Field. My only disappointment was that Suh did not have the opportunity to distract Fav-Ray from his habit of sending strange pictures from his cell phone.
Mark it down now…Lions are playoff bound in 2012 !
January 3, 2011 at 5:06 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I can’t watch Dick any more. I watched the first year of his return, but felt so bad I never tuned him in again. The Backstreet Boys and the New Kids are out of my musical taste. I was far too old for boys bands.
You’re right about the new year offering precious experiences and different challenges. Already I’m excited about that August trip to Ghana. I’m thinking of tacking on some more of Africa while I’m there.
Kudos to your Lions making the layoffs. The Pats get a bye first week.
January 3, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Kat…not this year for Americas Team but I am looking for playoffs next !
Ooohhh….countdown to Ghana, now you are talking. I don’t even have my first trip of 2011 solidified…what’s up with that ?
January 3, 2011 at 9:32 pm
My Dear Hedley,
Ghana will be having events next August which is the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps volunteers arriving in Ghana, the first country to host volunteers.
The currents volunteers are making the plans. They asked for pictures or stories. I submitted the story of my training, the very first totally in-country, and it was accepted for the commemorative book. I am waiting for more info but I know it will be August.
January 4, 2011 at 8:14 am
Would you consider posting the story ? It would be very interesting to read.
January 4, 2011 at 12:49 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I’d be thrilled to except I can’t find it! I have no idea where it’s stored. My hard drive died in October but everything was backed up so it’s somewhere.