Around four this morning the dogs and I were awakened by the loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard. It was right over our heads, and the house shook. I could almost feel the power of that thunder clap. Lesser claps followed than rolling thunder. The dogs and I were on alert. Finally, the thunder rolled away, and all of us were able to relax.

Last night’s rain was torrential, and the sounds of the drops on the roof and against the windows surrounded us. That was the last sound I heard before I fell asleep.

It was still raining but gently when we woke up. Now I hear only drops from the trees in the back yard. The sky lightens then darkens. It is warm and, as you’d expect, quite humid. More rain is predicted.

My dance card is filled this week with uke. Last night we had our usual Monday concert in Hyannis. The crowd was small as rain was a possibility. Tonight I have practice with a new book, Across America. Tomorrow is a lesson and another concert.

When I was a kid, I entertained myself all summer by finding something to do every day. The playground was my favorite spot. I’d spend whole days there. That was where I learned to weave gimp and make potholders. I played softball in the afternoons. I pitched and played first base. I loved those summer days.

On rainy days, I’d often ride my bike, that is if the rain was gentle. My favorite spots included the field near my house with the two horses. They’d come to the fence to greet us. I’d search around the golf course for golf balls which had missed their targets. Some were even across the street from the course on lawns. I’d ride to the farm and watch the cows. I’d pedal to the next town over and circle the lake. That was my long ride.

I always had books to read, mostly from the library. On Fridays, though, I’d get my fifty cents allowance and rush uptown to buy one of the Whitman books from the series I loved like Trixie Belden, Donna Parker and Ginny Gordon. They were 49¢ so that left a penny for candy.

The grocery store is on my list again. I forgot bread the last time. It is also an excuse to get another Snickers though I really don’t need an excuse. I just need chocolate.

Today is cloudy and humid, but a breeze gives a little relief. Rain is predicted for the late afternoon.

When I was a kid, I always wondered how it felt to grow old. I’d see old ladies shopping in the square. They wore flowered dresses like my grandmothers did. They wore clunky shoes with thick heels, usually black shoes with ties. In the rain they covered their heads with those see through rain hats tied under the chin, wore matching see through rain coats and shoe covers, each closed with a button. Their purses were square with a single strap. I never felt any connection between the old ladies and me.

In years I am old, but old is relative, not always age but sometimes disposition. I’ll be 76 on my next birthday. My face is lined. I used to lift 50 pounds of cat litter from the car to the house. Now I drag 15 pound bags. I still think I can do what I can’t do. Jars are a challenge. I forget stuff. It comes back but only after I needed it. I find that totally frustrating.

Growing old is physical. I have a cadre of doctors tending to my ills. I see them often because bodies have only a certain length of life. I get that.

Amazingly there is a miracle in all of this growing old business. It doesn’t dull the spirit unless you let it. Life is still fun and interesting and joyful, the best part of it all. I am awed by beautiful sunsets. I watch the snow fall under the back light. I love the colors of fall. I watch the worst old science fiction movies and enjoy every one of them. I like to laugh a lot. My friends and I still play the games we played as kids. The only difference is our language is much saltier.

I find life layered. The older we are, the more the layers. When I was young, my life was a single layer, but now, I think of my life as a giant chocolate cake with layer after layer filled with ganache. How wonderful!