It's almost Midnight - April 20, and my 86th year here on Planet Earth is about to take a hike.
It may be a day or two later for you, depending on how well this essay on "Life" goes from my fingertips to your eyes, after a tad of time for self-editing.
Eve, probably, was the first woman to employ her first annoying habit (mainly to bewilder "what's his name") and now, today's equally-annoying habit that is otherwise known as a woman's prerogative to change her mind, to protect her innocence and others' sensibilities. Needless to say, as a Blogger, for my family's benefit, I do my fair share of self-editing.
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Like most of my Senior buddies who have lived out their numbered years amidst the Depression Years, the agonizing combined years of all wars since World War II, the emotional struggles and challenges of moving from a friendly-family environment to a land far away, raising three kidlets pretty much on instinct and hoping to high heaven that those now-adult kids know they are so very treasured even if they didn't hear it as much as they deserved to hear it in those bewildering teen-age years, mistakes (mine) in choices and judgment (let's be honest when Blogging, right?) ... just a partial list of what went on in those 86 years. Kinda tells you more about that old saying: "What you see is what you get!!"
But, I hasten to add: It's a safe bet that 99.44% of my Senior buddies (myself included) would not self-edit any of those precious years, not one blessed moment of time!
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That "semi-confession" had to be tendered just so you will know there are evidently going to be "some changes made" (and it has nothing to do with what Fritz Coleman delivers to us daily over at KNBC) starting at the dawning of my 87th year which, promises to be "earth-shaking" to say the very least.
I lay that piece of information at the feet of those revealing Taurus Horoscopes that my Facebook Friends, Deb and Jessica, bring to my wondering mind every morning, come rain, snow or shine. Living in the Midwest (CT) these two caffeine-imbibing "perkies" have "home advantage" by two hours. It's mildly unfair that by the time I have thought of (or forgotten) clever repartee, they've back in bed by those same two hours.
It is to their credit that just when I am sometimes thinking of humming the "Old Rocking Chair's Got Me" blues, the "scopes" they refer to my attention with an underlying tone of mischief, daring, approval and, sometimes, friendly admonition, boldly hint that I think along the lines of adding to my almost accomplished Bucket List.
I chortle to myself when I think of all those other like-minded, sedate and/or sedated, Seniors reading those same words and wondering what magic potion those creators of Horoscopes are drinking as they sit at their computers dreaming up words that are bound to confound those of us considered past our prime.
To their credit, I will say that these wordsmiths have pretty much been on target for me this past year; forward thinking, I am trusting they will not disappoint even if I faintly deny their existence and my belief, when prudent, to others. Leprechauns? Haven't met one I didn't like...
So...it appears I will have to ask my "Chicken Little" DNA component to take a hike during my now 87th year or lose face with Deb and Jessica and others of my Facebook extended family, all the while conducting my deportment in such a way as to not malign my "Old Broad" reputation which I cherish and will defend, when prudent, to others.
It is now well past 12 01 a.m. - April 21st - and I am now legally 87 years of age, and I love it!
The "phasing in" has begun... I look forward to these events as per recent Horoscopes: "Have suitcase, will travel! An updated Passport is needed." Well, if traveling to Iowa and Illinois now demands a Passport, I'm fine, but I am really waiting for the day those creators of fantasy sitting at their computers mention "Ireland and a side trip to nearby Scotland" (where began my Reviers Clan). (Being Irish I need a "sign" and being Scottish, I need a $ sign!)
The "scopes" tell me that I consider "volunteering at a shelter." Coincidence? Taking that sentence literally, I have come to find that those hours spent volunteering at the Temple City Senior Lunch Program for the past year is my shelter, for reasons of the heart.
Why, just yesterday...on the final day of my 86th year... the Lunch Day Management (that would be Roman, Laila and Erica) managed to surprise me to tears and what was especially delightful, it was one of those "let them eat cake" kind of affairs.
Fellow volunteer, Samir Meleika (I call him Sam) who shares the same birthdate and was equally surprised when Roman delivered the cake in person, chortled while I dabbed my tears away much like those starlets do it in the movies but without the annoying runny nose.
Roman...that birthday cake means as much to me today as the one that Mom baked for my third birthday party, and I thank you and your co-horts!
And how can I finish this Blog without the "ridiculous" Horoscope that says there is a "special someone" who is looking for me (raising hand!) and to be on the alert. At 87 and counting? Come onnnnnn!
Well, some of you know that I hang out in the dog food aisle at Ralphs after they tell me the social security check has been electronically deposited.
And, just in case that "special someone" likes to stroll around the Arboretum holding hands, I've made an appointment for a Pedicure and a Manicure...
Chortling....CG/CW