Making it to 65

It's been five (5) years since I started this Blog, I turned 65 recently. Turning 65 is a significant milestone for many people, as it marks the age of retirement and eligibility for Medicare benefits. It can also be a time of reflection on one's life and accomplishments thus far. Especially with Covid in the air and all the pains we all have so far suffered through. The loss of friends and loved ones has left a hole in our hearts that will never completely fill, and for some of the long haulers, the end seems not in sight. Covid forced us to look not only at ourselves and those around us, but also of how we are living life. We reevaluated our shopping and social habits and our freedoms.

 I look back on my 60th birthday, I celebrated it by flying to Dublin Ireland sitting in a Dublin Pub, and having a Pint of Irish Red beer, it was worth every penny, A memory to have for the balance of my life. 

For some, retirement at 65 may be a welcome change, allowing for new hobbies, travel, and spending time with loved ones. However, for others, it can be a daunting transition, with concerns about financial stability, life, health, and safety, and losing a sense of purpose or independence.

Turning 65 can also be a time to reflect on one's life and accomplishments. It can be a time to set new goals and pursue new passions.

Of course, turning 65 also means facing the realities of aging. It is important to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and more regular medical check-ups.

For Me, despite the Covid lockups and restrictions:

• I have only gained a few pounds during Covid, and now I'm at 222 pounds.
• I have however suffered a stroke and a seizure that earned me a fractured hip in these 5 years. 
• A bad investment with my youngest son has cost me that precious relationship, and now we are estranged. He did not reach out for my 65th birthday yet he lives but 2 miles away.
• I participated in the 2022 Florida Phython hunt.
• I found some friends more reliable than others unexpectedly exceeding all my hopes and prayers. And some persons I regarded as close friends to be false, turning their back on me in my calls for help and aid. See below.

RELIABLE AND UNRELIABLE FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Heed this warning. As 65 approaches evaluate both your friends and family. Squirrel away extra cash in addition to all other needs for when they can not or will not respond to help you, I never thought at this 'early" age a day would come when I could not do some basic car and home repairs and tasks, I always thought somewhere in the back of my mind that my friends and family (assuming they were alive and well) should the need arise they would help me, what a fool I was. I recommend Upgrading your home safety (garb bars and handrails also) better your interior lighting be like the sun rather than a candle and install automation (see below).

My family has a recipe that has been handed down from my mother for a cake that is not only delicious but brings back her memory with every bite keeping her alive in my heart. My wife however takes a different view as it requires effort and planning, if I ask for it, she uses that as a reason to not make it. Needless to say another birthday with no cake.  I sent the recipe to Queen Elizabeth as a birthday gift before her passing. 

Get several Alexa Echos( I suggest 3 or more) or google home units and smart blubs to develop an emergency plan in case of injury or injury. 

While I'm all for information and consumer education, When relaxing and watching some TV or a streaming service, I really don't want to hear or know about your crotch rot, stench or limp dick. You know what's the best way to keep your Aids undetectable is stop shooting your mouth off and stop spreading it, it's best to be honest about having it and keep it to yourself and keeping your "gun" in YOUR pants and hands. Hey, Remember, silicone doesn't get AIDS, people do.

A look ahead

Throughout my life, I have invested time, energy, and resources into acquiring a variety of skills, tools, and possessions. However, as I have grown older, I have come to realize that I can no longer use most of these items safely. Even if I were to offer them for free, no one seems to be interested in acquiring old tools. Unfortunately, my children have no interest in my dated possessions, regardless of their value, my wisdom has been replaced with YouTube videos. It is time for me to let go of things like my scuba gear as well. Will I make it another 5 years to 70? or even to 66, seems this world and its inhabitants and I have different values and goals. However, I will strive to make the most of each day and live with purpose and intention, regardless of what the future may hold.

Life use to be simple: If you had a penis and balls you were a male otherwise you were a female (this decision was made before you were born or had input). Seems nature understands this, if you are still unsure as to what you or your "pronouns" are go to a farm for visual help, or stand naked over a water puddle or grab a mirror and have a look around down there, problem solved, stop bitching and move on. The only people that were "them" were persons with multiple personality disorder and your enemies.

I never worry about how many people will show up for my Funeral. I think the turn-out would be fine some there to show respect and sadness for my passing and an equal group to just make sure I am truly dead.

I'll be trying to make the most of this new chapter in my life. The future seems dark and forbidding to me, my compass seems unsure of a proper direction. My celebration of 65 will have to wait a bit more as I aggravated the fractured hip. What shall we do to celebrate this milestone in my life?

IN REGARDS TO TRUMP RUNNING AGAIN

Wake up! No one cares! If he paid for sex or to keep her mouth open or closed,  If she took the money let's just call her a whore or a "business partner" and move on.  President Kennedy was a skirt chaser also. President Clinton a married president got a blow job from an Intern in the White House and lied his ass off about his and Ms. Lewinsky's relationship, Had Clinton not come on her blue dress shoulder the problem would have never been known, what did we do, we acted like no big deal and life went on. 

It's not surprising that powerful men may engage in such behavior and try to hide it. While it's true that mistakes and some stupid comments were made by both Trump and Biden. We need to look out the windshield instead of the rearview mirror. 

Trump was also the first to take action against the Covid threat (does anyone remember the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess cruise liner Covid shit show?). Trump tried sealing the U.S. borders and preventing the entry of the virus. Despite strong vocal and print criticism from politicians, news agencies, and talking heads. Trump Tried to protect All Americans, and in response we fought him. In contrast, Biden proclaimed. 

Biden helped a major employer (Chrysler) leave Delaware, which raises questions about what he can do for your state and city. Would you rather have a short-term handout, and a shit-eating grin or a job? 

It's concerning that we provide foreign aid and support to other countries without receiving a debt offset or proper compensation or recognition for the loss of American lives. If we continue to interfere in other countries' affairs and try to, or kill their leaders, we may one day be the ones worrying about armed or Kamikaze drones and aerial bombs and missiles. 

I don't remember the Ukrainian president requesting FREE arms and military aid. It seems to me he made a Presidental supply request for his country that needs to be paid. NO $$$, who owes his country? Let's do an accounting adjustment and reduce the nation's debt.

Really? I'm going to be 60?

And suddenly to my surprise, turning 60 was only months away.  Where did the time go?  Seems time for me to both reflect on the past, plan for the event and then look forward.  What else is there?

And so this blog begins.

Funerals, we all got to go sometimes.

A work in progress.

A debtor once said a typical "smartass" comment about my "funeral" which warranted some reflection.  I have come to believe that my funeral guests will be standing in groups: immediate family, friends and relatives,  those just making sure I'm dead and maybe a few curiosity seekers.

The choices are many for the theme.  My son likes the idea of a Viking funeral, interesting.  I don't think I want conventional, I avoid those myself.  More thought required.

Better YouTube Cooking Videos

Having been stuck at home now for several weeks, I feel like I'm now a YouTube expert. Here are my quick tips for better YouTube cooking videos.

Maximum length 4 minutes 30 seconds. 7-minute videos? 10- Minute videos? If I had that much time, I would use a cookbook.

Music does not always make it better.

Watch your film at 2x speed. If you look like your doing the hokey pokey.  . . Yeah, that's what it looks like to me too. Stop doing the Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tubeman thing.

If when your video is paused on YouTube and you see 4 or more frames that look much like duplicates in the timeline, the scene is a snoozer.

Download a video editor to improve and edit your video.  Then use it.  

Stop with the zooming in and out already. I'm getting seasick.

Do something with the hair! 

It's OK to be young. Just stop being a total nitwit and all glittery.

Sorry, your kids are cute to you, but not me. If we are doing kids food great. Same for pets.

Take the jewelry off.  

Yes, I know I need to open the package to get the product out.  You don't need to tell me.  

Stop banging utensils on the bowl or pot.  Use a spatula.

If this is your first time making the dish, that's your first mistake, please don't tell me.

Sure, maybe you wear that silk blouse when you make fried chicken. Give me a break.

Guys, wear a regular shirt.  Not a wife beater. No creds for you.

Clean the grease off your pots before videotaping using them. Ever heard of Ez-Off?

Yes, I know how to crack an egg.  I don't need to watch you do it.

If your arms block the shot, move the camera.  Duh.

Young girls, it's not a fashion show or a Facebook update for all your peeps. Cook dam it, NEXT.

Pictures of empty pots on the stove.  Brilliant, does James Cameron know about you?

Either move the knife faster or stop filming you chopping something.  You're killing me.

Chopping onions, seen it, done it, got it, next.

Please stop reading me food labels.

Purchase a decent microphone. What the hell did you just say?

Clean up the kitchen and background.  You're on camera.

If I wanted to listen to off-color language, I would listen to rap. 

Clean the camera lens please.  

FOCUS! FOCUS! Is that a cucumber or a dildo?

You're cooking, you're not a comedian, get on with it.

Turn the annoying background noise off this includes the background music. Yes, that does include the vent hood.

Get rid of the Flys before you start filming. Yes, your introductory story is very interesting, please tell it to someone else off-camera who cares.

Stirring and still more stirring. Got it, keep it short.  

Use a pot big enough to hold everything and with room to stir.  

Oil in a pan getting hot for 40 seconds. Got it, move on already.

I really don't care what store you bought it at. I mean that.  

Please don't eat the food that falls on the floor.  

Get the tools ready BEFORE you start filming or at least know where YOU keep them.  

I don't need to watch you wash your dishes, I have my own and know how.  

If you have a food webpage, advertise it in writing, I might want to go there.  

Best thing in your life you've ever tasted?  Reeeaaaally

Beauty, what is it?

Wikipedia defines beauty as - Beauty is a characteristic of an animal, idea, object, person or place that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, culture, social psychology, philosophy and sociology. 


But when does one actually experience it?  Is it something you can be shown or taught?   Many think so.  Perhaps it dwells in a vision, taste, smell or vibration?  A memory perhaps of some time or place.  



Some would define it by strict lines and angles, while others would have us believe that the abstract view would enhance or bring it in to focus. Still, others would look to the human form to find guidance and pause.  Maybe it's not man made but embedded in the wonder and power of nature or in the structures of our eath its self.  Then again, might it be a logic of no body, existing only in our minds and souls or simply a perspective.



Surely for my time on this planet, I have experienced them all but something was missing and hidden from me.  In reflection: I've stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon and beheld the buffet before me.  I've caressed the softness of a maiden's breast and felt the leather roughness of my father's hand.  I've seen the birth of my children and held a dyings person's hand and watched them travel from life to death.  I've seen the artworks of the masters both old and new.  Smelled the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle, thick in the early morning country air.  I've flown above the clouds and dived below the waters of the sea.  I've listened to man's music and that of nature and the earth.  I've gazed into the endless space above and the depths of my own soul.  These things and more are part of me. 


So did I let beauty pass by me unnoticed?  No, but I failed to drink it in enough, being to busy trying to move forward. Which brings us to a revised definition.

Beauty - that one point in time which may be a fraction of a second or an extended period of time when you and the thing of your attention seem in harmony with all that you are to the point that without thinking about it, you wish it would never end.  It is unique to every being.