Happy Hour Morro Bay, Ca
Halter Ranch Vineyard, Paso Robles appellation
At risk of sounding self evident, everything is relative.
I was sinking into depression as I read a favored blogger who lamented his approaching turn to 61. He reflected how quickly the last year passed and how in just a few more quick passes he will be 70 when he noted it will be "hard to ignore the reality," the reality of which he wrote are "the intimations of mortality!" Gosh, thanks a lot pal!
I raised it at coffee after a 90 minute tennis slug fest with another elder boomer and a couple of battlers a few years ahead. The gents in our circle on the coffee deck at Lily's are of a similar age. We noted village elders in their 90's who are dynamos of activity, including tennis and pickle ball and civic groups. The number of 80 somethings who run, play court games, lawn bowl, hike, kayak, bike, dance or find romance are too numerous to count. 70 year olds are like the 40-50 year old's back east, with full engagement in everything, including surfing that stretches the body in extraordinary ways. 60 year olds here are teeny boppers. 50 and below are the kids.
Our "circle of wisdom" agreed that attitudes about age in our village on the Central California Coast are schematically different than those back east. Given the blessing of health, age is relative, and relatively younger here. Or so we have convinced ourselves.
Our "circle of wisdom" agreed that attitudes about age in our village on the Central California Coast are schematically different than those back east. Given the blessing of health, age is relative, and relatively younger here. Or so we have convinced ourselves.
You could argue that we are surrounded by beauty, without freeways, urban sprawl or high density humanity. True and that helps but one of the youngest people I know is our friend Tod, who lives in the heart of New York City. A dancer, choreographer, artist and renaissance thinker, Tod has mentored generations of creative spirits. He is north of 80 but his passion for life, learning and expression makes me think he has the fountain of youth on tap in his kitchen. It is a mind set, like so many of our friends here.
In Indianapolis I served on the board of an historical, Presidential Home and was surprised when two powerful and influential men, still fully engaged, needed to retire from the board when they reached 65. They had years of experience and yet had years of service to give, but "retirement age" was a custom, part of the cultural mores.
In Indianapolis I served on the board of an historical, Presidential Home and was surprised when two powerful and influential men, still fully engaged, needed to retire from the board when they reached 65. They had years of experience and yet had years of service to give, but "retirement age" was a custom, part of the cultural mores.
Relativity-age and vitality, creativity and passion, setting and culture. If fate smiles health upon you, the calendar need not imprison or limit. I wish my mid-western Geezer writing friend good recovery from a blown knee, success in his goal of walking every street in his city and 9 years to get younger so when he reaches 70 he won't be thinking of the end of things but rather the continuation of the sweetness and opportunity that comes with each sunrise.
harvest is for grapes
From the "captain of the watch," Cheers!
See you down the trail.
I'll keep your thoughts in mind as I head to my physical therapy session to have my hamstring stretched to the pain point.
ReplyDeleteWell, it beats the alternative my brother.
ReplyDeleteNext time you do one of your great baking sessions, lift that bag of flower above your head a couple of times. Next time you go to the mail box make the trip twice. And when you and SWMBO toast, do it with the right hand and then the left hand. You've got to train to keep fit for those important events!
Since I've gone back to work, I find even though I'm tired at the end of the day, my energy level has gone up. I've put in a couple of 12-14 hour days every week since June and it doesn't bother me. I meet customers who are 10-12 years younger and they struggle getting in and out of their chairs or cars, bitch about the heat and complain about things in general. A few have asked me how old I am, when I say 71, they'll say "Why are you still working?" I usually tell them, "If I wasn't working I'd be dead in a few years." Old Joe Amaturo worked until he was in his early 90's and he's still and inspiration to me. Joe still goes to his office most mornings at 7. All his friends who retired are dead.
ReplyDeleteWhat you write is testament to the old adage, "use it or lose it."
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Tom. What kept me a lot younger than some of my contemporaries was having my daughter Cami when I was in my 50's. Stay young or get left in the dust.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate what you say, but knowing you as long as I have, it is hard to imagine you as not being in touch and open to new currents.
DeleteI'm going to turn 64 soon and I've been working on life changes to make the rest of my life happier and healthier. I've even taken tennis lessons and today I learned I've been promoted to a more advanced class. Still a bottom feeder but I'm getting better all the time.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteSo happy to hear this. I didn't begin playing until I was retired and I have fallen in love with the game. It is a tremendous workout and a great game for the mind. The game will eventually "come to you" as folks reminded me when I started playing. Have fun, enjoy it and do take a few minutes to stretch and limber before and after play.