Generation Gap

Look at the lives of a twenty-five and seventy-five year old in 2010....... The person born a quarter of a century ago most likely never lived in a home without a color TV....... The person born three quarters of a century ago never saw a television until they were about 25.......When the 25 year old was born more than likely he was put in disposable diapers, his Dad coached his Mom through the birth in a birthing room in a state of the art hospital.......the 75 year old was born at home with a mid-wife, she wore cloth diapers that her mother or the maid washed and dried.......the 75 year old's Dad was in the next room at best at her birth.......Today the 25 year old has barely written a check, the 75 year old has written millions and will continue to do so as that is what they know.......The 25 year old has probably never listened to music from a record album, the 75 year old still has a stack of 45's.......The 25 year old went to school and was immediately introduced to a computer, the 75 year old most likely is still trying to figure them out.

Such a difference 50 years can make and I can honestly say this might be one of the biggest gaps ever. Love to my Mother and Son on their 75th and 25th years.

More Summerisms

Here are some other things I love about Summer....... Gardens both floral and vegetable that provide beauty and some excellent eating.......Stopping at a farmer's stand on the side of the road to buy fruits and veggies before you go to the grocery store.......Not being afraid to put on shorts, a tank top or swimsuit when just a few months ago swore that you never would.......Not caring so much if there is dust in the house or the floor hasn't been vaccumed because you are not inside that much.......Eating ice cream with no remorse because that's what you do in summer and you'll have ample opportunity to work it off.......

More About Summer!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens......Here are a few of my Favorite Things of summer. ........Lightning Bugs.......one of my two top insects. I always have the urge to gather them and put them in a jar and watch them light up...........Cornfields.......As I ride by them I marvel at their growth and beauty and wonder if there are other passers by that might get out of the car and take a few ears home........Thunder Storms .......Not the violent ones, the ones that will rattle the house, give a light show and a heavy rain for about thirty minutes.......Your neighbor cooking out.......Isn't it funny how the grill smells better when you are not cooking on it?.......You do not have to have boots on to walk outside........Enough said.

Summertime........

Summertime....one of my all time favorite songs. My favorite version is Fantasia's. As a child summertime meant being out of school, sometimes being bored, delighting in a trip to the pool or the beach.

As I got older summertime meant coming home after nine months away at college, trips with my friends and some really good times. The beauty of the mountains during this season became a passion. I came to know that this was the season of some pretty incredible things.

THE BEACH - My first memory of what could happen to you there was to step on a lit cigarette tossed in the sand and then the jellyfish. It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I figured out I could get sunburned and I walked out on the beach coated in baby oil and came in with blisters. God hasn't gotten me back for that one yet. Thank you Lord!.........Then came the stories of sharks.....after JAWS my trips to the water were limited.

I have so many special memories of the beach and am sad for those who have never been there.

Americana

Today was hot but not as humid. Got to indulge in my favorite summer pastime, gardening. Watered, pinched and put out Miracle Grow. The sky was an amazing blue. In our neighborhood of eighteen years, the grandchildren of my neighbors of this many years were playing in the cul-de-sac. Thought life was wonderful until it got better when a ice cream truck came down the street.......playing Christmas Carols. This is what today is all about.

Illnesses and Procedures

Again, I have been extremely blessed with good health except for my "Franken Feet". Of course, that was my fault......the years of running, ridiculous shoes and a gift from my Nana. I may be calus here but I don't understand the rest.

Sure senior citizens dwell on their ailments and those of everyone they know. I guess that is a fact of life. But to me the seniors are over eighty and this is just a progression of living and they have earned that right to be captivated by this.

Key words here, over 80. Of course, we are faced with severe illnesses of the young who yesterday were filled with so much life. I can relate first hand on that one as I lost my two dearest friends, both under the age of 40 while they still had so much to give. Plus, my Dad who went entirely too soon. These were devistating and extremely public. As it should have been.

I am talking to all you illness junkies out there who choose to include everyone you know in what you are blowing from your nose, what your bowels are doing and the extreminty of your headaches. Unless you are my immediate family or best friend don't take it further. Fact is I don't choose to share any ailments with anyone including my family or friends.

Never could understand why people have to go visit anyone they know who is in the hospital unless you know that they expect you there. I pray that God takes me before I am forced to the hospital. The thought of being visited when I look my worst, tubes all over and a bag of urine hanging on the side of my bed terrifies me. If I do have to make it there pray for me, take care of my family and send me a card.

If you are blessed and not dealing with a fatal or chronic illness, please keep your aches and pains to yourself. There is no bigger downer than to run into a casual friend and they bombarde you with a litany of their maladies or recent procedures. I sure hope that there is something else in your life worth talking about.

Sounding really cold here I suppose, but that's just me. Oh, and when I do go....know that my family will be haunted if I am put in a box, for people to gawk at and talk about how good I look. I've yet to see someone dead look that great. Can barely stand a tanning bed and wouldn't consider an MRI. The thought of the very expensive "box" or the valuable land to plant it gives me the creeps. Cremate me, save ashes if you wish and put the rest in a special place. I'd really like a party for you all to have fun and remember me.

Did I just do a Last Will and Testament here?