Author: mikeljohnston1 (Page 78 of 269)
I refer back to Post #1905 that somehow triggered this first poem of 2022. It’s not exactly inspirational nor an accurate reflection of my personal ailments, but portrays the challenges of growing old:
Not Easy Being Me
It’s not easy,
To be old like me.
In a few years,
You too will see.
I’m battery powered,
With hearing aids.
Where did I put those,
Blue-blocker shades?
Need shoes that tie,
And support hose.
Because too often,
Can’t feel my toes.
My arches have fallen,
And can’t get up.
And I drink my wine,
From a Sippy Cup.
What hair is left,
Has long turned gray.
Social Security,
My only pay.
My heart’s still beating,
But my breath is foul.
I’m about ready,
To throw in the towel.
A Chiropractor visit,
My big day out.
This darn foot,
Has a touch of gout.
Lines and creases,
Mark my face.
I buy Advil,
By the case.
A scratchy voice,
Makes me hard to hear.
Losing my balance,
A constant fear.
Muscles that sag,
And wrinkled skin.
A beer gut,
And a double chin.
Glasses are a given,
Cataracts a curse.
Not quite ready,
For a full-time nurse.
A heating pad,
Keeps me warm.
Sore joints,
A nagging norm.
Right and left knees,
Are always stiff.
But the wee-knee,
Is a big IF!
What used to flow,
Now just trickles.
My pot of gold,
Nothing but nickels.
I’m like a Mummy,
In braces and wraps.
And in constant need,
Of extra naps.
If I’m a Grump,
This explains why.
But I’m not ready,
To say Good-Bye.
Copyright 2022 johnstonwrites.com
“The 1906 San Francisco earthquake (estimated magnitude 7.8) on the San Andreas Fault destroys much of San Francisco, California, killing at least 3,000 people, with 225,000–300,000 left homeless, and $350,000,000 in damages.” I just missed the rumble (a 6.9) of 1989, having just taken off from the airport following a few days in the city after the Monterey Indycar race that Rick Mears won. There have supposedly been a few rumblings in cities where we’ve lived but I’ve yet to feel this experience that many of my friends have been through.
Mario finished second that year in the Monterey Grand Prix, while our Machinist’s Union team with Kevin Cogan at the wheel finished 8th. I don’t remember much about the race but I do remember the reaction of the other passengers on my plane about their concerns about homes and families. They knew they wouldn’t be able to get in touch immediately about any damages or losses but had emergency plans in place. There were very few cell phones at that point, but Motorola had just released the very first “pocket phone” and also the first flip-phone design. Like most people on the road, I was using pay phones to check in with the office. My friends did an interview with an Indianapolis TV competitor the next morning so I knew they were alright, just a bit confused why they didn’t call my station.
It’s “Matinee Monday” once again since my wife’s bridge lessons are still on holiday break. We plan to see Nightmare Alley or American Underdog this afternoon. School resumes today despite all the Covid concerns that include both of my infected grandkids. My wife and I were fortunate to test negative after exposure on two known fronts and following two days at crowded Disneyworld over Christmas week. I also took the time yesterday to join the 70+ Ski Club, hoping for some discounts on my next visit to the slopes. It won’t be this year, but as the t-shirt slogan goes – Maybe Next Year.
In the year 1905, Las Vegas was founded when 110 acres, in what later becomes downtown, are auctioned off. We will probably not get there in 2022 and haven’t been since the pandemic broke out in 2020. At that time, we saw Barry Manilow perform in what remains to be the last live concert we’ve attended. We still hold tickets to Santana/Earth Wind & Fire that has been cancelled multiple times along with a Jackson Browne show in Tahoe that we planned to attend. Hopefully, we’ll finally see Carlos Santana on my 71st birthday this year.
I start the year with a new Trivia Calendar that was a promotional gift from our financial advisor. This has been a tradition for many years on my office desk. Hopefully, this will be more fun than last year’s Word of the Day version. The travel and photo calendars are still my favorite – maybe next year?
My Covid test came back negative so my scratchy throat must be an allergy issue. I sure have struggled on my morning runs and seem to lack energy. Yesterday, I hardly moved from my chair and noticed that my ankles and feet were swollen by the end of the day. I’ll go back to wearing compression socks. I’m feeling ancient considering the hearing aids, old man socks, and frequent chiropractor visits. It ain’t easy being me.
“Why do I do the things I do
Was I born this way or am I self made fool
I shoot the lights and I curse the dark
I need your love but I break your heart
And I know the words to get you back but
But I don’t say nothing as I watch you pack
I had to work to become the jerk I’ve come to be
It ain’t easy being me
It ain’t easy being me”
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Wiseman Craig Michael / Knight Christopher David
It Ain’t Easy Being Me lyrics © Almo Music Corp.
I woke up again this morning with a sore throat, probably an indication that my Covid test results will come back positive. However, my run this morning was the best my body has felt in some time, so maybe I’m already on the path to recovery. There was little back pain and no trouble breathing. It was day #4,752 of “The Streak” to kick-off the New Year. I’ll continue to take it easy the rest of the day – more Bowl games to watch, as the National Championship has come down to a SEC showdown. IU also has a basketball game against Penn State tomorrow afternoon if it isn’t cancelled. It’s hard to anticipate and get excited about anything these days with the dreaded virus looming. Purdue ended their football season on a positive “note” in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee.
A college fraternity buddy sent me a New Years greeting this morning, reminding me of a hometown party I supposedly took him to when we were Freshmen. At least I think it was New Years Eve 1969 but could have been 1970, more than 50-years ago. It was before drugs were ever a factor in my life, and a friend of mine’s Italian mom would let us drink alcohol if we were confined to her home. There were no girls at any of these basement parties that I can ever remember, except Eleanor. We were still of course underage but with her supervision things never got out of hand. Probably the most exciting part of the evening was a game of RISK, seeking World domination. Either year, Notre Dame would have played Texas in the Cotton Bowl, so we probably stayed the next day to watch it. I hated ND back then, but any good Catholic family like this one would have supported the Irish. It was in a time when a Bowl invitation actually meant something.
IU did not earn a bowl invitation this year after a disastrous season that had high expectations. Purdue certainly added a exclamation mark by reclaiming the Bucket. I haven’t been to a Bowl game since New Year’s Eve of 1993, 28-years ago. The Hoosiers lost to the Hokies in Shreveport, but we salvaged the occasion by making it to the streets of New Orleans for a midnight kiss from strangers plus a reward of beads, a memorable New Years Eve. Last night was not so memorable with both of us a bit under the weather. A bottle of bubbly and a tasty pasta put us both to sleep early. I woke up near midnight but just before the ball completed dropping the TV timer shut off automatically. Welcome 2022!
My last poetic offering of 2021, as directed to my son and his family who have tested positive for Covid this Christmas. Only his 14-year old son escaped infection. They were all over for dinner early this week so my wife and I are also in the testing process. Today we stood in line under the hot sun for about an hour for a swabbing. Tuesday, we get rapid-tested and should also get today’s results. Heck of a way to end the year and start a new one. I wrote this tongue-in-cheek tribute to the holidays while waiting for my test:
Unwanted Gifts
Some people got socks,
Or coal in their stocking.
Some got what they requested,
While certain gifts were shocking.
Many offerings this year,
Were not under the tree.
It was something unexpected,
That we couldn’t even see.
There was no wrapping,
Or card to read.
And the kind of present,
No one would ever need.
Covid for Christmas?
Don’t know what to say.
It shouldn’t be re-gifted,
Or passed in any way.
So many holidays ruined,
By this unwanted gift.
And if you received it,
You are surely miffed.
It can’t be returned,
Or even taken back.
Nobody wants it,
Once it’s unpacked.
So, we’ll be home,
For New Years.
Forget the toasts,
And cheers.
We’ll wear our comfy PJs,
No need for gown or tux.
Dinner plans are cancelled,
Saving lots of bucks.
The ball will drop,
As always.
But we’ll avoid,
That craze.
We’ll be asleep before,
The clock strikes midnight.
No rowdy crowds to battle,
Or DUIs to fight.
No “Jolly Good Fellas,”
Or stranger’s hug or kiss.
These awkward traditions,
We’re grateful to miss.
It was a Covid Christmas,
And New Year’s Quarantine.
Won’t be donning silly hats,
Or renting a limousine.
We’ll continue to vaccinate,
Until the virus goes away.
And get another Booster,
For our next Birthday.
Copyright 2021 johnstonwrites.com
In 1901 President McKinley was shot, putting Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt in charge. In 1902, he was our first leader to ride in an automobile – now there’s too many on the highways. It’s New Year’s Eve and our restaurant reservation has been cancelled so we can continue to quarantine. We’ll perhaps start a new tradition by getting Covid tested this afternoon. Tally spent the evening at the Emergency Animal Clinic with an ear drum issue, so her new year won’t start much better than ours. At least, she has drugs!
I did get my 5k in this morning for the second straight day so things are looking up for my back issues. I was only able to get in 81.1 miles this month, a year low after cutting back my runs this past week and the trip to Disney World. I did prepare my New Year’s resolutions yesterday evening that include:
More positive attitude/Rainbows
Buy Lanai insurance
Wellness Check
Cardiologist Exam
Urologist check-in Eye exam Annual Physical
Less Drinking – 1 instead of 2
St. Pete Indycar race February
Pay off Synchrony Furniture loan
Initiate Landscaping plan
Outdoor Kitchen
Dining Room cabinets
Master closet remodel plan for 2024
Kissimmee Mecum lunch January
Visit sister’s new place in Leesburg February
Son to Arizona – Spring Training
Cards game in St. Louis August Indianapolis visit in August
Grand Hotel stay August
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame August
Canton Hall of Fame August
Portland/Alaska/Russia/Japan September/Oct
Key West February
Singer Island Anniversary stay/Breaker’s
Asheville/Biltmore August
Hilton Head August
Plan China Trip
Compliment my wife more
See the Beauty in Life
Get To Run Everyday to 14th Anniversary
Daily pushups, crunches, and stretching
Daily swim
Tuesday Sunset picnics
Netarts/Oregon Coast overnight September Portland Leadership Meeting September
Plan route to Maine (my 50th state)
Eat less sweets/chocolate
Drink More Water-Less pop
Weight maintain at <195
More connections with old friends and family
No Credit Card debt
Win writing contest
Edit Novel
Chew slowly/suck/soft foods -teeth
Solara repairs
Celebrate each day with my wife
Be good Grandad/Babysitter
Contribute to kids education fund
Limoges/poem each month
Poem to johnstonwrites.com monthly
Daily blog post
Weekly Date Nights
Wife’s Brother & wife to Venice in February
Update will
Ski trip – Steamboat
Friends from Marana to Venice in Tucson plan
Wife’s daughter and husband to Venice in January
Santana/EWF Tampa August/Birthday 71
Kauai trip with girls in December
Office Shelves/Fans/Lights/Custom Closets
Weekly Movie Matinee -New passes
White Sox in Tampa June 4-5
Check in regularly with friends
Call sister on Mondays
Meet DNA cousin in Georgia
Sunday Finance Meetings
Tuscaloosa – Half-sister visit July/ August
March Spring Training with boys in Venice
Indy buddy to visit in March
Find volunteer work
Monthly Meet The Neighbors event Borrego Boyz monthly luncheon
Cooking on Tuesdays
Cut down on expenses
Plan Egypt excursions
Outdoor lighting plan
Continue laundry duty
Baseball card collection
Finish Warranty List with builder
Acupuncture sessions
Home Inspection February-March
Read a book every two weeks
Better posture/Chiropractor
Happy New Year!
(See Post #1554 to compare with last year)
I was invited to make a submission for the next USRSA (United States Running Streak Association) newsletter, as my running streak hits 13-years. Here’s what I offered:
I’ve officially started my 14th consecutive year of running every day, with year 13 ending in a disappointing fizzle. Five of the last six days I’ve struggled with a back injury that forced me to drop my route to the minimum mile. Of course, I always add an extra tenth in case my GPS is slightly off or stop at 15 minutes if the distance is unmeasurable – just in case!
I’m now back to the normal 5k path that takes me through the neighborhood. I started this habit a few days before the New Year back then to get a jump on my resolution and with a plan to celebrate my 60th birthday with about 1000 straight days (it was actually more like 972). It could have been a stopping point, but instead has continued on to 4,751 and counting. This recent pain could have also been reason to stop – but I didn’t!
At 70 years old, my pace is embarrassingly slow and my balance awkward, but I keep on going. I can’t even tell you how many miles I’ve traveled during this streak but it has to be close to 12,000, nearly half way around the Earth. I’ll also bet that I covered the other half in the years before I discovered streaking. In that prior life, I did a couple marathons and earned hundreds of t-shirts, ribbons, certificates of completion, and cheap medals. I always seemed to finish in the middle of the pack, even on a good day. The Detroit Marathon, Hood to Coast Relay, and several Indy 500 Half-Marathons were my most memorable accomplishments.
Just recently, I ran my first race in years, the Braves Tomahawk 5k in my hometown of Venice, Florida. Earlier this year I went out of my way to meet the “Raven” in Miami to honor his now 47-year journey. I did not run with him or earn a nickname because I’ve been injured on sand before and prefer mornings to his evening treks on the beach. Also, my 5k daily standard is about all I can handle any more. My goal these days is just stay healthy, not push it, and be satisfied with the daily effort. After all, I will not live long enough to compete with the leaders of the pack. As always, I’m in the middle and not even yet “Well Versed” at 15-years.
This streak started on the streets of Austin, Texas and moved to the hills of Portland, Oregon. Now, I’m on flat, hot, Florida surfaces, but I’ve also lived in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, so I’ve experienced most of the weather extremes. However, back then I had to decide whether to run or not every day, now I’m left with the obvious choice. Running every day was the bridge from my working years into retirement, as I also celebrate 5-years of freedom. My morning routine has continued to be the same throughout this transition and will hopefully continue tomorrow.
Happy New Year,
May the Streak Be With You.
It will be fun to reflect back on the last century – the 1900’s, although everything about history isn’t necessarily good news. For example, in 1900, the Galveston Hurricane killed over 6,000 people. I remember looking at some of the devastating pictures when we stayed at the Hotel Galvez nine years ago. It was long before I started writing this blog.
Five years ago today I retired, in the midst of my 13-year long running steak. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my freedom that included a recent trip to Disney World with my wife’s daughter and husband. (See Post #1898). As is the tradition with these family excursions, I top it all off with a poem that summarizes our adventure. I did a similar thing when I was working to celebrate fellow employees when they moved on. Here’s my most recent creation:
Monorail
Tampa cancellation,
Saved some precious hours.
Disney World tops Portland,
Sunshine, not snow showers?
I know you missed the pups,
But it’s Pluto’s house.
Plus they’d be in fear,
Of The Greedy Mouse.
Stayed with Mother Marriott,
Disney Springs for dinner.
The Polite Pig your treat,
A tasty barbecue winner.
Pin Traders booth,
Mom’s traditional stop.
50th Anniversary,
Her excuse to shop.
Between age and time change,
We crashed in our beds.
While visions of Mickey,
Danced in our heads.
Our very first morning,
Was filled with error.
Before you even got,
To the Tower of Terror.
Traffic a mess,
As we crawled along.
But took the time to sing,
Beloved Disney songs.
Animal Kingdom traffic,
On Christmas Eve.
By the time we got in,
I was ready to leave.
No wait to be a Bug,
But Pandora’s Box full.
Any day in the Park,
Is never, ever dull.
My aching back,
After climbing Everest,
To keep moving,
Gave it my best.
Roller Coaster days,
Lost to these old bones.
Genie pass access,
Won’t work on our phones.
I limped along,
Saw Kite Tails blow.
Il Mulino dining,
Harmonious show.
Didn’t turn into pumpkins,
Before hitting the sack.
Star Wars the mission,
On next morning’s attack.
A smoother arrival,
Hollywood signs.
Single file shortcut,
Of long Smuggler lines.
Rise to the Resistance,
Not as long as expected.
Rock N’ Rollercoaster,
We elders rejected.
“Monorail,Monorail,Monorail,”
Our rally cry.
But nobody knew,
The Kingdom was dry.
We stuck with the slow rides,
While “Our Guests” had a blast.
Once the Castle exploded,
Christmas soon passed.
We went to Mars,
And around the World.
Had our ups and downs,
Twisted and whirled.
Saw Belle’s new Castle,
Some of us got soaked.
Only one of us got broken,
We laughed and joked.
After some recovery,
We’ll all go back again.
A Disney Merry Christmas,
And a New Year to begin!
Copyright 2021 johnstonwrites.com
We’re on the very fringe of the nineteenth century, as I continue to put the blog numbers in perspective with history. That year the U.S. received the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico as a result of the Treaty of Paris. There was also a Great Blizzard where freezing temperatures extended into Southern Florida. Let’s hope that history doesn’t repeat itself, with another pleasant day of temperatures in the seventies. My leg and back injury as a result of Disney World continues to haunt me. Yesterday, was so miserable that I sought out a new chiropractor with mine on vacation. I was determined not to miss today, my 13th consecutive full year of the “Running Streak” that stands at 4,749 days finishing at the very least a mile and a tenth for good measure. I should be proud of this accomplishment, but I also feel silly about pushing the pain of this injury. I somehow managed to complete the course this morning. Five of the last 6 days have been this minimum distance, while tomorrow is another day. Could this be the end?
We’re quarantining after possible exposure to Covid. Yesterday evening we got word that the folks we had lunch with were at risk and my son’s wife has lost her sense of taste. He tested negative. They were over for Christmas dinner after we got back from Disney, so my wife’s daughter and husband are also in danger. It’s then a long line of contact we’ve all made with others that we’re trying to notify. All of us in the family are vaccinated and boosted but the concern is for those that aren’t or won’t. Covid also cancelled the IU basketball game tonight and many other contests in the midst of Bowl Week. It’s spreading rapidly and ruining everything. We’ve certainly pushed it with family gatherings and travel, but so far we’ve escaped any symptoms.
On a lighter note, tomorrow I will publish the poem that I wrote to preserve our Disney World Christmas memories. It will also be Post #1900 and time to move into the next century of historical events. I sincerely hope that everyone that I’ve been around these past few days is able to escape from the dreaded virus. It seems to be everywhere, so vaccination is the only course of action when exposure is inevitable.