First and Foremost, I want to THANK ALL OF YOU for your words of encouragement and thoughts you shared on Facebook with regards to my 5K endeavor. Like a kid with a new xbox, I blab all over Facebook my innermost driveliest thoughts. There were only a couple of you unfriended me fortunately. Constantly I fight with myself at the age of 66. On the one hand I am trying things best left to the 20 something's like a 5K. On the other hand and ofttimes at the same time, I lapse into the early stages of senility and old age ramblings. I didn't think retirement would be so challenging. One good thing is that I can cross 5K off my "bucket list". Oh, and another good thing - I was able to get out of bed today unassisted. Yea!
I will be going with my current wife to Sneakers class at the gym today. I need to see if the class will loosen some of my tired and sore muscles. Plus, Kay keeps asking if I am ever coming back to class. I am not certain that means she really wants me back or is asking only to get advanced warning if I do return. As I mentioned above, my "20 something" personality takes over in class and I can tend to be a distraction at times. Not intentionally mind you, it just happens. Much like when my mouth says something before consulting with its brain first. Is there a pill for a condition like this? The gang at the Sneakers class has grown considerably since I stopped going on a regular basis. What kind of message is that? Should I take away from that fact that my absence has helped the gym grow its seniors program? You're right, probably not.
What do you thing about all of the "National whatever Days". Oh, you haven't given it much thought? Me neither until last week. I happened to hear on a national news program that it was National Donald Duck Day on June 9th. Who knew? I realized that I have not been in touch with our holidays. June 11th, Monday, was National Hug Holiday. I spent 5 hours at the mall and didn't get one hug. In fact, I walked up to a cute "20's something" little thing, gave her a hug, and wished her a "Happy National Hug Holiday". Before I could get her hug back, security grab me and hauled me off. It's amazing how many people do not know about our "National Days'. Another short coming of our education system it seems. Later this week we will find out if I get an award for raising the public's consciousness about "National Hug Holiday". Anyway, here are the "National .... Day" for this week. Enjoy!
- 12 – Red Rose Day
- 13 – Sewing Machine Day
- 14 – Flag Day
- 15 – Smile Power Day
- 16 – Fresh Veggies Day
- 17 – Eat Your Vegetables Day
- 18 – Go Fishing Day
- 18 – International Panic Day
- 18 – National Splurge Day
Why are the names for animal off springs different for each type of animal?
At lunch the other day, I began pondering the English language once again. I seem to do this with a degree of frequency these days. This time I wondered why we have to a different name for each animal off spring and why we have to have a different term for a group of animals. Oh, this also includes birds, fowl, pets, sea life and etc. For example:
- Cattle, off spring is a calf or dogie (motherless), a group is herd, drove, drift or mob.
- Chicken, off spring is chick, pullet (young hen), cockrell (young rooster), a group is flock, brood (of hens), clutch (of chicks), peep (of chicks).
- Quail, off spring is chick, a group is bevy, covey, and drift.
Anytime I wander into the language pondering room, I can never leave without thinking about a special word. This I came out with "encomiums". I have no clue why I came out with this but I did. Just remember when your boss offers encomiums about you, don't get mad and storm out. Instead feel proud. Your boss has sent expressions of high praise your way.
A few days ago my best friend from High School sent me a 'Viet Nam Veteran' hat. I never had one of these before and I was pretty hyped about it, especially because my friend was considerate enough to take the time to give it to me.
Yesterday, I wore it when I went to Wal-Mart. There was nothing in particular that I needed but, since I retired, trips to Wally World to look at the Walmartians is always good for some comic relief. Besides, I always feel pretty normal after seeing some of the people that frequent the establishment.
As I stood in line to check out, the guy in front of me, probably in his early thirties, asked, "Are you a Viet Nam Vet?" "No" I replied. "Then why are you wearing that hat?" Because I couldn't find my War of 1812 hat." I thought it was a snappy retort. "The War of 1812 huh." the Walmartian queried, "When was that?" Forgive me, but I couldn't pass up such an opportunity. "1936" He pondered that for a moment and responded, "Why do they call it the War of 1812 if it was in 1936?"
"It was a Black Op. No one is supposed to know about it." This was too much fun. "Dude! Really!" he exclaimed. "How did you get to do something that COOOOL?" I glanced around me for effect, leaned toward the guy and in a low voice said, "I'm not sure. I was the only Caucasian on the mission." "Dude!", he was really getting excited about what he was hearing. "That is seriously Awesome! But, didn't you kind of stand out?" "Not really. The other guys were wearing white camouflage." The moron nodded knowingly. "Listen man," I said in a very serious tone, "You can't tell anyone about this. It's still Top Secret and I shouldn't have said anything." "Oh yeah." he gave me the "don't threaten me look. "Like, what's gonna happen if I do?" With a really hard look, I said, "You have a family don't you? We wouldn't want anything to happen to them, would we?" The guy gulped, left his basket where it was and ran out the door. My current wife, Sue, found a hole to crawl into during this exchange.
The lady behind me was about to have a heart attack, she was laughing so hard. I just grinned at her. After checking out and going to the parking lot, I saw the dimwit leaning in a car window talking to a young woman. Upon catching sight of me, he started pointing excitedly in my direction. I gave him another 'deadly' serious look, I made the "I see you" gesture. He turned kind of pale, jumped in the car and sped out of the parking lot. What a hoot!
Tomorrow I'm going back with a Homeland Security hat. Should be better than the Border Patrol hat that I wore at the Laundromat last year! Whoever said retirement is boring just needs the right kind of hat.
Something tells me I should have stayed in bed again today. This drivel has been "drifting" all over the place. No, I am going to have an unusual third cup of French Roast. That will put me over the top. I may spiral totally out of control. BTW, the story above about my visit to WalMart did not actually happen to me. I am not certain it happened at all, actually. My current wife, Sue sent this to me. She had received it from someone who received it from someone and so forth. In other words, I have no clue but it sound like something I might do actually. Until we "drift" together again and get in a "bevy", I don't want to hear a "peep" about this issue of Drivel Over Coffee. TA!
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