It is a cold day here in North Texas - promises of snow flurries, but I find warmth in reading the posts of what others are doing. Happy Valentine's Day all my brug friends, and I know Spring can't be far away.
Happy Valentine's Day to you all too. We were supposed to have a significant snowfall yesterday but ended up with an ice/sleet storm instead I'd rather it have been snow but at least we didn't lose our power. No driving to a nice restaurant for dinner tonight, oh well.
Karyn
I would like to share this--it is rather OT but makes you think!
"One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate."
I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned
The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want UN-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."
With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!"
Guess what I am having for lunch tomorrow!
Again - Happy Valentines Day!
Hi everyone. I was away from the computer all day, so am late getting a chance to add my Happy Valentine wishes. I really hope it's been a great day for each of you. I loved the "blue hair" story & it's so true. While I think all of us are still too young to throw all caution to the wind (we WOULD like to reach those golden years, after all!), we certainly can take a lesson from the story and treat ourselves now and then to the things we think are special or shouldn't be missed. We shouldn't save it all for the end!
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick, would you mind terribly if I disagree a little?
I think the point of the story is that you never know when your life will end, so enjoy everything you want while you're here. The "Mae" in the story has realized how much she has missed, how many things she has not done that she may have wanted to or may have enjoyed, and rather than wait until it's too late, she has decided to do them now, while she has the chance.
If you take whatever age you are now and add 1 year to it, you don't know that you'll get there. But rather than letting that get you down, go see the movie you want to see, read the book you want to read, smell the flowers you want to smell, etc.... Why save the bottle of wine for a special occasion that may never occur, when you could make tonight that special occasion, even if for no other reason than you want to?
Lynne, I do agree. I retired at 35 and stayed that way for 10 years. Our world is not designed for it. Uncle Sam wants us to work. He made me go back. Attorneys and CPA's are a fact of life. They are always trying to put us in a mold.
If you can do it I say do it. Because someday you may not be able to. I have seen and done most of it so I am happy just waiting for my Brugs to bloom. I am making my own little pardise.
Lynne, I definitely agree the message is saying don't forget to stop and smell the roses...don't deny yourself too many of the good things available now because you're too busy, or you "really shouldn't", deferring such things to someday in the future. As you pointed out, no one knows how many days/years he or she has left.
What I was trying to point out is that the little ol' lady can better afford to fast track all those things she's now doing....she KNOWS her lifetime is getting short & there aren't many consequences for her to worry about. Then take someone your age...if you indulged daily like the l.o.l. is doing, you'd be bigger than a barn, probably ruin your health, live irresponsibly & probably become destitute way before you reach retirement age & maybe shorten your lifespan considerably. Those of us who face the probability of many years ahead of us, have to use a little less abandon than the l.ol. Enjoy it all, but perhaps with a little moderation.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Too funny, Selma. Patrick is right, though, too. A young person needs to be a bit more careful of their eating habits or they may not live to be very old (and healthy) while the older person shouldn't deprive themselves of their wants (in moderation). I just found that saying and thought it fit the topic. My hubby and I watch what we eat most of the time but we do splurge now and then, too.
lol, Selma...sounds good to me! My own eating habits are far from perfect...I'm far from being the poster boy for healty eating. I love to eat dessert for breakfast and never eat as many veggies as I should. I do try to avoid eating very much red meat & work at reducing salt consumption.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Yes, we went there last Saturday night for Gina's BD. Had a great time, but Michele was at her daughter's soccer game. The one in Burleson also has fried catfish and pot roast, but the one in Roanoke is the original, and they have no plans to change it.
Hmmmmm...wouldn't hurt to offer a really good pot roast, just for a little variety! Bring on those rolls & bowls of mashed potatoes & gravy....yee haw!
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
My friend Jolana ate at the one in Burleson, and said it was the best pot roast she had ever had, and she is a good cook. The reason given for not expanding the menu in Roanoke, was perhaps a valid one - their kitchen is too small.
No need to fast track, just take the opportunities you want as they come.
Indulging daily as the little ol' lady, the rich desserts as the meal, that isn't what would make me happy, most days I'd rather have the veggies. Ofcourse if offered chocolate, I'm certainly not going to pass it up just because "I shouldn't, it might be fattening."
Besides, the food is only a small part of it, used to make a point in the story, but it isn't meant to be the whole. There are so many things around that you could miss out on if you just whizz right through, doing the things you should.
The snow... I know, it's a bother, but have you watched it glisten in the moonlight?
Your morning cup of coffee, do you smell it before you drink it, I mean really savouring the scent and flavor, or do you down it quickly before rushing off to work?
When you look at a plant, rock, or anything, do you only see the whole, or do you look closely at the details, patterns, variations in color, textures...?
The story specifically mentions flying kites, wading in the ocean, walking in the rain... why is it that you have to "have the sense to come in out of the rain?" I really don't understand that one. Is it irresponsible to walk in the rain (if you enjoy it?) Should you not do something if there is a bit of a danger element? What about getting in a car? Or walking through your house, I hear people can trip on rugs, slip on floors. Or is it that you must always get where you are going five minutes ago? Is it not possible to slow down and watch the butterfly flying through the air as you walk to visit a friend?
All of this shouldn't be reserved for when you're 80, or 40, or 20... it's equally important for those who are younger than me, my age, your age, and older. As a teenager I rode the "Texas Giant," a very large, wooden rollercoaster at Six Flags in Dallas. I am terrified of heights and almost decided not to at the last minute out of fear. But I did because I knew that if I didn't, I would regret not taking the opportunity while I had the chance. The adrenaline high/rush isn't a feeling I particularly enjoy, so I can't say I'm a rollercoaster junkie, lol, but atleast I don't regret not taking the chance, especially now that Six Flags isn't just an hours drive away.
Everyday I try to remind myself just how beautiful of a place I live in. The sunrises across the water, the dolphins playing, the pelicans diving etc. Seems if you live close to a railroad track you no longer hear the train. All I need to do is go to a big city for a few days and all I want is to go home. I am truly blesed to live here. I try to hear the train everyday. I was going to attach some thumb nails and found I only had some from 2005. I guess I did not hear the train for a while.
My everyday feey ride to work
a rainbow over Port Aransas
Yeah I did the thumnails right. Sorry about the larger pic's in another post.
Beautiful, Jim. To me, this also says that it is only worthwhile if we have someone to share it with. I don't think it is what we do for ourselves, but what we do for others that carries a great significance. IMHO !!!!
Wow... Beautiful sunrise! We have the opposite here, sunsets over the water, at least out at the beaches. You can't see it set from our front yard, but we get lots of colors and pretty clouds during the summer. Then the bats come out and it's wonderful to sit and watch them until you can't see anything anymore. I gave up on trying to take pictures of rainbows, the few I have came out really grey and in need of contrast, but yours is wonderful! I like the secondary, lighter one you captured there too! They're really nice pics Jim, thank you!
I'd rather it have been snow but at least we didn't lose our power. No driving to a nice restaurant for dinner tonight, oh well.
