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Competitive 1/17/26 – The other day I mentioned I am not as competitive as I used to be. Everyone moaned and protested, but I insisted it was true. Years ago, I would pretty much do anything to win. A few examples, in college we were in a bar and guys commented on a very attractive blond woman – I bet I could get her number and go on a date with her (I got her number, went on a date, and won the bet). Once I was racing a car down Nagle (in my 1979 Chevette of all cars) and parked cars were ahead (I was on the curbside). To get around the parked cars, I drove up a driveway, went down the sidewalk, and then back down a driveway and beat him to Lawrence! One minor problem, I almost hit a family walking out of their home (I didn’t see them because of some bushes – lessons learned – keep your hedges trimmed so people driving down the sidewalk can see you). One time my left arm was feeling numb, so I went in for a stress test (treadmill where every 3 minutes it inclines more and speeds up). Two friends of mine had recently had them and I had to beat both of their times (you are supposed to tell them when you are tired and they push you for another minute – they stopped the test because my doctor wanted me to hit 185 bpm and I was at 225 bpm and I easily beat both of their times on the treadmill). What I have come to realize the older I get is that I have nothing to prove. I know my capabilities, my strengths, and my weaknesses. Being less competitive makes life flow a little easier, there is more calm in my life (and for most of my life ‘calm’ wasn’t a word in my vocabulary) and overall, I think it is a better approach. PS – I still compete daily but only with the guy who is staring back at me in the mirror and trust me, he is more than a challenge!   

Cold & flu 1/10/26 – Recently, many people I know got sick and I was no exception (caught a cold) – nothing life threatening but to me a major disappointment (I have unrealistic expectations about everything including my health). Some things that occurred as a result, 1) I had to cancel plans for Christmas (stayed home by myself), 2) I felt like a leper – stay away I am disfigured and highly contagious, 3) I had to take it easy (my body is not geared to ‘take it easy’), 4) I slept even less than normal (which is very little), 5) I was reminded that I am human (another disappointing fact – I had thought I had been sent to Earth from the dying planet called Krypton), 6) I had even less patience than normal, 7) I had time to clean things I don’t regularly clean (like the dryer vent tube – fascinating what was in there – almost like discovering a lost civilization), 8) I made a shocking discovery (having more time on my hands than normal) – I never took the protective plastic off the microwave control panel (bought it 3 years ago), 9) Living like a hermit doesn’t mean you should stop shaving or showering (I offended myself if that’s possible), and 10) no pickleball for a week (I think doing prison time would have been easier). In the end, I know many people that have suffered or are suffering with much worse – so it was simply a reminder I have very little to complain about (and that little voice inside my head told me to “suck it up buttercup”).

Happy New Year 2026!  

It is almost time to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 which is the New Year,

Have a beer, yell a cheer, or maybe shed a tear,

Because it means you are a little older and unfortunately the passage of time we cannot stop,

Make your resolutions chop, chop.

I would also reflect on the year that has past and all that you saw, experienced, and did,

Realizing you’re no longer a kid.

Which means enjoy each day, squeeze every minute you can because none of us know how much time we have left,

I’m reporting a theft,

A crime has definitely been committed because I just realized how old I am and ‘senior’ is what I’m called,

And there’s no way time can be stalled.

There’s also no way we can go backwards and get younger with the use of time travel,

I’m starting to unravel.

We basically must enjoy each day because that’s what the year is made up of,

So do what you love,

And if we are lucky enough, we can continue to sing Auld Lang Syne,

No need to whine,

All we have to do is sleep well, get some cardio, have good genetics, do some weight training, think moderation, eliminate all your bad habits and eat right,

We’re in for a real fight!  

Twas the night before Christmas 2025

Twas the night before Christmas and I couldn’t believe how quickly the year had passed,

It was too fast.

And all through the house there was a very slight chill,

Trying to keep low the heating bill.

I sat thinking in the living room about all that had transpired this year,

And it was clear,

That it had overall been many good months on this spinning planet we call earth,

I felt a little mirth!

There also was not a sound in the house except the battery driven kitchen clock,

Also noticed a hole in my sock.

I did hear some clatter outside and wondered if it could be ole St. Nick with his sleigh,

Wondered what that thing might weigh.

But it turned out to be some young kid driving by playing his radio up high,

I wondered why.

As the night started to fade, it was time to go to bed because the next day a pickleball court was reserved and an early start time was set,

Couldn’t wait to break a sweat.

As I started to nod off, I hoped and wished everyone I know had enjoyed the holiday, was safe and happy,

It was time for a little nappy.

Merry Christmas!