INCONVENIENT

Anything – even the slightest inconvenience – disturbing my routine, sets me to grumbling.

Daylight Saving Time is/was a minor inconvenience. But the return of cold weather – brrrother!

I used to be a vocal complainer, but with maturity and age I’m now a world class, under my breath, grumbler.

I used to let loose with the occasional Old Man Rant – even numbering them to save time and My Captor’s patience – but who has the energy for that anymore? (Shakes fist angrily, but slowly, conserving my energy).

Though every now and then I’ll whip out a #42! to get an eye roll from My Captor, just for old times sake.

But with cold weather, my clothing options are changing: What do I wear for my morning walk? Where are my slippers? Didn’t I have fur underwear?

In my ‘cold’ weather apparel confusion, I actually wore pants one day, violating the “Shorts between Easter and Thanksgiving” beach edict. And full socks… with shoes!

My God, I don’t even know who I am anymore…

My Captor knows where all her clothes are, when they were purchased – some in use since the Eisenhower administration – and which colors go together.

Always appropriately dressed.

When the seasons change, she’s prepared, immediately ‘Dressing for the Weather‘ – ironically, not a great personal skill, despite the fact I got an A in that college course.

Oddly, My Captor can’t remember my SSN, but remembers who gave each of our wedding presents, the day it was delivered, the mail carrier who brought it.

I can’t do any of that, living in Adult Garanimal world.

For me, 3 shirts and shorts in rotation, ready for wear at a moments notice.

But there are warm/cold/colder weather varieties – the latter two needing to be relearned as the temperature drops – which is where I am now.

And so with the recent cold snap, having to relearn Cold Weather Garanimals – the clothing drawer which opens only between November and February.

Part of it’s easy: shorts for the morning walk, weather regardless. Part because your legs don’t have any nerves and can’t feel pain, part because I’m the only walker in shorts – HA!

I’m with you – doesn’t appear as if it matters to anyone else, either.

But I did have a beach waving couple ask me if I was from Manitoba on a very cold day…

Though at the end of it all, grumbling a lot like Old Man Rants – it might make me feel good briefly, but it doesn’t change anything.

I watch the morning news and everything is a hoax: Health care, the Epstein files, even hoaxes – all hoaxes, not to be believed. Maybe I should number my grumbles?

But as I suffer through real grumbling moments: Lost keys – a senior moment, Slow internet – same to you! Traffic roundabouts – hey buddy, you’ve got a yield, grumbling does help.

Working my way through life’s little problems – while remembering there are big issues to be dealt with.

And bringing me back to reality, friends with big issues, dealing with them in good humor and courage.

So, on those mornings when the tide is way high – watch out for that tree! – or there’s a backup on the roundabout, or a waiting line at Half Shell – I think of those friends, remembering things could be worse. Someone always has it worse…

This post a thank you for ‘regained perspective’ from my good friends Wayne and Ed, and a posthumous thanks for Ron, who might be the bravest man I ever knew.

But as they would remind, each of us lucky in our own way…

ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC’:

Midlake’s new album remains in rotation. You’ll like them!

And I have a new book out:

QUEENIE AND PA: ADVENTURES IN GRANDPARENTING… And Other Topics

Available on Amazon! Order today, laughing by Tuesday! Only 1.8 cents per laugh! Humor me, buy 2 and give one to a friend.