It’s How You Look at It

August 5, 2018August 5, 2018 / skidaz / Leave a comment

pessimist-and-optimist-view-on-the-glass-being-half-full-or-half-empty-and-my-view-add-more-vodka

Everybody and their dog is familiar with: Is the glass full or half empty? It depends on your perspective. My thought was as long as there is more libation to add in the glass what did it matter. However, I’ve meet a handful of people along the way who are consumed with negativity. Sadly, these folk never have a good day, they never see the silver lining in the face of adversity, and they don’t laugh at their own foibles. Further, they are unable to accept blame for their own mistakes.

Witness the PT Barnum circus in Washington. For the first time in history, only PT knows the truth–everything else is “fake.” Wow! I must be the most stupid person on earth to watch a PT video, which is immediately denied as “fake,” if there’s a backlash. It’s a most curious world.

As most of you know, a week ago I turned 70. Not a number I necessarily wanted to be, but I can’t deny my birth certificate, nor my passport. I can’t call it fake news. It is a fact. Yes, Sue, you’re 70, and the sun is still shining.

Admittedly, I had a tough time turning 70. It was a anchoring moment…until my one of my high school friends posted:

38277372_2089487857968834_1686185438647156736_o

Yep, it’s all in how you look at it. A mere 21 in Celsius. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve no desire to be 21 again–50ish perhaps, but not 21. Working all day, staying up late partying all weekend, or squeezing my squashed behind into trendy clothing. But at least I’ve a comeback remark when someone asks, “How old are you?”

“Fahrenheit or Celsius?”

About to be 70

July 22, 2018 / skidaz / Leave a comment

Who knew? I thought I was the female version of Peter Pan. Yet, the next time I blog I will be a septuagenerian. Believe me, in the past several months, this reality has been on my mind. Seventy has forced me to examine my life. Have I made a difference? Have I contributed to the greater good? Have I been the best mom I could. I don’t know.

Then last night I decided to take another tact; I asked myself, “What modern invention rocked me?” My grandfather, who was born in 1892, said over and over, electricity changed his life. Of course, he enjoyed the convenience of indoor plumbing too, which came later.

64e120e4d5478e2e26949e0bceeece73

In preparation for this blog, I asked my 93-year-old mother what rocked her. She struggled with her answer, describing herself as a child of war–born shortly after WWI and living through WWII. She did note she and my dad got their first television in 1950, which later morphed into a big-screen entertainment center. Microwave ovens, cellular phones, disposable diapers, and rotary lawnmowers.

il_fullxfull.733445199_g6p1

I suspect you think I will say the computer–it, indeed, rocked me. It certainly changed my life, but it was not the first thing. It was my watch. Like many, my first big-girl watch was a Minnie Mouse. Admittedly, numbers have never been my best friend, and I labored learning to tell time. My maternal grandmother frustrated me when I’d ask, “What time is it?”

“Quarter past.”

What does that mean? There’s no quarters on my watch, nor halves, nor three-quarters.

Eventually, I mastered the art of telling time, but my world was shakened when Texas Instruments introduced a digital watch in the early 70’s. Now, with a simple button press, I instantly knew it was 5:45. I didn’t have to wind it. I was in heaven! Thus, began my love affair with watches. I have designer, analog power ones, and was once gifted a Rolex. Rolex–the most over-priced, over-rated, high maintenance watch on the market.

th-1

I’ll take my newest one any day. You know the one. The one that counts my steps, monitors my blood pressure, sends me messages and emails, allows me to answer in-coming calls, search the internet, etc. And it tells time!

th-1

Seventy is creeping up my shorts. Got to go. Time’s a wasting.

2018: Welcome to the 70’s

December 31, 2017 / skidaz / Leave a comment

1948pennyrev400

I never said, “I’ll be glad to watch this year go; hopefully, next year will be better.” Every year of my life has brought its challenges and laughter. Granted, each year has been different–sometimes 360 degrees different, but still each year has been interesting, confounding, and humorous.

As I child, I didn’t like January 1, even though we celebrated my paternal grandfather’s birthday I was bored by the endless, TV football games and dreaded I would go back to school tomorrow. For me, it was a very long stretch to spring break and summer vacation. Further, it would be months before the sun shone, the daffodils appeared, and I could rid myself of boots and a winter coat. I’d be sentenced to a classroom writing a report about George or Abraham, cutting and pasting hearts on doilies, wearing green, ad nauseam.

Admittedly, 2017 changed my life. While it has been a year of joy and accomplishment, it has been a year of introspection. Now when a major home improvement needs done, when a big-ticket appliance breaks, when I get the itch for a new car, I make each decision based on a 20-25, year warranty. Yes, 2018 will bring my 70th birthday. A most anchoring realization. I don’t want to replace an air conditioner when I’m eighty, nor dicker with car sales folk.

Happy-New-Year2018

Yet, 2018 will also bring my youngest’s 30th birthday and her magical, fifth year as cancer-free, so I’ll suck it up. I’ll turn 70. I’ll publish my first novel in collaboration with my brother. I’ll get another tattoo, buy a puppy, and take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi, if I can find someone who wants to tag along. But most importantly, I’ll throw a big party in celebration of my youngest, fifth cancerversery.

new-years-eve

Let the ball drop, NYC. Dr. Suze is ready for 2018! Happy New Year!