A Relative Handful

Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite websites?

WordPress, YouTube, Wikipedia, Chat GPT, Flipboard, Amazon, the local newspaper, and the newsfeed option on my iPad– it gives me a nice sampling of current events and other things. I find that I’m often checking the Popular Mechanics link, along with Space.com, The Atlantic, and Washington Post— their articles are often available even without a subscription to Apple News.

For various reasons

Daily writing prompt
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

Any of the early years of our marriage, maybe my junior or senior year of college.

Though there was a lot of work to do, maybe my senior year at seminary, when the five of us traveled back and forth to Harper’s Ferry every Sunday and other times as well.

And I wish I could have back the last couple of days my mother was alive.

Forever Young

Daily writing prompt
What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

I think it’s a commentary on the way many adults feel. Chronologically, someone may be 70 or much older, but mentally and emotionally they could still feel like they did when they were 20.

To be a kid at heart can mean that you as an adult can put your wisdom and maturity on a shelf. You are able to let go of whatever inhibition keeps you, for example, from engaging with kids who just want to play. My grandchildren are always telling me that I’m silly, but they seem to like it when I give them horsey rides or they can pile on top of me or I play hide and seek with them, or we sit on the floor and build something with blocks or play with trucks, sit at a table and draw or color, or kick a ball around.

Maybe part of this is that one just refuses to admit that they’re getting older and should be more careful when they exert themselves. One knows the wolves are getting closer to the door, but the tendency is to ignore them for as long as possible.

Maybe it’s a way for us who have more of life behind us than in front to hold onto something that can feel like it’s slipping away, going by too quickly. We still need to be involved and useful, not discarded.

Besides all that, kids have a knack for bringing out the kid in us.

Moving

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

Probably bike riding, which we don’t do very often. Besides that, it’d be working in the yard– walking, lifting a bit, just moving.

I do try to get to the Y on a regular basis, but that feels more like a discipline and not quite as enjoyable– more like work than what I do in the yard at home. And my wife and I take walks on occasion, using several different routes around the local neighborhoods.

Priceless

Daily writing prompt
How much would you pay to go to the moon?

I tend to believe that unless I won a sweepstakes or something, the cost would be way beyond what I could or would be willing to pay, so my answer is nothing. I think I’ll stay put on terra firma and stick with the earthbound risks. There would have to be too many assurances and guarantees, and the training would be a bear.

It’d be a cool view from out there, though.

At One Time…

Daily writing prompt
What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?

SInce I’ve retired, I haven’t considered other paths, but during the working years, or more at the beginning of them, I fantasized about meteorology or astronomy or playing in a band.

Currently, I could probably use a part-time job, but am having trouble envisioning a scenario where I wouldn’t mind having to once again hold to some sort of schedule. The extra money would be nice, but there would have to be an attitude adjustment on my part– I’m really liking not having to be anywhere on a regular basis.

“Specialty” is a Strong Word

Daily writing prompt
What food would you say is your specialty?

Probably popcorn. Besides that, I’m getting the hang of poached eggs.

One of the few recipes I have memorized is a chicken wild rice soup. Made it just the other day. Sticks to your ribs, hits the spot especially when the weather turns cool, goes well with crushed crackers or a slice of warm, freshly baked bread.