Feels Like Crunch Time

Daily writing prompt
Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?

Pretty much, I guess. I wasn’t really spending much time envisioning scenarios, mapping things out. I’ve never been one for making News Year’s or any other resolutions. I will say, though, that turning 70 has gotten my attention. I’m fighting a mindset that keeps trying to tell me that my best years are behind me.

I don’t know where or who I’ll be a year from now, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be stopping to smell the roses as often as possible along the way. And hopefully still going to the Y on a regular basis.

Old New Horizons

Daily writing prompt
What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

Over forty years ago, my cousin gave me the sheet music for Robert Schumann’s Traumeri and said, “Here, learn this one,” or something to that effect. He may have have been twirling a pencil-thin moustache and had a bit of a twinkle in his eye as he handed me the innocent-looking two pages. Only recently have I practiced it to the point where I can finally play it from beginning to end with the music in front of me. It might take another forty years to memorize.

And I recently made naan for the first time. Mmm… pairs well with hummus.

First Grade

Daily writing prompt
Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

It was before the days of compulsory kindergarten. Up to that point, the extent of my social interactions involved my siblings and cousins and Sunday School at a local Lutheran church. I think there are pictures, though I haven’t seen them for a while. Mom was there. I was likely dressed in a paisley shirt with plaid pants that came up to my navel, or maybe that was junior high.

With lunchbox and some form of ancestral Trapper Keeper from W.T. Grant in hand, we walked to the bottom of the driveway, crossed the street, and waited for the bus to round the bend. I can still remember it slowing down, coming to a stop. It was an old Dodge, probably from the late 50s, not nearly as big as the buses today. I don’t remember if it had all the blinking yellow and red lights that today’s models have. And it was definitely before the days of stop signs that popped out, and that long bar that protrudes from the front.

Anyway, the door opened and I looked up at Mr. Lemanski– gruff, cigar-chomping Mr. Lemanski. It was often difficult to tell if he enjoyed this daily routine, but he safely delivered us to school every day for the first few of those elementary years.

Amazing– what stays in your head.

Such Memorable Oratory…

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

Not speeches, really, but as a pastor, I delivered sermons most Sundays and offered eulogies for many people.

My only brush with the stage was in junior high, when I played Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. As I recall, I was ready to deliver a performance for the ages, but somehow a couple pages of dialogue got skipped, and with them most of my lines. So, that was that.

Motion

Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

Golf, yard work, running around with the grandkids, and a few machines at the Y– recumbent bike, elliptical, and various upper body and arm sets. OK… and stair push-ups– trying to work my way back to the real ones.