BAD NEWS

I had my twice yearly physical last week.  It was also the annual Medicare wellness check.  I dread these because I worry about being prescribed additional medicine.  Anxiety starts at the scale when I first go in.  Same with blood pressure.  Don’t you think these should/could be done on the way out??

Naturally, I went in expecting a lecture and was shocked when ALL of the lab tests came back better than the last visit.  Blood pressure was beyond good.  In fact, all the tests are the best they’ve been in the past five years. That alone feels like a small miracle.

At first I thought the lab techs mistakenly switched my blood with someone younger?  Is this just a dream?  And to top it off I was down four pounds.  I haven’t exactly turned into a “green-smoothie-forget-to-eat” kind of person so how did this happen?  The only thing I can think of is I now use a small lunch size plate for my meals.  My wonderful Chef Son in Law is used to filling plates to the very edge (and often twice) for teenage sons who now eat like lumberjacks.  I have no willpower growing up in an era where clean your plate because of all the starving children in ________ (fill in the appropriate country) so be grateful.

Despite such great news, I named this blog “Bad News”.  I could have named it something happy and wonderful  (because this really is great news) but I have noticed negative titles or sarcastic titles or titillating titles tend to attract way more attention and clicks.  Our brains are wired to notice danger or problems.  “Celebrating Good Health at 73” would get 3 views yet ”Bad News” seems to draw in those of us who have FOMO (fear of missing out).  Negative titles often hint at a problem we want to avoid or understand. Maybe readers think “Is this something I should be worried about too?”

In addition to all the lab work, weight loss and passing the dementia questions, I have maintained my height!  Take THAT osteoporosis spine!

RETIRED, NOT EXPIRED

Retirement isn’t the end of the road, in my humble opinion. It’s the on-ramp to a slower, comfortable drive on a scenic highway. I imagined I’d wake up every morning full of purpose, grace, and gratitude. Instead, I often wake up wondering: “Is it Tuesday or Saturday?” And more importantly: “Does it matter?”

My day starts out slowly. Very slowly. First, coffee. My SIL usually has a mug of cold brew waiting for me (filtered after brewing) as well as a mini smoothie. (I am really spoiled living here). I check my calendar to see if there are any “must do” items.

Then online reading begins. Email, NYT, local paper, left aligned weekly local paper, WSJ and then Facebook.  I’m not complaining. After decades of schedules, deadlines, and early mornings fueled by too strong hot coffee and obligation, retirement feels like slipping into a soft robe that’s just a little too big and occasionally trips you on the stairs. Comfortable, but slightly hazardous.

There’s a myth that retirement is a finish line. That once you “stop working,” you start… what? Golfing? Napping professionally? Living your best life while smiling at fruit in commercials? Be real. Retirement is fun. Wonderful—

The Pros:
You can wear comfy stretchy pants every day and no one can say a thing.

Your calendar is so free it makes your 30-year-old self weep with envy.

Every day is a weekend (except, ironically, actual weekends, when everyone else is out and the lines are longer).

You can say no without guilt.

Say yes to weird hobbies (I am now learning to paint rocks … for my daughters fairy gardens … which are selling like hotcakes).

Redefine productivity on your own terms.

The Cons:
You sometimes talk back to Siri because she’s your most reliable coworker.

You start Googling things like “Is knee clicking normal?” and “How to organize Apple Photos.” Yes, I started  organizing for fun!

You forget the names of people you’ve just met but somehow remember best friends from elementary school.

Worst of all, you get judged by your streaming habits. When you watch five episodes of a TV drama in one evening, it feels relaxing  — but tell someone else that, and suddenly you're deemed mindless.

So, no — I’m not expired. I’m just delightfully unbothered. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go put on my "outside lazy wardrobe" for walking out to get my mail. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I used to think I was a reasonably intelligent person. I managed a household, worked full time, raised a kid, balanced checkbooks (using a calculator) — and yet, somehow, my phone has made me question all of it. It knows what I want before I do, answers questions I didn’t ask, and mocks me with smug little autocorrects. 

Just last week, I text reminded Kate “I’m going to physical therapy.” which was autocorrected to: “I’m going to psychic therapy.” (Honestly, might be more fun.). (Another blog ... shoulder injury).  Now I changed my signature when writing from my phone to "semi-retired, fully committed, occasional fat finger typing and help from my friend, AutoCorrect"

Back in my day (oh yes, I said it), phones were attached to walls. They rang. You answered. Simple. Now, they ding, vibrate, flash, ping, and occasionally burst into song because I assigned family and friends with distinctive ring tones. 

And don’t even get me started on voice assistants. Alexa and Siri might as well be mean girls from high school. I'm trying.  I've given up on Alexa but am making progress with Siri.  And really, she gets it right most of the time.  I need to use her more. Texting? I’ve learned to use one finger, very slowly, like I’m diffusing a bomb. I haven't been brave enough to ask Siri to write my text. 

Passwords are another modern torture. Fortunately, my tech savvy nephew recommended One Password a couple of years ago.  In the past, I would use a birthday (let's say mine) with my first pet's name in between the 19 and the 52.  Then if I had to change that password, I would use a grandchild's info. Now I let it create a new password like  

het4jmr8KET8azn.rmz  

Because the software works on my phone and my computer.  AND - I am finally letting facial recognition open things on my phone.  Then I don't have to put on my readers.

But here’s what my real problem is ... finding a file or an email from two years ago.  Or a recipe for salad dressing but can't think of what I named it. So I’m taking an online class on digital organization. 
The first best thing I've learned is to use a dated and very long description for easier finding.  For example:

2025.05.02 JB dressed up to go out

for dinner for my birthday.

Now I can go to the little magnifying glass and search for "my birthday" or "photos in May 2025".  It's not much and the best advice?  Just start NOW with the new naming system.  I can always go back and rename just ONE of the photos I took of that sunset in April 2013 while deleting the other 13 that I took "just in case"

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who has a special someone in their lives ~

 

My Mom

                                                               My Daughter

MAY MADNESS

I start the month of May with my birthday!  It's a perfect time of year ... not too close to other gift giving celebrations.  Two friends also celebrate theirs on May 1.

(yes, I even put on makeup!)

Many cards in the mail.  Lots of text messages (even one of my younger brothers who is more of a hermit than me).  Facebook peeps got reminded.  My dentist sent me a text!  The grandsons made their cards for me and they were a hoot!  Little guy said "I can't believe you are 73 ... just think in 7 years you will be 80 and THAT is old."  Don't they say the cutest things??

My best friend neighbors invited me over for lunch on their patio.  We had an unusual 80 degree day! Sweet and spicy salmon atop rice.  And cabernet in the middle of the day!  Dark chocolate for dessert.

Kate made a gourmet dinner of fresh halibut with lemon cream sauce, a beautiful butter lettuce salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette.  Crusty French batard with roasted garlic and St. Angel cheese.  Roasted baby potatoes.  Store bought cheese cake for dessert. Even got sparkling juice for the boys to drink in wine glasses.

Iza brought me flowers ... I'm keeping them in my room.  Family bought a huge bright bouquet which is on the dining table.

Friday night, we all went to dinner at a fancy local restaurant.  Despite our waitress having many, many large tables to manage, we had the best service.  I invited Braeden's girlfriend, Iza, so there were six of us.  We shared three appetizers. Non alcoholic pina coladas and after a huge dinner (again sharing tasted) we shared three desserts.  Best thing of all?  My kidults used their own money to pay.  First time ever!  I shudder to think how much that was ...

I have so many family members and friends with May birthdays!  And add in Mother's Day.  It's just party after party.

One tiny bit of sadness as Mr. Ralph passed away the day after my birthday, a dozen years ago.

I love this photo as it was his last time in the ocean.  At sunset.