This yard ornament made me think of Florida. Florida made me think of old people. Old people made me think of me.
I went into my town hall the other day to renew my annual beach permit. Usually, it's $25 for the year. This year however, it was only $5. It seems I get the senior citizen discount. In the mail, I received my monthly copy of the AARP magazine. This week is my 45-year anniversary of graduating from high school. My first social security check is expected by the beginning of next month.
These events have led me to an unmistakable conclusion. I am, both mathematically and by society standard, an old man. How can this be? It seems like it was just yesterday that I became old enough to shave, or drive a car, or buy beer, or vote in elections. I don't feel like an old man. Reluctantly though, I concede that I do look like one - gray hair, spots on the back of my hands, wild eyebrow and ear hairs, increasingly forgetful.......you get the idea.
I read that GenX and Millennials now outnumber us Baby Boomers. How can that be? We Boomers ruled the world and were going to fix everything - but we didn't, and now we can't. Every generation gradually passes into irrelevance. I guess our turn has come.
I think I'll take a walk and think about it some.
Visual Definition: dreary - wet, windy, cold, and gray - notice there is only one person walking on the beach (besides me). Sensible folks are at home or work.
The silver lining to dreary days, however, is the light - it is shadow-less and the colors are deeply saturated - I like that.
Getting old really isn't such a bad thing - it certainly is better than the alternative.
Note: all images made with my cellphone.
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