Shame On You

Aloma was checking out of the garden center at Home Depot, with her mask and gloves, when a man came into the store through the exit gate, despite rules that everyone should come into the store through the main entrance so they can monitor the number of people in the store.  The man, not wearing a mask, bumped into a woman almost knocking her over as he entered.

Aloma yelled at him, "Shame on you."  He kept coming and she yelled again.  Other people waiting patiently, six feet apart, wearing masks also yelled at him.  He cursed them and gave a finger.

After he was in the store, people in line thanked Aloma for standing up to him.  Two cashiers, tears running down their cheeks, also thanked Aloma and told her that no customers ever helped them.

Aloma told me this story after she got home.  I told her I was proud of her for standing up for what is right.  I also reminded her there are crazy people out there and some of them can get violent.  I also told her that I trust her judgment, and she will always know when to confront and when to be silent.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com

82 Years Old

82 Years Old

I started this blog to document for my family what it was like for a man to go through his seventies (and eighties, if lucky).  I turned 82 a few weeks ago and I'm still here.

While I have more aches and pains, my stamina is lower, and my memory is not as sharp as it was a few years ago, I'm lucky that I have a wonderful marriage and am basically in good health, have a positive attitude, and appreciate each day.

I enjoy following Aloma's instructions in planting and caring for our many flowers, trees, and shrubs.  My flying club is closed because of COVID-19 so I fly a new, small drone at home and take a lot of photos with it.  I’ve only played a couple of rounds of golf since my accident two-plus years ago, but I haven't given up on the idea of playing again.  I read a lot and still write, but my final book of the Turkey Grove series is progressing very slowly.

Aloma wants a stone wall around the tree in our backyard so I started it a couple of days ago.  I knew there was a major root to come out, so I began work with my shovel, full-size ax with a double blade, and a small hatchet.  Not only did the root turn out to be twice the size that I thought, but there were also four more even bigger.  I swung the big ax for four hours.  I didn't make a clean cut because I couldn't hit the same spot twice in a row so it took twice as long as it should.  I thought I would be a cripple the next day, but I felt fine except for pain in both shoulders, left elbow, hamstrings, big toe, thighs, hamstrings, and knuckle on the right hand.  I still have two roots to go, and then I'll start positioning the stones.

Bragging to Aloma, I said, "My dad couldn't have done that at 82 years old." 

Aloma gave my ego a boost by saying, "Your dad couldn't have done that at 50 years old."

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com