About Being Happy

I know some of my friends *yawn*,or even *cringe*, with all my "rah-rah life" stuff. But, I just can't help myself. Life is good... really, really good. And, that's something new for me.

Prior to 2014, I marched through 15 years of  poop, beginning with the passing of my father in May of 1999. That instance was just a foreshadowing of the real gut-kick when my three-year-old grand daughter, the light of my life, died in a car accident in August of 2001. From that moment on, I became Joe Btfsplk, the sad sack from Li'l Abner. And, because that was how I saw myself, that is how my life was.

http://youtu.be/bXysRO11Xi8

Let me say that again... that was how I saw myself, so that was how my life was. 

And, it just got worse and worse to the point I began to think my life, for all intents and purposes, was over. Remember the show "Hee-Haw?" (Don't even try to act like you never saw it!) That was my outlook. That was the life I owned for myself.

I finally realized, something had to change. 

I knew I was miserable in my job. It wasn't that the job was bad. It was a great job! I worked with the most creative and smartest people I had ever known... many of them were very dear friends!!! I had amassed 15 years of raises and made a really good salary. I had all the perks that went with seniority. 

So, what was the problem? It didn't fulfill me anymore. There was no challenge, no stimulation, nothing to look forward to. I felt used and used up. And, my attitude reflected that feeling.

For a couple of years, right here on this blog site, I had been preaching about encore careers. And, while I had made some — in hindsight, feeble — efforts to find another career, I had reached the point of critical saturation in unhappiness. I decided to retire and gave notice. And, lo and behold, as soon as I made that commitment, an opportunity opened up, and it just so happened to be the absolutely perfect career for me. Getting the position became my new obsession, and my commitment and persistence paid off. I've never been happier in a job.

I know what some of you are thinking... well, aren't you the lucky one? It's not about luck. It's about the power of positive intention. It's about deciding what you want, committing to that goal... eating, drinking, dreaming of what you want. It's about letting God... the Universe... whatever higher power you ascribe to... know what you want and how badly you want it. 

Trust me, folks... I used to be the epitome of skeptic when it came to what I deemed metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. But, I was wrong. And, that was just the beginning of the good life. 

I was so grateful to get the job, I couldn't express my thanks adequately. I literally GUSHED thanksgiving. And, oddly enough, the more I acknowledged the goodness of that fortunate event and openly pronounced my gratitude for my blessings, the happiness and contentment I had always hoped was out there became manifest. It's just like every religion teaches — but I'll quote the Christian Bible, because that's what I know — "Ask, and ye shall receive." Can it be that easy? All I know is, it was that easy for me.

So, you see... I have to keep talking about how happy and grateful I am. It's part of the commitment. To stop talking about it would be tantamount to denying its existence. And, the last thing I want is to leave the door open for Messrs. Gloom and Doom to manipulate a seat at my table of life.

If there is anybody reading this who is going through some really bad times, I just want you to know, it can be better. My feet won't fit your shoes, so I can't tell you what it will take for you, but I can assure you... it can be better. 

It's kind of like, if you build it, it will come. Solidly commit to being happy, whatever that means to you. Choose your path and walk it. But, above all things, choose — CHOOSE — to be happy.

When that person cuts you off on the freeway, think of something happy or forgiving. You don't know what made him or her do that. It could be as simple as you just weren't seen. You've probably done it yourself without even knowing.

When a person is rude to you, smile at them. Give them the benefit of the doubt. For all you know, that person could have just lost a grand daughter in a car accident.

Bottom line... take the high road in all things. Avoid the anger, frustration and fear that is seething in today's society. Seek the positive in every situation. Smile. I can guarantee... yes, I said GUARANTEE... that the more you consciously make the effort to be grateful and positive in your life, the more your life will be bombarded by things for you to be grateful and positive about. 

There are some of you reading this who are witness to how this has worked in my life. And, I invite anyone reading this to expressively share the same happiness you may have found in your own life... here in comments, today with your family, tomorrow at work, this week with a total stranger. Say it out loud, put it in writing, make it known... often! It requires no money, no investment of time, no sacrifice. All it takes is gratitude for what you receive every day, pursuit of your passion, and a commitment to change your outlook on life. 

So, what's the first step? Determine what it is you want and pursue it with your complete being... heart, soul and mind. A quote by one of my favorite heroines says it all...

Are You Still a Boomer?

This post is to serve as a reminder for a lot of baby boomers. And, trust me... I include myself in this learning experience. Just watch the video in this link, then we'll talk.

http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/video/andrew-de-leon/1404950

OK, now show of hands... how many of you were right there with me, in the beginning, thinking, "Hey, kid... you wanna be accepted? Dress acceptably."

And, then, how many of you had to fight tears of shame? Yeah, me, too.

And, that concludes tonight's reminder that we, after all, were the generation who screamed at the top of our lungs, "Hey, old people... let us be who we want to be!!"

And, while we're on the subject... are you who you want to be?

"Where We Belong" by Emily Giffin Book Review

Marian is 18, on the threshold of following her dreams of a career in television and in love for the first time. And, then, she gets pregnant. The decisions she makes forever alters the lives of everyone she holds dear, even those she has yet to meet. She could not have known that 18 years later the repercussions of this decision would come knocking on her door and bring her life full circle in a way that changes everything she believed about herself and her life.

Ms. Giffin tells the story of Marian and Kirby in the first person, alternating each chapter to reflect the perceptions of each, ultimately bringing their separate personalities together to create a whole where before there were missing parts. 

The story is real, relevant and recognizable in its poignancy. I found myself reminiscing on life-changing decisions and wondering how life might have been had I chosen another path. In the end, though, we must all reconcile ourselves to the realization that where we are is where we belong.

Indaba Pinot Gris 2011 Wine Review

"Indaba" is the Zulu word for "a meeting of the minds," or a traditional gathering of tribal leaders for a sharing of ideas. The Indaba wine brand was created as a celebration of the democratization process in South Africa and, from its inception, the wines have conveyed the spirit of South Africa to American consumers. A portion of the proceeds from the Indaba wines supports a scholarship for formerly disenfranchised South Africans who are interested in wine-related careers. Through growth of the brand and via the affiliated scholarship, Indaba is proud to be a part of the positive changes that are altering the face of South Africa's wine industry.

The Indaba range is carefully selected from emerging regions of the Cape winelands, such as Robertson, Wellington and the Breede River Valley. Production is overseen by Bruwer Raats, celebrated winemaker of Raats Family Wines and long-term consultant for Indaba. All are bottled under user-friendly screwcap closures with environmentally friendly packaging. In addition to garnering regular "best buy" nods from Wine Enthusiast, Indaba has earned extensive praise in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which described the wines as "truly mind-boggling values" for the past two consecutive vintages. 

I purchased the Pinot Gris recently. On the nose, I sense minerals and Granny Smith apples. The taste reminds me of tart fruits, like kiwi and strawberry with a little lime and pepper... very crisp. While it's a great wine, rated 88 by consumers — whose opinion I trust more than the so-called experts — it's a bit too tart for my individual taste. So I decided to use it to make sangria. 

I marinated overnight in one cup of light rum one cup of pineapple chunks, one peach (peeled and sliced), one kiwi fruit (peeled and sliced) and one lime with zest. I added to this mixture 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and clove. The next day, I added the remainder of the bottle of wine, which was about 2/3 of the bottle with about 2 cups of ginger ale. The result was amazingly good! Careful, though... it's really smooth and yummy, with a taste of mince meat pie or, perhaps, peach cobbler, but the alcohol sneaks up on you. I'm even considering trying this as a mulled wine for the holiday season.

"Looking for Me," by Beth Hoffman Book Review

This book is the type that makes me glad I'm a reader. While some aspects of the story are a little implausible, Beth Hoffman gives her characters enough depth that I am able to recognize them as people I know in my own life, just as perfectly flawed and commonly unique. Her use of flashbacks to flesh out events kept the pace from dragging. 

While this story could have easily become cliche, Ms. Hoffman's prose is fresh and imaginative. And, I appreciate that she doesn't tie every situation up with a neat bow. I finished the book with some lingering questions but, honestly, I think that is exactly what Ms. Hoffman intended. She reminds us that life is full of life-changing surprises, and we are defined by how we embrace all of them, even the painful ones.

Mexican Salad with Tequila Lime Dressing

I've been enjoying the bounty of summer vegetables so much this year. Good thing, too. Now that the AMA has classified obesity as a disease, my doctor isn't as forgiving about those extra pounds I've packed on. 

Usually a craving for Mexican food means some serious carrot and celery crunching for lunch. But, I was able to put together a great salad with all the flavors I was wanting and plenty of the nutrition a baby boomer body needs. 

I cut an avocado up in chunks and added cherry tomatoes, cut in halves. Avocados are a little high in calories, but research has shown that they help reduce the inflammation of arthritis and are heart healthy, actually helping to lower cholesterol. And, tomatoes are one of nature's special gifts... a super food with vitamins, minerals, fiber and so much more included great taste!

A half cup each of corn and rinsed pinto beans added fiber and protein, plus potassium for those nighttime charley horses. Some folks would choose black beans, which are just as nutritious, but I'm from Texas... it's pintos or nothing! About a half cup each of bell and jalapeno pepper and onion slices gave the salad some kick and me some more arthritis relief, in the form of capsaicin, as well as vitamin E to help keep those wrinkles at bay! 

Finally, some black olives (vitamin A, for eye health, and iron), cilantro (believed to be a sleep aid) and jalapeno jack cheese (calcium for my old bones). 

For the dressing, I mixed together well one ounce of tequila, juice of half a lime, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar in pickled jalapenos (I like it hot; plain vinegar would work) and 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and cumin. I only used about two tablespoons of the dressing on the salad and refrigerated the rest for future use.

The salad serves two at about 300 calories each, including the dressing and some baked tortilla strips added for extra crunch. 

Turnip, the Other Potato

The poor, misunderstood turnip. While a little more popular in the South, it's on Men's Fitness' list of Top 10 Most Hated Vegetables. That's a shame, because on a nutritional level, it's right up there with potatoes, but with far fewer calories. And, in terms of baby boomer health, it's almost off the charts in nutritional value.

Let's start with its benefits for fighting the #1 and #2 causes of death in the United States... heart disease and cancer. The root has high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients, which have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of cancer. When you add in the greens, loaded with glucosinolates, which aid the liver in processing toxins, fight the effects of carcinogens, and new research has indications that they may inhibit the growth of tumors, it deserves respect. What, still hate the turnip?

OK, how about this... one cup of turnips has 15% of recommended daily allowance of vitamin C to boost immunity, 12% of metabolism boosting fiber, 8% of potassium to regulate blood pressure and muscle contraction and 5% calcium for bone health.

What most people don't realize is that young turnips are a natural substitute for potatoes at about one-third of the calories and are just as easy to prepare. 

But, the best way to enjoy the turnip is mixed in with the goodness of turnip greens, which really are a powerhouse of nutrients, beginning with a whopping 616% recommended daily allowance of vitamin K, essential for blood coagulation, and 219% of vitamin A, which helps prevent cataracts, as well as significant amounts of fiber and calcium. And, that puts the lowly turnip in the category of superfood.

There are plenty of recipes on the Internet to create a dish that is sure to please the family, but below is one of my favorites from the "Everybody Likes Sandwiches" blogsite.

braised turnips, onions & carrots
1 T butter 
2 small turnips, sliced
1/2 sweet onion, cut into thin slices
1 large carrot, sliced on the diagonal
1/2 yellow pepper, sliced
1/2 c vegetable broth
1/2 t sugar
4 sprigs of thyme
salt & pepper

In a large pan, melt butter over medium-high heat and add turnips, onions, and carrots and yellow pepper. Gently toss vegetables around the pan until glistening and warm. Pour in vegetable broth and add in sugar. Put a lid on the pan and let everything come to a boil. Add in thyme. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the turnip and carrots can easily be pierced with a fork. Season with lots of black pepper and add salt if needed.

I added a little cardamom and fennel to my recipe, both of which are believed to be beneficial in arthritis pain management.

Next time you make pot roast, consider adding turnips with your other vegetables. You may not be able to tell the difference between them and potatoes, but your waistline will!!

"One Summer" by David Baldacci Book Review

I haven't read any of Mr. Baldacci's other works. I have to feel that this debut foray into a different genre was a beginner's miss. You don't make it on the Time's best seller list with this kind of maudlin prose. A predictable story of unbearable tragedy, unbelievable triumphs, unapproachable characters with unoriginal dialogue... I felt like I was reading the script of a soap opera, all that was missing was the dramatic background music. 

I finished this book in record time, not because it was hard to put down, but because I turned pages unread, knowing exactly what was about to happen. It wasn't so bad that I walked out on it, but almost. However, I do believe a younger audience would enjoy the book. It almost seems to be written for teenagers. And, it could be suitable to carry along on vacation... you won't get invested enough to miss any fun, and it'll definitely help you fall asleep in that strange hotel bed. 

Sorry, Mr. Baldacci. I'm sure you're an excellent writer. Everyone has their off times... this was definitely one of yours.  

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" Book Review

I literally read this book in four days, during a working vacation week jammed with home repairs... it was that hard to put down. It's the debut offering of Ransom Riggs and one of the most original stories I've read in a long time. Using odd vintage photographs, the author weaves a story around the pictures that pulls the reader in, making the implausible realistic. In the vein of Stephen King in terms of weird and wonderful, there's plenty of action, lots of intrigue and some downright scary monsters, all centered around some peculiar children who should be dead and a young man who is just discovering his destiny. It was a New York Times #1 best seller and on the Best Seller List for a year. 

Home Is Where the Heart Is

My house is like the third little piggy's house... built of stone, specifically cinder block with plaster walls. The wolf can huff and puff, but he's not blowing this house down. When I had cable installed, the installer went through two drill bits to bring the wiring inside the house. I may lose my roof in a tornado, but I have a lot of confidence in the walls and foundation.

I've had occasion to bemoan the stone walls, particularly when wanting to hang pictures, but it has it's advantages. Besides its strength, it's impervious to rapid temperature change. And, the house has a heating system envied by most of my friends — radiant heat, which is basically pipes running through the foundation that circulates hot water from a boiler. I love it because, even in the winter, the floors are warm enough I can walk barefoot comfortably. It has beautiful flooring, which I love and is rarely used anymore. It's parquet tiles, made of real wood, much like a hardwood floor, but with the stability of a concrete foundation. Additionally, it has a working fireplace. I use it often, not so much for actual heat, but for the warmth I feel from looking at it. 

I literally fell in love with the house the moment I saw it. But, it is 80 years old and requires a lot of maintenance. It is precisely for this reason my father didn't want me to buy the house, although he never said as much to me. He knew it would require work, and that I was not handy with power tools. But, I can't help but feel, had he lived longer, he would have been proud that his daughter learned about home improvement the good old fashioned way... through necessity. 

I have to admit, the first project — replacing the tile in the kitchen — proved to be a disaster. But, I learned from it, and the main lesson was to research, plan and make sure I have the right tools for the job.  Needless to say, I understand the whole "Tool Time" feeling guys get. I have to admit, there's a bit of a head rush in handling power tools. 

My brother gave his tacit encouragement by giving me a tool carrier one year for my birthday. It's one of my most prized gifts. 

The main thing to remember, I've discovered, is that there is no real failure. Homes seem to be very forgiving. I may make mistakes, but in the end, it's all about the love I have for my home, the time I give to it and, ultimately, the pride I feel in making it a statement of who I am.

Home is where the heart is, and my heart is, literally, in this house. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Barefoot Pinot Grigio

Today was hot and humid in Kansas City...  making it hard to believe we had snow on May 5. As I ran errands for 7 hours, I kept thinking about the Barefoot Pinot Grigio I had chilling in the fridge. I finally made it home, uncorked the wine, poured and ... ahhhhh. 

Just as the name and logo suggests, this is a great wine for all the activities that summer brings, as well as the fresh salads and fruits that are available for the table. It's so light, it's practically clear in color. On the nose, there's salty grapefruit. The grapefruit flavor follows into the taste, combining perfectly with the crisp and sweet flavors of pear and apple. 

Only 12.5% alcohol makes it perfect for poolside and won't interfere with your horseshoe throw. The finish is so clean, it almost feels like I just had a breath mint. It's inexpensive, too! 

Predator Old Vine Zinfandel 2011

Don't let the puny aroma or light ruby color of this wine fool you. As soon as I took a sip, I had to go scrounging in the refrigerator for something I could turn into a bold, rich, saucy dish to hold up to the meaty taste. Luckily, I had some left over roast that I was able to transform with the help of some Masterpiece BBQ sauce. Perfect pairing!

It's from Lodi, California, of course... all really good Zins are! The award-winning Rutherford Ranch Winery is located on the Silverado Trail and has a portfolio of seven labels, all from sustainable vineyards. The ladybug logo of the Predator label represents the natural predation method of using the vine-friendly ladybugs for insect control. 

It started off with a mild aroma that made me think of having a cup of coffee in a pine forest right after a rain. The flavor of full-on spicy and smoked meat coming to a peppery fruit finish makes it a perfect fit for summer grilling and complimentary to any marinade or BBQ sauce. Save your white wine for poolside... this is the wine you want next to the ribs and brisket.

Achievement Through Creation

In the movie, "Castaway," Tom Hanks' character struggles to the point of frustration to build a fire without matches. Once he finally gets it, he builds a huge bonfire on the beach and dances around it, yelling to the cosmos, "Look what I have created. Me! I have made fire!" I guess we all get a thrill out of accomplishing something we've never done before — never even thought about, really... especially if it takes multiple tries. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," right?  

Less than 10 years ago, I would have opted for a root canal rather than do gardening. I've had some experience with it in my younger days, and I can't say that I had fond memories of those times. It's hard, it makes me sweat, it ruins my nails, it's hard, it's dirty, efforts can be ruined by weather or animals, it's hard, there are bugs and it's hard. Besides, I had no idea how to do it, and I didn't want to know, for reasons just stated. 

Except for a brief period when I thought a good housewife kept a kitchen garden, I've managed to sidestep all chores and responsibilities related to gardening and/or yardwork. And, then, I bought a house. <sigh> I thought it was what grownups did to live up to the original ideal of the American Dream... a home and hearth that is a private three-dimensional canvas of self expression. Unfortunately, in most single family homes, it comes with a yard. OK, so I'm going to have to mow. With every achievement, there must be sacrifice. No problem.

And, then, you realize you are part of a community. You are only a piece of the whole and the whole would very much like to maintain, if not increase, their property values. I really wanted my neighbors to like me. That's when it hit me... this is going to require more than a quick pass with a lawn mower every month to sever the tops of the dandelion puffs. Damn. 

Fast forward 10 years. My private canvas of expression now extends to my yard. And, after about three years of miserable failure, I'm finally at the point that Tom Hanks' character was. I walk outside my house now, thinking to myself, "I created this. Me! I made a garden." Who knew being on my knees, getting dirt under my fingernails, salty sweat in my eyes, dirt in my damp hair and stooping over until my back and hips screamed mercy would be so rewarding? 

I had a little problem at first with the waiting a whole year to see if my efforts paid off which, quite frankly, they did not. Boomers pretty much set the standard on instant gratification, after all. But, I came to view the expectation of seeing the results of my efforts each year as part of setting life goals, as in I need to stay alive for another year to find out whether I screwed up or not. I think that attitude may come in pretty handy since I've passed the threshold of 60. 

So, here's a few pictures of my efforts. Keep in mind, I'm strictly a novice, but I'm catching on. 

My biggest challenge is always the rock garden. After multiple tries, I completely re-landscaped it this year, to give it a more balanced look and feel.


In the past, I've been extremely limited on what I could plant in this space, because the trees blocked the amount of sun plants could get. However, I had the trees trimmed extensively, opening up possibilities, although I still had to stay with shade-tolerant plants. 

Lily of the Valley

Choosing a wide array of plants was crucial to learn what worked well and what didn't. Hostas were a given, as were coleius. I also made the decision to stay with a color theme of rusty red, forest green and white, which matches the colors of my cottage home.

Gardens with a riot of colors are nice, but I wanted something that looked randomly natural, like a forest floor. Besides flowers require sun, which is very limited. 

The arrowhead-shaped stone at the base of the tree is special. I plan to paint it with the colors of my hometown NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs. I just don't want to mess it up, so any and all suggestions for doing that are welcome! 



The other garden is more conventional. Since it gets lots of morning/early afternoon sun, I have the option of including flowering plants. However, I've learned that a full-time career requires me to be selective, and I've chosen plants that are hearty and require very little maintenance... mostly gerbera daisies, petunias, geraniums and begonias, with alyssum for the border. The hostas are like trusted friends... they show up each year, better and stronger than the year before. And, hanging baskets add simple beauty to any porch.

Hosta

It's an evolving process from which I gain inspiration, learn patience and am able to feel artistic. It only took me 60 years to find a creative hobby that I can proudly share with the world. And, my neighbors like me. That makes it all worthwhile. 

Caladium

We are a Special Interest Group... Let's Lobby!!

Apathy, noun: lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." ~ attributed to Edmund Burke, Irish Political Philosopher

"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining them nor aiding them in their pursuits." ~ Thomas Jefferson


I wish I knew at what point the people lost control of government. Or, maybe I'm deluding myself in the belief that the voting public ever had any power at all. I sure would like to think they did, since that's the line I've had preached to me for the 60+ years I've been on this planet. But, somewhere along the line, people began to think that government was their daddy, responsible for their well being, or at the very least, the lack thereof. When did that happen? When did we become so lazy and apathetic that we are content to knock on the door of the U.S. Capitol and drop our problems at the threshold with a demand that government take care of them with no thought about who is going to pay for that? You know who pays? We do! We pay for every law that we demand to protect our food, protect our children, protect our wages, our investments, our healthcare, and on and on, ad nauseum. All that costs money, folks! Your money! My money!

And, now, here we are, with a bloated government run by people working harder at keeping their jobs than actually doing their jobs, who have better benefits than us, better healthcare, better retirement, live in nicer houses, drive nicer cars, have staff to take care of their every need and are at the office only half the year. What a life! Who wouldn't enjoy a job like that? 

Junior senators make $175,000 a year, not counting retirement for life, healthcare for life or the allowance given for travel, staff... oh, and free postage. And, we grudgingly buy into their rhetoric and promises, because that allows us to lean back in our recliners with our superior attitudes about what is wrong with government, when we really should be recognizing that WE are the problem, because we allow it to be.

I'm a history nerd. And, I can tell you, the history of the world has told us that when government becomes the overblown master, dictatorially telling its constituents what they can and cannot have, do, be, spend, save, eat, drink, wear, go, work, see and/or act upon, that society is doomed. I'm not making this up folks... we fought a World War to prevent this from happening in Europe. We have stuck our nose in every third-world country in the world to prevent this from happening and here it is...  in our front yards. You just don't recognize it, because it's dressed up as an eagle draped in red, white and blue and whistling "God Bless America." 

I, personally, am so tired of aspects of my life being controlled by people who have no idea what it's like to live at my economic level. I vote, I write, I petition... and, nothing changes. I get newsletters and email from my representatives and senators telling me how much they are working on my behalf... but, nothing changes. I keep hearing them say, "We heard you! You told us you wanted us to intervene on your behalf on the drain on Social Security! We're working on that. But, in the meantime, I'm going to earmark for the renovation of a bridge in my district, because that's what I promised my voters if they let me keep my job." Huh? Coincidentally, the bridge is named after said senator or representative, of course... at least until he gets caught trying to use state funds to buy a private island off the coast of Cozumel.

There are 535 elected officials in Congress, each one of them with an obligation to the people who elected them. I get that. So, where's the breakdown? Can you say special interest groups? Guess what. The American people need to become a special interest group... starting right now!

It's not as if I'm a firebrand radical screaming for social change at every opportunity. I don't want more than what I work for, but I would appreciate keeping as much of what I have worked for as I possible can. Is that too much to ask? I don't live in a big fancy house in a gated community... my house is a 90-year-old, two-bedroom, one bath, cinderblock cottage in a neighborhood of lower middle-income and really nice people. I own one vehicle, a five-year-old domestic compact. I don't have a boat, an RV or, even, a riding lawnmower. I buy maybe two new outfits of clothes a year. I'm wearing shoes I've owned for three or more years. And, I give 10% of the income left to me after taxes to charities and philanthropic organizations annually. So, why are people like me the ones who carry the heaviest burden of keeping this country going? 

I'm not joking. Because I am single with no dependents, I pay almost a full quarter of my income in taxes. That's not counting what I have to pay for healthcare or my contribution to my retirement fund. There's something messed up with that equation. 

Don't get me wrong. I firmly believe in paying for the roads I drive on, the police who protect me, the firemen who would save me, the education of the next generation and the privilege of having a voice in the government... as long as I'm getting my money's worth, which I'm not.

So, my question is, what's the answer? I, for one, am not satisfied with what is happening to my country. And, from what I hear and see, the majority of people in this country feel the same way. Unfortunately, they are saying it on Facebook, instead of sending an email to their representatives. 

If you're happy with the status quo, good for you. But, if you're like me, and you feel that something has gone terribly wrong, you must take a stand, speak up, write to your representatives. Write again. Keep writing. Encourage others to write. This is America. Let's take it back. 

Age Is Just a Number

Ahhh... those little nuisances that just scream at you, "You're getting old!" I hate them. 

First, there's the medications that keep the old ticker from setting up a blockade on the brain... not to be confused with the kamikaze aneurysm, which, in my mind, would be merciful compared to stroke. 

Then, there's the medication to counteract a lifetime of eating fried food... raised in the South, what can I say? We fried bologna, tomatoes, okra, steak, turkey and, of course, chicken. Hell, they deep fry butter at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, where I grew up! Yeah, it's that bad. I was grown before I ever tasted roasted chicken or a baked potato.  

The changes in the body are the hardest to take. First, there's my eyes... or, rather, my eye lids. I have none, just a fold of fatty skin hanging down so low that if I didn't have lashes to hold up my lids, I probably wouldn't be able to see. And, what the hell happened to my lips? They didn't move, they just disappeared. My butt looks like it shrank as I got older, but I realized it just fell. It's still as big as it ever was, it just that half of it now hangs down to my knees. But, what I lost in a protruding butt, I made up for in a gut that rivals how I looked six months into pregnancy. And, then, there's the boobs... so disgustingly sad, I can't even talk about that. Bette said it best, "Old age ain't no place for sissies."

So, that brings me to the effort of covering up this assault of years and gravity. And, that's the rub... it costs more! I went from spending $10 for a bra to spending almost $50!! I can't use just regular makeup, I have to buy the more expensive waterproof kind because there's all this skin hanging in folds creating moisture. Without the waterproof makeup, by noon I look like a raccoon and there's spackle in my wrinkles. And, gone are the days of just throwing on some lip gloss. Oh no! I have to draw on lips, just to pretend that I still have some. And, to add insult to injury, I can't laugh, sneeze or cough without running to the bathroom.

It takes more time, more money, more effort just to try and keep from looking like a troll. Sing to me, Frank. 

http://youtu.be/emAe6IClGys 

Yeah, it's all good, right? We're BOOMERS! Age is just a number. 

Encore! Encore!

The die has been cast. I've publicly announced my intention to retire next year. I purposely made it a known fact with my employer because I'm the type of person who resists stepping outside of my comfort zone. And, I'm long overdue for a shake-up. By setting it as a declared goal, I am forcing myself to take deliberate steps to achieve it. It's just how the bullish mind works. For more information on that, click here, but I can save you the trouble. I'm methodical, deliberate, plodding... have you ever seen a cow path? Cows follow the same path they took the day before, and the day before that, even though it's not a direct route to their destination. 

However, while sticking with a path that has proven successful, albeit convoluted, succinctly describes a Taurus personality — or at the very least MY Taurus personality — I think it could easily apply to the baby boomer work force as a whole. We are a demographic that challenged the status quo by refusing to follow the straight and narrow line. We boldly chose a path that allowed us to see what was possible if we strayed a little here and there. Sometimes it worked out for the better, sometimes not. But, what's important is we imagined something different. And, we're not quite done with bringing about change. The generation that questioned everything is now reshaping attitudes about aging and, specifically, retirement. 

The attitude of "never growing old" has carried over for some of us, the idea that if we stop moving, we start dying. Medical science has allowed us to expect as much as 25 more years of life than what our parents had. I know I don't think of myself as the same 60+ years old that my parents were. Some of us are still trying to recover from loses sustained by our overconfidence in a fragile stock market. Technology has given the baby boomer generation choices that did not exist previously. All of these factors add up to a completely different concept of retirement. And, while we may not be willing to continue in the same rat race, myself included, we're still not quite ready to throw in the career towel. In the truest sense, a lot of us have reached that fork in the road and are electing to detour from the tried and tested route to take a path less traveled. We're up to the challenge of "what if" just one more time.

There's some really good news in this economically. For one thing, those classified as senior citizens have more wealth than that age group has ever had before. In fact, a recent AARP study showed the numbers of seniors living in poverty has declined by 6% in the past 20 years, while the proportion of older Americans enjoying a "high" income has increased from 18 to 31 percent. That's pretty significant, considering the strain on Social Security may not be as catastrophic as most doomsday preppers have been predicting. 

In fact, according to US News and World Report, some investment firms have proactively taken steps to identify markets that will benefit from the upcoming senior spending trend, which include medical care (of course), travel (certainly) and consumer products that include... don't laugh... Depends, fiber supplements, vitamins and anti-aging products. 

Also, by stepping out of current long-held positions, boomers not only open the door for employers to hire younger employees for a reduced salary, the boomers give themselves an opportunity to follow a passion, learn something new, share well-honed skills and knowledge, volunteer... make a difference, which has been and always will be our legacy. Already there are a number of books and websites dedicated to what is being termed as "Encore Careers."  

The boomers will be the first generation to truly blaze the trail for retirement in the 21st Century. World, are you ready for this?