Musings on my 80th birthday. In the early 1950's there was a tv show, "Life Begins At 80."

[3Hotdogs]

And there were four old folks who would answer questions and make comments about life, the country, the world. These comments were insightful and with humor. God knows what their home lives were like, but on set, they were in suits, were having fun but were more like museum pieces to be studied. "Aren't they cute?"

I didn't want to be like that when I grew old. So it was about 15 years ago, I resolved to never put on a suit or tie again. For any reason, for anybody. Now, if the undertaker puts one on me.... well, that's a different story. I ain't got no control over that.

So what about me turning 80?

Start off with, I am in pretty good health. Wednesday's hike with the club was 5 miles and a 1,300 ft gain in elevation. I was at the nd of the line of hikers, but I made it and I intend to complete many more. I have a few aches and pains and sometimes, feel stiff, getting out of the car or out of bed in the morning. I have treated, high blood pressure, an aneurism that is monitored and a couple of cysts in my lungs and liver that don't seem to cause any concern on the part of my physicians.

To me, the remarkable thing.... I have never had a sick day in my life. I pissed off my teachers by never missing a day of school and I never missed a day of work. But I can't take credit for that. It is because of my genes which I have had no control over. Many of my family members lived or are still alive in their 90's.

I expect to live in to my 100's. But that presents another problem. I will likely survive many of my loved ones. That depresses the shit out of me. I will live into my 100's but what will be the quality of that life?

In younger days, I worried about if I would have enough money. I do. I am not wealthy, but I have a defined benefit pension and there is money left over at the end of the month. I am ok in that area. But I feel badly, reading about posters on D.U. who are in bad economic straits. I always contribute to G.F.Me posts. That is not to brag, it ain't much that I contribute. It's just that I am grateful for my life as it is.

My kids and grandkids give me pleasure. tomorrow, we are going to the Statue of Liberty along with a couple of other trips this week because school is out for the week.

Sex. God, I miss it. I had a lot of sexual experiences during the 70's and 80's .... before herpes and Aids. I was hot then and I know the market for 80 year old men is not too hot these days. So I put that out of my mind. But as I have posted before, the "Little Soldier" still comes to attention when needed.

Then I think about summing up my life. I guess we all want to make a mark on the world... let the world know we were here. And like all of us, I have done a couple of things of which I am really proud. And I spend a lot of time thinking of the assholic things I did during my life. I can't bring 'em back and change 'em but I dwell on those things... maybe too much.

Well, that's all I got for now.

You?

Post script. I also worry about how my grandkids will fare in the world to come. A couple of them will be ok. Others are having some problems in life and I worry about them. -- just thought I''d bring that up.