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I usually don't even acknowledge my unbirthdays--those between the
Leap Years and I am already starting to make plans for when I turn 19 on
February 29, 2012--but I will be 75 next month at the stroke of
midnight!
When I first started writing this blog it was 3 pages
long telling, basically, my life story with its up and downs and all the
good and bad I've been though but something happened Tuesday that made
me change my mind. Dolores came over to clean my apartment and I went
out to let her do the work without me being in her way. I got a haircut
then went for lunch at Seasons 52 where I had a buffalo burger with a
side of salad, shot glass of carrot cake and coffee. After that I walked
around the mall people watching. When I got home I walked into a clean
apartment and when reading my e-mail I got an invitation for 2 to go to
the opening night of the touring company of "Les Mizerables' a show with
a score that I really like. This 'something' that happened wasn't an
exceptional day in my life but an ordinary day. I have known for a long
time that I am a lucky guy bit it hit home once again Tuesday evening.
So
instead of thrilling you with my life story--again! (LOL)--I've decided
to just list a few of the things I am grateful for as I approach the
age of 75 and not in any particular order.
I am thankful that:
I woke up this morning
I
have a great, large one bedroom apartment overlooking the inter-coastal
with cable TV with 65 stations, including HBO and Showtime. for $31 and
my electricity and water are included in the rent plus I get a $14
credit on my phone. Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to hear
what I pay for rent.
I have food in my belly, clothes on my back
and plenty of flip-flops and shorts along with short sleeved shirts that
I never have to buy anymore if I don't want to.
I live alone but I am not lonely having great friends when I want them and even when they aren't here they are.
In
spite of congestive heart failure 11 years ago and an aorta valve
replacement two and a half years ago not to forget having COPD and PED
all in all I am in pretty good health. Of course that is because I
haven't been to any of the specialists since July and may all change
when I do go to them this July. Meanwhile my cholesterol, high blood
pressure and all other signs are good!
I sleep well at night and mostly through the night except for the old man's 'walk'! LOL
I've
been writing for over 65 years having books published, articles printed
in magazines and papers since I won an essay contest on "Why Bing
Crosby is my favorite singer," even though he wasn't. I won a Bing
Crosby shirt!!!
I recently got a job being the drama and movie
critic for www.corinescorner.com Though I don't get paid I do get 2
tickets for each opening night of a Broadway touring company which I
couldn't afford--we are talking 14 tickets worth about $840-- plus it
let's me pay back Allen for all his kindnesses in helping me get around
and do things like go food shopping, visiting the Dollar Tree store, eat
out, go to the movies, etc.
I am very thankful to the more than
dozen friends I have met through blogging and don't anyone tell me they
aren't real because I know otherwise.
Though I haven't had a car
since 2004, because my insurance rates were ridiculous, gas prices
started to go up, and I couldn't keep up with repairs, I have been very
lucky to have the use of Allen and/or Jill's cars when they go on
vacation plus people like Edie and Norman loaned me their cars so I
could go food shopping on Thursdays.
One of my joys in life is
eating out and because I am selfish wanting to, and living alone, not to
mention all the expenses I save on not having a car, I have more
disposable income to spend on just myself and have been able to eat out
1-2 times or more a week in many different kinds of restaurants. I
should mention that in my old age I have become a great 2-4-1 restaurant
coupon clipper! If you had told me that I would become a coupon clipper
in my old age I would have laughed in your face. At least I don't steal
the Sweet ' Low in restaurants---yet! LOL
Talking about being old
I am thankful that I haven't had to use Viagra and I am still active in
that department. Also I am thankful that I still can blush!
I am
thankful that Mother Nature is so amazing and I can observe her in her
fierceness and when she is calm. I live near the ocean and get all the
benefits of that though I don't get to the beach as much as I use to.
I
have all the 'needs' of life plus a few 'wants' and have learned the
difference between the two getting rid of a lot of 'things' the past few
years.
I have quiet neighbors, neighbors who bake cakes and pies
for me. I live in a senior residence on some of the richest and
beautiful property, surrounded by water, yachts, million dollar plus
homes, in Fort Lauderdale and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the
'mindless breezeway group'--John's words--that get together every
sunset.
I have friends that send me mementos like Toodles, cookies, candy, books, restaurant gift cards--and not just for my birthday!
I
haven't even started to get near the end of all that I have been, and
am, thankful for and this is only the short list but let me end with
that I hope you are as happy, content. lucky and as grateful as I am
when you reach 75!
Only a year and a half until my next birthday when I will be 19--February 29, 2012!
