Lucy Meets the Competition

One of my friends called this morning.

"Hi, Lucy. I just got the paper and saw the picture of that darling Larry Olaf. I was so excited--I told my husband, 'I know him!'" She went on about how this dog was so funny, so huge, blah, blah,blah. Frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of Larry Olaf. He's really starting to cramp my style.

It wasn't that long ago my friends would call and say, "Oh Lucy! I'm so glad you're home. I haven't talked with you for ages. I've been thinking sooo much about you. How are you?" Sometimes they gushed on and on and as long as I reciprocated they were usually willing to listen to my regularly scheduled "organ recital."

But no more. Since moving to CO to live with the fam it's always about somebody or something else. Dogs, kids, cats, horses---even spineless things....Auntie Sue raises compost worms...the competition is getting really rough. My loved ones listen to my obsessional fretting politely---but only for a moment before something like Jackthedog flying out of the back of our moving pickup distracts them.

Even afterwards, when things have quieted down, nobody shows any genuine interest in my increased Imodium consumption or insufferable insomnia. But honestly I must say I'm beginning to enjoy the competition.

Jack and Carole have always loved pets and kids and don't seem to mind basking in the reflected attention of other, cuter things. That took some getting used to. I've always enjoyed basking in the glow of my own attractiveness. However, since everybody admits I'm still pretty cute I'm going to go along with the program here. I mean, what choice do I have?

And frankly, I've put my foot down on a few things. No animals currently live with us. Jack and Carole's house is being rebuilt and for now they share a clean, new beautifully decorated townhouse with me. I went so far as to give cohabiting with pets here a try but after the chewing, pooping, barking and assorted uncivilized acting-outs the critters were banished to the "Big House."

So for now the animals just visit. I even let Larry Olaf take me for a walk sometimes. And if everybody thinks Larry takes a great picture, well, I'll allow the big lug to have his fame---because 50 years ago I took an even better one!

PS: Try it. You'll like it! http://hurlmere.blogspot.com and of course, don't miss Larry Olaf's weekly posts at http://larryolaf-at-large.blogspot.com Larry Olaf has a tear-jerker coming this weekend.

My Window

Not my scheduled post--which of course isn't done because I've been going to see everybody else. I just came from Milt's http://milts.blogspot.com/. I love Milt's writing. As I started writing a comment I realized I wanted to share it here.

Just yesterday I read about blogging burn-out. I realized that will probably never happen to me. First, I'll probably croak before that happens and then there is the certainty that I'll never tire of visiting my friends and listening to them. To me, the real pleasures and benefits of blogging are perhaps unique to my age. I have no place more important to go, or things more vitally important to get done---and even if I do I don't have the strength or energy to do them as before. I also know that while I'm uniquely important I'm no more so than anyone else. I'm truly happy when others get lots of comments and I love listening to others more than my own head. Boy! Have I changed!

Now I realize I don't have to prove anything. I'm tired of toting around axes that need grinding and even if I've still got one or two I just adore chatting with my friends about it. What's to get burnt-out about? We can get to know each other in our own good time, enjoy rubbernecking on the party-line (remember those?), be silly, get mad, have coffee and/or a glass of wine, be trivial, be frightened and frustrated...in short, all the things many older people stop sharing with others as strength and physical freedom wane. I just regret so few elders understand how liberating blogging can be. But I'm so grateful I do!
lucyd