Most of us view ourselves as younger than we are. Just a trick of psychology. I can see, then, how disturbing using a cane or walker because you’re now elderly and need it can severely disrupt your self-image.
Floof Demand
Let me in let me in let me in let me in!
This is not how the day should begin!
I shouldn’t be out there while you’re within.
And closing the door on me is a mighty sin.
How do I know that you’re well?
What would I do if you fell?
I’ve said it before, must I say it again?
Let me in let me in let me in let me in!
Saturday’s Wandering Thought
He’s planning a trip and reviewing hotels.
One rated a prospective place “10/10 – Excellent”. But their comments made him wonder:
“The room was good and bed was super comfortable however there were areas needing a little updating . Looked like there had been a roof leak in the bathroom over the shower area and the exhaust fan in the bathroom sounded like it was dying. Also the lighting in the bathroom was not very bright . The breakfast in the morning was good. Overall I’d say it was ok.”
Head shake. ‘Okay’ is far away from ‘Excellent’ is his mind.
The Maybes
Burping blue smoke and violent noise, a pickup truck pulled into the line of stopped traffic.
Tan with brown accent panels and chrome wheels, the pickup truck was elderly, maybe an eighties vintage, dated as far as motor vehicles go. The right-side door – that’s where the passenger is in America – was smashed in. Broad black tape all around the door held the door shut against the body.
It looked to me like he’d been run into. I could see how another vehicle had slammed head on into the pickup truck’s side. Imagined scenarios easily rose. Maybe he ran a stop sign or red light. Then again, maybe the other vehicle ran the traffic order to stop and hit him, who was innocently motoring along.
Or, it could be the result of passion. He and his wife – or his girlfriend, boyfriend, cousin, sister, brother – argued. He fired up his truck to leave. As he was slewing the vehicle around, dust flying, the other person leaped into their vehicle and drove it into his truck, trying to stop him.
Perhaps it wasn’t passion, but a broken drug deal, or an attempted theft. Television tales and real-life reports fertilized possibilities.
Maybe, though, the driver wasn’t involved at all. Perhaps it wasn’t his truck; he was just borrowing it to move some junk.
The maybes are endless, and I’ll probably never know.
Tuesday’s Wandering Thoughts
Sometimes, there’s just a vibe.
A woman walked toward him. Something about her brought up a smile. “Good afternoon,” he said. “How are you today?”
“I’m doing great. How are you?”
“I’m also doing great, thank you.”
“Good,” she answered.
They passed, going in opposite directions. Both looked back over their shoulder at the other, and smiled.
Sunday’s Wandering Thought
“Ready to leave?” he asked.
Nodding, walking past, she replied, “I just need to visit the bathroom real quick.”
“Hopefully, it’ll just be a wee wait.” He chuckled to himself, delighted and appalled by his silly play on words.
Independent Floof
They’re an independent floof of independent means,
(At least, that’s how they see it, just between you and me).
Going where they want, doing as they wish,
Eating off of everything,
Especially your dish.
You can tell them otherwise,
And order them, “Don’t you dare.”
And they’ll wait until you go away,
And then do what they please.
And though you may get angry,
You might even get mad,
You know when they’re gone,
You’ll be very, very sad.
Saturday’s Wandering Thoughts
He’s in the coffee shop restroom. It has an electronic lock. Press in the code to enter. Each button beeps. Press another button when you’re inside to secure it. A red light means it’s locked.
He can hear someone entering the code. Alarm ticking up, he watches the door. Did he lock it?
His worry amuses him. What will they see? A white man sitting on a toilet. They’ll see his pale thighs. Oh, no!
Inner laughter rolls. It’s the one who walks in on him who will suffer at that sight.
Tuesday’s Wandering Thoughts
I’m away from home, so I worry about my floofies. Per the instructions I left with the cats, I logged onto Zoom today at the appointed time. They immediately joined to purr and complain to me. A little of both. They said the weather isn’t bad the human caretaker I hire was doing ‘okay’.
Yeah, that’s fantasy. There wasn’t a Zoom con with the cats. I did call the caretaker and she said they’re doing great. Next best thing to being there with them.
Michael Seidel, writer 