Donstar

I'm waiting to see and test drive a Silverado EV when they appear. However, if a 4X4 Maverick Lightening (or GM equivalent) hits production at the same time....

This was printed on a t-shirt that just popped up on my computer: "It's weird being the same age as old people."

"I'm only 67" is well said! Remember when this was old? Or the Beatles singing about when I'm 64? I'm 69 in less than a month and feel very young in some places and very old in others. My Aunt is exactly (within a week) 30 years older than me. She continues to enjoy every day and is in no rush to say goodbye. She makes me believe I'm very young! My grandchildren, on the other hand, think I need a hand/cane/walker whenever I leave a seated position!

Yesterday I went to Costco and a high percentage of customers were wearing masks. Covid continues to flourish even though we wish for it to be gone. The fact that I was in Costco was a result of us doing much more bulk shopping to minimize store visits. Many of our habits and routines have changed because of Covid and, as a result, I continue to enjoy more retirement time. I got up early this morning as the only task on my calendar was "Garbage Day"! I know I am fortunate to be able to have a full and meaningful day without pre-planned events. A lack of "things to do" can be very hard on some people. I have a friend this weekend tell me about his suicidal tendencies when alone. This is a job for the professional people but I certainly have strong opinions against such an option. I shared what I do and also "spare time" ideas shared on this thread. I continue to find enjoyment in fixing things or organizing my tools to fix these things. Most of my daily accomplishments are only appreciated by me and I am okay with that! There are many healthy and inexpensive ways to enjoy our unassigned time. Please continue to share your experiences.

FWIW: I think America always was great! Learning from historical wrongs and striving to improve is a attribute of a great country. Adopting a slogan that suggests my country isn't currently great would feel humiliating for me. My country like the USA have many paths for improvement but I'd disagree with anyone who suggests these are are not great countries. I also really appreciate the efforts of our health authorities. I know we are far more evolved than a survival of the fittest or let 'er rip solution to health threats. Before Covid it was unacceptable to be with others when you had a "common cold". I remember my parents being called in 1960 to pick me up from school because I was coughing and hacking around the other children! As a supervisor I always told my staff to stay home when sick.

We're making a concerted effort to keep the cupboards full as "covid" and "climate change", or whatever terms you prefer, remain threats. We did a major shop at Costco a couple of days ago as the incoming storms were threatening. I was a little pissed off by those selfish individuals coughing and hacking while shopping. I feel bad for those who don't have the option of staying home when they are sick. During the first years of Covid we'd make sure to check with neighbours for any needs when we were going shopping. Now its normal for us to check with others before we head off to the store. They do the same for us. It is actually appreciated and respected by others when you wish to keep germs to yourself!

The Christmas lights are down and strewn around the garage to be packed up and put in the crawl space! Time to start getting into the spring mindset! We've substantially reduced the need for staying home to maintain gardens etc. However it is amazing how other commitments crop up. Both of us are waiting for specialists appointments and even our dog has a couple of out of town appointments in the near future! Yesterday my wife and I found ourselves identifying obstacles rather than setting plans. The saying, "Obstacles appear when you lose sight of you goal" came to mind early in the afternoon. I flipped the discussion by identifying a goal by suggesting we purchase this $117K motorhome I see on Facebook and travel Canada and USA in the spring. The fun was identifying ways we could make this happen rather than looking for ways to derail such bold planning. We know that the sacrifices needed to achieve goals like this may exceed any gains but it is far more exciting to look at future possibilities than the other way of thinking!

I hope everyone made some great memories over the holidays! Christmastime conjures up the past and January tends to put me in future planning mode. Over the holidays I reconnected with two past friends of my parents (90 & 99) and their longevity serves as great motivation to enjoy, potentially, another 20-30 years! Me and my social circle are around 70. Typically we're all thankful to have made it this far but our awareness of the limits to our future become much more pronounced. Hanging around our middle aged children and neighbours makes us look and feel old. The cure to feeling old is spending more time with much older people! It is really hard to complain about your age related aches and pains to a pre centenarian!!

This is my main concern. I remember some of the workplace lessons I learned in my youth! However, I've also worked with experienced employees who have lost pride in their work and know all of the shortcuts to meet the boss's quotas. I do like that you remain in your vehicle during the service at a quick lube. The chatter, employee supervision and my presence provides some comfort. When I leave my truck at the dealership, I speak only with the service advisor. I agree that a good, independent shop where the business depends on superior customer service is ideal.

My 2015 Sierra 1500 4x4 is approaching 100K kms (80K mi.). I would like to have the fluids changed in the transfer case, front differential and rear differential. I am unable to do this work myself so I inquired at my local GMC Dealership and at a popular quick lube. (Great Canadian Oil Change). I have used both of these places for oil changes and recently had a transmission fluid change at the quick lube. The cost to have this 4x4 work done at the GMC dealership is over double that of the quick lube. The quick lube uses synthetic in the front/rear and ATF in the transfer case. The change is completed without me losing my truck for the day. My question is if this is a case of, "You get what you pay for"? We are experiencing a lot of snowstorms and rely heavily on my truck's ability to handle poor road conditions!

The Santa Cruz is nice but is far more car than truck. The Maverick may run on a car-like platform but the body is unmistakably a pickup truck. I wonder how many of us who got excited in 64/65 with the introduction of the Mustang believe we are witnessing a similar automotive phenomena? Ford can't keep up with the current demand of Mavericks. Once they are offered in a long range EV, we'll see huge waitlists. It is exciting to watch what the competition produces. The 66 Camaro was a decent response to the Mustang!

"Downsizing" is another way of saying you're old. Sorting your belongings by your predicted lifespan and/or diminishing abilities can be most depressing! However, I usually manage to snap out of it by remembering how lucky I am to get old! One activity that has kept me motivated since my teens is shopping for my next vehicle! This pastime is now on the negotiating table. For close to 50 years my wife and I have strived to keep personal vehicles. She likes small sedans and I like full-sized pickups. She now "wants" our next vehicle purchase to be a cuv/suv to share. This will save money and prepare for when/if I can't always be the primary driver. The practicality of her plan is undeniable and my protests sound silly. The new Ford Maverick appears to be a potential compromise and seems to get some lukewarm attention from my loving wife! I am curious if any members have first hand experience with a Maverick pickup. I suspect GM and others will soon offer competing mini crewcab pickups so I'm more interested in the idea of downsizing my pickup than the manufacturer.

Online research for medical advice is a resource that is relatively new in yours and my lifetime. My comfort with vaccines and protective devices such as masks predates the internet. It is often entertaining, yet frustrating, how we find conflicting information by similar professionals on a given topic. A few weeks ago when I was having problems with my vision, my wife and I spent time online trying to determine if I needed emergency treatment. Our research determined that my issue is common and inconsequential... or... I'll lose my sight without immediate attention. I treated it like the latter but the issue was the former.

Very impressive engine! The trailer is also noteworthy! (Replacing the tires would put a dent in my pension check.....)

My recent flu experience finds me more diligent with wearing a mask in crowds. I recently watched a checkout clerk cough with an uncovered mouth over our groceries. It was a surprise to him that we found this unacceptable. The surprise for me is how anyone can make it to working age and think this would be okay!

I went for an eye exam yesterday and full covid protocols were in place. (I was actually pleased as there is a lot of close contact in a confined space). At the conclusion of the exam my optometrist recommended cataract surgery in both eyes! It seems I've hit a stage when every medical type of appointment ends with scheduling some sort of procedure! They all require some convalescing time and/or support. It is all manageable but demonstrates the need to keep up to date on chores, projects and finances!

Great point, Karnut! Downsizing needs to reflect your current and future needs. My wife would have us in an apartment with one small car to share. Fortunately, she doesn't push this as she knows I wouldn't do well in such a restricted environment. However, the reality is there are plans and projects that will never happen between now and my 100th birthday. My kids are all 40+ and may want some mementos but don't need my treasures!

I had coffee with a couple of previous work buddies who are both in their upper seventies. I told them the story about my recent medical frustrations and followed by saying that I believe everyone has some type of health-related issue when they get to "our" ages. They both responded by saying they haven't got there yet! (I soon realized that they simply haven't looked.) When I told them about my covid clean up with a focus on downsizing, they also "weren't there yet". I'm not sure what they are waiting for because the time to prepare for tougher days is when you are able! We are fortunate to have lived long enough to believe 70 is youthful in senior years. However, it is still a lot of years and surprises happen.

You Tube is a great source of entertainment. I once found it to be a great resource for "how to" videos but it became a major source of entertainment in .2013 after a visiting my kids in NZ. You Tube was all they watched. I also became hooked on watching whatever I want, whenever I want and continue to regularly surf. I assure you that you haven't scratched the surface of what is available. It grows faster than you can ever watch!

Over the past several weeks I've lost much of the feeling in my right hand but continue to have decent muscle control. This is attributed to "nerve root impingement" in my neck/upper back area. I am seeking help from overworked health care professionals and hoping to reverse, stop, or slow the progression. This experience has given me a huge appreciation for those suffering with similar maladies and/or those with any type of prosthesis. I had no idea how much we rely on the sense of feel. It is a frightening experience with some unexpected ramifications. The other day my wife and I were sitting in our recliners watching TV. A natural reflex hit me as I put my right index finger to my ear to scratch an itch. I yelped because I thought an intruder was touching me! We laughed afterwards.

I had an MRI at our local hospital on Sunday and was reminded of the habits acquired during Covid. We've been behaving like Covid is gone but it is still thriving in our communities. At a minimum, I will do Christmas shopping in crowded malls/box stores wearing a mask. There are an endless number of afflictions that will slow you down and no need to take unnecessary risks!

It is incredible how many things can go wrong in people. Taking care of your health is an exercise in triage. As you age, this becomes more evident. We went for a couple of years when most health-related issues became secondary to avoiding Covid. Now that Covid isn't top of mind, we need to face our own "next in line". It's been several years since I've had a shingles vaccine and thanks for the reminder!

Yes, if $'s weren't an issue, we'd be independent and using the power company as backup! As long as our house is habitable we will be safe without power, gas or water for a prolonged period. If such a disaster happens during a cold spell we would be uncomfortably cold without a portable heater.

The covid experience still gets credited for many changes in our habits. We have become much more prepared for "events". If we're getting low on supplies or need to take care of a health-related item or have a needed house repair, we do it. Last night my wife was musing about our preparedness. The weather is getting colder and she asked, "What do we have in case our electricity and gas fail at the same time?" Power interruptions happen occasionally but our gas fireplace will keep us warm. We keep plenty of food, water and extra medications on hand but she posed a good question. As a result, today we're shopping for an extra source of heat. Wood is not an option for our house but diesel or propane come to mind. Do you have a recommendation for a reasonably priced, emergency heat source? Tks.

We get our flu shots this week. Hopefully it doesn't result in down time! My wife and I also book our vaccinations together and at a time when we don't have anything else planned. Chances are good one of us will need some TLC post shots but hopefully future serious illness will be prevented!