Navigating senior years.

jwhjr · December 20, 2024

1 hour ago, Silverado4x4 said:

Well I can relate to that, I don't remember what age I was but my mom and dad bought there first gas grill in the early 70s I think, I was helping my dad put it together while my dad was connecting the spark igniter I had the other end with the push button I didn't know what it was so I started pushing it several times man did the bad words come out his mouth my mom came outside to see what was going on, I do remember her turning around and laughing but not out loud.

Brings back a memory of starting up the pump for the well up at our family cabin when I was 6 or 7. I was helping my dad and I hit a live wire with the wrench and got zapped. Was nothing big, but he was in tears laughing at my reaction. Lost him less than 10 years later at the age of 15, but that is one of the funny memories I have.

Donstar · December 21, 2024

My Dad was an electrician and he was supportive and "old school" about my interest in electronics. When I was still of a single digit age, he would bring home old tube type radios and TV's for me to "fix" unsupervised in my basement hideaway A screwdriver used improperly in the back of a plugged-in tube type TV can throw you out of your chair was an early lesson! First hand experience was much more effective than warning labels or safety tips from my Dad! Ahhh, the special moments we remember....

KARNUT · December 21, 2024

5 minutes ago, Donstar said:

My Dad was an electrician and he was supportive and "old school" about my interest in electronics. When I was still of a single digit age, he would bring home old tube type radios and TV's for me to "fix" unsupervised in my basement hideaway A screwdriver used improperly in the back of a plugged-in tube type TV can throw you out of your chair was an early lesson! First hand experience was much more effective than warning labels or safety tips from my Dad! Ahhh, the special moments we remember....

We’ve been conditioned to believe that the odds will be against us. We’re afraid of everything. I’m the exception not the rule. Fear is the way we feel. I used to ride my bicycle every where in NJ. I worked on a farm, bought it myself. No helmet. Just be home by dark. My whole entire family pretty much did the same. No problem. Road the school bus too. No one got taken by parents. Go buy a school today it’s unreal. Traffic jam. It’s a good thing A.I is being developed. Otherwise nothing would get done. One of the biggest fears in Washington currently is the workforce will actually have to go to their office. They’ll probably show up bubble wrap and of course wearing a mask. If they can remember how to drive. Work a full 8 hours? I’m going to quit!

diyer2 · December 21, 2024

We have a society of wet noodles and I'm not talking about just kids.

Farm raised, chores started at 8 years old and walked to catch the bus no matter the weather. Up early, chores, breakfast walk to the school bus.

TrueBlue · December 21, 2024

You guys got to ride a bus? Not us. Walked to school rain or shine. Snow or not. For many years. I didn't get to ride a bus until high school.

Donstar · December 23, 2024

I grew up in an urban environment and also walked a long way to school. There are too many tragedies that have robbed this healthy option from our children. I was an elementary school principal for 27 years and the risks to unsupervised children on their way to and from school are real. You can arm your children with all of the known road safety tips but these are of little use against a determined bad person. BTW I advise seniors to exercise safe behavior similar to those for young children. You may think you have experience and wisdom on your side but predators aren't after an intellectual discourse.

KARNUT · December 23, 2024

That makes me wonder. What is safer vs risk and reward. My experience is the only thing I really trust. I started riding my bike a lot when I was 12. At first to a farm bailing hay. Using the hooks to lift the bales. Two things that are frowned on today. I was approached once. Didn’t have a clue what the person wanted so I ran. Just like I was told. I started babysitting at 12. Once a person knocked on the door claiming he knew the people who lived there. I had a bat told him to go away. Turns out he was delivering meat for the freezer. So what I didn’t know him. The only two times things could have gone bad, maybe. My life could have been different if I lived in fear. Not as fulfilling by a long shot. Are there bad people out there, sure. I’m as prepared as I can be and taught my kids the same. They don’t keep statistics on how many kids are injured by a parent driving them to school. They do with bus accidents, there aren’t many. I know around me at 7 and three you can’t move from the traffic jam. Parents driving them to and from school. Seeing what those parents in the AM look like the kids would be safer on the bus. We’ve jumped the shark for safety. Of course I’m an old guy acting like an old guy. I see people riding their bikes on weekends. It’s a laugh. Just short of being bubble wrapped. If you live in fear the fun is gone.

Donstar · December 24, 2024

I have men and women related to me who are in their 40's and semi dependent on mummy and daddy. This is a disservice to both generations. It is incumbent upon us to protect our children but independence needs to be the ultimate goal. Parental responsibilities like protecting our toddlers from pulling a pan off a hot stove are obvious. Nowadays, I believe supervising elementary school aged children to and from school is in this category and not in the bubble wrap category. We can still pass on our values but doing so may look a little different than how our parents made us independent.

KARNUT · December 24, 2024

22 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I have men and women related to me who are in their 40's and semi dependent on mummy and daddy. This is a disservice to both generations. It is incumbent upon us to protect our children but independence needs to be the ultimate goal. Parental responsibilities like protecting our toddlers from pulling a pan off a hot stove are obvious. Nowadays, I believe supervising elementary school aged children to and from school is in this category and not in the bubble wrap category. We can still pass on our values but doing so may look a little different than how our parents made us independent.

I have one boomerang daughter married twice 3 kids. After each marriage decline back home she came. She thought she could fix them I guess. The second time she arrived we’ve been alone for awhile. The added noise drove me crazy. After 6 months I moved them to an apartment. Eventually helped her buy a house. We’re the safety net. She doesn’t really take advantage of us they don’t know how to be frugal. I don’t have the heart to completely shut them off. Her two oldest take after their dad . Good kids failure to launch type. So she’s their safety net which trickles down to me. Could be worse things. After years of being single she’s in a long term relationship. Looks promising. My wife says gee I hope she’s sure this time. I laughed. Just give me 10 years. I won’t care after that. We’d just move her in with us. She can take care of us for a change to protect her inheritance.

Edited December 24, 2024 by KARNUT

customboss · December 24, 2024

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

I have one boomerang daughter married twice 3 kids. After each marriage decline back home she came. She thought she could fix them I guess. The second time she arrived we’ve been alone for awhile. The added noise drove me crazy. After 6 months I moved them to an apartment. Eventually helped her buy a house. We’re the safety net. She doesn’t really take advantage of us they don’t know how to be frugal. I don’t have the heart to completely shut them off. Her two oldest take after their dad . Good kids failure to launch type. So she’s their safety net which trickles down to me. Could be worse things. After years of being single she’s in a long term relationship. Looks promising. My wife says gee I hope she’s sure this time. I laughed. Just give me 10 years. I won’t care after that. We’d just move her in with us. She can take care of us for a change to protect her inheritance.

I hear ya. My two older daughters are so mean I don’t want to be anywhere near them. I bought a damn new used jeep just to get away from them at Thanksgiving. I’m going straight to disabled vets home or VA hospital and will love it. I have a hot date the day after Christmas. Flying a doll baby into Colorado from Az. Hopefully she can handle me!

customboss · December 24, 2024

27 minutes ago, customboss said:

I hear ya. My two older daughters are so mean I don’t want to be anywhere near them. I bought a damn new used jeep just to get away from them at Thanksgiving. I’m going straight to disabled vets home or VA hospital and will love it. I have a hot date the day after Christmas. Flying a doll baby into Colorado from Az. Hopefully she can handle me!

PS ….use it before ya lose it boys.

Donstar · December 27, 2024

I prefer the weeks leading up to Christmas! Reality returns after Boxing Day! The weather yesterday allowed me to take my trike for a ride and I was reminded that I have spring to look forward to arriving! ! During my ride yesterday I stopped for a break at a mall. An older man shuffled towards me as I was taking off my helmet. He had a story to tell me about his brother owning a Harley trike in the early 60's. I listened, and I listened. and I listened. We have a tendency to speak with old people in a superficial, polite manner. We forget that they have interests and experiences at least as colourful as ours and they want to share.

Donstar · December 28, 2024

A loved one is accused of an unprovoked attack on a stranger. The family member was in the process of being robbed by two men while out for a walk in the evening. He is a strong man and responded quickly and the would be robber required an ambulance. (hospitalization not required) Prosecutor offered a deal of of a 1yr. suspended sentence to my relation and, of course, a criminal record. (Future employment opportunities aren't a major concern.) The victim and the accused have convincing and plausible accounts of the incident. The party who was hurt denies any robbery attempt. This is the sort of situation that you see on TV. If our loved one goes to court, he has a significant chance of jail time. There is time for my relative to decide weather to take the deal or fight but his legal aid lawyer is recommending he accepts the offer. I have been asked for my opinion and it sure is a lot harder to give when it is a real life scenario! It may be my age, but I am leaning towards the guarantee of no jail time.

Grumpy Bear · December 28, 2024

On 12/20/2024 at 8:33 AM, KARNUT said:

My memory was my uncle telling me to hold on to the spark plug on the lawnmower while he pulled the rope. I never trusted him again.

Neighbors had a gas powered Maytag. The Mrs. sent her young old son out to shut it off and it kept biting him so he goes to his grandfather sitting on the front porch for some advice. Grandad doesn't hear to well and Bruce did his best to explain but all Grandad heard was muley whining so annoyed he says to the boy, "Ah p*ss on it".

He did as instructed.