I was shopping at my favorite tool store when I ran into one of the horticulturists from our county extension center. After we exchanged greetings, she reminded me of the potluck lunches the center hosts every month during the winter for area master gardeners who volunteer in the community garden. I had a perfect non-attendance record for these winter social affairs and hadn’t planned on ruining it anytime soon. But there’s something about a personal invite. I told her thanks, I might come.      A few weeks later, on the day of the next …

I have a friend who complains that he talks too much. He tries to corral his tongue, but with certain people and situations words run loose out of his mouth anyway. He wanted me to suggest ways to help him keep them fenced in. First, I asked him to list some of the triggers for those verbal stampedes. Here’s what he came up with: Witty people. He explained that he can’t just simply listen and enjoy their gift. He feels he has an obligation to be witty too. So he rambles on, hoping that some …

It was scary. At the age of 55, within mere days of my birthday, McDonald’s counter workers started serving me senior coffees. Without me asking for them. How did they know? Is that in their training course? Are they told to inspect the ears for hair growth.  Or to be on the lookout for customers with droopy trousers?  Is the shirt buttoned up but each button is one off? That one’s a dead giveaway. That’s probably how they first spotted me. Perhaps they’re told that seniors will be the ones who may look a little …

Ever since I retired 19 years ago, I’ve been considering starting a procrastination club. I’m not quite ready to form one yet, but I feel it’s time to at least come up with the basic mission and a few rules and bylaws for when I am.  Our mission: Ok, I’m still thinking about it. Rules and bylaws: Not done yet, since we don’t need them until the club actually starts. Here are some minimum expectations, though, since I had to come up with something for this blog. Rule One:  Members must have some experience in …