Musings

[solo1]

             The Wonderful(?)  Challenges of Getting Older

I’ve been reading the posts on the VTCC and I see all the unexpected drastic physical conditions that are cropping up with our members and I wonder that I’m still here while I take the next step to the age of 83 on Easter Sunday.  I’m honored that this is the first time in my memory  that my birthday has fallen on this Great Eventful Day of celebration.

I never gave it much thought as to how I would manage if I made it to this age.  I never even thought that I would be still struggling to find the means of riding at this point in time. After all, I’ve always maintained that the warrantee runs out between the ages of 65 and 75. I’m ‘way over the warrantee period and it shows.

What also shows is the ability of the body to get even with us as we age.  Everything that we’ve done to our bodies will come back to remind us.   My right wrist was sprained or damaged when I was younger and now it doesn’t much like to be twisted as in throttle twisting.  However, I’m lucky, so far, in that the only bones that I’ve broken over time were two ribs and, evidently, they aren’t on the “get even” list.

As I age I notice that I’ve been sleeping more. Now I know why.  During sleep my body is thinking up new and ingenious ways to aggravate me.  Unexplained ear clicking,   aches and pains in my knees, itching due to whatever,  tinnitus, hearing loss, cataracts starting.  Life is becoming very interesting with all this variety.  They say “Variety is the Spice of Life”  They might be right.  I most certainly am trying a variety of things to make the bike more comfortable for me.

Things like buying a soft riding bike like the Vstrom.  Putting spacers under the handlebars to raise them, lowering the bike’s suspension and lowering the footpegs, installing a centerstand to make it easier to oil the chain, and saddlebags to carry meds, both for me, and the bike,  Granted, all these things aren’t conducive to dragging the pegs but here in NE Indiana the only way to drag the pegs is to make uturns in the street.

I would like to replace all the parts that are wearing out on my body but that’ll be a little bit harder and it’s not a do –it-yourself  project. 

All in all, not a bad life for me.  I’m looking forward to moving into my own pad, riding when I can, and having nice dinners, etc,  with a female companion , wine, and candlelight . I’m presently working on that too.

Wayne

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Great read Wayne and well said....I've told you before I admire you and hope the good Lord let's me hang around into my 80's and still be ridin'....Ride On 

[RainMaker]

Wayne, your views on life belong in a book.  Dragging the pegs - 

You and Daniel should co-write something like

"Life is a Road - The Older the Road, the Bigger the Potholes".

[Jess from VA]

The Chinese had a backhanded saying "I wish you interesting times."

One way to describe aging is "interesting."  I am also sleeping more; mostly due to retirement, but I think my body is making up for all those years of awaking at O dark thirty to go to work.  To me it is  glorious to wake, roll over and go back to sleep to mid-morning.

I went to the dermatoligist this Winter because of chronic itching and little bumps, all worried about dust mites, scabies, looking for bed bugs, etc.  He laughed at me and said it aging coupled with dry skin in Winter.  Sold me a jug of what looks like crisco, and said all I needed was to grease up from head to toe after showering (in a warm, not hot shower).  PITA, but effective.   That and a good humidifier, placed before the biggest cold air return in the house to raise the humidity.

I've had tinnitus intermittent for years, but  when it comes on in a quiet bedroom, it takes an overhead fan to mask the noise, and ignoring it, mostly. A cue tip dipped in alcohol carefully to clean the ears of wax helps too.  There are a couple of wonder drugs (OTC) out for tinnitus, but I have not tried any.

I think more than anything else, some activity on the treadmill or working outside does more for my attitude and general health than anything else.  You earlier wrote 'use it or lose it,' and are absolutely right.  Another factor of aging is how our pants get downright snug every Winter, but then magically loosen up with good weather.  LOL

My folks in their 80s and traveling the country in RV parks every Winter, tell me the hottest topic with their peers is regularity and quality of bowel movements.  Hell of a subject, but not one without merit.

Never broke a bone in my body, except maybe a finger or toe, but those old sprains and bad twists, do come back to remind you.

Watch out for those wild women, they like to begin 'training you' to their ways after the 3d date.

[old2soon]

solo1-dammit all ifin you ain't hit them thar nails on all there heads. As far as our bodies gettin even-i think your on to something here. As an x over the road driver and furniture mover i've had my fair share of messed up backs pulled muscles and pinched fingers and hands. Way to many 22 23 hour days and do it all over again. Some mornings i really don't want to roll out of the rack-but i do it anywho. Something you didn't mention but i'm sure your aware of-i don't need the T V or the radio to tell me the weather is achangin. You mentioned the other day it was to cold to ride-seems my cut off temp is now 50 degrees or better. Seems to be the preffered temp for workin on my ride to. These old joints don't like holding cold steel and doing the work. Give me warm anyday!! Mine gal is still on the lift but if it's to cold to work on her it;s to cold to ride!! Hey take heart man-met a guy down here last year on a goldwing-83 and still ridin. I truly hope i last as long as both of ya'll have. RIDE SAFE.

[solo1]

This will be the fourth lady since the wife died.  I have a stock answer for bossy ones..........."Goodbye!"

Yeah, I didn't mention constipation. I didn't want to get all bound up in talking about it. 

Here's what works, all natural.  BAP!   Equal parts of unprocessed Bran, Apple juice, and Prune juice.  Use cinnamon flavored apple juice to give a better flavor. One or two tablespoons/daily.  Not my idea but Dr. Gott's.  WORKS!  No crap?....BAP!

There, now I do give a s***. 

[Jess from VA]

Man, that BAP sounds deadly.  I make myself eat oatmeal or cream-of-wheat for breakfast most days, and, trying to do a better diet, make giant salads for dinner every couple days.  After years of chronic.... irregularity, with a better diet and sleep, and lack of pounding work-related stress, I have returned to the regularity of my youth.  Amazing!

I used to call my Metamucil..............my daily glass of sand.  LOL

[ArmyValker]

This will be the fourth lady since the wife died.  I have a stock answer for bossy ones..........."Goodbye!"

Yeah, I didn't mention constipation. I didn't want to get all bound up in talking about it. 

Here's what works, all natural.  BAP!   Equal parts of unprocessed Bran, Apple juice, and Prune juice.  Use cinnamon flavored apple juice to give a better flavor. One or two tablespoons/daily.  Not my idea but Dr. Gott's.  WORKS!  No crap?....BAP!

There, now I do give a s***. 

 

Seriously, being a relatively young guy (29) I'm trying to take a few hints from you more experienced fellas and make sure I'm gonna be here until my daughter gets tired of me. Thanks for the insight!

[Jess from VA]

ArmyValker...... I am reminded of the guy (?) who once wrote...... "If I'd have known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself."   

[R J]

ArmyValker...... I am reminded of the guy (?) who once wrote...... "If I'd have known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself."   

I'll second that notion.........

I was always told I'd never live to see 21.    I took em to heart and run my arse off all my life.   Kind of slowed down when I hit 78.......    But, I'll still be kickin arse when I'm 90.     Trust me.

One of my old trailers I pulled behind the bike, had 3 signs:
#1.   This trailer guarded by a Pit Bull with AIDS.

#2.   Here goes the kids inheritance.

#3.   Lead or get the hell out of the way.

I'll live to see 90 just to piss the kids off who are waiting for their inheritance.