Spring Fever

OK, so I'm not totally an Old Fart yet. The coming of spring is making me a Spring Chicken instead. This is my absolute favorite time of year - and the only good thing about having to put up with winter. I love the feeling of the air at this time of year, and the signs of life returning again. It motivates me to do so many things I've been putting off for the dreadfully long winter months.

For example, my Christmas wreath finally came down this week. Every year a family in my congregation gives me a boy scout wreath for Christmas and it usually ends up hanging just outside my door until almost Easter. True to form, it lasted until the nice warm spring day we had on Monday. I think it may have been the motivation for my neighbor to finally take down his 2 aluminum Christmas trees from his backyard and the lights that were still in his bushes until this week too. (So there are worse procrastinators than me!)

I've also been getting my butt out to walk again. Today I managed to get a 45 minute walk in, during which I visited a little old cemetery just off the freeway near my place. For 7+ years I've been driving by that cemetery wondering what the story is behind those old tombstones in such an unlikely spot. So I finally checked it out. The newest tombstone is from 1949, but most are from the late 1800's and early 1900's. According to a sign at the entrance, there are two Civil War soldiers buried there, as well as two families that helped to found the city of Wauwatosa. The only bad thing about taking these spring walks is seeing all the litter and trash that have been dumped over the years in the few wooded areas along my walks. During winter, the snow covers the trash, and once the green growth takes over those piles somehow become hidden again. I wonder if I could somehow get my church kids to do a clean-up day in this little woods?

The spring weather is inspiring me to get a couple more things done too. This week, I'm going to have to get my legs waxed after the long winter's growth there. Plus my windows are looking dreadfully dirty. That job may have to wait until after Easter, but it's definitely going to be done. Last year I missed that during my spring cleaning because of my sabbatical preparation. I guess two years of dirt really does make it tough to see the sunshine outside.

So Old Fart move over... Spring Chicken is still hidden somewhere inside.

Old farts

It is with great sadness that I come to a new realization... I am on the verge of crossing over into "old fart" status. How did I come to this awareness? Well, for one thing, I honestly cannot remember the last time I went out on a Friday night. With the exception of vacation times, I am sure it has to be at least a year since my last Friday night out. I would so much rather spend my Friday watching NCAA tourney games from the comfort of my recliner, or watching "Vegas" on tv.

It has gotten so bad, this last Saturday, I passed up an opportunity to go out with friends too. I was supposed to meet some people out for a beer or two, but after going out for a 2 margarita lunch with another friend, then a birthday party in the early evening, the thought of going across town to go sit in a noisy bar where I can't hear most of the conversations around me just was not appealing. (See??? I sound dangerously like an old fart!!!!)

What else indicates old fart status? Well, for one, I really look forward to watching "Deal or No Deal." I blame my mother for this. She did, after all, pass on her genes to me. The "Price is Right" gene came from my Dad. Either way, I'm doomed.

I also find myself walking like an old fart when I wake up in the morning. This is a seriously bad sign. My stiff knees keep me from bounding out of the bed. I move incredibly slow. I hear cracks and pops that I never heard before. Old fart noises.....

Even my choice of clothes is worrisome. Comfort has become a far bigger priority than hotness. Comfortable shoes. Comfortable waistlines. Comfortable hemlines. I haven't shaved my legs since my birthday in December. Heck, who sees my legs anyway? And certainly no one feels them but me... and Max when he sleeps on my lap in above-mentioned recliner while I'm still in my pj's. Old fart position.....

What I really need to know though is, once you cross the line into Old Fart-dom, is it a point of no return? Or can I sometimes still visit my youth?