Tag: lifestyle

… and counting

This native of the U.S. Virgin Islands doesn’t mind showing his age. Photo by Steve Martaindale

During a time of casual introspection, I discover myself at that delightful age where … well, let’s just look at some of the things I feel make life for this 70-year-old even more of a blessing.

To begin with, I would like to give a nod to Jenny Joseph, who in 1961 at the young age of 30 penned what I’ve seen referenced as Britain’s favorite poem, “Warning.” If the title doesn’t ring a bell, the first line will: “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple.”

In addition to wearing purple clothes and a red hat “which doesn’t go,” she longs for a future when she’s free to sit on the pavement when tired and generally make up for the sobriety of her youth. I discovered “Warning” when I was much younger than 30 but instantly recognized the idea of achieving an age at which one refuses to honor restrictions imposed by others.

Take that bit about sitting on the pavement when tired.

On a recent weekend, we were on the San Antonio River Walk and I was free for a few hours while Leah and Erin attended a bridal party. I had covered most of the river walk, it was a bit warm for the season and the sun was bright, and I was dealing with a bit of a back issue. There are not many places to sit that are not related to a restaurant, so I found a low retaining wall and plopped down. I really hate to get in the way of people, but I did what I could to minimize the inconvenience and decided they’d just have to step around the old man sitting on the pavement.

Now, let’s just tick off some other benefits of reaching “that age.” This is in no way comprehensive and I expect y’all to comment with other advantages.

  • Having enough real-world experience that it no longer matters what others think and therefore feeling free to say what one really feels. Out loud.
  • Brief and pleasant encounters with other people’s cute kids and/or pets.
  • Dressing as one wishes, whether it’s wearing purple and red or Bermuda shorts with Santa socks.
  • The same thing applies to hairstyles, too, by the way.
  • Ignoring phone calls.
  • Allowing a younger person to hold the door.
  • Friendships with people who will always be honest with you.
  • Having “been there and done that” enough for the wisdom to save a lot of headaches and heartaches. Those experiences also make older people more empathetic, though old grouches still get a lot of attention.
  • Being more aware of one’s “finish line” makes it easier to move past the piffle and do what one wants or needs.
  • Traveling whenever is best, not having to oblige any school or work schedule. Going to the movie theater at 11 a.m.
  • The joy of saying something in public that causes the young adults to do a double take.
  • Having stories to fit just about any situation. Ditto for sage advice. OK, this right I’ve been claiming for decades.

Happiest tees

Photo by Steve Martaindale

After spending more than three weeks this winter mooching living space from overly gracious cousins in Valencia, Spain, Leah and I relocated to Mallorca, a Mediterranean island a short distance away, for our final week in Europe.

As is often our style, we landed there with no real plans other than to see what we could see, but even that laidback itinerary eased as soon as we arrived. We found ourselves simply wanting to chill a bit. And then, while walking around the resort, we saw the sign pictured above. Now, even two months later, we try to remember to play our happiest tees.

Uh … what?

OK, a quick explainer for those who do not understand the sign.

On a golf course, each hole ends at the same spot, the green, where the destination cup resides. The golfer’s objective is to put the ball in the hole. But you knew that.

What might be unfamiliar to some people is that each hole has multiple starting points – or tees. It’s common to have at least three, usually labeled “women,” “men” and “pro.” They get progressively longer and, in some cases, more challenging.

Finally, there can easily be some pressure applied, or at least imagined, to play the longer tees, to take on a bigger challenge. Someone who accepts that pressure and sees a worse score because of it might not be having as much fun.

And this golf course, much to its credit, is encouraging its guests to have a good time and not worry so much about the score.

Don’t get teed off

One last comment.

It was the second or third time we walked by the sign that Leah pointed out it was only in English. Because this island receives planeloads of German travelers every day, most signs are in Spanish, English and German, but definitely in Spanish.

So, why is this only in English? Spend some time in Spain and it might appear obvious. Residents here lead a much slower life. Many businesses really do close during the afternoon for a couple of hours. People spend time enjoying their meals and their fellow diners. It’s not perfect, but the concept of playing the happiest tees seems to be par for the course.