Sat down in the swing this morning to eat my breakfast and a cloud of yellow pollen floated up in the air. Never seen a spring with this much pollen. Maybe the rain will wash some away. The sky is solid gray…a dreary day. While I was eating breakfast, before the ran started, I saw two American robins scratching around under one of the bird feeders. I have never seen a robin in my yard. They are beautiful birds, known for their brick red breasts. They have gray feathers and a grey tip on their yellow beaks. They’re large birds, cousins to the wood thrushes. When they sing it sounds like, “cheer up, cheer up.” That’s a great song on this cloudy gray day. I heard them singing yesterday but hadn’t heard that song before. Didn’t know it was robins. Robins are supposed to be symbols of happiness, good luck and rebirth. In this part of the south, we see them when spring is bursting forth.

Sitting here in my lady den watching the rain slapping the bamboo leaves and just out of the blue I wondered if I was old. Yep….according to research Americans are old at the age of 68. Well, I better enjoy what’s left of my youth ‘cause I’ll be 67 on April Fool’s Day. Youth between 10 and 19 are considered young. Let’s do a little young and old contrasting.

I think young people are adventurous and spontaneous. I’m not adventurous or spontaneous. To be spontaneous I’d have to bra up and wash my hair every day! Spontaneous doesn’t fit my retirement schedule and I’m too vain to approach the outside world without L’Oréal. Maybe I’m a tiny adventurous if it involves the grandchildren and a trip to the beach or the mountains. I did go in the ocean waist deep two years ago, against my better shark judgement. Maybe that could count as a spontaneous moment or maybe adventurous. Haven’t been deeper than ankle bone depth since I saw Jaws.

Young people enjoy their music and spend lots of time doing the things they love. They live a carefree life. I might fit in this category. Since I discovered the Echo Dot and Amazon Music, I’m back in high school listening to music from the 1970’s. Some mornings I wake up and Alexa is still playing music ‘cause I called her Alexis when I went to bed and told her to play for an hour. That might set my youthfulness back a few points. And basically since I don’t work anymore, I do what ever I want to each day. And I do the things I love, too. I worked from age 18 till age 65. So I make my own schedule and stay up late as I want to. No more getting up at 3:30 AM and going to bed at 7PM and driving an hour to work. I’m FREE! Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!

Youngsters are mostly influenced by their peers. I have no idea who influences me! I do have peers but maybe I’m un-influenceable, if that’s even a word. Guess that adds a few points to the old age bracket.

Here is a youthful trait that I have never claimed, even when I was young, being fashion conscious…but when you are fluffy sometimes it’s hard to be fashionable. Never cared much about fashion just wanted to be comfortable. I do remember wanting some of those halter tops and wore them to band practices when it was blazing hot. That should give me a few youthful points. And I had the Pappagallo shoes and button on purses and wrap around skirts in college and don’t forget the Bass penny loafers. I loved the loafers ‘cause they had the best soles to wear roller skates. Think I’ve claimed a few fashion points.

Youth love to make their own decisions and embrace new things. They love technology and always want the latest gadgets. Ok, by virtue of my age and my being a widow I do make my own decisions. Embracing new things…well, I have learned how to navigate with Mapquest and drive by myself to visit my grandchildren. That should give me a youthful point. And thank God there are no interstates. The three lane bypass is enough to make me sweat but doesn’t terrify me like interstates do. When Chief was alive he would get his magnifying glass and his atlas and we could go anywhere without venturing on the interstate. I do have a cell phone but it’s years old. I didn’t have one till my first grandchild Alexander was born and we had land lines in Roanoke and Alexander City. I had them disconnected after Chief died.

In the technology department, I have successfully learned how to use my smart tv, and my YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Music subscriptions. But most important, I’ve finally learned how to use the fancy remote. And I haven’t lost the remote since Stew found it in my tennis shoe. Don’t even ask about that!

So over all I’m not as old as my bones feel some days. I still have a love of laughter and life’s simple pleasures make me very happy.

I think maybe the youth could learn a few things from us old timers. Always be kind! The world already has enough bullies. Keep your goals in sight and don’t ever give up striving to meet those goals. Learn to be patient. Be dependable and helpful. And always appreciate what you have. Don’t make yourself miserable wanting things you can’t obtain. Everyone has something to be grateful for. Be thankful and happy!