Progress vs Change

 

Progress vs Change

I've often said that I don't embrace change for change's sake. On the other hand, I think of myself as a very progressive person.  The biggest difference between progress and change is that change doesn't always turn out positive, whereas progress by definition alone indicates forward movement or advancement.

Because I am often quoted saying that I am happy, healthy and blessed, anyone can understand why I don't want change for change's sake.  My status as quoted is a happy place to be, and if nothing ever changes, it would be just fine with me.

On the other hand, progress is always welcomed.  Any positive changes to my quoted status, would only mean that my life is improving.  In the previous two years I have had a couple of great examples, one is progress, and one is of change.

Progress:  In Summer of 2019, I found out quite by accident that I had a serious problem with a heart valve, and it require attention.  see the following post:  http://www.being50.com/2019/07/the-silver-lining.html

The first Cardiologist recommended monitoring every 6 months and at worst I had 5 years left.                Fortunately, I had the best advocate representing me (my beautiful wife).  She decided without                consulting with me (that's what I would expect from the best advocate ever) that if a medical                  prognosis ever demanded a second opinion, this was it. We were referred to the best Cardiology              Team in this region of the United States. Within a little less than two months, I went into surgery            and emerged with a new lease on life (from a danger that I wasn't even aware of).  On the plus side        and with the blessing of the almighty, the successful surgery comes with a 25-year durability                approval (kind of like a warranty).  Once again, I can claim that I am happy, healthy and blessed.

Change:  Through most of my young adult life I embraced muscle car ownership even drag racing.  I've admitted that it was a costly experience, but very enjoyable and wouldn't change it if I could go back to the future. See the following post:  http://www.being50.com/2013/08/my-muscle-car-life.html

"A long time ago, in a kingdom, far far away."  This is my way of sharing with you that many years ago when I first met my beautiful wife, I had finally arrived at place in my life when I was ready to make the big jump to my ideal sports car (Chevrolet Corvette).  As life often does to all of us, it threw me a major curve (no regrets), my destiny crossed paths with my desire for my ultimate sports car, and love won. I chose to embark with this beautiful young lady into our future together. I never told her that I wanted a sports car and instead purchased a 4-door sedan more appropriate for raising a young family.

Over many years of happy marriage, she could see the look in my face every time I saw a Corvette in close proximity.  Once again, acting as my best possible advocate and knowing that we have raised our children and are experiencing (enjoying) the empty nest syndrome. she chose Father's Day 2021 to gift me my desired sports car (with all our children's approval).  I am grateful to my family for their love and support.

I would have to grade this change as a positive one and definitely one that should have been on my Bucket List.  Don't give up hope the best is yet to come.....

Time for Reflection

Time for Reflection

What does it mean to take time to reflect?

Taking time to reflect means slowing down enough to stop, enjoy the adventure and figure out what is really important to YOU. Learn what you like and dislike. Do something for fun… for you.

Is it possible to be too smart for your own good?  My answer at this point in my life is, without a doubt.  For some of us, questioning ourselves is unthinkable because it may show a kink in the armor.  All my life I have been so sure of myself that to begin to question my life’s decisions, might show some level of weakness or failure.

However, life has taught me so much, that to reflect on my life periodically is actually a sign of maturity and strength.  In life’s journey we are like a ship at sea.  Just like a ship is affected by the elements, and ocean’s currents, so our lives are affected by things that we are aware of and many that blindside us.  Navigational adjustment is a requirement to arrive at our planned destinations.

Most recently, I have stayed away from posting on this blog because I was in search of me.  Fortunately, one of my discoveries is that I do enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts with you (my readers).  I’ve been contacted by some readers, asking me if everything is alright.  Thank you for asking, I can answer that I’ve never been better.  I am reminded of a dear friend (no longer with us) that used to say, “I’m in great shape, for the shape I’m in!”

Imagine for a moment that I climbed a mountain for the mere purpose of meditating and seeing the world from a different perspective.

In the process, I’ve completed some items from my bucket list. What?  You don’t have one?  Everyone needs a Bucket List!  It doesn’t have to be “the end of Life Bucket List.”

My definition of a bucket list is, a list of items that need to be given priority to track and complete timely (you set the timeline).   See my post on Bucket List:  http://www.being50.com/2013/02/making-bucket-list.html

 My most recent Reflection time has created some unexpected actions in my life going forward.  I have arrived at conclusions and new directions that surprised me (the very person in charge of my journey with God’s Blessings).  Never forget that Choices and Consequences are a package deal.  When making choices keep in mind the possible consequences (otherwise known as paying the Piper).  The best is yet to come……..

Bucket List Item #10

Huntington Beach California

#10.  I will vacation in at least two beach resorts in the States of Oregon, and California.

 

This post is an update to: Making A Bucket List (posted Monday, February 11, 2013 http://www.being50.com/2013/02/making-bucket-list.html).

Warning: if a person loves the sun, sand and ocean, and is weak of mind, stay away from the California beaches.  Not so much because of the beautiful people that hangout there, but for what Mother Nature has to offer.  The feeling that you get from being out on the open air, walking on the sand feeling the Pacific Ocean at your feet is therapeutic at the very least!  Your mind begins to think on its own, and the first thought is how nice would it be to do this very same thing I am doing, at will.

The reality is that what I have in my home state in my neighborhood, would probably cost at least 10 times as much in Huntington Beach or any other neighborhood of similar standard.  To live anywhere else within driving distance would soon become boring if not a complete nightmare.  The amount of fatal or near fatal accidents I saw on the way to the beach alone (without consideration the total  number I saw within the week), would be enough to convince you to stay indoors and lock the doors.  During the short time we were there, there were in the neighborhood of 8 or more earthquakes registered with a magnitude of 3.2 or less, within 30 miles of where we were staying.

The bottom lines is that the resorts and beaches are beautiful, but I still wouldn’t give up my Pacific Northwest life for them.  Many years ago in a different lifetime, I lived in Santa Cruz, and often thought I would someday retire to live in Santa Cruz.  That is until a strong earthquake caused severe damage to the city.  Young people in today’s economic conditions can’t afford to rebuild, a person of senior age would be in an equally financial and emotional shape to respond.

Surfer Girl, Beach Boys

Enough said about the negative.  The period of time spent in the area between Sunset Beach and Newport beach was like spending time in God’s little acre.  I swear I felt younger by at least 10 years, I had fun driving around in a 2012 Camaro SS, listening to the music (perhaps a little louder than usual).  Eating seafood where it should be eaten, within stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean (at exorbitant prices I might add, an order of crab was $49.95).  I actually got to witness (not for the first time) the type of scenery that inspired the Beach Boys’ songs.  We actually saw people getting ready to play volleyball at Huntington Beach, surfing, roller blading, biking, swimming, strolling hand in hand, and just plain soaking in the sun rays.

I did promise myself that no other vacation to Southern California would be complete without a similar visit to the beach.  In love with the area, but still in control.

See other posting related to this trip: Guilty Pleasure (http://www.being50.com/2013/09/guilty-pleasure.html , Guilty Pleasure 2 (http://www.being50.com/2013/09/guilty-pleasures-2.html , Our Place in Life http://www.being50.com/2013/09/our-place-in-life.html ).  The best is yet to come…

 

Bucket List Item #8

Scenic Snoqualmie Pass

#8.  I will participate in at least 3 family reunions.).   

This post is an update to: Making A Bucket List (posted Monday, February 11, 2013 http://www.being50.com/2013/02/making-bucket-list.html ).

There are a number of things that I am committed to, amongst the top 3 on my list, is family.  I won’t give it a definitive number because the other two are equally important.  It takes a core of things to make your life stable, and my three are what makes me who and what I am.  Since I no longer have my parents, and my wife was my support system when I did have them, it’s time to return the favor.  I love nothing more than to take my wife to visit her mother and family.  I honestly feel closer than just an in-law with her side of the family. 

This year we made more trips to visit her family than we ever have in years past.  The trip is normally a six hour roundtrip effort, but lately because of road construction over the mountain pass it has become more like a ten hour roundtrip challenge.  Our planning starts out by committing to making the visits, and it has been as simple as deciding on Saturday that we will travel on Sunday.

This year August and September were great months for family a get-together.  During August we had an impromptu get-together at my mother-in-laws house.  Whenever we give them enough notice that we are coming, everyone in the family gets notified and they all show up.  While it is a great time to see everyone, it’s also a time to realize how fast time goes by.  People that are now thirty, were being baby sat by my wife, not that long ago.  Those of you that follow my Blog know that I don’t mention names, so I won’t here either.  The family unit is very important, because if times get tough as it does sooner or later, you can simply circle the wagons, and survive with your self-sufficient built in support system.

During the month of August we also had a get-together at my first born son’s house also normally a ten hour roundtrip drive but also affected by road construction at the mountain pass. While a very nice scenic drive, it is best enjoyed at 70 miles per hour, and not in stop and go traffic.  My son is an excellent chef especially when it comes to grilling BBQ steaks.  We had a great time visiting with kids (grand children) that were getting ready to return to college (medical field), and even making new friends (semi-retired from the work force now concentrating in his love for art).  My son was in recovery from recent surgery so the visit had extra special meaning.

Within the last couple of days my first born daughter and I returned from a family reunion in Southern California.  We both had a great time moving around the gathering catching up with everyone that attended.  The get-together was so large that I felt compelled to ask for everybody’s attention at the dinner table and ask if anyone was threatened with bodily harm if they didn’t attend.  They all reacted with laughter, and some responded that not only where they there willingly but that they even prepared a favorite meal to share.  Once again I couldn’t help but notice how quickly everyone is growing up, and realizing their dreams.  Amongst the professions represented: An Airline Attendant for ten years, a Registered Nurse for about eight years, a rock star, lead singer with a popular rock band, project manager, construction worker, and there are the up and comers working their way up (some of the just mentioned successes started out with In & Out Burger not that long ago).

One of my favorite aunts couldn’t attend because she had just returned from a mini vacation so we surprised her by showing up at her work.  She let out such a big scream when she saw me that she scared the people she was dealing with at the time.  I love all my family members from the most recent arrivals to my step mother who is now 80 years old loves me so much that it makes me feel bad for all my brothers and sisters.  I don’t think she loves me because I am so great, I believe that 65% of that love is because I remind her so much of my father, whom she loves very much (he passed away 11 years ago). 
See other posting related to this trip: Guilty Pleasure

(http://www.being50.com/2013/09/guilty-pleasure.html , Guilty Pleasure 2 (http://www.being50.com/2013/09/guilty-pleasures-2.html , Our Place in Life http://www.being50.com/2013/09/our-place-in-life.html ).  The best is yet to come…

Partner In Crime

Theo aka Daddy Big Bucks

Do you have a four-legged friend that means the world to you?  I hope so, because there’s no better feeling than to know what unconditional love is.  His name is Theo, and he gets professional grooming more often than I do.  He is a great looking Toy Poodle that like all Poodles doesn’t shed.  He is a 10 pound muscle bound little guard dog.  He senses when someone pulls up to our driveway or approaches our front door.  He might not be big enough and physical enough to literally protect my life, but he gives me more than enough warning for me to protect both of us.  With Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson Theo and I can stand back to back and take on the world.  This little guy is so special to me that I hope, that if one of us has to part this earth, I hope I go first so won’t have to miss him.

I buy puppy pads for him for overnight so he won’t have any accidents, and I often get criticized because I maintain an inventory of as many as three boxes of three hundred count each.  Same with his food and treats, I tend to overdo it with the stocking of inventory.  That part is not because I spoil him, after all he doesn’t even know where I keep the stash, but merely because like everything else the product always runs out at the most inopportune time.

Of all the members of our large family he definitely has his favorites.  He loves my daughter and her husband, one of my sons and his wife are also definitely favored, other than that he hangs out with me when we have company.  He is always happiest when he is near me inside or outside the house.  I recently went away on a vacation to Southern California, and he missed me terribly.  My wife told me that whenever she returned home from work he would stay near the door expecting me to come through the door at any moment.  At night he would lay down facing the bedroom door as if knowing that I should be coming home at any time.

My vacation’s purpose was to visit and otherwise stay in close touch with the California branch of the Family Tree, while there I fulfilled a couple of Bucket List items (see Post dated February 11, 2013 http://www.being50.com/2013/02/making-bucket-list.html ).  While the getaway was relaxing and fun, I missed my family back home and my partner in crime.

Theo Does Christmas

 

My wife, children and grandchildren understand that I was going away and coming back by a certain day, but all Theo knows is that I come home every day and he can take that to the bank.  Unfortunately he hates to travel by any means other than his own four-legged power.  The only time he gets in the car is when he goes to get groomed or to the veterinarian, and he trembles the whole way.  I sit him next to me to make it easier on him, but it only helps so much. I go out of my way to schedule some play time in the back yard or put on his leash so we can go for a walk to the park (he loves that).  Everyone in the family knows Theo very well, and they are aware that he is my baby, and they have to play nice with him.  He is loved by all. He definitely even gets wrapped presents at Christmas and dresses for the occasion.  The best is yet to come….

Bucket List and Gun Control

My Bucket List and Gun Control

If you ever thought that you could ignore the games being played in Politics daily, think again.  I know that as long as we live in the best country in the world, our lives will be touched in one way or another by our ever-loving politicians.  I personally feel that, as a US Citizen, I am as involved in the political process as I need to be, and haven’t missed an opportunity to vote since the 1969 Presidential Election.

Followers of being50.com are aware of my Bucket List posted February 11, 2013.  I am not one to let the grass grow under my feet, and I decided to start a strategy for accomplishing all the items on my list within the one year time allowed.  Item number 6 of 10 is; I will go target shooting at a firing range.  I settled on this as one of the items that I would accomplish first because it isn’t one of the easiest but it appears to be easy enough while probably one of the most fun.

I made a couple of contacts with friends that have active memberships at practice ranges, and initiated the process of scheduling the outing.  I would have thought, piece of cake no problem, done deal.  Not so fast, the most recent political issues of gun control being debated by politicians, has unexpectedly hindered my efforts.

Typical of political ingenuity or lack thereof; the attempt at Gun Control has achieved the exact opposite outcome.  Since the probability of tighter gun control is in the air, the general population has sprung into action and made a run at all things guns.  The funny thing is that this information would never have crossed into my immediate life if it weren’t for Bucket List Item Number 6.

My contacts tell me that ammunition supply is practically depleted; you actually have to stand in a line to buy ammo.  The stores are limiting customers on how many boxes of ammo they can buy on any given day.  Fortunately, I don’t need to buy a weapon because I hear that the shelves are practically empty of them also. I will complete and cross off item number 6 from my list even if I have to point at a target with my finger and yell loudly BANG! BANG!  Actually, I will complete this item even if I have to use my ammo stock on hand.

In politics like everywhere else, a little common sense goes a long ways.  Oh that’s right; I forgot that’s another item in short supply in the political arena.  Fear not, the best is yet to come….

Making a Bucket List

Bucket list is the term used to describe a list of activities, actions, or as yet unaccomplished events or desires in life, that have remained in the background due to competing priorities.

The movie "The Bucket List" brought attention to this activities for the most part due to the popularity of the actors portraying the main characters.  While very fun, funny and generally entertaining, the movie's premise was a very unlikely scenario for the average member of society.   Both characters were pretty old to put it mildly, diagnosed with terminal illness, one of the characters was extremely wealthy, etc., etc., etc.  The point I am trying to make is that you can make a Bucket List at any age, you don't have to be near death, and wealth while extremely helpful, doesn't have to be a factor. 

Your list can be sensible in every aspect:  doesn't have to include world travel, doesn't have to be death defying, etc.  Some of us may have unfulfilled dreams, or plans due to time constraints, (examples: raising a family, attending college, career demands just to mention a few).

I am going take a risk publicly and make a very sensible Bucket List for myself. It isn't by any means my ultimate list.  Matter of fact when I accomplish everything on my list, I will initiate a new one.  I will cross items off my list as I make progress, and will blog about the experience.  In the movie The Bucket List the deadline was understood to be; before I die, I will cross all the items off the list.  Since I am not fatalistic at all, and my health care provider regularly tells me that, I am so stable, and healthy that in regards to my medical condition, I am actually boring (she follows that statement with "Boring is good"). My list will have a short deadline.

The following items make up my list, and I will accomplish them by end of February 2014 or before: 

1. I will ride the city transit in my city by going to the mall shopping.  
2. I will go on a trip to a city 50 to 100 + miles one way by train.  
3. I will go to the top of the Seattle Space Needle, and enjoy a meal while there.  
4. I will go fishing on opening week 2013.  (I haven't fished since I was very young and living with my parents on the farm).  
5. I will acquire a classic muscle car.  (I cleared it with my wife).  
6. I will go target shooting at a firing range.  
7. I will visit the state of Texas where I spent my very early years, as part of research for a book I am writing.   
8. I will participate in at least 3 family reunions.  
9. I will take a week long vacation with my wonderful wife (destination of her choice).  
10. I will vacation in at least two beach resorts in  the States of Oregon, and California.

With regard to number 4 on the list, recently heard the very popular saying: Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day, teach him to fish and he will drink beer for a life time.  So if you think that my list is tame, I hope you can now appreciate the risks that I am taking.  

Have you been thinking about what you might want to do on your list?  I hope that my safe list will encourage you to consider what you may want to do that would be outside of you daily routine.  My next list might include swimming with sharks (don't hold your breath) but for now, it's a start.  

My goal/mission for being50.com is to encourage members to participate by either following my blog, and enjoying my journey through life: past, present and future.  Or even better yet to actively contribute by sharing your experiences, or your perspective on the subject of the day.  Join the group, and you will most likely find many like minded people to share commonalities with.  I invite you to stay tuned as I make progress on my bucket list.  

Future subjects will include:  a trip down memory lane and the wonderful world of 1950's and 60's television programs; muscle cars of the 50's, 60's, and 70's, and how they compare with present day muscle car rebirth.  Regardless of your interest, stay tuned cause the best is yet to come......