Those were the days my friend..........

I sucked at flips off the diving board.  I could do 'em, but, my head never really tucked the way it was sposeta and I kinda 'angled', more like a 3/4 than a full flip. We, neighbors, cousins, schoolmates, yada, used to do forward rolls (somersaults) on the grass, on mats, downhill, uphill, into second base if we were sure we'd be safe.

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la...

Fast forward 60+ years, 63,875,000 calories (70 yrs, 365 days a year, average 2500 calories per day) 182,000 working hours, bruises, broken bones, surgeries, stitches, one or more trips to the alter, PARENTING, and now, flips only happen when we've underestimated the decline of a hill, momentum takes over, and we pray as if we were in church that no one had their cell camera trained on us. Also, forward rolls now happen only after Fluffy has yanked on the leash to chase a squirrel, if we trip going up a curb,  or we're walking whilst reading our phone and don't see the (roller skate, limb, ottoman, vacuum cord, yada) on the ground, so, like riding a bike, somersault.

Pride is hard to swaller but it will go down.

La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And think of all the great things we would do

Party at the River, Tryst Falls, that one guys dad's cabin in the Ozarks, Spring Break, behind the right field fence after softball, Louie's after work, The Corner, The Dish, Vic's garage. Maybe not choir boys, but we really didn't sin, we did kinda stink of Boone's Farm, Falstaff, Schlitz, Oly, PBR, or real cheap gin.

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing, and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days

Now, 8pm has replaced 1:30am. One Miller Lite sends one to the easy chair, soon to be followed by feet up, REM's. (One Bud Light starts an argument.) We have new knees, hips, afflictions, hair (no, not on top, on our ears), yada, and they've become the hitch in our getalong. In the rare event we actually do have onea them late night outs, don't you dare call the next day before noon. Ya'hear?

Speaking of hearing, can you turn this Mary Hopkins song up? Too may years, too close to the amps, speakers, factory noise, lawnmower, fireworks, learned inattention to our spouse's orations, yada.

La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Swinging on the rope into the lake... making the head be as stiff as we could as kids when we rode the rollercoaster and didn't wanna hit a steel girder.. skateboard (no brakes) down the hill at Jewell.. hours and hours of whiffle ball... Indian ball, biking, hiking, jogging, running, a quick 7 hours in bed, at it again the next day with patched up jeans.

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way

The only swing we use now is the one on the porch. Life has been a rollercoaster, no need to ride them any longer. The only brake we use now going downhill is the one on the passenger side when she's driving. Sudoku, crossword puzzles, occasional bingo, CNN/FOX have all replaced that active stuff above.

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Ever eat a pine tree?   No, that ain't it.

The brain says young, the body says you've got to be kidding me. Hey, we're upright, mostly, luckily. The heart still beats, at least after we down a few cups of coffee. Contrary to the writing on the rear view mirror, the objects, events, flexibility, outings are further and further than they appear. 

But ain't it great to sit and remember?

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days

Love, Victurd