Too Much

Expectations lead to disappointment.

Senior Citizen Parking

Some stores are beginning to designate parking for senior citizens. I have seen signs at Festival Foods and Shopko for such parking. Tonight I was killing time at a Shopko, and while walking back to my car I actually saw a car parked in such a spot. A woman got out of the car, and, well, I checked her out....I wanted to see who considered herself a senior citizen. She qualified if only because she had that frizzy kind of perm women in their 70's often resort to wearing plus she had on polyester pants.

At what age does a person qualify for status as "Senior Citizen?" AARP wants you classified as an elder as early as possible! I believe I started receiving information from them at age 49. Many stores state that to receive a senior citizen discount a person must be 55 years and older. Geez, that isn't that far off. I probably will ask for a discount at a store at 55 but park in Senior Citizen Parking at that age? I think not!

There are several reasons I will refuse to park in that senior citizen parking. First, whether I am capable of easily walking a distance into a store or not, I am going to make every darn effort to walk from elsewhere in the parking lot so people won't think I'm frail and old. If I park in senior citizen designated parking it is admitting I am old, others will then know I'm old, and they will know that I know I'm old. What will come next.....an Ed McMahon bathtub?

Cabana Living

During winter in Wisconsin quite a bit of thought goes into vacation sites where one can escape the endless cold and snow. Mexico is a popular destination spot because of its consistant sunshine and warm temperature. I have been to Cancun twice and Playa del Carmen once and loved both places. Florida in the winter is okay, California in the winter is better than Florida, but none of these aforementioned places are exactly what I am looking for. And visiting Wisconsin and residing elsewhere would be the ideal.

What I want is a cabana on the beach of a small, exotic, friendly Caribbean island. The cabana will have all the luxuries of indoor plumbing, luxurious bed, and comfortable furniture. Sunlight will fill the small abode, fresh flowers will always be present. A hammock will hang outside, an umbrella and lawn chair will be ever ready, and a boogy board will be available. Fragrant, colorful flowers will abound, as will palm trees, and a warm breeze will keep the temperature perfect at 80 degrees.

A cabana boy will fish for the evening entree, bring cool drinks while I'm in the hammock or lawn chair, and rake the sand in front of the cabana each evening. A housekeeper will cook and clean. Once a week a massuese will come to my beach home and not only perform a 90 minute massage but also give me facials, foot massages, exfoliations or whatever other relaxtion service deemed appropriate for that week.

Long walks on the beach, swims with the boogy board, and strolls through the market would be daily outings. Relaxing in the hammock with a good book and sitting in the lawn chair writing or catching up on email would also be part of the routine. Depending on the need, volunteering in the town would be an option.

Pets are important to me, and, of course, Watson's presence is a must. 80 degrees will be okay for him, and I'm sure all the smells from the ocean will fascinate him. I'm not sure how much he will like the water but maybe it would be something he would learn to like. I believe having a kitten/cat on a Caribbean island is a must. This goes back to memories of kittens that lived by our apartment when my parents took us to Florida for a few weeks on summer. The kitten could roam the outdoors but still want to spend time in a lap or hammock. A friendly parrot could complete the picture.

There are those who talk about hurricanes, insects, and crime in Caribbean locales, but only dreaming, idealism, and little reality is allowed in this paradise. Its difficult to think of negatives when the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the temperatures are warm. I prefer to concentrate on the fun, the relaxation, and the fantasy of this life.

Zoo Animals

When I go to the zoo there are certain animals I want to see and others I can pass by with little interest. I can by-pass bats, snakes, baboons, monkeys, wolves (I like the animal but their pacing distresses me), snakes, elephants, and anything in the children's zoo.

I will go out of my way to see giraffes, bears, tigers, lions, hippos, zebras, rhinos, penguins, otters, flamingoes, gorillas, and dolphins. If I ever have the opportunity I will race to see a panda bear.

Zoos provide me with a paradox. Certain animals are endangered and living in zoos provide opportunities for the species' survival. It often appears, however, that the animals are bored and that life in captivity, however safe, is not what it should be. A visit at the zoo always has me wondering how "happy" the animals are.

I haven't been to a zoo in quite awhile and because of my conflict I don't consider a trip to the zoo high on my list of things to do.

Winters Past

Think of spending winter in an igloo or a teepee. How warm was a log cabin in the scarcely populated prairie? Imagine having to use an outhouse in the winter. Visiting a neighbor or going to town for supplies when it was 10 degrees F meant the mode of transportation was a horse and buggy. These scenarios make me appreciate my warm home even more.