Here's a quote, from Gary, that pretty much sums up my life right now.


"There comes a time, and I knew full well when that time came, that you come to the stark realization that your mind keeps making appointments your body cannot possibly keep. There are lots of other neat things in this world to explore, so get out there and enjoy what little time you have remaining in your life. As an old friend once said "Life is like a roll of toilet paper - the closer you get to the end of the roll, the faster it comes off." He hit the nail on the head!"


For me, this isn't just about performing....though I've done that live since I was 12 and am now 68.

I've also been a wildlife photographer...published... and a high school/college teacher...as well as working in industry as a mgr.

My brain says...no problem, keep on going...but my body?...well that's another thing.

I have been trying to teach what I know to the next generation....students and grandkids...thing is if it don't work on an iPhone or can't be taught in a minute or less...we'll you get the idea.

Today, the temperature is nearly 100 degrees here in the People's Republic Of Maryland, the humidity almost matches the temperature and there is a Code Red Air Pollution Alert - conditions that make it impossible for me to venture out of the house. Obviously, sailing is out of the equation, at least until the weather cools down about 20 degrees and the humidity is half what it is today. So, after taking a shower, much of today was spent messing with the keyboard, I recorded a few songs with the onboard recorder to see if I still had enough lung left to sing, and now I'm dragging my grandson away from his tiny phone screen so we can enjoy lunch together. Tonight, I hope to tie some special flies for smallmouth bass fishing in a river near my son's home in Frederick, MD. We will probably wade into the river to about chest deep, which will help keep me cooler in the hot weather. Then we'll go back to his home, I'll put on some dry clothes and we'll have a few, ice-cold brews.

The progression of my lung disease is relatively fast lately, and though some medications help, their use eventually exacerbates the problem. I now look at every day I'm still above ground as a bonus, and with luck, I'll at least make through Christmas. What really amazes me is that just two short years ago, I was playing 30 or more Christmas Parties and singing to the ladies. Those were some fun times.

I know that right now, you must think about what to do each day, but after a while, just sitting on the deck and watching the wildlife is all that I need to make it a fun day.

Good luck,

Gary

Common fellas be glad you woke up this morning,....Start celebrating life to the fullest!!

like Yogi always said ................

Donny, I am lucky that I woke up this morning, and very well may not tomorrow morning. As for living life to the fullest, I have been doing that for 77 years! There's not a hell of a lot that I have not done in my lifetime, some of which I most likely shouldn't have. Yogi said it ain't over till it's over, well, he's dead, though he made it all the way to age 90, which is well more than the average lifespan. Now, if you recall, it was me, many years ago, that told YOU "take some time to smell the roses before someone places them on your casket!" The only reason I'm her posting today is because the weather is too nasty go go out and sail. What's yer excuse?

Gary

Gary....I have been out on the shore all day by the waters edge restaurant having lunch and Margaritas with my 95 yr old dad,...
I'm actually posting this from my cell phone..

Donny ... good for you and your dad ... hope you have those genes ! ...

Me too Tony he's wearing me out!! hahaha

He sure doesn't look 95 !!! ...

WOW, your dad looks great. I don't know what he's drinking but you'd better have what he's having .

chas

PS: Hope you know you're a lucky man.

Chas and Tony, I told you guys those Margarettas were good for ya! Donny, I knew you were lying to me when you said you didn't go to the shore - EVER! Where else can you get great, green coconut Margarettas other than the Jersey shore?

Gary

No coconut in mine thanks - needs only a GOOD tequila, Cointreau (preferred) or Triple Sec, fresh squeezed lime juice. and ice ...

Yes he sure doesn't look or act like someone born in 1921,.....
one of my my uncles is 97 so I have a chance at longevity for sure..

there are a few exceptions to the rule...

Donny what a blessing to have a dad that is still with you. I am not putting you down but your dad looks great; and judging from the last picture of you he is a lot pretty. (smile)

We were there with open arms to except our younger years. Now we find it difficult to accept our latter years. I have tried my best to accept life as one whole story. The running across an open field with arms flying and leaning on a cane to help you to walk is all one story. I look at my life in this manner.
My job is to embrace today and keep focused on my many blessings.
I have 8 guitars, 3 keyboards, a piano, a house that is paid off, a new car, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and a bunch of great grandchildren. I never had any of that stuff earlier in my life.

Live each day as if it were your last day, John C (Life is good)

PS, I read a book called “Battlefields of the Mind”. What did I learn? If you spend the beginning of your day with negatives, you have just told your mind to mess up the rest of your day. You programed your mind to fail.

Our friend Gary will tell you about the negatives in his life but he always ends his story with a positive. When I saw the picture of his flowers I knew he was going to be alright.

When I decided/accepted that I was going to die; like everyone else, I began to enjoy my life, John C.

John very kind wise words...
life is too short too dilly dally...!

Donny,

You're dad looks fantastic at 95, he does not look his age.


Too bad we don't live closer my mom is 91 and is a ball of fire herself. She's in a weekly duck pin bowling league, still drives, has her nails done every few weeks and still cooks great Italian food ( will say though she's not as sharp in the cooking department as she was a couple of years ago).

She goes out to lunch and dinner with friends at least two times per week.

She doesn't hear very well but the new hearing aids she bought a couple of months ago have helped.

My wife and I joke that she'll probably make funeral arrangements for us and could very well outlive us.

P.S. We talked her into giving up Manhattans about 8 years ago they weren't good for her.

Steve you got good genes and mom sound like a great lady too!!