This weekend, I had the opportunity to sit with two groups of people, and we spent 20-30 minutes talking about different foods and the gastric distress they now cause us. You know, foods we once loved that no longer love us back.
I was struck by two things during these conversations:
1. Everything starts going downhill at 35 (or 33, I guess, depending).
2. I am officially an old person.
When I was growing up, I would ask my great-grandmother why she never went to senior centers to hang out. And she told me that she had no interest in being around a bunch of old people because all they would do is talk about their aches and pains. And that was what she had no interest in.
I have turned into a person who sits around and talks about her aches and pains. I have turned into an old person. I am not technically old, btw, and I recognize that. But I am officially old.
Last week, I posted:
- Pi(e), Papers, and Pork #sol17
- Lessons Learned for Next Time #sol17
- Nerding Out #sol17
- The flower that blooms in adversity and all that #sol17
- Picking Favorites (mostly about reading and teaching)
- Long day, failed pie #sol17
- I woke up like this #sol17
Last week, I read:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Well, that was bleak. It was also surprisingly hopeful. So, yeah, definitely a story for our times.
I liked Lauren, and I love that writing is a source of strength and serves as an outlet for her. Also, Earthseed makes perfect sense to me. Though I choose to believe in God as all that is good in the world because that is also a thing that persists/is constant, I found myself nodding along with a lot of the verses of Earthseed as I was reading.
I’ll definitely be checking out the next book.
Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus by John Hendrix
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
2.5 stars, rounding down
This one was just okay for me. Though I liked the illustrations in general, I found the flow of the text and breakout words hard to read/follow at times. Also, the way the text was written made it seem like Jesus was yelling all the time.
Currently, I’m reading:
Okay, so I am reading a book, but I don’t think I’m going to finish it so I’m not going to mention it here. I like it fine; it’s just not what I’m in the mood for. After finishing The Parable of the Sower, I’m really in need of something fun and light, and none of the books have that airy quality I’m looking for yet. So I may have to do a comfort re-read to shake myself loose. I’ve already put one such book by my bed but haven’t started it yet. I guess I’m still waiting to see if a new book grabs me? We’ll see what happens as the week goes on.
And because one daily writing challenge wasn’t enough, I am going to participate in the A to Z challenge again this year. For that challenge, you post about something that corresponds to a specific letter of the alphabet throughout the month of April. Most people organize around themes, and I am no different. Last year, my theme was fannish pursuits. My theme for this year is a little different. Or is it? Drumroll please…
My theme for this year is going to be gratitude. So during the month of April, I will be posting at least one thing I am grateful for each day that starts (or relates to) the assigned letter. And just to get this out of the way right now: I am grateful for my family and friends, so I am not planning to dedicate any letters to my mom, dad, daughter, specific friends, etc. since they are givens for me.
So yes. Gratitude. That is my theme.
Have a great week, everyone!
The Englishist 
If you’re 35ish, oh, how I wish! I wasn’t expecting it, but turning old (at 43) really bums me out. Because, inside, I still feel like I’m 27. Me and my hubby.
.. who i think is falling asleep here right next to me, so.. bedtime for these ole folk!
Thanks for the post!
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If it looks like a duck and acts like a duck? So what behaviors do you also display that would put you in other age categories? Baby? Teenager? Etc.
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Hahaha, great question. My daughter thinks some of my design choices are young. I may have to think about this some more.
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Your post makes me laugh. Are we “old”? For me, it’s just an annoying realization that my body can not do as much as I think it should be doing. I HATE having to admit that some things I eat I simply cannot eat anymore (I’m looking at you, pizza). That is heart breaking. It should be liberating, but it’s not. Nope. And I’ve never read Parable of the Sower, but it’s been on my list for SO long. Maybe I’ll give it another shot. I’m reading lots of comfort fiction now. That’s about all I can do, but I’m going to read Issa Rae’s book and The Hate U Give soon.
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Comfort fiction is a good call. I have decided to reread HP5. Even though it’s one of the more depressing HP books, it is comforting in its way. But I did put THUG on hold at the library. I’m hoping by the time it comes in, I’ll be ready for it.
Also, pizza was totally a food item that came up! I am still fine with pizza, but my friend’s husband is not and it causes him so much pain. It sucks, for sure. I guess the liberating part is knowing not to eat them and be in pain, but it still hurts to say good-bye to old comfort food friends.
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Aside from the whole aches and pains thing, I think we’re old when we give up on life and new experiences. I remember on choir tour in Florida (more than 20 years ago) , I stayed with a lady who lived in a retirement village. She kissed her best friend on the cheek when dropping her off, and went on to tell me how much she loved living there. Everyone was her age, she said. They had so much in common and they could get together to have fun all the time. It totally changed my perspective!
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Funny because it’s true, as I’ve observed the conversational needle in my peer group jiggle decidedly in the ache/pain direction lately. I remain confident that we can change this (at least partly) when we choose. This need not be the only, or even leading, way we define ourselves. At least, that’s what I tell myself 😉
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I will look forward to following your challenge. 🙂
Calen~
Impromptu Promptlings
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Akilah, gratitude is a lovely theme for the challenge. I look forward to reading more about all the things you are grateful for. Including age, I guess, because being older means you are alive longer.
Cynthia at A Few Drops Of Ink
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35, eh? A mere pup. It’s what you feel like on the inside that is the tell. Me: still 19. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I look forward to your gratitude posts.
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We need to be reminded that an attitude of gratitude takes you a long way in life! There are always others who are less fortunate than we are. 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog!
See you around on the A to Z circuit.
Writer In Transit
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Ten years ago, at the age of 50, I returned to school to pursue my bachelor degree. There were times I felt young, walking the campus with my backpack, thinking, “Look at what I can do!” But, once in awhile I would see my reflection in a classroom window and think, “Look at that old lady!” *balloon pop*
I look forward to your posts! Good luck on the A to Z Challenge!
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I turn 61 on Saturday, but I still think I’m sixteen, at least between the ears. Sounds like a great theme! Have a good month!
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Your theme sounds exciting and as you know gratitude is a big thing in addiction recovery. I’m excited about reading your upcoming posts. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog as well.
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