One of the interesting things about getting older is how often I stumble upon accidental discoveries. Sometimes these are things I knew but didn’t really appreciate when I was younger, and sometimes they are things that other people know well (but I can take a while to understand or absorb them).
For example, out of sight, out of mind seems to apply to projects that I’ve put aside for later completion. It’s amazing how many times I’ve had to dust off the cobwebs from something that had a deadline over a year ago, like registering for a cooking class or a writing webinar. Tidying up is great but if I don’t have something visual to remind me to get things done, they don’t. This is different from procrastination where I keep putting off unpleasant chores; it is complete forgetfulness.
Out of sight, out of mind does not apply to chocolate, unfortunately.
Other discoveries are that dust expands to fill the flat spaces available; hair grows where it will; and chores expand to fill the time available, but only if that time is not otherwise occupied with hockey or computer games. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so do my cat and I.
Bandages are a good thing to have in the kitchen. Cooking can be hazardous to your health, to which my accidentally grated knuckles will attest.
Itchy skin is a plague for many seniors. I strongly recommend avoiding the health scares that can result from looking up possible reasons for this plague. Instead, please see your doctor immediately. You might also want to make use of one of my discoveries and buy a lotion applicator for your back. It’s amazing what a difference that can make.
Retiring with your spouse adds a whole new meaning to the phrase “Silence is golden.” It may also bring to mind the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” (even when you know you will miss them dreadfully). And having places for both a man cave and a she den is the new walk-in closet!
I found out that your brain uses energy when it is learning something or when you are doing something new. Wouldn’t it be nice if Sudoku was the new jogging? And certainly this energy usage contributes to the discovery that a nap is often essential after an afternoon bridge game—and sometimes even during (I hope not, but it certainly would explain some of my bids and my play of the hand).
Another accidental discovery is that the reason I forget what I am looking for when I enter another room is that my brain immediately starts scanning for danger. Muttering “Paper towel, paper towel, paper towel” when entering another room just means I end up wondering why I’m saying paper towel. Not helpful, brain. It’s even worse when you are going from one floor to another, and even more frustrating when you have to retrace your steps. Come on, brain … you can do better.
Reading national and international newspaper stories can reveal a wealth of discoveries. For example, on April 23, the New York Times reported that General Motors in the U.S. was selling driver data to insurance companies, without the owners’ consent. Those insurance companies will then use the data to set premiums, mostly of the increasing variety. Evidently GM is “fixing” this, but who knows what they are doing in Canada? See the story in the following link. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/23/technology/general-motors-spying-driver-data-consent.html
You are never prepared to become an orphan. I don’t know why I thought it would be easier when I grew older, and all I can say is, it’s not.
As most of us do, regardless of age, I continue to muddle my way through learning things that are new to me, intentionally or otherwise. In the end, we are on a stuttering trajectory towards a Yukon spring—and it’s always a glorious discovery.
