Chuck's Chat

        AGE AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

Every year there are three days that are very important to all of us.The day before our birth date, the day of birth, and the day after our birth date.  How old are you on each of these dates?  Well let’s take that certain age of 65…

 The day before your birth date you tell everyone that you are 64.  The day of your birth date you celebrate the sixty fifth year of life (that has just passed).  Then on the next day when someone ask “How old are you?“, the answer would be “65” when in fact you have started your 66th year.

What this shows is that age is just the passage of time. You really are as young as you feel.  Except that being on Medicare is somehow disturbing…

              A PHONE CALL TO MOM

Last night I called my 90 year old Mother to see how she likes her new place.  She recently had a series of strokes that have left her without sight on her left side and as she has reminded me “I have a tendency to walk in circles”.  My brother also convinced the administration to place her phone on the right side of the bed instead of the left. (That was solved by a longer cord).

Needless to say she is in a nursing home.  One, apparently, that does not understand the meaning of an empty coffee cup…but she has maintained her sense of humor and she was amazed to find a couple staying there that looked just like her Mom and Pop, plus they had they had the same names (Fred and Madeline). 

We talked quite awhile about how she misses them and it was real spooky to see them because she was positive she had been to both of their funerals.  She was also excited about a Fiftieth wedding anniversary that she attended last weekend for her Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill.  I had accompanied her to that wedding (I was 14 at the time).

My point is that the mind is a wonderful thing.  During stressful times it will take us to a better place and happier times.  I don’t know how much longer she will be with us, but her happiness brings me hope for the future.

 

PACKING FOR ITALY

What should I take?  Well let’s start from the ground up…Shoes!  Black or Brown?  Brown would limit the evening wear, so black it is and good for walking but deep six the running shoe look.  The belt should match the shoes so the second piece of the wardrobe complete. Trousers!

Well, they need to be wash and wear so cotton is the ticket and since this is Europe, then big boy pants (not shorts) will be the order of the day.  What about color?  Basic black for evenings then blue, kaki, and beige should round out the week. I think I need five pair; one of each color plus an additional kaki. Lest we forget; socks to match the pants…

To the shirts…temperatures being modest, I believe that crew and v neck plus a couple of Polo’s should suffice.  Three short sleeves and three long sleeves should keep me comfortable. Colors should more offset the trouser than match.

Being Europe, there will be a need for a jacket; but something non-constructed and again, of cotton.  Absolutely the need of multiple pocket squares to give a splash.

Underwear; bring enough!

Well there is my shopping list. And this should leave me just enough room to cram that Armani into the suitcase. J

Hats 

This month, Kathy and I celebrate our 28th anniversary.  Being a lot of years we decided to make a week of it.  First to the Sade concert with a lead in by John Legend on Tuesday, then it is off to the Botanical Gardens for “Cocktail in the Gardens” on Thursday.  Finally we arrive on Saturday at the multiplex for the opening of Harry Potter.  (A bit of an argument broke out as to which movie to see…one of us was determined to see the new Pooh movie-guess which one) J .

 Well it seemed like a good idea to possibly dress up a little and have dinner and wine.  Here is where things got stopped.  Some of you know that I like my shoe collection and match them to my wardrobe which can and do include a Chapeau.  Well, I made the reservations and immediately the confirmation was returned. 

 The reservation thanked me and then proceeded to inform me that the dress code was “Dress Casual” (NO HATS).  NO HATS!  I tried to e-mail my distress, but they had cleverly let me know that this was and “unattended” address and “no one was there. (wonder who sent me the confirmation???Umm). 

 

I now know why style has gone out of favor…”No Hats Allowed”.  

Advise to my younger friends

 

Here a few things you should keep in mind on the winding road of life:

1.       As soon as you start your first job or business buy $250,000 of permanent life insurance and make those premiums no matter what.

2.       Save twenty percent of everything you make (the life insurance is part of this savings).

3.       When making an investment, ensure that you have twenty percent equity.

4.       Your home should never cost more than two and a half times your annual gross income.

Finally, but certainly not least……live with passion!