You can’t help getting older, but you
don’t have to get old.
-
George Burns
It is early evening. It
feels much later because it has been dark a long time. Nightfall arrives by
5:00 p.m., and even on warm days as darkness descends the bleakness chills.
I am watching TV and working
on my computer, multi-tasking. On a small table next to me rests a fresh cup of
coffee and my dinner – a piece of chocolate mousse cake.
Decadent. Delicious.
Calorie-laden. Loaded with non-nutritious no-no’s.
![]() |
A picture...just in case some of my diet-conscious, strong will-powered friends forgot what a great dining experience looks like! |
The backstory…
Hub and I went out to lunch
today. It is Restaurant Week in a nearby town. The meal cost $11.07 (plus
tax). The three-course spread included soup or salad, entrée, and dessert.
I started with salad, a
generous mix of greens, onions, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. My entrée
followed, two crab cakes with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables.
The food was delicious and
proportions ample. Often restaurant lunches comprise smaller portions of dinner
plates. There was no skimping on our lunch, with more food than we could
consume.
Dessert would have to wait.
Since it was paid for, I felt obligated to accept it. The waitress prepared my
slice of cake for take out.
Fast-forward a few hours. I
was still full with no appetite for dinner, but that piece of chocolate mousse cake
hanging out in the refrigerator was calling my name.
I could not resist.
I have little willpower.
I blame retirement for my
dilemma. This gastronomic catastrophe would not have happened while working,
when there was little time for an extended, decadent lunch.
Life changes…
There are few pressing
deadlines in my life since crossing over to the flexible lifestyle of the
retiree. I participate in work (part time, flex time, my time nowadays!),
volunteer and other activities because I want to, listening to my body and heeding
the fact that my energy level is finite.
If I miss an exercise class,
I attend another scheduled throughout the day. I can be at the gym one morning
for a 7:00 a.m. class, and another morning sleep late.
On the other hand there are no good excuses for not
exercising…
I can stay up late and watch
a movie or read a book and not feel the ill effects the next day, dragging
myself through a workday. I simply sleep a bit longer the following morning.
I can patronize stores,
restaurants, museums and theaters during the week, avoiding holiday and weekend
crowds.
I can take vacation whenever
the travel bug hits, avoiding crowds and traffic and taking advantage of off-season
and other special rates.
Of course there are disadvantages…
Age creeps up, insidious,
suddenly screaming “Gotcha!” and as a result we end up at a doctor’s office.
The dark is not a friend of
the aging. Once darkness descends – outdoors or indoors, day or night - it is
difficult to remain conscious for any length of time. My eyes grow heavy, my
body slumps, concentration declines. I attended an art appreciation class last
year, scheduled in early afternoon. Each session involved a series of slides
with commentary. As hard as I tried, I found my head drooping and eyes closing.
I forced myself to pop my head up and stay awake. I gave up and did not sign up
for the class this year.
Night driving can be
difficult on aging eyes…hearing often deteriorates…and hearing deficiency can lead to brain shrinkage…our ability to smell and discern between smells weakens…taste and/or eating problems may occur due to
illness or dental problems…medical issues and appointments can dictate our
lives…
Enough of the negative.
I am going to concentrate on
the positive aspects of life at a mature age.
It is time to live in the
moment and enjoy my dinner, coffee and a slice of
decadent, delicious, calorie-laden, loaded with non-nutritious no-no’s,
chocolate mousse cake.
And not feel guilty.
Life is good…
Age is not lost youth but a new stage
of opportunity and strength.
-
Betty Friedan
Best justification ever.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect retirement day! We are also in our first year of retirement, and I agree..the freedom to sleep in a little, to be more lax with schedules for..everything-- is just delightful!! From travel to exercise class to .. whatever! Is so awesome to come and go as we please after so many years of towing the line..
ReplyDeleteI also get sleepy when it gets dark early.. I went to bed early last night and so I was up at 5:30 this morning! i don't mind..I'd rather go to bed early and savor those very early morning hours..watching the sun rise..the deer and elk come by for breakfast--
Retirement= good!!!!!!
I like to tell people that now that I am not working, I work out on a daily basis. Exercise class, walking, and hiking are definitely wonderful ways to keep one's body fit. But that cake! I must say I felt I could taste it virtually from that picture. Wonder if I gained weight from staring at it so intently :-)
ReplyDeleteJust so you know ... last night I ate a piece of chocolate cake that looked just like yours. And then I had a black forest cupcake! (But I went to the gym yesterday afternoon. That makes it okay, doesn't it?)
ReplyDeleteToday your blog has become a place for cake lovers . This week, I too ate a chocolate mousse eclair (at night for my supper) that came with my tuna sandwich purchased at the Heidelberg Deli. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it, I say. And don't waste energy feeling guilty, either.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Betty Friedan. And with you. Eating well is the best revenge.
ReplyDeleteRetirement is delicious, and you describe it so well. Ah, but now I am craving a piece of cake!
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks fabulous! I'm remembering a hot malasada (fried Portuguese donut) I ate yesterday from a roadside place. Tomorrow I'll walk on the beach for a great distance!
ReplyDeleteCame over from Toms' blog and really enjoyed your post. Sounds like a similar life to mine:)
ReplyDeleteGood to hear there are some places that actually serve 'real peoples' meals at senior prices. I'll admit to eating uneaten lunch dessert for dinner and uneaten dinner dessert for lunch the next day as well!
Take care
Cathy