83 isn't much different than 82 - at least so far

If anyone cares, I can now assure them that today doesn't feel any different than yesterday when I was a mere 82-years-old. In fact, when I'm sitting down I don't feel a whole lot different than I did when the four generations photo was snapped in the summer of 1928. I was wearing something stylish, as was my mother in her flapper outfit. The rather formidable pair standing behind were my grandmother, Margaret Lynch, and my great grandmother, Julia Burke.
While the latter two look like the end could be coming at any moment, my grandmother lived another 40 years and Julia Burke, a typical Irish matriarch who ruled with an iron fist, was around until 1947. She lived through the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War and both World Wars. My grandmother was born on the day of Custer's Last Stand. She went to work full-time in a shoe factory when she was 13. They were quite a pair, those old Irish women.
Had a phone call today from my oldest friend, now a resident of a senior complex in California. We met in 1937. Also received a great book from Peter Puhl in Germany. It's mostly photos from the time when I was stationed there in 1945 and early 1946.
Jackie decorated some cans of nuts with things clipped from catalogs - things she apparently believes fit my personality. "I didn't say it was YOUR FAULT, I said I was going to BLAME YOU." Stuff like that, and this: "I'm not stubborn. My way is just better." And "I USED TO CARE, but I take a pill for that now."
She also fixed up a card from all the little critters that have lived with us, but now are just memories. One from Sophie, our current resident hamster, too. To be honest about it, Sophie didn't seem too impressed about my birthday. She was rolling around in her plastic ball and wouldn't even come to me when I called the way she usually does. The last line on her card read, "Got any treats?" That was typical.
So despite doing everything the medics say I shouldn't and few of the things they say I should, I've made if farther than I had any right to. That's just the way it goes.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com

Love those old pictures. Your mom sure was good looking.
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch
"With every adversity there is a benefit."

Dick, here's hoping the rest of your 'special' day is grand.

Life just kindof sneaks up on us, and ages change, but we stay still young at heart. Some days I am only 12!! Besides, age is only a number!

Your photo is priceless, and I really like your Mother's outfit. Irish ladies did seem stern and strong back then, didn't they? At least the ones I've heard anything about.

Jackie has a fine sense of humor!
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Your mom is sooooo pretty!!!
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~ JoElle ~
http://www.joellemartin.com

Love your short pants Dick, and your mom looks like a real delight.
I wonder if your grandmothers beleived the old adage that a photo was for recording purposes (smiles not required). That certainly seems to have been the way those folks took pictures. There are lots of Irish immigrants around here, and I've heard it told that in the old days dancing a jig was also done with a stoic face - not the bouncing curls and smiles that the girls put on today. I think that it may hav had something to do with the way they made bras and girdles in those days; I've just not been able to prove it.
pirate

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

(my kid, my grandkid (Joey), my dad, me)

I thought it would be fun to share Joey's "four generation" photo.
Maybe 82 years from now Joey will be showing this to his online buddy's.
Wonder what they will say about our digital photos in the future?
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~ JoElle ~
http://www.joellemartin.com

They will say, "gee, your mother sure was pretty."
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch
"With every adversity there is a benefit."

Abe said it all.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com

JoElle the guys said it right...and I'll add "gee, your son is sure tall!"
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Dick, I think that the senior discount should be doubled once one reaches a certain age. Then maybe, it would at least seem a little different at one point. Smile

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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Good point, Zada. The problem is, the older I get, the less I want.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com

Never really thought about that Dick, but it is true. And sadly to say, that covers the spectrum.

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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch
"With every adversity there is a benefit."

My mom just says "I'm not really older than you--I just got here a bit before you did."

Profound woman...

Elfie... love the family picture!!
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Southern fiction with a madhatter twist...
www.rhettdevane.com