Know What Bugs Me? Aging

Know what Bugs me? Aging. 

Have you ever looked in the mirror and saw someone else looking back at you, an older, tired version? I have and that bugs me. It also brings about thoughts of setting aside an entire year for the myriad treatments and surgeries I’d need to look twenty-something again.  

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In my fantasies, I focus on my face first, my upper and lower lids, the bags under my eyes, the skin that’s sagging around my lower face, and my double chin. I’d need collagen injections for the wrinkles around my mouth and Botox for the wrinkles between my eyes, and while I’m at it, why not get the implants to restore the apples of my cheeks, and one for my chin to make it a little more prominent.

But with a younger-looking face, I’d need to do something about areas of cellulite and the skin flapping under my arms? Long gone are the days of wearing tank tops that show off smooth, well-toned arms. These days I head straight for the long sleeve tops in the store or maybe three-quarter length in summer. But who knows what they could do if given a year.

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I guess after that I’d be ready for my tummy tuck. A flat belly and trimmer waist would be nice, say a waistline no greater than twenty-four inches. Of course with a tiny waist I’d need a breast lift, varicose vein surgery and liposuction for my thighs. 

Next would be my hands, the prominent veins and brown spots. And what about my wrinkly toes? Would glycolic peals help? Okay, I’m on board.

After a year of cosmetic surgery and treatments, my mouth might stretch wider across my face. And my eyebrows, nearly to my hairline by then, would be raised in a perpetual surprised look. But the skin will be tight, shiny tight, no more wrinkles or drooping skin.  

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I guess the only problem with looking twenty-something again is that I’d look younger than every one of my children. I’d have to insist they stop calling me Mama and use a modern name, maybe Jessica or Ashley. The grandkids? Not too sure what to do about them. They really like calling me Grandmama and they might slip up in public.                                                     

Maybe I’ll rethink this year-long body renewal because to be honest, I probably need to work on spiritual renewal more. Oh well, there was a time when I had flawless skin, a tiny waist and everything was where it should be. Where’s that photo album?

Share with me what bugs you about the aging process.

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                                                                        Linda Sawyer

Our Dance

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Daniel polished the “Auld Lang Syne” record with a soft, worn cloth. Bonnie, his lovely wife of nearly fifty years sashayed in, ready for their New Year’s Eve dance. Long before midnight, they would’ve danced, sealed the New Year with a kiss, and gone to bed.

Bonnie’s pink chiffon gown sparkled with sequins. Daniel smiled. His eyebrows rose. “New fragrance?”

“Spicy Woman."

She touched the lapel of his black suit, fingered his red tie.  “A bit risqué.”

He grinned.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Daniel peered through the peep-hole. Alexis, their granddaughter, waved. She held baby Emma in her arms. “What on earth?” Daniel said and opened the door.

Alexis stepped inside, her platform shoes clicking on the marble. Her voluptuous bosom spilled over the top of her little black dress. “Granny, Gramps, I need a huge favor. Our babysitter is sick. Please, could you keep Emma?”

Emma beamed at her great grandparents, clearly happy to be there.

Daniel said, “Uh, honey, we’d love to, but…,”

----“You rock,” she said, handing Emma to Bonnie. “See you first thing in the morning.” She threw Emma a kiss, waved goodbye, and hurried down the steps.

            As she drove off, they saw Smacker across the street.  

            “Quick, close the door,” Bonnie said. “I can’t handle him tonight.”

            “Till-y, Till-y?” Smacker wore a purple ball gown, a scruffy military jacket over it. He lifted the gown’s hem and leaped onto their porch. His neon pink fingernails glowed under the fluorescent light.

            Daniel gave Bonnie a sorrowful look.

            “Got a smoke?” Smacker said, popping his wad of gum.

            “I thought you quit,” Daniel said, guarding the entrance.

            Smacker shook his head. “Seen Tilly? She’s disappeared again.

“Emma!” Smacker said, reaching to tickle her belly. She squealed with delight. Bonnie grinned broadly, caught up in the moment.

“Well, goodnight,” Daniel said attempting to close the door.

Smacker sidestepped him and trailed Bonnie into the kitchen. She warmed the bottle and began feeding Emma, whose gaze followed their visitor.

Smacker hovered close and blew a fist-sized bubble with his chewing gum. Emma studied it and drew back, eyes wide when it popped.

Daniel stood in the doorway listening while Smacker rattled on incessantly. Bonnie eyed the clock. It was 10:20. Her eyes connected with Daniel’s. Our dance.

“Got anything to eat?” Smacker said.

“Now look here,” Daniel said, sharpness in his voice.

“Popcorn?”

“How long since Tilly went missing?” Bonnie asked.

Smacker paused, thinking. “Right. Better go, she’s probably outside my door waiting.”

After he left, Daniel and Bonnie shook their heads and sighed.

By 10:45, Emma was asleep. Bonnie placed her in the cradle near their bed, yawned, and hurried back to Daniel. His shoulders drooped a bit now. The turntable spun, needle poised above. “My dear,” he said drawing her near, “you’re beautiful.”

Just as she laid her head on Daniel’s shoulder, the house went dark. “Auld Lang Syne” droned to a stop. “Daniel?”

“I’ll get a flashlight,” he said, his voice filled with frustration.

Bonnie listened as he probed through a drawer, items shuffling about. “Found one,” he said, but no light beamed across the room. “The batteries are dead.”

“Hall closet,” Bonnie called out, “third shelf.” She heard Daniel patting the shelves, searching.

“Found them, be right there.” Something toppled and crashed to the floor.

“Daniel?”

“Sorry, the box fell.” He dropped to his knees, batteries of all sizes rolling about. He located four D sized batteries, loaded them into the flashlight, and whispered a prayer for success. Click. There was light.

Just as suddenly as they’d gone off, the lights came back on.

“It figures,” Bonnie said.

The music started up and Daniel reached for Bonnie. “Uh, hold on,” she said and raced to the bathroom.

Daniel lifted his arm and glared at his watch- 11:05.

Bonnie washed her hands and studied her reflection in the mirror. Ugh. Those deep wrinkles. She powdered her nose, ran a brush through her hair, and trudged into the living room at 11:15, her mascara smeared.

Daniel, his tie now loosened, restarted the record. “May I have this dance?”

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot…?”

The phone rang. Daniel jerked the needle off the record. “What now?”

“Hello?” Bonnie said.

“Mother, I know it’s late there, but I had to tell you.”

“What is it dear?” Bonnie said, concern in her voice.

“Randy just called from work. He’s getting a huge bonus, and we want to fly you and Dad here to Hawaii to celebrate your fiftieth wedding anniversary.”

Daniel came up alongside Bonnie and whispered, “Who is it?”

“Get on the other phone, Dear, Marybeth has a wonderful surprise for us.”

The three chatted on until nearly midnight. When they hung up, firecrackers popped outside the window. Bonnie said, “We’re too excited to sleep. Why not slip on our jackets and step outside?”

Neighbors congregated on the cul-de-sac awaiting the park’s fireworks display. Children played tag, adults talked and laughed, and Smacker lifted Tilly and waved her paw. A neighbor grabbed chairs for Daniel and Bonnie.

The park’s first display shot into the sky, crackled, and burst into red streams. Children paused and watched beams spiral outward like shooting stars, popping and changing colors. Fountains of gold and purple burst into the night sky. A live 3D show of blue and silver explosions jetted toward them.  

When it ended, everyone clapped. “Good show!” Bonnie raved.

The crowd began dispersing. Daniel rose and offered Bonnie a hand. “Goodnight, everyone.”

Emma was still sound asleep, a thumb in her mouth. Bonnie draped a blanket over her. She undressed and climbed into bed close to Daniel. “We never got our dance this year.”

“Hmm.”

“Daniel?”

“Uh huh.”

“Life with you is my dance.”

His squeezed her hand. “Me too, my love, me too.”  

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Linda Sawyer 

 

 

Short Story: The Delinquents

Let’s snag ‘em,” Frankie says.

Jasper looks at him. “Again? What if he sees us?” The two sit in the shadow of the pier, watching the man make his way to the ocean. An ice chest swings from his hand. He looks over his shoulder as if he’s heard them.

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Travel: Dream More - Part 2

When James and I spent a weekend celebrating his birthday at Dolly Parton's Dream More Resort in May, we found natural beauty, relaxation and many surprises. Last month on this blog we ventured inside the hotel. This month we take a look at the resort grounds, 100 acres of beauty and serenity. Sitting on the front grounds of the resort is a fountain with a different message on the four sides. Dream more. Learn more. Be more. Care more.

In the evenings, the crisp mountain air and the sound of the flowing water are soothing as we watch the fountain change to four different colors. 

 We discover this all natural butterfly which actually attracts the smaller version. 

A butterfly flits from one lily to the next. 

The Swimming Hole is popular in late afternoon when families start returning from the park. We didn't expect a lifeguard on duty, but it has one. There's an indoor pool as well. 

There are a couple of fire pits where families gather on chilly evenings.

The pastoral setting seems to be all ours this morning while most of the guests are off the property.

We sit and take in the quiet and beauty.

It's like being hundreds of miles from civilization. 

We're surprised at the number of fountains. 

This one overflows its walls and meanders toward the pool.

Here's something we didn't know. When Dolly visits the area she stays in her RV. It's parked behind the hotel within these gates.

And when do you ever see a deluxe playground and a set up for two corn hole games at a hotel?

About this time somebody rings the dinner bell and we head toward the scrumptious aroma of grilled meat. 

The barn is a gathering place for food and music. Today they're grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. There's also smoked barbecue and fixings. 

After lunch we head back to Dollywood for our free day. Guests who purchase park tickets go the next day free, and as early as you like both days. We haven't been to the park every season, but the fall decorations and the winter lights festival are outstanding. 

The Christmas decorations are especially beautiful and last through January first.

Dolly Parton had dreams. She's still dreaming. When the fires burned over a thousand homes in Sevier County, TN during the November 2016 fires, the Dollywood Foundation donated $1,000 a month for six months to permanent residents who lost their homes. Then with the last payment came a surprise: an additional $5,000 to each affected family. What are your dreams? Do you wonder, what could I accomplish? How could I make a difference in the world? How can I make my dreams come true? 

As we leave Dream More and head for home, I notice her farewell message and think about the song with the same title, her greatest in my opinion. A little love, a strong determination, faithfully praying each day and our dreams can come true too. I really believe it!

Tell me about your experiences at Dream More.