We quite often refer to ourselves as creatures of habit, and many of those wild and wonderful habits have been developed and practiced at a very early age. Although we are constantly striving to adjust ourselves to changing lifestyles, some of our well-worn habits are hard to break, and we automatically or stubbornly carry them on for many years.
Just for fun I made a list of some of my ongoing habits, many of which I am sure are also yours; and a few, whether we want to admit it or not, we still carry on in secret because they are completely off the wall.
*I still eat all my veggies before the meat and potatoes, I cover most everything in gravy, and my all time favourite snacks are still cheese and crackers and something with peanut butter.
*Although it is totally grey, I refuse to shave off the beard I have had for 40 years, I still believe that sideburns are in, and I comb my eyebrows.
*In order to remember I make notes for everything; on the fridge, on the calendar, taped to my desk, in my wallet, in my car; but now as I get older I tend to forget more, even where I left the notes.
*Some of my common questions are very aggravating to others; including: Did you see the THING I brought home from work? Where did you put my tie? What did you say we were having for dinner? The usual rather abrupt answers are: What THING are you talking about? It’s likely buried under your underwear. Leftovers from the huge dinner you just devoured.
*When going to functions or appointments I always have to be the first one there and the last one to leave. Also before we go or leave anywhere I have to run to the bathroom first.
*When shopping I pick up what I’m not supposed to at the store, and somehow manage to forget the really important things like bread, milk and toilet paper.
*I always have to be surrounded by newspapers and magazines no matter where I am; and I love to horde such old treasures as ball gloves, Playboy calendars, runners, shoes, and clothes; which don’t fit any more and are likely antiques?
*I wear white socks with black pants, running shoes with dress pants, and have one of those clip-on-ties for fancy functions.
*I can’t sit still for more than 10 minutes, but I fall asleep on the couch watching television, and then ask how the story ended. I also still believe in opening doors for people, no matter what their age, and as an old boy scout we used to help them across the street or carry their groceries inside.
*As a total sports fanatic I will do anything to catch the game scores, including sneaking into the second television or radio room between commercials, phoning a buddy who I know is watching, or faking a bathroom break to catch the action in the lounge.
*I love old movies and songs, sing opera in the shower, and try to dance and perform the way I used to at sock hops a half a century ago. One of my greatest thrills is playing old games like monopoly, snap, dominoes, snakes and ladders, and Chinese checkers with my grandchildren; but I still hate to lose.
*I am quite afraid of computers, cooking, and irons; but I have become a master at vacuums, dishwashers, dusting, and disappearing or procrastinating on the phone when there is another job to be done.
*I always thought you had to try to be friends with and impress everyone, but it took me quite a few years to find out the hard way that you don’t. It is far more important to treasure and respect family values and old friendships, no matter how far we may be apart.
*I still think that it is okay to cry during sad movies or when we lose someone who was close; and a warm handshake or a hug can send a special message that lasts for a lifetime.
*As a nature lover I would rather let a bug go free than squish it, and I get very upset when people try to scam or take advantage of others.
*I have always respected seniors and history, and while I am really proud to have now become a young senior citizen, I also enjoy writing about the good old days and those great pioneers and characters that built our heritage.
So let’s always continue to enjoy our old habits, which on many occasions assist us to get through each and every day just a little bit easier, while maybe even looking somewhat organized. Of course there may be those who might get a wee bit agitated at times by some of our actions, but I hope by now that they have learned to enjoy us just how we are, while never ever taking us for granted.
I certainly won’t insist that you enjoy the spring showers, because enough is enough; and I hope that you have a dry and warm week, all of you.