YESTERDAY, I...

 

did the shopping for Thanksgiving dinner first thing and was back home by 10:30 I think? Then, I finished off the stew I’d begun making the day before, whipped up some cranberry sauce, cleaned up the kitchen and decided to spend the remainder of the day on the couch with the doggies and a good book. What a lazy lazo I was yesterday. Of course, you know what that means…Hannah and Luke didn’t continue on into Chapter 7. It’s not likely they’ll return until Friday or even Saturday.

Today is house cleaning day and dressing preparation. While I won’t be joining either of my two sons and their families tomorrow, I am making the dressing for one of their turkeys. Maybe, just maybe if I go easy on the cleaning and dusting, I’ll be able to get back to Hannah and Luke…their lives are certainly far more interesting than mine own.

And, today is the 331^st post in a row for the year. That means there are only 35 to go and I will have achieved my goal of a post every day of 2020. True, some of them, like this one, haven’t been too terribly fascinating or fun, but there were some that definitely were. Here’s looking forward to more Hannah and Luke.

WATER RIGHTS, CHAPTER 6, HANNAH, LUKE AND REALITY

 

          By the time Luke urged his horse up the little incline to the waterfall and pond, he was so eager to be cold and wet and clean, he didn’t even try to be quiet. He even uttered yeehaws to get his horse to move faster. Luke and his horse burst into the small clearing in a final surge of noise that included Luke’s loud yells and the sound of his horse’s hooves. They thoroughly disturbed the peaceful silence.

          Hannah had been comfortably dozing on her towel and idly thinking about jumping into the pond again. The sun had come around enough that her shade was now in partial sun. Only her head and neck remained out of the bright light.

          At Luke’s loud arrival, she sat up, startled and slightly frightened. Then, she saw it was Luke and saw the look in his eyes. What she saw there excited her, made her want to get up and approach him. He looked like a man who’d been in a desert and just found water. He also looked sweaty and dirty.

          Luke just sat there on his horse, staring at Hannah. God, he thought, she is absolutely gorgeous. Her hair was loose for the first time since he’d met her and it cascaded down her chest, hard rosy nipples poking through the strands. When she sat up, she’d automatically assumed a cross-legged position with both knees bent and he could see the golden-red thatch of hair between her legs. He could also see skin peeking through that hair.

          Instantly, Luke’s cock was hard and he was torn about what to do. He wanted to jump off his horse and on to Hannah. He wanted to turn his horse and ride away. His ability to make a decision was taken from him by Hannah. She rose from her towel and walked toward him, pushing her tumbling hair behind her shoulders so her entire front was open and visible to him. When she reached him and his horse, she approached from the left.

          “Take your foot out of the stirrup, Luke, please.” She asked.

          Unsure, Luke did so and Hannah placed her bare left foot into it and pulled herself up so she was astride his horse facing him, her pelvis against his saddle and her legs over his. Before he could think or respond, she put her hands on his cheeks and brought his mouth to hers. Tentatively, she kissed him and that’s all it took.

          Luke put his arms around Hannah and yanked her as close to him as possible. Where her kiss had been tentative, his was not. Luke crushed her mouth, forced her lips apart and sucked on her tongue so hard, Hannah thought he was going to remove it. But it was so exciting, so wonderful, she tightened her grip and kissed him back just as hard. Later, she would wonder how they’d managed not to split each other’s lips.

          Luke’s arms pulled back and his hands went to her breasts. He rubbed and squeezed them, finally pinching and pulling on her nipples. Hannah could barely breathe and thought between Luke’s attentions and the feel of his saddle between her thighs that she would come right that second.

          Hannah leaned back over the horses neck and head, giving Luke better access to her breasts. He didn’t waste any time, kissing his way down her neck and finally nuzzling and nursing at her nipples. Hannah squirmed her bottom against the saddle and moaned, stiffened as the orgasm took her. Luke immediately stopped making love to her and the look of horror in his eyes as he looked into hers made her grin and then laugh with delight as her orgasm finished.

          “Oh my God, did I hurt you? Oh Hannah, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be touching you. We shouldn’t be doing this. Get down, get down right now. I need to leave. I have to be going.”

          Hannah smiled at Luke and put her arms back around him, laying her head on his chest just beneath his chin. “You’re not going anywhere Luke. You didn’t hurt me, you made me come. I loved it. I want more. And, you know what, you stink. Why don’t you get off this horse, strip and I’ll wash you squeaky clean in the pond? All of you.” she laughed as her hand came back around and found his hard cock inside his jeans.

          Luke tried to pull back, but a saddle didn’t allow much space for that. Her fingers rubbing against his cock only made it harder until it was almost painful. “Luke, you have to get down first. I can’t get back down until you get off the horse. It was hard enough getting up here, but I really cannot get down until you do.”

          Luke got down and Hannah held out her arms so he could help her. She made sure the entire length of her body rubbed against his as she slid down. She took the reins of his horse and led it to the tree where Onyx was standing. When she turned back around, she looked at Luke and said, “Okay, now strip.”

          Luke tried to come up with reasons and excuses, but Hannah wasn’t having any. She walked over and began to undo his belt, then his pants until his cock sprang free. She took it in her hand, squeezed and rubbed up and down it’s length. Luke thought his legs weren’t going to keep him up much longer, so he sat down. Hannah knelt in front of him and pulled his boots off, then his stinky socks and finally yanked his pants free of his legs.

          “Stand up Luke, and take off that nasty shirt.” Luke did so, thinking this all had to be some sort of dream or fantasy. He’d never pictured Hannah this way, all bossy and naked and calling the shots. He’d thought she was a virgin with no experience. Maybe he’d been wrong.

          When his shirt was off, Hannah led him to the pond and pushed him in. The cold water brought him back to reality. This was real. This was happening and he loved it.  Then Hannah joined him, her loose hair floating around the two of them like octopus arms. She’d said she was going to wash him and wash him she did. She began with his head and ended with his toes, giving his cock barely a touch and stroke. But, if she’d done more, he would have climaxed that very minute.

          “You can touch me too, Luke. I’d like that. I’d like more kisses too. I’d like to have and know it all. Can you do that for me, to me, with me?” Hannah asked. “I’ve done everything I know how to do to get you here, but I’ve never made love. I want to make love with you. You have to teach me how to do that.” She began to kiss him and rub her body against his in the water. Luke threw all his reasons why this wasn’t a good idea away and simply kissed and stroked and loved Hannah the best he knew how.

          Even though Hannah had two orgasms already, she really did want more. The sex between her legs seemed larger than ever, more needy than ever and she wasn’t sure how long she could wait before demanding Luke satisfy her, that is if he could. She loved the way his skin felt, the way his calloused hands moved over her body, stroking her breasts, rubbing between her thighs, pressing against her clit, but it wasn’t enough.

          When Hannah was about ready to scream with frustration, Luke led her to the side of the pond, climbed out, helped her out, picked her up and took her to the towel. They were both very cold, so the towel, warm from the sun felt so good. Once there, Luke began to kiss and lick and touch her all over again. She was doing the same for him, but she needed something else.

          “Please, Luke, please. I need you. I know I need you. You have to put your cock in me. Please, I’m desperate. I want you so much.” Hannah panted as she rolled her head back and forth and her body squirmed beside him.

          Luke knew it was time. He knew he wouldn’t last for long but he’d do his best. He moved over her and she automatically spread her legs as wide as possible. Her hand came down and spread her sex, opening herself totally to him. Luke trembled. He so wanted to slam himself into her, but he held back. “Hannah, look at me. Look at me.” He ordered.

          Hannah’s eyes opened and they looked at each other as they felt his cock at her entrance. Slowly he pushed and her eyes widened. He pushed further and her panting increased. Luke gave her a little more and it was then her legs came around him, her heels digging into his ass as she clamped him to her and all the way into her. Luke pulled back, she pulled him in and they did this slow dance for a few thrusts. It was on his last thrust her legs fell off him as her pelvis raised up even higher than it had been and he realized she was climaxing. That was all he needed and with one final thrust, he emptied himself into her.

          Luke tried to keep his entire weight from crushing her, but it was difficult. And then, he felt her chest tremble and raised up, thinking he was hurting her. Instead, she was laughing, giggling really and he wondered if he should be angry. Was she laughing at him? “Oh Luke,” she tried to explain between giggles. “I always laugh after I come. It always feels so good, and this was the absolute best come I’ve ever had. I’m surprised I’m not hysterical.  You feel so good inside me. I wish I could keep you there forever.”

          His cock was growing soft and soon escaped from its warm nest. Luke moved to his back and pulled Hannah into his arms. They lay there in the sun, intertwined, not talking until the sun became too hot. Hannah was the first to rise and pulled on Luke’s arm. He would have been perfectly happy just laying there and getting baked to a well-done, but he allowed her to pull him up. Together they walked to the pool and jumped in again. They kissed and touched as the cold water cooled their bodies once again.

          When they climbed out, Hannah moved the towel to a shady spot and they laid down together, arms around each other. For a while they just dozed, not talking, and then Hannah asked, “Is this why you’ve been so mean to me since the last time here at the waterfall?”

          “Actually, yes. I was attracted to you before I saw your tit fall out of your tank top. After that, it was all I could do to keep from touching you. I figured if I left you alone, didn’t spend much time with you, the feeling would subside.

“And did it, subside I mean?” Hannah asked, running the tip of her tongue over Luke’s nipple.

“Well, no, but I’m your grandpa’s hired help. You shouldn’t be fucking the hired help.”

“Fucking?” Hannah asked, raising up and staring down at him. “I thought we were making love. It was everything I imagine making love to be. You can’t just call what we did or will do fucking. Naughty Luke, naughty.” She put her head back on his shoulder.

“Will do?” Luke asked. “We can’t be doing this again. It isn’t right. I’m going to be leaving one of these days and then what. I’m just a broke-down cowboy and you need a man with potential. I’m definitely not that.”

“We’ll see, won’t we?” Hannah responded, reaching down to clasp his cock in her hand. With minimal attention, she had it growing and before long, was sitting on it, bending to kiss him, surrounding him with all that glorious hair until she straightened up, increased her rise and fall on his cock and made them both come within seconds of each other.

They spent the rest of the day at the waterfall. Hannah’s hair had become all tangled from getting in and out of the pond and Luke thoroughly enjoyed combing and brushing it until it fell straight and silky free down her body. They also managed to have intercourse a third time and Hannah was surprised to find she was a bit sore and unable to come.

Luke laughed and kissed her sex, telling her that his kiss would make it all better. Hannah stiffened when his tongue found her clit and it didn’t take long before she was coming in his mouth. When he rose up to kiss her, she could taste the both of them on his lips. It was exciting and so satisfying.

It was late and dusk was falling when they climbed into their saddles to head back to the ranch. In the barn, once the horses were cared for, they shared a long and heady kiss before heading up to the house. Gramps was still on the porch and took Hannah to task for not having dinner ready.

“I made most of what we’re having this morning when it was cool. C’mon in the house and I’ll set out the fried chicken and potato salad. I’m not heating up the baked beans though because it’s just too damned hot. You’ll have to eat them cold.”

“Why that sounds right good Han. I do think I remember thinking I smelled fried chicken this morning. Where you two been anyway.”

Luke felt himself freeze and couldn’t think of a thing to say, but Hannah didn’t have a problem. “I went to the waterfall before it got too hot. I was up there when Luke showed up and I was nice enough to share just like you taught me gramps.

“As a matter of fact, if it keeps on being this hot, I’m going to be spending a lot of afternoon up there. Maybe you’d like to come up there too gramps to get out of the heat. And, Luke, you’re always welcome.” When she said that, she looked at Luke and raised one eyebrow accompanied by a small secretive smile.

“Naw, I don’t think so. This heat feels good on these old bones and that cold water would most likely stop my heart. You young’uns just go on ahead and enjoy yourselves when you can. And, it’s nice to see you seem to be getting along better than before.”

“Yeah, we managed to work out our differences this afternoon. Really just a stupid misunderstanding. Isn’t that right Luke?” Hannah said.

Luke agreed while frantically thinking of ways he could avoid the waterfall and Hannah in the coming days. He was just going to have to come right out and ask the old man about his plans for the ranch and the water than ran through it. He felt so guilty for making love, no it was fucking Luke, just fucking, with Hannah that afternoon, he could barely eat his dinner. He’d had a knot in his stomach for a while now and today’s activities had only made it harder and bigger. Luke simply didn’t know what he was going to do, but he wouldn’t be fucking Hannah ever again.

WATER RIGHTS, CHAPTER 5, HANNAH AND LUKE FANTASIZE

          Hannah didn’t understand what had happened, but after their interaction at the waterfall pool, Luke began to be around less and less, at least around her. They still worked together when it came to taking care of the animals, but there was little in the way of talk, kidding around or anything that kept them in each other’s presence.

          Luke spent more time with gramps and that only made sense since gramps was in the process of hiring hands to help with the ranch work. He made Luke his assistant so it wasn’t necessary for him to go out onto the ranchland itself. Hannah was grateful for this because her grandpa’s strength and physical ability had suffered and gone down over the winter and spring. Luke was knowledgeable enough to undertake and execute the directions gramps provided. There were days where gramps felt well enough to climb up in the saddle and on those days, he’d ride out with Luke, but gramps never wanted to include Hannah or just ride alone with her. She was feeling very left out.

          Still, Hannah missed Luke and couldn’t understand what had changed. She went over and over their meeting at the waterfall and the only thing she could identify as something that might have changed their relationship was her boob falling out of her tank top and her being unaware. Still, it seemed as though Luke had taken a kind of dislike toward her. She didn’t like that one bit because she became even more attracted to him with each passing day. His ignoring her only made her feel more desperate for his attention.

          Hannah really hated it, but she took to following Luke around as much as possible. She attempted conversations and even attempted flirting although she didn’t actually know what that entailed. One day, just kidding around, Hannah snuck up and put her hands over Luke’s eyes. She was amazed and very hurt by his response, “Goddamn it, can’t you keep your fucking hands to yourself. And, why the fuck do you have to keep following me around all the time. I’ve got work to get done. Don’t you have any work that needs doing?”

          Hannah tried hard not to react, but could feel her eyes filling with tears as she stared at Luke’s angry face. She turned and ran as fast as she could toward the house. She didn’t stop even when she heard Luke call, “Wait, Hannah, wait, stop.”

          For the next several weeks, Hannah went back to the way she’d been when Luke first arrived. She did her chores, cooked, cleaned and worked in the small garden she’d planted, originally with Luke’s help. When he’d asked if she wanted him to assist, she politely and firmly told him no thank you. She did not look directly at him at dinner or any other time and addressed most of her talk, when she talked, to her grandfather, her voice so soft Luke was surprised the old man could hear what she said.

          At one point, Thomas said, “Seems as though you and Hannah aren’t getting along so well. What seems to be the problem?”

          Luke couldn’t, of course, tell Thomas that the problem was he wanted nothing more than to strip Hannah naked and have his way with her, so he just responded, “I’m not really sure. It’s just I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time for card games and fooling around the way we did during the winter months.”

          “Well, maybe I oughta give the two of you a day off to catch up on your games and stuff.” Thomas responded.

          “No, no need to do that. You’re paying me well to get the work done so you don’t have to work yourself into an early grave and I know Hannah is very grateful for that. It’s all fine, really.” Luke responded and then made an excuse to head for the barn, his horse and out into the ranch’s outer reaches.

          Thomas also tried to take up the subject with Hannah, but she didn’t respond any better than Luke had and eventually told him to just mind his own business, that there wasn’t anything going on between her and Luke.

          The days became not just warmer, but hot. One morning Hannah got up before dawn and completed her chores before breakfast. Once the breakfast dishes were done and her grandfather and Luke had headed out to check on the horses in the far pasture, she gathered a small lunch, towel, and other essentials, pulled Onyx out of the barn and rode out to the waterfall. Since the day was going to be the hottest one of the years, she planned to stay there until dusk. True, it would still be hot when she went home, but the main part of the day would find her wet and cool.

          At the waterfall, Hannah stripped off her hot clothes and took the band from the end of her braid. She pulled it apart and let the silken tresses flow down over her body. She knew her hair was heavy, but she’d never known it any other way because aside from small trims at the ends, she’d never actually had any of the length cut off.

          She jumped into the pool and shuddered initially because it was still quite cold. It only took a couple of minutes for the cold to become more than bearable. Using a natural shampoo because she was in water that would flow downstream to other ranches and families, she washed her hair, dunking herself a number of times and letting her hair flow downstream. It felt so good.

          Hair clean, Hannah ran her hands over her body, touching and smoothing her skin. It felt delightful when her hands slipped softly over her breasts and nipples. She wondered what it would feel like if it were Luke’s hands and immediately became aware of the sensation between her thighs. She let her hands glide down her tummy and one of them cup her sex. She pushed against herself with her hand and it felt wonderful. She decided she deserved to feel great, so she allowed herself to imagine it was Luke’s hand on her.

          Mmmm, Hannah thought, this feels so good. She’d masturbated in the past, but only in her room in her bed. Being out here in the water and thinking of Luke made the feelings more intense. She removed her hand, moved to the side of the pond and hauled herself onto one of the rocks that was partially underwater. There, she spread her legs and gave herself over to the sensations between her thighs. Soon, a couple of her fingers were inside and her thumb was rubbing on the soft and yet hard nub just above. It didn’t seem to take long and yet it seemed like forever before she began to climax. The feeling was more heightened than ever before and Hannah softly caressed herself, pulling the last small tremors forth until she lay back, gasping and laughing out loud.

          Hannah moved to the big towel she’d placed in the shade and laid down on her tummy. She rested for a bit and then sat up, pulling her big comb and brush from her knapsack. It took a bit of time to pull the comb and then the brush through the length of her hair, but she enjoyed the doing and the feeling. Finally, it was completely smooth and felt like a curtain made of silk. She laid back and arranged her hair so it flowed over her shoulders and breasts and down her tummy. She closed her eyes and dozed, enjoying the sound of the waterfall, the call of the birds and the beat of her own heart.

          While Hannah was at the waterfall satiated and cool, Luke was having one hell of a day. Because of how the ranch was situated, there weren’t many fences, but wouldn’t you just know that a number of the stupid cattle had found one he hadn’t yet checked and managed to push it over.

It took a bit of time to round up the cattle and force them back behind where the fence had been erected. Then, he had to fix a makeshift fence to keep them there while he rode to the location where spare fence posts and a shovel was located, and drag two back behind his horse while holding the shovel across his saddle. He cussed a blue streak both there and back. To make matters absolutely perfect, the fence was in full sun and it was hotter than hell.

          It seemed to take forever to get the old broken fence posts out, deepen the holes and insert the new posts. Then, he had to restring the wire. By the time he was done, he had sweated through his shirt, and even areas of his jeans. He felt dirty and dusty and miserable. And hungry, he was hungry as hell too. It had been hours since breakfast and he hadn’t brought any food with him because he was just going to be gone long enough to check on the livestock in that one small area. Finally, Luke just felt pissed off. He wanted to scream and shout and do something to alleviate all the frustration that had been building up since he’d arrived at the ranch. He wanted Hannah but couldn’t have her. He needed to know the plans for the ranch, but couldn’t get Thomas to tell him anything. He wanted and needed to leave, but Jamison was being a real son-of-a-bitch about everything, threatening to have him thrown in jail for stealing all the money he’d given Luke to date.

          Luke made it back to the ranch and found Thomas dozing in the shade on the front porch. He explained what he’d been doing for the last several hours and asked Thomas, “Where’s Hannah? Did she get you some lunch?”

          “I think she’s in her room and I wasn’t very hungry, so I just had an apple and some crackers. Don’t know if she left you any lunch out or not. I’ve just been right here since we got back from checking the horse pasture this morning.”

          “Well, I am starved and filthy. Think I’ll get me some lunch and see if I can scrub off some of this dirt and stink. You want anything Thomas?”

          Thomas asked to have his waterglass refilled which Luke was happy to do. He was even happier after he made himself a huge sandwich and gulped it down. Then, instead of a shower, he thought he’d just ride up to the waterfall. Since Hannah was in her room, it should be safe for him to go there.

          Thomas was dozing again, so Luke quietly led his horse away from the house, mounted and set off for the waterfall. He could almost feel that cold water flowing over his head, cooling both his mind and body. He couldn’t wait to get there, be alone, be clean and cool and fantasize about Hannah which he did a lot anyway. He didn’t try to make any of those fantasies become reality, but it was those thoughts that make his cock hard to the point where some times he just had to find a private place to relieve himself. He thought he’d have a fine time pleasing himself with thoughts of her and his own hand at the waterfall.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

My birthday didn’t end on Friday, but continued on into Saturday. Angie and Jackie Studioso showed up unannounced in the early afternoon. It has been their habit to decorate the outside of their homes or family homes with balloons, signs and other stuff to reflect the event that’s currently happening. What they do is amazing and I was so delighted to be included in their efforts.

I probably wouldn’t have even known they were there but I was carrying a load of laundry from the hamper to the laundry room when I came into the front hallway to see Angie walking away. I thought she’d just dropped by to leave a gift, so I opened the door and called her name. She ignored me, so I dropped the laundry and went outside to find both her and Jackie. What a surprise. I was told to go back inside until they were finished.

I did and eventually there was a knock on the window and I went outside to find what you see in the photos. They took pictures of me with my big 75 balloons, and Jackie even got one of me jumping into the air. How about that for 75, huh. There was also a small carrot cake, flowers, and a bottle of Rainier gin, with a card from AJ, Angie and Haley…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

The surprise didn’t end there, though because this morning I found they’d put balloons in the side yard in front of the living room window and a happy birthday sign on my bedroom window. I didn’t see those yesterday because I didn’t move to the living room or my bedroom until after dark.

Yesterday, I was also feeling much better and began two weeks-worth of laundry and vacuumed. I also spent hours on the phone talking to family and friends who had called and left messages wishing me a HB. So, while I may have felt like I was 95 on Friday, yesterday I felt more like 55. It was a very good day and I extend my love and appreciation to all those who helped make it so. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

NOT SUCH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

Yesterday I may have joked about turning 75, but seriously, it was absolutely no joke. If you have a birthday or special occasion coming up, I highly recommend you NOT go get the second shingles shot the day before. By the end of yesterday, I knew without a single doubt what my life could/would be like when I get really old, say 95, and it sucked!!!

First my arm really hurt, and then I was roasting but had chills, so I checked my temperature and it was slightly elevated. That was probably the reason so many of my muscles and joints hurt as well. And I think I said my head felt too large for my shoulders, so my neck hurt for most of the day too. And, I stumbled around here as though I was just learning to walk or had had way too much to drink. I didn’t fall or hurt myself in any way, but if the walker I used to have had been on hand, I might have pulled it out and used it.

Friends and family remembered it was my birthday though most of them were not aware I was feeling so crummy. My friend Hadassa who lives back east and whom I met on my February cruise was the first one to text me a HB greeting. Haley was next and sent three different birthday greetings, followed by her mother, Angie’s greeting. Kathy came by on her walk and dropped off a bottle of wine, pumpkin bread, a card and a book from her neighbor Mary. Then AJ called and sang me the HB song in his own inimitable way. Thor texted HB greetings. Ernie called to wish me HB and Claudia drove out and brought me an amaryllis and card, but didn’t come inside. Kim came down with a card and Maryanne called to say HB…she was hoping I’d answer so she didn’t have to sing to voice mail. Even my old boss, Dave, called and sang me the HB song.

So, even though I felt as though I was 95, it was still a great day with family and friends reaching out to recognize my special day. I thank you all for bringing smiles to my face when by body was miserable. And finally, I just know when I do reach 95, I’m going to go around as though I’m JUST 75 because I’ll definitely deserve it…don’t ya think.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOI

 

I managed to give myself a horrible birthday present. I received my second shingles shot yesterday and my arm is so sore I can barely sit here and type, plus my head feels way too big to be sitting on my shoulders. It’s only temporary and I didn’t have any big plans for today anyway. I think I’ll just snuggle down with my doggies and doze on the couch. What follows is what I wrote yesterday. I’m not happy with it, but it’s all I’ve got prepared.

This morning, round about 4:00 am, I turned 75 years old. Absolutely amazing as far as I’m concerned. I never ever thought about having this many years, even as they continued to multiply with each passing year. I look back at my Grandma and my mom and know that I’m in far better shape at 75 than they were when they gained that number. I believe both Grandma and mom died at 79. It’s a little sobering to think I may only have a few more years before I’m done and the oven gets turned off.

I do, however, have things going for me that they did not. Grandma used snuff and mom smoked Lucky Strike straights right until the bitter end, and the end was bitter because they took away her cigs and with them, I think, her will to go on living. I smoked once upon a time, but finally was able to stop. But I probably smoked far longer than I really should have.

I exercise and walk. Neither mom nor grandma did. When grandma fell and broke her hip, that was pretty much the end for her. I’ve had both hips replaced, and judging from the fall I took election night, I know they are holding up very well and will undoubtedly continue to do so.

Anyway, enough comparisons and thinking about how short four years really is. I should be writing about what I’ve learned over the last 75 years and/or what I’m most thankful for on this particular birthday. And, actually, the first thing that popped into my head is that there is no such word as “should.” I will or won’t, can or cannot, but according to one of the counselors I had decades ago, there is absolutely NO should. I always try to remember that, but I’m not always successful.

What I am most thankful for on this birthday is the life I’ve led up till now. I was so fortunate in my marriage to John and the life we shared. True, the last few years were horrid a lot of the time, but during those five plus decades, we shared so much. It’s the memories of those shared times and events that brings a smile to my face. Then, there’s my children, and it’s so hard to think of them as children when one is 50 and the other 40. They, too, are responsible for some of the best memories and experiences we’ve shared since their arrival in my life.

When it came to the women they married, I was very lucky there too. AJ’s wife, Angie, has been front and center for both my hip replacements and my shoulder repair. I literally could not have survived those without her help…okay, I’m sure I would have survived, but having her help made a huge difference. Thor married Amber who came with two children from previous relationships. Her daughter calls Thor Dad because he’s been her dad since she was three or younger. It seems a bit karma-ish that Thor became daddy to a little girl in the same way my daddy became my dad and almost at the same age

 And, of course the icing on the top of the family cake are my grandkids. I was there when Haley came into the world, the same way I was there for Xander. I cannot begin to describe the feeling I had as I watched the birth of my grandchildren. And then, to have them both be such a huge part of my life from the get go brought love and rewards that continue to multiply exponentially as time passes. I’m not sure if Arayli remembers her life before I came along, but she and I have shared special moments and times that bring me happy memories as well.

As for extended family, my younger brother passed away a couple of years ago, but my younger sister is still full of get-up and go and living on her own as am I. And let’s not forget the new extended family I found six years ago. I remain in close touch with younger brother in Tennessee and he keeps up me up-to-date on all the other family members. I had really hoped to visit again, but maybe next year after COVID leaves.

Then, there are my friends, the ones I talk to every week and who have always brought so much with them into my life. Their love and support was so important after John died and I’m so thankful they were there. And the friends I don’t see or talk to so often, but whenever we do connect, it’s as though no time has passed at all. Of course, it has, but we slot right into our places and enjoy each other just as if it hadn’t.

Last year I expected my birthday to be rather sad since it was the first one in almost 55 years that John hadn’t been present. It was my friends who stepped up and made sure I had a great day with lunch out, gifts, the birthday song and cards. It made the day extra special and I’m still so thankful for their efforts on my behalf. This year will be different and that’s perfectly fine. I think I’ll order out from this Mexican restaurant, maybe go to Trader Joe’s for some of those carrot cake muffins and listen to family and friends wish me a happy birthday or sing me the birthday song over the telephone.

When I sat down to write this, I wasn’t sure where I’d end up with it. I do feel as though it should be full of wisdomey nuggets, sage advice, ideas for making your/my life better, but I don’t think that’s happening. I think I’m just rambling from one topic to another, but it’s what’s in my head and coming out my fingers. I did think about doing a bullet point list of everything I’m grateful for, but decided no one really wants to read a list of stuff. In fact, I don’t want to get bogged down making a list and leaving off something that might be really important.

Actually, to be perfectly honest, I’m just not feeling it, the writing I mean. My head feels as though it’s stuffed with cotton which isn’t allowing those fabled thoughts of mine to surface or my wonderful humor to bring any delighted laughter forth. I find myself wondering and being slightly concerned about this. Does turning 75 cause some of your brain cells to be replaced with cotton? Am I suddenly going to fall asleep just sitting on the couch? Is my inability to remember shit going to increase? Did I tell you I don’t remember cleaning out the dishwasher last night. I swear the doggies or the cat had to have done it. Ah well, as long as it’s not something really important like where I live, I’m sure I’ll be just fine.

Still, it’s sobering to think about how little time may be ahead of me. My financial advisor projects my life to 94, and it would be great to make that number and go beyond provided I don’t end up in a wheelchair in a hallway somewhere drooling on my shirt. That is a goal to which I have no intention attaining.

I wish I could think of some way to end this that would leave both you and I laughing…I think I’m closer to tears than the laughter. I guess at this point in my life, all I can do is work hard to remain independent, catch and enjoy whatever wonders come my way, live in the day I’m actually experiencing instead of trying to cross bridges I haven’t reached (am I mixing my metaphors?), and be grateful I've had so much for so long while hoping it continues to 94 and beyond.

So, altogether now:          Happy birthday to me

                                         Happy birthday to me

                                         Happy birthday dearest moi

                                         Happy birthday to me.

Thank you all for the great birthday wishes!!!!

NOPE, NADA, ZIP

 

No chapter about Luke and Hannah today. I didn’t get any writing done yesterday. As a matter of fact, I’m writing this now, 12 minutes after my posts usually go public. And, the way she looks on your left is the way I'm actually feeling.

Seriously, I don’t know about any of you, but the current COVID business is scaring me more now than at any other time since it all began. I saw that one person a minute is positive or that might have been that one person a minute dies. I just know whichever one, I was shocked. And the fact that loser in the White House refuses to share the information President Elect Biden needs so he can be ready to assume control come January 20, makes me so angry, I feel as though I could practically storm the White House and slap that asshole silly. I’m also sure I’m not the only one that feels this way.

In any case, we are approaching the end of the year. Thanksgiving next week and then Christmas and New Years right after that. Thankfully, more than one pharmaceutical company is trumpeting news that a vaccine will soon be available. As soon as it is, I’ll be on the line to let them jab my shoulder.

I haven’t walked in almost two weeks now. Kathy took last week off because her knee was acting up. Me, I’ve just been lazy this week. I’m going to try to walk today and wear my new Land’s End red coat. It arrived yesterday and I think it’s probably not really cold enough to wear today, but I just might do it anyway and get all sweaty.

Luke and Hanna may not return until Saturday. I’ve high hopes the next chapter will move them closer to where I need them to go. Meanwhile, stay healthy, stay safe and have a good day.