This picture is indeed a repeat. It appeared last November in a post about my first decade of retirement. It is now being used for my birthday. I’m celebrating my seventy-third birthday today in the middle of a pandemic and a statewide stay-at-home order. That is not, however, why I’m reusing the picture. As soon as I made the image, I knew it would be perfect for my next birthday post. Sure, I took the picture with retirement in mind, but once the text was added it became a birthday image. I went ahead and used it in the retirement post because I didn’t have time to think of and produce anything else. Here is where it belongs.
The aforementioned pandemic and the changes it’s brought make me aware of other privileges I have besides growing old. In normal times, having a fixed income is often seen as a negative. Any unexpected expense can be a disaster and the slow creep of inflation can be a major problem over time. But, when restaurants and other businesses are being closed, new layoffs are announced almost daily, and most of the self-employed are left with nothing coming in at all, a fixed income doesn’t sound so bad.
I’ve been living alone for more than twenty years, and I’ve become quite used to it. Quite happy with it, too. Social distancing is easy, and I don’t have to worry about anyone but me contaminating that teetering stack of books on my table. I’m not officially responsible for anyone else. Please don’t read that as a disclaimer intended to shirk responsibility. It’s an observation that there is no one is depending on me for shelter or meals. I do keep an eye on my 94-year-old stepmother but she’s remarkably independent and well prepared with wonderful neighbors who make sure she doesn’t run out of anything. I usually see her every week or two, but when I suggested coming to visit last weekend, she talked me out of it.
Each of my three kids fits the model of what I think about when describing someone being responsible for someone else. Each has a family that they shelter and feed and — with schools closed — educate. I was never a particularly good parent but all three are self-sufficient and caring and I’m pretty happy with that.
I had planned to be in the middle of a short road trip right now, and celebrating my birthday with dinner at the historic Century Inn in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, but the inn is about 250 miles away and only doing carry out anyway. As that affects me personally, it seems to be among the first worldliest of first world problems. It means that the only National Road mile marker I’ll see today is the one on my mantle. I’ve not often done carry out during this quasi-quarantine, but I probably will today. Maybe something from the steakhouse across the street.
Yeah, I’m privileged. Not so much for being old as for growing old. I’ve often said, in reference to road trips, that I enjoy getting there more than being there. I guess life’s kind of like that too. I think I’ll just grow older for a while.
ADDENDUM 5-Apr-2020: In the end, I did not go to the nearby steakhouse. I decided if I was going to venture out, it would be for something special — and local. The steakhouse is a chain and Montgomery Inn, while being a long way from a mom-and-pop restaurant, is independent and locally owned. I did a drive-by for my favorite ribs & shrimp combo and even helped my dwindling beer stash with a six-pack of Ted’s Red (brewed by Mount Carmel).
Happy Birthday Denny and look forward to seeing you out there again on the historic Jefferson Highway
Thanks, Roger. I’m very much looking forward to some Jefferson Highway miles.
Happy Birthday, Denny. I’m celebrating it with Moerlein Third Wave IPA. Looking forward to a return to Cincinnati when we achieve “a return to normalcy.”
Thanks, Perry. Good choice. I’m definitely looking forward to the day I (we) can enjoy some of the local taprooms again.
Hi, Denny,
Sorry you are aging in place rather than on the road. We are doing the same in Sarasota just off Tamiami Trail. Don’t know when we will hit the road for Cincinnati with this virus on the rage. We were definitely going to Mason City in June, but that seems likely to be postponed at the moment. Better to stay in Ohio until this mess is over. Maybe we’ an see you there this summer. Happy Birthday! Stay safe there now.
An uncle who winters near Lake Alfred Florida has already extended his stay by a month and will probably do more. Staying safe is key.
I’ve registered for Mason City but think you may be right about its cancelation. The Lincoln Highway conference scheduled a couple of weeks later was just postponed a year so the JH conference seems a likely victim.
Love this story Denny and the picture is perfect.
Hopefully the world will get back to normal soon and you can get on the road again xoxo
Happy Birthday – Kathryn and Mike
I’d sure like to be on the road right now, but as I wrote, I’m affected less by this whole thing than many. Thanks and be safe.
Hi Denny, Lulu here. Your first paragraphs could have been written by me. I worked in a rest for 40 years. If I was still working? I would have been up a creek. I too, am now on a fixed income where everyone else is concerned about money. I love to travel as well. I am envious that you can do it. I need to start following your journal on a regular basis.
Big hugs from Lulu. Be safe and happy trails! 👍😘😍🤪
My thoughts are very much with service workers and entertainers who have lost their income suddenly and completely and really are up that creek up mentioned.
Good to hear from you. Hug ya back.
Happy Birthday. I’ll be 69 in a month and a half.
Sure never thought I’d be living through something like this when I was writing about the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918-1919 in my Cooter’s History blog.
Here’s hoping this does not get to be an annual thing, but we should be more ready for it next time. We’re going out to get food from local places 2-3 times a week to help support them and tipping well.
I called Ramona at the Munger-Moss last week and she is doing well. She is not renting rooms right now, but still has her weekly renters, so at least some money is coming in.
The June Illinois Route 66 Association Motor Tour has been cancelled.
No NTN For You!! –Don
Reeling in the years is a good thing.
We seem to be operating similarly. 2 or 3 curbside pickups a week plus I’m doing grocery pickup to avoid going into the store. I saw that about the Munger-Moss and I know others, like the Blue Swallow, are doing the same. This year’s Lincoln Highway conference has been canceled and I kind of expect the Jefferson Highway will be. NTN’s kind of over here. There are only a couple in Cincinnati and they’re not very close.
Have a fun and safe birthday.
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