Once upon a time two old people lived in an old house on a street of many old houses. The old house was not a fine house or even a good house, it was just a house with some cracks in the ceiling, with windows that had stood too many tests of time against driving rains and high winds and dust storms and now suffered warped panes and rain rot and looked out upon the world in a state of dilapidation. The once stately doors crinkled and squeaked and one had the impression they could hardly stand upright. The roof's shingles curled at the edges and some were missing and the outside paint resembled not paint at all but thousands of tiny brown leaves stuck on its walls to hide its embarrassment. Inside the old couple greatly resembled the house where they had lived so long. They both used canes which they used to tap their way around the house, arising early they tapped their way to the kitchen, there to make the morning coffee and a solitary piece of toast for each. For many years they had eaten oatmeal with their toast and in the years of plenty they often had a strip or two of bacon to supplement their breakfast but that was long ago for the years of plenty never came around anymore. Now they were simply old grand-parents. But it was a day of joy for word had come to them that their son and daughter-in-law and two grand children were coming for a visit. It had been a whole year. My, how the grand children must have grown, they said to each other in their excitement and anticipation. They changed the linen on the guest room bed and tided up the bathroom and placed a glass and bottled water on the vanity for convenience and a vase of flowers from their garden on the dresser and dusted and cleaned, their canes tapping happily all bout the house as preparations were made for the coming guests. At last the appointed time arrived and their children and grand children pulled up in their driveway. They tapped their way out onto the porch to greet the new arrivals. It was indeed a happy reunion. Grandmother, after shopping for the anticipated visit, prepared an evening meal of fried chicken, green beans, scalloped potatoes, yeast rolls and iced tea. And in the oven, two homemade chocolate pies. Grandfather thought this a scrumptious meal and wished guests would come around more often so grandmother would have cause to prepare such a meal. They all sat around the dinner table in their pleasant faces and with their gentle voices and talked of meals past and recalled memories of growing up in this place. Now these times have become memories. The old house is silent. The grandparents don’t live here anymore. They have moved off life’s stage, first one, then the other, ancestors now, on their long, silent march into history.
That chocolate pie does look good. Thank you for the story, it is so important that memories are told and saved for the generations to follow so that they know their history. We all need to know the past so we will greet the future better.
Thank you for the story Bill. I do miss your style of writing. Your writings remind me of when stories could hold my attention, and make me steal as much time as I could so that I could find out what came next. I like the way you take a touchy part of life, and render it the everyday happening that it is. Are you still currently writing? I hope so, it's a talent I wish I could emulate.
Sadly for too many old people those happy moments don't happen any more. Especially not where I live, because many families are spread all over the world with children rarely making a return visit to the place of their birth. And as technology advances, things will probably continue to get worse.
Ina, I wrote this next one last night while I was watching Letterman. But no, I haven't written anything meaningful in a long time, but occasionally I still try. I suppose it's fair to say I'm getting too old to do anything worthwhile. I guess my mojo has fled, seeking out a younger mind.
We only lose our "mojo" when we let it escape. I write fun but useless stories, Grandma Moses painted in her 80's. "Too old to do anything worthwhile?????" Bull! I don't buy it!
@Bill Boggs, I have been reading your writings for a year and a half now, and I, like Richard, do not think your time is over. I wonder just how much depression is contributing to your writer's block. I think you could put your style of writing toward today's situations, and forge some very interesting stories. I also think your subtle sense of humor such come out more. Some, and even you might not see your humor right now, but I've caught glimpses of it. So please don't think your expressive abilities are over. They might just need a little or short change.
I think that when we do not feel our best physically, then we can't think as well either, and I also lose motivation to even try and do things. The other side of that coin , is that if we give up and don't try because we can't do what we used to be able to do; then pretty soon (or at least eventually), we won't even be able to do the things we can do right now. It frustrates me that I can't do the things that I used to do, and still want to do in my mind; but I know that if I give up, and don't do what I can, I will lose even this much of life. So, I am determined to do everything that I am able to do , for as long as I can, and try my best to be grateful for what I still can do. There are always people worse off. So what if I need to use the shopping cart as a walker when I go to Walmart, at least I can still GO to Walmart ! I think that the same thing is true of our brain. We need to exercise it, and find things to interest ourselves. For me, Youtube is my "fount of all knowledge". You can find videos on there about literally everything. I watch videos about the solar system, how the ancients built the pyramids, how to sprout a mango seed; and how solar roadways could change our highways. You name it, you can find it there, (and write about it). One thing that is supposed to help with depression, is niacin. I take it because it opens up the blood vessels and capillaries, and my memory is better, and I can function better. There is a post about niacin in the health sub-forum if anyone else is interested in looking into this supplement.
Bill, I have read a little of your blog and you do have a good style, Personally I think your grasp on politics suck, but life goes on! Don't give up on yourself, man!
A famous son of this state where I live once said, "Never miss a good opportunity to shut up." I've been looking for an opportunity do use his advise. I think the time is now. Cheers.
@Bill Boggs I can't find your question re: what is wrong with my politics. The answer is absolutely nothing. I was trying to goad you into writing!
Hi Richard, I removed the Question. It was late and I didn't want a misunderstanding, so ended it. Besides I thought I might find a way to ask you what in the Sam Hill are you doing in Thailand. I don't have much of a sense of humor. Most often I'm as serious as a heart attack. It goes something like this: "I had a good time once; it was terrible." I was out tonight. We've had storms and flooding. Didn't think we were going to get home.