Sometimes, but not often:

(Posted by Ron)

Well, I let the 25 random things virus infect me.  You may notice that mine are much shorter than Gayle’s (and those of just about everyone else on Facebook.)  To answer the question above, if I don’t have conference calls to deal with I can usually give change on those 1,000 words.  Anyone need some extras?  So, here are my 25.  Short and sweet.

1.    I’m 66 years old and still not retired.
2.    I have no idea what I would do if I were retired.
3.    I don’t remember how those years passed so quickly.
4.    I’m listening to Gayle swear at the WII.
5.    I got Crocs house shoes for Christmas and hardly ever take them off.
6.    Until recently I had more than 600 science fiction books that I had been collecting since I was 13.  I donated them to the local library.
7.    I have the two cutest dogs in the world.
8.    I have 4 kids and 12 and ½ grandchildren.  Doing my part for global warming.
9.    I love being able to work at home.
10.    I wish it were as easy to lose weight as it was to gain it.  And as enjoyable.
11.    I want to live in Paris and soon.  Then retirement will make sense.
12.    I still cannot keep a hula hoop up (WII comment)
13.    I used to be a Republican but after Ronnie Reagan I just couldn’t stand them any more.  I’m now a moderate Democrat.
14.    I love to just get in my car and drive.  Sometimes for days with no particular destination in mind.
15.    I get cold very easily.  Even here in Texas.
16.    If I had to choose another city in which to live it would be Pittsburgh.
17.    I have four older siblings, all of whom are very active.
18.    I miss Discover.
19.    As the clothing line says, Life Is Good.
20.    I hate making lists.
21.    I now have 5 computers, three of which I use fairly consistently.
22.    If Kate Winslett comes to the door and wants me to leave with her I am immediately retired and out of here.
23.    I love to build things.  Storage buildings, shelves, decks, etc and I am not for hire.
24.    I would love to go fishing with dad just one more time.
25.    I would love to pilot my plane one more time.

So, don’t let the virus get to you, unless you want to use some of my extra words.

Eat, Drink, Take Pictures, and Decorate!

(Posted by Gayle)

The Lambert Jr.’s have been here most of the week.  We’ve had so much fun.  The Thanksgiving spread was yummy.  When the kids weren’t keeping us running, the new Wii was a belly laughing blast.  I dare anyone to cross my path.  I’ve discovered I’m a wicked boxer!  The tree is up and the Christmas lights are lit.

We spent an afternoon at the Arboretum having family pics clicked.  Just wanted to share a few shots.  Click on any of them to see a larger image (click a second time to super size them.)

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot

Get the scoop, the whole scoop, and nothing but the scoop!

(Posted by Ron & Gayle)

We were recently interviewed by the relentlessly awesome Dixie Feldman who writes a blog for WETV.Com.  We’ll be sharing the interview in its entirety over the next few weeks.  Enjoy!

What are the benefits and challenges to a M-D marriage?

Gayle: For me one of the best benefits is grandchildren without having had to give birth or raise a pack of teenagers!   I know the family issues can be a challenge, but once you work through them there are just so many benefits.  Our holidays are insane with 4 married children and 12 grandchildren.  We never get to see them enough and that’s a challenge.  But there is never a lack of love and that’s a major benefit.  Let’s not forget that whole great sex thing!  An older man can set the bar pretty darn high.  So the challenge might be that you are ruined for future lovers.  I guess you could always take that knowledge with you, find a younger man, and mentor him – thus leaving the world in better shape than when you found it!

Ron: I’ve mentioned several already.  Their sexual relationship can be both a benefit or a challenge depending upon the age and/or health of the older partner.   Finances can also be a benefit or a challenge.  Many older men are already established in their careers and are financially secure.  On the other hand, many are coming out of divorces that have significantly damaged their financial stability and it may carry over into the new relationship.  Other benefits are the maturity of the older man.  His interest in being an active partner.  His ability to listen better than many younger men.  Challenges are the social stigma that is sometimes attached to these relationships.  Also, the potential for health issues with the older male as the marriage progresses.  Family issues are also often a problem.  Children and parents are sometimes very much against the relationship.

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I have no idea, but it made sense to Earnest, my alter ego, when he wrote this post in his blog:

(Posted by Ron)

Every now and then I like to bring in a post that was originally written by Earnest.  I try to pick the ones that actually fit the May-December subject.  Earnest’s reference to Andy Rooney in this and other of his posts fits the December aspect of our blog.  One of my few nods to aging is that my actions sometimes remind me of Andy Rooney.  As I’ve gotten older I believe I have gotten even more opinionated – or at least more willing to express them.  Here’s Earnest’s post.

I made this note one night when I was watching Letterman. I no longer remember the connection to Dave but that doesn’t matter. Did you know that Cracker Jacks were first sold at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago’s first world fair, in 1893. Now, that statistic comes from the Cracker Jack website so it must be right. It wasn’t really marketed and trademarked as Cracker Jacks until 1896.

Did you know (sorry Elliot) that Cracker Jacks were immortalized in 1908 when Jack Norworth wrote the lyrics to “Take Me Out To The Ballgame?” Of course you all know the phrase “buy me some popcorn and Cracker Jacks” in that song.

Even I’m not old enough to remember when these things happened (I’ve heard John McCain may be, though.) Here’s what I do remember – OK, this is going to be an Andy Rooney moment.

When I was a kid Cracker Jacks came in a tightly sealed and waxed box. I can remember how difficult it was to tear through that waxed paper without a knife. Teeth just slid across the wax. The seal on the bottom of the box, where the toy was hidden, was even worse but the toy was worth the work to retrieve it. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Cracker Jacks, but the toys back then were the best (whatever they were.)

So, why is this going to be an Andy Rooney moment? Simple. Those marvelous toys of the past are gone. What do you get now? Something made out of paper. They aren’t toys, they are throwaways. I still eat Cracker Jacks but I surely don’t eat as many as when I was a kid. What’s the point? They are only candied popcorn and peanuts. Where are the toys of old (whatever they were?) What’s more, Cracker Jacks now come in bags! Where’s the challenge to opening them?

More of the scoop, the whole scoop, and nothing but the scoop!

(Posted by Ron & Gayle)

We were recently interviewed by the relentlessly awesome Dixie Feldman who writes a blog for WETV.Com.  We’ll be sharing the interview in its entirety over the next few weeks.  Enjoy!

Any red flags she should look out for?

Gayle: Maturity, maturity, maturity.  It’s never a great idea to try a long term relationship with someone who is immature for his age.  If you are 30 and he is 50, let’s hope you aren’t compatible just because he never grew up and acts much younger than he really is.  A bad boy might be fun for a few nights, but seriously you won’t enjoy it when his buddies or golf game are more important than you.  As for those younger men, well I’d want to know that he was over being “mama’s boy” and that he could support himself with or without me.  Come to think of it those last two items are good rules of thumb no matter what his age!

Ron: She should be aware of why he is divorced, if in fact he is.  Regardless of their ages it’s a good idea to know something about a potential partner’s previous marital history just in case there are some relationship problems that might carry into their life.  Why is he with her?  Is it because he loves her or is it for his ego.  Although it doesn’t seem to be as prevalent as society believes, there are trophy wives.  She doesn’t want to be one.  Does he have financial or addiction problems that will make their relationship difficult, at best?  If she wants a family she should have some idea of his feelings about that before getting into the relationship too deeply.

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