EARLY START

FIT4LESS 

Awake @3:30am with pain due to PMR; went to gym @ 5:00 to loosen a bit. Not too helpful but was amazed that upon arrival I was the only occupant and no staff and no one came in during the hour.

TENSIONS ON THE RISE

In this current pandemic with its polemic

We don’t all agree

You’ll see

Some are delirious because it’s so serious

Life is no picnic

So sick

Imagine the majority for whom disease is distant

Fortunate their strong bodies seem to be disease resistant

We hope that’s true

Health officials try to keep us safe

Laying down restrictions for the senior to the waif

It is nothing new

Covid’s not going away

It’s clever

Variants are here to stay

Forever

The population is divided not knowing whom to trust

Conspiracists and skeptics fill others with disgust

The problems grow

Demonstrations show

The disease is airborne and vaccines are barely born

We’re all supposed to be shot but many people are not

Tensions on the rise

No surprise

Debates run strong, about personal rights and choice

For what goes into our bodies do we not have a voice

Or must government decide?

An immense divide.

So we legislate vaccination passports, put wardens at the gate,

Creating a two-tiered society while generating hate

Proprietors with broad shoulders stopping none passport holders

The human cost is great

We’ll come out of this and we’ll be well again sometime

Look back at several years of sickness that we had one time

Loved ones lost, relationships damaged, opportunities vanished

Some candid medical professionals banished

And so much more

For sure.

© Ron Unruh, September 20, 2021

THE WAY I’M COUNTING 80

I celebrated my 79th birthday Sept 13th. I am living to get the most out of my 80th year. The PGA inspired me with the slogan, ‘Your best golf is ahead of you.’ On the last day of our Men’s’ League I shot my best score of the year. I’m taking that further.

I’ll manage my health, fit my clothes better, buy shorter belts, spring spontaneous pleasurable dinners on Christine, taste new international flavours. Christine will know she is the classiest and most attractive woman that I know. In a winsome manner I’ll pass on wisdom to my five youthful grandchildren. I’ll give all I can to others: time, surprises, kindness, gifts, help, coziness, encouragement and joy. I purpose to look enthusiastically with the sight that remains and to listen eagerly as long as I can.

I’ll deepen my faith, sweep sadness from my room. My bucket list will shorten, i.e. become an approved member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Assemble and publish a book of poetry. Complete a family history book. Paint 25 oil paintings and sell half of them. Watercolour, print, package and market a series of golf course post cards and sell them quickly. Synonyms of More and Best are my operative words. Maybe my life can yet be my best work of art.

I THINK OF MY DAD

4:30 AM. I hear an alarm. False. Just a dream. Stiff & sore. Up anyway. I’ll walk now. Shorts & sweatshirt & cap on. Lee Child novel in hand. I walk, outside. To Horton’s. Prefer other coffee. But. It’s nearby. No pedestrians anywhere, no cars. It’s quiet. I walk softly. Nike, soft soles. I think of my Dad. Loved Horton’s. Walked daily. Loved walking. Could hear him walk. Hard leather shoes. Didn’t own sneakers. Surprise! Horton’s is not open yet. Dad - Gone so long. Not earthbound since 2008. What a man! Died @ age 93. Observant, rational, unselfish, always. What a man! Gr.11 grad. 45 yrs on a furnace assembly line. Raised three sons for something better. Never raised his voice. Mom predeceased him in death by 6 months. He lost her years earlier to dementia. Wouldn’t let her go. Until he had to. Loved her always. 66 yrs. Legacy.