Things I just can't do (well) anymore (o;

[ikor]

I'm a year older than Hog Shooter and still training Police Recruits. The current bunch makes me wish I could still run with them dogs again. Fine kids, and they'll make fine cops too. Full of 'it' like we were, but they'll learn. At some point I think we have to admit to ourselves that we have become the 'tribal elders' that once mentored us, and I reckon that is how it should be.

But damn, I do miss dumping that Canine on the ground and hunting bad guys!

 

[galena]

Horse jumped out from under me a couple weeks ago (wasn't paying attention like I should have been), it took me a heck of a lot longer to get up off the ground than it used to. Stiff and sore and a unique shade of purple for awhile. I'm going to have to start looking for an older horse with real short legs. I will hit 68 in July. Keep shootin' and check 6.

 

[pinduck]

I just turned 78 this past Feb, and as so many of you have said I do a lot of things more slowly than I use to do. However I have an 8 year old Grandson that is learning to fish and shoot with me now and it is a Ball!
Glen

 

[cass]

Turned 67 in Feb. Physically, I can do almost anything I want or need to do - my problem is mental. I have played tournament chess since high school and college - won more than my share of tough tournaments. Now, I cannot play higher than beginner level. It's impossible to plan ahead and establish a game plan - it's just act/react, like checkers. Chess, without the ability to concentrate isn't fun, and a very important part of my past life is gone.

 

[Oldiron]

Used to tell folks when they would try to get me to do something that we go through phases. When we are young you do stuff and don't think about it. Get a little older you know it will hurt a little but you do it anyway. Finally you get to the point that you look at something, know it will hurt and find something else to do.
Get the left knee replaced the 1st of next month, which will be my 63rd birthday month. Not looking forward to it but as one of the table holders behind me at the AGCA show last month told me , get it done, it is so good to not have the knee hurt all the time. I believe him.
Larry
P.S. All you guys talking about your memory, I don't know of anything I have forgot.

 

[DWFAN]

I'll be turning 65 soon. My brain doesn't feel like it but the body does sometimes. I really don't mind getting old. I raised so much hell when I was younger I feel lucky to have all my parts never mind being alive. I know my limitations and very seldom push my luck. I hate paying the price when I do. My job keeps my mind sharp and my body doesn't complain to much. I guess I'm pretty lucky.
DW

 

[Bert Man]

Just made 65 a few months back and in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. Can still do a day's work like I could 20 years ago but the next day usually feel like I'm 90. Not quite over the hill yet but I can see the other side and it ain't pretty. Yes, a lot of things have slowed down so have to work smarter. As Eastwood said, "a man needs to know his limitations." I think the secret to aging gracefully is keeping the mind young. Growing older is mandatory. Growing old is optional.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

My heart goes out to all you "Young One`s" out there.If I make it till Aug.1st., I will be 80. Have not had an ideal life; one wife divorced me and the other passed away on me just a few years ago,but I can still get out of bed in the morning(If I wake up in the morning) and I still have my guns and a few shooting buddies. try to make it out to the range most weekends.;I learned from one of the old boys who used to be at the gun club most every weekend that your are not out of it until you think you are. He had to give up at 92,but he also taught me that "If you can`t do it well,then learn to enjoy doing it poorly".So with any luck,I still have about 12 years left...

 

[John Eilertson]

The older you get the better you were, the quicker you hurt and the slower you heal...

 

[Maddog 521]

I'll get to 66 in July. My wife and I have a trip planned to Biloxi MS. in May. We planned to ride the Harley there. I am having second thoughts about that. I am concerned about rain and foul weather. I really wonder if she and I can make one more trip on the "Geezer Glide". It's only about 2000 round trip. I still have 2 weeks to make the decision. If it were just me I'd go. Two up is a different story.

 

[JcMack]

When I whistle at young girls they laugh and tell me I'm losing air.

I'm 65, when I see a pretty girl I think about the "maintenance cost on that".
The ladies all call me "sweety or honey" so I guess I still got it.
I wish I could see well without glasses.
I wish I could still yell "get off the grass" as loud as in the past.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

56 here and just getting started! Only thing that bothers me is the young girls keep calling me cute and saying that I remind them of their fathers-or in a few cases their grandfathers

 

[wbraswell]

Went out yesterday and did a little yard work. Used the push mower for about 40 min. and picked up small branches for about 20 min. Today I feel like I was in a car wreck. Or maybe I'm just an old sissy now.

 

[CA357]

62+ here and I am now making the same groaning noises my father did. That's telling me something. I think..

 

[blujax01]

I used to be able to knock out jobs like this in a day. I had a new driveway poured last month and needed a retaining wall which I decided to do myself. There's a 32" height difference between the sidewalk and the top of the driveway so it's an 8 layer terrace.
I picked up the blocks (60) Thursday after work - which wore me out. No work Thursday night...
I trenched (mattock) lay and leveled into the gravel/clay (sledge hammer) 30 blocks Friday after work (which wore me out more) then finished Saturday (with the help of a handful of Aleve) - in 45 degrees and drizzly rain.
I came up 12 blocks shy (of a full load) which I need and still need to get a scoop of top soil to back fill it today.
I'd rather have a root canal than crawl this 57-year-old body down into it again but I have to finish it.

As was said above: Getting Old Ain't For Sissies!"

*creak - groan* Ohhh, my achin' back!

 

[LazyKB]

Turned 60 last August. I don't climb as far or as fast as I use to. I find I hunt closer to the road or trail to avoid a long drag. Had to come to grips with the thought I would never pack an elk out of the mountains. But hey, I am still out there doing what I can do. My 65 year old bird hunting buddy and I still traipse the mountains after grouse. We just don't start as early or stay as late as we did before, and it helps that the dog is as old as we are.

I went fishing last Thursday. Some how while putting a crappie on the stringer I managed to let my best rod and reel slip over the side of the boat. Depth finder said the water was six feet. I figured I could strip, dive down and find it. I got necked, eased over the side, where everything shrank up to the size of a pop bottle, and made my first dive. Man what a chore! I could only muster three attempts. It was just too hard. I managed to haul my honky white shinning butt back into the jon boat. I was pretty pissed at losing that rod but managed to snag it with a jigging spoon about an hour later. You have to learn to improvise.

 

[LazyKB]

On a more serious note, I don't go to the gym anymore. Weights are too hard on my joints. Instead I walk. I'll do a five miler once or twice a week, if I feel like it, and I'll do a couple of two or three milers in between.

One thing I started a year and a half ago which seems to help (now don't laugh until you try it) is yoga. I try to go to class twice a week. I think it helps with the flexibility and maybe the balance. I know when I go AWOL during deer season I don't feel as good as when I am going to class regularly.

 

[GKC]

I am 61 now...and my dad is 91, and in much better shape than I am! He still goes to the gym three days a week (although it is more about drinking coffee with some old cronies than it is about exercising.)

The changes I have noticed are more hair (on my ears) and my arms are shrinking (I have to hold things out farther than ever to read them.) My pants are getting too long...unfortunately, something else isn't.

I used to be able to sleep all night without getting up to pee...now, I have to pee during the middle of the night. Problem is, I still don't wake up until morning.

 

[viceunit]

Beach Elvis' post reminded me of this George Burns story I heard once and have no idea if it is true.

I friend of Burns saw him at a restaurant and stopped to talk. The friend noticed George salting his food and asked, "What does your doctor think of using all that salt, and your cigar smoking?" Burns reportedly replied, "I don't know, my doctor is dead."

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I will be 67 in May.

The only thing that I do as well as 20 years ago is eat and drink adult beverages.

I find that I now prefer the 624 over the 629. When I reload magnums, I put in a little less powder now. I find that I prefer to shoot sitting down.

I may be getting older, but I refuse to grow up. Just ask my wife.

Next weekend, I am going to visit my brother Charlie. We will be doing what we still do as well as we did 20 years ago.