In a pensive mood

 Ever hear the story about a guy who smoked all his life, drank heavily, never worked out, yet lived to be in his 90s?

How about the opposite?

I am in a pensive mood, a bit sad, definitely worried. Let me explain:

For the last several years, where I do my cross guarding, a gentleman has passed by my corner EVERY morning, rain or shine, snow or cold. Exact same age as I am - 72. 

He always stopped to have a chat with me before the swarm of kids came along. We got to know each other quite well even though we never took our friendship beyond the corner.

His name is Jim. Widowed, owns a home near my corner. He has never smoked. He doesn't drink. At all. Plus he walks an hour EVERY day whatever the weather. He is in great shape for his age. I have often quibbed that I wish I was in as great a shape as he is. 

Just before Christmas he told me he was having dizzy spells but was reluctant to see a doctor or go to emerg.

Since Christmas (we get two weeks off over the Christmas/New Year break) I had not seen him in the morning but we have had a lot of snow and ice and treacherous walking conditions. 

Monday morning, his neighbor stopped by - she occasionally walks by my corner as well - and informed me that Jim had had a major stroke. Speechless, numb all up and down his left side. Likely will never be going back home. 

How does THIS happen to a non-smoker, non-drinker, fit guy? While I, who am a bit overweight and still drink liberally, keep getting amazing report cards when I go for a checkup?

How is it that I have in my life known smokers and drinkers and who are sedentary, who live to be quite old?

Biology? Luck? Genes? Other lifestyle factors?

Now I am thinking there is no point in lowering my alcohol consumption or getting more active. When the time comes, the time comes.

Makes me pensive just thinking about it. 

Pensive: sad thoughtfulness




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Invite list - authors on here please take note.

@Stardust4U:disqus @ellabulldog:disqus @disqus_acdYWH93ek:disqus @jamie_bobini:disqus @KidChaos_74656:disqus @JPBunny:disqus  @SvdH:disqus @suzieseller:disqus @disqus_rFxGwbDGog:disqus  @KipSmithers:disqus   @dntkch:disqus  @Cats_Paw:disqus @disqus_vDsBtBJWlh:disqus @homebuilding23:disqus @brmckay:disqus @Thundersrealm:disqus @jnfrcrpic:disqus  @disqus_fAOjGxR18w:disqus  @WolfieOne:disqus  @disqus_6cAA5VxMRr:disqus @e_monster:disqus @Avantiman:disqus   @jaegirl:disqus  @disqus_cVSBvWF8Zb:disqus @disqus_1Jjgee5bqr:disqus @guymendez:disqus @Alexthekay:disqus @strontidog:disqus @larrymotuz:disqus  @disqus_fR0TSz3rla:disqus  @disqus_8lLmVOvJaT:disqus  @pwod:disqus  @disqus_mkwzdumS7o:disqus @FunGussy:disqus  @imperatormachinarum:disqus @lantanalane:disqus  @unclepatrick:disqus @cmogruder:disqus 
Read more

The MonoRacer 130E Fully Enclosed Motorcycle Aims to Redefine Personal Mobility

Image
The MonoRacer 130E Fully Enclosed Motorcycle Aims to Redefine Personal Mobility Elena Gorgan The idea of making something that would be halfway between a bicycle or motorcycle and a car is not new; after all, the advantages of such a vehicle would be many for a large segment of the market. In the Czech Republic, inventor, fabricator and full-time pilot Arnold Wagner has been making one such vehicle since the late ‘80s. Since 2009, with a new partner, he launched the  PERAVES CZ  company, and they’ve been putting out these cabin-motorcycles dubbed MonoRacer since then. They probably haven’t sold more than a couple of hundred of them (90 of which were made before the 2009 partnership), but that could change as early as this month. As it turns out, PERAVES CZ has made an electric version of the MonoRacer, called the MonoRacer 130E, and it is now in the process of receiving EU-certification. The MonoRacer 130E is an electric motorcycle with a fully enclosed cabi...
Read more

Is this a joke?

Image
 I would like to ask any of my Canadian friends what they think of Trudeau's response to the impending tariffs imposed on Canada by Trump. I mean, I hope most Canadians would be MORE outraged than to simply suggest......... to forgo Florida orange juice and Kentucky bourbon He said: “It might mean checking the labels at the supermarket and picking Canadian made products. It might mean opting for Canadian rye over  Kentucky  bourbon  , or forgoing  Florida  orange juice altogether. “It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.” https://www.newsbreak.com/the-independent-517119/3787648131075-trudeau-tells-canadians-to-forgo-florida-orange-juice-and-kentucky-bourbon-after-trump-s-aggressive-tariff Is this a joke? (I guess I will have to forgo Jack Daniels and I am sure that Trump will reverse the tariffs based...
Read more