Storytime Friday: Taking A Lok Back On Life

            I had a blast yesterday hanging out with my mom, something I don’t get to do often enough. It was awesome. Was the first time all term I have really been able to relax and cut loose. As well as getting to think about some good memories. And today’s story is about relaxing and looking back on the past. So without further ado on with the show.

Prompt:

A Look Back On Life

            It was a nice summer morning when Charlie walked out his door in Bay View and sat on his porch across from the Quick Mart. Kids were riding their bikes, the sun was shining, and you could even hear birds singing. Plus there was the smell of fresh cut grass in the air, a smell Charlie always enjoyed. He set his coffee down on the table next to his wooden rocking chair and just looked out over the neighborhood he had known for 30 years now. He had been there a long time and seen a lot of things and people come and go. Some things had changed and some had stayed the same.

            But at 66 you don’t often realize what you have left behind you on the road of life. Charlie was rocking in his chair as he realized just this exact thing. Sure he had made a great living as a writer and been able to buy this house. But along the way he had lost touch with high school friends and even friends from college. And some friends he had just lost from disagreements and miscommunication that he wished he could go back and fix now. He sighed realizing all the wounds he had left in his wake. Wondering if maybe he couldn’t fix them online still. After all he had gotten pretty proficient with a computer over his lifetime.

            And as he was thinking about that he remembered all the good memories he had with friends over long distances from college, and high school that he had been able to reconnect with. Plus the ones he had met along his path that he stayed in contact with to this day.  As well as how he kept in touch with his family both by phone and computer. It made him smile knowing that he had at least done some good in life too.

            He also realized he was starting to get too old to take care of his garden much longer. He was thinking of having one or two of the local kids help him with that. He’d pay them three fold. One in money, two in vegetables and fruit, and three with the knowledge of being able to do this on their own someday. He smiled nodding as he thought about it. Then he thought again how he might be retired but he could still pass on his knowledge as a writer to others younger than himself. He was too old to teach he figured but he could do a lecture here and there.

            He just chuckled wondering what he was thinking about since he was supposed to be enjoying retirement not getting back into the game.  But he supposed he was never one to enjoy sitting on his butt and doing nothing. As he watched the sun go down slowly he though tomorrow is a new beginning and I will try to remember the wounds I have caused. As well as share the knowledge I have with a new generation. He picked up his long finished coffee and headed inside for dinner.

            I hope you enjoyed today’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Feel free to leave comments below about your own look backs on your lives or on what you think retirement will be like for you. For now I am going to get another cup of coffee and do some homework. *Tips his hat and walks out the door heading for the study.*

Thursday Throwback: Going To The Movies

            I know the post is extremely late but I was out today spending time with my mom. It was a great day today. Got to hang out with her at her house for a bit and commune with nature. We did a standup routine on the way to dinner. And talked in between. It was just a really great day. I didn’t make it to the movies yet but the month is young and I still have time for that as well. Sometimes things just come up and I would much rather make it to the Portland Art Museum tomorrow when it is free then have to worry about whether I can get in or not. Albeit I am a little sore tonight, but hoping I will be feeling better in the morning.  We’ll see what happens. But as I was typing about going to the movies yesterday I was flooded with memories of all the times I went to the movies.

            So I figured it would back a great topic for today. The first time I remember ever going to the movies was my grandparents taking me to see The Land Before Time. I had popcorn and everything. I was mesmerized by the dinosaurs and even cried during it. I was a big dinosaur fan back then and still am.  Ever since then I have been in love with the theater experience. The next movie I remember seeing in the theater was the Spice Girls’ movie went I was like ten or so. I got taken to a dinner and movie place by my stepmother for that one and I had a pretty good time. Though I still prefer the classic movie experience over all. I also remember a handful of times my mom and my friends went down to the Nickelodeon here where you paid a buck per movie and saw some movies but can’t remember which movies.

            But one memory that sticks out in my mind is the first time I was allowed to go to the movies without a chaperone with a friend. It was a 9:30 PM showing of Mortal Kombat. I went with my friend Albert and we had the whole theater to ourselves it was awesome. It was like a Siskel & Ebert moment of sorts. It empowered me greatly as well. I don’t remember much about the movies when I went with my girlfriends in middle school and high school I was too busy making out in the back in the shadows like a typical hormone driven boy. Though I do remember the first movie my friends took me to after Maria broke up with me the final time, it was American Pie. I laughed through the whole thing even as I was depressed still, and feeling like a third wheel. It wasn’t their fault they did their best to make me feel included. I just felt so broken at that point was all.

            Then I started going back to the movies after I had gotten my disability and found my love for them once more especially with The Harry Potter movies. I also enjoyed The Hobbit moves among others. I’ve been trying to make it a regular thing lately to try and get to the movies. Just because I enjoy it so much and there are so many good movies out there. I may eventually try my hand at reviewing movies here as well. For now feel free to leave your comments about your favorite theater experiences or even favorite movies. For now I am off to get a midnight snack before the sun comes up and I have to get working on tomorrow’s column. *Tips his hat and walks out the door heading for the kitchen.*

Wednesday In The Library: Magazines Or Books

            I actually slept last night for the first time in a long time. It might have only been for five hours, but it was still good to go to sleep in the dark and wake up in the light. I’m feeling very energized this morning. And looking forward to a day out and about. Planning to go see Jurassic World today. I’ve seen the previous three movies so I figure why miss this one and I want to see the new Terminator movie as well at some point. Another series I have seen all the movies in. Plus I will actually get breakfast this morning as well. I might even go out to lunch as well I am feeling so good. Will be taking the computer with me as well in case I have time to kill and I want to work on my writing since I will be near the library as well. Already looked at my next class and set up for it. Feeling like I can walk out of it with a B or better as well too.  Still have to wait a little while before I can go out and rock the town though. For those that don’t know me very well this is one of my good days, my really good days. When I have them on these particular days I take advantage of them. And today I get to sport my new writer shirt so expect pictures on Facebook later.

            And I will be taking my Kindle with me so I have something to read on the bus when not talking to people. Though some people have a debate going over which is better magazines or books. Personally I like both since they each have their own unique feel. Sometimes I am in the mood for one and sometimes I am in the mood for the other. Sometimes I want to get lost in a nice big story spanning many, many pages. Other times I want to read a short story or a short article on a topic. It just depends on what my taste is at the moment. I respect those that have a preference for one over the other, which is fine you know what you like. The important thing is that you are reading and expanding your mind. Though I encourage everyone to try and pick up something that challenges your preference every once in a while to challenge your boundaries. You might find something you like when you do.

            I’m not saying do it all the time just once in a while here and there. It will keep you on your toes. It can even be in the same vein as what you read in your own preference if it helps. For those for prefer books there are magazines covering every genre and every sort of topic. And for those into magazines there are books of every genre with stories about almost anything you can think of as well as stories being created about new things every day. With both magazines and books I have taken at least hundreds of journeys around the world and through time and space as well as to worlds that have only existed in the minds of writers and readers. And I consider that a privilege. One I enjoy every day I get the chance to. I try to make time to read every day. Even if for just an hour or two. If I could I would make it a family affair. I think in the future as my dad gets older I will be reading to him at some point.

            For now I have to start getting ready to go out and about. Feel free to leave comments below about what you like better magazines or books, and what types. And do try to make reading a time a family affair when you can. I know it is hard to do in this day and age but it is important. For now I need more coffee and a good hot shower. *Tips his hat and walks out the door headed for the showers.*