et1
Member
Posts: 120
Location: Ontario Canada
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Post by et1 on Jul 13, 2014 9:09:59 GMT -5
This conditional changing is unavoidable and sometimes welcomed. What can also contribute to changes is past memories that surface especially fond memories. Here we often want to recapture moments of delight. Example is a dish my mom used to prepare in my early years of pheasant hunting that for some reason I desire to now bring back. Today we often cook and eat a bird of our choosing such as chicken and then simply discard the meatless bones thinking that’s it. Mom being from the old country (Romania) and raised on a farm really knew how to prepare home cooked meals. Often the almost meatless carcasses along with an array of vegetables were boiled to produce a stock. From this drained stock a few additional spices were added along with egg noodles to produce one fantastic tasting soup.
Another area I hope to include is smoking some food to enhance and enrich the flavoring.
One of my favorite treats is jerky and put together a recipe to my liking as well as not over drying the meat.
Another area now becoming stronger for me is gardening for fresh vegetables. As an example there is nothing like a fresh tomato off the vine as compared to this greenhouse stuff bought at the store that’s almost flavorless. This too has become an adventure this year.
My good friend whom I gardened with passed a way this December and while talking to his widow who is also a good friend asked if I would help keep the gardening activity alive sort of a carryover legacy. I was a little reluctant at first but then agreed to it. There is a funny short story to go with this. When the widow and I planned what we were going to grow it was originally decided 40-tomato plants would be an ideal number and enough for others to enjoy. When I arrived one Saturday morning to help plant there were 80-tomato plants and additional grape/cherry tomato plants as well. Talk about the surprise look on my face and when the widow saw this she just returned a big mischievous smile that caused us both to laugh. The plants are progressing beautifully with an expected bumper crop that could exceed over 1000 tomatoes.
The other day when I was weeding, suckering and removing the lower leave branches the widow came out to have a chat and comment on the bumper crop. As patiently as a crafty vulture I waited for the big question to be uttered but it didn’t come. If she had said “What am I going to do with all these tomatoes” I would have responded if there were only 40-plants I know enough people that would enjoy some of the extras, chuckle. Who knows that opportunity for the response may yet surface.
I guess what I’m also expressing is that even if life is shortening for me I intend to live it to its fullest instead of sitting around for the end to arrive as I’ve seen many do.
People that know me know I hate being late for anything but the one exception would be being late for my own funeral.
Ed
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Post by krwada on Jul 13, 2014 10:37:14 GMT -5
Another great story. Thanks for sharing this and all the stories with our community ET1.
Yes, you are quite correct. Too often, during the bustle of daily living, we tend to forget that our time here is limited.
This is one of the main reasons why I decided to spring for a new mill, and start making custom firearms for myself.
If not now ... when? Then ... before you know it ... a bunch of years have passed by.
That is the way of it no?
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et1
Member
Posts: 120
Location: Ontario Canada
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Post by et1 on Jul 13, 2014 13:06:30 GMT -5
Krwada
I definitely agree with what you said.
My wakeup call to mortally really occurred in my 57th year. One night after some delightful activity I began experiencing heartburn that just wouldn’t quit. Finally went to the hospital to see if I could get something for it. Keep in mind I have never had heartburn in my life until this night. Blood and blood pressure test was done to see if the culprit of the heartburn could be found. When results came back I was told I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, I was diabetic and the culprit for my heartburn was a heart attack.
I had trouble accepting the last one because I didn’t experience any chest pain or any other symptom associated with a heart attack. No incapacitation or feelings of passing out was also not experienced. For a brief moment I just couldn’t believe that I had a heart attack. Now what really got my attention is that such a lesser heart attack is usually a prelude to a major one within 72-hrs. Okay I stayed at the hospital for 3-days with constant sleep depredation from constant blood and blood testing and monitoring of blood sugar around the clock. Finally I couldn’t hack this any longer and signed myself out. Heck it felt like they were killing me.
Oral medication took care of the above issues and follow up testing of my heart showed no signs of muscle damage, Thank God. We all know we have a limited life span and when such a profound event occurs it gives us a real reality check. Attitude and outlook on life totally changes instantly. The focus on your life changes immensely and now concerns itself more on each and every day you have to enjoy. Opportunities that you would sometimes shelf for a later date now become a priority to complete.
I don’t fear death coming but now don’t want to miss an opportunity to enjoy more of my remaining life on this earth.
Ed
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457 
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Jul 13, 2014 14:16:37 GMT -5
Gentlemen: you are way too young to be talking like that! And yes I am aware we are mortal. I got a mountain bike when I was 69 and ride almost every day as I can't run(never could). Admittedly turning 60 was the worst year for me but I seem to have survived. Ed sorry about the heart issue, I have lung issues which I won't dwell on and I work every day. Enjoy what you have, your dog, your garden, and hunting trips and forget the rest. Ken I envy your mill,when I quit the metal fabrication bussiness I left behind a lathe and small radial drill press/mill, I could knitting needle myself for that mistake. Hope to have a similar conversation with you in 10 yrs.
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et1
Member
Posts: 120
Location: Ontario Canada
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Post by et1 on Jul 14, 2014 6:55:47 GMT -5
Bob
I don’t dwell on death but don’t ignore it either because it is real. Over 70% of the people I grew up with and knew are now gone.
By not ignoring death our attitude is totally different about priorities in life especially with loved ones.
Let me give an account of an event that occurred at the time of Mom’s death that could have left with guilt and regret for a lifetime.
It was a Saturday morning and I was preparing to go away for the weekend to have some fun shooting with my 2nd cousin who had a 200yd range within a ¼ mile of his home. As I was getting ready to leave Mom approached me the last minute because of a toilet problem that concerned her. I had a look at it and said no big deal and would replace it with a new one as soon as I returned. This sort of upset her and to console her so that she wouldn’t get overly distressed I took time to reluctantly do a temp repair job to properly hold it over until my return. At first I was a little irritated that my weekend time was being cut into when Mom could have mentioned this problem a day or two earlier. Little did I realize I would never again speak to my Mom after this.
At the other home that was 100miles away a phone call came in around 10pm. Mom had collapsed that day and was now in intensive care on life support. Of course I rushed home and to the hospital. Mom’s body for some reason just shut down and no hope of recovery was expected by the Doctor’s. The Doctors approached us as to what we wanted to do concerning leaving Mom on life support. During the discussion it was decided that if after 3-days there was no indication to support any possible recovery we would let Mom go.
Three days went by and twice Mom’s body tried to shutdown on life support but they managed to revive her body to continue under life support.
Had I not done what I did for Mom concerning that bathroom problem I may have prolonged her body’s existence in hope of a chance to say I’m sorry I didn’t immediately respond to your request for help. Instead the whole family decided to let Mom go with some dignity.
We never know when death will visit and as we get older the chance of death appearing around us will be elevated. How you perceive life for making decisions and what lies ahead as you get older, It’s your call.
Ed
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Jul 14, 2014 8:30:37 GMT -5
Ed: I am very sorry for your loss, and yes I am aware of the slippery grip we have on life, I was a fireman for 20 yrs. so I saw it too much.
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et1
Member
Posts: 120
Location: Ontario Canada
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Post by et1 on Jul 14, 2014 10:13:18 GMT -5
Bob
You have my admiration and utmost respect for the career you chose.
If anyone knows the value of life you would from your experiences.
I can also imagine the difficult emotional and psychological pain you dealt with sometimes that came with job.
It’s my hope and desire we continue to enjoy sharing old and new adventures for at least another 10yrs.
Ed
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My daughter came from Missouri, my son and grand son, my wife and I had a nice dinner of grilled "porter house" pork chops, corn on the cobb, my son, G'son and I share 10/5. G'son is 4 minutes early though @ 10/4.
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
