Mowing Grandma's Lawn

Okay, so two things to start:

1.) I'm going to do my best to post daily (over the summer at least, and when I'm not away)  But sometimes I get lazy, sleepy, or hungry and I forget.  Yesterday is one such case.  I'd say I was sorry, but I might not be.  (Do you know people like that?  Say they're sorry ALL OF THE TIME and you wonder if something actually ever bothers them?)

2.) I had a great talk with a good friend, Mr. Nadal last night.  And Mr. Nadal was commenting on my blog and how it is not a place where I'm simply posting what I did all day (Exhibit A: like I woke up, rode my bike, did some exercises, took a shower, ate too much, and then cried because all of the boys hate me!)  Moral of the rant- if I ever become ridiculous about what is going right/wrong in my life, please slap me over the Internet.  Many thanks.

On to the topic of the day:

So before getting sleepy and hungry yesterday, I took a jaunt over to my Grandmother's on my bike to mow her lawn.  Not entirely ideal mowing conditions (cloudy at 60 degrees) but when Grandma calls, Grandma calls.  So off I went.

As I bagged the trimmings and go chlorophyl all over the bottom of my favorite pair of jeans, I was thinking about what "old" people are all about.  Note: I will avoid the term "old" as often as possible and for once, attempt to choose the PC path of the label of senior, or senior citizen.  Have you noticed how we as a nation and culture tend to try to throw our seniors away and try to give them discounts and social security to try and keep them quiet?  

Here's what I'm getting at: I think that everyone, young and old, have a story to tell.  And I feel that far too often we ignore the wisest story tellers available by assuming that all seniors are decrepit, senile fools.  Think of the learning opportunities that we pass up by fearing/avoiding senior citizens.  Exhibit B: A seventh grade social studies teacher is presenting the storming of the beaches at Normandy during WWII.  We've all sat through lessons like this when the teacher presents a chart showing how the Allies pushed up the beach and eventually saved the day from the evil Nazi regime.  Super Duper.  But think of how students could be sitting on the edge of their seats as a witness or participate to this battle recites his or her story.  I ask you to consider the benefits to all of the parties involved: the senior gets time to socialize with a younger generation and share what they have witnessed, the students interact with a member of an older generation and possibly gain respect towards them, and the teacher has accomplished multiple teaching standards through the lesson set up.  Furthermore, by bridging generational gaps, we may avoid stereotypes and fear associated between young and old interactions.

Unfortunately of course, as time goes by, the story tellers change as generations pass on.  Sooner, rather than later, the Baby Boomers and Flower Children will be able to tell how they witnessed the Civil Rights era and raised families during the turbulent 70's and apathetic 80's.  Then eventually it will be our turns to tell our grandkids or anyone that will listen to this senile old fool at least, how we sat in different places all across the nation as planes struck the Twin Towers, Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

Okay, deep breath.  See what happens when I get going?

I'll finish with a quick side note: have you ever seen an old couple holding hands at the mall or walking or whatever.  I'm a dude, but i gotta say that's wicked cute and I really enjoy it.

P.S. You may have noticed that you're not necessarily getting the King's English in this blog.  I ask that you forgive me for my random, sometimes illegible, attempt at grammar and sentence structure.

P.P.S. Please always feel free to comment on anything that I post and don't hesitate to ask me what I think about something such as "Hey SPaps, what's the deal with the name of your blog?"  Or "How do you type with boxing gloves on?" (Sorry Strong Bad- I couldn't resist)