Hello 2011!

"Just think of what it's gonna be like when we're 25!"

I said that back in 1974, when sitting with a bunch of friends in front of a house in Mount Prospect, Illinois, the year many of us graduated from high school.

We turned 25 in 1981, just about 30 years ago.

Seems that everyone tells you, around the time your kids are born, should you have any, "Pay attention, because before you know it, they're going to be all grown up." Now that my kids are grown, I can echo that sentiment to everyone else.

Let me write a corollary: Pay attention, because, before you know it, you're going to be (what used to be called) middle-aged.

What does 55 feel like? In my mind, I don't feel "old". I do recognize that both my hips need to be replaced, and that I'm way-overweight, that I couldn't play a quarter of a touch-football game even if I wanted to, but that doesn't mean I don't feel the same as I did back in '74.

Time sure does fly.

Now it seems that I've got that "yearning deep within me, telling me there's more to come", to paraphrase one of my favorite singer/songwriters. so, perhaps, it's time to take inventory of the good and the bad, work on making the good even better and making the bad good.

Hello 2011! Thanks for making me sit up and take notice.