Already? Another day, another day. This one self identifies as Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The comic enlargement is from the Hemphill, Texas newspaper, (August 16, 1946), I talked about yesterday. I wanted to point out the one where dad is coming down the stairs with a pistol in hand. Why? He thought something terrible was happening downstairs. But his daughter met him and said this, "Nobody's hurt, Dad. It's just a new Betty Hutton record I got today." Betty Hutton, (1921-2007), was an American stage, film, and television actress, comedian, dancer, and singer. One of the records she released in 1946 was a crooning song, "The More I Go Out With Somebody Else." (You can hear her sing it on YouTube.) She did have some early pre-rock and roll songs and one of them may have been the cause of the commotion. Seeing that particular comic reminded me how the more things change it is the more they stay the same. None other than the acknowledged high IQ man of the hour, King Solomon, had this to say: Ecclesiastes 1:9: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." (No wonder we have so many remakes coming out of Hollywood!) I remember when our boys had friends over to spend the night. They would be upstairs where they should have already been asleep but they were rocking the night away. Laughing and carrying on. I stood at the bottom of the stairs and hollered up to them: "Y'all better settle down because you DO NOT want me to come up there!" Those kids who spent the night with us are now well into their mid-50's but they do remember that particular incident and the associated threat from the little guy in his pajamas doing his best impersonation of James Earl Jones. Ha!
I'm thinking about hobbies today. A whole lot of ink has been spilled advising older folks, seniors that is, regarding the importance of having hobbies. Most all the recommended lists, some grouped by age, start off with those hobbies that involve physical activity. The physical stuff becomes less prominent in the recommendations for those 80 and older. Yay! I chose that group because I'm only 18 months away, therefore, I grandfathered myself into that age group, which, doesn't make any sense but you need to know that's what I did. The article I chose lists 51 hobbies and activities for older folks. I chose it for a specific reason. Writing. It was listed first. That spoke to me. And, may I say that since restarting my blog writing adventure I feel better. All over more than anywhere else, if you know what I mean. Volunteering. My wife is a champion in that area. Learn how to play an instrument. Okay, sounds good, maybe I could get back to the wax paper on the hair comb and give it a whirl. Walking. Since doing my blogs again in the upstairs office I'm putting myself down for extra credit in climbing and un-climbing the stairs several times per day. Join a Book Club. Here's what I have to say about that one: Nothing. Gardening. A good one no doubt and the wife is very actively engaged. I think she and the weeds in our yard are on a first name basis. Be a Citizen Scientist. This one supposedly involves one helping to do scientific research. Wait a minute. I already am doing my part as a Guinea Pig and currently they have me popping over a dozen prescriptions along with even more over the counter. See? I'm doing my part. Genealogy. This is still an interest of mine. Bird Watching. I actually like this one. We've been watching quite a few American Bald Eagle couples as they build nests, lay eggs, and raise up eaglets to continue their species. We watch it through a variety of online streaming services. Crafting. This is another one the wife dabbles in. I told you the other day the trouble I have with anything marked easy open, well, these hands are no longer adept enough to do any serious crafting.
Those were the first 10 listed. I close with the activities that I know make a transformative difference in our lives, for time and eternity: regular prayer and Bible study, attending worship services, giving to those in need, and sharing your faith with others. I hasten to add one must have become a part of the family of God by responding to His provision through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ before any of this makes any sense at all. Most likely, me, you, any and all of us, as believers, will be much better served if we have these as prerequisites to any life that's truly worth living. For what it's worth, I have been looking at those rechargeable battery operated bicycles. There you were thinking I have some kind of aversion to physical activity. That's right. Battery operated. You can smile. It will do you good. And, me too. Y'all take care now. You hear? May God add His blessings. Amen.