AARP: "Side sleeping for older adults can cause severe joint and hip pain from uneven pressure, and put a strain on the heart—especially for those with congestive heart failure who may experience breathing difficulties on the left side. It also promotes facial aging and sleep wrinkles."

Hello and welcome to my own version of looking for intelligent life. Just joking. I was trying to use that particular concept as an opening really for no good reason. Just because. It is Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and, I do hope you and yours are well, engaged in the life God has given to you, and actively thanking Him for His provisions. I heard about an old timer who represented the bestowed blessings of God in this way in his prayer: Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have stowed us up with. And, I say, Amen to that sentiment. What say you? I was explaining some of my achy breaky pains to our youngest, Rodney, when he came to visit on Fathers Day. His response was a wee bit chilling. "But dad, surely you should expect to have some issues at your age. You know, you may need to have those hips replaced or maybe even a knee." He went on to recount some older folks who have undergone those types of procedures. I was already aware those remedies were available but they are reserved for those who need them. Surely, that would not be me. Right? I actually prefer not to even think about thinking about those fixes to my current problems. As I sit in my steno chair up in my office at the ole blogger ranch, my thought is this: No thank you. I remember one of the doctors told me a number of years ago that to take the pressure off of my hips I needed to learn to sleep on my back. I told him I was a long term dedicated side sleeper in the fetal position. His response was rather blunt: "Okay, then keep on hurting." He may have missed the day they covered bedside manner, however, I clearly understood what he was saying. I did. I really did. And, yes, I still sleep on my side. 

 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I did try to learn to sleep on my back. And, I did actually achieve sleep that way, but, it wasn't the kind of sleep I needed. Now, when I fall asleep in my recliner, I am told, too often if you ask me, that I can sleep sitting up with my head on my chest and my mouth wide open. They tell me it is not a pretty picture and they often check on me to see if I am still alive. I would share a photo since they seem to enjoy making them of me in that position, however, I will spare you the shock and me the embarrassment. While we are on the subject, here is an explanation from the Sleep Foundation: The fetal position—sleeping on your side with knees drawn toward your chest—is the most popular sleep position, favored by over 40% of adults. It is widely considered a 'natural' and comforting posture because it mimics the security of the womb." So there you have it, another tip toe through the maize of difficulties experienced in the sojourn of yours truly. You likely have a different set of issues and the solutions you have discovered. Each of us is unique, but, some of us seem to be more so than required to make it on our journey here. I'm just messing around because the sum total is how little I have to complain about, therefore, take it all with a grain of salt. Okay? And, I know inquiring minds are interested in knowing about that figure of speech, so, here is what Wikipedia says: "While the exact origin is debated, many historians point to the writings of Pliny the Elder in 77 A.D. In his Naturalis Historia, he recorded a recipe for an antidote to poison that required the mixture to be taken "with a grain of salt," suggesting that the addition would protect the person and render the poison less harmful. Over time, this evolved into the figurative idea that adding a little bit of "salt" helps you swallow or process information that you might otherwise doubt." Now we know! Yay! May God add His blessings. Amen.