Soldering was manly but prone to leaks and house fires
MIDDLESBURG — At Mrs. K’s Diner in the heart of downtown Middleburgh, we gathered on April 14 mostly at the big, long table down the center of the restaurant, or at the front round table. Regulars find refuge usually on the sides or in the back, still mostly old men seeking conversation and breakfast.
The scribe was so graciously provided with pen and paper to record important musings, insights, and reflections.
It is important to record that our very own latest contest between steel and flesh is resolving nicely, never missing a breakfast or losing the sense of humor we all must maintain in these trying circumstances.
Grousing was heard regarding disappointment over purchases that are less than satisfactory; a variety of other items, but specifically, storm and screen doors that do not function as promised.
On the subject of home repairs, the less-than-expert plumbers among us widely agreed that plumbing has improved demonstrably with the introduction of PEX (seems always to be capitalized) fittings, replacing soldering, which is an amazing and daring art if you’ve even hazarded an attempt.
Soldering was admittedly very manly, but prone to leaks in the mild failures, and prone to house fires in the case of the most extreme failures, due to open flames and dry, old structures where the repairs were needed.
Still, we do not see among us at breakfast the treasured old cars restored lovingly by some in our midst. Upon questioning, it seems the weather hasn’t yet proved itself reliable enough for such bold risk.
The mystery of the cell phone is always a wonder among us: how to make it ring or not ring, beep or not beep. Consultation with grandchildren or youths among us is considered the most reliable cure. Eight years old seems about right for optimal technical insightfulness.
A report was made that fishing in the lower Hudson is again a thing to be enjoyed, thanks to years of monitoring and clean-up. Even consuming the catch is considered safe now, within limits, so there are improvements in the world around us if we pay attention!
Journeys bests destinations
We around the tables seem to agree with somebody who said that the journey is at least as important as the destination. The sentiment is that the drive to breakfast with friends on these mornings, through the amazing Hilltowns vistas is a thing to treasure and appreciate.
We aren’t the Swiss Alps or Pacific Islands, but this is a remarkably beautiful place to live, not to mention less complex and less demanding. Recognizing this and appreciating how special this is might just be an important ingredient in how we manage to be enjoying our old age.
It would be a significant omission not to also acknowledge that, in the case of our breakfast venues, the destinations are very special as well.
Rising prices, falling comfort
Always the cost of everything is a subject for strenuous review. A bag of groceries today may cost as much as a month’s rent back in our youth.
Beyond that, there is real-world experience here among us with the declining value of retirement income relative to this increasing cost of living. At retirement, we may have thought we could be more comfortable than we are, now a little further into the venture.
Imagine if this retirement venture were extended by 50 years and the cost of a week’s groceries was equivalent to a year’s Social Security income? Yikes. Time to put a stop to all this speculation.
Succeeding and adaptable
At these breakfasts, we have dealt with many realities of our OMOTM existence, but one more serious reality is that we are a mix of those who have spouses and those who don’t, those who may anticipate the possibility of parting with a very long life partner, and those who can already speak to that experience.
And, of course, a variation on this existence is caring for or being cared for by a partner or offspring. All those combinations of experiences make our breakfasts supportive, and informative, we hope, to all manner of these situations.
Not to super-inflate our amazingness, but it may not be a stretch to say that the folks around the table are those who are succeeding better in what life throws our way.
It happens, an OMOTM tells us, that snowbirds account for 65 percent of the population in Florida in the winter months. Our numbers are depleted some by this behavior, but we don’t seem to participate proportionately, or our numbers would be more seriously affected.
In fact, in the face of this discussion, some around the table actually seemed to voice an appreciation for our winters here. Well, that’s a good thing to have such an adaptable and easy-going attitude, don’t you agree?
And, here, in Middleburgh, in the comfort, warmth, and pleasantness of Mrs. K’s, where we have enjoyed a great start to our day, great coffee service and food, in a veritable warm-wave, never mind reluctant sunshine and threats of precipitation, we, the apparent survivors of another long winter are: Harold Guest, Wally Guest, Ed Goff, Roger Shafer, Robert Schanz, George Washburn, Frank A. Fuss, Joe Rack, Rich Albertin, Roland Tozer, Warren Willsey, Chuck Batcher, John Jazz, Dick Dexter, Jack Norray, Herb Bahrmann, Bob Donnelly, Allan DeFazio, John Dab, and me.