Jails and Nursing Homes

Here's the way it should be:

"Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes.

This would correct two things in one motion:

Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.

They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical
treatment and wheelchairs, etc.

They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.

They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped instantly...if they fell or needed assistance.

Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.

A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.

All meals and snacks would be brought to them.

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counseling, a pool and education...and free admission to in-house concerts by nationally-recognized entertainment artists.

Simple clothing, like shoes, slippers, pj’s, and legal aid would be free, upon request.

There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor exercise yard complete with gardens.

Each senior would have a P.C., T.V., phone and radio in their room, at no cost.

They would receive daily phone calls.

There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU would fight for their rights and protection.

The guards would have a code of conduct to follow, with attorneys available, at no charge, to protect the seniors and their families from abuse or neglect.

As for the criminals:

They would receive cold food.

They would be left alone and unsupervised.

They would receive showers once a week and suffer from horrible bed sores.

They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per month.

They would have no hope of ever getting out."

“Sounds like justice to me!"

Write on,

Mittster

Accentuate the Positive

I truly admire the youth of our great country. Everywhere I go the positive side of life is being demonstrated by the tenacity and attitudes of our young people. While baby boomers and senior folks are worrying and fretting over current events around the world, the younger generations are working hard and trying to change the things that caused the problems in the first place.

It’s refreshing to know that young, idealistic men and women are replacing the old, senile, life-time politicians who are still the power brokers in our country. None too soon, I might add. Look at Senator Gabrielle Gifford, who was shot in Tucson, Arizona, recently. No one thought she could survive, let alone recover from her head wound. Her courage and determination to return to work are inspiring to say the least. I can’t wait for her to return to office; she is the kind of person we need representing Arizona in the Senate.

I am not saying that our older politicians are all senile and/or corrupt. Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona is a perfect example of what is meant by “public servant.” Her battle to secure the border with Mexico is unpopular to some, but critical for the economical stability of Arizona. She is not only butting heads with a minority illegal immigrant movement, but also with the Federal Government who refuses to enforce immigration laws that are on the books. There is no doubt in any thinking mind that this has to do with votes and that in itself is despicable. Furthermore, I find it unbelievable that we are fighting in Libya, where we have no national interests, while Mexican drug cartels are killing American citizens on both sides of the border. It’s time to enforce a “no fly zone” in America!

Our younger generation proves to me that there is still hope for our country and the world as a whole. Do we need to adapt to changing political, economical and environmental landscapes? Yes, but human beings are all about change. That’s how we got here in the first place. We can adapt and continue to strive for changes that can and will resolve the dilemmas we face on our beautiful, blue planet Earth.

Write on,

Not Quartzsite Again!

Well, here I am again…stuck in the middle of “old folks” village, Quartzsite, Arizona. A few years ago I couldn’t even spell senior and now I are one. To make things worse, my free Internet here has disappeared, and that means I have to go down to the Senior Citizens’ Center for an Internet connection. Please tell me it isn’t so; it’s like looking into a mirror of truth when I go there and I can’t get used to the image I see. I better get used to it – May 13 is my 50th high school reunion and that mirror isn’t going to lie either! I’m not complaining about my place in life. In fact, I wouldn’t go back one second. Besides, even If I could, you can bet I would just screw up at a different level.

I remember when my mom was 68 and she complained that her body was falling apart at the seams while still housing a brilliant mind. I don’t know if my mind is brilliant, but you can bet it can still write a mean murder mystery – although I can’t find my truck keys half the time. My wife complains that men don’t age like women; she maintains that if men had babies, they too would look much older. That may be true, but I will not go to my grave with a pristine, unused body, and that is as it should be.

I find myself looking forward to conversations with my peers. Perhaps that is a sign that I am finally becoming comfortable with my age. I remember not too long ago when I didn’t like talking to people my own age because I didn’t want to admit that I was a senior. Besides, what could they tell me I didn’t already know? How silly is that, you are what you are. My peers also have a huge storehouse of knowledge that should be shared before they leave the planet. Holy crap, it really isn’t all about me, is it – when I learned that, I was able to release many things that made me anti-social.

This time of the year is a great time to be in Quartzsite. The traffic is much less congested because most of the vendors have packed up their tents and left along with all the motor home dealers. There are a few tents left, but even they will be getting out of Dodge before the desert heats up like a cheap frying pan. It won’t be long and this place will be a ghost town with only the hardiest souls staying to brave the 118 degree plus temperatures. It’s surprising how many seniors live here permanently now. You can bet they don’t go outside often and when they do, it’s only for a short while to stock up on grub and drink.

I will be coming back once a month throughout the summer to water trees and check on our small homestead. Personally, I love the heat and enjoy sitting in the afternoon shade sipping a cold soda while sweating like a stuffed pig in a sauna. Once a desert rat, always a desert rat; you can take the man out of the desert, but you can’t take the desert out of the man. I was watching Laurence of Arabia last night and I can understand why he (Laurence) loved the Arabian Desert so much. The Sonora Desert affects me much the same way, and it also explains why the back of my neck resembles old shoe leather….

Well, I’m off to the “old folks’ hangout” to get this blog posted and shoot the bull with the regulars. I may even learn something new today, which is usually the case.

Write on,

Mittster

Seniors and Texting

The following was e-mailed to me and it was too good to pass up. Yes, this could be called a lazy man's blog, but it's Sunday and I usually don't do blogs on Sunday. Besides, if you have a complaint, text me....

A lot of "oldsters" have difficulties with the issue of "texting" ...specifically, the abbreviations can be a bit challenging. So, here is a list of them that may be handy for someone who is just a little "older"...

Texting Abbreviations for the Elderly

FWIW: Forgot Where I Was
BTW: Bring The Wheelchair
ROFL… CGU: Rolling On The Floor Laughing…And Can't Get Up
DWI: Driving While Incontinent
LOL: Living On Lipitor
OMG: Obama Must Go!
OMG: Ouch, My Groin!
IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?
WTF: What's Today's Fish?
IWTF: I Wet The Furniture
IMHMO: In My HMO…
RULKM: Are You Leaving Kids Money?
BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth
GTG: Gotta Groan
TGIF: Thank Goodness It's Four (Four O'Clock – Early Bird Special)
FWB: Friend With Betablockers
FYI: For Your Indigestion…
JK: Just Kvetching
TTYL: Talk To You Louder
MILF: Meal I'd Like To Forget
LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out
LWO: Lawrence Welk's On
MGAD: My Grandson's A Doctor
SUS: Speak Up, Sonny
WIWYA: When I Was Your Age (my favorite)
GOML: Get Off My Lawn

Hope this is of some help to you seniors.