I set the coffee pot on the gas burner to simmer and waited for the thick liquor to ooze and set free those wonderful aromatic flavors that rouse you from your sleep. I looked out at the aarey forest from my window and saw the misty haze hover like gun smoke on the trees. I never fail to marvel at how much of a difference forest cover makes to weather, just a hop, step and jump away from my concrete abode. My mind wandered to the visit our widowed neighbour paid me last evening.
She had come to hand over some Swiss chocolates and a gift as gratitude for our looking after her and her home, when she is away visiting her daughter. She was rather embarassingly effusive in her gratefulness. I could understand her feelings only when she briefly broke down, in mid-conversation, her voice catching as she said, 'loneliness is the worst scourge of old age, Daniel. And I thank God that you people are there for me. It is for this reason I have handed over our house keys to you; so that you can open the door some day - in case something happens to me!' I reassured her, as she was leaving, that we would always be there for her and that she needn't worry. As I watched her hunched and wan countenance drift past the corridor, I realised the full import and truth in her admiting the evitability of our existence.
I was feeling strong this morning and so I decided I'd go and blast my muscles a wee bit. They say you lose 1% muscle mass for every year you are over forty and I was focused on a way to preserve mine. There is this workout I learned from the US Navy Seals Physical Fitness Handbook (a treasure trove of workouts), in which the major muscle groups can be better worked using a 5 Rep max. It enthused me enough to prepare a chart of the sets, reps and weights I'd add to the bar. A different approach to working the muscles always serves to shock them into renewed hypertrophy. It seemed to work its magic; at least that' what it seemed in the bathroom mirror whilst taking a shower on reaching home. Vanity is not the sole preserve of women:) Lets hope, by God' grace, it lasts and I may humor myself with a quote:)
I complain that the years fly past, but then I look in a mirror and see that very few of them actually got past. ~Robert Brault
