My precautions of middle age are the red flags that I missed in my youth. Anything that resembles a red flag from yesterday will keep Betty the Green Blazer parked in spot twenty one.
Along with parenthood, I have taken safeguards that have made life in my fifties somewhat boring. I’ve been bubble wrapped these last several years.
The hindsight that I will gain down the road will define the current years. If my history teacher asked me to give clarity to the mid twenty twenties, I’d say we are in an isolationist position.
The Japs got us on December 7th. Muslim terrorists on September 11th. Domestic terrorists on April 19th. Hamas guerrillas on October 7th and the sad eyes of three children on July 8th.
I’m still haunted by the looks on the faces of my children when I packed up and left their mother.
Since that day I’ve made pancakes, gone to work, made supper, sat in front of a television and gone to bed.
No trips to New Orleans to visit my happy place. No trips to Indianapolis to see family and friends. No fourth dates with remarkable people. No shows or upcoming events, festivals, pool parties or rugby tournaments.
Why take the chance to encounter the dangers of another red flag? The twenty twenties have become my age of isolation.
I have this phrase, “I’m going to do it when Hazel turns eighteen.”
She turns eleven this summer. That means my period of being an isolated country lasts until 2031.
I’m jammed up in the western part of Chicagoland until the next decade?
I think not!
The Latin words in the Grabber section this morning means “Not without danger.”
It’s time to make reservations at The Hotel Monteleone. It’s time to see if Betty can make it past Tippecanoe County. It’s time to ask the girl out and see if there is a fifth date. It’s time to go to Marcus King at the Salt Shed. It’s time to drive out to Lemont and get the boots soggy.
My daughter will be eighteen before I know it. My roommate turns eighteen in a couple months. I need to ditch the bubble wrap leisure suit. It’s not fashionable…..
....Does anyone fancy a sazarac and a ride on the streetcar?
