I like good coffee, but I don’t think I qualify as a snob. I’m not in the market for the latest coffee maker or filter or plunger or grinder because I don’t really think it matters that much. It’s like a McDonald’s cheeseburger – it is what it is, and if it is what I like, why invest in more?
I approach my bike like this. I love riding, but I’m not as sucked into the equipping and maintaining. I like flat pedals. I’m not sold on top-of-the-line clothing. I’m not constantly looking for the next best thing. I just appreciate getting out there. The bike is that which propels me into seeing things and enjoying the company of my companions. I never look down and marvel at the thing while I’m riding it. I’m certainly thankful that I was able to take advantage of an incredible exchange rate and discount so that I could get one that made riding here even more pleasurable, but I try to be more practical than anything.
I suppose I’ve been that way for quite a while without really noticing. In the nearly four decades we’ve been married, Micha and I have owned four cars…and one of them (our first) was for less than two years before we went bigger for our growing family. I bought what I bought mostly because it was practical at the time. And for the previous two, I drove them until they died (one of them, literally — it quit on me while driving down a freeway, giving me just enough coasting speed to pull over).
So anyway, I guess if it satisfies you, then it should be enough. Come to think of it, it’s a nice feeling to be content in so many things.
My eyes are getting old. I’m having to try new tricks now, like zooming in and increasing my font size while I work. I used to use reading glasses while I was working on the computer, but started getting so annoyed having to change them every time I looked away that I decided to stick with my bifocals. Thing is, now when I work on the computer any length of time, I turn away to read a book and just can’t focus. So I guess it’s back to the reading glasses for now – and an appointment with the optometrist. It’s been a while.
I’m zeroing in on who I’m going to vote for this year. In addition to it being the person who most closely aligns with my views, I’ve added the requirement that they be younger than me. I’m trying not to be ageist here, but honestly, the older I get, the more I realize the demands of life do not get any easier. I wouldn’t wish the presidency on anyone who should be slowing down and lining up for retirement. Sure, there are plenty of people older than me who can still handle it, but should they?
Let’s face it – politicians (and especially the higher up they are) are self-centered egotistical liars to start with. That’s kind of shifted into high gear lately. I’d rather have one that still has some sense of accountability (even if it is rather small) and sharpness than an old codger who thinks they can do whatever they want and while their cognitive abilities are in decline. Neither of the major parties can be considered “serious” anymore, so it’s time to move on. There’s this huge majority who sits in the center and who can actually discuss issues and work together, but too many of us are so afraid of the extremes that we end up voting with our emotions instead of our minds.
I don’t mind going to my grave knowing that I had very little to do with the death spiral that has gripped America, but I sure hope we come out of it and start electing people that can get the job done before my grandsons have to suffer for it. Part of me thinks we will, but I guess it’s got to get pretty bad before the adults show up.