Eh Tee... or Ate Tea?

Bounty. 
Comes in many forms

Either way, it sounds out as eighty.  That's the real subject here folks. 

It just happened to me last month.  I was shocked and remain so.  I mean, who in their right mind thinks, 'yeah, I'm going to live to be 80?' Anyway, I'll do my best here to avoid listing the many infirmities that accompany this age.  Let's just say 'nothing works quite like it used to.' 

With that sort of settled, let's go forward with a little on what works right.  First, I get to greet my bride of nearly 57 years with an upbeat "Good Morning!" every day. She's better at that than I of course, as she is with most things. Next, I get to make her laugh several times each day (she humors me) and I love her laugh.

Also, right up there at the top, I have a son and daughter, both of them talented, thoughtful and smart as hell.  They both tolerate me just fine too.  They live in the immediate area so we get to have dinner with them once a week on average.

It's pretty important to note that I generally have my wits about me.  I am well aware that many of this age are not so fortunate.  Sure, there are some folks out there (you know who you are) who at times have considered me a half-wit or dim-wit but hey, do they count in the great scheme of things?  Nah.

I can drive, legally and capably and I'm damn grateful for that.  I love to do it so there.

Julieann and I worked hard in our youth.  Her, much more so.  As a result, we are in decent financial shape so I can chase endeavors, gadgets and other stuff whenever my goofy, left-handed, Sagittarius mind suggests. Yeah, I buy a lot of books too.

I've got a few friends and fans, and some of them tolerate my blogs and books. I am eternally grateful for them, particularly those who've stuck with me through my rants.  As for those I've lost along the way, I don't blame them at all. I mean they have lives without me in them don't they?  Well, don't they?!

I've got toys... A hell of a lot more than I could have dreamed of when I was a poor little kid, sitting in a tiny Bottineau, North Dakota house, huddled next to a kerosene furnace, reading a comic book I borrowed (swiped?) from my neighbor pal, Russell Dinwoodie.  Now, I'm spoiled rotten and it's all Julieann's fault of course.  Still, I am scarred for life over the fact that my Grandmother, Bessie gave me a robe for Christmas when I was 11.  A robe?!  C'mon! Where's my Mattel Fanner Fifty?!

When we say family grace, we bless a lot of folks we've known and loved over the years.  "Bounty" is the applicable word here and we've had plenty.  It's especially notable when our son and daughter blast through a lengthy list of blessed folks faster than you can say, "Pass the mashed potatoes please."

Last but not least, I just read that California's reservoirs are full for the first time in 25 years. To me, that means I can bask in our hot shower as long as I want without guilt.  Bounty.

So there it is folks, a brief look at what it means to be Eh Tee, or is it Ate Tea? Any way you cut it, it's a life of bounty damn near beyond measure.