I grow old and, trousers rolled, dare to walk upon the beach

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Saturday, April 05, 2003 | Tom O'Boyle

[Willie Green]

You buy an electric toothbrush and regularly floss your teeth.

Your teenage daughter calls you a "fossil," then, to soften the blow, quickly adds, "uh, because you're so well preserved."

The paunch around your middle grows -- and you have no intention, or even inclination, of doing anything about it.

[Hacksaw]

Burgh Bump

[moodyskeptic]

It took this writer much too long to discover a few basic truths. It's not middle age that reveals the simple pleasures in life, it's an open mind and maturity, which can come at any age. I live at the beach and see this type of guy often, he's wholey uncomfortable on the sand away from his cell phone and work clothes. That he insists American men loathe beach vacations says volumes about which American men he hangs out with.

[tet68]

. That he insists American men loathe beach vacations says volumes about which American men he hangs out with.

It would seem he doesn't fish.

[Bobber58]

surest signs you've happily reached middle age::
You fly kites with the kids up at the school playground, and police don't ask for your I.D., because they know you
The ammo salesman at Walmart wonders where you were last weekend
You run like the wind for 3.5 minutes, then lay on the ground and laugh like a madman as you ponder the warning signs of arrythmia
You have DNR tattoed across your chest, and your friends know what it stands for
You load ammo and wrap Christmas presents with the same loving care
You can quote James Madison,Alexander Hamilton, Obewan Kinobe, and Bugs Bunny, with equal precision

[Zon]

It took this writer much too long to discover a few basic truths.

I agree. Middle age is way too long.

I am convinced that the ability to kick back, relax and enjoy the beach is one of those Mars-Venus splits. I've known few men who like beach retreats; I've known few women who don't.

I enjoy playing at the beach and waves as much now as I did when I was eight. Though I have slowed down a bit to take in the sunrise and sunset. I'm a kid at heart and have no intention of changing anytime soon. As for the other signs of middle age listed above it appears that I'll never reach middle age. Though by most standards I'm well into it.

Florida retreats were soon spent poolside rather than seaside

There's the likely problem. Florida beaches don't hold a candle to beaches on Maui's south shore, the Caribbean and I suspect French Polynesia.

For starters, there are no bridges to Corsica, which is problematic because it means the only way to get there is either by sea (the choice of stupid people) or air (the choice of people who know the stupidity of traveling by sea). We were the stupid and boy, were we stupid.

Why Corsica!? Never mind. Should have charted at least sixty foot yacht or larger. It's not fast but the experience is pleasantly unforgettable.

[Willie Green]

You can quote James Madison,Alexander Hamilton, Obewan Kinobe, and Bugs Bunny, with equal precision.

LOL!
And you can reflect upon how (on some issues) Bugs was wiser than Hamilton.

[f.Christian]

I've seen downtown newyorkers go native in less than one week --- this island is powerful !

[Bobber58]

"Aye, there's the rub!..." ;)

[Tax-chick]

And you went to school when they still made you memorize - and recite! - T. S. Eliot.

[WIladyconservative]

I am convinced that the ability to kick back, relax and enjoy the beach is one of those Mars-Venus splits. I've known few men who like beach retreats; I've known few women who don't.

Count me in the *few women that don't* category. I can think of NOTHING worse than laying in the sun on a beach all day. BORING!

[Tax-chick]

I can think of NOTHING worse than laying in the sun on a beach all day. BORING!

Also productive of agonizing sunburns and flesh-eating melanomas.

I'm another woman who doesn't like the beach, but I'm partial to lounging in the shade on the front porch at home, sipping wine.

[Betty Jane]

Make that three. I like the swimming, and I enjoy the beach for about 2 hours. Then, I'm ready to leave.

[FourPeas]

I like your list must better. Much.

[WFTR]

I have to disagree with the notion that not liking the beach (and not liking sitting in a beach chair all day) is equivalent to having a need to feel busy and important. As an engineer, "productivity" for me means sitting in one place most of the time and reading, writing, or talking. While the scenery is nicer at the beach, I can't imagine wanting to spend my vacation sitting. Walking along the beach is okay, but the scenery doesn't offer much variety. I would enjoy throwing a football or frsibee or playing in the surf on a beach that wasn't too crowded, but none of those things can be done alone. When I take vacation, I look for mountains. I like to be able to take my mind completely off the normal routines of life but still keep my feet moving and my eyes on varied scenery.

WFTR Photo Gallery
Bill

[gcruse]

Mid Life Top Ten

The Hollies           The Air that I Gasp
Glen Campbell      By the Time I Get to Finish
Vikki Carr            It Must be Phlegm
Donna Summer     I Feel Lump
Frank Ifield           I Remember You?
Johnny Horton      Withering Pines
Linda Ronstadt      Love is a Robe
Mickey & Sylvia    Love is Strained
Frankie Lane         Lay-Z-Boys in the Sky
Christina Aguilera  Our Day, We'll Gum

_____________________________

[reagandemocrat]

Two words--

Surf's up!

RD

[spodefly]

I love the beach ... always have. When I was in my 20's and 30's I was a rippled, toned beach god, so I didn't mind not looking busy ... I just plain looked good, and had good jobs that afforded some beach time as a reward.

Now however, at 43, I could care less how I look on the beach ... I just like the way the sand feels between my toes.

The paunch around your middle grows -- and you have no intention, or even inclination, of doing anything about it.

I resemble that remark.

[firewalk]

bttt