Author: dickking44

FIRST LOVE
© By: Richard L. King
From the book: Memories & Time

Memories of distant times… painted with a mottled brush,
colors seemed so much brighter,,, first love causing him to blush.

Memories of those olden days recall only the highlights,
…country meeting city,,,, or one of several fights.

That one and only first kiss, the lovely little girl,
holding hands, carrying her books, the long walk home from school.

Believing this is love, fearful to let it show,
lunch break on the teeter totter, too timid to tell her so.

That first taste of passion, whether love or lust,
shared with your best friend, the first you’d learned to trust.

Memories of distant times… painted with a mottled brush,
colors seeming brighter, first love recalled as much more plush.

*********

Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #425

About: Aging Gracefully

“I’m in my stone ages…
gall stones, kidney stones
…and lots ’a headstones.”

RETIREMENT
By: Richard L. King

Since I retired every day is Saturday…. Well, at least it seems that way.   I’ll wake up in the morning and begin to wonder just what do I have to do today, then I’ll begin to wonder what the hell day is it? It used to be that I could keep track of the day of the week by the date on my newspaper, but I now get my news over the internet so I don’t take a newspaper anymore. As a result I have to be a little more cunning.

A friend and I were discussing this recently. He just moved to a different community and ever since the move he’s having the same problem. Where he used to live he could see our clubhouse from his front window and every Wednesday they would put out a big sign saying BINGO TONIGHT. Well, my friend always knew when it was Wednesday because of the sign. When I take my morning walk I walk right past that sign so I always know when it’s Wednesday too.

Then on Thursdays the maintenance crew comes in to mow all of our lawns. So my friend said he always knew when it was Thursday because, “all the Mexican’s show up.” That’s probably not politically correct, but my friend doesn’t really give a damn. He’s an ex-cop from New York City and to be honest, he doesn’t give a damn about much of anything.

He and I play poker with some of our buddies every Monday and Friday night and I look forward to it so much that I just always seem to automatically know when it’s Monday or Friday. Saturday this time of the year is college football day so, at least during football season, I always know what day is Saturday and come Sunday about 10AM you can always hear the church bells announcing that it’s time for the service to begin so I know when it’s Sunday. That only leaves Tuesdays and since nothing of any importance ever happens on a Tuesday, I just don’t worry about knowing what the hell day it is.

Of course, I keep the calendar on my computer up to date, so if something important,,,,, like say a doctor appointment,,,, should fall on a Tuesday, my calendar will send me a little message to remind me.

We also have one of those Apple devices called Alexa, which reminds me when it’s time to start getting ready to go to poker. She also reminds me when it’s time to take my pills and I suppose if it was important enough I could program her to tell me when it’s Tuesday.

….Maybe I’ll take that under advisement.

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Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #414

About: Life’s Lessons

  “Telling your child you’re proud of them
accomplishes a lot more
…than telling the world.”

 

EVERYTHING
© By: Richard L. King
From the book: Memories & Time

 She’s the frosting on his cake, the puddin’ in his pie,
she’s his sunshine on a cloudy day, the apple of his eye.

His cuddle waiting to happen, the shoulder upon which he’ll cry,
were she not in his life, it’s doubtful he’d get by.

She’s the straw that stirs his drink, the one who makes him swoon,
his beacon in the night, were he the tide, she’d be his moon.

She’s the wind that fills his sails and his anchor when one is needed
since she came into his life he has never felt defeated.

When difficulties they encounter, she faces them undaunted.
Truth be known she’s everything he never knew he always wanted.

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 Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #331

About: Expectations

“You can’t live someone else’s dream.”

AFTER DINNER
© By: Richard L. King

Bright orange clouds fade slowly to amber
a light fog settles in
….dusk takes over.

There’s a slight chill in the air.

The smell of the sea permeates his nostrils
as the sounds reverberate in his ears,
accentuating the distant, yet distinct, island music.

The best of Mother Nature’s beauty
peers at him over the rim of his glass.

….the candle flickers from a faint breeze

                                                                                                   ….and she smiles.

.…A distant balladeer brings them back to the moment

….conversation has been minimal
as their eyes soak in the beauty.

“….More wine?” ….he asks.

“We could watch the fishermen unloading
and cleaning their catch”
“….but honestly, I have better suggestions.
….perhaps a walk along the beach?

….Maybe a carriage ride?

….If you’d care to dance,
there’s a trio performing in the lounge.

….My room has a fully stocked bar
and a large balcony overlooking the coastline.

.…the night lights make for a fantastic view
and the stereo has all the greatest tunes.

….room service is exquisite….
Course, if you’d prefer, I’ll take you home.”

                                                                                ….and again, she smiles.

.…They arise,
silently floating on gossamer wings
… she reaches for the key card
as her eyes momentarily hold his

                                                                        .…and he smiles.

 

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Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #416

About: Life’s Lessons

 “The key to a long, healthy relationship…
…never mention her weight.”

RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC
By: Richard L. King

Why do so many of us old farts find that we have to be out on the streets during RUSH HOUR. We’ve been retired forever, we have all day to do whatever it is that’s so important to get us out on these roads, but we find that the only convenient time to do whatever it is that we have to do is during the hours when all those poor working stiffs are trying to get to or from work. We’re probably rushing off to the restaurant to be the earliest bird in the hope that there might be a PRE-early bird special. Either that or it’s during lunch time for all those working stiffs and we simply have to go to lunch at the exact same time as we always have, no matter that we haven’t worked in years.

That’s maddening enough, but couple it with the fact that we probably don’t know exactly where we are supposed to turn, so again we’re poking along, holding up traffic trying to make a left turn from the center lane, or some other ignorant move. On top of that, we’ve had our turn signal on for the last three blocks, so by now the drivers behind us know that we don’t have a clue and they’re chomping at the bit trying to find an opening in the traffic to switch lanes and get out from behind us.   That’s about the time we spike our breaks, realizing that this is our turn coming up and if we don’t get over into the turn lane real fast, we’re going to miss the turn. Oh well, I guess we can just go ahead and make the turn from……. CRASH!

I could go on, but I’ve probably already made enough enemy’s for one day. Besides it’s almost rush hour and Sweetie and I have to get to that PRE- early birds special.

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Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #422

About: Life’s Truths

 “Common sense don’t jist one day show up,
…ya have to cultivate it.”

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