Photo courtesy of Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper received a 95th birthday notice from OLD friend Roger Locke, a fellow member of the Barron WI. High School class of 1949. The class was close to 100 in 1949 and may now be represented only by Roger and the …
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Category:Aging
Kickass and Gravity
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, joined the keeper and Phyllis and the rest of the clan in cheering on the newest member—Auggie, as he mastered the simple act of walking and quickly moved on to running, with occasional falls that were of no more consequence than a hiccup. “Those …
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Kickass and Helping the Old
Attribution: Photo by Jem Sahagun on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, agrees with the keeper’s assessment that you are never too old to learn how to graciously handle the challenges that come your way. Most recently, and with seeming increased frequency, there is the challenge of accepting the kindly proffered assistance of young people when …
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Kickass and Birthday Parties
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis among the many attending the 100the birthday party of Pat who, as a fellow Vista West resident, told her assembled family and party guests about the importance of birthday parties. The most recent birthday party prior to Pat’s for …
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Kickass Gets a Shot in the Eye
Attribution: BruceBlaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, joins Phyllis in telling the keeper to stop feeling sorry for himself just because today is the day he checks in with the VA eye clinic in the routine of eye shots to ward off the progression of macular degeneration. It …
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Kickass and His Silver Walker
Illustration courtesy of Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper is still searching for ways to adjust to the intrusion of a walker into his life, solely as an occasional balance aid and never to be acknowledged as yet another reminder that he is damn old and hopes to get …
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Kickass and Old Drivers
Attribution: Photo by Neda Vidakovic on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis winding up their long relationships with vehicles with a faithful Subaru that rests docilely in basement parking until there is a medical or supply need and the keeper assumes the driver’s seat with Phyllis occupying the “participating passenger position.” …
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Kickass and Menopause
Attribution: Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper wondering how he might upgrade the evolutionary status of old men to match that of old women who, after they are no longer able to bear children, are still seen by the one and only evolutionary …
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Kickass and Old Kids
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper pretty much denying birthdays, especially his own, but also those of his children who have somehow gotten so old they creak and limp. Even the youngest—Mike, who reportedly is now 70 years old and does not have the decency to lie …
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Kickass and Dog Dementia
Attribution: Photo by Raul Torrento on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog assumes that along with the keeper and Phyllis, everyone watched the 60 Minutes feature on the benefits of studying dogs’ dementia to shed light on how it happens with humans. Being at the age where his recliner could turn into an F-35 at any …
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Kickass and New Wheels
Attribution: Photo by Mobio Marketing on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper has a new set of wheels, and adjusting to them may require more than was demanded when his first wheels were pulled out from behind the neighbor’s machine shed in the form of a no-tires Model T Ford pickup that …
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Kickass and the Price of Gas
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, cautions the keeper about going so deep into his past that he mentions the price of gas at 5 gals for $1. Memory exercise of this kind tend to brand the keeper as either careless with the facts or performing for attention. His defense …
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