Attribution: F. Holland Day, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper has been patronizing the school across the parking lot for his haircuts, enjoying the attention of a young ambitious student who snips at him gently under an instructor’s instructions. Like all things in the keeper’s …
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Category:Aging
Kickass and Ailment Complaints
Attribution: James McTaggart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, lies low today as the keeper works to develop his “Ailment Complaint Guide” for use primarily in elderly environs but also useful for all ages in responding to the ubiquitous “How are you?” in even casual encounters. The following card …
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Kickass and Old Pick-up Lines
Annotation: Photo by Artyom Kabajev on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, as a resident of the independent living part of Vista West on Madison’s west side where the keeper and Phyllis live, hears a lot of interesting comments which, fortunately, being a cast-iron dog, he is unable to repeat. Recently, for example, his attention was …
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Kickass and Old Friend Roger
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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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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