Herman by Jim Unger for March 23, 2023

The bag on a stick makes him look like he’s planning his getaway. :D

Wait, this isn’t “Gasoline Alley”!

Nurse Eos tries to cheer up Tithonus by urging him to look on the bright side of the situation: Although the gods didn’t give him eternal youth, at least he’ll live forever. Thank heavens for Medicare!

Bindlestiff.

Several years ago, an Aussie was being celebrated as the oldest man in the world. After blowing out his birthday cake candles a reporter asked him what wish he had made. “To die.” he responded. All I could do is laugh and think that is one weary traveler. Unfortunately for him he was in great health. I later learned he had traveled to a European country that allows self-suicide, but I never heard whether or not he went through with it. He did seem determined though.

As a young man in the 50’s, I worked in a convalescent home. Lots of folks there until the end of their lives. There were two large wards one for each gender. [that was then, don’t know about nowadays] And there were clear differences in the life style in each.

Examples: Each day some guys did their own morning chores, Others had to be helped out of bed, dressed, and fed. Some walked the halls for a time but eventually returned to the ward to just sit. Others didn’t bother to or were unable to walk. Very little conversation in that ward, even among men about the same age or from the same neighborhoods. No politics, no newspapers, no baseball scores, not much chat beyond ‘hello.’

On the ladies’ ward, there was wake up, make up, dress up [so far as possible while trapped in bed] chatter and laughter. They were all interested in what was happening in the world and with their wardmates. If one woke up mopey or down, the others usually joked her out of it in a few minutes. If she appeared ill, the others hammered the bell until help appeared. But they never let up.

Taught me a lot about living in a closed environment with no real change in sight. Lots of folks are living longer, a growing number passing the century mark. Some are still lively and giving happiness and hope to others. Some are where that guy is. There is a choice. You either handle it or you do what that guy has done: you become furniture. and you fade to gray.

I’m guessing that chair is the same age, too.

At his age, he has a lot to sink about.

_The Mirror Cracked _

Kim Novak and Elizabeth Taylor

“I hope I look as good as you do at your age.”

“You did.”

That’s never happening for you.

I don’t ….

One time I was 111 years old.

If you’ve ever been in one of those places, you’ll see why he’s trying to escape!

did she sit on him?