When you know a changing of the guard is in the works...

Triple C

Triple C

Well-Known Member
Random thoughts of reaching the 4th quarter in life...
A couple of weeks ago I told my son that I was gonna go set a couple of ladder stands I recently purchased. His response..."I don't think I'd do that dad. Better wait on me to come down and help you". I'm getting that more and more these days and I'm only 64. Comments like, "Let me know where you're gonna be on the farm", "Don't think I'd get on the ladder to change flood lights", "Wait on me to get there before running chainsaw".

Our minds seem to never change with age but it's just a weird feeling to some degree when the "kid" becomes the concerned one looking out for the parent.
 
I'm the other side of the spectrum i'm the "kid" not wanting to push Dad too hard in the woods. I'm guessing you are just like my father same age basically and i can tell he has slowed down, he will not admit that and thinks he's still in his 30s

I guess that is why you spend all those years showing kids the ropes on driving tractor, chainsaw, etc, so one day you can sit back and watch the young ones do all the work for you!
 
Kudos for recognizing what’s going on....many folks lack the honesty or introspective ability to see it for what it is. I’m dealing with a similar flavor as a result of health challenges.... Change is hard.
 
Currently living in the middle of that, Triple C. I had three events to occur back to back to back that made me step back and say "Wow, is that really happening?" I just had a Heart Ablation Monday and I stayed with my daughter because the Doc wanted me in Bham the night after the procedure, just in case anything happened. I was NOT in charge!
 
Take the help and don’t push it. My great Uncle, 75, fell off his roof and passed away Friday. My Uncle, 65, asked him not to go on the roof alone. And if they couldn’t do it safely they would call my father or I. Good on your son for caring and being there for you. Or should I say good work raising a good person.
 
lakngolf said:
Currently living in the middle of that, Triple C. I had three events to occur back to back to back that made me step back and say "Wow, is that really happening?" I just had a Heart Ablation Monday and I stayed with my daughter because the Doc wanted me in Bham the night after the procedure, just in case anything happened. I was NOT in charge!
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Hope all goes well lak. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.
 
jlane35 said:
Take the help and don’t push it. My great Uncle, 75, fell off his roof and passed away Friday. My Uncle, 65, asked him not to go on the roof alone. And if they couldn’t do it safely they would call my father or I. Good on your son for caring and being there for you. Or should I say good work raising a good person.
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Sorry to hear of the loss of your great uncle. Roofs are definitely not in my future. Oddly enough, it's common to hear that 65 is the new 45 and in many ways that is true. Most weekdays at lunch I'm in the gym. In the gym I go to, and probably in most gyms these days, there's a good representation of guys 60 and older that are still pushing it hard everyday taking care of their bodies.

Aging in to the 4th quarter seems to happen overnight. While we may work out, exercise regularly, etc., the reality is that things just don't work as well at 64 as they did even at 55. Balance is not quite as good. Flexibility deteriorates. Joints are a little stiffer. Hearing begins to deteriorate. I begin to notice that in my mid-60's, folks begin to fall in to one of two categories - those still staying physically fit and active and those that have the "done give up" appearance and lifestyle. I hope to never be in the done give up camp, shuffling in to the Golden Corral for an all you can eat buffet. But even staying physically active, it's just a different and somewhat weird feeling when all of a sudden you look at the flood light on the 14 ft corner of the building that needs replacing and think to yourself...I'll wait on my son to do that.
 
You older guys need take care of yourself.
I guess each to his own bit I just recently redid my will and living will. BTW even you young guys need both those. Sure makes it easier for the family if something does happen to you.

Anyway it was almost an argument w wife as I have no intention of being plugged in to a machine. I’ve lived a good life and will not finish that way. Actually had to list a hardcore friend to make that decision for me and he knows my wishes.
To each his own but I’d rather run my motorcycle over a mountain than sit drooling in a corner of a nursing home. I’ve had the displeasure of watching that party and no thanks for me. Now off to farm to load some 100# fert bags to spread. You guys stay safe. And hold my beer and watch this!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I can't do what I used to do, yet I see myself doing a lot more than a bunch of folks 10-20 years Younger than me.
I still have the Drive to get the job done and will do what needs to be done to do it- Yet I pay for it each night after.

Back injury years back and fought through it and never had surgery. I can work at whatever all day then hit a wall where I know I'm done or will be soon. Then once I stop it hits and I might have trouble walking or sitting/rising.

I still set ladders stands by myself or did last year. Was going to move a Quad Pod stand by myself and the ATV until the SIL said he wanted to help me do it. I not ashamed to say that sounded good to me.
I'm 58, but I've had, oh 2-3, Doctors tell me I have the Back of a 75-85 year old. And that was 6-7 years ago.
 
I am not there yet...I will say that I have started thinking along these lines a bit though regarding my deer hunting down the road. By that...I mean my ability to do the plotting I do. Sooner or later the time is going to come where annual plots are going to become more and more of a chore....and as such I have started putting more effort into long term permanent plots (AKA trees and shrubs for mast and browse). As far as stands go.....I have already fallen in love with rifle hunting from my box blinds. I am sure I will still use a ladder stand or two for the early seasons as long as I can safely do so. The days of climbing a tree like a squirrel or having to twist like a contortionist to get into a fixed stand are past me. I took some dumb chances in the past and have learned. I still try to help my dad with things.....if the stubborn fart would just call me. He doesn't want any help either....he is in his mid 60's. Its not that I think he needs the help....but he...like me....sometimes gets into things a little bigger than he should and an extra body can really make a difference or even a second saw can make the work load a lot easier. He did call my brother and I when he had a large pine blow over into the pond....but that was because he is cheap and didn't want to spend the $1,000 he was quoted to have someone come out and do it for him. My wife's grandfather had a holder added to his lawn mower for his cane....talk about stubborn old people! We did have to go get him once as his mower ran out of gas and he knew the ground was too rough to use his cane and be safe. He still didn't want help....he just wanted more gas!
 
Triple C said:
Random thoughts of reaching the 4th quarter in life...
A couple of weeks ago I told my son that I was gonna go set a couple of ladder stands I recently purchased. His response..."I don't think I'd do that dad. Better wait on me to come down and help you". I'm getting that more and more these days and I'm only 64. Comments like, "Let me know where you're gonna be on the farm", "Don't think I'd get on the ladder to change flood lights", "Wait on me to get there before running chainsaw".

Our minds seem to never change with age but it's just a weird feeling to some degree when the "kid" becomes the concerned one looking out for the parent.
Click to expand...
Consider yourself blessed to have someone there to care and watch over you. Not everyone has that.
 
I'll preach the e-bike!! Dad got one this last year and he's never hunted as much in past 10-15 years as he did this last year since getting it. As he's gotten older been harder for him to get around and he was hunting less and less every year....now he zips out to an enclosed stand in about 2 min, no wear and tear on his knees, can sit out of rain/wind. I'm really happy to see him out there more, as hunting is really not as fun when you don't have someone else out there enjoying it with you. Think it was becoming chore for him to go hunting prior.
 
j-bird said:
I am not there yet...I will say that I have started thinking along these lines a bit though regarding my deer hunting down the road. By that...I mean my ability to do the plotting I do. Sooner or later the time is going to come where annual plots are going to become more and more of a chore....and as such I have started putting more effort into long term permanent plots (AKA trees and shrubs for mast and browse). As far as stands go.....I have already fallen in love with rifle hunting from my box blinds. I am sure I will still use a ladder stand or two for the early seasons as long as I can safely do so. The days of climbing a tree like a squirrel or having to twist like a contortionist to get into a fixed stand are past me. I took some dumb chances in the past and have learned. I still try to help my dad with things.....if the stubborn fart would just call me. He doesn't want any help either....he is in his mid 60's. Its not that I think he needs the help....but he...like me....sometimes gets into things a little bigger than he should and an extra body can really make a difference or even a second saw can make the work load a lot easier. He did call my brother and I when he had a large pine blow over into the pond....but that was because he is cheap and didn't want to spend the $1,000 he was quoted to have someone come out and do it for him. My wife's grandfather had a holder added to his lawn mower for his cane....talk about stubborn old people! We did have to go get him once as his mower ran out of gas and he knew the ground was too rough to use his cane and be safe. He still didn't want help....he just wanted more gas!
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...just wanted more gas. I love that! That's gonna be me I know it. "Rage against the dying of the light"! I'll keep my boots on till the end.
 
BoneCrusher20 said:
I'll preach the e-bike!! Dad got one this last year and he's never hunted as much in past 10-15 years as he did this last year since getting it. As he's gotten older been harder for him to get around and he was hunting less and less every year....now he zips out to an enclosed stand in about 2 min, no wear and tear on his knees, can sit out of rain/wind. I'm really happy to see him out there more, as hunting is really not as fun when you don't have someone else out there enjoying it with you. Think it was becoming chore for him to go hunting prior.
Click to expand...
I'm into my ebike as well but man...when the roads are wet with black mud they will bite hard. Had a hold my beer and watch this moment this past March when I came upon a short stretch of muck on a level spot and thought...no problem. Turned into a problem.
20200330 Bike Wreck.jpg
20200330 wreck aftermath.jpg

Buddy on a local forum is recovering from broken ribs from a fall on his ebike a couple weeks ago. Same deal...mud. Even my son, who's getting ready to head out west for his annual elk trek and fit as a fiddle came back last weekend all muddied up from a muck mud encounter. Alas...we keep swinging the bat! That's what we do. Take me to the grave all worn out and kicking.
 
Triple C said:
I'm into my ebike as well but man...when the roads are wet with black mud they will bite hard. Had a hold my beer and watch this moment this past March when I came upon a short stretch of muck on a level spot and thought...no problem. Turned into a problem.
View attachment 19768
View attachment 19767

Buddy on a local forum is recovering from broken ribs from a fall on his ebike a couple weeks ago. Same deal...mud. Even my son, who's getting ready to head out west for his annual elk trek and fit as a fiddle came back last weekend all muddied up from a muck mud encounter. Alas...we keep swinging the bat! That's what we do. Take me to the grave all worn out and kicking.
Click to expand...
Fair enough...we have very little in way of muck.....when the farm has been in our family for over 100 years there's been plenty of time to have roads re-routed or redone that it is pretty clean travels on the main trails.....i guess we need to find you a trike e-bike ;)
 
dogghr said:
You older guys need take care of yourself.
I guess each to his own bit I just recently redid my will and living will. BTW even you young guys need both those. Sure makes it easier for the family if something does happen to you.

Anyway it was almost an argument w wife as I have no intention of being plugged in to a machine. I’ve lived a good life and will not finish that way. Actually had to list a hardcore friend to make that decision for me and he knows my wishes.
To each his own but I’d rather run my motorcycle over a mountain than sit drooling in a corner of a nursing home. I’ve had the displeasure of watching that party and no thanks for me. Now off to farm to load some 100# fert bags to spread. You guys stay safe. And hold my beer and watch this!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

attaboy,dogghr

keep moving mentally and physically

People don't wear out.......they rust out

bill
 
Triple C said:
I'm into my ebike as well but man...when the roads are wet with black mud they will bite hard. Had a hold my beer and watch this moment this past March when I came upon a short stretch of muck on a level spot and thought...no problem. Turned into a problem.
View attachment 19768
View attachment 19767

Buddy on a local forum is recovering from broken ribs from a fall on his ebike a couple weeks ago. Same deal...mud. Even my son, who's getting ready to head out west for his annual elk trek and fit as a fiddle came back last weekend all muddied up from a muck mud encounter. Alas...we keep swinging the bat! That's what we do. Take me to the grave all worn out and kicking.
Click to expand...

That’s why they make lifted golf carts !:D

Seriously, I see myself in all the posts above. I’m still plotting, working on the lease and at home, I just can’t do it all day anymore. A buddy and I, he’s around 8 years younger than me, worked on our lease the last three days. Some manual labor, lots of tractor and backhoe work, a little chain sawing, and gallons of sweat, mostly from me. He was out there mostly because I’m 73 and he was there to help in the manual labor department. Monday and Tuesday night I had cramps from hell, last night not so much. We got a lot of stuff done though, moved some box stands, grubbed out some sweet gums that were in our way, enlarged a food plot for one of the new stand placements and just generally improved our hunting spots. It needed to be done, we’re the only two retired guys and I’m the one who has a tractor with forks and a backhoe. Makes sense to me !:)
 
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