Senior Daze

by Katie Bourg

About Katie: Having arrived in time for the Great (?) Depression, WWII, and all other 20th century problems, I am endowed with long and varied memories. Writing classes have long been my home away from home. Other people's stories are fascinating, and sharing is growth at its best. Hope you seniors will join me with your stories. Try it. You'll like it.

Been doing any shopping lately? Looking for things? Having trouble finding your way around?

Not easy, winding down the aisles, dodging the barricades set up in all incoming aisles. Replacing everything from 50" TV screens to strawberries. We now live in Booze City, and the merchants are happy to accommodate.

It's piled up in the middle of the aisle next to the pretty jewelry. It's on the end aisles where I used to find pineapple. I didn't look, but wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't planted under the petunia plants. If the rose bushes start leaning too much you may find it. Haven't seen it between my favorite bras and panties yet, but if they become too shiny, I'll know.

I'm no prude. I've even been known to enjoy a little beverage now and then. More then than nowadays, but that's because of old age. Still, I've got a good memory. I've had no problem causing a little inconvenience for folks who wished to buy it. Have done that myself, and used to take my mother, when she wanted to serve it to friends who could handle it. May have improved her bridge game. Or damaged her opponents'.

But I did think the system we've enjoyed for years kept it under a little more control. Made a few jobs, and gave the state some cash they didn't have to take out of my pocket. Somebody howled long and loud enough, and now we have it everywhere. I guess some people are satisfied. The stores sure will be. But the melody lingers on.

I remember my father helping people whose lives had been badly disrupted, because they had no control over their urge for more than was good for them. More important, I remember the wives and children that needed his help. He would be having a fit about now. Sometimes people just can't stop if it's put in front of them.

My closest girlhood friend died of Alzheimers last November. Her sister is deep into dementia. Both sisters were bright, lively, and moderate in habit. The daughter of my friend asked me recently if I thought her grandfather's excesses could have had anything to do with these two tragedies. I said I didn't think so. But I can't help wondering. My father signed the papers that eventually put the grandfather in an asylum. It was the only way the family could be safe.

Others in my own family started early and couldn't quit. One did, with the help of AA, but only after he'd thrown away most of his life. And if he'd had to walk into it every time he entered a grocery store, I'm not sure the outcome would have been so good. I don't think it would have been worth the gamble. I don't think it's worth it now either.

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think the prognosis is very inviting. Time will tell.



See the booze, lots to lose.

Buy a pair, and a spare.

In each store piles galore

Fill the aisles, bringing smiles.

Sales will climb, profits shine,

Tragic loss will be boss.

Between the bottles, shiny bright

Streets will be an awful sight.

Crumpled fenders, bloody bits

Who first will be among the hits?