Now you are getting older - what don't you do?

   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #11  
I stopped splitting wood with a splitting maul. Got a log splitter 10 years ago.

Did that a couple of months ago and made sure it had a Honda motor that starts easily.
The 5 ton electric just wasn't cutting it, the 30 ton makes easy work of it.
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #12  
I’m 68 this year and I’m pretty fortunate in being able to still do most everything with the exception of jumping down from heights like MossRoad. Pickup trucks I CAN, but I DON’T.

Jumping down off semi’s and loading docks I stopped a long time ago.
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #13  
Now that I'm getting older - mid-70s - the things I don't (can't) do any more are pretty personal and I'm not about to share them on this forum...................................................................................
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #15  
I still do everything I’ve ever done but just a little slower and more carefully. Like stairs. I was in the Capitol the other day and flights of stairs that I have always descended quickly I now take a little more time and watch a little closer.

Saw a guy who looked to be several years older than me miss his step off the last step of a flight the other day and when he fell forward he went a little to his right and fell onto the wall. Hit his head on a granite wainscot edge. I was afraid he was hurt badly but we got him up and he sat don on a bench. When I came back by a little later he was getting up and walking just fine. It was a good reminder to be careful on those steps.

Same thing stepping off curbs crossing streets. I don’t try to out run cars to get across streets any more.

Around the house or farm I just try to be a little more careful. Don’t jump down out of the bed of the truck. Noticed it’s not a good idea to even jump down when sitting on the tailgate anymore. Take the easy way not the hard way.

A friend of mine in his 80’s worked his cattle by himself all the time. I always worried about him. I was glad when he got a helper to go along.

Avoid ‘accidents’ as much as possible.
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #16  
At 83 I do most of what I have always done; just slower, easier, look for mechanical assistance more, think things thru longer and figure easier ways than just jumping into it. Have some medical problems all under control, but worst is herniated discs and arthritic bone spurs in my spine. Another reaming operation would help but my wife is afraid I will not survive the anesthetic. Tramadol keeps it tolerable for now. You can tell on my welding that I am not as steady anymore. Still can lay well fused beads in spite of it, just look a little rough: use the grinder more. My second wife is 10 years younger so she is good help but worries too much about me, keeps me off the ladders. Biggest problem with the tractor is getting off and on a lot when doing dirt work. I find a gofer comes in real handy.

Ron
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #17  
I知 68 this year and I知 pretty fortunate in being able to still do most everything with the exception of jumping down from heights like MossRoad. Pickup trucks I CAN, but I DON探.

Jumping down off semi痴 and loading docks I stopped a long time ago.

I still jump up loading docks, but down I have to use my hand.
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #18  
I still do stairs two at a time. I can do 4th foor down to deep basement and back to 4th floor, about 89 steps each way, and not be winded too bad. But do it a 2nd time and I have to stop for a couple minutes to catch my breath and wonder if the elevator is working and why don't I use it?
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #19  
At 68, I walk more carefully on ice, but still shovel snow off my roof. Drives my wife and sister crazy. I'm thinking that ends at age 75 - I don't bounce as well as I used to. I hate considering that I will ever face limitations.
 
   / Now you are getting older - what don't you do? #20  
I'm 76 and still able to do most of what I've always done. Just slower and with a lot more care. There was a time - I didn't care. I'd feel fine in the morning. Now - it's two or three day's before I'm all better.

The spring is the most injury prone time out here. The warm spring sunshine warms the exposed rocks. I'm talking about those the size of tennis balls to softballs. They will melt free of the frozen ground. Step on one of those rocks - it twists - your foot twists - you are on your way to the ground. The ground is still frozen and hard in the spring. It HURTS.

No matter how careful I am. I'm going to fall, at least once, in the spring. I've learned the "tuck & roll" technique. The ground is still just as hard - the fall doesn't hurt so much. I've tried a couple types of walking sticks - they just get in the way.

I travel around the property on the ATV more now. Not as much on foot. At least, not in the spring.

My energy doesn't last as long as it did in the past. I have to take a break every two hours or so now. I could go all the way to lunch in the past.

That's OK. I'm retired and everything will get done with time. I use the 'ol brain a lot more - not as much brute force.
 

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