The Crotchety Old Man

Category: Habits

  • Busy-ish

    Hard to believe my last post was more than two months ago. So much for sticking with my plan for weekly posts. I’m fine–just busy-ish. Anyone who walked in my shoes for very long would likely disagree with that assessment. What other people think is none of my business. Feels busy to me. By the…

  • Keeping Up

    I still “run”, but have slowed down a lot and do well to go a couple of miles three or four times a week. Music is an essential component. The tempo dictates my pace so, the faster, the better. For most of my running career, playlists I created were the soundtrack for my run. Sooner…

  • Running Down

    Illness knocked me off my running game in 2023. Nothing serious–just enough to get me out of the habit. Getting back into the routine has been a challenge. Late last summer, I was running three miles, three or four times a week. My average time per mile was 13 or 14 minutes. Occasionally, I’d hit…

  • A Major Life Change

    Some changes in life are bigger than others. I recently experienced a huge change. The Kroger where I’ve shopped for more than 25 years closed. I don’t get out much. Many believe going to the grocery is old-fashioned. Ordering groceries for delivery or pickup doesn’t work for me. I need to see stuff. Getting out…

  • Grateful

    ‘Tis the season for gratitude. I try to keep an attitude of gratitude all year. Focusing on the positive makes my life more enjoyable and a bit easier. I’ve done a lot of really stupid things. Sometimes, I didn’t know any better. Sometimes, I did, but didn’t care. Bad decisions mostly made my life more…

  • Curbing My Enthusiasm

    After a few months alone in a too-big house with a ginormous yard, I downsized. The new house was perfect. The small yard, absence of steps, and low-maintenance design were exactly what I wanted. More than ten years later, I still love this house. Space, however, is limited. There’s plenty of room–families with two or…

  • Wishful Thinking Disorder

    Confession time. Wishful Thinking Disorder (WTD) has plagued me for as long as I can remember. WTD is essentially optimism on steroids. My glass isn’t just half-full — It’s going to run over any day now. This time of year is particularly difficult for WTD gardeners. Symptoms kick into high gear around Ground Hog’s Day.…

  • Hello 2022!

    Hi, everyone! Long time, no see. I blame retirement for the extended absence. Contrary to expectations, blogging has not been a priority. My intentions were good. I bought WordPress for Dummies — a massive tome that combines multiple volumes on various topics into a comprehensive guide. Frankly, it’s more than a little overwhelming. Despite having…

  • Cool Running

    Weather has long determined if I go for a run or not. Preferred conditions include sunny skies with a temperature from 65- to 7degrees and a light breeze. There’s a little wiggle room, but anything beyond that is a deal breaker. An aversion to sweat is the issue. I don’t mind sweating so much these…

  • Crotchety Alert!

    An ugly confluence of events has brought my inner crotchety out of hiding. Spring fever, pandemic fatigue, and renovation delays have had me on the brink. Disruptions to my nap routine pushed me over the edge. This time of year is always rough. Solar energy fuels my usually sunny disposition. Cold, dreary days suck the…