As I've aged, I've discovered that it isn't always better to walk than to run. I've learned that I cannot stay up for a week without sleep. I don't enjoy getting up off the floor, or bending over. Some parts of my body just ache. Apparently, stretching is a good thing. I'm not as strong as I used to be. Maybe exercise would help...
Anyway, my parents are getting old. I'm putting one of those chairs on rails on their basement steps. Next, the doorways will have to be widened. A seat is being added to the tub, and a taller toilet installed.
A few years ago, I elected to go go-kart racing for my birthday. My brothers, dad, and some friends participated. I got last spot (14th) in the draw, my dad got 2 spots ahead of me. The rules were clearly explained before the race: no bumping, no hitting the barriers, or you'll be removed. There were several contact incidents in the first few laps, all involving my dad. 2 of those incidents brought out the red flag. I set my dad up in one turn, and passed him clean in the next. He drove straight, the next turn, T-boned me, and pushed me through the barrier. His excuse was that that's how they used to race. After the red flag, there were 7 or so more laps, and I was up to 5th, when there was another incident, also involving my dad. Red flag, again. My dad was given a final warning. As the yellow flag ended, there was a wreck. One kart ended up upside down. My dad was removed from the track. No further yellow/red flags for the rest of the race. I finished second by maybe a nose. Half of the laps were under a yellow flag. We were scheduled for 3 races, but I cancelled the other 2, and we left. A few days later, I got my dad to take me for a drive in his car. I have since decided that his driving skills are not what they used to be. We had a talk with him, and asked him to apply certain restrictions to his driving. I reminded him about his dad, from whom we took his keys. I have a feeling that I'll have to do this to my dad, in the not too distant future.
