As we stumble down our puzzle path we gain wisdom and lose muscle tone. Everyone gets their own puzzle and yet we also share parts of the puzzle. Life is a strange puzzle because we never know when it’s complete or what shape it will take. Our own shapes change over the process and pieces we thought fit together well once need some adjustments or realignments.
The first time I was 6, my parents took me to the mountain. Here’s a picture of me on a chair lift in Gatlinburg TN. Had I known then that I would become a blogger I could have picked out a few great domain names, made a sign and held it up for the picture. Senseless thinking because you can’t put the future in a picture no matter how fancy your camera. (I remember a "Twilight Zone" episode about that)
The year I turned 26 was a big year for me. I earned my BSEE and my USAF commission. It took a little longer to earn my BS but it was done without any student loans. The USAF commission is related to my not going into debt for my education. Having even a short term plan helps when the puzzle pieces come at you quickly.
My 6 squared year found me with one the best work assignments in my engineering career. The project assignment was in Ireland. The family and I were offered the adventure of living near Limerick Ireland. I’ve posted about this before.
Not long after pushing past the 56 year mark, I took a short fun assignment involving a flight to Seattle. I tested the on-board wi-fi system on flight between Chicago and Seattle. The trip idea sprang up 1 day before I took it. A very last minute decision that added a nice small piece to my puzzle picture. Planning is very useful but not always necessary.
We don’t get to know what next year's puzzle will be. I am sure that it will not be like the first time I was 6. I have more wisdom, less bounce and less puzzle pieces to move around now. Also, I was more adorable then.
as always - lighten up, soak up the sun, if the glass doesn't look half full get a smaller glass.
Oh if you have any extra puzzle pieces when you're done leave them for me. I'm only turning 6.
26 comments:
I love your math. I, too am turning 6 this year, but I am determined to let 5 stay in play for a bit longer. I think it's great you can remember specific years. I know where we lived for each decade but I haven't a clue to the specific events of 6, or 26.
It would have been nice if I knew as a 6 year old about blogging, or journaling so there would be specifics. Who would of imagined back then that there would be computers in homes and we'd have a thing called the Internet?
thanks - yes there was a famous quote but some IBM executive that basically said there was no use for a computer in the home. Don't let this post fool you - there are many years I don't remember.
You should have named your blog SmokySkyLift
I love your attitude about aging and life, and the puzzle piece analogy. I'm still just 5, by the way. I like that!
I like you approach to age better than mine! Beside 6 is the new 5 right! Happy Monday!
You know sometimes the answer is just sitting there right in front of your eyes! thanks
Happy Monday back at you. I fine this "blank" is the new "blank minus one" sorta funny. I suspect it started as a marketing campaign.
As Dave Brubeck would say, "take five". I'm lucky that sometimes I get an attitude which is pleasant and good. thanks
What a lovely, thoughtful post, Lisleman. Many of your sixes were very interesting. I liked the 6 squared best of all. I will be five in a few short months. Oh the joy. And by the way, I had a group of kids working together on puzzles today. Puzzles can be fun, right? Enjoy being six again.
I love puzzles especially mechanical ones. The Ireland trip was a real special one. Like I replied to Barbara of Longhollow - "take five" and enjoy the jazz.
thanks
I love Brubeck. Have you ever seen him perform? I have. He is and was then, very old. He acted as conductor and the group played a jazzy chorale for a mass during JazzFest in New Orleans some years ago. He became quite interested in Catholicism in his later years. He also contributed to Katrina relief for jazz musicians who had lost their homes.
I was fortunate enough to see a free outdoor concert of him and his band in Chicago a few years ago. I noticed on his wikipedia page that he is still with us. I didn't know about his Katrina involvement.
That's a good way to look at it-- Turning six! I'm about to turn 5-- twice (55 in the spring).
It's amazing the things that we've seen in our lifetimes so far and I can only imagine what's in store for us.
jj
thanks - don't let becoming a speed limit slow you down.
Bill, sometimes your posts make me want to hug and kiss you. This is one of those. Your joie de vivre (SP? I took Espanol), carpe diem and sheer gladsomeness are infectious. Thanks to you, I'll get a smaller glass, put on some lipstick, and laugh in the mirror.
Turning 60 is earth-shattering until it's over. It's the prospect of turning it. I know. I just had my 61st b'day this month and it was nothing. LAST year, on the other hand, was very painful.
My mother told me when she turned 60 it "almost killed" her. It was a very tough benchmark. She went on to say that, once she turned 70, she was happy to be playing golf and enjoying her life. It wasn't so bad after all.
I keep that in mind. Happy Birthday Soon you 6 yr old you.
The photo of you on the lift is awesome. It looks like something should be on a postcard for the Skylift!
The first picture is cute.
What ever the new birthday holds, at least you can be sure life will be an adventure.
I missed my calling - boy model. thanks
yes it always is an adventure of some type. thanks
thanks you are too nice. Your French spelling was correct because I had to look it up the meaning. Carpe diem is favorite of mine. Nothing like a little Latin to make your day. So how does it look on that side of the hill?
Still working on that puzzle of life - right?
I love that picture of you on the chair lift. It's truly wonderful. I have no doubt that you will make the very best of your 10 years of being 6 again.
thanks for your vote of confidence.
Great picture, both of Little Lisleman and giant computer! It's always fun to see what people (and technology!) looked like "back in the day."
You really turn the whole stereotype of "engineers are bad writers" on its head. Having lived with one for 12 years, I would never have guessed that you were one, had you not mentioned it on the blog before. And I mean that as a compliment, I promise :)
I understand what you are saying. Stereotypes are of limited use. Having worked with engineers my whole career I have noticed a range of characteristics. I've known a few that are musically talented and are very good at socializing. Oh, that's not a giant computer. It's a rack of test equipment for testing communication systems.
Thanks for writing compliment I appreciate it.
Well, you're still 5 (and when you're 6 you'll need to use both hands to show people how old you are).
That a fun way to say it. Both hands - thanks
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