Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot of dumb things as birthday & Christmas presents. Stuff that sits down below the house, maybe still unopened, like the Star Wars lightsabre. I mean really, just because I like Star Wars and I’m a tech geek, I’m going to want a fake lightsabre? If it were real, sure!
But for the 60th birthday on Thursday, Karen (my wife) remembered I’d picked up this cool painting in Thailand a couple years ago, somehow forgotten about, still rolled up in a tube. It’s a bit of a ritual when we travel; she looks for “art” that will remind her of the place we’re visiting, something done by the person selling it, so she has a connection. Me? I saw this and instantly connected with it. Who hasn’t, at some time in their life, felt like that little fish? The eyes… how can a round space with a dot of paint convey so much?
Getting this picture framed for the wall is one of my best birthday presents ever. –Mike–
Keep riding your bike,Mike. 64 doesn’t feel any different than 54 for me and I credit the bike for that.
I plan to never stop riding. Those old guys out there on high-end “trikes” ‘cuz their balance isn’t good enough anymore? I might have made fun of them many years ago, but now I’m hoping I live long enough to be one!
Glad you feel the same at 64 as 54; unfortunately, there are two things in my life that don’t allow me that feeling. Strava, and my son. At 54, I was still faster than him. At 60, I struggle to finish a tough climb on the same day. Amazing how good he’s become. I’m finally getting around to dealing with my breathing issues in hopes of arresting and possibly reversing a bit of my own decline. –Mike–
Happy birthday Mike, and thanks for all your inspiring posts on this blog. You may be slower at age 60 than you were at 54. However I’ll bet you are in better shape at 60 than most people are at age 30 or 40! Keep up the good work and best wishes on your next laps around both the Bay Area and the sun!
I like the painting also. Colorful and whimsical. I’d be happy to have it in my own home.