This past weekend, my wife and I were privileged to have one of our grandchildren spend the night! No, it’s not the first time that has happened; there have been numerous other sleepovers at the grandparents’ by this grandchild and the others. But it is the first time we let this one sleep by himself in a separate room. He’s one year old so he’s not really a baby and can sleep just fine on his own. Of course, we checked on him from time to time, especially my wife who is a very light sleeper when children are around, but we weren’t that concerned that anything was wrong.

However, our dogs were apparently not quite so keen with the idea of letting him sleep alone. In fact, they were pretty nervous about the whole thing. They kept coming to my office at the end of the hall to get me. And, thinking they needed to go outside, I’d get up from sitting at the computer and head for the door. But every time, they’d stop at the bedroom where the grandkid was sleeping. The door was ajar and the dogs would peek into the dark and then look back at me and whine. This only happened a few times before I started ignoring them. Well, not ignoring them exactly. What I did was told them to go back to bed, the baby was fine.

They’d wander off but only stay gone a few minutes. Then, they’d be back, silently urging me to get up and check on the kid. When I didn’t, they’d go to the door and stare into the room, sniffing—and still whining. I started getting up just to watch them.

It was almost comical, as they progressively became more and more worried. They’d quietly edge further into the room, listening and sniffing until they were satisfied everything was okay and then slowly back out of the room, and trot back up the hall. This scene would repeat every few minutes. Eventually, they couldn’t take the “pressure” any longer and just laid down in the hall keeping any eye on the poor, defenseless little human that their inconsiderate owners would not bother to watch—at least not as often as they would have liked.

While this provided entertainment for me, I really didn’t get a lot of work done that night. But that’s okay, I’m working now. And my wife is sleeping soundly. For about three hours now. No, I haven’t even checked on her. She’s got the dogs. I’m sure they’ll keep a close eye on her.

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice-President of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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Thirty years ago, this week, my wife and I had our first date! Don’t worry, I’ll spare you the details as I’m sure it was only exciting to us. Besides, I’m not entirely convinced I want to divulge any of those details!

Despite this being our grand moment, it was pretty much a non-event to the world. There was no fanfare, no streamers, and no marching band, although I do remember playing a couple of songs on the jukebox at the pizza parlor. But the reality was, no one cared that we were there. No one knew us, and so the fact that we were starting a life-long journey together didn’t seem to matter to them. No one knew that we’d stay together. No one knew we’d eventually get married. And certainly, no one knew that thirty years later I’d be writing about it. Not that it mattered really, we didn’t need anyone to validate our momentous occasion. We managed to make it fine on our own. And I for one, am quite happy about it, even thirty years later. No word on my wife’s opinion since I can’t speak for her. But I think she’s still at least okay with the idea.

Hey, I can pretend can’t I?

Actually, thirty years later, life is good. Even amid the hectic schedule we maintain, life is good. And it’s fun to look back on how it all came to be. And remember the days when we actually had time to spend together.

The other day, on one of those rare occasions of spending time together, we stopped at a pizza place and I noticed a young couple who were obviously on a date. I have no idea if it was their first date or not but they seemed oblivious to the rest of the goings-on so, I’m thinking it might have been. Now, maybe they won’t end up together. But then again, maybe they will. And maybe in thirty years they’ll be looking back and, just maybe, they’ll remember the guy in the black cowboy hat who noticed them. Or, not. Doesn’t really matter, I suppose. It didn’t for my wife and I. But on second thought, perhaps people did notice us. Perhaps back then, we were the ones who were oblivious to the rest of the world. Like the couple I saw. Hard to say though, after all, that was thirty years ago.

And now, a personal note: Happy First-Date Anniversary, Brenda!

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice-President of Rave Reviews Book Club.

Time for another visit to the dentist. Seems like two years goes by awfully fast! I know! I know! A checkup every six months is recommended. But I tend to stretch that out a bit. Or, a lot. Typically, I wait until there is a problem, which was the case this time.

The reason for my visit was a small chip on my upper front tooth, specifically, the mesial lingual surface of #8; the right maxillary central anterior (for those who want a technical description). The tooth has previously had a root canal, thanks to my dog knocking me of my skateboard when I was a kid, so there was no pain, only the aggravation to my tongue. But I would like to keep the tooth, and prefer to not pay for an implant, so I made the appointment.

And that’s when the trouble started.

Since my last visit, my dentist has retired. I may have mentioned a few times that I do not like change. I know that change sometimes is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. So, it was with a fair amount of trepidation that I “looked forward” to this dental visit.

And I was not disappointed.

New faces, new procedures, new equipment; all made for a distressing hour.  I guess you could say it was rather a numbing effect!  And on top of that, I had to endure a lecture from the dental assistant about the “proper” care of my teeth. As if, at 48 years of age, I’ve never heard anything about brushing and flossing. I considered asking her who had made her dentures, just to make a point, but thought that might not bode well for my own comfort while in the chair!

Actually, I must admit, the new dentist is okay. More than okay really, she’s great. She’s knowledgeable, competent, skillful, thorough, good-natured, and witty. In short, she’s very likable, as a dentist and as a person. But it’s just not the same. My old dentist knew me, knew my family. There was a certain familiarity and a friendly atmosphere. Now, a dental visit is purely business, impersonal. I know, in time that will change. I’ll become more comfortable and used to the new people. Used to the new way of doing things. Used to the idea that my old dentist is gone.

And, in time, I’m sure I will learn to accept this change. Maybe. Probably about the time my new dentist retires!

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice-President of Rave Reviews Book Club.

This past week, I successfully completed another year. (Stole that line from my son). Forty-eight years old now. Where does the time go? Well, from what I can determine, I think it goes by—one day at a time. Put a few thousand days together and before you know it, years have ticked away.

It’s a sad realization to think there are more people younger than I in the world, than people older than I am. But that doesn’t mean life is over. Can’t be. I still have a lot of things to do.

I remember when I was a kid, envisioning this time of my  life—having grown kids and grandkids—seemed  like a far off thing. A someday thing. But almost  unfathomable. I couldn’t really even imagine it. Yet, here I am.

Okay, having birthdays is nothing special—most everybody has one now and then. But I do have a few observations about growing older. First, whoever said life begins at forty, apparently forgot about being young. You know, back when energy was plentiful, sleep wasn’t required, manual labor didn’t involve sore muscles and aching bones? Second, and perhaps more important, the world continually changes, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. More and more, I look at people and shake my head.  I just do not relate to them. And not only younger people. A lot of people. It’s like they are from another planet. I guess I’m just an old-fashioned thinking person. One that refuses to change. or, maybe  I'm just aging.

Admittedly, forty-eight isn’t all that old. And I don’t really feel that old. I’ve always told my kids I’m going to live to be one hundred fifty, so I’m not even a third of the way there! Over one hundred years to go! But I have noticed I’m slowing down. A little. It takes a bit longer to do what used to be simple things, like climbing hills or stairs, mowing the lawn, or well, just about anything requiring physical exertion. I used to jump out of my truck, my semi every time I got out. I don’t do that anymore, it’s a long ways to the ground! Don’t get in so fast these days either.

There’s a reason for all that too—my well being! Because, I’m working on successfully completing another year.

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice-President of Rave Reviews Book Club.