A Body Brace and No Spine

That's what someone in my neighborhood told me all about last night as I was walking the dog. I didn't even get a chance to say hello (I don't think) before she started discussing how she was so warm because she has to wear a body brace because her spine has disintegrated she attributes to a bicycle accident. It was so strange. It was sort of like talking to my grandmother. Every time I call and ask how she is (which I hesitate to admit is less than it should be) I get a list of aches and pains and how old age is so hard. At least my grandma waits until you ask her how she is versus accosting people on the street and mentioning all aches and pains. If I'm going to become a crazy old person it's going to include muttering, wearing pajamas and singing. For sure singing. I couldn't think of a response until I had walked another block - of course. Then I thought I should have said something like "Free bullet proof vest!" or "Can I borrow that for the next time I drink too much to keep me upright?" or "Isn't it wonderful that you can still walk?" Instead, I have been thinking that for each person who tells you they have it bad, there is someone who has it worse. I prefer to do as Peggy Lee suggests when I am disappointed by life:

"If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is"

By linking to that site I discovered there is a ringtone for that song. It may be the first (and hopefully last) ringtone I ever purchase. See?! My day just improved!