Perhaps
you've noticed that no Tipsy Tuesday flag has appeared over the past
several weeks.
For more
than a dozen years, we've gathered with friends on Tuesday evenings during the
warm months to share a glass of wine, good conversation, plenty of laughter and
to discuss who has had what joints replaced recently. Over the years, the venue
has changed with the seasons—and with life itself. We've gathered on the
screened porch,
on the patio,
and, after
our neighbors removed their aging hackberry tree (along with our shade!), we
migrated to the carport.
Our chairs,
fans, extra tables, and all the other Tipsy Tuesday paraphernalia used to be
stored on the upper deck and screened porch, accessible only by climbing a few
stairs. As we've gotten older, we've found that the summer heat and humidity—and
hauling everything up and down those steps each week—has become less appealing.
But don't
worry—we have no intention of giving up our Tuesday tradition!
Like so many
other aspects of aging, we've simply learned to adapt. Until the weather
becomes a little more tolerable, we're hosting smaller groups of six to eight
friends inside the house. Sometimes it's a "mini" Tipsy Tuesday with
our usual drinks and snacks. Other times it's a "bring your own meal"
evening while we provide the beverages—a happy throwback to our pandemic
gatherings.
Of course,
we could all meet at a restaurant, but we've discovered there are real
advantages to gathering at home. Friends with gluten, sodium or other
restrictions can bring food that suits their needs, conversations are much
easier for those of us with hearing challenges, and, if we're being honest...
our wine selection is better!
In an
earlier post, we mentioned that making changes to make aging easier has taken
more work than we expected. One of those projects has been creating a more
user-friendly outdoor space.
Instead of
storing everything upstairs, we now keep our outdoor furniture and entertaining
supplies in a patio storage unit that's easily accessible. It's one of those
small changes that makes a surprisingly big difference.
Before long,
the Tipsy Tuesday flag will be flying again. But for now, plants have been
pruned, watering system set, clothes are packed and we are headed for Alaska!
