When I was younger, I used to play a lot of different sports.  It seems that I was a bit of a jock all the way through college.  Actually, I continued on with softball until I was in my mid to late 30s.  Back then, it was fun, getting together with friends, and competing fiercely, in this or that.

But more often than not, because of the level of competitiveness, someone would walk away with a limp.  It was the nature of the beast.  A war wound.

And it seems…. the older I get …. I no longer possess  the mental pluck to compete at that level.  Not to mention  the physical robustness.   These days… entertainment takes on different forms.

Like tonight.   A couple of close friends came over.  We ate wonderful homemade pizzas (thanks Mary) and other homey-type-whipped-up snacks (thanks me).

Afterwards, we played a game of four-player Yahtzee.  It was a great deal of fun.  But wouldn’t you know it?  When the game was over… a couple of us got up and walked away with a limp.  No injuries… to speak of.  We had just been sitting too long… and we are getting creaky.

And so it goes.

You know the old saying… “The game has changed, but the players remain the same.” ?

Well… in this case, the game has changed.  And players have aged… a LOT.  And gotten stiffer, and developed more aches, and pains.  Not to mention that the “thrill of victory” has diminished significantly.

The adrenalin rush has shifted….from competing to win the NCAA  Regionals, ….  to being absolutely stoked by pulling the pizza out of the pizza maker at exactly six minutes. … without it sticking, or burning…

Pathetic?  Maybe.
Fun?  Like a barrel of monkeys… and then some.

And the limp?  Well.  Let’s just say we’ve earned it.