"Youth is Wasted on the Young"

Got a call this afternoon from my riding buddy, Ken. He and I are both in our mid 50's--yes, I am now old enough that I have started lying about my kids' ages. He said that he was on his way, with another teacher from his school, to pick me up for a little ride. I headed out, pretty 75 degree day with light north wind, and we headed up the west side of the valley. The other guy is a 32 year old who looked in great shape-has been riding for several years. We chatted and rode--always seem to push a bit more riding with others (does this prove that I still produce a bit of testosterone?...)--kidding the youngster about being out with a couple of silverbacks. He commented-several times-that he hoped he would be able to "do what you guys are doing at your age". Well, about 6-7 miles into the ride, which had been all uphill and into the wind, Ken started pushing a bit, I jumped up and rode side-by-side (no wimping drafting for this old guy), and we heard some dying noises from somewhere behind us as the youngster struggled (a little) to keep up, but was dropped by the two of us "at our age". We were on the last up-hill mile and a half of our out portion, so we slowed at the top to let Junior catch us, made our turn and headed home. Now, I don't know that we are in any better shape than the youngster, but I do know we have a bit of "old-man toughness". A couple of observations:
*I have been easily dropped by a couple of 60-somethings on a tough ride.
*I know some other 30 somethings who would never let this happen to them--think I am related to at least one of them--maybe they are "old-tough" before their time. Naw--just in great shape. maybe a bit of both.
*My buddy, Ken, made a bit of a jump to try to push me. Didn't happen, won't happen as long as I can draw breath.

Well-pretty day, nice ride, good to drop a youngster on occasion. Life is good.

Homemaking vs Housekeeping

One of our lessons in church today was based on a talk given by Sister Beck in Oct conference--"Mothers Who Know". One point sister Beck made was that one of Mother's primary roles is to "nurture" the family--see the Proclamation to the World on the Family. She equated "nurturing" with "homemaking". There was some discussion of why homemaking is important, and some jokes made about not telling our wives that they are supposed to be world-class homemakers. But it hit me that "homemaking" is not at all the same as "housekeeping". "Homemaking" implies that the mother is responsible for making a "home". Home--the place we feel safe, warm, loved, cared for. I want to go Home when I leave this existence. I know women who have been wonderful housekeepers--spotless, everything where it belongs, organized on several levels--but not very effective homemakers. On the other hand, I have been in "homemakers" homes that could have maybe used a bit of sweeping or picking-up, but, it felt nice--in my heart--to be there.
I understand that Sister Beck's comments were criticized in some forums, but I think she is right. I know my sweet wife is a wonderful "homemaker", as I want to be at my home-with her. I think our kids, grandkids feel the same. I know I feel that way in our married kids homes, even when they need a bit of housekeeping. Hey, even fathers can help with that.