Are There Any Advantages To Being Over the Hill?

A few months ago I started asking questions on Facebook twice a week. Some are silly, some are soul searching, and some stimulate memories. It has been rewarding in various ways and certainly has connected me with people who are both like-minded or polar opposite.  Each question has between 100 - 200 comments. I believe this is what Facebook was originally intended to be - a place to connect with both old and new-found friends.  Stop by....if you haven't already.  Answer some questions or let me know what you would like me to ask the group. 

Everybody enjoying the crazy social-distancing line-ups at stores?  I try to schedule my time to do any shopping or banking when the wait times are the shortest. 

Last week I needed to make a bank deposit - with cash. The bank was closed so there wasn't any lineup. This would have been great except for this flashing NOTICE on the bank machine. 

We are not accepting cash deposits at this time

"What?" I asked out loud. The machine responded with the message flashing faster.  Muttering to myself that this would mean I had to return and wait in line when it opened at 11 A M.  I arrived at 11:15 and about 30 people were waiting.

The bank manager asked each person waiting in line what they needed to do as they only allowed people into the bank whose transactions required personal assistance. By the time he got to me there were still about 25 ahead of me.

"Good morning, Carol. What are we doing today?" Don't you hate that when they say "we?" I had no idea what he was going to be doing that day.

"Making a cash deposit - the bank machine won't accept any cash."

"Sorry 'bout that? We have been having some issues with the machine over the weekend."

"Carol, you're not over 60 are you?"  Why would he ask me that - especially in front of all these people?

"Yes, I am."

"May I see some identification please?"

I handed him my driver's license and with a loud voice, almost shouting, he said, "HOOOOOOLY. You're 72."

EVERYONE - I mean.....everyone stared.

He immediately realized how loud he had spoken and he cupped his hand over his face mask. "So sorry, Carol. I was just shocked. I didn't think you were 60. You don't have to wait in line. I'll take you right in."

I guess sometimes it's a perk to be 'over the hill.'

AllSocial

A friend told me about an up-and-coming social media platform that was not run like the Gestapo. It is non-radical, informative, fun, and gaining huge audiences rapidly. It is called AllSocial.

Checking it out, it had the feel of both Facebook and Instagram combined. While scrolling through I noticed there was a Mother's Day contest asking that you post anything related to mothers. There was no mention regarding the prize and I assumed it was for 'recognition' purposes. 

I posted these two pictures and blurbs:

The last time I saw my mom who died shortly after my wedding in 1967

My beautiful daughter who has been everything I could ever have hoped for in a daughter. Now with babies of her own, she is a magnificent mom (pictured here at 12 years old)   

A few days later I received an email: CONGRATULATIONS! You are our Mother's Day contest winner. I completed the necessary forms which I thought were a bit much for a small gift as I had no idea what I won.

When I received the notice of what I won, I thought it was some kind of scam. I was shocked. It was an online gift card to florists or gift stores in the amount of $100. But that's not all -- the next prize was a Visa card for $250 to use as I please. Will I be promoting their website? Duh!

I would have done it anyway. The marketing gal interviewed me yesterday regarding my reaction to the prize and what I planned to do with it. We chatted a bit about their goal in the social medial world and it felt....good, homey and non-threatening. 

Sure missing those kids

Not seeing those grandbabies since Christmas we were so anxious to be with them. Then the second week of March the world shut down, including the ferries we would need to travel to see them. So, like many other people, we wait.

But here are pictures their mom and daddy took for us:

Brie feeding the sheep
Notice her new 'car'

William learned how to chop wood

Brie is missing her Papa so
she drew his picture.
She drew him with HAIR 

Glad they have the opportunity to play outside

This has been my monthly Fly on the Wall post. Today three other bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. 

Buzz around, see what you think, then click on these links for a peek into some other homes:

Baking In A Tornado                  

Menopausal Mother                   

Spatulas on Parade