Getting older sucks…

…until you consider the alternative!

As I’ve gotten older I’ve become less and less able to deal with my chronic migraines. Long gone are the days that I can simply power through them by sheer testosterone-poisoning. Several years back my wife put her foot down and forbade me from working in the shop with a migraine, rightly pointing out that I work with tools that cut steel. Such tools of course will make short work of my tender flesh, as they have proven all too often.

As I’ve aged the migraines became more frequent, other issues cropped up and eventually it got to the point where I had to admit that I am disabled. I simply cannot work in my shop enough to make any kind of living. Getting a ‘real’ job isn’t an option either; who is going to hire someone that will miss 2-3 random days each week? Eventually Linda talked me into applying for VA disability (which epic saga is still ongoing) and these days I have to consider myself semi-retired.

Life goes on and we move on; it’s only natural. I still love working and making new things but my interests have expanded to writing fiction and Linda and I have become published authors. Mostly I can still write when in the throes of a migraine; it helps to distract me from the discomfort. Since one of my former professions was as an illustrator I am brushing up on graphic arts programs and learning to do book covers for our writing. It’s frustrating but is finally starting to produce useful results. I’m spending more time with old friends and working with a Viking group to perform educational demos. I’ve learned to make period shoes and pouches. There’s no shortage of things to keep myself busy.

So given the alternative I think that I’ll keep getting older, thanks. There are plenty off new things to learn, experience and do, and life still has a lot to look forward to! I might as well enjoy the ride; after all, I’ll never get out of it alive…