In the last frame, Arlo is quoting the poet Robert Browning, his poem “Rabbi Ben Ezra”. Browning is praising old age, but I think Arlo is using the quote ironically.
My worst “Old Fart Moment” is when I asked for “yogurt tape”, meaning, of course, duct tape. Anybody should know that yogurt tape and duct tape are the same think.
Decades ago a beautiful, very bright and capable young woman moved into our circle of friends having married one of the young men. We didn’t see her for weeks as she set up her household, and when she did join us she was very quiet. There were several of us hanging out together one afternoon, and I happened to be sitting next to her as we were all kidding around. Suddenly she spoke up, coming out with a beautifully enunciated blurt of complete gibberish. She and I looked at each other in complete surprise and we started laughing uproariously, after which she apologized for her “verbal accident.” That incident revealed more about her — her wit, her composure and her intellect — than whole conversations reveal about others; and that phrase is alive and well in our vocabulary to this day, as is our friendship.
What’s worse is when you’re asked for a spoon and hand over a sponge because that’s what you heard. Trust me: a combination of partial deafness and tinnitus makes for some strange conversations.
My wife and I are always doing something like this. We simply say “I’ve got it”, with the “it” referring to dementia. Both of our father’s had dementia and it is no fun to watch.
alasko about 7 years ago
“What a drag it is getting old.” – Some old Stones.
chassimmons Premium Member about 7 years ago
In the last frame, Arlo is quoting the poet Robert Browning, his poem “Rabbi Ben Ezra”. Browning is praising old age, but I think Arlo is using the quote ironically.
Richard Howland-Bolton Premium Member about 7 years ago
Grow old along with me
The worst is yet to be.
When we can hardly see
Or remember when to pee:
Arthritis in the knee;
Modern rubbish on TV—
With Browning who’d agree
From his mawkishness let us flee
And like Rabbie Burns (to be
A-thinking of Annie Lauree)
Let us lay us doon and dee.
UBBM Premium Member about 7 years ago
I’m glad it’s not just me who does that.
joedon2007 about 7 years ago
never read the poem but a lot of it is happening here. Misery likes company.
ARLOS DAD about 7 years ago
Sitting in a waiting room the other day there was about a 3 year old boy wearing shoes with Velcro straps. Me too!
banjoAhhh! about 7 years ago
My worst “Old Fart Moment” is when I asked for “yogurt tape”, meaning, of course, duct tape. Anybody should know that yogurt tape and duct tape are the same think.
dogday Premium Member about 7 years ago
Decades ago a beautiful, very bright and capable young woman moved into our circle of friends having married one of the young men. We didn’t see her for weeks as she set up her household, and when she did join us she was very quiet. There were several of us hanging out together one afternoon, and I happened to be sitting next to her as we were all kidding around. Suddenly she spoke up, coming out with a beautifully enunciated blurt of complete gibberish. She and I looked at each other in complete surprise and we started laughing uproariously, after which she apologized for her “verbal accident.” That incident revealed more about her — her wit, her composure and her intellect — than whole conversations reveal about others; and that phrase is alive and well in our vocabulary to this day, as is our friendship.
JoePhan about 7 years ago
What’s worse is when you’re asked for a spoon and hand over a sponge because that’s what you heard. Trust me: a combination of partial deafness and tinnitus makes for some strange conversations.
DavEdsel about 7 years ago
My wife and I are always doing something like this. We simply say “I’ve got it”, with the “it” referring to dementia. Both of our father’s had dementia and it is no fun to watch.