I am getting confirmation that I am getting . . . o l d

[DougVieyra]

I had a suspicion that I had started creeping into the status (is that the word ?) of becoming what young people call "old". There had been signs quietly creeping into my every day life - signs I gently ignored, hoping they would go away. But every once in a while, something comes along that jolts me into the realization that indeed I AM getting old !

In yesterday's mail came a small package, sent from the MAFCA (Model A Ford Club of America) headquarters in La Habra, California. Inside was a brief letter from Jay McCord, Membership Director of MAFCA. Also a small metal insignia pin. My eye sight is not what it was in years past, so I could not read the writing on the pen. So my eyes drifted to the few written words of the brief letter - they were big enough for me to read . . . . after I put my 'readers' (aka 2.5 magnification eye glasses) on.

Summing up, it said: "I congratulate you for achieving 50 years of continuous membership."

My eyes re-read the line . . . . and my brain started to go soft . . . as the words trumpeted . . . "50 years". 50 years. 50 years as a club member. NOW I feel old.

Like many of us (old people) I started to look around for a 'life ring' to save me from this brutal acknowledgement that I was OLD. Where did it go . . . all those years.

And then I was relieved, as I remembered (as all old men do) that I was only two years old when I got my first Model A, and only three years old when I first joined the Model A Ford Club of America. So with a little quick mental agility, I quickly realized that I was only 53 years old. Now THAT sounded a lot better.

Thank God for the NEW math and shoddy rationalizations.

[motordr]

Congratulations!

[Gumpy]

God bless you, your knowledge of A's has probably helped many a newcomer,,thanks

[31 Model A]

Remember...you are only as old as you feel and.....my philosophy......"Keep a young mind, you keep a young body"!!!!! I'm living walking proof that way of thinking works............. Wanna buy a Grit, old timer????

Congrats on the pin, BTW!!!!

[53RYDER]

Well done! Congratulations!

Glenn (newbie)

[1930artdeco]

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Doug I like your thinking. If I would have kept up my membership I would have a 45 year pin. As it is I was shocked when I got my 25 year pin as I had forgotten that I had been a member that long.

Mike

[C26Pinelake]

Congratulations ! You reached a milestone that many never get to enjoy ! Break open a bottle of Root Beer or Ginger Ale and celebrate ! Wayne

[armchair67]

As stated above, you are only as old as you feel. I'm 41, still like the same things I did as a kid-cars, girls, music, hell I still love to skateboard. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate things that I didn't at a younger age, and you probably won't find me down at the club, but overall I still feel pretty damn young and hope you do, too. Fifty three is. I know guys in their 70s and 80s that are very young and why not? An older man who is grumpy, isn't just a grumpy old man, he was probably a grumpy young man, too. Your body grows older-although working out and eating reasonably well, can slow that process down as well, but I think that most folks still THINK young in many ways. Congrats on fifty years though, that is pretty cool.

[brum1]

Please don't tell me 53 is old

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by armchair67

As stated above, you are only as old as you feel. I'm 41, still like the same things I did as a kid-cars, girls, music, hell I still love to skateboard. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate things that I didn't at a younger age, and you probably won't find me down at the club, but overall I still feel pretty damn young and hope you do, too. Fifty three is. I know guys in their 70s and 80s that are very young and why not? An older man who is grumpy, isn't just a grumpy old man, he was probably a grumpy young man, too. Your body grows older-although working out and eating reasonably well, can slow that process down as well, but I think that most folks still THINK young in many ways. Congrats on fifty years though, that is pretty cool.

ONLY 41 !! I barely remember 42, when I got my FIRST glasses
HORRORS, I'll soon be 80-EEK!: eek:
BILL W. (:-()

[V8COOPMAN]

Don't even THINK about how close the spelling of your name..... DougVieyra .....is to the spelling of that little blue pill. DD

[J Wade]

I guess getting older happens to all of us but it's like my model A, you just keep replacing worn parts with new ones. Knees about 15 years ago and hips in about a week. I think we all live as long as the good Lord allows us. Knees Hips who knows what's next.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by brum1

Please don't tell me 53 is old

plus 2

congrats Doug

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by J Wade

I guess getting older happens to all of us but it's like my model A, you just keep replacing worn parts with new ones. Knees about 15 years ago and hips in about a week. I think we all live as long as the good Lord allows us. Knees Hips who knows what's next.

Heart replacements, knee and hip replacements and Viagra were all created by Baby-Boomers to keep the Baby-Boomers pro-creating!!!

[Spokes]

Congratulations, May you have another 50 !!!

[barnstuf]

Congratulations! Should I slow down so you can catch up? I got a 60 year pin last year from MARC!

[700rpm]

I don't mind getting old when I consider the alternative.

[apbright]

53 is young, mate. My stepfather, just turn 80, walks 15 miles per day. I'm gosh darn jealous I didn't get my first Modal A at age 2.

[DougVieyra]

Just for those who had the goodness to think I was complaining about being 50 (or 53) years old - I must clarify (in the spirit of 'Full Disclosure'), that 50 is what the Membership Pin was for - not my age !

I am 85 . . . . or is it 75 ? . . . . . or, well . . . . - some of you know I WAS a young man . . . . during the Harding Administration. And I can assure you that there is a WORLD of difference between 30 to 40, as opposed to 70 to 80. Big time.

And yes, I still am actively running a cattle and timber ranch at 75 - the 'Marlborough man', without the cigarette; and have given up the horse for a quad.

BUT . . . I also ride a 10-speed Bicycle when in town - A 'Girl's' bike. Of course I refer to it as a 'Geriatric' bike. And my helmet is an orange LP Logger's Hard Hat. At 75 I can no longer get my leg over the 'Man's' Peugeot French racer that I rode in the 1970's. And the Hard Hat is not just for picking up girls. I keep crashing into things, as my agility and balance is now shaky.

And while I no longer win, I do still put up an impressive 32 seconds at the local Navy hang-out, where bar fights and brawls are the recreation of choice.

- Doug Vieyra.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Good for you Doug, I wish I had your energy, oops I forgot, I will soon hit the 80 mark with Bill W. I realize it a little after putting a set of front shocks on my 86 F150 this afternoon. Hope I'll be able to move in the morning, damn that creeper!