Thursday, March 25, 2010

Old

OLD, adj. In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as an old man. Discredited by lapse of time and offensive to the popular taste, as an old book.
"Old books? The devil take them!" Goby said.
"Fresh every day must be my books and bread."
Nature herself approves the Goby rule
And gives us every moment a fresh fool.
—Harley Shum
2010 Update: In syndication.

21 comments:

k. riggs gardner said...

Thanks again, Doug. As you probably know, by now, I never studied Greek mythology.

I looked up Persephone. There is an archaic role for her as the dread queen of the Underworld, whose very name it was forbidden to speak.

Did you know that in Greek architecture there are three orders of columns? The Doric. The Ionic. The Corinthian. I learned that in an Art Appreciation course I took some time ago.

I'm not sure that's relevant to the discussion, but there it is nonetheless.
~

TLP said...

Old is both underrated and overrated. In any case "old" should be appreciated. Being old, for example, doesn't last forever.

Mo'a said...

"Old" is a state of mind...take it from me I have years of experience :)

tsduff said...

Snappy poem today.

Old: It's all relative. Seems I'm turning into that relative in my family ha ha.

Jim said...

I'm with the others in that it is all relevant. And with Karen in that I never studied Greek mythology except in college literature classes.

First you were speaking meanly of lawyers, now old people:
"Nature herself approves the Goby rule
And gives us every moment a fresh fool (i.e. an old person)
.

But I can take it. It is to be taken with the age. :)
..

Jim said...

This comment doesn't have to stay.

When I returned to college after sitting out for eleven, then going for another eleven years, a strange thing happened to me.

We were out under the trees in long alphabetical lines getting our 'class cards.' I needed a class card for a certain class to graduate but when my letter 'H' line came up the class had closed.
A nice young lady (student helper) gave me the prof's room number where I might get permission to be admitted to the closed class.
On departing she told me, "Good luck, sir." Until that first sir from one I had considered myself one of the gang (of students). Now at age 35, by this pretty young lady I was a 'sir.'

When I was teaching the college business classes I would sit on the classroom side of the desk holding the podium upon dismissal.
At a certain age, a few years removed from two times that "'old' 35", the students started patting me on the knee or shoulder as they departed.
Of course that was along with their usual departing 'kindly' remarks.

Nice, polite, well meaning people can often make an older man feel older yet.
..

Anonymous said...

Old: Does a little blue pill count?

Omnipotent Poobah said...

old: What's left when you stop being bold.

k. riggs gardner said...

Hey Jim. How are you this afternoon? Remember the TV show, "Gunsmoke" ?

"Premiering on CBS in September 1955 and completing its network run September 1975, Gunsmoke is the longest running dramatic series in the history of television".

2010 Update: In syndication.

http://www.tvland.com/schedule/show_schedule.jhtml?SID=654

k. riggs gardner said...

"...CBS was lagging behind in certain key demographics by the late 60s, and decided it wanted a more hip, urban lineup to compete for younger viewers.

Its [Petticoat Junction] sister shows Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies fell victim, as did Hee Haw and Mayberry R.F.D., the latter two of which were still garnering decent ratings. ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petticoat_Junction

Nessa said...

I am syndicated. Sounds cool.

k. riggs gardner said...

~
Gracias a Dios maƱana es Viernes.
~

quilly said...

Old -- something my joints are protesting but my brain refuses to acknowledge.

quilly said...

She said, "I understand my my thumb joint aches. I wrenched it out of its socket once. What I don't understand is why the arthritis is attacking my shoulder."

He said, "Are you kidding?! I know exactly why you're hurt." He typed a bit on his laptop then turned it so she could see the screen: The Grownups Wanted Us Dead.

"Oh," she said.

cooper said...

Old: Due for re-homing at the consignment shop.

sauerkraut said...

Old: something Ellie Mae Clampett and her seament pond will never be. Gilligan, neither.

Hobbes said...

Yesterday's new.

TLP said...

This post is now officially OLD.

Doug The Una said...

I've noticed, Actonbell, that the return of the past makes me feel older. Especially when the kids at the pet store play Def Leppard.

I did know that, Karen, although I never studied art appreciation. You need to read a little further about Persephone to get to the symbolism of pomegranates, though.

Very wise, TLP. I don't mean that euphemistically.

I know that state of mind well, Mo'a.

Thanks, Terry. Bierce was good at snappy poems.

Jim, that's a great story. I was an older college student, too (although mid-20s not 30s.) Nobody sirred me. Kids today have no respect for their elders.

Thom, ask me again in about a decade.

Poobah, that's a good one and true.

Karen, I was a fan of Petticoat Junction which I used to watch with my grandfather.

Enjoy, Nessa.

De acuerdo, Karen.

Quilly, that was a great blog but it did explain a lot.

Cooper, is that how you see us?

Sauerkraut, that's exactly what I had in mind with my definition.

Right, Hobbes. Like bullying Annie.

TLP, I can only write poems about your harpiness on Wednesday.

k. riggs gardner said...

Yes, Hobbes. Yesterday's new and tomorrow is another day. I hope Annie's not "fixin' to cry" for too very long !!!

Chef Bill said...

Sometimes wise, sometimes wizened but always ready with a story for the few willing to listen.