Old habits are often hard to break

       Sometimes old habits are hard to break.
       In my case, it’s learning to be a better listener.
      Back in the day in elementary school, my report card often noted that I needed to pay better attention in class and listen instead of talking and flapping my lips.
       It wasn’t that detailed  and drawn out on my report cards, just that I usually didn’t listen.
     I was once reported to the dean’s office in high school by my drafting teacher for talking too much in class. That really upset my mom and she ended up calling and having a discussion with the dean about kids who were smoking between classes and all I was doing was talking.
      I understand both sides of the story, but my thought is that talking is part of learning. And I think listening is, too.
    Debbie and I were having a discussion the other day and I apparently and rudely talked over her. She quickly, in a loving way, reminded me to be a better listener.
      She’s right, I do need to pay better attention, especially to her.
      Maybe I need to visit the ear doctor to see if my ears are clogged or if there is some other issue.
       It’s never too late to make changes in one’s life.
     Outside of needing to work on being a better listener, I have made a number of positive changes in my life, mostly after turning 30.
    A couple that come to mind include returning to college and earning my BS degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia in December 1997 at the age of 38.
       And secondly, but more important than an education, was getting married to Debbie.
      We will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary on Sept. 25, and I turn age 66 on Sept. 26.
       I’m having a tough time wrapping my mind around the fact that I turn 66.
      For our anniversary and birthday gift to each other, we are planning to get a new puppy from a friend in Missouri. We got a puppy from our friend two years ago Labor Day weekend, 2023.
     Getting another puppy is a must since our nearly 15-year-old chocolate lab, Rex, passed away earlier this summer.
      We are both excited to welcome the puppy to our family.
​     She will be joining our dog, Boomer, three miniature horses, Gazer, Harmony and Sophie, a host of kitty cats and our 15 chickens.
      We got the chickens earlier this year and they are laying eggs lightning fast. Somedays, Debbie will gather a dozen and upwards to 20 eggs.
      In addition to our new puppy and other animals, Debbie and I are planning on celebrating our anniversary and birthdays with lunch or supper at an area restaurant. I’m looking forward to a tasty salad with cheese, croutons, salt and pepper and Thousand Island dressing.
     Being on blood thinners until a week ago, I had to stay away from Vitamin K foods such as salad and coleslaw.
      I’ve missed it dearly and I am thankful that I can once again have a tasty salad.
     I’ve been in a phase in my life in recent times of learning the importance of being thankful and seeing the positives in life. Having colon cancer will do that to a person.
     As I’ve noted before, life is full of challenges and things that happen that are hard to wrap your mind and heart around.
     My advice is to keep moving forward and don’t look back.
     Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.