CURMUDGEONS

Caveat emptor !! ( Don't know the Latin for 'Reader,Beware'.)
This one has more than a tad of grousing, muttering tone. Allegedly, we elders sometimes are viewed as curmudgeons . One of my younger brothers once said he was becoming one of those and I simply inquired 'Becoming?'. The same, on occasion, can be said of his older brother. A few days ago, I extolled the benefits of a balance of silence and beneficial sounds.
However, having disembarked from a 'cruise ship' a few hours ago, I am ready for a HUGE installment of quiet. Apparently, there was little refuge from
the incessant cacophony .... loud voices, amplified sounds masquerading as 'music', Muzak , cruise-line 'cheerleaders' telling us what a wonderful time we were having, etc. One night, insomnia caused by onset of a cold prompted me to leave our cabin at 3:30 a.m. to avoid awakening my wife. Even the deserted top-level aft deck had loud-speakers emitting 'racket'. (There's that descriptive term again.) And, my grand-father's strategy of turning down the hearing aids didn't help. (See 'Shhh' of a few days ago). Actually, there were times when removing the devices altogether afforded no relief.
Now sitting in the Miami Airport, waiting for flight home in few hours, I remember having been told that few things are as quiet as a snowfall. I wonder if my brother in New Hampshire where two feet of snow has fallen since last night would like to make a trade.
In the meantime, maybe we can make reservations for a few days 'cruise' to the nearest monastery!

OK, I'll be more 'upbeat' in next post.
Satchel