Flesh of the Mind

     Men do not seem to change as we get older. I can remember checking out, sorry, I mean observing the opposite sex at my first job as a teen and about 5 jobs and roughly 15 years late I still do. As Updike mentions, on the beach everyone is in a bathing suit and so you don't look at someone the same way, but change the environment and suddenly that extra flesh is magnified in your mind. A short mid-drift shirt, short-shorts, or even something as simple as a bra strap showing and that is where the eyes get drawn to. Living near the beach I am numb to the amount of flesh I see in my neighborhood until I am at work or in the city and suddenly every lady is illuminated by what she is not covering up.

     

I Know of a Modern Phoenix

Phoenix reminds me of a older gal I know. She is the grandmother of one of my closest friends and was also one of my high school history and English instructors. A lady who is very much set in her ways and nobody can stop her. She has a little bit of a waddle to her walk, very distinct. I cannot remember her exact age, but somewhere in her 80's. A retired high school instructor that taught for 40 or so years and when she retired she still taught night classes and while being elected as a trustee of the county board of education for a few terms now. I suppose when you have educated most of the locals you have a pretty good chance of being elected. Her worn path is her wisdom and knowledge she shares with others for half a century and then some. I suppose Phoenix and my friends grandma are not exactly similar and once she has her mind set on something she is going to keep on going as long as she is able.