Enjoying the process of getting older

Tomorrow is my birthday. Numerically the day is 1016, 2016. The sing-song-symmetry of the digits is delightful. I’m set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my 21st birthday. I am astounded that I have experienced six decades. It is so easy to remember when being 18 was “THE,” freedom benchmark. I could barely envision being 25 years old — and 60 plus, that was something that happened to other people.

Looking for fun things to do this weekend?

Today at the DaSilva Car Barn, 400 S. Pine St., Hewlett’s Auction is helping liquidate an amazing array of classic cars, porcelain signs, gas pumps and 200 lots of merchandise. The collection of original and restored items in the assortment may be viewed 8 to 10 a.m. prior to the start of the sale.

Also today The Madera Tribune and Cedar Creek Senior Living Center, 500 North Westberry Blvd. , from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is hosting its 4th annual Chili Cook-Off. Open to the public and free, come sample the great chili and join the fun.

Tomorrow from 7 to 11 a.m., the Odd Fellows Lodge is holding its monthly pancake breakfast. A donation of $6 serves eggs, pancakes, ham or sausage and beverages. The meal is held at the clubhouse on the corner of Avenue 15 and Road 29. The lodge also accepts donations to Friends of the Madera Animal Shelter. Pet food, blankets and towels will benefit homeless pets.

Also tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Valley Bowl, 12829 State Route 145, is a fundraiser called Bowl for the Cure. A donation of $20 to bowl three games provides bowlers with a way to benefit the the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. Everyone is welcome to wear pink, enjoy drawings, prizes, music, refreshments and more. For information contact Valley Bowl, 674-0951.

October means cats and bats; now, is that a Halloween reference or just all the cool kids fired up for the World Series? I don’t understand the fascination with watching sports. I can’t help but admire the amount of revenue professional sports generate. But that’s okay because the things that light me up aren’t for everybody. I’m most content to curl up with a book and let the world rotate without me.

Even with 31 days, October always slips away too quickly. A single month of ghosts, goblins and witches is just not enough. Even adding in Dios de las Muertos, (Spanish for Day of the Dead) on Nov. 1, the spooky doesn’t last long enough.

Then during leap year, soon after the monsters and zombies have been packed away, we head to the voting booth. This year’s election cycle is when the horror really begins.

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What if instead of paying taxes we ran the country on a profit basis? I can see colorful cola insignias or clothing brands on the base of the Statute of Liberty. Book publishers could sponsor the Library of Congress. Is it time to let the business mogul run the country? The Supreme Court could be sponsored by Westlaw. Law enforcement could be funded by the firearms industry. When he selects his cabinet he can appoint the Secretary of Marketing. It’s a million dollar idea.

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Halloween should at least last until Veterans Day, at which time we honor the men and women who disrupt their lives to serve a greater purpose. If life were fair the men and women who wear military uniforms should muster out with a tax-free $1 million. If a post-military career came with a giant payout could we eliminate the shame of homeless veterans?

These men and women defend the flag so that over-privileged athletes have the ability to disrespect it. Just because you are allowed to do something is not reason to do it. A relativity obscure quarterback becomes the topic of national debate by behaving badly. I hope whoever dreamed up this stunt is proud. I refuse to believe someone that self-absorbed came up with the idea. He barely rates a footnote or an asterisk next to his name in the history books. On the morning news they announced CK has a new two-year contract. The injury clause has been removed and the deal can be severed, by either side before the second year. Tossing him out of the league any sooner must be too expensive. The defensive line could make his life miserable.

History is said to be written by the winners. Our country has so many positive aspects and is blessed in so many ways. We need to fix the problems, eliminate the political parasites and live up to our potential.

We are the best country on the planet. It is time to start acting like it again.

What will the world be like in 3016? We will all be long-gone by then. I hope the human race hasn’t extinguished itself by then.

Have a great weekend.

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Readers may contact Tami Jo Nix by emailing tamijonix@gmail.com or following @TamiJoNix on Twitter.