Uncle Dave, pls give us some Uncley Wisdom
Wisdom? I dunno about that. But here's a few things I've learned in my 62 years:
When stacking stackable containers in the cupboard, put the shortest ones on the bottom; the stack will not be as high as if you'd put the tallest ones on the bottom.
When loading the dishwasher, the water comes from down and the center of the rack. Point the dirtiest side of the dishes accordingly.
They know you love them. Tell them anyway. Doesn't have to be with words.
If your cat has peed on something machine washable, do NOT wash it with bleach. This creates chlorine gas, which will straight-up kill you until you are dead and is a war crime. Instead, wash it with your regular detergent and a cup of white vinegar. Some secret alchemy shit goes on and the cat pee smell goes away. So does the vinegar smell. Weird. Dunno how it works. When I had high school chemistry, it was just the four elements...and I sat in front of my sweetheart, who later became your Aunt Maggie*. Didn't have much attention left over for Mr. Smith.
Whenever you get a chance, look at clouds. Not just glance at them, look at them. They're pretty. In fact, no matter where you are, there are pretty things to look at. And don't worry that people might not agree with what you think is pretty. You think it is, and take joy from it, and that's all that matters.
Everyone you meet, try to find something about them to compliment them about. "Your nails are pretty!" "Epic beard, dude!" (You'll prolly never have a chance to use these on the same person.) You don't have to tell them, even. But at least smile at them. Yours might be the only smile they get aimed at them today. Smiles from strangers are glorious.
Talk to all the animals you meet, even the wild ones. My Dad always put out hummingbird feeders. He'd talk to them. Said they were his babies. So I call all animals babies...the wasps building their nest in the carport, the deer I see, the little birds in the neighborhood that chirp like a smoke detector with a low battery, the carpenter bees eating my damn deck railings...
If you have trouble remembering when to take your meds, set up a reminder on your phone.
You don't have to eat the fortune cookie, but you do have to open it.
Carry a pocketknife.
Don't be afraid of guns or electricity. Respect them for what they can do if you're not careful.
Denture cleansing tablets are great for cleaning things that are hard to clean. Water bottles, vacuum bottles, your Aunt Maggie's nebulizer** mouthpiece.
Agree to disagree, especially with people important to you.
My Mom was 89 when she passed. She said she still felt like that 18-year-old girl from so long ago. Most everybody grows older...damn linear time!...but growing up is a choice you make. There are some things responsible adulting requires. But never be afraid to see the world through the eyes of the kid you used to be. You'll be happier that way. Me, I frequently feel old -- not very flexible, something always hurts, I need an exit strategy if I have to get on the floor -- but I rarely feel grown up.
Treat your body as if it's 20+ years older than it is. It'll feel younger longer. That's something I wish I'd known when I was younger.
If there are feral animals in your neighborhood, if you can, put out food and water for them. Make them a warm, dry place to take shelter in. But don't feel bad if circumstances don't allow you to. I'm blessed that I've been able to take care of some feral kitties in the neighborhood. Shoot, the alpha male tamed himself. He used to run whenever he saw me. Now he'll talk to me and jump up on my shoulders.
Terrifying wild murder cat Sweet floofy pudding boy:
Thank you for asking, @lavendervillage. Hope this does you and all my followers some good.
*My wife of 34 years **carburetor for inhaled medications
