At around 60, my athletic papa began to creak. He had arthritis and it seemed to fly in from left field, unannounced, no pageantry, for his 60th birthday.  Dad loved golf and sports of all sorts, so giving into his aches and pains was a hurdle. 😉 He tried to ignore and dismiss, but we noticed.  He’d joke that he just needed a minute, upon standing, to get his ‘wheels in motion’ because his ankles, especially, would stiffen up later in the day.  He didn’t complain but he did adjust his lifestyle a bit, enjoying swimming and lower impact activities like bocce ball.

Looking back, I realize this was when he began to take famously long showers in the morning, enjoying the benefits of extra steam for sore muscles.  He was always an early riser, but he got up earlier and earlier.  No, not always because he was headed to his beloved golf course for an extra-early tee time.  Most days, he was up and at ‘em at the crack of dawn so he could use up all the hot water and allow time for the tank to refill, before anyone else needed to shower. 

He had other self-care hacks.  It took a lot for him to give into a recliner, never wanting to be a “Lazy-Boy” himself but relishing the relief.  He and my mom visited their friends Bea and Ray who had ultra-luxe, tandem recliners.  His and hers – a matched set.  When dad’s inner decorator demurred, he decided the benefits of elevation for his achey feet outweighed his snobby disdain for oversized “ugly chairs”, and he purchased two cushy recliners for he and mom. 

Oooohhh…. they were cozy Ultrasuede hugs, and I loved watching him fight the urge to nap when we visited.  He’d laugh as his eyes got heavy and say he might close his eyes, but only to “check for light leaks” at which time he’d nod off, typically for a few minutes only — but it was enough of an afternoon siesta to provide relief to his feet and good energy for the remainder of the day. 

That year for Christmas, he gifted our not-quite-two-year-old daughter with her own kiddy recliner.  All pink and poofy, so she could nap next to Grandpa.  One day when I track down a pic of my favorite snore babies, I promise to share. 

But for now, if you have a minute, pop over to Heart of the Matter this morning to see my silly post about my own aches and pains.  I promise you’ll giggle with me.  I just know it.

Vicki 😉

50 thoughts on “Don’t Call Him a Lazy-Boy”

  1. Well, I’m brave enough to read more about aches and pains because I, too, come from a vintage year for the production of your dad’s experience, or at least an approximation. Now on to yours, Vicki!

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    1. It’s a good one, isn’t it? And I am determined to find the pic I have of our daughter lounging in her pink recliner next to his behemoth chair…it was so sweet…both ‘checking for light leaks’ with their mouths gaping open! 🤣🤣🤣

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  5. Being well into the realities of arthritis taking away mobility and pain-free sleep (aka lack of sleep), I’d say that when this phase of life hits, embrace whatever comforts and sleep you can find. Recliners definitely fall into that category!

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    1. Thank you, Jane…I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with arthritis, too, especially if it’s interrupting your sleep. It’s a menace…and you’re right…take comfort where it comes…and I was so glad my dad relented about recliners…it made him so much more comfortable — resting and getting weight off his ankles. Hugs to you this morning! 🥰

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  6. I’m of the age I can relate to your father. I go to physical therapy and the gym to try to keep up. An understanding and loving family is such a balm to the weariness aging often brings.

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    1. Cheers to physical therapy and getting to the gym. 😊 I think I’m far more understanding of my dad’s aches and pains now that I’m in the same arthritis boat. I wish I’d paid more attention to his other self-care wisdom, but you’re right – the overall message was/is move – and having family members who understand/tolerate/laugh with us makes such a difference. xo! ❤

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      1. My granddaughter took a photo of me covered with an afghan fast asleep mouth wide open. If I get too sassy with them (which I do from time to time) that photos often comes back in response!

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        1. LOL — she’s armed and ready. Too funny. I think we’ve all got blackmail material in the form of photos of us sleeping…I love your granddaughter’s sass…she sounds like fun! 🤣

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  7. Do you remember the older term rheumatism? I always think about watching the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies as a kid with grannie and her rheumatism and how it would act up with weather changes. (Darn, I wish that would have come to mind sooner- it could have been a post this month) Anyway I now fully believe grannie knew what she was talking about- when the barometer changes so do my joints reactions- and they aren’t happy. I’ve seen those kiddie recliners…so cute 🙂

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    1. LOL — thanks for the memory lane moment! I do remember Grannie and the ‘rheumatism’ jokes, that she could predict the weather? And hey — sounds like a fun post – still! I think it was Maggie…who shared a fun post some time back about Andy Griffith and Mayberry moments…I might have that wrong…but it got me thinking about those fun old shows from our youth…and Beverly Hillbillies was right up there…simple wisdom and good belly laughs! Thanks so much for the giggle, Deb! 🤣💕🤣

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  9. I’ve never been keen about recliners. I know they’re supposed to make you ache less but they all kill my knees. Something about the angle of that footrest thingie doesn’t work for me.

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    1. Hey – that makes sense to me, Ally. My mom-in-law desperately wanted to relax in my father-in-law’s recliner – but she said the same thing. She could never get comfy because of the ‘pitch’ (as she put it) with the footrest. She said it gave her a backache. We decided a humble footstool or ‘tuft’ worked just as well! 😉

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        1. I would creep you out if I shared too much…but there are times your personality and terrific sense of humor remind me soooo much of my witty mom-in-law and sister-in-law. Now I’ll just add high regard for footstools to the list! 😉😘😉

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  10. I’m totally into the footstool and the Lazy-Boy, except in my case, it’s a Lazy-Girl. It’s where I sat to write a book chock-full of references to me and and my Lazy-Girl — except that then, the focus was more about lazy. Now the emphasis is more on the stiff joints and creaky bones. Sigh. It takes a supreme act of self-discipline to get my arse out of it and take a walk! Can’t wait to see the pic when you find it—start ’em young, I say! 😉 Delightful blog, as always!

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  11. As a newbie 60 year old creaker, Victoria, I get exactly why you Dad developed those very self care hacks. I love his phrase of ‘checking for light leaks’. It may be making some appearances in the future.

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  12. Lovely post about your dad. And yes, I’m with him, there are times when I need a minute to get the wheels in motion, sounds good to me. Ha, ha. We had a lazy boy a few years. Like your dad, I was dubious with it at first, but I must say, I came to love it, almost shed a tear when it was time to let it go!

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  13. I’m a bit worried reading this now, as I have weird joint aches that just won’t subside. And I’m just 40. I have the same need to warm up before I get going, lol. I haven’t reached the level of long hot showers yet, but I wouldn’t mind a good massage!

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    1. Ohhhh….more self-care strategies…a good massage. Yes, yes! And I suspect warming up is good for all ages…still….I hope my post didn’t conjure up any new nuisances. Tell your weird achey joints to hush up! 😉😉😉

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    1. Oh goodness, yes. Whether you refer to it as my dad did, “checking for light leaks” or just call it like it is — a well-deserved snooze – naps are good! Thanks so much for your comment, Bruce. I love the phrase ‘duo nap time’, btw. 😊😊😊

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