221204 Pop a Top

I’ve been known to indulge in spirits now and again.

My drinking began when I was in the navy. I don’t blame the navy; it’s what I chose to do. Sailors had limited liberty times, so most of that time there wasn’t time to go sight-seeing and in every port the closest places to go were the bars which were only walking distance from the bases or the ports we went into. It was fun to get away and have a few beers if only for a few hours at a time. No one was interested in much else. Places like Midway Island and Wake Island there was nothing else to do. You could see the entire place in 10 minutes or so. There wasn’t much to see or do on Guam either. Transportation was nearly non-existent there. Guam is 1-8 miles wide and 30 miles end to end. The beaches were terrible. they were rocky and a few steps in and the water was over my head. The water was murky and I was always concerned about sharks, specifically not being able to see their approach.

My imbibing didn’t end when I was discharged from the navy. Joyce and I both enjoyed our drinks. Our families were drinkers so we fit in nicely with them. Once we sold the farm, and lived in apartments we had more time available, so we continued our drinking. Now that I live alone, my consumption has dropped. I have more time than ever before, but I don’t drink nearly as much as before. I have a beer every day, but as yet no more than three. I suppose it’s because drinking requires companionship to be enjoyed fully. I only know two people who drink and I rarely see either of them.

Now if I could just quit smoking I would be a true monk, but that isn’t going to happen. I did quit for 37 years once and I didn’t like one minute of that. I don’t have 37 years left to beat that record.