Aging My Way
“Old age is something only the lucky get to do.”
I was surprised on a recent morning to realize I was sitting in my small patio yard – doing nothing. I had gone out to sit in a cool breeze and watch birds as I drank my morning cream-laced coffee.
But the wind was not gentle, typical for Tucson, and the birds had gone into sheltered hiding somewhere. Their absence barely resonated with me, until I finally realized how comfortable and peaceful I was just sitting there, a state of mind that is fairly new to me.
But I guess that is what happens when one is an 86-year-old broad. In my younger years there was a time I was so impatient to get from one place to another that I ran instead of walked. And my mind was always racing.
This morning when I sat outside with my coffee, birds were twittering all over the place. Amy Tan’s The Backyard Bird Chronicles, which I’m currently reading – and enjoying – inspired me to go inside and get a notebook and start my own chronicles. While my small patio yard doesn’t compare to Tan’s bird haven, I do have a tall cottonwood and two tall oleander bushes in it, plus a couple of bird feeders and one for hummingbird nectar.
As I watched and listened, house sparrows, verdins, lesser goldfinches, house finches, mourning and white-winged doves, Europeans starlings and a spotted grosbeak made their presence known. The bonus was a rose-breasted grosbeak that as far as I know was a first to visit my backyard.
I enjoyed this morning, too, — but not more I think then I did the one in which I simply sat quietly, with only my mind wandering about. It has never stopped racing.
Pat Bean's blog 
Hi Pat, I enjoy reading your blog. I stumbled onto it about 10 years ago after doing some genealogy research for my wife’s cousin on the Hauck side. I believe you are my wife’s fourth cousin, with your most recent common ancestor being a Valentine Hauck who lived and died (1788-1832) in Bavaria, Germany. I don’t know how much family history interests you or if the name “Hauck” means anything to you, but Valentine would be your 3rd-great-grandfather. It is believed at least one or two or possibly three sons came to America. One son, John George, definitely came to the east coast and is my wife’s second great-grandfather. Another Hauck, Joseph, came to the San Antonio area and is your second great-grandfather. They may be brothers, but it has never been proven. Is there anyone in your family interested in family history? I’d love to have the opportunity to compare notes and determine once and for all if there is a biological connection. I also have something to share with the family historian. 25 years ago there was a Hauck family history written and published, but only 10 copies. For a long time only one surviving copy was thought to exist. Last year I tracked that copy down and spent a day scanning and photographing it. Although the quality is not fantastic, I was able to produce a searchable PDF file that is small enough to send via email. The last chapter is about Joseph Hauck and his children. I would be glad to share it with interested family members. Thank you for taking the time to read my email, Mark Hochstetler
I have a son who is very interested, and has done a lot of genealogy. I will pass this on to him. And thanks for following my blog.
Thanks Pat, Enjoy your writing…
And I enjoy your kind words Sue.
Howdy Mark,
This is Lewis Bean, Pat Bean’s son. Would love to hear more of the Hauck line. I am on Ancestry as The Beanpod and my email id lewbypg30@hotmail.com