I usually write about the benefits of aging. Peace, patience, wisdom, understanding, time – the things that are a true blessing to the aged and for which I am truly grateful.
Today I am going to that ‘piece of my mind’ that deals with the downside of aging. FYI – I totally believe in the protection of the tiny tots around us! But where these protective measures become an issue for us older folks is when we inevitably reach that physical decline of strength and dexterity.
I don’t know what I would do without Dan, or with him – if he ever reaches my current state of decline.
Everyday there is a new challenge accessing something I want (like salad) or need (like Cheezies). I am not proud of it but I have resorted to taking a butcher knife to one of those stupid plastic protectors that come on store bought cakes. What are they protecting them from for heaven’s sake! It is a cake – obviously sold to be eaten. But, apparently and sadly, not by us wimpy old folks. 🥺
Sometimes it isn’t even a protective device as such. Sometimes it is supposedly convenience packaging – like those plastic bags that come with built in ziplock closures. Our store bought Gyoza bags are the worst. We have purchased them for years and last night was the first time I ever got one opened and resealed as they are meant to be. Chances are the next time we have Gyozas, I will have to resort to using my trusty butcher knife to regain access but last night it was a major win.
At home, I am relatively able to manage with Dan’s assistance and a bit of ingenuity. Going to my son’s house is a total battle of survival. With Cason at the age of inquisitive self-destruction, their entire place is one huge challenge. I finally figured out their baby gate to the basement and during our latest visit I discovered that they had booby-trapped their exterior doors. In case of a fire I will be fried to a crisp, clutching one of those stupid little plastic cap things that spins around with no intention of opening the door. (Way to go Dan & Amanda!) 😳
Anyway, that is my ‘piece of mind’ for the day. We are having chilli for supper so I should start trying to claw my way through the heavy duty, stretch plastic wrap on the the ground beef. 😟
Take care & have a good day! See you tomorrow 💞
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 
GREAT POST! I keep a pair of scissors handy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The protective packaging makes our house less safe. Once we get the caps off my wife’s pill containers, we leave them off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a pair in our knife block as well but they aren’t pointy enough to get some openings started. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a good idea. Little ones would never be able to access the medicine cabinets in most homes anyway.
LikeLike
I’ve e been known to use a nutcracker to open a bottle of water or pop. Wide mouthed jars are next to impossible. I think the manufacturers of these items are out to eliminate the seniors of the world. If we don’t break our wrists we might bleed to death getting something half opened. The joys of aging!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have used the Nutcracker trick! I also bought a special device for opening wide mouthed jars. Dan said it would never work. I proved him wrong. The top popped right off and I dumped a jar of salsa down my shirt in the process. Dan laughed and laughed. 🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol it worked all right😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could we perhaps clone Dan? Everyone should have one like him 😉 The most handy (and used) kitchen tool of mine is always on the table and not in the toolbox where it really belongs. A water pump plier! For lids, caps and packs of cold cuts. There’s this tiny “grab here and pull” but no one has fingres that small. Or it’s glued or melted or vacuumed or welded or what ever the heck they do so damn tight there’s only the butcher knife left. An oldfashioned can opener is great for lifting the lid of a jar just a bit to get it to let go of the vacuum, making it much easier to open. But the plier is my favourite. Also it’s bright yellow and easy to find.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone should have a Dan. (My DIL agrees and she is married to my son Dan). I do not have pliers in the house, although Dan had several buried in the secret recesses of his garage. I like my butcher knife, but I once assembled an entire kitchenette set – table and four chairs with a butter knife. 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tried to open cereal the other day for breakfast – not my best time of day – dogs thought they had gone to heaven as the cheerios rained down on them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I feel your pain. 😂
LikeLike
Are you kidding? A butcher knife? You just mentioned dumping salsa on your shirt. Do you think your qualified to handle sharp objects?
Signed – deeply concerned!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Deeply Concerned… Shhh it wasn’t salsa…🦹🦹🦹
LikeLike
That’s impressive! Well done handy woman lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely tongue in cheek
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have multiple scissors and use them all the time. It is really frustrating. Some things actually require a box cutter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kitty. I really do deserve some kind of award for that amazing feat of ingenuity. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t have a box cutter but I have used a utility knife. I have scissors in every room. Probably more dangerous than having easily accessible snacks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure in agreement with you on this. I use scissors and knives, still have trouble with some packaging even using those. The wide lids on some things I use are next to impossible to open and not sure how much longer I will be able to open those containers. I have picked up several things that went flying when I finally succeeded in getting a bag open, that last thing being saltine crackers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know if we are getting progressively weaker or if they are making plastic stronger? They probably have additives to make them fireproof or something. 🧐. Wide lids are the worst for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is probably both.
LikeLiked by 1 person