BLOG 342 – The Bright Side Beyond Age 60

✨ KITTING AROUND ✨
BLOG 342 – The Bright Side Beyond Age 60
Explore new corners, dive into your imagination.
Crank up the music and turn your living room into a dance floor.
Grab some oranges and juggle them right there in the grocery aisle.
Laugh so hard the walls shake and the neighbors start making up theories.
Life isn’t a zombie shuffle to bedtime—It’s a carnival waiting for you to join the parade!

I write, create, and share so that we can pause together, look at Life differently, and grow taller on the inside. My mission? To show you that living differently and living better is not only possible—it’s essential!
     
My Story in a Nutshell (with Extra Sprinkles) :
‍♂️ Once upon a time, I was a world-class juggler. Spoiler: I still juggle—mostly joy.
Life tested me with curveballs: A 37-day coma, two truck accidents, and somehow I’m still smiling.
I spent six years living in a van, chasing sunsets and collecting memories in every U.S. national park.
Love found me, lost me, and then surprised me with a wedding on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
I’ve crisscrossed the globe, helping people rise higher than they thought possible (YOU!)
❤️ And here I am, still learning, still loving, still lighting sparks.
Because the story is never over—it just gets juicier.
Want a glimpse? Watch this >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc 

✨ Lessons From the Road ✨

• The past is your teacher.
  Learn, then step forward.
  Plan your future, which will become your past.
  You are always living in the past.
      
• The future is like a mischievous child,
  always surprising you when you least expect it.
  It’s not something to fear, but to embrace and make your own.
  You can make it yours.
  It shows up whether you’re ready or not.
  (So … be ready)
        
• The present?
  That’s your playground.
  Add glitter and laughter.
  Make it sparkle.
      
• Each day is a new stage.
  Shine a little brighter than yesterday.
  This is your stage, do what you want.
  You can be a new person on every stage.
       
• Lift others while lifting yourself.
  You can’t get there alone.
  The more you help others, the more it helps you.
  That’s the kind of ripple the world needs.

This is the stuff that turns “just surviving” into thriving.

✨ Why I Write This Blog ✨
Because Life is too wild, too weird, and too wonderful not to share.
Writing this blog feels like tossing confetti into the air!
The confetti is made of ideas, stories, and lessons gathered along the way.
Some from adventures.
Some mistakes.
Some from just sheer stubbornness.

“So here’s to chasing excellence,
lighting up the trail for you,
and having a little fun along the way.”
Kit Summers 

Words are magic wands. With them we can:

• Inspire
• Connect
• Spark joy ✨
• Remind ourselves we’re all explorers in the chaos

I’m not carrying a crisp, bossy map with a giant arrow barking, “This way.” I’m the friend holding the flashlight—soft glow spilling just far enough for you to notice the magic already beneath your feet. The map? That’s yours to sketch, to doodle wild dreams across, to smudge, tear, and re-draw whenever the mood strikes.
   
These years aren’t some sleepy drift toward “the end.” They’re champagne-fizzing chapters of a brand-new book, pages begging to be dog-eared with laughter, adventure, and mischief. You weren’t built for small living—you’re wired for fireworks, wrong turns that turn out deliciously right, and encore moments you never even auditioned for.
   
Take Julia, for example. Out of nowhere—plot twist. A spark, a new chapter, a flood of joy I never saw coming. Every WhatsApp message from her is like a bright confetti pop in my day, her words painting colors I didn’t know were missing. My love for her isn’t steady—it’s expanding—daily, like the universe itself.
     
And then—bam—Life flips the page again. My lower teeth staged a dramatic exit, all at once. Didn’t see that twist coming. But Life is cheeky like that: sometimes whispering secrets in the dark, smacking you right in the mouth (literally). I will get a new set of lower teeth screwed onto my jawbone and have my terrific smile back.
   
Either way, the headline stays the same: evolve, laugh too loud, and keep spinning with the wild, unruly rhythm of the unexpected. It’s these unexpected moments that add a spark of surprise and delight to our lives.

Every post I write feels like the start of a brand-new adventure, and I want you to feel that excitement and engagement too. Life is never ‘done.’ Your Life is only waiting for its next bold twist. That’s what I want you to feel too: that Life is never ‘done.’ It’s a continuous journey, always waiting for its next bold twist. This perspective can inspire and motivate you to keep moving forward.
Your Life is only waiting for its next bold twist.

The Bright Side of Sixty+(We’ll All Get There)

Sixty isn’t an ending—it’s Act Two.
Better lighting. Comfier seats.
Wisdom is your VIP pass.
Forget “slowing down.”
This is the age for speeding up in the ways that matter.
Find joy, curiosity, freedom, and fearless play.
AND THEN SMILE–COME ON–BIGGER!
       
I just discovered this video from Elon—perfect timing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHiU7Tc_oAU
   
Think of it as leveling up in the grand game of Life.
Wrinkles? Proof you laughed.
Gray hair? A medal of wisdom.
Every year, a new upgrade pack is released.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT “PURPOSE” DOES NOT RETIRE!

When I was a kid, I thought sixty was basically the waiting room for the grave. Now I’m 66, and surprise: the party’s still going. Not only that, but the dance floor is bigger, and the DJ finally takes requests. I’m still “getting there”—but why would I ever want to “arrive”? The ride’s too good.
   
Living past sixty is reinvention with sprinkles. It could be dusting off a dream you shelved in your twenties. Perhaps it’s dancing like a maniac in the kitchen, no audience but the toaster. It could be taking the scenic detour because your curiosity tugged at your sleeve. Think of it as spring cleaning for the soul—less sneezing, more belly laughs.
   
These aren’t the “twilight years.” They’re bonus chapters in a book that’s suddenly gotten juicier. You were built for Life, not just for living. Why not start writing the most ridiculous, daring, laugh-out-loud novel you’ve ever read?
 
Sure, the body pipes up. Knees sound like castanets, memory plays peek-a-boo, and reading glasses stage elaborate disappearing acts. But honestly? That’s just proof you’ve logged some legendary mileage. Better to laugh than groan—humor is the only soundtrack worth keeping on repeat.
   
They call sixty-five “retirement age.” Cute. I call it “free time with better snacks.” The clock isn’t your boss anymore—it’s your playground. Learn the guitar, launch your novel, juggle machetes–even under the leg throws, paddleboard until you topple gloriously into the water. Permission slip? Burned.
   
Perspective kicks in, too >>
All those worries that felt enormous?
Most of them fizzled.
Deadlines, receding hairlines, overdue bills—you made it through.
That clarity is rocket fuel for play.
Chat with strangers in the checkout line.
Wear the hat that makes people stare.
Eat ice cream for dinner just because.
     
This is liberation. Young enough to try wild things, old enough to skip the nonsense. Sixty isn’t decline—it’s ignition. So don’t just aim for old age. Aim for bold age. Laugh louder. Love deeper. Redraw the map with crayons if you want.

THE ADVENTURE ISN’T ENDING. IT’S JUST GETTING ROWDY!

These aren’t just the years to drift until the end. They’re the pages of a brand-new book—waiting for you to leap in, wide awake. You were made for Life, not just for living.
   
️ Life after 60 isn’t about shrinking into the shadows—it’s about stepping into a stage glowing with opportunity: wisdom, strength, and juggling skill. Age isn’t decline; it’s design. A canvas where every line, every choice, every dropped ball, and every laugh becomes a brushstroke of a masterpiece.
   
Think of it as permission to get curious all over again. To dream bolder, try sillier, love louder. To chase not just sunsets, but brand-new beginnings.
     
The secret? Stay open. Stay kind. Stay just a little mischievous. Because kindness never wrinkles, curiosity never retires, and joy is always ready to be juggled.
   
️ Aging is less about counting years and more about painting them bright. It’s proof that it’s never too late to pick up a new adventure, to reinvent, to dance, to juggle, and let the music surprise you.
     
Life beyond 60 is not the end of the book.
It’s the sparkly bonus chapters.
And guess what?
They’re often the juiciest ones.
Age is a design for creativity and joy, not decline. 

SIXTY IS NOT SMALLER, SLOWER, OR LESS.
IT IS EXPANSIVE — IT IS RICHER. 
IT’S A NEW LIFE, OPENING A BRAND-NEW CHAPTER. 

Five Gifts of Life Beyond 60 >> 

1. The Permission Slip of Age
   Dance in the supermarket.
   Juggle in the fruit aisle.
   Wear glitter shoes.
   You’ve earned your liberation pass!
        
2. The Richness of Experience
   Your Life’s a patchwork quilt—adventures, mistakes, triumphs, and all.
   You don’t just have history—you are living history.
   Forget being embarrassed—Do things your way.
   You’ve learned better ways—spread the word.
        
3. The Gift of Time
   The ladder-climbing years are done.
   The horizon’s wide open.
   Learn the ukulele, write your book, book that trip, learn to juggle.
   The playground has reopened, and the best swing is waiting.
        
4. A Healthier Perspective
   What once felt catastrophic?
   Now, it’s just a pebble in your shoe.
   Storms pass, laughter heals, kindness multiplies.
   This wisdom is wealth no bank can hold.
        
5. Joy in the Small Stuff
   Coffee tastes richer.
   A grandchild’s giggle outshines a paycheck.
   Morning walks feel like treasures.
   Delight hides in plain sight.

Words That Spark

Quotes aren’t just words on a page—they’re tiny lightning bolts, buzzing with wisdom and ready to jolt you awake. One line can flip your mood, widen your heart, or shove you off the couch and into a brand-new adventure.
     
Old age? Call it “Level 60+ Mode.” You unlock bonus powers: sharper insight, juicier appreciation for the little stuff, and doors to fresh stages of strength you didn’t even know existed.
   
Think of it as art in progress. Wrinkles become brushstrokes, memories become a secret treasure chest, and gratitude becomes the golden frame around it all. And the best twist? You never actually “age out” of learning, chasing, or reinventing. You’re always one spark away from your next plot twist.
     
A few sparks to slip in your pocket:

• “Life past 60 is just the beginning!”—Kit Summers
• “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” —Franz Kafka
• “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” —Frank Lloyd Wright
• “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” —Jackie Joyner-Kersee
• “It’s not how old you are. It’s how you are old.” – Jules Renard
• “Your 60s are fab. And 70 is f@king awesome!” —Helen Mirren
• “Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.”— Jimmy Buffett
• “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your Life by smiles, not tears.”—John Lennon
• “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional!”—Walt Disney
• “We are always the same age inside.”—Gertrude Stein

Stick these quotes on your fridge.
Whisper them to yourself before bed.
Pass them along to someone who needs them.
Remember, words are vitamins for the soul.

MY DAILY JOTTINGS!
Upgrade your thoughts—watch your world glow brighter!
✨ Life can shift in an instant—sometimes all it takes is one bold thought.
Go ahead, craft your noble book, your masterpiece—why not a best-seller?
You are dazzling, brilliant, unstoppable—so step into the spotlight and shine your part!
The universe is cheering for you—so dream big, play big, and LIVE big!
Remember, no matter where you are, you can spin things around quickly.
️ Then race toward your wildest, most colorful dreams!
     
9/13 — Elon knows, you must learn >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_L2xNuiT2k
Change is coming; you have to be ready, are you? 
 
Today I went across the street to the big park. Of course, Terrie was right there with me. I am still not allowed to leave the building on my own, which is very unusual for me. It turned out that the wind was too strong to work on clubs. So I cut the time short.
       
9/14—Sunday today. This place slows up like a snail’s path. I started early on my new passion, writing these blog words to you. I like the latest changes, do you?
   
9/15—Sleeping better these days, that feels good. Went outside to do some juggling. My juggling level has diminished so much. It will take much work to get it back–but do I want to take the time?
   
For therapy today, I first worked with Maryann, and we focused on my juggling skills. My juggling is getting smoother, but it’s still highly frustrating.
   
Also, while outside, Terrie and I worked more on getting this planter put together. Four feet by eight feet, by two feet in depth. We should grow much in there, for instance, broccoli, lettuce, and tomatoes. As I wrote before, I’ve missed getting dirt under my fingernails.
   
Terrie had a patient to go and work with. I suggested that I stay out and finish the job. I was told that I could not be outside by myself; a staff member has to be with me. I am being treated like a child who doesn’t know their way. This is just wrong!
   
Myles and I had previously discussed my juggling outside the building, and that was fine. Now I am told that I cannot be out??? This is frustrating me immensely. Did the word not get passed around to people that I’m okay outside? Like before, it feels like I am back in jail–not being able to make any of my own decisions and being kept up like I am in prison.
     
At 11 am I had a therapy called “Sports Group”, which I’ve done before. There is a cardboard backing that has a hole in it. You have to throw bean bags so they go through the hole. Talk about a waste of time. I did not stay for this; I came up to work on my computer.
     
There are other games that the therapists have, such as card games, that are also a waste of time. I’ve searched on the internet and found many games and exercises that help, specifically, brain-injured people, to advance. Perhaps just babysitting — humm.
   
The therapists are stuck in their old ways, when there are so many other exercises that would help much more. These therapists need to study on the computer and explore different ways to work with patients, allowing them to navigate the computer and conduct searches.
 
Selective Insurance is paying for me to be here. I’m getting some therapy, but not much, perhaps a couple of hours a day. I do need to push myself to do more of my own work and exertion, but tiredness often consumes me. What to do, what to do?
     
If Selective knew what was going on, they might stop the funding for my stay here. My insurance, along with others’ insurance, brings in much money here. New systems must be studied and developed for patients here, or the funding sources may dry up.
   
9/16 — By 9 a.m., I was already steering the OT planning group like a chef in a noodle shop. Everyone tossed out ideas, but guess what? Out of the whole buffet, my pick won: Lo Mein Noodles. Later this week, we’ll be wok-dancing our way into something delicious.
   
Next up: speech with Juliana. Her sessions don’t come with balloons and party hats, so they’re not my favorite. Still, she did slip me a fun tip: a site called Goblin Tools—kind of like ChatGPT’s mischievous cousin. I might just run my blog through both—see what kind of magic (or mayhem) they cook up.
   
Then came our epic Lowe’s adventure. Four of us, thirty bags of dirt, and a mission. Here’s a life hack straight from me to you: always hunt for the torn bags. Same dirt, half the price—because apparently dirt with a scratch is discounted dirt. Sadly, the group waved me off—”Restorative is paying.” So, no bargain-hunter glory today. Still, we hauled home thirty bags like champions, plus some plants to liven up the week.
     
9/17–This morning, we touched down at https://cleantheworld.org and suddenly, soap wasn’t just soap, it was treasure. We were to sort and take out the riff-raff and paper. Some folks handled each bar like a rare pearl. Me? I went full pirate mode: fistfuls at a time, sifting fast, fast, fast. A few misfires, sure—but speed has its own rhythm, its own artistry. By the end, the bin gleamed like a treasure chest of second chances.
   
Our “overtime bonus”? Lunch at https://www.crackerbarrel.com/. Shrimp called my name, but then I remembered my lower teeth had all retired. So meatloaf and mashed potatoes stepped in—soft, warm, kind (like Maryann!) Like comfort food leaning in to whisper, “I’ve got you.”
   
At the table, six of us sat with brains that had weathered storms. The therapists clustered at the far end, their words flowing. My end stayed quieter. Some voices couldn’t be heard, and some simply didn’t. The silence felt thick, but not lonely. I lobbed little sparks of conversation into the air. None caught—but presence itself can be its own reply. Sometimes just showing up is the loudest kind of living.
     
Then—off again—to https://opticaloutlets.com/. I was here before, examined, picked out frames, and here now to pick them up. I choose plastic frames, the kind I’d never dared before. Slipped them on and—bam! The world snapped into sharp edges and clean horizons—a new lens, literally and figuratively.
   
That’s the thread of the day, really: soap dust, mashed potatoes, silence, and spectacles—all proof that even in the ordinary, there’s movement forward—treasure tucked in the overlooked. Gold is hidden in the small stuff. And clarity waiting, always waiting, to be claimed.
       
9/18 — A Morning of Surprises and Small Miracles

The night had me wrapped like a mummy until 4 a.m., when the world finally nudged me awake. Shower, fresh start. As I dressed, an unexpected guest slipped quietly into my suite—a woman making her morning rounds. Not to check me out, but to check in. A reminder that Life is full of small, unplanned encounters, like little sparks reminding us we’re never as alone as we think.
   
Julia and I usually share our nightly WhatsApp ritual—words passing back and forth like fireflies in the dark. Last night, silence. Concern crept in. But morning came, and there she was, her presence steady, and I remembered: worry often writes false stories. Love,
connection, and trust are the real script.
   
With Terrie, I fed our above-ground garden more compost, breathing Life into the soil. Yet around it, the sad sight of cigarette butts tossed carelessly—tiny scars on the earth. I couldn’t ignore them. Hands to work, I cleared them out. Healing even small corners of the Earth. The world feels like a love letter to the future.

Suggestions for your new above-ground garden >
Cardboard first—worms move in.
Pile on leaves, twigs, and wood scraps.
Leave space, one foot, and cap with dirt.
Over time, waste turns to rich, living soil.
Remember, worms are your friend.
   
By 10 a.m., Terrie moved on, leaving me pulled back indoors—rules saying I can’t be alone in the garden. A frustration, yes. But I’ll tend it bit by bit, like patience itself is teaching me to grow alongside the plants. Some rules are meant to bend like branches in the wind.
   
At 11:10, Lilly began my therapy—on “Lilly time,” fashionably five minutes late. Precise, thoughtful, sharp as ever. She brought my old emails printed out, a mirror of my progress.
   
Together, we walked through lessons, possibilities, and areas that need more light and effort. Visual scanning, driving prep, and new ways of strengthening. Her guidance is clear, her care steady. She knows her craft, and in that, she helps me know myself.
     
Now it’s 12:30. Lunch has passed, the afternoon is open, and I hunger for more therapy—three or four hours a day if I could. Not just because I want recovery, but because growth itself feels like joy. Why settle for less when more Life is still waiting to be lived?
   
For the afternoon, I worked on this blog (can you tell?) I always read it multiple times to ensure every word is just right.
   
9/19–Up at my usual time, about 3:30am.
 
Going to see about the results of when I applied for Medicaid. It’s been about an hour since they were supposed to be here.
   
Life in the Garden
The new garden I am building will be the subject of this portion later as things start growing.

Even as seasons shift, gardening reminds us of Life’s cycles.
You plant, you nurture, you harvest, you start again.
A carrot pulled from your own soil can taste like victory.
Indoor gardens?
Tiny jungles on the windowsill.
A salad bar in the kitchen.
A reminder that growth never really stops—it just changes shape.
Start your own patch, big or small.
It could grow into one of the sweetest adventures of your Life.

My Next Chapters

I’m not winding down—I’m revving up.
I’ve got at least another hundred years of laughter, learning, and love in me.

The world is waiting for your story, too.
It’s time to write that book, launch that dream, or chase that adventure you’ve been postponing.

Remember >>
This isn’t retirement.
This is ignition.
The curtain hasn’t fallen—it’s just rising on Act Two.

What’s your next spark?
What’s your bold adventure this week?
What’s one bold thing you’ll do this week that makes you feel alive?
“Breathe. You’re still here. That’s enough reason to dance.”

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK>> See age differently. You are not getting older, you are getting smarter.
NEXT BLOG, 343 – Become the Best Version of Yourself! 

Final Thought
Your present situation isn’t your final destination.
The best is always yet to come!
So, juggle joy, chase sunsets, laugh loudly.
Keep living like you’ve only just begun—because you have.