Can ya speak up a little for me please?

I don't hear as good as I used to. It's really no big deal since most of the fellas I associate with can hear even less then I can. My hearing is failing for a number of reasons, one of which is a story in itself. The main reason for this article is I guess my age. But when ya take your coffee with fellas even older than me... well it takes on a whole new dimension.

A few weeks ago I was takin' my mornin' coffee with Gene, Jim, John and Virgil. Now the only one who can really hear is Gene. John mite be able to hear but I can't hear him because he talks like a ventriliquist. (I looked in my dictionary to spell that right but I'm so far off I couldn't find it). And so, often I have to read lips but his don't move so I always have to ask him to repeat, but he doesn't raise his voice level so mostly I just nod.

When I talk to Jim I have to pretend I'm Foghorn Leghorn. Jim, I say Jim...that may get his attention. Now watchin' Jim and Virg converse is a real treat, it goes something like this,

"Jim- Well Virg its Thursday already."

"Virg- Yea me too, can I get some water?"

Years ago I was sittin' on the bench at Hell Creek Ranch and a fella saunters up from the campground, "Hey do you sell worms?"

Nope, but the Hardware uptown does. There is a machine outfront. It looks like a coke machine. Just dump in a dollar and it spits out a container of worms.

"Worms? I didn't ask for worms ol' timer I said beer!!" Oops...heard that.

Sometimes I have to cup my ear to hear or sometimes I lean in close or at least cock my ear in your direction. I am resisting getting a hearing aid, but I am checking online for an old style hearing tube. I told Kat to look for me but I couldn't hear her response.