A title in search of a scholarly monograph: "'Cause There Ain't No One For To Give You No Pain": The Poetics of Rock and Roll.

Arthritis in my back, hips and knees has turned my gait into a doddering shuffle.  The addition of a cane strengthens the impression of decrepitude.  But as unpleasant as this development has been, it has led to some interesting experiences.  The kid behind the counter at the Taco Bell gave a senior citizen discount.  I didn't know that Taco Bell offered a senior citizen discount.  Teen aged customers at the Wawa hold the door for me.  Airline personnel are very solicitous about my ability to get to and from the departure gates as well as on to and off of their airplanes.  After a recent flight I decided that the walk to baggage claim was just too much, and I consented to riding on a electric cart with a handful of other dodderers.  Midway through the ride I recalled the story, attributed to Lincoln, about a man who, being tarred and feathered an ridden out of town on a rail, said that but for the honor of the thing he would have preferred to walk.

I felt dehydrated the entire time we were in California.  I guess that's called becoming acclimatized.