Alex Barnett

At 57 I’ve come to accept that reading glasses are the answer because my arms won’t grow any longer

At 57, I’ve learned that a good cup of coffee, or a nap, or better still — coffee then a nap— can fix almost anything

How do I know I'm almost 57? Because my idea of working without a net is caffeine after 2pm.

How do I know I'm almost 57? Because I remember getting in hot water for making long distance calls at home.

How do I know I'm almost 57? Because I use "nice" to describe things way too often--"it's a nice day," "that's a nice bowl of cherries," "that's a nice pair of socks," etc.

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because I think people in their 40s are “kids.”

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because I am captivated by the magic of the cast iron fry pan.

How do I know I'm almost 57? Because when I watch the Knicks, the guy whose spirit moves me the most is John Starks jumping out of his seat to root the kids on. That's some middle-aged dad action, and I'm here for that all day long. #LetsGoKnicks

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because I still worry about my penmanship.

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because I still get my news from a newspaper. #dadlife

How do I know I'm almost 57? Because I have a collection of cardigan sweaters. #dadlife

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because I read the @AARP Magazine with great interest, and I'm really eyeballing the flip-phone with big numbers that they advertise.

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because “long walk” now qualifies as a workout. #dadlife

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because anything after 8 pm is “oh that’s too late.” #dadlife

If AI is so great and so smart how come it doesn’t take away rich people’s jobs first?

How do I know I'm about to turn 57? Because the only mentors I have left are the ones who want to school me in how to play shuffleboard and sit on a porch.

And here I am springing into action on our recent vacation. #dadlife

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because this is my “action” pose.

How do I know I’m almost 57? Because my arms aren’t long enough to read the small print on my phone.

How do I know I’m just about to turn 57? I heard Seinfeld was turned 70, and I thought that’s not that old. Also every time I hear someone is in their 40s, I think, “ah they’re just a kid.”