As we grow older, life sometimes seems more difficult.

Traditions, by definition, are things that simply don’t change much. One of Elizabeth and my traditions is closing the day by relaxing to quiet sounds of nature. During most of the year, we open the window by our bed . . . and feast on music of evening birds, insects (lacewings are one of our favorites), and sounds of wind-chimes. In winter months we play the gentle sounds of ocean waves or those of nature on a bedside CD player.

At some point, we unwrap the plastic wrap from two small squares of dark chocolate. We slowly savor them. Then turn off the light.

But . . . gosh, darn! Our nighttime ritual nearly has ground to a halt! The wrapping of our chocolate has become so impervious and resistant, that removing them from their protective shields has become nearly an act of absolute and blatant warfare!

First, I bite the edge of the plastic . . . to give it a little nip in order to start the opening process. But I am hesitant to try too hard for fear of chipping my teeth.

Lately, I’ve cut off the end of the wrapper with kitchen shears and then insert a sharp paring knife into the slit to liberate the dark chocolate. When I succeed, I bring the two pieces on a plate into our bedroom.Such elegance!

What is going on? Friends say that they have been noticing the same increased toughness of plastic packaging in other ordinary situations.

My question: will our human species be able to adapt and evolve in time to stay ahead of the curve of increasing plastic toughness?!