Friday, February 20, 2026

     My doctor, decades ago, says I have a lazy esophagus when I complain about occasional difficulty in swallowing. She says it is part of aging. I check with other family members and some also have these difficulties.  I live with it and usually don’t talk about this difficulty. It is not GERD, and it doesn’t hurt. It feels like a burping disorder. But it is definitely awkward in social situations.

     Elizabeth McCracken in her book A LONG GAME, NOTES ON WRITING FICTION, encourages us to write about uncomfortable situations. Maybe, I am not sure yet.

     We watch the next episode of THE PITT.  No violence but lots of blood and damaged bodies. I am so fond of the medical people and the patients. Later we watch another episode of the LINCOLN LAWYER.

     My personal librarian is still recovering from her adventure in Equador. I pack up my current library books and take them to the library. I forget how heavy paper books are or maybe how weak I am. I use the library’s  walker to return the books and pick up the new ones. The hardest part is navigating the curb.

 

Thursday, February 19, 2026

     I eat See’s chocolates after my nap. One after another. My hands work independently from my mind, and I keep at it. My mouth is filled with delicious flavors. I finally am able to stop. Lethargy creeps up on me.

     More rain, more sudden sunlight, more rain. And then wind. I watch the changing weather through the front window. The heater is on for most of the day.

     We watch more episodes of HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST. A confusing funny madcap series. The last two episodes are for tonight. I have no idea how it will end.

     I finish reading THE STOLEN HOURS, a mystery story by Allen Eskens. Set in Minnesota near the Mississippi River. A satisfying story. Once again, today I plan to go to the library to return books and pick up the tax forms. Planning is only the first step in taking action.

 

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

     I wonder why we all need to wear clothes, clothes that disguise our bodies. Watching the scuba divers change out of their wet suits I see more skin than   usual. I feel awkward sitting in my car watching these men. I don’t see many naked people in my old age. Everyone is dressed with clothes identifying who they are. These men look so vulnerable in their skin.  I am definitely more comfortable interacting with men wearing clothes. 

       The images of naked people in Paul Gauguin’s Tahiti pictures are compelling. He writes about the French missionaries and government workers who found nakedness to be sinful. God doesn’t approve of naked people. I wonder how this all happened.

     Woke up to bright sunlight after days of stormy clouds. Within an hour the clouds return. Heater is on and still my bedroom is 55 degrees cold.

     Late afternoon movie time.  RENTAL FAMILY, a feel good movie made in Japan mostly in English. A wonderful movie. Maybe it will win an award. I am engrossed with A LONG GAME, NOTES ON WRITING FICTION by Elizabeth McCracken, a collection of thoughts and ideas about writing from her thirty years of teaching creative writing. Living is interesting today.