Thursday, March 12, 2026  

     My car clock is showing the correct time now. I forgot how to change the clock twice a year.

     These medical words scare me the most, “THE ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.” Definitely a painful treatment is being proposed, and is most likely not effective. 

     The doctor reminds me to get the latest COVID vaccine.  I explain to him that I am afraid to go into the drug store. He stares at me, what? Yes, I am afraid of all stores. Even to me this excuse sounds pretty stupid. I haven’t been in stores for five years and I have lost my shopping skills.

     We watch another episode of THE CLOSER and then an episode of our favorite silly show, LONG WAY AROUND with the two goofy guys on a motorcycles trip around the world.

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

     I have shifted my social focus from medical waiting rooms to park benches.   Yesterday morning I met a friend at the park bench. We talked about our lives and watched adults play pickle ball and little kids play with their adults. The bench becomes too warm in the sun so we move over to a shady bench.  I am exhausted for the rest of the day. I am working on increasing my bench energy.

     I have my every three month 15 minute appointment with the primary care doctor this morning. I think he is just checking to see if I am still alive. I have a lot of minor concerns that he can’t fix, old age, itchy skin, tired bones, and fatigue. He encourages me to keep going in those 15 minutes.

     My roommate picks up 50 pounds of rabbit manure for the back yard expanded potato patch. I am worry about flies.  She says there will not be any. I am not so sure. Now here is someone who is very energetic.

     We watch the first episode of Steve Carroll’s new show ROOSTER on HBO. I liked it but my roommate not so much. We then watch an intense scary episode of TEHRAN. The music is the best part of this show. Then half an episode of THE LONG WAY AROUND, the two goofy guys on motorcycles in Kazakhstan.

 

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

     I get up at 7am in the dark this morning. I remember driving to work at 7am in the dark, decades ago. I have been retired for 25 years. Hard to believe. Thank you pension and social security. I have been busy not selling my time for money. Thinking back to my work years is like visiting a lost time shrouded in greys. I have told stories of my job so often I no longer know what is true. But my stories are entertaining.

     I plan to sit on a bench at the Via Paraiso Park this morning with a friend. My first attempt to expand my range of activities. It is cold. I plan to wear my puffer jacket and warm clothes.

     I forget doing my laundry isn’t complete until I remove the clothes from the drier, fold them and put them away. The days go by and I don’t remember this last step.

     My roommate is out for the evening.  I watch the MS NOW news of course. We are fighting a war started by a scary guy who seems confused and inept, maybe even evil. I am quite moved by the silent images of the rituals for bringing killed soldiers home to their families. Every place I look now, I see the mysteries of death.