Donstar

My Doctor works in a clinic with several others. Sometimes, I'll make an appointment with first available doctor or a locum if my regular is booked up. Yesterday, I visited a new to me Doctor and she was outstanding. She recently returned to family practice after a long and prestigious career in medicine. I left her office feeling better about myself than I have in years. There is nothing wrong with my regular Doctor but it was a treat experiencing a superstar in action. I have worried about achieving a balance between hypochondria and early detection. I never want to hear, "You should have reported this earlier." Finding a physician that will truly listen and consider all of your concerns as important is uncommon but when you find one, you'll know it!

I have cleaned up after those who have passed away and know how I hope to leave things. The "stuff" you leave behind can create family squabbles that last long after you're dead. Timing to get rid of some items can be tricky as you don't want to live out of a suitcase waiting to be called. Last week my wife and I were making some tough decisions with respect to unloading some furniture when my wife was asked by her 91 year old friend to take her furniture shopping! I truly appreciate how fortunate I am to be able to face such quandaries as there are many calamities that find individuals leaving their homes with just the clothes they are wearing. However, I think it is important to discuss these things as there are some worrisome future considerations for us "lucky" ones. I joked with Mrs. Donstar and told her that when you visit the Doctor with a concern when you are young, most of the time you are told to take a pill and come back in two weeks if it still bothers you. When you visit the Doctor with a worry in your 70's, it inevitably is an affliction requiring specialist attention!

"Covid" is still around us but most the fear has disappeared. The experience of living through a pandemic gave me a greater appreciation for how I spend my time. Over the past several months, we've escalated our "downsizing" efforts. There are tools and supplies in my garage that will never be needed or used simply because of my age and physical abilities. We also have stuff in the house that haven't been touched in years and are not wanted by our children. Downsizing to what you need/want for your senior years can be sad but I appreciate being here to downsize!

My doctor referred me to a sleep clinic and the result is I need to go for an overnight sleep study at a store front clinic. (They say I can't do the at home version because I've had a stroke.) I can't imagine going to sleep while being closely watched. They tell me I'll eventually go to sleep but I think I'll prove them wrong! I know I'm very lucky to receive such a high level of care and that such a test is for my benefit. However, after 70 years, I have a good idea of what will keep me awake at night. At least when I'm at home, I can get up and go back to bed when I can sleep!

$2 (199.9) per litre is about our best price in town and going up 3-4 cents Monday with another carbon tax increase.

Immersing yourself in a good book is a popular way to spend free time. My education and subsequent career found me doing a great deal of reading, but I don't read as a leisure activity in retirement. Research and teaching myself new skills have also found me buried in a book however Google and YouTube has largely taken over! Grumpy will be happy to know that I spent hours combing through our family version of the Good Book this past week. My mother kept a record of family births, deaths and marriages in the book and I needed to solve a family disagreement. I was shocked when I found notes to me and my brother written by mum before she died 12 years ago. She knew that some day I'd crack this book! (again)

For the past three days I've tried to get to the garage to change the oil in my trike! I wonder why bother because I don't know when I'm going to find time to ride!! This is a good problem to have because striving to achieve a goal keeps me active and motivated. I appreciate how lucky I am to be excited to get my day started. I say this because I was invited in to a friend's home yesterday and listened to woes of boredom and sadness. This person has goals and dreams that will never happen because of his age and bank account. Of course he's frustrated. I told him I couldn't stay long because I'm hoping to give my bike an oil change today. His response was, "Take it to a shop." This single guy has a house cleaner, people to do his lawn/garden, and family who takes care of his other needs. He has left himself with too much spare time with nothing to do and wonders why he is bored. It can be a real challenge getting old but setting realistic goals and expectations will make senior years much more rewarding!!

This is a work of art! I'd love to park this in my driveway and see how fast my neighbours will let me know their disdain!

The joke thread is a good place to move political comments. I avoid serious political debate because it is embarrassing particularly when someone has a different opinion than mine! Individuals can become very passionate telling me how misinformed I am while I'm scratching my head wondering how s/he can be so ignorant! Then..... I realize I'm sounding just as stupid as my opponent only with different outcomes.

I usually keep my motorcycle insured throughout the year. The winter months can offer some good riding opportunities but typically my bike (trike) stays in the garage for most of the winter. Insurance renewal came up this week for my truck and bile. This is a significant financial hit. The bike insurance is 40% more than the truck. Adding to the stress is my wife gets no pleasure from riding so my toy was under intense scrutiny. (My wife is super but my guilt is huge) I compromised and have decided to wait a little while longer to insure my bike and then buy 6 months worth of insurance. I will re-evaluate afterwards. What does this have to do with Covid spare time and retirement? The 2020 Freewheeler and the custom trailer that it sits on are a product of filling an inordinate amount of free time. My wife can spend hours in conversation with others, organizing our nest or reading, while "playing" in the garage is my go to activity! Covid gave many people a taste of retirement living and an appreciation that there is a lot more to retirement living than not having to go to work!

"Woodwork and/or "Shop" class were my prime motivators to keep me in school. I did not spend a lot of time employed in a trade but valued the life long skills learned in my youth. A couple of days ago my wife ordered chair side cabinets for both of our recliners. These are narrow cabinets, chair height with a shelf, two drawers, and a power/usb station. As feared, they arrived in an oversized shoebox and took several hours to assemble. The finished products look good but none of the skills learned in my youth came into play. All I needed was time and the ability to follow pictures in numerical order. The pride associated with the completion of such a project is equivalent to that of a jigsaw puzzle! Neither of these activities I enjoy, but I may have saved a few dollars on the furniture!

This reminds me of the musing about texting vs voice conversation. If we discovered talking over the phone was possible after decades of only being able to text.....

Thanks.

Technology and/or vision is hampering my ability to see this clearly. I assume it's not a fork and knife ?