Winter 2014 March 19 Wednesday

54 degrees this morning, windy, so still very cool.  Spring is almost here.  I did see some Crocuses the other day (or what I call Crocus), which to me means Spring is here, with maybe a freeze or two left!

When we go out to eat with Katherine and Kali, we are probably a test to the server.  Kali is a vegan, Aliene can't tolerate gluten and I try to avoid carbs (except in fruit and vegetables).  Katherine will eat anything if she is in the mood for it.  Most restaurants are actually unfazed by it.  

It is strange what is difficult to toss or give away.  Some of the smallest things, many that I got free or have little actual value that I could buy anywhere for very little, are the most difficult to throw away.  For example, the "gimme" notebooks that I have lugged around for 10 years.  Surely it is time to toss or give them to a good home that will use them!  Ditto on many books, especially technical books for devices I no longer have!

Some books I will never give away, including "Watership Down", my collection of books on Lincoln, my Tony Hillerman books (including paperbacks), my collection of literature books I read when I was a child, my copy of "SnowCrash", Silent Spring etc.  As they say, so many books, so little time.  I love each book in it's own way.  Even the books I know I will never read, I have a hard time discarding.  My one positive factor is that if someone wants to read it, I will give it to her without pause.  Books need to be read!  

I actually don't have any real problem with e-books or e-magazines or e-papers.  Many bigger books are difficult to read since they get heavy.  On a long trip, having books on my iPad vs. lugging a bunch of books is not a difficult decision.  Ditto my subscription to a service that provides e-magazines for $10 per month, and my e editions of the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Commercial Appeal.  I still read (and greatly prefer) the physical newspaper, but at least the e-edition is there.  They still have a lot of little problems come up, but overall they do a good product.

T shirts are the hardest thing to get rid of, since many of them are souvenirs and remind me of an event or person etc., especially a run, bike ride or some special event.  The ones that are too big, I finally packed away.  I believe I have compromised with Aliene that, of the ones that fit me that I know I will wear "sometime", I am packing them away, to see the light of day elsewhere.

However, I don't want to become like some people I know, and spend more than an item is worth to store it for years!  (This usually happens with furniture, and with the exception of my library card case, I have little attachment to furniture).  I was rather surprised at my impressive collection of knives I have picked up over the years.  They are small and easy to store, but when I need one.....

Just like pens and pencils, I have a bundle of them, but when I need one I can't find one!

That's it for today.

Winter 2014 February 19 Wednesday

61 degrees this morning.

I will be glad to say "goodby" or at least "see you in six months" to my winter walking clothes.  It is strange, many of them I have had for years and literally never worn until this winter, when I have worn almost all of them at some time.  It will be so nice this Spring and Summer to simply put on a t shirt, shorts and my bandanna "hat" and go to a walk and bike ride!  

Went to the Doctor yesterday for normal appt.  I always feel a sense of relief when I leave without being advised I have some dread disease or major problem.  Actually, the nurse took my blood pressure (100/68) looked at my lab results (all within limits) and asked "what was I doing here!".  The Doctor (who is a great Doctor) went over everything and of course, suggested I watch out for low blood pressure.  He explained as I lost weight (which is very slow now, but at least decreasing), my blood pressure also went down.  If I started feeling dizzy when I got out of a chair etc., it could be low pressure. 

Applying for Medicare, a stage of passage, I guess.  It has been rather bewildering even for me, and I am used to regulations.  I made the mistake of filling out an on-line questionnaire for information and got 10 phone calls and 5 e-mails in 10 minutes.  The phone literally ran 30 seconds after I made the mistake of hitting send, putting my phone number on it.  In fairness, all the calls were polite and non-pushy.  Since I am enrolling under a special exception (I didn't apply at 65 since I had employer coverage), I had to call and couldn't enroll over the internet.  When I finally got through, the representative was courteous, knowledgable and courteous, but I still haven't gotten the information I need to fill out and send back by February 28. I at least understand my options, thanks to Consumer Reports and the information provided by Medicare.

Still thinking about starting a private business.  The more I think about it, the more I like it.  I have a lot of self-initiative and can work independently.  I am brainstorming now.  I get so angry when I hear about some of the people who are discriminated against because of their age that I feel I ought to try to do something in that area.  Oddly enough, I don't resent it as far as I personally am concerned, at least for City Manager positions.  I feel the elected officials should be able to hire whom they want, if my age is a problem so be it, that is their problem.  Some of the other stories I hear (being laid off right before retirement, led on and then laid off etc. just infuriate me.  While it isn't legal (age discrimination) it is very hard to prove and most people don't want to file complaints or lawsuits for that or even very overt hostile worksite situations.  

Watching Richard Engel (NBC Foreign Correspondent).  It is amazing where he turns up, I really wonder what kind of life he has.  I really admire him for the work he does.  I don't believe I would want to do it (maybe 40 years ago).  He turns up everyplace.  

Reading "The Circle" and trying to decide if I am going to continue.  So far it has kept my interest, but I hope it doesn't degenerate into complete fantasy.  I don't mind fantasy (I loved "Snowcrash") as long as they don't degenerate into one of those things that "I can't describe it,but I know it when I read it"!  One of my secret vices is "Jack Reacher" novels (Lee Child), I devour them as soon as they come out and frequently listen to the audiobook also.