I have a rotator cup injury, as if I was a big (or little or minor) leaguer or something. But its as close as I'll get. Fine. But I get rehab, like a ballplayer (for physical injury, not the other kind of rehab).
Let's see... Travel April 20.
I would love to go to England or France, or even Russia. But as close as I'm going to get is Disney World. I want to take my wife to the Mall of America. Don't know about that. I promised her a trip to Europe, but its going to be Disney World. I get tired, exhausted, and having a tough time breathing after just a short stroll (this may be medication issue) and that's not even great at Disney World.
The old line is familiarity breeds contempt, but I look at it as familiarity breeds content. At Disney World I know where to go and what to do, so the basics are set. Busses (or the Monorail) do most of the traveling for us and we just get off and go where we want and do the same things each year, with a little variety in resorts we visit (such as Beach Club or The Floridian) and have all the wondrous foods.
The long trips are short ones now, day trips, bed and breakfasts, and back. Know your limits. If you are planning to do a lot on your trip, I'd rate the activities on a list of musts, maybes, and probably nots, and do the list. If you get past the musts and are feeling decent try another but do not overdo it, and learn what overdoing for you. The medical issues we face renown with one rule - "Slow down or we will slow you down." Taking your time allows you to view the world. Remember the Zen rule: Pay attention. See it. Take it in. Breathe it in, because (Next rule: Everything is changing) it might not be the same next time. But take heart in that (next slide, please) everything's connected.
April 21 Reflection.
I admire folks who really can advocate for those who can't. Working in poverty programs for near on 30 years, I've seen a lot, some good, but more bad. Before that I took care, as well as I knew how, of my father, who had the same disease as me, so I got a preview of coming distractions. If nothing else, you learn either total cynicism or compassion. I know I go between the two, but find more hope in the latter. Or maybe a compassionate cynic. I don't expect much from humanity, so I can be pleasantly surprised when the better angels of our nature can win through. For a species that has the ability to destroy itself a hundred times over, it can still do Mozart, Monet, Ghandi, Lincoln, and Monty Python. Hope - I am a Mets fan, after all.
April 22 Hobbies
Baseball, the watching and history of it. Cooperstown and just was at Fenway for Opening Day. As I said above I am a Mets fan, but I have a very deep love of the Boston Red Sox. Both teams are steeped in history, both have a knack of frustrating their fans. But we don't win every day either, and if have neuro problems or other invisible (to the world) challenges, a lot of days we don't even want to compete, or show up. But when you open your eyes, just think "Maybe I can win today." Baseball is the only sport that if you are successful even only 30% of the time, you are consider one of the best.
Tons of books, history, mysteries, baseball stories, baseball cards (Mom didn't throw them out - didn't even know they were there!) and a dice baseball game that I've played for over forty years. And the computer version. It's given a lot of enjoyment for a long time, either on my own or with friends. I dive into the history of the season and what the world was like in that time. I've developed a deep appreciation of the Negro Leagues, and have met quite a few of the actual players.
Which brings me to the writing. One of the stories I'm working is about the 1921 Cincinnati Cubans, a group of Havana ballplayers invited to play in the Negro Leagues. They arrive in the US and and try to adapt to a very different culture, and outside temperature.
And all the other writing. Like this. Thanks for reading.
