Friday …

Ann Schwartz

Dec 1

Friday! And already December 1st. How can it be?

Sorry I missed talking to you yesterday. We have our internet back, so that's not my excuse. I kept getting busy at other things. 🤷‍♀️

As I go about errands, many people speak kindly to me about my retirement. Often, they will ask what I do in my spare time. "All your free time now …".

They are well-meaning, and sometimes teasing. I admit to enjoying the different sense of freedom, but usually claim to be busy "catching up". That means I am getting stuff fixed or cleaned or sorted or downsized.

The "Health App" on my phone reminds me that I have been taking "fewer steps" in the last few weeks. That doesn't bother me: it doesn't record steps, of course, when your phone isn't on you. It's probably true anyway.

If I take fewer steps in a day, I'd best be eating less too. 😬

At any rate, things are good. Did I tell you that I had a phone consultation with the scary cardiologist early this week? She was friendly on the phone! Dr. Hennessy delivered reassuring news about my heart and circulation, and assured me that this has been a necessary process considering my history of stroke (and evidence of a previous minor heart attack). And she will also be sent the results of the cardio ultrasound that I had last week.

I need to keep reminding myself that I haven't wasted anyone's time or resources by not being ill or collapsing. The diagnostics, at least, have relieved my feeling of impending doom. And retiring has eased my weariness and, nightmares.

Oh, did I not mention my nightmares and dreadful daydreams? When I had twenty-plus dogs boarding, it preyed on my mind a lot, more than it ever had in decades. I would dream that we had escapees and calamities, and then I started worrying about such things all day long.

In a sense, I "went out on a high note", having built a good reputation with exceedingly few mishaps.

Lots of boarding kennels take 50 to 100 dogs, hire help and also have success. It just didn't seem right for me.

So, I miss those well-paying days, but I'm not sorry. It's still a responsibility to keep a handful of pets safe, but is not overwhelming.

We are thinking about Christmas, and we don't make a big deal of it. I just love the giving of gifts, and the eating. We still won't go anywhere, preferring to keep the home fires burning, and not travelling winter roads. Gary and I miss family and friends, but we'll start plotting more regular visits, if they'll have us.

Hope your day is safe and healthy and fulfilling.

Love, Ann

P.s. Sorry if I'm more boring than ever!

Not boring: