Early Adopters

Robin and I have many sensibilities in common. One of them is preparation. We're already looking (virtually) at retirement bungalows on the south coast of England, trying to narrow down exactly what we want. As I mentioned yesterday, next week we resume our clean-out, but before then there's Saturday. And that's now taken care of. The bean salad took much less time to make this afternoon than I'd anticipated, we're a well-oiled machine now, so I'm set with my potluck contribution to the annual college reunion. And we're meeting my brother Jay before that for a pre-birthday brunch, which has also been scheduled. We don't like to wait on things! This way we can travel without worry, relax and enjoy the day. The weather today only lightened my mood, it got up around 80 degrees F (about 26 degrees C)! so Robin threw open the windows and I took a couple relaxation hours because I'm really, really trying to learn how to just Do Nothing and Be in the Moment and all that...

The Calm Between

I didn't miss Mango that much during the day as I was in the Manhattan office, but it was so lovely and quiet when I hobbled home this evening (yes, that IT band and/or the neck is acting up again) that I'm starting to find it kind of eerie. We have nothing on our immediate calendar except Saturday in NJ, so next week we restart our downsizing, probably getting rid of most of the overnight bags I've accumulated over the years and, of course, continuing to shred our older financial stuff. I'm waiting for a phone call with my family's financial advisor to discuss cash flow as I look towards purchasing a retirement home on the south coast of England (so many lovely possibilities!) but I'm not eagerly seeking it out, we still have plenty of time before I retire, For now I have to learn how to relax a bit better.

Mangone

Mango is back home with Jonny now. Robin just observed that it feels like a weight has been lifted. A good reminder that a pet is a responsibility, even a temporary one. But it’s been one thing after another with us for the past month-plus, and we really need the down time. Aside from a trip into NJ on Saturday to take my brother out for a birthday brunch then see my college friends for our annual reunion, we have no plans nor are likely to make any for the foreseeable. The quiet is already blissful. 

Sunday Will Never Be the Same

Our last day with Mango until Jonny picks him up, and I made the most of it. He was a sweet lap cat, curled up next to me as I napped, and has generally made himself at home. It’s actually going to be weird not having him here. In other more positive news, I felt something in my neck loosen chiropractic-style earlier this evening, and that seemed to take care of the majority of the back pain I’d been having. Would have been nice if that had happened a few days ago, but oh well. After tomorrow we can both get a good night’s sleep again, nothing better for healing. 

Holding Pattern

More of the same today. My bad back and leg held together for the most part when we shopped, and the rest of the time was football and baseball. Oh, and Mango. Two more days then we rest. 

Up and Down

Catching up and winding down, that is. I did all I could on the job to try and nail down some elusive meeting scheduling, and at least I have help now on one front. And we're actually counting the hours until the lovely but surprisingly high-maintenance Mango returns to my godson, who's attending a wedding in Boston this weekend before temporarily moving into my uncle's place a few miles away from us (my uncle, his grandfather, being in assisted living now) whilst looking for a more permanent spot. We're both so tired that I honestly believe this lingering backache isn't just from exercises to try and mitigate my IT band issues but from stress as well. Stress on a 69-year-old body isn't the same as stress on a 45-year-old, I'm sure. So far the heating pad and ibuprofen are helping ease the back pain but rest and a decent night's sleep or three would help a lot more.

Surviving the Commute

As I suspected, my lunch plans got scuttled, but more importantly I feel like I'm getting back into the rhythm of my commute. Not that the back or left leg has been that much better, but I'm off the naproxen and onto occasional ibuprofen now, which is good as I hate to overmedicate. Still, glad I'm home now and back off my feet for a few days (give or take grocery shopping). Got a bit of mail I have to deal with, both estate stuff and medical stuff, which will all be tomorrow if I have the energy.

Yer Out!

Well, that's it for the Yankees' 2026 season. Thank goodness. Someday I'm sure the truth will out about, for instance, how their training staff seems to break players more than they fix them (in my opinion the fix is certainly in), but in the meantime maybe this will disabuse them of the notion that they're automatically owed a World Series berth every year. They never could catch Tampa Bay in the stretch run, Judge and Stanton only played a handful of games, Cole was back for, like, one game?, and as good as Ben Rice is he couldn't hold up the entire slumping team himself. Chances are Aaron Boone will retain his position, but someone needs new blood somewhere. In other news, despite being sleep-deprived I believe my back is improving incrementally, and I plan on going into the office tomorrow. With luck I'll lunch with one of the many New York Comic Con-goers, but I have my doubts there too. Ah well, as long as I get my work done I can lunch alone...

Laid Up

Well, not only are the Yankees losing again (it's fine, I'm rooting for Milwaukee to take it all this year anyway), but I must have done a bit too much on the IT band exercises, because my sciatic nerve has now flared up and I'm in a good deal of back pain. I started feeling it about halfway through my work day, and it appears I may have to work from home tomorrow as well. It's fine, I have enough goodwill built up that nobody will miss me tomorrow. And I really want to get better in time to make that podiatrist appointment! The thing I hate most about this is that when I'm in pain I think much less clearly, so once again nothing much to write about. 

More Rest and Baseball

No Yankee game today so I could enjoy baseball and naps and even get in some IT band exercises. Trying not to overdo things but my leg does feel better. With any luck I can kick my medical stuff into high gear, see my podiatrist and get ready for my annual physical with my new-for-the-next-few-years doctor... Nothing much else to report. Not really in a writing mood. Kitty remains kitty. That sort of thing.