Out With the Old, In With the New

Was this one of my most exciting New Year’s ever? Not by a long shot. It was pleasant and it was nice. 2023 tried its best to kick my ass, but I am still here. I am standing upright with a good mind (mostly?) and still exercising.

My 2023 basically looked like this desk here. It was a functional piece of furniture that I had used for several decades and moved from one home to another. At the time I needed/wanted a L‑shaped corner desk and this certainly fit the bill for many years. However, after a while, it came time to replace it. I tried to give it away. I contacted many charities and service organizations and resell shops. Couldn’t give this away. I felt bad for my little desk. I even put a sign down by the mailboxes that said, “Free to Good Home!” To no avail. Houston Recycling, here we come.

This was very symbolic for the way 2023 had gone. Instead of a desk, my body needed updating. Only I couldn’t just toss out myself and buy a replacement. No, but I went to many doctors. I spent some time in the hospital and was diagnosed with A‑Fib. In between cardiac ablations, I moved to a new living environment for “independent seniors” so that I now have lots of buttons to push and strings to pull in case I have a stroke. As enjoyable as that sounds, I really do like the new homestead. I guess 2023 is the year I became a Senior Citizen. Bah Humbug. However, that does not mean I can sit in a rocker and pass my days quietly. No! All of my doctors want me up and active. I now wear a smart watch that counts my foot steps, my pulse and my stress levels. I take my blood pressure. I take Tai Chi and aerobic exercise classes. I am definitely not slowing down.

So, what am I hoping for in the near future? For starters I have a new desk. It is smaller and sleeker than the last one. I am still getting organized, but it is working dandy well for this blog. My good friend Jim put the desk together and it didn’t even take that long. This picture shows the construction site where all parts were assembled. The best news is that none of this seems to have confused my cat, Hannah. Of course she has hidden under the couch a few times, but never for very long.

I am busy attending a series of writing intensives, and having a new nifty desk is helping with my inspiration. For those of you who know me, yes, I am still writing about ghosts and grim reapers. I continue to work on short stories and, of course, the Great American Novel. I am even taking an online course on “Jewish Ghost Stories”. Who knew there were such things? I’ll keep you posted on the details.

So here is the finished product: the new desk. I like it and the computer works on it very well. The printer even fits on the desk which is a luxury I did not have before.

Here’s to many ghost stories and scary tales in 2024. Maybe I’ll even finish the Great American Novel!

Until next time.….