I am busy reinventing myself. There are things that have to get done. I have to raise my finances phoenix-like from the abyss I found myself in three years ago after five hospital trips in five years devastated my bank accounts and credit rating at the same time I was forced to retire from my teaching career by health problems. I went through a debt-reduction program with the advice of a law firm in California that has helped me reconcile 35,000 dollars worth of credit card debt. I am nearing the end of that painful belt-tightening process, which can be likened to putting a pumpkin in a vice and cranking the handle tighter than you ever believed was possible, and I did not pop the pumpkin.
Health matters are better too. I am farther away from doom’s ultimate doorway than I was when I retired. No longer teaching has kept me from getting the four cases of the flu yearly that I had become accustomed to when I was in the germ-filled giant Petri dish commonly known as a public school classroom. Lovely Aetna health insurance people decided they would no longer pay for my maintenance medications for diabetes, depression, blood pressure, and cholesterol, so I was forced to cut down and cut out medications. Ironically, the less I take the meds, the better I feel. Maybe… just maybe… I am not going to drop dead tomorrow.
I am stuck indoors quite a lot, because COPD and not using an inhaler and sensitivity to every allergen in Texas makes for a less than wonderful outdoor experience. So I have taken to reorganizing my library and various vast collections of junk. I am rereading old and beloved books. I am playing with my toys more than ever. I am winning computer baseball games. I just pitched another perfect game.
I have been painting the house too, when the weather allows, making the outside of things look a little better too. The football Cardinals have been winning. And the Iowa Hawkeyes were perfect up until the narrow loss to Michigan State. 12-1 is still the best they have ever done.
I have recently been able to shave and look a little less Santa-like, though psoriasis is trying to peel my lower face away again, so I will probably be growing my author’s beard and Gandalf hair back again. And I have completed collections and written up a storm. My work is not yet complete on this Earth, and there needs to be a new Mickey in town to clean up this cowboy-infested heck-hole where I live my life.
I know this has been a rather goopy-goose of a post, but I am feeling good for a change, and it is hard to do humor about everything going too well.
Catch a Falling Star 
Best wishes on all fronts. A goopy goose post is a well deserved break in our journey.
Goopy goose-ness is that rare feeling of having your cheek pinched by an old maid aunt and being told how handsome you are when you are ten and full of distrust for female enthusiasm. It is totally weird, but a necessary gauge of how you are actually doing. Thanks for the good wishes.
So glad to hear you are feeling good! Such welcome news. Thank you for your sincerity and your authenticity…humor is lots of fun, and just as valuable is a simple celebration of what is working in your life. I appreciate your taking the time to share. What a relief to be able to connect with others in this crazy human experience!
I have a few enemies who can hardly wait for my demise, but it gives me glee to be able to cause them consternation with a post like this. And I am grateful that the post can have the opposite effect too. In a world full of disdain and invective, it is good to know there are people out there who still connect with the positives, the colorfuls, and the superfluous.
Amen brother!!! 💖🙏🏼🌈😊✨