Every year on my mother's birthday, I reflect on the past year and think about what I would like to do in the next year. Usually, not too much is happening at this time of year so it's a great opportunity to keep in practice with my blogging.
Fortunately, I am in much better health than I was 12 months ago. With the help of insulin, my sugar levels are good and my CK level is in the 400 - 500 range which is only double the normal healthy level. I think overseas travel has helped since I have to walk more when I am traveling. Modern airport terminals are so huge and designed to make you walk past numerous shops that you get your daily steps done before you even get on the plane. We still go for a walk on the beach most mornings and we go to the pool most days though Marianne is not brave enough to get into the pool in winter. We are having a hot humid summer, so walking in the morning can be less than pleasant.
The trips to the UK and Japan last year were absolutely wonderful. Visiting our old friends near Whitby meant so much to us. At our age, we know we are mortal and opportunities to visit are limited. And of course, seeing the northwest of Scotland was one of those 'bucket list' items.
Occasionally, my father used to take me on a trip and I treasure those memories. Robin and I have done so many trips together it was such fun to go to Japan and realize just how well we still travel together. The few days we spent with my nephew Ned when we first arrived made it so much easier to become comfortable with such a different culture.
Marianne has become a cricket 'tragic' so later this month we hope to go to a Test Match in Brisbane where Australia plays the West Indies. It's been raining a lot during the past month, so whether we go or not will depend on the forecast.
On the 22nd of February, 1974, Marianne and I had our first meal together in Sitges, Spain. We have booked flights to Spain and will go to the same restaurant on the 50-year anniversary. I suspect we will have a good 'wine conversation'. Afterward, we will drive to southern France and visit Carcassone and the Dordogne area. It's all very romantic, but Marianne deserves it for putting up with me all these years.
Not much else is planned at this stage. I am so pleased that we are both still in good enough condition to do most of what we would like to do.
Years ending in 4 mark the anniversaries of my high school reunion. This year marks the 60th for my class, so I suspect we will hold a picnic lunch in a Brisbane park. We are at the age where occasionally one of us kicks the bucket so there will not be too many more reunions. So I have thought up titles for the next three reunions:
2024 - the last hurrah
2034 - the last gasp
2044 - dead and loving it
Life is still wonderful.
