Hi and hello. Apologies for the hiatus. Let’s pretend I planned everything perfectly to coincide with the start of a brand new shiny year.  “I needed the time off to prioritize what really mattered.” Sound good?  Or should I fess up that my body finally gave out after years of trying to keep up with my constant to-do lists?

I ended up facing a little shoulder surgery followed by a lot of down time.  And naturally, I was going to use said time to initiate various neglected projects. I would rub castor oil into my eyebrow’s bald spot twice a day without fail – and friends would surely fall over in shock at the resulting electrifying transformation. I would practice walking in my ludicrously high heels, so I could wear them somewhere other than my hallway. I would read up and try to understand our election outcome, without judgment or rancor against those who made a different choice than mine.

Post-operation and once the pain medication supply ended, my brain came to a new type of awareness.  Who knew paperback books could be so heavy? And when did pudgy cat get so, well, pudgy? And can’t we just stick our faces into bowls of food, instead of having to use our hands and utensils? Why do bras even exist, much less have to be fastened? And why won’t someone just give me more drugs?

I couldn’t find easy answers to any of these questions.  I simply trudged along every day, making very little progress, and being rather impatient.  Suffice it to say, my eyebrows never saw a drop of oil, or even a mirror during those months.  The sofa and I, on the other hand, became bosom buddies.  Sigh.  But it turned out to be a very exciting day when I was able to pull a shirt over my head, all by myself.  As well as the moment when I reached and scratched my back with a back brush.  Small humbling wins.  I hoped I would keep appreciating these basics, and also learn my limits.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet and better understand anyone who held opposite political views; but I had spent a good bit of time being entitled, bitter, and eager for change.  And maybe that was sort of the same thing.