Getting older is not for sissies, and you are brave. Very brave. Go slower and do not hurt yourself. Healing is hard.
I am clumsy - I bang my arm or my knee on something and always have a big bruise or abraised skin, bleeding. I am absent minded frequently.
We are fortunate, Bill. We have a closer circle but we are not completely alone.
I just turned 70 - I can't believe it really. Sometimes I feel 70, sometimes I think I am still 40 and should go to the rink and skate for a few hours.
No, I am different now. I am not on fire for much. The grand girls are so sweet- 6 and 9 years.
I am always shaking a bit now. I still sew a lot but fine movements I have shaky hands.
It could be grief, I have lots of it, it could be the trauma of the incident that created the divide between my son in law and me and hubbs. I never see my younger daughter. or her three adorable children. They do not know us anymore.
I am grateful for my older daughter.
I am not sure what I enjoy. Sometimes I just feel like I exist for the hugs and kisses from my hubbs. I am praying for you and your loved ones.
i wish i possessed half your strength - your words are filled with dignity. i'll never forget you paying for an SEO tutor for me in my fist months here on Substack. may God smile upon you
It is tragic to learn that a man of your obvious intelligence would be struck down by dementia.
You still write as well as Omar Khayyam.
As I grow older and my list of interests and friends shrink, I find thought to be cumbersome and often a waste of time. We are living through that stage of life where our internal dialog is more important than anything. I've always enjoyed daydreaming and now I call it meditation. When I shut out the distractions, I find I'm able to travel through time and space effortlessly. It's a gas, gas, gas.
What is reality, anyway? To most people, it is the unending tedium of brushing teeth and a daily dose of misery via the Internet or "news".
Wishing you love and a Merry Christmas, my friend.
Thank you for encouraging me to write at substack about books and library history. I think it was your comment on a Taibbi post that gave me courage. Glad for you-- any observations or ideas you share.
My mind is about all I really have going for me, so I can't imagine not just having it erode as a force but understanding that is what's happening. You are admirable for continuing to write this substack and do as much as you can when I know I would be tempted just to fall into despair.
Could the anhydonia be your mind’s frustration with our limited perceptions and insights as you gradually shuck off this mortal coil and eases in to a more glorious reality? Every time I can’t find my keys I remind myself - practice! Practice makes perfect. My love to you and your wife and thank you for documenting. It keeps me focused on life even as I follow your trail.
For the life of me I can not remember how our paths crossed but I am so thankful it did. I have felt a kindredness toward you and the journey of speaking your truth while mapping a destination we all must take. If I remember correctly your calculations were off. For that I am thankful. When I hear from you I feel like I am being given a little more gravy. Despite your declining health you have never stopped being someone I want to hear from.
So, I thought I would write some elaborate message, all wise and philosophical. I thought and thought and thought, and finally arrived at the only words that matter: I love you, Bill.
Bill- your memory might be declining but your wisdom still shines through and is appreciated by me and I am sure many others. Thank you. 🙏
Thank you
Getting older is not for sissies, and you are brave. Very brave. Go slower and do not hurt yourself. Healing is hard.
I am clumsy - I bang my arm or my knee on something and always have a big bruise or abraised skin, bleeding. I am absent minded frequently.
We are fortunate, Bill. We have a closer circle but we are not completely alone.
I just turned 70 - I can't believe it really. Sometimes I feel 70, sometimes I think I am still 40 and should go to the rink and skate for a few hours.
No, I am different now. I am not on fire for much. The grand girls are so sweet- 6 and 9 years.
I am always shaking a bit now. I still sew a lot but fine movements I have shaky hands.
It could be grief, I have lots of it, it could be the trauma of the incident that created the divide between my son in law and me and hubbs. I never see my younger daughter. or her three adorable children. They do not know us anymore.
I am grateful for my older daughter.
I am not sure what I enjoy. Sometimes I just feel like I exist for the hugs and kisses from my hubbs. I am praying for you and your loved ones.
Thank you. Accept whatever love you have. Your husband sounds like a wonderful man.
i wish i possessed half your strength - your words are filled with dignity. i'll never forget you paying for an SEO tutor for me in my fist months here on Substack. may God smile upon you
Thank you/
It is tragic to learn that a man of your obvious intelligence would be struck down by dementia.
You still write as well as Omar Khayyam.
As I grow older and my list of interests and friends shrink, I find thought to be cumbersome and often a waste of time. We are living through that stage of life where our internal dialog is more important than anything. I've always enjoyed daydreaming and now I call it meditation. When I shut out the distractions, I find I'm able to travel through time and space effortlessly. It's a gas, gas, gas.
What is reality, anyway? To most people, it is the unending tedium of brushing teeth and a daily dose of misery via the Internet or "news".
Wishing you love and a Merry Christmas, my friend.
Thank you my friend. I also enjoy daydreaming and whenever I’m awake, which is not often nowadays, I try to get back to it.
Bill, please remember as long as you can how much you have enriched my life. Wishing you and your family a holiday season of comfort and love.
Thanks.
And be grateful you remembered to fix the "who is allowed to comment" feature so all of us can talk to you here again!
Thank you for encouraging me to write at substack about books and library history. I think it was your comment on a Taibbi post that gave me courage. Glad for you-- any observations or ideas you share.
I’m always looking forward to your posts. I never fail to learn something new about topics I hadn’t considered.
My mind is about all I really have going for me, so I can't imagine not just having it erode as a force but understanding that is what's happening. You are admirable for continuing to write this substack and do as much as you can when I know I would be tempted just to fall into despair.
I could never despair with my loving wife, daughter and son in law with me. Somehow we’ve risen to more than 380 subscribers last week.
Could the anhydonia be your mind’s frustration with our limited perceptions and insights as you gradually shuck off this mortal coil and eases in to a more glorious reality? Every time I can’t find my keys I remind myself - practice! Practice makes perfect. My love to you and your wife and thank you for documenting. It keeps me focused on life even as I follow your trail.
Very insightful. Thank you.
"It has been two months since I have finished an article by Schellenburg, Taibbi, or Unskooled."
I'd say you're doing just fine. They bore me, too, and didn't even buy me a beer in apology.
:)
For the life of me I can not remember how our paths crossed but I am so thankful it did. I have felt a kindredness toward you and the journey of speaking your truth while mapping a destination we all must take. If I remember correctly your calculations were off. For that I am thankful. When I hear from you I feel like I am being given a little more gravy. Despite your declining health you have never stopped being someone I want to hear from.
So, I thought I would write some elaborate message, all wise and philosophical. I thought and thought and thought, and finally arrived at the only words that matter: I love you, Bill.