It's been almost a month since I posted here. Not surprising, as it was a quiet and humdrum month! Most of what happened was routine; snow tires on, doctors visited, volunteer commitments fulfilled, political meetings attended.
This month we began looking at appropriate places to live in Wetaskiwin, a task which prodded us in to the start of a purging process of our possessions. It is amazing what you collect after 13 years in one place. We have tons of "stuff"- as George Carlin called it - to get rid of. Some to sell, and some to just junk.
I spent some anxious moments trying to figure out what is an "appropriate" amount of exercise to engage in, without triggering an angina attack. Swimming seems to be best way to go. I can backstroke quite steadily for 30 minutes with no consequences. Walking is more chancy. I can get the pace right, but the cold air to breathe is a problem, according to my physician. I may stop walking and just swim every day until spring. We'll see.
All of this has added a new dimension to the concept of "recovery." Caution has to be introduced, and boundaries set, and a certain amount to risk undertaken, to find out what is possible and safe, while being beneficial in the way of exertion. For reasons I can't articulate, I have grown my beard out. It looks fine, and I'm still trying to figure out why it seemed important to do this!
We haven't made any headway in Christmas preparation. Too much other stuff in the way. This week has got to be the start. Christmas letter to write, gift shopping planned and done. All very domestic and dull, but seasonally important. It's amazing how anxiety interferes with normal life and normal tasks, siphoning off energy and attention from ordinary life.
I'll try to be more regular with postings in December, but that may depend on something noteworthy happening. Perhaps the adventure of getting a tree will spur me on!
This month we began looking at appropriate places to live in Wetaskiwin, a task which prodded us in to the start of a purging process of our possessions. It is amazing what you collect after 13 years in one place. We have tons of "stuff"- as George Carlin called it - to get rid of. Some to sell, and some to just junk.
I spent some anxious moments trying to figure out what is an "appropriate" amount of exercise to engage in, without triggering an angina attack. Swimming seems to be best way to go. I can backstroke quite steadily for 30 minutes with no consequences. Walking is more chancy. I can get the pace right, but the cold air to breathe is a problem, according to my physician. I may stop walking and just swim every day until spring. We'll see.
All of this has added a new dimension to the concept of "recovery." Caution has to be introduced, and boundaries set, and a certain amount to risk undertaken, to find out what is possible and safe, while being beneficial in the way of exertion. For reasons I can't articulate, I have grown my beard out. It looks fine, and I'm still trying to figure out why it seemed important to do this!
We haven't made any headway in Christmas preparation. Too much other stuff in the way. This week has got to be the start. Christmas letter to write, gift shopping planned and done. All very domestic and dull, but seasonally important. It's amazing how anxiety interferes with normal life and normal tasks, siphoning off energy and attention from ordinary life.
I'll try to be more regular with postings in December, but that may depend on something noteworthy happening. Perhaps the adventure of getting a tree will spur me on!
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