My new friend is my new pool heater. When turned on, it rumbles.  The rumbling, which I can hear in my bedroom with the window closed, is such a comforting sound. Somewhat akin, I imagine, to the sound a fetus hears in utero.  It makes me feel warm and cozy. It lets me know everything will be alright. Everything will … Read More

Taxes and insurance. Together they compose the escrow part of the home mortgage. Twenty-fifteen was the first year we decided to dispense with the escrow part of the mortgage, and to pay the property taxes and homeowners insurance by ourselves. It was difficult putting money away for those two expenses. The insurance needed to be paid four times a year. … Read More

I am often complimented on how young I appear for all of my 75 years. Of course, that makes me feel very good. There are likely many ways that I keep myself young. I eat well, avoiding most sweets, I exercise regularly in my heated above-ground pool, and I am cheerful. Perhaps the most important way I remain young is to keep the … Read More

As you may recall, the pool heater repairman did not show up for a week, and that motivated me to fix my pool heater myself. Once I installed the new igniter, the pool heater did fire up, but there was a small explosion. I was delighted! I told myself I could live with the sound of the explosion. Two days … Read More

Why can’t they build a pool heater that cannot break? Duh!  I know the answer.  You know the answer, too.   Planned obsolescence.  Just think what would happen if every product made were to last forever. That doesn’t make it easier for me when November rolls around, and the weather gets chilly. From about May through October, my roof’s three solar … Read More

It sounds like a lot of money: $115. It is. But when you spend that amount of money, the returns can be immeasurable. I mean, I would spend $115 on a new printer. The printer gives me great pleasure. I would spend $115 on fixing my pool heater. The pool heater gives me great pleasure. When I spent $115 last … Read More

I have been learning the names of the people at my mom’s new retirement home.  I remember a name by associating it with an object or famous person. I recently met Charlotte.  I picture Charlotte the spider crawling on Charlotte’s shoulder. Yesterday I ate lunch with my mom and a woman named Audrey.  I think of her as an older … Read More

My almost 98-year-old mom recently got notice that the house in which she has lived with three other ladies for 13 years, was being sold. She would have to either move into the smaller, more institutional-looking quarters of the Home, or move out. My wonderful sisters found mom a new senior residence. Brookdale South is making mom very happy. I … Read More

The eggplant parmigiana at the Olive Garden is one of my favorite dishes.  Oh, how I have wished I could make that dish at home. Now that my wife left to visit her relatives for a couple of weeks, I decided I could mess up the kitchen as much as I want this evening.  What I really wanted to cook … Read More

This evening, while watching Law & Order SVU, I ate four caramel scones, a bunch of caramel pretzels and almond milk.  I am angry with myself. I rarely eat junk like that at night.  Or during the day. In fact, I eat healthily. What is happening? Perhaps it is a little stress in my life.  But I’d rather not go … Read More