Plain and simple. I really believed that I would be able to forestall the aging process by ignoring it. And I still believe this, although I am beginning to wonder if some of this isn’t just luck of the draw. I think first of my friend Toni, who in her 70s was teaching exercise classes at the Palmer Senior Center. She now has Parkinson’s Disease.

My neighbor Karen is forestalling aging by exercising very vigorously and for long periods of time every single day. I would be like her – I used to be like her – I might someday again be like her – but I am at the mercy of other life priorities.

Alys at reststop drawn by Jackie - Iditabike

Okay. I have had cataract surgery, and I’am waiting on getting a second tooth implant. Oh yeah, and when I remember, I wear hearing aids. Now today, the prospect of yet another age-related marker surfaced.

I was stocking books in the hallway of the historic Eagle Hotel when my hip seized up. I says to myself, oh oh because shortly I was to meet with Lyndsey and some of the Alaska Family Services staff. And yes, they did show up, five minutes later.

I was again bent over like an L. In the five minutes prior to their arrival, I walked and sat and walked and sat hoping that I would again be able to stand upright and be out of pain.

I told them what was going on when they arrived. And I did straighten out some. Earlier, I’d boxed up 20 boxes and bags of children’s books that formerly belonged to a local schoolteacher. We owwed and ahhed over these books, and the three woman picked out several books for the children that they’re working with.

They left and I drove over to the chiropractor’s office. Dr. Joe didn’t remember that I’d had X-Rays – I had to remind him. He read what they sent him (he didn’t get a copy of the X-Rays) and said that my hip and S.I. joints are arthritic.

I looked at him in disbelief – he fumbled around some, saying that this was not a death sentence – that I could live with it, and the prospect of, dare I say it, hip surgery. Then I laid flat on his table and he began to work on my back. He must have hit the tender spot in my S.I. joint because the pain was very intense. This was the end of the session.

He told me to start swimming. He and my friend Cathy Stone both have stressed that the pool has a very welcoming atmosphere. Cathy in particular said that, “the elders are all very friendly.” This was important to them, but not to me. A pool is a pool. Children piss in them. The chlorine hurts my eyes. I just don’t care about the atmosphere.

Then I get home and open a letter from my friend Jacki who lives in Buffalo N.Y. She had read about my ongoing musings about my hip in previous dispatches. And she says, “when you are our age. . .” Geez Louise, I read this and I think, those people have one foot in the grave and want me to join them.

I just want this hip issue resolved so that I can go back to being young.

Next: 227. 8/20/24: Hunting Season Update