This title was thrown out there tonight by our friend Judy Manley Owens. I was going on in a very joking manner about what she called our “arduous” lifestyle. I noted that we’ve had a hot water heater problem, a generator problem, and the inverter problem. Then I rattled off a few other things that make life around here exceptionally hard.

The truth be known, I did this mainly to get her, her husband Brian, and Pete’s attention because talking about non-hardship things was not getting me any attention. It worked. They were after a bit all chortling.

The truth be known, I really don’t see our existence here as being one of hardship; that is, until I go and visit friends who are on the grid, and have electricity, hot running water, and lighting. Their places are very comfortable and relaxing.

It’s then that I have a basis for comparison. Otherwise, with no basis for comparison, I’m okay. Darn that basis for comparison.

Judy also asked if we had a plan for aging. I said that I didn’t want to talk about this. I didn’t give a reason. Having thought about this on the drive home, I came to the conclusion that right now, the book project is taking up most of my mental energy. And so, to figure out a plan that will enable us to deal with decrepitude would most likely result, in my part, on premature death.

We are going to have to deal. I’m going to remain in denial (this is a river in Egypt) for a bit longer. My thinking is this: This more arduous lifestyle, which includes a lot of physical movement, is contributing to longevity.

I could do more, for instance I’d like to resume running again. But first I have to get this book/literacy project more solidly routed in the public’s psyche.

This morning, Pete and I stopped bickering for a bit and came up with some list-related plans. We have some very practical and sustainable ideas, which actually made me feel more relaxed about the project’s future. I have to type up most of the list/plans and am wondering how I am going to find the time to do this. So much for an aging plan.

Another thing that last night really relaxed me was that, for the first time ever, I did a crossword puzzle. It was in the New Yorker. I got all but about five answers – it was a single corner cluster that threw me off.

This was in last week’s magazine. Tonight, I looked at the crossword puzzle in this week’s issue. I wasn’t tempted to do it because, unlike the puzzle I did last night, no answers, not a single one, leapt out at me. So I doubt that doing crossword puzzles is going to become a part of my arduous lifestyle. El and many others who live on the grid also have time to do Wordle. I simply don’t have the time.

Next: 322. 12/1/25: The To-Do List grows Longer Instead of Shorter