He’s being feeling good. After all these last Christmas holidays…

Full of conviviality and enjoyment. Enjoying food and drink. Talking to

good old friends. Seeing his daughter and granddaughters. Enjoying the

sun in the backyard. Watching Chico interacting with his

granddaughters. Music coming from the radio…

Now. He’s back in his cabin. By himself and Chico for company.

His bed. Piano. Kitchen. Bathroom. Two windows. His books.

The daily waiting of his furry friends at his porch for water and food.

The squirrels and deer. And the crow at a distance. He knows he gets

his share by the side of the cabin. Next to the apple and lemon tree.

Everyone is happy. Frank has been thinking about his mortality.

At 78 years of age…still active physically. Walking every day for a full

hour and a half in the woods. Taking a bath in the fresh water stream…

back home…not bad. Making house birds for friends and relatives…not

bad…but his concerns about his health are mounting…he takes several

medications for several health issues. He’s doing fine. But…one day

as they exist…keep progressing…and the day will come when he no

longer will be able to control those. Because time eventually takes its

toll on everything. And he worries about those things.

– What about if Chico this or that…?

– What about if this and that…

And his mind gets restless at times. In the middle of the night. He gets

up and drinks a long one. To carry him through the rest of the night.

Next day, he does not feel apprehensive. Having all this beautiful day

before him. It’s night. Night time, in the middle of the night that those

obscure thoughts hold his mind. As mine.

EO