WARNING: Traveling through space around a not so distant star can cause aging. Here Val and I offer photo proof. We did not need any help from generative AI.
We Lost an Otter
First off, sad news. One of the original Cosmic Otters, Jan Harris, died on May 10th in the arms of her wonderful husband of 47 years, Keith. We met in Seattle 50 years ago and remained close for the rest of time. She was truly a saint, and a great Cosmic Otter.
First up for the New Year was Fasmas, Kyna’s family recreation of Christmas. She and I have had a debate about what is worse on pizza, pineapple or anchovies. So we ordered one of each, and one with both.
Turns out that both is absolutely a sin against nature. Otherwise we did not change each other’s mind. The pizza place where I ordered it had a fun time, though. The chef almost refused to put them on the same pizza. He was right, as it turned out.
Then some really big news, a baby into the Cosmic Otter family!
Welcome to Charlie, and congratulations to Jessica and Hayden! Jessica is my daughter dos, as we call her, and everyone in the Cosmic family is very happy to welcome Charlie.
Speaking of pizza (OK, one story late) I was accepted into the Parkinson’s Progression Marker’s Initiative. Turns out I have some of the early indicators of the disease, but I don’t have it. So the Michael Fox Foundation sent me to New Haven to get a brain scan to see what was going on in there. After the scan, I went to a famous pizza place for mash potato pizza ( a very good alternative to recent pizza). And Dark Angel Porter.
Then it was time for my birthday! Instead of beer tasting, Val bought us tickets in the front row to a magic show that has it’s own house for performances.
Val’s brother Frank and I have birthdays close enough to co-celebrate, although the restaurant forbid us from being candle accurate for fire insurance reasons.
His wife Betty did not want to be left out, but we planned a different day so we got two restaurant outings!
Val and I went to a tall ship event in St. Petersburg. We had a blast pretending to be pirates, although after seeing all the cannons on the military ships, I would see why that would be a bad idea.
And what would a Cosmic News be without our Granddaughter Leila? Here she is getting ready to perform as Moana. In fact, in the school musical, she had the lead role. What a voice. And she even has a fan club. Walking with her down the halls I saw kid after kid call her name and give her a high 5 or some sort of praise. What an elementary experience she is getting.
And as long as we are on the subject, she competed, and won some medals, at a national gymnastics meet.
As dutiful Grandpa, I bought us front row seats to a traveling Broadway production of Annie. I earned a lot of Grandpa points with that one.
Val is doing as well as possible for someone putting chemo therapy poison into her body twice a day. He hair came back curly, which is one of those things that is a blessing and a curse at the same time. She gets tired easily. Her immune system is low, so she catches bugs easily. But the drug is suppose to hunt down and kill the metastases hiding in her body. She has another year and a half to go. And through it all she stays positive.
Though sometimes she just veges out with our Poodle, who is battling a tumor in her throat. Yes, there are some downsides to life.
Our friends Len and Naomi celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. Len is 98. They both are still sharp and funny. Len tells me his watch stopped. I asked him what type is it. He said “automatic”. So I looked. It is an Audemars Piguet. I almost fell off the couch. He said he didn’t pay a lot for it in the 1950’s, but he was helping out a jeweler friend. I looked it up and told him it is a $14,000 watch. He said he wore it every day, even during surgery (he was a dentist). So I had it fixed for him. No charge, it has a lifetime guarantee. Unlike Len and I!
Our friends Rob and Susan were micro bus fanatics back in their hippie days, so we found the perfect gift for Rob. Remember the little kiddie cars? Who ever thought they would come back for adults? I guess as we get more kid like…..
So I get to brag on myself a little. I was inducted into the St. Petersburg Senior Hall of Fame for my work as a Guardian ad Litem and with the High School Ethics Bowl. Besides the trophy I received a key to the city. The Parks Director told me it opens my imagination.
Just a little afternoon storm with hail the size of golf balls. This is Kyna’s screen enclosure. The storm also tore into the trees along the street. Not even a hurricane!
When ever I think we have it tough, I think of my friends Victor and Marina and their family in Zambia. They have to travel 5 kilometers to get water, which they carry on their bicycle. Three 5 gallon jugs which is 120 pounds. Takes several hours. And then the bikes frequently break down.
And of course there are a few obstacles to getting home, like giant pythons. Can’t remember the last time I found a snake when I went for water in the kitchen.
Our friend Jan, seen here with her book, has been driving around the country to interview people who are involved in sustainable change, with a focus on Native Americans. She just returned from several weeks video interviewing Tribal leaders on the Lakota reservations. She is 84 or so. Makes it hard to think about full retirement for us kids.
Kyna, Sal, and Leila are on a cruise to Alaska. To make up for the cruise last year that came to an abrupt end when the ship hit an iceberg. We heard from them that they are collision free and visiting Juneau.
Things have been interesting politically in Florida. Since George Orwell has been dead a long time, I thought I could get away with using some 1984 themes to enhance our State Motto. And then someone sent me the poster on the right. It’s amazing how powerful psychopaths can become when they are ruthless enough.
However, one of the nice things about living in Florida is that there is a Space Port not far away.
Thus Val and I ride off, into the second half of our orbit around the Sun, hoping to hang on. And we hope the same for all of you.