And So This Is RH --- And What Have You Done?

 So Wifey and I were off around 1, so she could meet D2 and 2 friends for at home pilates -- while I sat in the lovely office, occasionally visited by enormous Betsy and tiny Lemon. The latest routine is that D1 drops off her skittish Spaniel, and he and Betsy spend the day together -- very happily.

At 330, D2 and I loaded the 2 dogs into the car, and it was off to fetch Little Man at school. We brought him to D2's house, and let him enjoy a few gummies and "Tia D2 coffee," which is steamed milk, as he watched "Nightmare Before Christmas," which he loves -- he sings along and dances to some of the songs.

I was suffused with such a peaceful, easy feeling -- the dogs napping, Wifey on her phone per usual, and D2 and her nephew on the couch.

Around 530 we left for D1's house, and the fun of Baby Man -- the two boys were gussied up for the RH dinner. We arrived at my consuegros, and Jackie, who only drinks when I'm there, asked if I wouldn't mix us some RH cocktails? I would, and we toasted the coming year as the guests arrived.

Sephardim do a small seder at RH, and we each read a bit of the symbolism -- much of which is the hope for a sweet new year. Joey's brothers and sister in law and her Mom and other kids were there, as well as Jackie's BFF since age 5, with her jovial, retired Marine officer husband. He's Cuban Catholic, but has become totally encased in the world of Colombian Jews -- we chatted about world affairs, and made sure neither of us were carrying pagers. He had experience with Mossad, he said, back in the 70s -- he said they were indeed a different breed.

We drank, and ate, and laughed. The kids ran around outside. Baby Man went home with nanny Claudia, for sleep. Around 10, we all dispersed -- a lovely way to ring in 5785 -- with the requisite jokes about it being Passover and still writing 5784 on our checks.

I drove us home, and discussed Wifey's upcoming trip to Atlanta -- she's making me a bachelor for a week. I told her Dr. Barry had brought up whether I might ever reconcile with her host -- I assured Wifey it was NEVER going to happen.

Indeed, as I age, I take a much harder look about who to leave in, and who to leave out, and there are far more of the latter. Each day is simply too precious.

Can I forgive peoples' actions based on their mental illness, Barry enquired? I can, but that doesn't mean I have to endure them -- other than truly inner circle members of my life.

Today I plan to tune into some online services -- at least hear the shofar blow virtually. I know I'm supposed to gather with my peeps on these days, and I did, for many years. But inside, I was always late for the shul door -- some parts of my Dad's issues with organized religion remain deep seated.

But I will also saunter over to the pond out front with some breadcrumbs, and toss my sins to the koi, cichlids, and turtles. Hopefully the water doesn't boil.

Debating The End Of The Year

 Ah -- the pleasure of living without an enormous neoplasm hanging over my head! I much prefer it to the opposite.

So yesterday I met my trainer J, who is dealing with a stubborn, failing father -- a retired surgeon. Poor guy is 74 (the Dad, not the trainer) and has had 2 strokes and an MI and is in a wheelchair. He checked himself out of the ritzy rehab at UM, and my poor man was going to meet all day with his mother and advisors about the fellow's future care. Since Wifey and I have experience with 3 of these declining before death parents, I was able to share some wisdom -- the bottom line of which it sucks and it gets worse. I told J to plan small future periods -- not long term. When an aging parent is in decline, parts move rapidly, even though the parent doesn't.

And it occurred to me, I HAVE arrived at old age. Last week: my retina guy. Monday: colonoscopy. And today, blood draws, ECG, breath tests, and all limb blood pressures ahead of my annual physical. And boy do I have white coat syndrome. The nurse Monday was threatening to cancel the procedure since my BP was 180/110. Luckily Dr. Shah overrulled her -- my heart and O2 were fine. 

Sure enough, in the calm of today, my BP was 130/80. It's always something.

Last night we had Ronni over to watch the boring VP debate. We brought in Wu's Kitchen, and I poured Ronni a few cosmos, and myself a few plain martinis. We spoke of politic and Israel. Ronni is a long time Republican, but will NOT vote for Trump. She's going to hold her nose and vote for Harris. That made Wifey happy. As for me, I'm over it -- have been for awhile.

I got a call from my California sister as I walked --upset about the Iranian missiles hitting Israel. Last time we spoke, it was clear her Israeli politics are aligned with The Squad -- I ended up livid. So this time I said "Turn the channel, don't worry about it, and unless and until you really take the time to learn the history of Zionism and Israel -- let's avoid the issue. She agreed.

It's funny -- from my parents' 3 kids, only I have a strong Jewish identity. I'm only somewhat observant, but as today starts Rosh Hashonah, I take it seriously.

We're supposed to take stock of our lives during these Days of Awe. I plan to -- I can't change the where have I been part, but I can affect the where are you going?

We're headed to D2's in the afternoon -- Wifey and D2 do pilates with a friend who teaches it at home. I'll fetch the Little Man at preschool, and then we head to Jackie and Ricardo's for RH dinner. D2 and Jonathan are celebrating with his family -- the pull between Venezuela and Colombia.

But the plan is we have our own post RH dinner Friday -- at the Palm. There'll be a NY strip awaiting, I'm sure. I'd rather eat there than a Michelin starred place any time.

So I wish all a sweet and healthy new year. May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year on this wonderful, crazy planet.

Nothing is guaranteed. So while the party is on -- I plan to savor each moment of it.