Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dear diary,

The arrival of the new year has changed nothing. People we know continue their enormous generosity in their efforts to assist my recovery.

Ann and Sandy and Tom and Judy have offered their time-share condo in Naples, Florida for two weeks, starting this coming weekend.

The benefits would be obvious. Not only would the warm and sunny weather be therapeutic, but the long walks on the beach and along the streets of that famous resort town would really help to speed my recovery. I believe I'd get an enormous boost.

So we will be off! Plans are being made to care for the cats and the house, the car will be serviced, and packing has commenced. Don't forget the Bermuda shorts, T-shirts, and sandals, items those of us in upstate New York don't normally connect with the month of January. I'll be taking my computer, and my gigantic new biography of Washington, a Christmas gift from my bride, a hefty tome that will no doubt suck five miles per gallon off the family auto's usual rate of fuel consumption. Books about George are always among my favorite. Yes, I'm sure the man had his foibles, but they were fewer than other great men, and he worked hardest of all to mitigate them. An excellent book on Lincoln will also make the trip, a fine gift from my brother-in-law and his fiance. Books on Abe are my other passion, since the man came so incredibly far, and was such a monumental prosodist. Thus, my beach time will be put to good use.

The time in Naples will be spent with my mother-in-law, and with her long-time friend. Both are wonderful companions, and will help ensure that the vacation days will be pleasantly spent. In the course of our drive south, we will visit my treasured brother and his equally treasured wife in North Carolina. We will also visit my bride's family in northern Florida before proceding to Naples.

The sun and surf will allow me to continue my newly-begun exercise regimen. Now that my energy level has partially recovered and my neuropathy and gout-like attacks have all eased, I have commenced a program at Planet Fitness, and will continue that on the beaches of South Florida.

I'm taking charge of my recovery.