Plans

There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m keeping the Noru property and Collagesity through at least August, what with all the excitement happening there in the past weeks. It would take a considerable amount of time and effort to set up something equivalent in a new spot. Have I *finally* settled down in My Second Lyfe? I’m not committing to that thought yet, what with my past record.

Fall hiking seasons is not that close but still not that far away, starting around the middle of September usually. My back remains “wonky”, however. I don’t think there’s anything bad wrong with it, at least according to what the physical therapist tells me. It just that my hips now have very annoying habit of getting out of line, and straining it during physical exertion, *especially * when I’m walking up and down steeper grades apparently. Now I live in the higher mountains, and there’s a lot of hills around here of course. Compounding this is my natural desire, nay need, to go off the trails — that’s really what this blog was suppose to be about: my adventures in the parts of the woods that no one gets to or even knows about currently. Then form stories about these places. Whitehead Crossing is a forefront example. I’ve had to deal with this physical problem almost a year now, however, and it solidly curtailed my spring hiking season. But toward the end of that “season” in May, despite being pretty careful, I must have got my hips out of alignment again as I walked hillier spots upon gaining confidence that I was healing up. So I’m kind of riding a seesaw in that respect. I get better, gain more confidence in my ability to walk up and down more significant slopes, only to slip back into a former state. I *believe* I’m getting better overall but it’s still hard to see progress. What I might just have to do is to go through the hiking season, be careful but also be aware that, despite my best efforts, my hips are probably going to get a little out of line still, and just visit the therapist afterwards to get realigned. This could be the cycle I’m in, because I’m *not*, repeat *not* giving up off trail hiking. Look through the posts of this blog. I’ve chosen the place I live mainly because of this option. It’s a unique spot in America — no other place really like it. But at 55, I probably just have to realize that I need to slow down a bit, be a little more careful. 55 is not 25.

I believe that’s one reason I’ve been so involved in Second Life lately — an escape from my problems. I’ve had significant mental stress at work lately as well, and I know that hasn’t helped the back situation. 6 1/2 years until retirement in all likelihood; will I make it? The finish line is within distant sight but with much more work still to be done. The physical type of work I do also tends to strain my back, especially if I’m out of alignment. But at the same time this “lifting” keeps me more fit. Oh well, everyone has challenges, and mine are certainly minor compared to some.

But what a fun time I’m having in Second Life lately (!) That’s been a bright spot for sure.