A Conversation with Elizabeth
2012

From:          Elizabeth  
To:            Larry
Sent:          Friday, December 27, 2012
Subject:      
 
Larry,
 I'm back up late, although I actually went to bed earlier after finishing a long, but rewarding Scandinavian crime novel (Nesbo's The Redeemer). I got to speculating about a lot of things while trying to fall asleep, and one was about your recent birthday, because I thought that it might have been the big 60 landmark. I wasn't sure, and since I wasn't sleeping I got up and checked your Mixsonia website and sure enough 2012-1952 = 60. I thought that 60 deserved more comment than simply, "Happy Birthday." First of all, welcome to my decade! With me, 30 did not bother me, 50 did not bother me, but 60 did bother me--and it still bothers me as I move further into it! I guess it was finally time for some sort of mid-life crisis. So, I'm glad of some company--while still in the 50's you were not company because it seemed so far behind me (as it does with everyone I meet who is still ONLY in their 50's).  

I noticed you don't do UCF on your Facebook page, but maybe you want to self identify as a Gator not a Knight! While on your webpage I noticed you have done several therapeutic yoga or healing workshops, but not one specifically for the knees. I guess too many years of jogging and karate have done mine in, so they may be beyond hope, although I'm holding out for stem cell cartilage regeneration. I even had to stop my biweekly early a.m. yoga class, although I purchased a whole set of tapes along the theme of "yoga for the rest of us" which caters more to limitations. I found out that the warrior poses, possibly because of the torque on the knee, might not have been the best for me to be doing. Also, while my instructor was quite good and took a gentle approach always, I'm not sure she corrected us on alignment as much as she might have done had she had more formal training. In yoga, alignment (I hope I'm correct) seems to be difference between what can be "good" and what might be "damaging." It is difficult to tell from FB how people (you or others) are REALLY doing. It is indeed FACE book and just that--a face for everyone to see.  

Are you concerned about your parents? Your father actually seems to be doing better than your mother perhaps. What prompted the trip with your brother? You were once mildly critical of him and his post office job only so he could take yearly long trips--but jeez, he could have retired by now. Any plans on retiring? How is your comfortable and "sufficient" (I forget your exact words) relationship going? Are you going to up and get re-married. My life is about the same. My small (still in need of some repairs) small cottage house is almost paid for in Kosciusko, and I'm still doing an extended commute to teach down near Mobile (a four hour drive so I stay at an extended stay motel and come back when I can like now on the holidays).  

My stupid insurance company did a surprise property inspection while I was down there, at a time when I didn't weed whack the weeds before leaving because I couldn't get the friggin thing started (it is NOT as featherlite as advertised!) so they canceled my home insurance saying "the house does not appear to be occupied." I guess they didn't notice the NEW roof (6000 dollars), the new porch post (200) and the green plant poking out of the living room which somehow has learned to survive on about once a month watering. Now it is a total hassle to get it un-cancelled, and they might not do it. I think they like to drop older homes when they can.  

Anyway, I'm here until Jan. 2nd when I have to commute back down. I just bought a car I've always wanted--although actually I wanted an L.L. Bean Subaru Outback which is no longer made, so I downsized to a Forester, sage green, which was my favorite Subaru color. It has not arrived at the dealer yet, down in Mobile, AL (37 miles) from where I teach in MS. I made the purchase firm before leaving so they wouldn't sell it away before I could snag it. The Forester came out with a new design for 2014, which is already viewable, and I did not like it as much as the older design, so I got a 2013. At first I tried for a 2012, but I could not find a sage green, and also the 2013s have all sorts of connectable technology built in, which the 2012 doesn't have. I didn't like taking on the debt, but I figured it would be harder to get good financing if I did decide or do decide to finally retire in the next year or so. I needed a traveling car for retirement, and wanted something safe. I also would like to get back to bicycling (good for the knees) and I hate to hang a bike outside a car--I like one you can shove the bike inside. Also, the Forester is easier to get in and out of, because the seats are height adjustable. My current Taurus seats are moderately low to the ground.  

So, do an un-male or un-Larry thing and babble and chatter back to me! We do have a long history, and while your interest may be minimal or totally shifted away, I still enjoy knowing about you and what you're up to, other than what I can read on FB. I also want to send you a link to a four letter word which you hated when I knew you way back when, which was F-R-E-D, a picture I found of him while searching out people I might still know in Gainesville. I'm sort of in shock as he has aged exceedingly terribly, but I think he was 10-14 years older than I. I did find out that most of the professors I ever had have long since retired and become emeritus. I did write one of them to tell him how much I enjoyed his classes. He is in his late 80's so I think he enjoyed the remembrance.

 
Elizabeth

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