This morning I have reconnected with the world. The air conditioner is off, and the windows are open. The only noise is Gracie’s annoying barking. I used to go check to see what was she was barking about but never saw a thing. I swear she barks just to drive me crazy, sort of a dog’s Gaslight. I know her intruder bark but this annoying bark has no definition; hence, the gaslight reference. When last the windows were open, my neighbor’s house was being reshingled and I could hear the nail gun. That job now seems to be finished, and I couldn’t be more delighted. My morning is back.

My sister left yesterday, and the house feels so empty. She was a great nurse but she was better company. It will take me a few days to get used to being alone again. Soon enough I’ll be back to talking out loud to no one.

Every day is better. My back has very little pain. The mornings are still the roughest, but I no longer have to grab stuff like the bureau or the table to walk from my room to the bathroom. I’m seeing the doctor this morning so he can check the incision. The nurse was a bit concerned, but that was long enough ago that the soreness is just about gone, and I probably really don’t need to see the doctor. I can already tell this surgery went better than the last. I am walking almost completely upright. I keep seeing that picture of the stages of the evolution of man. I was, for a long while, the chimp on the left, at the low point of evolution but am happy to say I am moving up the scale. That second chimp and I are far more similar than we’ve been. I’ll celebrate when I moved all the way to the right.

I have a few catalogs with dog-eared pages. I am going shopping. My psyche needs a lift. I’ve had my eye on a few things I thought too expensive and frivolous, but today I’m in a frivolous mood. Hang the expense!  I deserve a treat!!

For dessert this evening I’m going to have coconut ice cream with chocolate caramel sea salt sauce. Today I am a hedonist!!