Sidetracked Charley

I am an introvert. I generally hang back like the does in a herd of deer. I survey the territory and gather information. My father, the pilot, often did the same. But he was able to access all possible outcomes in split seconds. Then again it took him almost a year of research to buy the perfect home stereo systems (components). We were not the first in our neighborhood to have a color TV but we had the best. Eventually. I like to think, from time to time, of how much fun he would have in this technological age. I wish I could channel him. He was an introvert too. And one who could pretend to be an extrovert. I copied that. He was the one who told me social events were like acting. But more exhausting I think because there is no script and no applause at the end to refresh your energy. That exhaustion was one of the reasons I gave up art fairs. I tell myself it was the heavy lifting. The put up and take down. But putting up was always fun. Taking down a contest to see how quick...

I took some time off from this blog. I took some time off from several "obligations" in an effort to get a handle on my blood pressure. December 23rd was a surprise for me. I awoke knowing I did not feel well, but typical for me not in the way most people with a high BP feel bad. No headache. Just didn't feel right in my head. It was in the midst of a tourist event. Calling 911 revealed it would be a while before emergency services could get to me. So I said I would drive to the local clinic. I promised the dispatcher I would pull over and call again if I felt even a bit dizzy. Oddly I didn't. Fourteen years before almost to the day (Christmas eve) I had suffered a closed brain trauma and some of the residual effects include a bit of dizziness or unbalance from time to time. This did feel a bit like it felt 48 hours after my ski accident. No double vision but disoriented. Fuzzy brained. Scared me. The local clinic was on short staff. It was a couple days befor...