The Spirit of 76

AI generated images. Tech magic. Welcome to the future? Harbingers of the apocalypse?

A bit of self-reflection on the occasion of an anniversary.

I had a birthday this week, my 76th.  I celebrated with a French toast doughnut with breakfast. It seemed appropriate. 

I tell myself that I will finish a Gus Corral novel this year.  Other goals in the Spirit of 76 include getting back to model cars, traveling to someplace I haven't been to yet, and maintaining a high level of exercise (physical and mental) and social activity.

There are reasons why I may not reach these goals.  The number one obstacle, in my view, is the speed of progression of my Parkinson's Disease.  The exercise goal is my major response to Parkinson's symptoms.  I attend several exercise classes each week that are designed to help combat PD.  My days include sessions on an exercise bike, repetitive routines that help balance, stamina, and cognition, yoga poses to stretch and relax stiff and ungainly muscles, and aerobics. That strategy appears to be working, in terms of slowing down PD.  Can't say it's done much for writing, traveling, or modeling. 

Like the song says, I'm not the world's most physical guy, and there are days when it all feels like too much.  And then there are days when it all falls into place.  As another song says, that's life.  No?

Later.

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Manuel Ramos writes crime fiction. Read his latest story, Northside Nocturne, in the award-winning anthology Denver Noir, edited by Cynthia Swanson, published by Akashic Books.