The thing is the heat. It's been very very hot. I'm so grateful for air conditioning. I stay inside a lot. 

But, I try to take at least one walk every day. Even if it's hot. I love walking. I used to live in Cambridge. 

Walking in the city of Cambridge was wonderful. The shops, the people, young people everywhere, the 

gardens, beautiful gardens everywhere...I loved it. I walked and walked And there were so many streets to 

walk, different ones every day. Now I live in a pretty suburb. There are trees and birds. There aren't a lot 

of people walking. And there aren't many shops or cafe's or gardens. Not like there were in Cambridge. 

So it's lonelier. The energy of the city was rejuvenating and inspring. The energy in the suburbs is quiet, 

lonelier, quieter. It's harder  to make friends in the suburbs unless you are a member of something. A club, 

a tennis group, a yoga group, a knitting group, an environmental group, a theatre. I'm not a member of 

anything right now. I've been in the theatre all my adult life but I'm no longer an active participant. So the 

heat keeps me in. And I write lists. Lots of lists : practice the piano, write, exercise, do yoga, meditate, 

clean out closets, give away stuff, clean the stove, do laundry, swiff the bedroom, vacuum the living 

room, clean out the basement, read a book, etc. I do some of what's on the list but I don't often get to the 

piano or the books or yoga or meditation very often. I'd rather go out and walk. But the heat. So I wait till 

it's 5 pm and go walking once the bright hot sun has lessened. The new item on the list is contact the 

senior center (I assume "senior" means over 55 yrs) and see what is going on there. Or contact the local 

church to inquire about their activities. 

What I would like? A dance class for "seniors" -  meaning people with back problems. Something with 

music! Or maybe an art class.There is an art studio on my list. See more friends. My friends are 

still very busy with their work so that's a challenge. With age and heat, these are the challenges. I throw 

away or give away an item or two a day so that if I ever move again, due to age issues, I  have less stuff. I 

like to give things that mean a lot to me to my children or my nieces...to the younger generation so that 

it's still in the family. And the items that don't mean much to me I give to Bootstraps for them to re sell. 

It's an interesting time. Giving away things is like preparing for the end stage. And hopefully the end 

stage won't come for a long time but in the meantime the house will be lighter, cleaner, and there's be 

more space. With less things I feel lighter and brighter. And more able to get on with the next phase. 

Whatever that might be. I have a father who is 25 yrs older than me. I try to walk with him every 

chance I get. He lives nearby which was one of the reasons for moving out of Cambridge. Him and of 

course, my darling grandchildren. The grandchildren have grown up and my father ages by the day. 

So I'm glad to be here, to be near the family. I'm grateful. My wonderful son renovated this condo and 

made it cozy and clean and just perfect. So how lucky am I ! I intend to stay here for a long time and 

if stairs become a problem, I'll sleep in the living room. Time to sleep. Sweet dreams.