A Word In Edgewise: Intimations Of Mortality

It’s a time of yearning for the Great Outdoors, and I salute those who are going there this summer. I myself would particularly love to hike Arizona’s stunning Antelope Canyon. But that’s not to be. Not this summer at least, and perhaps never (though “Never say never” is my mantra.)

I’m not exactly complaining, but I am learning there’s a time for everything, and at some point one’s abilities drift beyond their “Best by” dates. Those dates of course, vary widely from individual to individual. There’ll be nonagenarians sky-diving or hiking Antelope Canyon, and I say go for it while you can, while your infrastructure and pocket book are both healthy.

When I moved to the Cities I bought a bike and was thrilled to ride again–one of my first Lavender columns extolled riding about Downtown in the twilight. Some folks pedal on indefinitely. I realized something was changing when I fell off my two-wheeler. Nothing dramatic, not injurious–I tilted over with it, to be precise, while stopped. I collected myself, realizing my inner gyroscope was off.

Criticism today has become a major sport. Those that can criticize those who can’t or won’t; non-participants criticize those in action as “too old,” “too young,” the “wrong sex or gender;” (“What’s he doing playing softball? Sissy?” “Why’s she allowed to wrestle? Must be a dyke!”). I’d wager most nay-sayers’ only exercise is spewing invective.

I’ll not venture into the Great Outdoors, this summer. I’m recovering, estivating before the climate and political changes to come. I’ll not speculate on either, but it was interesting to read that some Houston residents, overwhelmed by Hurricane Beryl’s climate calamities and infrastructure’s inability to cope with same (still struggling after earlier inundations), are planning to relocate.

Just as Abram Lustgarten predicted in On the Move, reviewed here in an earlier “Books” and in Jake Bittle’s 2023 The Great Displacement. Not everyone. Not yet. But enough, and fulfilling predictions that movers predominantly have the wherewithal to relocate and the education to obtain jobs with salaries sufficient to buy new homes and sustain families in new locations.

Listed among the most stressing life events are: Death of spouse or close friend, Moving, Job loss, Financial changes, Retirement, Birth of a child. All of these may be involved in the wake of one Beryl. Where to live, how to work, to repair or find new lodging, pregnancy and birth during devastation–catastrophes offer infinite permutations and combinations of suffering.

We in the Cities recently had power outages of varying durations. In my apartment it was roughly 1AM to 10:30 AM. As the temp went up and the air thickened, I began to think about the inert elevators, my ice cream puddling, wondering what electrical systems made the toilets flush. Or cease from flushing. I learned how to operate my flashlight App. Nine-and-a-half hours; a drop in the bucket compared to folks in Houston now actively restless after a week without power (at this writing).

I assume Cities folks went on about their business, freezers now freezing and summer plans for the Great Outdoors intact. I have friends (not local) who take frequent cruises and send many photos that I relish. Another has shared photos of mountain-scaling, zip-lining, and white-water rafting; always more eager to view than undergo.  

I wish you all happy, safe adventures!