New Year Reflection

Who could have guessed what 2021 would bring. Effective vaccines, new Covid variants, and renewed waves of concern about the likely permanence of the pandemic. But, on to more mundane matters.

As usual, there is much to say though I will spare you the details on health matters. But, I do have one story to tell. On a recent hospital visit, an interesting exchange occurred. When nurses and CNAs enter your room, they ask you for your name and your date of birth, in my case 11-8-28. Then they come over and look at me closely, exclaiming: “But, you look so young.”  How flattering. Of course, they are only a quarter to a third my age.  A few weeks later I had to return, in the interim allowing my beard to grow. When I told the nurses and CNAs the story related above, one remarked “but, you still look like you are only 70.”  Wow, what compliments.  So, I now sport a three-month-old white beard, not quite long enough to help meet the Santa Claus labor shortage this year.  Maybe next year.
I continue to occupy myself with my writing projects. One is my dementia project, about Sally and her decade-long siege of dementia. I continue searching for an agent and/or publisher. Another project is an almost-completed manuscript describing my approach to teaching economics; one chapter remains to be completed, and some additional editing is required. Finally, I continue my slow progress in completing a memoir on my Korean War military experiences. Recently, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum here in Madison asked me to participate in its Oral History Project. I did and discovered that I remembered enough to fill eight hours of interview time.
I also keep busy chairing the Financial Advisory Committee here at Oakwood Village  where I live. The committee is trying to assess Oakwood’s financial situation. When the new CEO arrived two years ago, he told us Oakwood was in serious financial trouble. Our evidence indicates he was completely wrong.  Oakwood is far healthier than any of us believed. We have made no progress in exposing his erroneous judgment because the Board of Directors has full confidence in the CEO despite our findings.
Our daughters both live here in Madison, having returned from Albuquerque and northern Illinois a half-dozen years ago. Ellen and Harvey and their youngest daughter (who works remotely) have spent most of the past two years at their second home on Washington Island, off the tip of Door County. All four of their children spent the holidays with them. Our daughter Martha recently experienced a serious bike accident, flying over her handlebars and fracturing her elbow, now repaired with screws and a metal plate. Only a couple of weeks later she broke her leg, a likely after effect of her earlier bike accident. She now has  screws and a metal plate in her leg, making her a metallic woman..
In the interest of not upsetting you, I will spare you my comments on the condition of the city, the state, the nation, the world, and mankind. 
With best wishes, 
W. Lee Hansen