(Chris is taking a break from writing this week due to illness, so I am filling in. He will resume his biweekly editorial Sept. 20.)
I oftentimes hear people complain that they watch too much TV or spend too much time on their computer or talking on their cell phone. Usually it ends there or at some sort of vague remark on how they should cut back, but sometimes this observation is followed up by an actual self-challenge, or a swearing off the use of the object for a certain time period. The object can be anything. I read that Kim Kardashian swore off makeup for two months after her divorce (but ended up resuming her makeup routine at closer to one month).
I, personally, do not find myself making these challenges to give up items. In fact, I’m usually trying to add things to my life, such as getting dressed and ready on a daily basis, which is all too tempting to forego when you work at home. But my life, on the other hand, seems bent on challenging me to go without in ways that a sane person would probably never dare themselves.
Throughout my life, I have learned I can go without food for ten days, I do not need a cell phone (have never owned one), nor do I require any spending money for years but what the absolute essentials entail. I do not, also, require a car. I know this because for 12 years, there has ever so rarely been a time that we had two vehicles functioning at the same time (to illustrate, both of our cars are currently at the mechanic’s, one of which has been there for over 2 weeks, after a month-long stay at the mechanic’s back in July). This is annoying, but it turns out I can live without a car.
I also know, for example, that I can go without television of any form for at least a year. This I learned about myself when a routine eye dilation somehow left me too light sensitive to tolerate light of any kind, and though it was boring to not have anything to watch or read, it turned out it wasn’t impossible.
Sleep. In my life, sleep is not necessary on a daily or even semi-daily basis. In fact, it only becomes required after 3 days of wakefulness, when, say, people appear to have multiple heads. Then I know I have to stop doing what I am doing and go to sleep.
Showering is also not essential when the water heater breaks and will take a week to replace. Being dirty feels like nothing when ice cold water is all you have to work with.
And when we moved into this new house, which had no washer or dryer, I learned that it is also possible to get by wearing a careful combination of the same 2 sets of dark-colored pants and 3 shirts for over a month and not even have a closetful of clothes to wash when your appliances finally arrive. All that is needed is one trip to your inlaws mid-month to wash a load or two of sheets, towels, and clothes and then you’re good for another few weeks.
But after all these years of learning what I CAN live without, albeit not altogether happily, I have finally learned what I CAN’T live without. By now, most of you who’ve read Chris’ columns should be aware of our curse regarding couches. Yes, in this aspect of life, I believe we are cursed. Before we moved, I anticipated that this insidious little problem we have with any form of soft, cushiony seating might rear its ugly head, so for two months I painstakingly researched my options and sincerely thought we’d be sitting pretty—literally—in our new home. Not so. We have been sofaless since we moved into our new home two months, one week, four days ago and counting (at the time of writing) in our very own Goldilocks tale come to life. And after two months, one week, and four days of nothing but heavy lifting, repeated stair climbing, and, in general, strenuous, exerting activity, I have found that my breaking point to what I can and cannot live without comes down to sofas. Or, more accurately, the ability and simple pleasure of being able to sit down at the end of a long day. (TV optional and not required.) Stairs and wooden floors just do not do the trick for me. But to those who wish they could watch a little less TV, maybe forego the television altogether, getting rid of your sofas might just be the solution.
It has come to my attention that there is some misinformation circulating Sun City regarding my health. I appreciate the care and concern that has been expressed by some, but the idea that I had a stroke is untrue. Again, there is absolutely no truth to this story. Other than having caught Chris’ flu/cold, my health is perfectly fine.
It is possible, however, that the origins of this story stem from complications our dog, Ruppy, had in July, when she lost the use of her hind legs and there was the chance she had had a stroke. We do not ultimately know what caused the trouble with Ruppy but are happy to report that at this time she has had a nearly complete recovery and has regained the use of her back legs.
Again, I want to express my thanks to those who extended concern to our family and assure you that all is well.
