I have been pleasantly surprised at the freedom that comes with not having to deal with deadlines and the expectations of others. Though I do miss the interactions with friends and family, there is great peace in not having them constantly underfoot. I can spend the day in my underwear if I choose. The house is SO quiet now. The spare bedrooms remain peacefully unoccupied, and household chores and expenses have plummeted. The wife and others are alarmed at my slug like attitude, and regard it as some sort of proof on my “failing faculties”. She has resumed her pattern of frequent road trips and expeditions while I hide blissfully at home. In many respects, I’ve never felt more satisfied. The novelty of doing nothing has not worn off for me, and it’s the first time in my life I’ve felt free to get away with it. I know it cannot last. The wife is after me this very moment to cross the bridge to Oakland, (which will be the first time for me since February) to pick up a fancy freezer. The song is playing in my head “tote dat barge, lift dat bale.”—there’s always someone ready to put you to work. Misery LOVES company.