Two old codgers at a resort they've been coming to for years…
Leonardo: Not sure if I’m here to rehabilitate, or to get a temporary reprieve against the body going to rack and ruin. Stave off its decline.
Carl: Falling to bits?
Leonardo: Yes. Things fall apart. But with resignation rather than anger.
Carl: Each morning, I wake up, check throat, check temp … give thanks if the bug hasn’t hit yet. Or nothing else untoward. I should go to the gym every day like you.
Leonardo: I try to lift weights. And swim … Daily check on keeping body weight down. But it’s hard these days to extend the goals. When I first came here 15 years ago my body was more or less obedient. “I’m up and ready for a run,” and Body would flex and bend and say “Let’s go.” Go from 10k runs to 15 to 20. Now it’s progressing backwards.
 |
| Summer reading: 40 books |
Leonardo: Like the growth of cataracts, it’s a race against the clouding of the mind. I see you have a table of books.
Carl: My summer objective is to finish reading them. Oh, and fix the washing machine. Remind me to get some duct tape.
___________
Voice-over
Like old machines, old bodies need strict maintenance schedules. The body’s decline can be slowed. The mind can remain engaged, to stay focused, absorb new ideas and succinctly summarise.
No comments:
Post a Comment