Porthole

I'm allowed to be sad and lonely.

I don't do well at parties. I used to give them to bring diverse people together. Nowadays I don't even do that.

I withdraw into myself in certain groups at certain times. This is one of those times. I do not celebrate Christmas nor New Years. Nor do I have a close group of friends with similar interests that I can just hang out with.

Today was Tuesday at the House of the Half-Dead (a.k.a. Senior Center). Good crowd for lunch; it was empty yesterday. Lots of folks go on vacation but we were only missing one person in our group. Joyce started this... every Tuesday... now for years. Fortunately, BINGO was cancelled so it was quiet after lunch. I usually leave early. Scored some candy (including Dove).

So I decided to hang around after the others left. worked on side-trips. From Taiwan: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manila, Buson... From Spain: Morocco, Athens... Took notes. I'd like to add one new country on each trip and a few new places. I've never been to Madrid nor Bilbao, but I'll be visiting both.

Here I sit alone in my rooms. Am I sad? Not particularly. Am I lonely? Not particularly.

But... I remember other times in my life when I lived with family or friends or... Not anymore. I try not to be here from December 15th to January 15th. This is a ghost town and usually cold and dreary. Today was mild with a couple rays of sunshine. I'm hoping it snows. It's brighter.

Social media? Other than the Happy Holidays stuff... not much. Same with WDC. I don't interact as much with people this time of year.

Fortunately I got to sit with my neighbor Van for a chat. I was able to talk about my trip.

I'd be more enthusiastic these days if I could share, but most people are seriously involved with other issues at the moment. Which is good for them, not so good for me.

So yes, I'm allowed to be sad and lonely. It's that time of year.

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