I have not been active at IN-SIGHTS for a while, but I intend to resume. Wife Gwen and I have done a little travelling recently, including days in Amsterdam and three weeks in France. During recent months, we have also been involved in home renovations, a task that consumes time, energy, and money.

It’s difficult to clear out material accumulated over decades. But as we age, the need for “stuff” declines, even as its volume increases. Some materials we have donated, but a fair bit has ended up in recycling and waste streams. Many things that mattered to us years ago matter to no one today.

During the home renovation, we have encountered tradespeople ranging from good to bad. A recent small painting job was quoted by one at almost $5,000, but completed very well by another for less than one-sixth of that price. I have found that job quotes typically range from 1x to 2.5x, but I guess quality varies as much.

After returning home, I experienced a health challenge in the form of temporary blindness in one eye. At my age, no year seems to go by without a challenge. I was soon receiving comprehensive examinations at the Emergency Department of Lions Gate Hospital, including blood tests, an ECG, chest ultrasound, and a neck and head CT scan. The following day, a Saturday, an ophthalmology clinic conducted a thorough eye examination. One day later, LGH investigated my heart with an echocardiogram. Soon, I will be meeting a neurologist and an internist, and I have an appointment with a stroke-prevention clinic at VGH.

Within a short time of the initial problem, I have had the attention of many healthcare professionals, including nurses, technicians, ER physicians, specialist doctors, and my family doctor. The total out-of-pocket cost has been less than $10, all of which was for parking fees. Had this happened in the USA, we would have been redoing the mortgage on our home.

I hope things will return to normal within the next month, and I will have time to update myself on the latest news stories. Will I find that Donald Trump has been permanently recalled by his maker?