Morning Sean,

Thanks for a thought filled post. I agreed with all points set out, some more than others naturally. I'll comment on just two of them.

'Deciphering actual words...' Totally agree. Worthy I feel is to add that the reception of words becomes a whole other issue when one passes the seventy mark. At least for me.

Used to be that most around me 'hung' on to my every word, (hell, they had to after all it was me paying for dinner or drinks on a night out say). Aside: Yes, this would fit with your 'lastly, set your boundaries' observations.... As time went by one day, I discovered that people's eyes glazed over when I would begin to speak. I thought. 'Ok just shorten your talking time'. Nope, even three words elicited a clear rejection on the part of those listening. Might this be what I will call 'the Biden effect?' As you age people simply smile and ignore when you start talking. Get used to it. Oh yeah, and just stop paying for shit, let them pay now!

Tinnitis:

Here! Here! I've had it forever. The results of shooting too many shotguns so many years ago. The other was listening to rock at impossible decibels. Voila! Tinnitis. No. Roaring tinnitis!

Quickly and some good news: You can grow accustomed. Yes. You do. Take heart. Add to this: A world renown meditation teacher once told me that his tinnitus actually helps him with his mindfulness meditations. I have since confirmed this too. Let me tell you about the time I was in a crowded and smoke-filled bar. It was a noisy place, and I could see pistols hidden in waist bands. This was on the northern coast of Honduras during the war...

ZZZZZZZ, sorry, eyes glazing over damn it.

Thanks for the good read, Sean.

T