The Black Pill

[Fulgurator]

All people I meet keep getting bad colds. I don't get any, just the odd off-day. For years I washed my hands in just water and if I drop food on the floor, I pick it up and eat it regardless. However, how I live is kind of sad. It's just an old boat with a woodburner stove to keep warm. With the fire unlit it's freezing in the morning. That is, it's hardly Southfork Ranch in Dallas. Health is so far my only ace card to play.

[Candid]

All people I meet keep getting bad colds. I don't get any, just the odd off-day. For years I washed my hands in just water and if I drop food on the floor, I pick it up and eat it regardless.

My regime is similar. I'm not big on washing or cleaning. It's been decades since I've cooked for anyone else, and I claim no stunning successes there. TBH I don't like cooking and there have been times when the result is inedible. Big sister is the same; she only wants to eat out. I suspect it came from Our Martyred Mother, who did it all while we were at school and Dad was at work. She made such a big deal of cleaning that neither Big Sis nor I even thought of it. We expected our homes to clean themselves because we'd never seen it actually done.

However, how I live is kind of sad. It's just an old boat with a woodburner stove to keep warm.

That sounds good to me, probably because I don't live there. I guess it'll get harder as you age, though.

The Bolt-Hole isn't great, just a small (VERY small) flat I bought with my share of the money my parents left. All three siblings live in Australia, and objectively speaking they've all done much better than I have. I keep my place WARM, though.

Health is so far my only ace card to play.

NO. Your ace card will always be your MIND. Everything hinges on that.

I envy your CLARITY. Since I cracked my scone in 2015 I haven't been able to trust my own mind. I can't tell you how painful that is.

The biggest loss is creativity. It looks like I can no longer write fiction, a 'gift' I had from childhood.

[Fulgurator]

I came down with major back pain after an Xmas dinner. It's happened before and tends to last 2 to 3 days. Wish I knew what the cause is. It's so bad it becomes really hard to put socks on and I feel like a 90 year old. I don't get colds any more so think possibly this is what I get instead. Given I was pissing out urine every ten minutes last night it must be some kind of cold or virus. I.expect to be over it soon. There's no option to not keep moving as I have to get firewood cut for myself and The Puss. Ended the night watching The Mothman Prophecies movie.

[Candid]

I was pissing out urine every ten minutes last night...

Surely that's a bladder infection? I used to get a lot of those and only antibiotics would fix it.

Hope you're feeling better now, and ready for New Year's Eve.

[Fulgurator]

I bounced back as ever. I have to keep on my toes to look after the Puss. He still watches over me as well.

[Candid]

Funeral director John O'Looney talks to Billy Watson about what he saw before and after the so-called pandemic.
https://www.youtube.com/live/SClUJbDWnoA
Naturally the link carries a warning that it isn't safe to watch. I'm watching for the second time; it's absolutely fine.

[Fulgurator]

I think I had the Covid virus in Winter. I had to give up coffee for a few days as it tasted so bitter. I had rattling lungs (bronchitis) and felt very drained. I was determined to keep taking care of the cat, which meant preparing wood for the fire, while still Ill.
I think the virus is real but you will notice lately there is a tendency in society to bleat, whinge, doom-monger and create an absurd climate of drama. Australia was the worst and now it seems idiots over there are demonising cats. Anything they see as a threat (due to their insecurity and feeble-minded scare-mongering).
In my case, as ever, I "manned up". I took Ibuprofen and fruit juice. It took about two weeks till my immune system came into full swing. I admit it was tough going but I'm not that young and, even so, I got over it.

[Fulgurator]

I see 'two-tier" Kier is very much in the news. I don't know the full story but it's suggested he was set up by Russia in some scandal involving some Ukrainians. It's suggested they were male escorts, although it seems a bit unfair to cast judgement via internet sources, as people do.
I do know Brian Epstein had this issue of scandalous liasons, given he was gay, which was still illegal before 1967. Russia does have a history of exploiting any weaknesses around sexual relations but I prefer not to speculate.
For me, the big surprise was David Carradine, the brilliant actor who starred in the Kung Fu series, with people like John Saxon, Jim Davies, even Albert Salami. Carradine was found dead in Thailand, accidentally self asphixiated and in drag. He was, though, very talented and even played great piano, as well as acting and dancing.
To add, Albert Salami shot himself one day due to mental health and a fading career. He was an amazing actor in his day.