Somehow, I have been writing this series for 4 years now. I am still following the Stoic philosophy as well as I can, but will never be 100% anger free.
This year was a rough year for me physically, this actually started in July of 2024 when my ankle swelled up after I stumbled on some ship stairs one day. This was the ankle I had reconstructive surgery on in 2015. That took quite awhile to heal. I was on crutches for a few months and then in a walking boot for a few months after that.
One of us is extremely happy in this picture
Once that healed, I had an internal bleeding issue come out of nowhere and that really took the wind out of my sails. For months after that, I would get out of breath doing anything.
Once that had resolved and I felt normal working out again, my left knee decided to swell up on me just in time for my trip to Minnesota. I did have a great time up there, but traveling on the plane was really bad for my knee. It still is not 100%, but it is strong enough that I feel good working out again.
Now after 17 months with no consistent activity, I am out of shape. I can’t do one pull up and that bothers me because I used to be able to do 20.
It is difficult to not compare current 54 year old out of shape me with younger me. I am way better at that than I used to be.
I know as long as I am consistent then it will get easier again.
My wife was in Okinawa for 9 weeks to take care of her father and unfortunately he died but we are both glad she was there before he went into the hospital and able to help with the funeral. While she was gone, I was reminded again how spoiled my wife makes me. It seems like everything takes so much time when I am by myself.
I did make a real good Cornish hen dish for Thanksgiving and my wife thought it sounded good, so she requested that I make it for Christmas so she could enjoy it also.
So Good
It is easy to forget how fortunate we are and focus on the problems in life. Using Stoicism has helped me to stay centered and not let anger, sadness or frustration get the best of me.
On the upside, you have a ceiling fan.
Straight pullups? Or with a kip?
I was only able to do 20 pullups using the kip.
Straight, kips never counted.
I was there once, when I weighed about 120 lbs. During my fitness test for my ROTC scholarship I caught myself using the wrong grip (Thumbs under the bar, not over) about five reps in and just switched grips and did fifteen more anyway, well past the goal of ten.
Now? I feel good to get five reps in.
One of us is extremely happy in this picture
And the other is just very happy?
I did make a real good Cornish hen dish for Thanksgiving and my wife thought it sounded good, so she requested that I make it for Christmas so she could enjoy it also.
That looks good.
Thanks Ron!
I was not happy, but he loves sitting like that.
I’m surprised the dog hasn’t chewed up your remotes.
Since they outgrew the puppy stage, they don’t chew anything they’re not supposed to.
I do buy antler horns for them every 3 months and I am sure that helps.
It was great to meet you and Mrs 73440 at HH, is spite of Jimbo’s presence. He’s kind of an annual strap hangar so we put up with him. He does bring cleaned fish birds and the other Glibs mostly ignore him so it’s not too bad.
We have to limp along, Ron, it’s our cross to bear. Hope you’re on the final mend.
fish and birds
It’s trending more and more toward the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune as the days go by.
Hope your 2026 is better physically!
One of my goals this year is also to lose a little weight and get back into better shape particularly with the cardio. I bought a car with an automatic (sissy, I know) so my left ankle is starting to recover.
Thanks for all the advice, I’m sure I’ll need more.
What did you wind up buying?
Hopefully not too stoic a choice.
Great recap, as an amateur stoic I appreciate your posts.
Terrible news
The richest 500 individuals in the world added a record $2.2tn to their wealth in 2025, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with just eight billionaires accounting for a quarter of the gains.
The gains increased their collective net worth to $11.9tn, bolstered by billionaire Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory and booming markets in cryptocurrencies, equities and metals.
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According to OxFam, a global confederation of non-government organizations, the $2.2tn growth in net worth for the world’s wealthiest 500 individuals would have been enough to lift 3.8 billion people out of poverty.
“Inequality is a deliberate policy choice. Despite record wealth at the top, public wealth is stagnating, even declining, and debt distress is growing,” said Oxfam’s international executive director, Amitabh Behar, in a statement.
I wonder if it has ever occurred to them to wonder what it would bode for global economic welfare if those dreaded evil billionaires suddenly experienced a sharp drop in net worth. They’re too wrapped up in slothful envy to think about that.
Fuck you and the broom you rode in on, Oxfam.