The Culture that has been here all the time

Yes, people, my wife is still living, but her lack of active participation in the marriage puts me in virtual isolation. I am getting used to the idea of being alone—it seems that way already. I am sinking roots here, planting special shade grass under my very dense shade tree.

I bought a second TV, so now I have one in our bedroom. I can take a nap with the door locked, so my wife will be with me and less likely to fall. TV is good for inducing a nap. My wife plays with baby dolls or stuffed animals close by, not near the stairs or wandering around the kitchen.

I can coax her to watch some TV at times, too. (Sort of)

That no intelligent life exists within our Milky Way Galaxy? I can't.

Estimates for the number of potentially habitable planets in the Milky Way range from 300 million to 60 billion:
A 2020 study published in The Astronomical Journal used data from NASA's Kepler space telescope and the European Space Agency's Gaia mission to estimate that at least 300 million planets orbiting stars similar to our Sun could be habitable. The study considered a planet's atmosphere and how much light it needs to support liquid water on its surface. Some of these planets could be within 30 light-years of our Sun.

The observable universe contains as many as an estimated 2 trillion galaxies

and, overall, as many as an estimated 10 ²⁴ stars – more stars (and, potentially, Earth-like planets) than all the grains of beach sand on planet Earth.

Whether you believe in a Creator or not, modern observations with sophisticated telescopes continue to add to our knowledge of the observable Universe.

I once wrote about an imaginary city called Kinkatopia. Now, I am wondering how many of these liveable planets have a "kinkasphere."

Hey all,

It is a quiet morning after the rains that fell last night. It was warm and humid, and as I escorted my two dogs out into the backyard, I noticed that the grass seed I planted under my only big shade tree had sprouted. I am planting grass that will grow in the shade in sections because the shade under that tree is so dark ordinary grass resists growing. I managed three tomato plants and a pepper plant, and they are doing well. I have a French tarragon plant that has taken root, too. In front, the flowers in baskets are blooming.  

My wife was okay with her annual check-up, aside from the cognitive issues, of course. My renewed efforts to be careful not to upset her have made her behavior more manageable. These days, I must watch her more closely, and though she still can feed herself (mostly), I find it best to now sit with her, assist when necessary, and eat my food separately.

I practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to control my demons: Depression—misanthropic tendencies, and anxiety.

I appreciate what I have and avoid dwelling on what I do not have. That means I am glad my wife is still here despite the severely diminished companionship. I have adapted to being alone, aside from her and my two dogs and cat: no social interactions outside doctor appointments.

Optimistic? Not really. Accepting my reality? Yes. I do feel a bit worn out these days, however.

Hey all,

Simple Googleified answer:

Abstinence usually refers to the decision not to have penetrative sex. It's typically limited to a specific period of time, such as until marriage. Celibacy is a vow to remain abstinent over an extended period of time. For some, this may mean their entire life.

 

Celibacy and abstinence can be personal choices that people practice in different ways, and some say that they can be erotic and kinky:
Celibacy
A voluntary choice to abstain from sex for a specific period of time or forever. It can also include a promise to remain unmarried. Celibacy can be a physical and mental exercise that involves more than just abstaining from sex. Some say that celibacy can be radical, self-indulgent, and sexy. It can give people the time and space to focus on their sexual desires and pleasure in their everyday lives. Celibacy can also help people switch their focus from pleasing others to pleasing themselves. In a culture that emphasizes casual sex, celibacy can also lead to deeper, more fulfilling relationships.
Abstinence
A choice to abstain from something, such as sex, eating chocolate, or drinking, for a shorter period of time. Abstinence can be more fluid and vary from person to person. 

Celibacy and abstinence can also have psychological benefits. Some people find that abstinence helps them keep their minds clear or that they're happier not having to worry about sex

Friends and Acquaintances,

It is obvious that change is continuous, and whatever the effect has been, we can not stop what the passing of time does to everything, no matter how hard we try.

Simple understandind from our friends at google: Entropy is a fundamental law of the universe that describes how things tend to become more disordered over time. It's also known as the Second Law of Thermodynamics

When I sit in an examining room of a new or remodeled medical practice, I study everything in and around the room to check for signs of aging (wear and tear). It is safe to safe. We strive to make it perfect (any dwelling building or even a landscape); despite our best efforts, things will show signs of use and the natural effect of time.

Even our bodies: We are born mature and live our lives. Some of us take better care of ourselves than others. I think of it in these terms: Our genes predispose us to how long we will live and the quality of our lives. When we do the most excellent job, we reach that predetermined state dictated by our genes. When we fall short or abuse our bodies, this truncates the length of our lives.

This is the point when philosophy makes the most significant difference:

Google again: What are the 5 philosophies of life?
The five philosophies discussed in the book are: Stoicism, Epicureanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity. Each philosophy is explored in detail, with a focus on its central beliefs and practices, as well as its impact on society and culture.

Stoicism: ".... the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint. ...."

Epicureanism: "...  an ancient school of philosophy founded in Athens by Epicurus. The school rejected determinism and advocated hedonism (pleasure as the highest good), but of a restrained kind: mental pleasure was regarded more highly than physical, and the ultimate pleasure was held to be freedom from anxiety and mental pain, especially that arising from needless fear of death and of the gods."

Buddhism: ".... Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana."

Confucianism: ".... The golden rule of Confucianism is “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.” There is debate over if Confucianism is a religion. ...."

Christianity: "... Fundamental beliefs of Christianity include the doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the simultaneous divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. Christian churches are divided into a variety of denominations, each with their own specific ways of worshipping and teachings.  ...."

 

Each of these philosophies can have variations and combinations, so it is up to you to consider how that impacts your life. Your philosophy or philosophies govern how you live out your life within the realm of BDSM, whether you are aware of them or not. 

If you are a thinker, you probably already know this.

Friends and Acquaintances,

Here is an FYI option for a living situation where my wife and I may be able to live and get watchful eyes on our health needs. When it seems appropriate, I will apply for accommodations there. VA Housing options Spring City, PA.

Jim

My human compatriots,

Have you ever paused to consider what an urge is?

(Google) As a noun, urge means a desire. As a verb, it means to strongly encourage. Urge is related to the word, urgent, or 'pressing. ' An urge is a pressing want, one that is almost a compulsion, like when you're so frustrated, you have the urge to scream. If you urge someone to do something, you feel strongly about it.

Some common urgers: 

What are common urges?
‌Urges are feelings of intense desire for something specific. Urges can be for basic needs, such as wanting to eat when you're hungry. Other kinds of urges can be for things that are not essential to basic survival, like a candy bar or smoking a cigarette. ‌ Some urges can be for harmful or unhealthy behaviors.

Sexual urges, also known as libido or sex drive, are a person's interest in sexual activity. They can manifest in many ways, including:
Sexual fantasies
Imagination
Physical manifestations: Such as licking, sucking, and touching the lips
Lust: A strong sexual desire for another person

Physical manifestations of sexual desire in humans include licking, sucking, tongue protrusion, and puckering and touching the lips. Desire can be spontaneous or responsive, positive or negative, and can vary in intensity along a spectrum.

Feel free to explore and amplify the realm of urges.

To all,

The word mood is short and sweet, easy to spell, and covers "a multitude of sins."^{1 2}

^{It's nice to hear your lover say, "I am in the mood for love, baby." Light the candles and serve the wine. WAIT!}

^{"Not now Harold, I am in no mood  . . . " "In fact, I have a headache."}

^{Moods: For foods, drinks, and sweets, you can apply that thought or its opposite* to many things.  *(Googled opposites ) not in the mood (adjective as in disinclined) Strong matches. balking hesitating indisposed objecting opposed protesting shy shying slow sticking. Weak matches. afraid antipathetic averse backward doubtful dubious loath reluctant resistant uneager unsympathetic.}

¹

²

Yes, friends and acquaintances do.

(Google) "The three most common types of STDs found among nursing home residents are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Other common types of STDs, such as genital herpes, human papillomavirus, and parasitic infections like pubic lice, are also common.Feb 6, 2024"

STDs Rising Significantly Among Adults Age 55 and Older — and Nursing Homes May Be a Source