I realize that there are a lot of things to keep up with in my life. A good friend wrote to me that the new things I have been trying in my life – the radio show, acting lessons – fly in the ace of societal expectations for a 72-year-old man. I am, she said, continually learning and finding new ways to connect with people (and share my ideas of creativity.)

The dogs, she said, always seem to be hovering in the background, accompanying me to these new realms. Very perceptive thoughts, I think, and all of them a surprise to me. I just don’t think of myself in that way, my being 72-years-old never occurs to me unless I go and see a doctor for one reason or another, they are all eager to tell me in great detail what is ahead of me.

So I need to step back sometimes and look at myself from a distance. This week, news and more news.

I won’t be on my radio show Wednesday, we will be re-broadcasting last week’s show from one to three p.m. on WBTN1370. Don’t try to call, there won’t be anyone there. But I will be back next with a slightly shorter version of the broadcast – 90 minutes.

There is medical news starting this week. Tomorrow I get some more laser surgery to fend off any chance of blindness. I won’t be seeing clearly until the mid-afternoon.

Next week I begin several rounds of dental work on my gums, deep cleaning, new crowns, and a one-tooth “slider” to put in (I had a dental implant removed recently) for when I am speaking (or acting) on a stage. Don’t want to be spitting stuff out.

In two weeks I am also going to see an ear, nose and throat specialist about the dry mouth that is causing me to cough and choke up during my radio shows and sometimes, when I am talking. It’s probably the medicines I’m taking for my heart disease and diabetes, but I want to see if I can do something about it.

I’m switching diabetes doctors, going to see a female doctor in  Saratoga to manage my care. My diabetes is under control, my numbers are in the 90’s every day. I’m completing my campaign to only see female doctors, it has worked out beautifully so far.

None of this stuff is profound or life-threatening, it is part of the maintenance that 72-year-old people need to do if they wish to be 80-year-old people with their own teeth. I have lots to live for.

In between, there are lots of new things to try and do, including the play I want to write with Christine Decker. I need to finish the epilogue to my next book, “Gus and Bud.”

I’m also meeting with a Podcast consultant ($150 an hour) to help Maria and I figure out the software and hardware we need for our planned podcast.

I hope this week will see some movement in our push to get Eh K Pru Shee Naw into the Albany Academy. It seems they love her and she loves them, so something should be happening. Prayers and fingers crossed are accepted, these needs to happen. I hope to do this at least once every ear, that is help a gifted refugee child get a great education.

And today, heading to the Mansion to read to the residents. I’ve got some fun new books to them, I’ve invited Maria to come along, she is thinking about it. Thursday, the second meeting of my Mansion Meditation Group, I’ve got meditation beads for everyone.

There is actually more than that happening, but enough is enough for one shot.