I have lost patience with everything. Last night I turned off NCIS in the middle; I didn't care if the whistle-blower got killed. I can't seem to plan a trip to Israel. This is a country I'm familiar with, although I haven't been there for 20 or 25 years. I don't know where to begin. How much worse than planning for Japan could it be? This morning I can't get through my blog list. I don't know if this is winter doldrums or my brain is finally going. I'm going to exercise. Maybe I'll be able to concentrate when I get back.
I got in a good workout, came back for lunch, then went to a hearing aid place. I've been putting this off for some time. They gave me a good hearing test, a sales pitch about new aids, and readjusted the old ones, now six or seven years old. I'll probably get new ones, soon, but I decided to think about it and also to see whether the adjustments helped. I really hate these aids because they block my entire ear canal. I always feel like I'm up in an airplane with stuffed ears. The new aids don't do that, and supposedly offer more options for better adjustment.
One of our dinner guests on Friday night thanked us for helping test his new hearing aids. He said they were great. I never realized he was wearing aids. He actively took part in the conversation and never asked anyone to repeat. I have to find out which aids he bought. They range in price from $6000 down to about $1500 for a pair. The audiologist thinks I should get the top of the line, of course. Considering I can hear most things without the aids, I am loathe to spend the money. There are so many other things I want.
Mage, thanks for your inquiry. I am feeling fine. If this was a cold, it hasn't lasted even the usual seven days.
100 Books Before I Die 
A group from UofU is going to Israel again this summer. Hubby and I couldn’t join them last year because we went to Peru. This year we’ll be India. Maybe you can latch on to the planner’s coattails and join them there. They really do interesting things like living in the kibbutz (sp?) part of the time. Maybe one of these years, we’ll be able to go with them.
In my last comment, I meant to imply that you can rest sometimes because you don’t have to be Wonder Woman. But when I look back at all the things that you’ve accomplished in the short time I’ve known you, I realize you ARE Wonder Woman. Starting with the compiling and translation of your grandmother’s memoirs, through all your traveling (blogging all the way) in the US and Asia, concurrently updating your photographic, bookcrafting and writing skills, you have been someone to behold and admire. You’ve taken more college courses than some do in their entire lives, taken superb care of your physical vessel, and been a loving mother and grandmother. Etc., etc., etc. ad infinitum.
I’m exhausted! I’m going to take a nap.
I never realized that you wear aids!
January is a long, dreary month. Few of us, regardless of our age, last through it without some bad days. Israel will still be there when your ennui lifts. Meanwhile, be good to yourself.
Glad you are still better. So sorry your brain hasn’t jump started itself again. Why not let your travel agent do the planning, and you pack lightly plus laptop. Poof, you are out of here…..or am I too optimistic. I took our last cruise like that and had fun.