Sunday, July 6, 2025

Up the proverbial crick without a paddle



Let's get personal



This is going to be a bit of a personal post. Why make one? Well, it is being mentioned as being a personal type of post because this isn't really supposed to be Facebook. There is no need to share every damned thing with every damned body. However, that may be a bit of a flawed attitude. One thing that it could definitely be is dysfunctional. There are times when you must mention something. The trick is to know when to say when.

That time may be now, as far as this blog is concerned. So here goes.

There have been other times when I mentioned personal stuff on this blog. I shared the fact that I got diagnosed with cancer, and it was life-threatening. It might be useful to the readers to know if I should not blog anymore. On this side of eternity, one is able. On the other side, it is no longer possible. As of now, I am still around. That isn't going to be a permanent situation. Everybody has to go through this little bit of reality at some point.

There is no mention here of impending doom. However, the progress of things are in an unfavorable direction, which is unavoidable. It may be delayed for awhile, but it is inevitable at some point that it will no longer be delayed. Although doom is not imminent, at least not to my knowledge, there are some issues that are making themselves known.

One issue is a lack of mobility. It's getting harder and harder to get around. To that end, I've been casting about for solutions to this issue. There's solutions out there, but those solutions are on a continuum of feasibility.

It is always handy to have someone around. There's Wishbone, who is right next door. But he's got his problems too. Everybody does. You can ask for favors from folks, but let's face it. If you ask for favors, you will be called to do a favor from time-to-time. I don't really like to ask, but there are times. If I need a ride, I can ask. While I was still in Houston, I could get Uber to take me somewhere if I didn't want to ask. Or a cab. However, out here in the Hill Country, Uber isn't really available. Maybe that would be a possible solution if a request to send an Uber all the way out from Austin to come pick me up, but that would seem absurd. Indeed it would be.

What other solutions are available?

Personal transportation is pretty handy. I can still drive. My van is still operational. But what if it breaks down? You can get help from the insurance policy with a road service contract. In case of a breakdown, just call the service, and if you need a tow, then it is possible to use that means to get around to a repair shop. Indeed, I've done that before.

This post is getting long, so maybe I'll shorten it up a bit. There are times when you can't drive, and somebody may not be handy. Then what? If all other solutions won't work, then try a motorized device. With that in mind, I purchased a small scooter. I had one of these back in Houston. I decided I couldn't keep it anymore, and gave it away. Now I can use one again, so here we are. A small scooter may have enough range to get to a nearby grocery store. Or around this property. Actually, this property is rather large. Not large if your mobility is still good. But mine isn't.

E-bikes are a popular item these days. The scooter wasn't all that much, but it may not be good enough for all possibilities. An e-bike would have greater range than this electric scooter. It can go faster, too. Maybe a scooter would be better for really short trips, and an e-bike with a top speed of 30 mph could be good enough for longer trips.

Next up is the problem of storage. Where do I keep these gizmos? It's a bit too crowded in here for all of them, but perhaps one can be inside, and one could be in the van.

But what if the scooter breaks down? Use a cell phone, I suppose. Geez, I think I worry too much.





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