Yes, that might be a more accurate description.

Not sure I’d call it sadness. Maybe bittersweet melancholy.

It’s great to not have to wear glasses while riding. They’ve always been bothersome inside the helmet. And especially in colder weather with fogging.

Hard to imagine you not riding. I hope your journey stays satisfying in some form.

Don, I completely agree. It has been an unlooked for gift to be able to read the opinions of so many others over the years. There really is a freedom to be able to write and post things here.

I’ve always felt that light, carefree, and floating feeling while riding. But man I was startled at how different things felt without those damn glasses. A new sense of freedom on top of everything else.

Imagine having a helmet that took minutes to fiddle with. And then you get another that goes on in seconds. It’s a little taste of freedom.

I can imagine how freeing that would feel. But is there a little sadness as well?

Life certainly can become complicated with responsibilities. Especially as our wealth brings more stuff. A lot of care and maintenance required. I try to remember something Edward Weston wrote in his journals concerning why he never learning to drive or own a car. He felt everything we acquire in life comes with a cost of time and energy. And he was unwilling to have a car interfere with his creative life. That’s pretty extreme but I understand the sentiment.

Substituting “have to” with “get to” certainly brings a person closer to gratitude and reduces the resentment of having to do chores. I tend to try and divide those things in my life that are truly important against other things that require attention but not at the expense of other things. And it causes me to look hard at the things I own. They take a piece of me for sure.

Sounds as if you are doing well. Five miles a day of walking is a lot. I generally get 10K steps in a day but it sure feels like I am walk less for some reason.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate them.

That’s certainly a mental freedom that not everyone can claim. A real nice place to be.