The last two weeks in Hawaii were good weeks. The second unit we stayed at was set up better for us to write. We got a lot of work done – – Karin on her book, and I on mine. The birds kept us company all day, every day. When we left, I’m sure they missed us, like we missed them.

Being back home was kind of a shock after a month in Hawaii. We took care of the things that had piled up while gone, which took us a week. Then we went to Oceanside for a week to help us adjust to mainland life again.

We had walks along the beach, spent a day at the Wildlife Safari Park in San Diego with all the animals, and worked some more on our books. We’re now home again and continuing to adapt to our new normal which I think will still be with us for a while.

An interesting incident happened that I would like to share. It’s funny, but true. I was having lunch with a friend and I said something that my friend challenged. We do this all the time. It makes for stimulating conversations that we both learn from.

He said, “I always rely on logic to solve problems. Logic never sends you on the wrong path.”

I said, “Maybe.”

His answer was, “There is no maybe about it. Logic is based on facts.”

My mind was struggling to do what it used to, which is to process quickly, come up with an answer. “OK, a test is in order”

“Anytime.” He was glowing with confidence.

“Right now, let’s start with the facts.” My brain finally woke up. “Driving is something we all know about. Using myself as an example, the facts are:

            1. I am 86 years old.

            2. I can’t hear well, at all.

            3. I am legally blind in my left eye.

            4. Both my feet are numb due to physical damage to them.

            5. My response time is much longer than a younger person.

            6. My brain can no longer multitask nearly as well as it used to.

Do you accept these facts? I asked.”

“I sure do. They are obvious. Oh, sorry about that.”

“You’re right. They are obvious, and they all go together to cause a problem. I am not as safe a driver on the road as I used to be. Every time I drive a car, I am putting myself and other drivers at risk. Do you accept that as a problem?”

“Now that you point it out, I do. Let me know when you are driving so, I can stay off the road.”

“I have the solution. I have to limit the time I spend behind the wheel. Do you agree that will help mitigate/solve the problem?”

“I do. That is also a fact.”

“It’s a simple solution based on all the facts, if I drive as fast as I possibly can all the time, I would greatly reduce my time behind the wheel. You have to agree to that. It is based entirely on the facts.”

He thought for moment, called the waitress over, and paid the bill. Then he turned to me and said,” Maybe”.

Perhaps we should always consider before we conclude with “Maybe“.