First Attempt

October 20

Freeze dried coffee prepared through a French press coffee maker starts the day as the morning light finds the kitchen window.  The Blonde Woman consumes half a grapefruit obtained off the tree in the backyard.  She peruses the internet.  Small oranges, also from the backyard tree, supplement her breakfast as she prepares for another tramp[hike] in the region.  She maintains her usual level of "in the moment" energy with ongoing plans to prepare, carry out, and savor the day.  Her nesting instincts have required frequent trips to the single grocery store, the Warehouse[local small Walmart], and the recently discovered Saturday morning farmer's market.   Problem has occurred with her matriculation of left sided driving skills, so continued surveillance has been necessary.  Backing out of the driveway becomes worrisome as a pole sits in midpoint of a double driveway shared with the next door neighbor.  Negotiating the rotary turns remains impossible.  She is a fixture in her husband's passenger seat, unless her shoes dictate where she goes.

Tomorrow the doctor assumes independent responsibility for in-patient care.  After nearly 35 years of American medicine, he jumped to the Commonwealth system.  Can he adjust?  He looks to his 61st birthday in a couple months. Moves slower, thinks slower, acclimates slower, urinates slower.  Just the same, he takes on toilets that require a decision to flush with the big gush or the little gush.  His judgement remains solid.

How did these two end up in New Zealand?  What is to become of a couple of upper middle agers past their prime?

A Digression.

"Hello, Dr. Wagdood here."  The doctor answered another phone call sitting at his comfortable desk in his comfortable chair late in the day.  After 5-6 cups of coffee to keep the day rolling, he was anxious to  get home and sit in his comfortable chair with a comfortable book and dodge the lists and domestic requests in an artful fashion.  At the time he was approaching 60.  His career had been meaningful, satisfying, and filled with connections to insightful, creative people.  Now he was beginning to feel that the days of adrenaline filled situations were toasting the edges of his comfort.  Then the call came.

"Wagdood!  Odysseus here!"  Came an unfamiliar voice with a bit of a tragic accent.  "We are going to New Zealand to stir up some action.  I demand you come with me!  Penelope and I have yet to reach our full potential, even after 3000 years.  You know Penelope has been a good and faithful wife during all those years and we never travelled 'down under'.  We are looking for new stuff.  Taste new food.  Hear new stories.  See beauty.

"Whoa!  What's this all about?  Why me?"

A moment passed on the phone.  A nurse passed by Wagdood's office looking like a problem was brewing.  Then the reply from Odysseus, "You are a practical chap... but, you are becoming pretty boring.  Penelope and I will need someone to help keep a steady hand on the rudder.  You know...clean up the parting mess;  drive us home when we need it;  look after us in a responsible, comfortable way."

"Excuse me!"

"Sorry Wagdood.  It's true.  Look at yourself.  You've reached your full potential.  Where are you going?" And then the most scathing criticism from Odysseus..." What else are you made of?"

Odysseus hit a nerve.  Wagdood knew it.  

Odysseus then completed his tragic psychological bashing with a bit of comedy, "Grab that Blonde Woman of yours and let's go!"

So, that's how it started.  An invitation from a legendary explorer desirous to see and do new things because it may simply make him better.  Or not.  And the doctor along for the ride to mediate, compromise, mollify and experience the life down under.  A peek under the equator.