(This is a now page, and if you have your own site, you should make one, too.)
Updated: August 31st, 2026, from my home in Portsmouth, where it’s been a red-hot summer, and we’ve just had our first light rain shower in weeks. The mornings are darker, the leaves are falling—autumn is on its way!
No time for retirement
I turned 65 this month. It was the year I was supposed to officially retire, but that’s now been extended another two years thanks to the corrupt system we’re subjected to. Not that I would’ve retired. I can’t see any point in my life when I’d want to retire. I love having a reason to wake up each day. It’s what keeps me going.
That’s one of the reasons I jumped at the chance of running a school crossing as a lollipop man last year. It ensures that I get out of the house at least three times per day. I walk my Great Danes at 5 am, and then I go back out at 8 am and 2 pm; only this time I get to laugh and chat with lots of children and parents.
So, it’s great for my steps and memory too. I walk over 15,000 steps each day, and I now know many of the children by their first names—and that’s a lot of children to remember!
Health takes a nosedive
It’s not been a good year for my health. I had a minor heart attack back in May—more of a warning sign, really. It was while I was walking the dogs through the forest, and whilst it made me feel really horrid for weeks after, it hasn’t stopped me from walking and working.
However, I’m scheduled for a ‘standby angiogram’ on September 3rd, which could lead to other things if they don’t like what they find. And, if, like me, you’re wondering wtf ‘standby’ means, it means they have a crash team standing by, in case I have another stroke or heart attack whilst they carry out the procedure.
Still, apparently there’s only a 1-in-1000 chance of that happening, so I’m going in hoping they haven’t just completed 999 successful ones!
Creating my Codex Vitae and one for my daughter
This year I am working on my Codex Vitae (Book of Life). It details everything my family needs to know should I become incapacitated or die. My wishes and beliefs. Financials. Contact details. Pre-written letters to send out. Things to cancel. Passwords. Insurance details. Etc. I also manage my ‘special needs’ daughter’s requirements, so I need to prepare a Codex for her, as well.
Starting a memoir
I am going to start a memoir this month. It’ll be focused around the time of my stroke and may even extend to include my recent heart attack. That’ll be an eight-year time period. I’m currently outlining and gathering material for it.
Downsizing
Finally, this is going to be a year of downsizing. I came into this world with nothing; I’ll go out with nearly the same. I’m going through all my ‘stuff’; what I no longer need will go, including machines, tools, and books. I don’t want my wife to have to deal with it.