TRAVELING ALONE?   In late spring 2025, my destination was Asia. A woman, of advanced age, sporting gray hair, who walks with a cane neatly tucked into the side of a backpack, I was often asked, “Are you traveling alone?”    The tone of the question amused me more times than not. Young people tended to look either in awe or in shock. Folks closer to my age would eye me with pity, sadness, or a mixture of such. My response? A modest smile, a nod and silence. Inwardly, doubt would peek in. That’s when I would strengthen my resolve and quiet the inner voice by saying to myself, “You can do this.” When doubt nudged in, I was comforted by the knowledge that a loved one would be meeting me on the other side of the journey.    WHEELCHAIR SERVICE IS A GODSEND Thank goodness for a world wherein airports have wheelchair service. Passengers needing assistance have grown in numbers since the first time I needed to use the service in 2016. It was the first time I coul...

THE ADRENALINE DROP Needing rest after a vacation is familiar to most. What others may not know is this need multiplies when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  After 11 days of meaningful and joyous road-trip, we arrived home Friday night. By mid-morning on Saturday we’re getting dressed to attend an event in Fremont, California. I joined hubby at his encouragement because I wanted to see my friends who would be there for sure.  Adrenaline works wonders.  I’m sure I had it in spades during the trip. I make peace with the pain from my RA. Medications lessen or mask the intensity but the pain is with me all the time. I treat the pain like appendage or an uninvited guest that we still welcome with care.  Extending my party-status a day delayed the bedrest I had planned. I underestimated the effects of the adrenal drop. I could manage the bathroom necessities as well as ensure I hydrate sufficiently.  But getting out of bed for those reasons is like squeezing f...