What’s wrong with you? I usually leave the question until the end, you know, to build some suspense, to be a little coy, maybe even flirty, but it’s straight to business today. What’s wrong with you?
Now here is the part in the middle where I talk around the issue.
We bought a new washer/dryer set when we moved into this house nearly 15 years ago. Because time is linear, these appliances are now old. I have already replaced the control board in the washer twice and the solenoid coils in the dryer once, as well as the high temperature sensor. More on that here. Currently, the washer is leaking, and I have acquired a new door seal gasket, which YouTube will hopefully teach me how to install. Then I will learn that the leak is not from the gasket. This is how appliance repair goes in my experience.
It’s also how problems with my body go. For example, a little over a month ago I decided to take a month off from all vigorous activities after breaking a rib while riding my mountain bike. More on that here. The short version of the story is that I’ve had a number of setbacks this year, including left shoulder tear of some sort, back ribs crack/bruise, smashed hand (tendon damage), left calf tear, severe right ankle sprain, and then another rib injury. I have not been able to move freely since the spring.
What do you imagine the warranty on the human body is? None. There is none. And OBVIOUSLY we’re living too long, because if you ask anyone my age (and many younger) their parts are wearing out and giving way at an alarming rate. Experts tell me the litany of lower leg issues I’ve experienced stem from a lower back problem. More on that here. And if you have lower back problem, then you likely also have a hip mobility problem, tight hamstrings and a bad attitude. Check. Check. And check.
All of this is to say that I’m replacing solenoids and gaskets as quickly as I can, but the old washer/dryer combo isn’t getting any younger. Maybe the real challenge is that we never stop needing to do laundry, so I have two choices. I can keep attending to each of these breakdowns, or I can buy a new set.
To my knowledge, they are not doing spine replacements yet, though, so…today’s TCI Friday is: What’s wrong with you? And what are you doing about it?
Since I have a few years on you, I’ll share some elderly wisdom I’ve only recently discovered: Ideas like No Pain, No Gain and Use It Or Lose it are bullshit for my older body, which thrives on Less is More. I spent more than a couple years pushing various stretching and strength exercises to better my core and lighten lower back pain. Nothing changed 20 minutes after those sessions, when I felt the need to keep stretching things out all day. I’ve dialed back to minimal body work and feel great. I back off from the bike starting in November and continuing til March or April, and I hit May more refreshed with the minimal off-season cycling effort and more hiking keeping my legs at a level that doesn’t make me feel as though I’m starting from scratch again. I carry around 5 or so extra pounds and rock a bit of a beer gut, but I know come spring I’ll work that off quickly. Of course, everyone’s body is unique, so One Size Doesn’t Fit All. I’ve found when you decide to try everything and anything, backing off should be part of the experiment
My hands hurt. (from work, my sleeping habits, splitting cordwood, crushing beverage cans…) Especially my thumbs. Someday I will get electronic shifters and dropper post. Until then I will ride my single speed more.