Scott, the person who boards our ancient mutt Katy, while we’re away, has taken to calling her Old Lady Katy. She’s over 13 and navigating the world as a senior citizen.

This week, missing my left inner ear, my entire life is about navigation.

Saturday, the Big Guy after took Thing2 to work, I decided to take advantage of a break in the rain and walk part way up our 900’ gravel driveway with old lady Katy.

Each old experience — something as simple as walking up the driveway- is brand new. Suddenly, I’m hearing my footsteps on the gravel in a different way. The field of vision jerks a bit more as I move from foot to foot.

I am doddering and feeling a bit like a senior citizen myself (I have many years before I will admit to being in that category.) It’s disorienting, but I suppose that’s what happens when the world is new. And how often do you get to discover a whole new world,let alone when you’re in your fifties?