A few times a week I have my lunch in a local restaurant just to break up my lonely writer routine of staying inside all the time. Sometimes I run into people I know, sometimes not, it depends. I let my socializing be a coincidence instead of assuring I would have company by calling people up and setting a date. I do not even own a mobile phone, thus I am extremely easy-going in this respect. It is probably the only aspect of my life, in which I am so unconcerned. So, the other day I ran into my neighbor, who is deaf from birth, but very well educated. She reads a lot and likes to solve crossword...

The week from this last Christmas to New Year’s Eve my husband and I spent in a summer hiking and winter skiing resort – The Bohinj valley. Since there was no snow, we were hiking. At the elevation of 4986 feet (1520 m) I felt that I was returning to the mountains. In 3 hours I had conquered 2821 feet (860 m) of elevation. It was just like the old days, before 2008. Before the horrible spontaneous miscarriage with inflammation of the uterus, which had led to tiredness and frequent colds. I had had to stop ascending the mountains. My husband and I had started circling the Bohinj lake, which is an...