Episodes in a Rich Life

Whats this about Episodes in a Rich Life? asked my Imaginary Friend.

Im always embarrassed when my IF speaks up, but glad that this time we werethat is, that I wasalone. If I ever admitted to the world my IF exists, some would doubt my sanity. Others would have their opinions confirmed.

I cant remember a time, my IF continued, when youve had enough in your pocket to talk about being rich.

I looked around, saw no one in earshot, and broke my rule against replying to my IF. There are ways of being rich without having much cash, I explained. You can have friends, enjoy experiences, learn much about a multitude of things . . . all of that, and more. And you can properly consider yourself rich.

When you put it like that, my IF admitted, I can see your point. One more thing you mustnt forget.

And whats that? I wondered. Maybe I should have put it in my book.

You always have me, said my IF.

This conversation is over, I said. In fact, it never happened.

... ...

Not long after I retired, I joined a Journal Writers group of senior citizens.

Each week, I had to write (and read to the group) a page or so, telling what had happened to me, either during the week previous or sometime in the past.

I have bundled many of these Episodes into more-or-less related groups that I call Chapters, but the reader may call them Aggregations—I sincerely hope not Aggravations.

The point is, I have experienced these Episodes and enjoyed most of them, and I hope the Reader enjoys them, too, whether reading straight through the book, or doing random sampling.