Episodes in a Rich Life

What's this about 'Episodes in a Rich Life?'" asked my Imaginary Friend. I'm always embarrassed when my IF speaks up, but glad that this time we were-that is, that I was-alone. If I ever admitted to the world my IF exists, some would doubt my sanity. Others would have their opinions confirmed.

"I can't remember a time," my IF continued, "when you've 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 mustn't forget."

"And what's 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