Night Beat – Breaking News

Hi, it’s me, Elaine. It’s been awhile but I think it’s a good time to give you an update so I’ve hijacked Mikal’s Substack column.

Things have settled in Fort Worth. I live in the country on a golf course. The view is divine and so is the house. It maybe hot outside but mornings on the patio with coffee and later at dusk watching the sunset is everything. It’s supposed to cool off next month but the heat never bothered me. I have a glass of sparkling wine on Friday nights. I even have an outdoor ceiling fan. Actually, there are ceiling fans in virtually every room. Never had one in my house before.

I don’t miss California but I do miss the family that I left there. A lot.

Los Angeles itself, though, is just not affordable. That’s a fact. You can’t live on a fixed income and get housing. You can’t sell your house and get anything you want to live in. A million dollars is nothing in LA for a house. I don’t even think you can buy one that’s a turnkey.

Homelessness is rampant and sure some are because of drugs and mental health issues but a lot of it is there is no affordable housing.

The house I purchased in Fort Worth would never be available to me anywhere near LA.

I’m glad things happened the way they did. I have family here too.

Which brings me to Mikal. Last September, he fell off the first-floor railing in our Woodland Hills home, breaking his hip and later suffering a few bouts of pneumonia. He developed aspiration from radiation treatments for his cancer and from drinking heavily.

Bad combination. It has caused constant coughing. Mikal has never been one to get help unless the EMTs are called—and then it’s not his decision. His medical treatment and rehab proved astronomical. The sale of his album collection came in the nick of time literally and saved his life, but it’s been touch and go a few times. Yet he perseveres. And he no longer drinks.

All of this, though, eventually cost us our marriage. We are still a part of each other’s lives. I just couldn’t let him die, and I think that’s where he was heading after rehab at an assisted living facility and had no viable place to go.

So I suggested he move to a reasonably priced apartment not far from me. It was a process, to be sure, but he got the apartment.

If you have not paid for a subscription to his Substack feed, Night Beat, now is the time. It would help. This isn’t charity. Mikal is a great writer with a great column. You more than get your money’s worth. Plus, it’s based on music and not politics. It’s a safe place from rage. As Bob Marley said, one good thing about music, is when it hits you, you feel no pain.

A new apartment is an expense. He brought nothing from LA. He’s stayed at my house until his place is ready, but at my home he has to go up steep stairs to the guest room. I worry about that.

His new place will be a healthy home for him. No stairs, plus it’s small and really cute. It’s a one-bedroom. It has a fireplace. He will make it his own. Mikal hasn’t lived alone in nearly 40 years, give or take a few years. He relied on me far too much for everything. He’s not used to stoves and washing machines, but maybe it’s time. Actually, not a chance, but he knows how to use a toaster and microwave

It will be a hard adjustment, but he will adjust in time.

The dogs love the yard and the neighbor dogs. It’s peaceful and we are happy here. I watch the golfers. It’s been 103 degrees many days, yet they are in there carts, trying to make the 18th hole. My daughter hopes that they will hit a golf ball in the yard so she can sell it back to them. It’s only happened occasionally. So that’s not exactly a financial bonanza. We just aren’t that close to where they tee off. I plan to learn the game when the weather breaks. Location, location, location

I’ve gotten used to all the roundabouts on the streets, and I’m getting honked at less and less. Everyplace is kinda thirty-four minutes from the house. I’ve also gotten accustomed to my routine of Pilates regularly, and even getting the car washed once a week at the express car wash. I just play the music loud and watch the machine wash the car. I vacuum it myself. Never did that before. But it looks great, and it’s fun.

I work pretty much every day. It’s that kind of job. I’m just grateful for the soft landing on the next chapter of my life. Mazel Tov to me.

With love and respect.