The Importance of Breathing

Those troublesome little details of living that we have to put up with, such as paying bills, taxes, filling out forms, etc., etc., can be very time consuming, and definitely detract from one's cheerful view of the world. But they are all a necessary part of modern life, almost as much as eating, drinking (I'm referring to water, not alcohol), and of course, breathing. 
I am often quite envious of Albert, who pretty much does exactly as he pleases (I'm not going to argue with him), and as all bears do, as far as I know, treats the entire forest as his bathroom. Quite convenient, if you think about it. He also manages to find whatever he needs, like food, in the forest as well. Ok. He does happen to like peanut butter, and occasionally a bowl of cold cereal and soy milk. And keeping honey in the apartment is a very expensive proposition. Doesn't matter where I hide it, he will find it.
Eddie also has as easy a life as I can arrange for him. He doesn't have to do any housekeeping, since I clean up after him. And he gets his food and water provided for him every day. His food isn't all that cheap. He gets a special organic food, Harrison's, that I have shipped from NY, mixed with a more seed based mixture that's not quite as expensive, as well as fresh organic kale, which happens to be the only veggie he's willing to eat regularly. He also likes pasta and rice. But mostly he's scared, or at least leery, of people food. I've tried to get him to try a little boiled egg, as well as oatmeal, but he's not having any. He's not a "spring" cockatiel anymore. He turned 17 years old this past September. But I hope to keep him around for a good while yet. 
As for me, I'm fighting the good fight, and doing my best to remember to breathe. Sleep is a bit more of an issue than usual these days, due to my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms, but I'm doing my best to make adjustments. And as always, it seems better to keep on breathing, considering the alternative. 
Anyroad, on this far from glorious and definitely gloomy day, I will now fix myself some lunch, settle myself on the couch where Eddie will be content to join me, and fall into a wonderfully dark book about the end of the world as we hopefully will never experience it. What more could I possibly desire? Hmm...I refuse to speculate.