The job of providing costumes for the high school play involves knowing what is already available. The room that houses fifty pounds of belts, four bins of knickers, three hundred formal dresses, and enough hats for Bartholemew Cubbins is overwhelming. For the past few weeks I have been attempting to make it less so, by sorting and labeling. My hope is that if the many people who use the trove can find what they want they will not always need to create more. Also they will be more inclined to put things away.

In the absence of a good ladder I have, I'll admit, been hoisting heavy boxes over my head, and shoving tubs of every size and color of shirt onto high racks. Which, although there were no witnesses, has its consequences. 

At first I couldn't quite figure out the reason for the ache, and went back for more organizing. Not only was I uncovering the wolf ears and silver sequined dresses I needed for the spring show, it was like a treasure hunt. I couldn't stop. But my back had other ideas. 

I told myself that taking it easy would solve things, but after two days of being unable to put on my own shoes I called a chiropractor. I felt like the pain was my penance for being reckless and no doctor could alleviate it, but perhaps it would ease it a notch. 

The chiropractor is exuberant in his friendliness, and deftly handled four people simultaneously. The heated pad on my back felt wonderful and the banter distracted me. As a finale he had me lie down on a swiveling table and pushed. Three loud cracks and it was over. I wrote the check enthusiastically. 

It was astonishing. I could bend again. Stop walking on eggshells. In an hour he assuaged the ache that had taken up residence and showed no signs of leaving soon. Plus it was fun. 

Last week we met with a couple that has been feeling stuck. Prickly. Although they clearly love one another, the messages have been misfiring, leaving both with a sense of no support. After an hour of checking in, brag time, and a simple communication routine, things warmed up. They softened. When we hugged them goodbye they hugged each other too. She texted me later to say that they are both being kinder. More flexible. 

Plus it was fun.