Summing up 2022 From a Medical Standpoint

I think we can all agree that 2022 was a 'doozy' of a year.  We had everything thrown at us, and here we are getting ready for next year.  I'll try to sum up my own experiences because there's no way I can sum up everyone else's.

Take, for example, my medical needs:  there were a few.  None were 'life-threatening, but they could have been.  My glaucoma problem is well into its third year, and after visiting with my ophthalmologist numerous times, he suggested I see a retina specialist.  He said my retina was healthy.  He suggested a minor surgery that my ophthalmologist could perform.  It didn't help.  So my ophthalmologist suggested I see a glaucoma specialist.  He insisted on trying a number of eye drops that helped many of his glaucoma patients.  That went on for a while without much improvement, if any, mostly due to the damage done to my eye by Rk surgery and glaucoma.  So he referred me to an ophthalmologist who had some experience dealing with former Rk patients.  And after two visits with him, he suggested I see an ophthalmologist who had been having good success with patients like me.  With only "HOPE" in our favor, we met with her and she introduced me to the Scleral Lens.

She was confident that the lens could help me see well enough to drive again.  It isn't covered by insurance or Medicare and is expensive ($1,500 per eye).  

Naturally, we were cautious but optimistic and started our research.  She was right - it did look promising.  We see her (pun intended) tomorrow morning to be measured for the lens.

This will help explain what we are dealing with and how the Scleral Lens might help me see.

Scleral Lenses to Treat Eye Conditions

Scleral lenses are a variety of medically necessary contact lenses that can be prescribed to accommodate eyes with conditions such as severe astigmatism and Keratoconus. If you have either of these conditions and have ever been told that your eyes are not suited for contact lenses, it is advisable to ask your eye doctors about scleral lenses. Scleral contacts are designed to “smooth” out corneas with an irregular surface in order to correct vision problems. Instead of covering a small portion of the cornea, these large-diameter lenses cover the entire corneal surface, all the way out to the sclera (the white) of the eye.

Because of their unique shape and size, scleral lenses are more stable and durable than conventional GP lenses. They are easier to handle and pose less risk for complications. Ask your eye doctor about how scleral lenses can accommodate irregularly shaped corneas to give you sharper, clearer vision.

Meanwhile, this morning I underwent a pre-surgery "test" that was the second of two required test injections into the specific nerve somewhere between L-3 and L-4, L-4 and L-5, and L-5 and S-1 of my lower vertebra.  I was sedated and the doctor injected Lidocaine.  If the Lidocaine temporarily relieved my pain, the exact nerve could be verified as the cause of my pain, and be the one that the doctor would follow up with an injection of a substance that would "Kill" that nerve.  I'm now scheduled to get the final injection on January 10, 2023. 

Finally, my cardiologist said the Radio Frequency Vein treatments were successful, and I can resume my normal life.  But wouldn't you know it, my legs are swollen today.  I'm sure there's a solution to the problem.

And I have an appointment with a urologist just to see if I'm okay there.  It's been over 25 years since my prostate cancer, but I don't want to take any chances.

Yes, I'm still about 70 pounds overweight.  Enough said about that for now.  Sweetie has high hopes for both us losing weight in 2023.

Bread - My New Challenge

 Bread - "The Staff of Life" for humans for thousands of years. 

Every culture in human history has some form of bread in its list of foods.  Many even consider bread an important part of their religious practice and tradition.

And to complicate the matter, there are literally thousands of ways to make bread.  

Needless to say, not all bread recipes turn out the same..   Some are better than others, and some last a very long time.

Anyone responsible for cooking food for themselves, their family, or even an army, knows how to make bread.  Some meals just can't be complete without bread.

The list of how bread is actually used is endless.  Not only is it used as food, it is even used as art.

So why am I challenged by this simple but clearly the greatest of all foods?  

For the past twenty years, I've been working on becoming a bread-maker, a "Baker" if you will.  During that time I had some successes, but non that I could duplicate repeatedly.  I blame most of my failures on not following recipes, but I'm seriously beginning to think Magic may be involved.  And I'm willing to learn magic, if that's what it takes.  

Meanwhile, this is my bread today.  It's pretty, and even a little tasty, but it's just not quite right.

I'll keep working on it.

 

Updates

 A lot has been happening lately and I need to update my blog.

Medically speaking, I'm still alive, but I'm being run through the treatment mill for my vision, legs, and back, as well as the usual stuff.

My vision challenges now include yet another doctor, Dr. Reddy.  He is an ophthalmologist who may or may not have experience dealing with ex-RK Surgery patients.  My glaucoma specialist thought he may have a solution.  

It seems that former RK Surgery patients tend to suffer from a lot of issues.  That would be me.  So far, only one visit, and he too is baffled by my foggy vision.  But he gave me some drops that may help produce more tears to better lubricate my dry eyes.  We'll know if they are helping when I see (pun intended) my glaucoma specialist again in a couple of days.  I had a few good days after using Dr. Reddy's test drops for a few weeks.  Maybe it will continue o get better.

My leg issues (edema) resulted in me being introduced to Radio Frequency Ablation.  That procedure is done at my cardiologist's office under mild sedation.  He uses the procedure to "kill" a vein that is not working well.  Another vein will take over the circulation and gradually grow larger, thereby increasing the blood flow in my legs.  

My next visit in two days will be the last surgery (I think).  After that, it will be visits and scans to make sure it is working.

My back pain was narrowed down to the usual area for back pain: L-3, L-4, L-5, and S-1.  The Pain Management doctor did test injections of Lidocaine to make sure of which nerve was causing the pain,  Then he followed with Radio Frequency treatment.  It still hurts but not nearly as much.  And I'm assured it will get better in time.

In the meantime, my 13 year old desktop computer developed a problem that would cost more to repair than to replace.  So, while trying to figure out my next move, I fell back on my 20-year-old desktop.  It works fine but is like stepping back in time.  So I decided to switch to my 8-year-old laptop and buy an oversized monitor: 32" Curved Screen Dell. Nice...

Meanwhile, I felt good enough one day to cut out some pieces of cedar for my Birdhouse Cathedrals.  It took a while but I finished four.  All are committed to being gifts - the first one at our Terra Mariae Christmas Luncheon as a door prize.  I'm not sure I will be able to make more.  If I can't see to safely drive a car, I certainly have to consider the risks of operating a table saw.  I really enjoyed making them too.

Finally, I've been trying to make bread.  It always comes up a bit short of perfect.  But I'm determined...

This huge monitor really strains my good eye.  So I may have to give up computering too.  

Terra Mariae Cheesburger In Paradise Luncheon

 Our most recent Terra Mariae Quarter Luncheon was last week, and it was one to remember.  

Through the magic of 'Imagination' we lucky residents of Terra Mariae went back in time to when a simple hamburger with friends was the stuff of lifetime memories.  

Yes... the luncheon was held at a burger joint.  How cool is that!!!

We had a good turnout and we all returned home 'well fed' and smiling.

But for Sweetie and me, there was even more fun.  You can see what I mean in the video I made of the event, starting with how we got there.  

Time-Travel does work, if only in our dreams and imagination.

Here's the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHOW7dw-HYU 

The Queen is Dead - Long Live The Queen

 Queen Elizabeth is dead.  Long live the Queen.

Much can and will be said about her reign over the weeks, months, and years that follow her death. 

She was not my queen, but I liked the old gal.  She exemplified her role with easy grace. She set a new standard for being queen at a time when Kings and Queens are no longer "Rulers" of the people they served, but more like symbols of a time when the world needed Kings and Queens, You might say hers was the Good Old Days of royalty at its best.

Queen Elizabeth II was queen for a long time.  She was photographed more than any ruler on Earth.  And through the magic of photo editing we can watch her life as she ages.  She aged well.  

We will all miss her.

Queen Elizabeth II

September Already

 Yesterday kinda snuck up on us.  It just didn't seem possible that September 1st was already here.  And that meant we survived August without a named hurricane.  

Meanwhile, today, September 2nd, is my Sweetie's 77th birthday.  We spent it having lunch with Joyce and Allen at Middendorph's Restaurant in Manchech, Louisiana.  Fortunately, Allen drove the 40 miles there and back.  It wasn't crowded so we enjoyed lunch and returned home without incident in time for Judy to open some gifts.  It was a fun day.

I'm sure there will be photos available eventually.  I'll add them then.

Happy Birthday Love Of My Life...

2022 Hurricane Season Half Over And None In The Atlantic with update to 8-23-22

 Can you believe our good fortune (so for) this hurricane season?  Nothing of consequence has happened..  And here's today's report.

That one little X has a 0% chance of becoming a hurricane.  By tomorrow, it will be reduced to nothing.

Nice start for the last half of the Hurricane Season.

Update as of 8-23-22.  Now two very disorganized areas of rain with little threat for either becoming a hurricane, at least for the next few days. Here's the map.

Glaucoma - Not Good

 

Two weeks ago my ophtlhalmologist performed a laser procedure to remove any cloudiness on the surface of my eye's lens.  There really wasn't much there, but it was pretty much a last ditch effort to improve my vision in my only good eye.  

I just left the doctor's office where he checked and re-checked to see if there was any improvement in my vision.  There wasn't, and that pretty much concludes all efforts short of risky surgery to return my vision to what I need to operate power tools or drive a car safely.

He said I can increase my use of artificial tears and wear whichever glasses seem to work best on any particular day, but that's about it.

It was disappointing news, to say the least.

The good news is that I do have vision.  I can see to use a computer, communicate via the Internet, and even write that book I was always going to write.  And Judy has done well taking over the driving duties wherever we need to go.  We're just limited on where we go.

Given that my woodworking hobby is probably something I should avoid, I think that perhaps I can take up painting.  I've got an easel, brushes, paint, canvas, and imagination.  Perhaps there is also an unbridled talent for painting that never got its chance to be discovered.  It's certainly worth trying if I have any hope of staying busy for the rest of my life.

Picking Off All That Ails Me, One at a Time

 On Trursday of this week I successfully finished up my tenth episode of therapy for a problem in my knee.  Although the knee is artificial, the bone just below it is real, and somehow I managed to fracture it.  The therapy was designed to build up the muscles that make the knee operate once the fractured bone is healed.  I felt good enough to be released from therapy, but if I feel the need to, I can return for more.

• But being "released" didn't exactly fix everything.  Somehow, I also managed to pull my hamstring.  The therapist discovered it when I complained about the pain that was not associated with the therapy prescription, but he dutifully treated it as well to speed up the healing process.

Meanwhile, my lower back really started acing up.  I'll have to visit the orthopedic surgeon again to see what he suggests.  I'm pretty sure one of the slower ways of solving my back pain is to lose 75 pounds.  But I'm more prone to go for the lumbar epidural steroid injection, and if that doesn't work, go with Plan B - back to the therapy center.  

My friend Emmilee, likes to remind us that "Getting old is not for Sissies."  But "Not" getting old is worse.

Meanwhile, I will be seeing (pun intended) my ophthalmologist on Tuesday to discuss a laser procedure that will clear up some haze on my cataract lens.  My Retina Specialist, suggested it to my ophthalmologist.  It would be wonderful to be able to see well enough to drive again, watch TV, and make sawdust.

We'll see....

Another Medical Surprise - Radio Frequency Ablation

The term, "Growing old is not for sissies," was no doubt first mentioned by an old person.  And there's a lot of truth to it.

Among the many challenges of growing old, aches and pains are high on the list.  But also diabetes, obesity, and a host of other medical issues that range from simple to complex, even life-threatening, that add to the mix.  Doctor visits and hospital stays become more and more frequent, while the many medications and treatments continue to grow in number and scope.

For some of us, visits with our doctor are more frequent than visits with our relatives.  And thanks to those visits, we manage to hang on for another year, then another, and another until we are suddenly old, or resting in peace. 

Until a few months ago I was 80 years young.  Then suddenly I'm 81 years old, with the emphasis on 'old.' And I feel it in every bone and muscle in my body.  Even my brain seems to have to work harder to do the simplest test of mind over matter.

Add to that, there are so many new words and treatments to learn. as we progress to the end.  The latest for me is "Radio Frequency Ablation."  

It came up in a discussion with my cardiologist's nurse practitioners regarding the results of my latest sonograms on my legs.  The circulation in both legs is poor and should be improved.  And my legs swell and hurt. And I have to wear compression stockings.  Radio Frequency Ablation is suggested. 

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for veins. (Ablation means a doctor uses heat to damage tissue, which makes scar tissue form. This scar tissue closes the vein.) This technique uses radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein.

We asked a lot of questions and looked it up when we got home.  Sounds good.  We're now on the list to be scheduled for the next group of people who need it.

Apparently, its because I have:

"Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs."

Well how about that!

Stay tuned...

Hurricane Season 2022 and We're Ready

 When we moved to Covington five years ago, there were five things high on the list of importance:  House, which we had built, Outdoor Kitchen, which we had built,  Elevator to the attic, which we built ourselves, Good doctors who were close by, and a Whole House Generator for Hurricane Season.

We could not afford the generator, so it was the last detail to happen.

Thanks to a friendly neighbor who wanted a new generator, he gave us his old one.  A 22 KW Generac that had been under a service contract the entire time he owned it, and was in excellent condition.  Considering the number of times the power is to for an extended period, you might say it has low miles on it.

All we had to do was arrange for the natural gas line to be run from the meter, and the electrical switchbox be hooked up.  Neither comes cheap, even if you can find someone to do it.  Most generator companies are so busy after Hurricane Ida that they are backed up for months to do the installation, assuming they can even get a generator.  "Backordered three to six months" is the typical response when we called.

But one day a lady posted in Facebook that her Plumber Husband was seeking some extra weekend work and is available immediately.   We called him, yes, he has experience hooking up gas to generators and can start the following weekend.

When he arrived, he happened to be one of the plumbers who plumbed our house for water and gas.

And he knew an electrician who could do the electrical work on weekends.  The electrician worked for the company that wired our house.  And he had considerable experience in and help to do the complicated wiring.

They finished up two days ago.  We now have automatic backup power that can keep everything in our house working during an outage.  We won't suffer next time.

Yes, we could have gone with a portable generator and got by quite easily, but at our ages, we just didn't want to do that .  And the timing turned out perfectly.

Now we can tackle the other things we wanted to do in our final years - relax, enjoy, and breathe normally.

I think the generator looks nice beside The Coop, one of the other priorities.

Follow-up 6-1-22

This morning my Sweetie set the generator to "Exercise" at 9:00 weekly.  It was almost 9:00 so we waited.  At 9:01.50 the generator started right up, 'exercised for exactly 5 minutes, and shut down. Three hours later we were headed out the door and the generator started back up.  We didn't even notice bu the power in our area suddenly went out.  The generator noticed it before we did, and fed the house and everything in it all the power it needed to keep life normal.

We feel very confident that we're going to be comfortable during any kind of outage.  That makes us feel good.

Glaucoma Continues To Take a Toll

 As I have reported in the past, I have vision problems.  Not only am I blind in one eye due to cataract surgery gone wrong resulting in a staph infection, but the scars from RK surgery before that are also causing unforeseen problems thirty years later.  

Add to that glaucoma with complications is making it difficult to see most of my days, and impossible to see halfway clearly the rest. I haven't driven in almost two years.  

My woodworking hobby is pretty much stopped, and cooking on my Big Green Eggs just does not have the luster it used to have.

Watching TV is out of the question.  I can't tell the characters apart.  So I just stopped trying to watch TV.

Reading books is only possible if the type is large.  Even then it takes at least twice as long to read a page, and that's on a good day.  On bad days I don't even try.

The only thing that I can use is my desktop computer.  But even with its oversize monitor, and me sitting with my face less than a foot away, I struggle to concentrate, read, and write.

Given that writing is about all I can do, I really enjoyed writing some stories for the Catahoula News Booster.  I'm told that my stories bring back a lot of old memories in some and even enlighten others about how life was back when life wasn't so modern and crazy.

It's one thing to recall the details of some of those stories, but another to edit them so they can be published in the paper.  It means reading and re-reading each story multiple times before I think it's ready to send to the Catahoula News Booster.

Of course, there's a price to pay for such 'up-close' editing - Blue Light.  Yes, and it can be harmful.

"Each color in the visible light spectrum has a different wavelength and energy level. Blue light has shorter wavelengths and higher energy than other colors. Some research shows a link between eye damage and short-wave blue light with wavelengths between 415 and 455 nanometers. Most of the light from the LEDs used in smartphones, TVs, and tablets has wavelengths between 400 and 490 nanometers.In large amounts, high-energy light from the sun -- like ultraviolet rays and blue light -- can raise your risk of eye disease. That’s caused concerns about whether blue light from digital screens is harmful. "

Because of all the damage already done to my remaining vision, I'm told I need to step away from the computer.  The more I stay away, the better off I'll be.

Well, there goes my last refuge from boredom. 

Protect your vision.  Never ever take it for granted.

St. Tammany Parish Fire District Station 123 Steped in to Change Smoke Detector Batteries

 As I've mentioned many times in the past, we live in /Terra Mariae subdivision in Covington, Louisiana.  It's a 70 house community that is restricted to residents who are 55years old or older.  We love it here knowing we share at least one common trait - we're older than people in other subdivisions.  And that's fine with us.

But being older often means we are a bit frailer due to a number of factors.  That means we can't always do the things we used to do, something like changing the bulbs in ceiling lights because it requires a tall ladder.  Some of us are no longer able to climb ladders.  That means we can't change smoke detector batteries either.

Thanks to the thoughtful idea and efforts of Good Neighbor Denise Russell, arrangements were made for our local St. Tammany Fire District 12, Station 123 Firefighters to change out the smoke alarm batteries of those who wanted help changing them.

Home Depot graciously provided the batteries.

This is just another reason to live in Terra Mariae - we try to help each other when help is needed. This was clearly something some of our residents needed, including Judy and I.

We took the liberty of thanking them with some fresh-out-or-the-oven cookies from the appreciative folks at Terra Mariae.

I also took some pictures.

Thanks, Denise. You did good

Thanks also to the really nice crew who changed the batteries.

Jena Times Ran My Cut Arm While Roller Skating Story

 What a nice surprise.  The Editor of Catahoula News Booster asked if it was okay for some of my stories to be shared with the Jena Times, another local weekly newspaper with a substantial history.  Of course, I said yes. 

Jena is the largest town in Lasalle Parish, and borders Catahoula Parish.  We have a lot in common, especially when it comes to family.    In fact, Lasalle Parish was created long ago by splitting Catahoula Parish in half.  Depending on who you ask, one of the 'halves' is better than the other, but it's not worth fighting about.

I finally learned which story they were interested in publishing - "Cut My Arm While Roller Skating" and for good reason.  The boy who saved my life lives there in Jena and is well known by everyone.  They just didn't know that he was a hero who saved a friend's life three-quarters of a century ago.  Now they do.  

Thanks, Jena Times.  I've got people telling me to send this story to AARP and Readers Digest.  Maybe we should.

Here is the link to the Jena Times lead-in to the story.

https://www.thejenatimes.net/leroy-mcmillin

The 

ANTI-COVID Drug (Maybe)

 After all the misery, disruption, pain, worry, sorrow, anger, expense, ruined lives, and personal loss, there may be a drug that actually works to neutralize COVID - even "Eliminate it in as little as two days

Let's hope so...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/new-study-shows-antiviral-drug-can-eliminate-covid-after-two-days/ar-AAVMiRq?li=BBnb7Kz

I feel good about this one.

Having A Mess 'o Weather Right Now

     They told us to be expecting some weather.  They even mentioned that it would be wet, loud, windy, and even dangerous.

They were right 

Well, we needed the rain, and I suppose we should consider this a reminder that Hurrican Season is only two months away.  

I think we survived this one.  For now...

New Eyes Trying in the Rain

 Seems like I"ve been wearing glasses all my life.  But I wasn't, at least for a period when I didn't need them.  Even so, it was a trying time because I lost vision in my right eye due to an infection resulting from cataract surgery.  No legal action was taken, although I wish I had, life went on with me having one good eye that was functioning well due to Lasic surgery.  

Then one thing after another resulted in me slowly losing my vision in my only good eye.  Eventually, I was told that I would have to wear corrective lenses (glasses) for the rest of my life.  A small price to pay to be able to carry on with my life.

But for various reasons, mainly glaucoma-related, I haven't been able to wear glasses because the pressure in my eyeball was high and too high for any surgeries or special treatments.  And it was unstable, making fitting glasses virtually impossible for me to see clearly, consistently.  So I gave up driving almost two years ago.

Thanks to a specialist in glaucoma, my pressure now appears to be stable and I was fitted with glasses.  They didn't work well, so I continued my half-blind life.

About a month ago we tried again, and things looked promising .  So we went to a $69 optometry store to buy some cheap ones to try. They helped but not enough to drive or read a book.

We sent to another optometry store where I could get an exam and two pairs of glasses for $69.  It took some extra effort on their part, but it appears that I may soon be able to drive.  My vision is still blurry, but with the use of lubricating eye drops, along with the glaucoma eye drops, I was able to read a sign and a page out of a book today.  

I'm not ready to drive, but I'm hyped up for it when the time comes.  I've got people to see.

You can now put "Excited" out beside my name.

Writing Short Stories For a Newpaper

 A high school friend asked if I would write a few stories about my early days in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana;  We both grew up there.  He said he has been writing his own version of what he could remember, but he needs to attend to some medical issues and he doesn't want to leave the newspaper without stories. 

After I gave it some thought, I said okay and he asked me to contact his daughter who is the Editor of the Catahoula News Booster, a weekly newspaper with roots dating back to 1853.  

I know the paper well.  My maternal grandfather was the owner and publisher of the newspaper back in the 1920s until he died suddenly in 1931.  I never met him, of course, but I have a feeling I would have liked him.

The Editor was excited that I agreed to write some stories and looked forward to publishing them.  She didn't mention any limits or subject matter but I told her that when it comes to writing anything, my motto has always been "Why use ten words when a thousand will do."  She just laughed ...

So I got to work and within a few days, I presented her with 11 stories that she began publishing the following week.

I'm still at it but my ongoing glaucoma problem is causing some problems and I advised her that I would probably have to give up writing for a bit.  But she's still got a number of unpublished stories left from the second and third batch I sent her.

Friends and family members tell me they love the stories, and the editor also said she is getting good feedback on them.

All of the stories that were published so far are listed to the right of the Blog's home page.  Just click on the link for each story you want to read.  

I certainly enjoyed writing them and sincerely hope you enjoy reading them.   Leroy

Getting Back in Shape

 An interesting thing happened sometime during the past few decades - I grew older.  

No, not like in calendar years older, but in "body years" older.  They call it "Biological Years."  Or, Epigenetics - The difference between Chronological and biological age.

And now that I'm approaching 81 years old, I find myself wondering "What Happened!!!"  Followed closely by cursing the shape I let myself get into.  

Not only am I fat (down to 288 pounds from 300 pounds at Christmas due to my attempt at the Keto diet) but I'm not healthy.  I'll keep working on it because I know the diet works.  What's Not working is me...

Yes, I've literally lost the ability to 'work' - to do physical work that requires some effort and sweat and increased pulse rate for my recently repaired heart surgery.  

But my muscles have become flab and don't always do what I want them to do.  Not only that, but they complain about the least amount of effort as if I'm killing my muscles by even trying to use them.

I hate it!  And I decided to do something about it.

The first thing was to lose some weight, and I'm working on it.  I The 12 pounds I've already lost made a huge difference in how I feel both physically and mentally.  I opted for the Keto diet in order to eat better and to lose weight.  That's a good start.  But I also needed to exercise.  So I brought my Total Gym down from the attic and cleaned the years of dust off and oiled the wheels and pullies, and set it up in the garage so it will be a visual reminder that I need to use it.

It wasn't easy, but I was determined to get it going and keep it going.  I started slow and easy because I really  I really didn't want to do more than my heart could take.  "KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID" was my motto until I was sure I could do it at all.  It was a good decision.

Each time I used the Total Gym, I added just a few more repetitions to my workout.  The workout itself was just some leg-pushes up an incline, assisted by my pulling my weight up at the same time.  That gave my legs and arms and shoulders just enough to do that I started feeling 'the burn' everyone talks about when exercising.  That told me I was already starting to grow younger in body age, no matter that the calendar kept ticking.  I even started feeling younger, and I had more energy, and I felt good.  

While I was at it, I also got out the 5-pound and 10-pound dumbells.

But I was still struggling with two issues: my glaucoma was so bad at times that all I wanted to do was sleep to numb the pain and worry that I was losing my sight.  I haven't felt comfortable driving in well over a year so we stayed just home.  So I had no excuse for not keeping at it.

I'm now happy to report that I've tripled my workout efforts on the Total Gym, and due to a stroke of luck, my Sweetie found a Free NordicTrack treadmill just a couple of miles from our house.  In less than an hour, I had it in our garage cleaning it up from what appeared to be garage dust from obvious lack of use.  The guy said it worked but I didn't want to turn it on until I checked out the drive belt and walking belt, nuts and bolts, and give it a thorough cleaning.  

I also went online and read the User Manual to make sure I knew how to operate it.  And sure enough, there was a 'caution' message to "Not start it up in a very cold area" and to "make sure the incline was in the flat position after prolonged storage."  So I waited until the next day.  And sure enough, everything worked, but there was some slack in the walking belt which I quickly took care of.  I'm waiting on a bottle of treadmill walking belt lubricant to arrive from Amazon before I start walking on it.

I can't wait to get started on the treadmill. 

So now that I know how to eat properly, and I'm set up with two important exercise devices, and I'm feeling pretty good, I think I'm ready to start growing younger.  

Terra Mariae Christmas Luncheon 2022

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Terra Mariae Christmas Luncheon 2021

 What a joy it is to live in a small community where we can enjoy lunch in a nice restaurant with our neighbors and have a really great time,  Except for the COVID interruption, this tradition of luncheons every three months has greatly added to the joy of living here. while allowing us to meet new residents and say goodbye to those who are moving on.

And once again, Keith Young's Steakhouse was our choice for our Christmas Luncheon.  Their food and service is always fantastic.  But the really nice thing is the fun and good cheer as we visit with our friends and neighbors, always followed by a visit from Santa, wonderful gifts, and warm wishes for a happy holiday season.

As usual, I took some photos to share with those who could not attend.  Here's the link to the YouTube video I made.  Please feel free to share it with your friends and family.

https://youtu.be/gtpD2S-DPKI

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

26 Days into 2022 - So far, So good

First of all, I don't care for the 'New Normal'  brought about by COVID-19. And I'm pretty sure we will never get back to the 'Old Normal.'

I suppose few people do like it, but it is what it is, and until this pandemic is over we're stuck with it. 

Meanwhile, some people are much better off than others.  And a whole bunch of people are unnecessarily dead because they refused to get vaccinated for COVID and its many variants. Sadly, let's not forget that a few who got the recommended vaccinations but they still died.  My guess is that some of those may have felt the vaccinations made them immune, or at least better protected by having the shots, so they didn't apply all the other suggested precautions. 

Judy and I followed the science and got all of the recommended shots as soon as were could.  But we also avoided crowded places as best we could, wore our masks when we thought we should, washed our hands as often as we could, and we are alive and well.  I'm sure some of those who died would have made wiser choices if they could do it again. 

Secondly, my two-year glaucoma problem is finally getting noticeably better each day.  But I now need glasses to do some things, and I still can't see well enough to feel comfortable driving.  Judy has taken over that role and I'm appreciative for her doing it.  I've even gotten to where I don't cringe nearly as much as I did at first.

Because I'm reluctant to do much woodworking due to the danger of power tools, I've spent most of my time writing stories for my old hometown newspaper, the Catahoula News - Booster, based in Catahoula Parish Louisiana.  

Most of the stories are based upon what I remember from during WWII until I was a curious fifteen-year-old.  For some reason, that period in my life is easy to recall.  I don't get paid for the stories but I do enjoy writing and sharing them.  You can read them by clicking on the links to the right.

Finally, my weight was getting a little out of control so I (we) went on a diet on January first, 2022.  I've since lost twelve pounds and feel better for it. But I also got my Total Gym and dumbbell weights down from the attic and started using it every day it's warm enough in the garage to work out.  I actually feel good doing the exercises.

With just over three months before I turn 81, I think I'm doing quite well considering all that is going on that I can't do anything about.

That's good enough for this life.