Interesting thing about having a heart attack... It puts things in order again. For example, I probably needed a wake-up call to get back in shape. I always considered myself strong and capable of doing anything I put my mind to. But for the last few years, mostly since I had the eye problem, I have found myself struggling with doing stuff, especially stuff that required both thought and effort. I just couldn't focus long enough to do some things. I didn't even realize it was happening until one day I was going to use my router to shape a piece of wood. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to set up the router to do it. It actually became frustrating because the harder I tried the worse I got at it. No I wasn't soaked in rum'n cokes either...
Anyway, on another occasion I needed to move something fairly heavy. Five years ago I wouldn't have given it a second thought but this time I thought I would die before I got it moved. It was like I had no strength to go along with no energy and no imagination as to how to make it easier. When I finished I was short of breath and totally wasted as for the rest of the day.
The above, along with many other examples, turned out to be the blockage problem. Now that it's fixed and I'm in rehab doing exercises I can actually see and feel the results. I think more clearly and I'm motivated to do more stuff. I can build things and I know how to use my tools. I can even move heavy objects although it still isn't easy. I just try to move them "smarter."
My only problem now is what I lovingly refer to as my Mad Max Disease. It's actually a sciatica problem but I jokingly tell everyone I contracted it via the Internet from my Egghead friend Mad Max who had the problem just before me. He's over his but I'm still a victim. If you have never had it, you're lucky. If you have had it then you know exactly what I'm going through. It's not a pretty sight. To make matters worse, the relief I desperately seek is just a $20,000 needle away, but which is off limits to me as long as I am taking Plavix, one of the many heart drugs. However, I was told that I can schedule the needle anytime after April 18th, which is three months after the initial heart attack.
April 18th is perfect because I will feel good enough to walk the streets of Washington DC on my birthday in May. Meanwhile, I have been prescribed some pain medication to help deal with it while going through the increasingly difficult rehab exercises.
So now you know my physical and mental state as of today, April, 14th, 2007.
Maybe now I can get some stuff done around here.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Rehab - Diet, Therapy and Exercise
Well, I officially start my Diet, Therapy and Exercise program tomorrow. Three days a week for the next three months I will be going to a Rehab Center where I will check in, have my Blood Pressure and Pulse checked, strap on a heart monitor, warm up and climb aboard a treadmill to get my heart pumping at a desired rate. Half way through the treadmill they will check my BP again, and again when I finish about twenty minutes later.
Then after about a minute I will do the same thing on a reclining bike. I think at this point I will do a cool-down routine and then be directed to one of a number of "consultations" that address everything from stress to diet to attitude.
I pointed out to them that I'm currently in pain and being treated for a sciatica problem that may hinder my performance in rehab but they understand and will try to keep me from doing anything that might make the sciatica worse. Actually, the day they showed me around and let me on the treadmill and reclining bike I felt pretty good.
My Sweetie and I sat through a Diet Consultation last Friday. We understood everything the Dietition was saying but we also know that following a diet to the letter is virtually impossible with us. Cooking is my hobby and eating is a passion with both of us. But we'll make every "reasonable" effort to eat as if our lives depend on it.
The next update should include some positive remarks about my weight, my mood, my overall health and what I plan to do next.
Wish me luck.
Then after about a minute I will do the same thing on a reclining bike. I think at this point I will do a cool-down routine and then be directed to one of a number of "consultations" that address everything from stress to diet to attitude.
I pointed out to them that I'm currently in pain and being treated for a sciatica problem that may hinder my performance in rehab but they understand and will try to keep me from doing anything that might make the sciatica worse. Actually, the day they showed me around and let me on the treadmill and reclining bike I felt pretty good.
My Sweetie and I sat through a Diet Consultation last Friday. We understood everything the Dietition was saying but we also know that following a diet to the letter is virtually impossible with us. Cooking is my hobby and eating is a passion with both of us. But we'll make every "reasonable" effort to eat as if our lives depend on it.
The next update should include some positive remarks about my weight, my mood, my overall health and what I plan to do next.
Wish me luck.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Have A Heart
My lifestyle finally caught up to me and I had my first (and hopefully last) heart attack. Happened Wednesday night, 1/17/07, and within ten minutes after deciding to go to the emergency room I was being treated for what eventually turned out to be a 99% blockage in one artery and 80% blockage in another. A third artery has a 60% blockage but they decided to try diet, exercise and medication to reduce it.
By Friday afternoon I was back home, and although restricted from doing much for five days, I was feeling pretty good.
By Friday afternoon I was back home, and although restricted from doing much for five days, I was feeling pretty good.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
New Porch
Today we took down the "temporary" porch we put in about fifteen years ago. It was never meant to be a permanent solution to our "back porch" lifestyle but it served us well all those years in spite of quite a few leaks.
In its place we're having a real porch put in as part of a whole-house re-roofing project. When it's all finished (next week sometime) we will probably start tearing up the wood deck we put in about that same time and replacing it with landscaping items, including tables and chairs among bushes and walkways and lighting. Yes, it should be pretty when we finish.
Why are we doing all of this? Well, we've pretty much decided that this is home for the foreseeable future. We like it here and all the places we thought we might like are either too expensive, too cold, too hot or just not our cup of tea. So we're sticking around and we want to make sure our home is everything we would like it to be.
Even with the eager anticipation of what will be we're going to miss the old look we built with our own hands and became accustomed to over the years.
The nice thing about all of this is that we will be able to enjoy our back yard more, as well as our new outdoor kitchen (still under construction).
After all of this I think I'm going to stick to small projects in the future. But what am I ever going to do with all the cedar lumber that we took out of the porch? I'll think of something, for sure.
In its place we're having a real porch put in as part of a whole-house re-roofing project. When it's all finished (next week sometime) we will probably start tearing up the wood deck we put in about that same time and replacing it with landscaping items, including tables and chairs among bushes and walkways and lighting. Yes, it should be pretty when we finish.
Why are we doing all of this? Well, we've pretty much decided that this is home for the foreseeable future. We like it here and all the places we thought we might like are either too expensive, too cold, too hot or just not our cup of tea. So we're sticking around and we want to make sure our home is everything we would like it to be.
Even with the eager anticipation of what will be we're going to miss the old look we built with our own hands and became accustomed to over the years.
The nice thing about all of this is that we will be able to enjoy our back yard more, as well as our new outdoor kitchen (still under construction).
After all of this I think I'm going to stick to small projects in the future. But what am I ever going to do with all the cedar lumber that we took out of the porch? I'll think of something, for sure.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Chicken Coop's Progress
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
EggtoberFest - Atlanta 2006
We finally made it to EggtoberFest in Atlanta. What a nice way to enhance a great hobby. We saw lots of old friends from the Texas and Oklahoma Eggfests and met a lot of folks we only knew by their Big Green Egg Handle and their posts on the Big Green Egg Forum. But we also met some people who just got into "Egging" and haven't really spent much time on the Forum.
Then there's the food... WOW! So much and so wonderfully good. Judy and I didn't cook but there were over 200 Eggs set up for that purpose and at least 175 cooking on them (some were cooking on two or more Eggs).
We had a great time for sure and will likely be back. If you want to see some photos click here: http://wessb.com/Allfests/Eggtoberfest06/eggtoberfest_2006.htm
WessB combined a lot of his own photos with others to give you a taste of how great it was. Enjoy...
Monday, September 25, 2006
My "Chicken Coop" Outdoor Kitchen
I've been busy these past few months and neglected my Blog site. Shame on me.
Let me start by saying that a few months ago a Big Green Egger friend's house burned down because of a spark that came from his Big Green Egg (in the driveway, no less) and flew into his garage where it ignited something. Within minutes his house was on fire. Fortunately, no one was physically injured but I'm sure there will be emotional scars the rest of their lives.
So, with that incident fresh in my Sweetie's mind, I got instructions to move my Big Green Egg Cooking Center off the deck and away from the house. It took a while to figure out where and how but we finally decided that about ten feet from the house would be fine. That would permit a certain amount of convenience and a comfortable amount of security. And we would build it with the tools and skills I had rather than pay someone else to do it.
For the past four months I have been researching, planning, digging, cutting, nailing, gluing, and everything else necessary to build our version of an outdoor kitchen. We call it our "Chicken Coop." Here are a few of the construction photos up 'til 9-23-06.
As soon as I finish putting on the roof I will start on the cabinets and countertops. We already found a small refrigerator on sale and scooped it up. It sure comes in handy for cold drinks on hot days.
It's a slow process made slower by the fact that it was well into the upper 90° to 105° range much of the time. Plus, I've been somewhat lame due to a sciatica nerve problem in my hip and leg. And combine that with being 80 pounds overweight, blind in one eye and 65 years old and you get a very slow worker. But it is slowly coming along and everything seems to be working properly.
More pictures will follow as I complete the last remaining tasks. I hope you like it.
Leroy
Let me start by saying that a few months ago a Big Green Egger friend's house burned down because of a spark that came from his Big Green Egg (in the driveway, no less) and flew into his garage where it ignited something. Within minutes his house was on fire. Fortunately, no one was physically injured but I'm sure there will be emotional scars the rest of their lives.
So, with that incident fresh in my Sweetie's mind, I got instructions to move my Big Green Egg Cooking Center off the deck and away from the house. It took a while to figure out where and how but we finally decided that about ten feet from the house would be fine. That would permit a certain amount of convenience and a comfortable amount of security. And we would build it with the tools and skills I had rather than pay someone else to do it.
For the past four months I have been researching, planning, digging, cutting, nailing, gluing, and everything else necessary to build our version of an outdoor kitchen. We call it our "Chicken Coop." Here are a few of the construction photos up 'til 9-23-06.
As soon as I finish putting on the roof I will start on the cabinets and countertops. We already found a small refrigerator on sale and scooped it up. It sure comes in handy for cold drinks on hot days.
It's a slow process made slower by the fact that it was well into the upper 90° to 105° range much of the time. Plus, I've been somewhat lame due to a sciatica nerve problem in my hip and leg. And combine that with being 80 pounds overweight, blind in one eye and 65 years old and you get a very slow worker. But it is slowly coming along and everything seems to be working properly.
More pictures will follow as I complete the last remaining tasks. I hope you like it.
Leroy
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Happy Birthday To Me..
I suppose when one reaches 65 years of age it is a milestone worth celebrating. And celebrating I did. My Sweetie and number one fan arranged for a few of us to meet at our favorite restaurant in Lafayette, Louisiana on Saturday, May 6th. Actually, I share birthdays (May 8th) with my sister-in-law Joyce Schuyler (10 yrs younger) from Metairie, Louisiana, so Lafayette was a good half way point for us to get together. An added incentive is that the restaurant is operated by a friend of ours who wanted in on the action, Chef Wil Menard. He made sure that everything was perfect and that it would be a memorable experience. That it was.Invitations were only sent to family members and two special friends I've known all my life: Emmilee Green and Carol Caprito. Emmilee and husband Joe live in Harrisonburg where we grew up. Carol and husband JT live just south of Lafayette in Franklin, Louisiana. Our friends and neighbors Pam & Tom Morris joined us and Tom did the driving when I tapped into the rum barrel. I'm pretty sure all had a good time.
Joyce and her husband Allen, asked their friends Liz and "Rat" to come help us celebrate. They came and from what I could tell, thoroughly enjoyed themselves too.
It was a good time, good food, good drink, good companions and good memories. Here are some favorite photos...
Allen and Joyce...
All smiles
Emmilee, Me and CarolJust like old times
Tom, Pam, Rat and LizThoughts of balloons...
Emmilee, Carol, Joe and JT
The start of a wave...
Leroy & Wil
We'll fatten you up some more Leroy...
Chef John Folse autograph
The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine
Leroy holding official Chitlin Party Shirt
Chitlin eater next year...
My Sweetie and MeMaking life worthwhile every single day...
Friday, May 05, 2006
Turning 65
Where did all the time go? It seems that just yesterday I was in my 50's and only months ago I was in my 30's. All of a sudden I'm retired, on Social Security and Medicare, a member of AARP, and suffer from arthritis. Somewhere along the line I mellowed and realize I'm probably not going to change the world.
Time," it seems, is relative. To what extent I don't know, except that by human standards, there is a beginning and an end. We're born and we die. And until humans invented the clock and calendar, the length of the period in between didn't matter very much. You simply woke up and tried to survive the day. If you did survive, you did the same thing the next day, and the next. If you were lucky you could do this about 10,000 times before you died. I've now done it 23,725 times and I'm still going pretty strong. Or, if I measured my life in hours and minutes and seconds as many humans do, then I have lived 569,400 hours. Or 34,164,000 minutes. Or 2,049,840,000 seconds. A lot of them were wasted in so many ways.
You know that age-old question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well, I'm now "grown up" and I still don't know what I want to be. I suppose I could answer by saying "rich" or "famous" or "handsome" or "smart" but I think the point of the question is more toward what profession I would have enjoyed as an adult. But all things interest me, none so much that I would want to do it day in and day out for thousands of hours or millions of minutes or billions of seconds. So the hidden answer to that ageless question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" turns out to be, for me at least, "happy." Looking back, I think I have achieved it without ever knowing that it was my ultimate goal.
Time," it seems, is relative. To what extent I don't know, except that by human standards, there is a beginning and an end. We're born and we die. And until humans invented the clock and calendar, the length of the period in between didn't matter very much. You simply woke up and tried to survive the day. If you did survive, you did the same thing the next day, and the next. If you were lucky you could do this about 10,000 times before you died. I've now done it 23,725 times and I'm still going pretty strong. Or, if I measured my life in hours and minutes and seconds as many humans do, then I have lived 569,400 hours. Or 34,164,000 minutes. Or 2,049,840,000 seconds. A lot of them were wasted in so many ways.
You know that age-old question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well, I'm now "grown up" and I still don't know what I want to be. I suppose I could answer by saying "rich" or "famous" or "handsome" or "smart" but I think the point of the question is more toward what profession I would have enjoyed as an adult. But all things interest me, none so much that I would want to do it day in and day out for thousands of hours or millions of minutes or billions of seconds. So the hidden answer to that ageless question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" turns out to be, for me at least, "happy." Looking back, I think I have achieved it without ever knowing that it was my ultimate goal.
Friday, March 17, 2006
St. Patricks Day
Top o' th' morn' to ya.
Today is St. Patricks Day, a day when everybody is Irish. (Just what we need is one more excuse to party and drink with abandon.)
At first I thought about smoking a brisket on the Big "Green" Egg but changed my mind. Instead, I think I will make some IBT's (Irish Buffalo Turds). Oh so what if they look and taste like ABT's (Atomic Buffalo Turds)!!! They will be cooked and consummed on St. Patricks Day. For the Irish, that's close enough.
Today is St. Patricks Day, a day when everybody is Irish. (Just what we need is one more excuse to party and drink with abandon.)
At first I thought about smoking a brisket on the Big "Green" Egg but changed my mind. Instead, I think I will make some IBT's (Irish Buffalo Turds). Oh so what if they look and taste like ABT's (Atomic Buffalo Turds)!!! They will be cooked and consummed on St. Patricks Day. For the Irish, that's close enough.
Friday, February 17, 2006
A New Phase of Life
In previous posts I mentioned that I was "semi-retired." That was true then but not now. As of December 31st I notified my customers that I was closing the business and planned to enjoy my retirement. So, officially, I am RETIRED.
It's interesting how I pay no attention to clocks or calendars anymore, well perhaps to make sure I'm at my doctor's appointment on time. Other than that, I don't care if it's Friday or Tuesday or Saturday or 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM. If the weather is nice, and it has been all winter, I may do something outside. If it's raining I have a cup of tea and maybe read a book, or take a nap. If I feel like doing something productive, I do it but on my own terms and my own pace. No pressure.
I think I have easily transitioned myself into the role of "Retiree" and I like it.
The downside of all this is the lack of funds to do everything I would like to do. For example, I really would like to have a custom built paver stone patio and outdoor kitchen. Some of it I might be able to do myself but with a bum knee and some kind of painful foot problem, it won't be done anytime soon. But I've got lots of time.
So here I sit, casually planning my day. The only thing that "Must" be done is feed the fish. Then I think I will do my exercises and maybe have a second cup of coffee. Life is tough on days like this... And I love it.
It's interesting how I pay no attention to clocks or calendars anymore, well perhaps to make sure I'm at my doctor's appointment on time. Other than that, I don't care if it's Friday or Tuesday or Saturday or 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM. If the weather is nice, and it has been all winter, I may do something outside. If it's raining I have a cup of tea and maybe read a book, or take a nap. If I feel like doing something productive, I do it but on my own terms and my own pace. No pressure.
I think I have easily transitioned myself into the role of "Retiree" and I like it.
The downside of all this is the lack of funds to do everything I would like to do. For example, I really would like to have a custom built paver stone patio and outdoor kitchen. Some of it I might be able to do myself but with a bum knee and some kind of painful foot problem, it won't be done anytime soon. But I've got lots of time.
So here I sit, casually planning my day. The only thing that "Must" be done is feed the fish. Then I think I will do my exercises and maybe have a second cup of coffee. Life is tough on days like this... And I love it.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Hot Air Ballooning
When I was looking up the Sailing photos I happened on some other fond memories. My sweetie gave me a hot air balloon ride one year for my birthday. So cool! Only she would think of something like that.
We lived in Jacksonville, Florida at the time and since we were not into boating anymore, or golfing or fishing there was not much else left to do.
We met up at dawn at Jacksonville University in the Arlington section of Jacksonville. There were three balloons being set up for us and two other couples. We were in the yellow one.
We lived in Jacksonville, Florida at the time and since we were not into boating anymore, or golfing or fishing there was not much else left to do.
We met up at dawn at Jacksonville University in the Arlington section of Jacksonville. There were three balloons being set up for us and two other couples. We were in the yellow one.
It was interesting to see how the burners blasted hot air into the balloons and gradually they became upright. That's when we boarded and the pilot shot the juice to it. Man, the heat it gave off and the noise was something else, but we started lifting up, up, up, more heat (schuuuuuuu) and up, above the trees and climbing. We were on our way and totally at the mercy of the wind.
We went up about four hundred feet before the pilot decided to change directions. Yep! Total surprise to me that he could control the direction of a balloon. He dropped down about a hundred feet and instead of heading south we were now moving east. Then he took it up a bit and we were headed south again.
It wasn't long before we realized that we would be going directly over our neighborhood. He took it down some and we saw our house only a couple of hundred feet below us. We could hear our dog, Punkin, barking at the sounds of the balloon and we called to her. It was so cool.
Then we went up again and moved once more toward the south. We could see the other balloons going up and down and east and west as they did their own thing. Finally we were near Baymeadows Country Club and the pilot said we would be landing there.
We landed on a fairway that was still wet from the morning dew. We helped deflate the balloon and load it into the chase vehicle then we had our customary glass of champaigne, an old French custom dating back a century or more.
We decided to mosey over to Judy's Mom's apartment a couple of blocks away and surprise her. It was funny seeing the look on her face so early in the morning, especially when she learned that we "floated" in to see her.
It was certainly one of the highlights of our lives and will never be forgotten. Here are a few of the photos we took. We also took some 8 mm movies but they didn't turn out so good.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Sailing
A friend of mine just got a sailboat. I'm really happy for him. He's been wanting one for as long as I've known him. He had this one built special and he can't wait to put it in the water. The only problem is that it's still Winter up where he lives. Cute huh?
Well, his excitement got me to thinking back to when we lived in Miami back in 1976. We thought we would enjoy sailing in Biscayne Bay and perhaps on down the Keys, even to Key West. Never having owned a sailboat and not knowing the first thing about sailing, we took the Coast Guard Class on Sailing. bought a 23' Aquarius and became instant sailors.
It's funny how excited we were about this new adventure and every weekend we looked forward to getting the boat in the water and sailing off into the unknown (unknown because we didn't know much about our new found hobby). Meanwhile, we would clean and wax and practice setting up the mast and taking it down, stowing cargo and anything else we could think of.
We finally got it in the water and our practice paid off. We were sailing. And there were those proud moments when it all came together. Just the two of us or with our friends, sailing, sailing and loving every minute of it.
Even though my Sweetie and Number One Deck Hand probably wondered if we would survive, she seemed to have enjoyed it too.
It was fun but we soon came to realize that we were probably out of our league and we sold the boat. Looking back, I wish we had kept it. At least the adventure could have continued and we just might be real sailors by now.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Fredericksburg Bash
Fredericksburg... A night to remember.
One of the best things about owning a Big Green Egg is hanging out with others who own Big Green Eggs. It is a sight to see whenever there are two or more Eggheads and two or more Big Green Eggs. Such was the case last Tuesday, January 17th, in Fredericksburg Texas where a few friends of Mike "Lawn Ranger" Schweitzer from San Antonio got together to demo Big Green Eggs for the annual University Landscape Managers Conference.
One of the best things about owning a Big Green Egg is hanging out with others who own Big Green Eggs. It is a sight to see whenever there are two or more Eggheads and two or more Big Green Eggs. Such was the case last Tuesday, January 17th, in Fredericksburg Texas where a few friends of Mike "Lawn Ranger" Schweitzer from San Antonio got together to demo Big Green Eggs for the annual University Landscape Managers Conference.
When Mike asked if there were any Eggheads who wanted to volunteer to load their BGE's and drive to Fredericksburg to cook for 140 very hungry guys and gals, hands went up all over the Country. Eventually, a few had to back out for various reasons but we know they were there in spirit. Those who were able to come included Molly Shark, Sandbagger, One Shot One Kill, Mr. Popsicle and wife, GrillMeister, and Spring Chicken and Spring Hen, all from Texas, and SSN686 and wife all the way from Brandon, Florida. All experienced Eggers.
It also gave me an opportunity to show off my new small Big Green Egg and the transporter/cooking center I made special for the occasion.
Spring Chicken's Traveling Cooking Center
We lit our Eggs about 4:00 PM and cooked as hard as we could go until almost midnight for some obviously very hungry folks while a genuine German Ummpaaa Band played on. We also answered questions about the Big Green Egg and what makes it so special as a cooking tool. I think we created a lot of fans and possibly some future Big Green Egg owners.
Sandbagger and GrillMeister
Our assortment of food included ABT's, Beef Kabobs, Smoked Sausage on Pretzel Sticks, Chicken Teryaki on a Skewer, two or three kinds of shrimp, Wok Scallops, Pork Tenderloin, Rum Soaked Fruit Kabobs, Honey Maple Salmon and Pork Medallions.
Beef Kabobs
In addition, the night was just right for enjoying plenty of liquid refreshment. After abstaining for over two weeks a rum and coke tasted really good. So did six or seven others and I got a little "under the weather" so to speak. But I had fun.
Still Going After Six Hours
I can't wait until May when it's time for the 2006 Texas Eggfest in Austin. We've reserved a 26' camper trailer this time and will tow it from here.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
New Big Green Egg
My Sweetie gave me a new Big Green Egg (small) for Christmas and it just came in today. By the afternoon I had it assembled and ready for cooking dinner. Here it is sitting on next to my large Big Green Egg.
I've been wanting a small BGE so we can take it with us sometimes. The large is much too heavy for easy transport although many Eggheads do it. The small is perfect because it only weighs 65 pounds.
Here it is sitting on the Spring Chicken Small Egg Transporter/Cooking Center. Notice the legs and feet.
Here it is serving as a transporter. Notice the cork padding under the Egg and felt band around the Egghole.
It came in just in time for us to take it to Fredericksburg, Texas next Tuesday for a demo for a group of landscapers. A fellow Egghead and friend is hosting the event and wanted the group to sample some of the food cooked on Big Green Eggs. There will be other Eggheads there to feed the 140+ crowd during their meet and greet party.
Now I will have to redesign my BGE Cooking Center to accommodate both of my Eggs.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Out With The Old Year and In With The New
2005 was NOT a good year for me by any standard. However, it is almost over and I'm looking forward to 2006. For one thing, I will finally become a ward of the government (Medicare). I've been without health insurance for some time now and no insurance company in their right mind will insure me. So Taxpayers, be aware that I will soon become an expense item.
It is only two and a half hours before the official countdown begins. I figure to be in bed by then. Then tomorrow I will cook some pork ribs while Judy cooks the cabbage and blackeyed peas, the wishful ingredients of a prosperous year.
My final post this year ends with a hardy Happy New Year to you all.
It is only two and a half hours before the official countdown begins. I figure to be in bed by then. Then tomorrow I will cook some pork ribs while Judy cooks the cabbage and blackeyed peas, the wishful ingredients of a prosperous year.
My final post this year ends with a hardy Happy New Year to you all.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Eye Problem Continued
Well, I finally got the word that my bad eye isn’t going to get better. The damage is irreversible. Glaucoma, probably brought about by the trauma of infection and multiple surgeries. All they can do now is try to keep it from getting worse. Eye drops may do it but if not there are a couple of other tricks they can use. Oddly, my vision seemed to be better today than it was yesterday. Probably a fluke but I’m enjoying it while I can.
If you value your vision you should have your eyes checked regularly, making sure they also test for glaucoma. I recently read this about it:
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can steal sight without warning or symptoms. Three million Americans have it. Only half know.
I’ll learn to live with one eye but for now I’m still in the treatment stage trying to save what’s left of the vision in my bad eye. I sure didn’t want to start my retirement off this way.
Leroy
If you value your vision you should have your eyes checked regularly, making sure they also test for glaucoma. I recently read this about it:
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can steal sight without warning or symptoms. Three million Americans have it. Only half know.
I’ll learn to live with one eye but for now I’m still in the treatment stage trying to save what’s left of the vision in my bad eye. I sure didn’t want to start my retirement off this way.
Leroy
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Clan MacMillan of Scotland
I never spent much time wondering where my ancestors came from. I just took it for granted that we came from Ireland because someone told me when I was young that my grandfather's side came from Ireland and my grandmother's side came from Holland.
I just finished reading the sixth book in the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon in which she takes readers back to the mid-1700's in Scotland, and then brings the story right up to the eve of the American Revolution. Although it is a fictional love story mixed with a little time-travel, the meshing of day to day details about people, places and things, especially politics and medicine, fascinated me. More important, I found myself feeling somehow attached to every aspect of the story. In many ways I was wishing that I was there to see this history in the making with my own eyes.
It sparked an interest in learning more about my family history and it wasn't long before a Google search turned up tons of McMillin history, the most important being that my forbearers were from Scotland. Then I ran upon the official website of the Clan MacMillan. That really perked my interest and the more I read, the more I understood why I was so connected to Scotland and to the life and times of Jamie and Claire Frazier, the central characters in the books. They were caricature representatives of my family's Scottish history.
In addition to important events and people, the website explained a lot of things that I would never have known had I not done the research.
For example, the surname, McMillin, is but one of many variations of the spelling of Clan M'millan. In fact, according to the official records, "There are probably more variations on Macmillan than most because of the two Gaelic versions of the name - MacGhillemhaoil and MacHhaolain - each of which has been spelt in many different ways over the centuries, and in the various regions of the country in which members of the clan have lived."
Given the above, McMillin by any other name is a McMillin, and I can claim with full certainty to be of the MacMillan Clan. It won't make me rich but it sure makes me proud.
I just finished reading the sixth book in the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon in which she takes readers back to the mid-1700's in Scotland, and then brings the story right up to the eve of the American Revolution. Although it is a fictional love story mixed with a little time-travel, the meshing of day to day details about people, places and things, especially politics and medicine, fascinated me. More important, I found myself feeling somehow attached to every aspect of the story. In many ways I was wishing that I was there to see this history in the making with my own eyes.
It sparked an interest in learning more about my family history and it wasn't long before a Google search turned up tons of McMillin history, the most important being that my forbearers were from Scotland. Then I ran upon the official website of the Clan MacMillan. That really perked my interest and the more I read, the more I understood why I was so connected to Scotland and to the life and times of Jamie and Claire Frazier, the central characters in the books. They were caricature representatives of my family's Scottish history.
In addition to important events and people, the website explained a lot of things that I would never have known had I not done the research.
For example, the surname, McMillin, is but one of many variations of the spelling of Clan M'millan. In fact, according to the official records, "There are probably more variations on Macmillan than most because of the two Gaelic versions of the name - MacGhillemhaoil and MacHhaolain - each of which has been spelt in many different ways over the centuries, and in the various regions of the country in which members of the clan have lived."
Given the above, McMillin by any other name is a McMillin, and I can claim with full certainty to be of the MacMillan Clan. It won't make me rich but it sure makes me proud.
"Miseris sucurrere disco"
"I learn to succour the unfortunate"
If you would like to see and read more about Clan MacMillan you can go to: http://www.clanmacmillan.org/Index.html and click on any of the links.
Leroy McMillin - Clan MacMillan
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
2005 High School Reunion
What a Great time!
Well, the 2005 Harrisonburg High School Reunion is over and everyone has gone back to their homes with enough good memories to hold them until 2010. I know I enjoyed every moment of it.
Our friends, Pam and Tom Morris, came along for the ride and were quickly accepted by everyone we encountered. It didn't take them long to get with the program and you would think they also graduated from HHS by the way they fit in with the crowd. I think they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Judy and I also took them for a tour of the town and Fort Bouregard overlooking the town. Now they can visualize what I've been talking about for the last seven years.
The fun started with an open invitation party at Emmilee and Joe Green's beautiful house overlooking the Ouachita River just north of the Village of Harrisonburg. A beautiful setting for a wonderful party that went well into the night. There must have been 75 or 80 who came, and most brought food: absolutely delicious food. There was also a talented band, some adult beverages and a roaring pit fire to keep us energized and warm. Emmilee and Joe were the perfect hosts. In fact we were their guests for the entire weekend.
The next morning we had a great breakfast and proceeded to the High School where there was a Meet & Greet prior to the actual ceremony. For two hours I talked to people I haven't seen in over forty years. It was great.
As we moved into the gym we were directed to sit with our former classmates. There were classes dating back to the 1930's and some of them were well represented. Our class of 1959 only had twenty graduates but even though a few had died and at least one could not travel due to a broken leg, we still managed to draw a cheerful and vocal group of seven.
James Stone, Wayne Booth, Don Cannaday, Evelyn Meyers Stringer, Leroy "Jr" McMillin, Patricia Booth Kirkland, Emmilee Johnson Green
Class of '59
Thursday, October 13, 2005
One Good Eye
Yesterday I learned that my right eye, the one that got infected after cataract surgery over a year ago, has reached its maximum level of improvement. What that actually means is I now only have one good eye. Fortunately, I can see to drive with it and recently passed my drivers license renewal exam. Unfortunately, my bad eye is dominate and is still trying to see. It creates a distortion of sorts while trying to see certain things. Thus, I subconsciously close the bad eye on occasion. Judy does not like to see it closed and reminds me to open it up. Easier said than done. In fact, I find it more comfortable to wear a patch over the eye. The doctor said my brain will gradually switch to the left eye as the dominate one and I will adapt to it. She said many people do not even realize they only make use of one eye, the dominate one, until it is demonstrated to them. I suppose things could be worse. She also said that my bad eye (legally blind at 20/400) is still considered "ambulatory" because, should I lose my good eye; I can see just enough to get around. I take that to mean I can see the door or chair or person although I cannot see well enough to describe the door or chair or person. I certainly can't read or watch TV or do anything that requires me to see clearly with the bad eye so I guess I should take every step to protect my good one.
Now I have to decide what to do with my woodworking tools. I might be able to build rustic birdhouses but I doubt that I can do the intricate cuts required to make my scale model trucks. If so, it just may be time to change my hobby to something I can do without the danger of losing a finger or hand or eye.
I plan to go see the Ophthalmologist who performed the original cataract surgery that started all this and see what, if anything, he can/will do about it, either medically or financially. I'm thinking the very least he can do is give me back the $2,000 I had to pay out of pocket for the Crystalens that he recommended, installed and now doesn't work. I will say he has been very good about trying everything he can to fix it.
We'll see (pun intended)
Leroy
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