The new year started with me having a better outlook and a renewed quest to accomplish all the things that need to be in place before I retire. Retirement for me means , "not having to take a cut in pay".
I am not one to make resolutions for a new year but I would like to make a few changes in the coming year. Besides trying to eat better, I need to get my eyes checked (a first for me), and have all the tests an "old man" should have.
My new extra heavy duty (16000pd) hitch has arrived for my truck and I look forward to installing it and having one less thing on my "to due list".
Also this year I would like to sell our motorhome and Flintstone (my Pontiac Fiero), neither is being used and taking up space in our driveway.
One more thing that is high on my list is to again seek out people to talk to as I have been very lax in that department for the last couple of months.
I hope everyone has a safe and productive year.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
January Book Review
For a couple of years I have been reading a blog about a female taxi cab driver in New York City. I have not linked to her before because I try to keep this blog family friendly and she is not afraid of the "f" work. I enjoy her blog very much and when she wrote a book, I knew that I wanted it for Christmas. Zac (who told me about the blog) gave it to me and I dove right in and read it cover to cover.
"HACK, How I stopped worrying about what to do with my life and started driving a yellow cab." by Melissa Plaut.
She tells about getting her "hack licence" and her adventures in the cab as one of the few female New York City cab drivers. She is college educated and took this job because she was not handling the office politics of the corporate world very well.
Drop by her blog and start at the beginning for insight into her book.
"HACK, How I stopped worrying about what to do with my life and started driving a yellow cab." by Melissa Plaut.She tells about getting her "hack licence" and her adventures in the cab as one of the few female New York City cab drivers. She is college educated and took this job because she was not handling the office politics of the corporate world very well.
Drop by her blog and start at the beginning for insight into her book.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Snowbirds
On Thursday after Christmas, I started seeing more rv's heading south and on Friday I decided to count them to see just how many I was actually seeing.
"Snowbirds" are people from the colder parts of the US and Canada that head for warmer parts in the winter. From the looks of it two things came into play for the high number of rvs I counted on I-30. The snowstorms in the mid and northwest had lightened enough for people to hit the road and Christmas with the grandkids was now over.
Most traveling rvers are on the road by 9am and stop for the night before dark. About 10 am on Friday morning I was heading east on I-30 and counted rvs for 50 miles.
I was afraid I might lose count from long periods of no rvs but boy was I wrong. In those 50 miles I counted 66 rvs. Most were large 5th wheels pulled by 3/4 and 1 ton diesel trucks. Second on the list were class A motorhomes with a few travel trailers and 2 c-class units in the mix.
Most were probably heading for south Texas and other parts of the Southwest. Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona attract large numbers of rvers and several return to the same location year after year.
For my non rv readers, "Google" Quartzsite or Slab City to gain a glimpse into some of the more adventurous.
"Snowbirds" are people from the colder parts of the US and Canada that head for warmer parts in the winter. From the looks of it two things came into play for the high number of rvs I counted on I-30. The snowstorms in the mid and northwest had lightened enough for people to hit the road and Christmas with the grandkids was now over.
Most traveling rvers are on the road by 9am and stop for the night before dark. About 10 am on Friday morning I was heading east on I-30 and counted rvs for 50 miles.
I was afraid I might lose count from long periods of no rvs but boy was I wrong. In those 50 miles I counted 66 rvs. Most were large 5th wheels pulled by 3/4 and 1 ton diesel trucks. Second on the list were class A motorhomes with a few travel trailers and 2 c-class units in the mix.
Most were probably heading for south Texas and other parts of the Southwest. Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona attract large numbers of rvers and several return to the same location year after year.
For my non rv readers, "Google" Quartzsite or Slab City to gain a glimpse into some of the more adventurous.
Moral Victory
Another week that my weight stayed at 221.5 pds. With the holidays I should feel fortunate I haven't gained more. Over this week maybe ALL the sweets will be gone and I can get back with the program.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Wrong Way!
My weigh in this week was another disappointment. I gained a pound and my weight is now 222.5 pds.
Too may Xmas parties ( another excuse, I see a pattern developing here! Blame everything except me ).
On a brighter note. Zac is home for the holidays. Nice to not have him half way around the world this year.
A new year is just around the corner and hopefully there will be progress made on some of things I would like to accomplish in the new year.
Too may Xmas parties ( another excuse, I see a pattern developing here! Blame everything except me ).
On a brighter note. Zac is home for the holidays. Nice to not have him half way around the world this year.
A new year is just around the corner and hopefully there will be progress made on some of things I would like to accomplish in the new year.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Corny Car
Why are we feeding corn (ethanol) to our cars. Most of that ethanol is corn based. One estimate is it takes 1 gallon of fuel (gas or diesel) to produce 1.8 gallons of corn based ethanol. Not to mention ethanol delivers less mpg.
In the process, we lose valuable corn production that should be used for our food supply. A nice "catch 22", corn prices are rising and more land is being farmed for corn that takes away from other grain farming. Corn and wheat production are needed to keep our food prices from skyrocketing. Don't just think of higher bread prices but all our foods (beef is fattened on corn) are ultimately going to rise.
"Grow our gasoline" sounds great if we do not look past the surface of the issue. I for one would rather know I can get food at the market even if I have to walk there.
Your mileage may vary.........haven't I heard that before?
In the process, we lose valuable corn production that should be used for our food supply. A nice "catch 22", corn prices are rising and more land is being farmed for corn that takes away from other grain farming. Corn and wheat production are needed to keep our food prices from skyrocketing. Don't just think of higher bread prices but all our foods (beef is fattened on corn) are ultimately going to rise.
"Grow our gasoline" sounds great if we do not look past the surface of the issue. I for one would rather know I can get food at the market even if I have to walk there.
Your mileage may vary.........haven't I heard that before?
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Week three weigh-in.
The GOOD,
my way too tight jeans are now a comfortable fit, my sugar levels are lower (about 100) , and my blood pressure in coming down (129/72), but need to be lower.
The BAD,
my weigh is the same as last week (221.5pds). !#!$#$%, Christmas cookies.
The Ugly,
my depression and disposition is only marginally better, but still better.
The GOOD,
my way too tight jeans are now a comfortable fit, my sugar levels are lower (about 100) , and my blood pressure in coming down (129/72), but need to be lower.
The BAD,
my weigh is the same as last week (221.5pds). !#!$#$%, Christmas cookies.
The Ugly,
my depression and disposition is only marginally better, but still better.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It has been a year
It is hard to believe it had been a year since I wrote about my new truck . I have been the only one to drive the truck, but it is not the only truck I have driven in the past year.
On 4 or 5 occasions I have used another truck so it could be swapped out during the run or just used a bob truck for a small delivery. I also have taken three weeks in vacation, so I guess that leaves about 48 weeks of driving my truck. I have racked up 77,500 miles on it.
That is not a lot of miles by trucker standards but I also have to off load my truck when I arrive at my destination. Also as I have mentioned before, I am home every night.
This truck should still be in great shape when I retire. It has been a pleasure driving it this past year and I look forward to a couple more years.
On 4 or 5 occasions I have used another truck so it could be swapped out during the run or just used a bob truck for a small delivery. I also have taken three weeks in vacation, so I guess that leaves about 48 weeks of driving my truck. I have racked up 77,500 miles on it.
That is not a lot of miles by trucker standards but I also have to off load my truck when I arrive at my destination. Also as I have mentioned before, I am home every night.
This truck should still be in great shape when I retire. It has been a pleasure driving it this past year and I look forward to a couple more years.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
High school football
I mean good old American football. Don't get me started on soccer or the metric system and this whole "one world" thing. America is the greatest country in the world BECAUSE we are different than the rest of the world.
Our ancestors came to America to make a NEW life. They learned to speak English and the ways of their new country. They did not just relocate to America and try to change it into their old country. I thought I told you not to get me started!
Football is the glue that holds small towns together. People go to the ALL games even if they have no child on the team. People take pride in never missing a game. Most can tell you the score from important (aren't they all) games for years.
In my school years I went to six (2 in California and 4 in Arkansas) different schools and attended Bearden, Arkansas twice. Although I graduated from Gurdon High School, I attended Bearden more years than any other school.
Bearden is a small town of about 1800. Like most small town it is wasting away. Even thou it has annexed more property into the city limits the population has decreased by 400 since the 60's.
Bearden and Mt. Ida played for the state championship on Saturday. Both had made one trip to the state finals in the distant pass but never had won.
I listened to the game on the radio and it was the type game one would expect from 2 undefeated teams. Mt. Ida won with a 22 yard FG with 5 seconds left on the clock.
Bearden did not win but the Mt. Ida victory brought tears of joy to my eyes. No, I was not cheering against my old school.
They announced that the attendance was over 5800. That is a larger number than the total population of both towns together.
The tears came from the fact that not only did the head coach of Mt. Ida play for Mt. Ida (from 1990-1992) but his entire coaching staff are from Mt. Ida. In the post game interview you could feel the hometown pride of a small town boy reaching the top in front of his hometown.
Our ancestors came to America to make a NEW life. They learned to speak English and the ways of their new country. They did not just relocate to America and try to change it into their old country. I thought I told you not to get me started!
Football is the glue that holds small towns together. People go to the ALL games even if they have no child on the team. People take pride in never missing a game. Most can tell you the score from important (aren't they all) games for years.
In my school years I went to six (2 in California and 4 in Arkansas) different schools and attended Bearden, Arkansas twice. Although I graduated from Gurdon High School, I attended Bearden more years than any other school.
Bearden is a small town of about 1800. Like most small town it is wasting away. Even thou it has annexed more property into the city limits the population has decreased by 400 since the 60's.
Bearden and Mt. Ida played for the state championship on Saturday. Both had made one trip to the state finals in the distant pass but never had won.
I listened to the game on the radio and it was the type game one would expect from 2 undefeated teams. Mt. Ida won with a 22 yard FG with 5 seconds left on the clock.
Bearden did not win but the Mt. Ida victory brought tears of joy to my eyes. No, I was not cheering against my old school.
They announced that the attendance was over 5800. That is a larger number than the total population of both towns together.
The tears came from the fact that not only did the head coach of Mt. Ida play for Mt. Ida (from 1990-1992) but his entire coaching staff are from Mt. Ida. In the post game interview you could feel the hometown pride of a small town boy reaching the top in front of his hometown.
Bearden and Mt. Ida played for the state championship on Saturday. Both had made one trip to the state finals in the distant pass but never had won.
I listened to the game on the radio and it was the type game one would expect from 2 undefeated teams. Mt. Ida won with a 22 yard FG with 5 seconds left on the clock.
Bearden did not win but the Mt. Ida victory brought tears of joy to my eyes. No, I was not cheering against my old school.
They announced that the attendance was over 5800. That is a larger number than the total population of both towns together.
The tears came from the fact that not only did the head coach of Mt. Ida play for Mt. Ida (from 1990-1992) but his entire coaching staff are from Mt. Ida. In the post game interview you could feel the hometown pride of a small town boy reaching the top in front of his hometown.
Friday, December 07, 2007
The Twinkie Affect
A while back I mentioned I was having some problems because I was letting my stomach rule my life. When I said I was on the wrong side of 220 pounds, I should have told the real truth. I weighted in at 229.5 pounds.I weigh at work just as I dress for work. Jeans, work shirt, steel toed boots, and pockets full of keys. I dress the same everyday ( except for the shorts I wear in warm weather).
After Thanksgiving I decided to get healthy again. I was wearing 36 inch jeans that were way to tight. I then decided to start eating right and let my weight slip back a little. The near term I am looking for 200 pounds and then I want to settle in about 185 pounds.
This is not "vanity pounds" but pounds that effect my health. I will not be loosing 75 pounds in 12 weeks as I did when I was diagnosed with diabetes as I became anemic and my blood pressure bottomed out at 71/48. This time I will just eat the things I should and eat more than I did the first time. The first time I basically had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and my evening meal amounted to about as much food as is in a tv dinner. 4oz. meat (mostly chicken), two very small servings of veggies (less than 1/2 cup) and a small salad. I did this while still putting in 14 hour days.
After the first week my weight was 225.5 pounds and today it was 221.5 pounds. I will weigh every Friday and post it here. It will keep me motivated and with Christmas coming I need all the help I can get.
I will leave you with this:
If girls with big boobs work at HOOTERS, does that mean one-legged girls work at IHOP?
Saturday, December 01, 2007
December Book Review
With my December book review, I would like to remind everyone about PaperBack Swap .
I now have 45 credits,159 books listed (only my books I am willing to part with, hehe), I have received 67 books and have mailed 111 books. As you can see, I have been taking advantage of this site. They also swap audio books and now are swapping DVD's. Nice to sit home and order a book when you see one mentioned that catches your fancy. Another feature I like is the fact that when ordering a book you can have it sent to any address.
Now on to the book review.
" A Walk in the Woods", by Bill Bryson.
Subtitled, "Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail".
Bill and his overweight hiking partner, Steven Katz, set out to hike the Appalachian Trail. The "Trail" runs about 2100 miles from Maine to Georgia.
The books is more more than their attempt to walk the trail but is a lesson on the history of the trail as well as a lesson tree, plants, wildlife, how the topography was formed, with a splash of humor and human relationships thrown in.
Although they did not walk the full length of the trail, the book is really more about "discovery" than a walk of 2100 miles.
His account of Centralia, Pa. is very chilling and something that I had forgotten about.
At just 230 pages it makes for a short but entertaining read.
I now have 45 credits,159 books listed (only my books I am willing to part with, hehe), I have received 67 books and have mailed 111 books. As you can see, I have been taking advantage of this site. They also swap audio books and now are swapping DVD's. Nice to sit home and order a book when you see one mentioned that catches your fancy. Another feature I like is the fact that when ordering a book you can have it sent to any address.
Now on to the book review.
" A Walk in the Woods", by Bill Bryson.
Subtitled, "Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail".
Bill and his overweight hiking partner, Steven Katz, set out to hike the Appalachian Trail. The "Trail" runs about 2100 miles from Maine to Georgia.
The books is more more than their attempt to walk the trail but is a lesson on the history of the trail as well as a lesson tree, plants, wildlife, how the topography was formed, with a splash of humor and human relationships thrown in.
Although they did not walk the full length of the trail, the book is really more about "discovery" than a walk of 2100 miles.
His account of Centralia, Pa. is very chilling and something that I had forgotten about.
At just 230 pages it makes for a short but entertaining read.
Friday, November 30, 2007
I love it!
As you know, I seek out the "characters" in life and genuinely enjoy the encounters with these people. People that fit in the mold of everyday life hold very little entertainment value. Heck, I might as well just look in the mirror if I seek a plain vanilla person.
One of the blogs I regularly read is "Randy and Diana" and Randy also loves eccentrics and often writes about them (hmmm, does that sound familiar?).
Here, Randy gets the story is his latest. Homeless doesn't seem so bad to this guy, because I am sure he doesn't consider himself "homeless" and I would have to agree with him.
One of the blogs I regularly read is "Randy and Diana" and Randy also loves eccentrics and often writes about them (hmmm, does that sound familiar?).
Here, Randy gets the story is his latest. Homeless doesn't seem so bad to this guy, because I am sure he doesn't consider himself "homeless" and I would have to agree with him.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Homeless
Saturday on my way to work as I exited the frontage road for my 3 mile use of the interstate, I noticed a bicyclist pulling a trailer I would have passed had I stayed on the frontage road. I pulled off the interstate and waited for him to reach me, expecting once more to talk to a touring biker.
"Steve" stopped and we talked a few minutes. I didn't ask his age but I would guess him to be at or near retirement (62years) age. He was riding an older mountain bike (its make hidden by what appeared to be several repaints) and pulling a modified child type two wheel trailer. I had a hard time reading him and his setup. Either he had been doing this for some time or had bought a used mountain bike with a few added features. All the extras were as used as the bike and I can only assume they were added when the bike was new.
The weather was just above freezing and Steve was wrapped up for it. He said he had spent Thursday night in a homeless shelter in Little Rock and headed south and spent Friday night in a church in Benton (20 miles southwest). The Benton police had told him that rain (maybe sleet) was forecast for the next 2 days so he had decided to head back to Little Rock.
I usually ask more questions but Steve seemed "homeless" and just had a bike to carry his possessions. The last thing I wanted to do was embarrass him. He could have been a traveling homeless person or from Little Rock, either way he was doing the best he could do. Several things did point to him as being a roadie. He was wearing a helmet and his trailer had a "caution, slow moving vehicle triangle" on it.
I wished I could have invited him into the nearby convenient store for a hot coffee and more conversation but I was running late (as usual). He said he was wanting to head south after the rains and I explained the best way out of town.
If indeed he were homeless and traveling, then he was rather ingenious because most police will not bother a touring bicyclist that is camping out except to tell them that camping is not permitted in their jurisdiction and ask them to move on. The public will offer to help where they would turn up their noses at a homeless person.
When I gave Steve some money I did not want it to look like a handout so I said, "Steve, I ride a bike and would someday like to hit the road for a trip, so please let me buy you a warm meal". He thanks me and we parted ways.
Homelessness in America is a big problem and just to get by on SS takes more creativeness, but I am not so naive as to think when I help someone it is about "them", helping strokes ones own ego and we all like be feel better about ourselves. I pick and choice and it does feel good to think you have helped someone that needs it as opposed to someone only there for a handout.
"Steve" stopped and we talked a few minutes. I didn't ask his age but I would guess him to be at or near retirement (62years) age. He was riding an older mountain bike (its make hidden by what appeared to be several repaints) and pulling a modified child type two wheel trailer. I had a hard time reading him and his setup. Either he had been doing this for some time or had bought a used mountain bike with a few added features. All the extras were as used as the bike and I can only assume they were added when the bike was new.
The weather was just above freezing and Steve was wrapped up for it. He said he had spent Thursday night in a homeless shelter in Little Rock and headed south and spent Friday night in a church in Benton (20 miles southwest). The Benton police had told him that rain (maybe sleet) was forecast for the next 2 days so he had decided to head back to Little Rock.
I usually ask more questions but Steve seemed "homeless" and just had a bike to carry his possessions. The last thing I wanted to do was embarrass him. He could have been a traveling homeless person or from Little Rock, either way he was doing the best he could do. Several things did point to him as being a roadie. He was wearing a helmet and his trailer had a "caution, slow moving vehicle triangle" on it.
I wished I could have invited him into the nearby convenient store for a hot coffee and more conversation but I was running late (as usual). He said he was wanting to head south after the rains and I explained the best way out of town.
If indeed he were homeless and traveling, then he was rather ingenious because most police will not bother a touring bicyclist that is camping out except to tell them that camping is not permitted in their jurisdiction and ask them to move on. The public will offer to help where they would turn up their noses at a homeless person.
When I gave Steve some money I did not want it to look like a handout so I said, "Steve, I ride a bike and would someday like to hit the road for a trip, so please let me buy you a warm meal". He thanks me and we parted ways.
Homelessness in America is a big problem and just to get by on SS takes more creativeness, but I am not so naive as to think when I help someone it is about "them", helping strokes ones own ego and we all like be feel better about ourselves. I pick and choice and it does feel good to think you have helped someone that needs it as opposed to someone only there for a handout.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
c2c
"c2c", what on earth could that stand for? Well, "c2c" stands for "Coast to Coast" or "Sea to Sea", meaning a trip across America. These are terms used by bicyclist (among others) to identify the epic adventure in terms of traveling across America.
This idea first became popular (due to media coverage) in 1976 because of the 4000 bicyclists that cycled across America to celebrate the bicentennial of America. From this event the Adventure Cycling Association was formed and the rest is cycling history.
Cyclist now just refer to the trip as "going across".
Adventure Cycling Association sells detailed maps of several routes including a map of the original bicentennial route,
also the northern route,
and southern tier.
In the past I have written about John and Jerry
but Friday was the first cyclist I have met that was "going across".
Bryan was not using the bike maps but was playing it by ear and using a small road atlas for general directions. I met him on highway US64 that parallels I-40 across Arkansas, just to the south of I-40 from the western edge of the state until Conway (nearly in the center of the state) and then north of I-40 (moving farther north of the Interstate) for the remaining route to the eastern side of the state. Most of this road has a nice wide shoulder to ride on.
Bryan had been on the road about 45 days since leaving Oregon and mostly camping with a few motel nights mixed in, he was in no hurry and just heading east to the Atlantic Ocean. He works as a campground maintenance man and his campground was closed for the winter. He had plans to head south and hit US82 and follow it east. Again his bike was not the traditional touring bike but part of his equipment was top notch. Any bike in decent shape can be used for touring but a traditional touring bike is designed to carry the load and be comfortable mile after mile. His Ortlieb bags (panniers) are some of the most popular used by touring cyclist. His tire pump was another thing altogether. He was carrying a "floor type" tire pump.
While they do an excellent job, they are a little heavy compared to
this small and easily carried model.
Since Little Rock and crossing the Arkansas River can be a challenge, I helped him devise a plan to stay on US64 past Little Rock and showed him the route I thought (again, not always the same on a bike as in a car) would be best for him as he headed south to US82, mindful that crossing the Mississippi River can also be a challenge on a bike.
Bicycling across America would be physically challenging but the mental challenge would be even greater. As a teenager I hitchhiked all over the west and as a man I have taken many motorcycle trips but when on a bicycle you are hours away from changing what ever situation you find yourself in.
This idea first became popular (due to media coverage) in 1976 because of the 4000 bicyclists that cycled across America to celebrate the bicentennial of America. From this event the Adventure Cycling Association was formed and the rest is cycling history.
Cyclist now just refer to the trip as "going across".
Adventure Cycling Association sells detailed maps of several routes including a map of the original bicentennial route,
also the northern route,
and southern tier.
In the past I have written about John and Jerry
but Friday was the first cyclist I have met that was "going across".
Bryan was not using the bike maps but was playing it by ear and using a small road atlas for general directions. I met him on highway US64 that parallels I-40 across Arkansas, just to the south of I-40 from the western edge of the state until Conway (nearly in the center of the state) and then north of I-40 (moving farther north of the Interstate) for the remaining route to the eastern side of the state. Most of this road has a nice wide shoulder to ride on.
Bryan had been on the road about 45 days since leaving Oregon and mostly camping with a few motel nights mixed in, he was in no hurry and just heading east to the Atlantic Ocean. He works as a campground maintenance man and his campground was closed for the winter. He had plans to head south and hit US82 and follow it east. Again his bike was not the traditional touring bike but part of his equipment was top notch. Any bike in decent shape can be used for touring but a traditional touring bike is designed to carry the load and be comfortable mile after mile. His Ortlieb bags (panniers) are some of the most popular used by touring cyclist. His tire pump was another thing altogether. He was carrying a "floor type" tire pump.
While they do an excellent job, they are a little heavy compared to
this small and easily carried model.
Since Little Rock and crossing the Arkansas River can be a challenge, I helped him devise a plan to stay on US64 past Little Rock and showed him the route I thought (again, not always the same on a bike as in a car) would be best for him as he headed south to US82, mindful that crossing the Mississippi River can also be a challenge on a bike.
Bicycling across America would be physically challenging but the mental challenge would be even greater. As a teenager I hitchhiked all over the west and as a man I have taken many motorcycle trips but when on a bicycle you are hours away from changing what ever situation you find yourself in.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Bad Boy
Long before I was diagnosed with type II diabetes, I would have spells about once a year where I would be "mad at the whole world". It would build to a point that I could not stand myself. I would start taking a multi-vitamin and in a week or so realize my attitude had changed.
I now believe this was really early signs of diabetes. Now when my sugar gets a little high, I get depressed and mad at the world.
After being diagnosed with diabetes, I lost about 75 lbs. in 12 weeks, started riding a bicycle 45 to 70 miles a week. My sugar would be in the upper 70's in the morning and I felt better than I had in years (except for the fact that I no strength at 175 lbs).
Over the next year or so I let my weight ease up to 185 lbs., my sugar around 95, and my blood pressure about 110/70 and I gained my strength back. I would check it every day and it was always the same.
Slowly I rode the bike less, didn't watch my diet as closely, and checked my sugar only occasionally. The weight started easing up but it stayed below 200 lbs.
Fast forward and I haven't ridden my bike in two years, eat anything I want, weight on the wrong side of 225 lbs, and for the last month my depression and anger have returned. My blood sugar is too high @125 and something has to be done.
The world is not a pretty place when seen thru my miserable eyes. Blogger has been giving me fits, but the real truth is for the last month I have not had anything "good" to say about my life or the world.
I now believe this was really early signs of diabetes. Now when my sugar gets a little high, I get depressed and mad at the world.
After being diagnosed with diabetes, I lost about 75 lbs. in 12 weeks, started riding a bicycle 45 to 70 miles a week. My sugar would be in the upper 70's in the morning and I felt better than I had in years (except for the fact that I no strength at 175 lbs).
Over the next year or so I let my weight ease up to 185 lbs., my sugar around 95, and my blood pressure about 110/70 and I gained my strength back. I would check it every day and it was always the same.
Slowly I rode the bike less, didn't watch my diet as closely, and checked my sugar only occasionally. The weight started easing up but it stayed below 200 lbs.
Fast forward and I haven't ridden my bike in two years, eat anything I want, weight on the wrong side of 225 lbs, and for the last month my depression and anger have returned. My blood sugar is too high @125 and something has to be done.
The world is not a pretty place when seen thru my miserable eyes. Blogger has been giving me fits, but the real truth is for the last month I have not had anything "good" to say about my life or the world.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Peggy Walters Lemons
This afternoon as I opened my e-mail I was shocked to find one of my "Gurdon High Class of 1966" had passed away. She was married to Huey Lemons.
Peggy was more than a classmate, she was the one that took my innocence (no, not that kind), she was the first girl to break my heart.
I moved to Gurdon my senior year but this story starts earlier than that. I knew Huey long before I knew Peggy. Huey moved to Bearden while I still lived there and we became friends. It has been so long ago but I think he only lived in Bearden a few months. Peggy has actually known Huey long before he moved to Bearden.
After moving to Gurdon and making a total ass out of myself for several months, I found myself seated next to Peggy in science class. After a few months I asked her out and she said she would have to get back to me on it. Later she broke the news, I had to meet her parents (things were different in 1966).
The Beatles were popular and I had "the hair" but was smart enough (with Peggy's
suggestion) to wet it down and comb it in a more traditional style when around her parents. Her mom seems to like me but I can't say the same for her dad, but dads never like the daughter's boyfriends. Mom won off and we were now a "couple".
We started dating and she was my date for "senior prom". We didn't actually go because I was having brake troubles with my 1957 Plymouth and found we were late to the prom and decided not to go in after arriving at Arkadelphia.
After graduation Peggy attended Ouachita Baptist College and moved back to Bearden and found a job. We dated for several more weeks but she finally dumped me (smart girl).
"Puppy Love" always holds a place in ones heart. I will always cherish her friendship and am truly saddened by her passing. My thoughts are with Huey and her family.
Peggy was more than a classmate, she was the one that took my innocence (no, not that kind), she was the first girl to break my heart.
I moved to Gurdon my senior year but this story starts earlier than that. I knew Huey long before I knew Peggy. Huey moved to Bearden while I still lived there and we became friends. It has been so long ago but I think he only lived in Bearden a few months. Peggy has actually known Huey long before he moved to Bearden.
After moving to Gurdon and making a total ass out of myself for several months, I found myself seated next to Peggy in science class. After a few months I asked her out and she said she would have to get back to me on it. Later she broke the news, I had to meet her parents (things were different in 1966).
The Beatles were popular and I had "the hair" but was smart enough (with Peggy's
suggestion) to wet it down and comb it in a more traditional style when around her parents. Her mom seems to like me but I can't say the same for her dad, but dads never like the daughter's boyfriends. Mom won off and we were now a "couple".
We started dating and she was my date for "senior prom". We didn't actually go because I was having brake troubles with my 1957 Plymouth and found we were late to the prom and decided not to go in after arriving at Arkadelphia.
After graduation Peggy attended Ouachita Baptist College and moved back to Bearden and found a job. We dated for several more weeks but she finally dumped me (smart girl).
"Puppy Love" always holds a place in ones heart. I will always cherish her friendship and am truly saddened by her passing. My thoughts are with Huey and her family.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Bus Conversion
As a rver, I always notice rvs on the road. Most are "run of the mill" factory built units. When I see an unsual rv I take special notice.
I met Mel from Peoria, Il. at a rest area and struck up a conversation with him (image that!). He and his wife were headed to "the valley" in Texas for the winter. They spend their winters in the Brownville area and their summers at home in Peoria.
Their rv is a conversion on a 1962 GMC Greyhound bus. Not one of the "high dollar" factory rigs but an owner built unit with all the comforts of home. It was already converted when they purchased it 7 years ago but has been remodeled by Mel to better suit their needs.
The bus has apartment size appliances instead of the usual rv size units. Their Danby refrigerator (very energy efficient) runs off an inverter powered by six 6 volt golf car batteries when on the road and the inverter switches to a battery charger when hooked to shore power (regular electricity from a light pole) or plugged into their onboard generator.
I would have visited longer but I had over 400 miles to cover before my day could end.
I met Mel from Peoria, Il. at a rest area and struck up a conversation with him (image that!). He and his wife were headed to "the valley" in Texas for the winter. They spend their winters in the Brownville area and their summers at home in Peoria.
Their rv is a conversion on a 1962 GMC Greyhound bus. Not one of the "high dollar" factory rigs but an owner built unit with all the comforts of home. It was already converted when they purchased it 7 years ago but has been remodeled by Mel to better suit their needs.
The bus has apartment size appliances instead of the usual rv size units. Their Danby refrigerator (very energy efficient) runs off an inverter powered by six 6 volt golf car batteries when on the road and the inverter switches to a battery charger when hooked to shore power (regular electricity from a light pole) or plugged into their onboard generator.
I would have visited longer but I had over 400 miles to cover before my day could end.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Rainbows
Life thru the windshield has its moments.
After more than two weeks I get to publish this. It has to be short and sweet.
Monday, October 01, 2007
October Book Review
It's been awhile since I posted but I have been working 6 long days a week and just didn't feel like fighting with blogger.
"Quakertown" by Lee Martin was mentioned on a blog I read and it did indeed turned out to be a nice read.
Based on a true story about a black settlement in Denton, Texas (in the 1920's) called Quakertown. The town wanted the land for a city park and needed to move all the black folks out. To accomplish this they enlisted one of the most respected men in Quakertown. A gardener of immense talent and offered him the job of seeing after the new park.
I back dated this to the first of the month. I have been trying that long to get it posted.
"Quakertown" by Lee Martin was mentioned on a blog I read and it did indeed turned out to be a nice read.
Based on a true story about a black settlement in Denton, Texas (in the 1920's) called Quakertown. The town wanted the land for a city park and needed to move all the black folks out. To accomplish this they enlisted one of the most respected men in Quakertown. A gardener of immense talent and offered him the job of seeing after the new park.
I back dated this to the first of the month. I have been trying that long to get it posted.
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