My angiogram showed I have one small vein with 90% blockage but they can't put a stint in it as it might compromise the two veins beside it that are free flowing.
One other is 30% to 40% blocked (they only stint if 70% or higher), so I will be on medicine to try to rectify the situation. All in all a very good report.
I will take the rest of the week off work as I am not suppose to lift anything over 10 lbs. for five days.
We have had a phone line based DLS for some time and for some reason our phone line stopped accepting phone calls over a year ago. No big deal as we always give our cell phone numbers for contact information. The problem was we were paying a phone line bill and a DSL bill.
This weekend we switched to an "air card" for our internet. We bought the USB port "air card" because it will work on our desk top computer and lap top. The "air card" will work anywhere we have AT&T cell phone coverage. The higher the number of "bars", the faster the internet connection.
The "air card" is a separate phone number and in no way has any bearing on our cell phone service. They just use the same cell towers. We are pleased with the speed of the internet connection and look forward to having internet with our laptop when we are traveling.
One added benefit is the $30 monthly savings. Mobile coverage and a small monthly saving, works for me.
$30, heck that will buy nearly 8 gallons of gas (if it didn't go up overnight).
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Still Kicking!
Sorry it has been so long since I have posted but I have been under the weather and have been resting on the couch instead of sitting at the computer.
I thought I had pneumonia because I was so short of breath, but after going to the doctor ( that shows how sick I have felt), my lungs were clear and I finally saw a cardiologist yesterday.
My family has a history of heart disease and I was a little apprehensive but my heart and valves checked out very strong. With my family history the doctor decided to forgo the stress test and is scheduling an angiogram.
As long as my engine is strong they can replace some hoses if need be. The angiogram is an outpatient procedure but if they find anything they want to correct it right then. That means when they put me under I will not know the outcome until I wake up.
On a lighter note, I sold Flintstone (my Fiero) this week. I had not driven it but once in over a year and decided it was time to get it out of my driveway. I enjoyed working on it more than driving it and don't regret the purchase or the sale.
I thought I had pneumonia because I was so short of breath, but after going to the doctor ( that shows how sick I have felt), my lungs were clear and I finally saw a cardiologist yesterday.
My family has a history of heart disease and I was a little apprehensive but my heart and valves checked out very strong. With my family history the doctor decided to forgo the stress test and is scheduling an angiogram.
As long as my engine is strong they can replace some hoses if need be. The angiogram is an outpatient procedure but if they find anything they want to correct it right then. That means when they put me under I will not know the outcome until I wake up.
On a lighter note, I sold Flintstone (my Fiero) this week. I had not driven it but once in over a year and decided it was time to get it out of my driveway. I enjoyed working on it more than driving it and don't regret the purchase or the sale.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
April book review
"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck.
It has been decades since the last time I saw the movie "The Grapes of Wrath". A 1940 black and white movie starring Henry Honda. I had never read the book but as always the book is the better of the two (that is saying something since the movie was so great).
This is the most POWERFUL book I have ever read, period! Yes, sometimes the Pulitzer Prize committee gets it right. Partly because my family were the "Joads" only a few years later with only slightly improved conditions and partly by the magnificent way it is written.
Steinbeck's novel is based on articles he had written in San Francisco. The book is about "the Joad" family, one of many thousand (or hundreds of thousands) of Oklahoma "Okies" that were driven from their sharecropper homes because of the great depression and the dust bowl.
Just hard working "salt of the earth" people that just wanted to be able to feed their family at the end of the day.
If you think "money hunger companies" are some thing new, then you need to read this book. How about the whole family picking oranges all day and just making enough money to feed the family one meal.
Not only is it a novel but a great history lesson as well. While fictionalized, it is based on the facts of the era.
If you only read one book this year, PLEASE read this one.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Doing what has to be done
Yesterday I spotted this rig.
This rig is an accident waiting to happen. Besides having a trailer to heavy for the mini-van, the mini-van is front wheel drive, and this rig was being pulled by an old lady (looked to be 80) that could barely walk. She was trying to keep the safety chains from dragging when I first spotted her.
I didn't get to see plates on the mini-van, so I have no idea how far she had already traveled but she entered I-30 heading west. The hitch was near the ground just sitting still. It has to hit the ground when bouncing down the interstate.
We all "do what we have to do", but I hope the u-haul people at least informed her that this would be very unsafe.
Hopefully she makes it without incident.
This rig is an accident waiting to happen. Besides having a trailer to heavy for the mini-van, the mini-van is front wheel drive, and this rig was being pulled by an old lady (looked to be 80) that could barely walk. She was trying to keep the safety chains from dragging when I first spotted her.
I didn't get to see plates on the mini-van, so I have no idea how far she had already traveled but she entered I-30 heading west. The hitch was near the ground just sitting still. It has to hit the ground when bouncing down the interstate.
We all "do what we have to do", but I hope the u-haul people at least informed her that this would be very unsafe.
Hopefully she makes it without incident.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Reluctant Patriarch
I am the youngest of my family of 7 siblings. I had three brothers and three sisters (one died before I was born).
Today I sadly became the patriarch of my family as I lost my last remaining sibling yesterday. Vivian was 17 years old when I was born and had the same number of children as my mom (7 with one passing ).
Viv was a lot of help to mom and I after dad passed away and even though she lived 90 miles away, she came to see us on a regular basis and would often take us to her house for a week at a time. She would come pick us up and would pay for our bus trip home if she could not take us back.
Her children are just a little younger than I and we were more like brothers and sisters than uncle and nieces and nephew.
After my mom died and we didn't spend Christmas together, we drifted apart raising our own families but were always there for each other when needed .
This picture of her and family was taken after the funeral (in 1994) of her husband.
R.I.P., I love you sis.
Today I sadly became the patriarch of my family as I lost my last remaining sibling yesterday. Vivian was 17 years old when I was born and had the same number of children as my mom (7 with one passing ).
Viv was a lot of help to mom and I after dad passed away and even though she lived 90 miles away, she came to see us on a regular basis and would often take us to her house for a week at a time. She would come pick us up and would pay for our bus trip home if she could not take us back.
Her children are just a little younger than I and we were more like brothers and sisters than uncle and nieces and nephew.
After my mom died and we didn't spend Christmas together, we drifted apart raising our own families but were always there for each other when needed .
This picture of her and family was taken after the funeral (in 1994) of her husband.
R.I.P., I love you sis.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Texas drivers
Maybe it's the wide open spaces of Texas, but from my observation Texans drive very fast. Even when they are in Arkansas (why would any out of state driver break the law).
They drive fast but they know how to merge in traffic. Most will speed up to get in front of my truck if there is room or slow to merge behind me. Arkansas drivers (for the most part) will wait until they are on the merge lane to look and decide what to do. I have few choices, I can move over (if I could I would have already done so), or slam on my brakes as I can't speed up in a hurry, or keep my speed and hope they don't dart out in front of me doing 50mph. Then they give me "that look" like it is my fault.
The safe way to merge is to look while you are on the "on ramp" and pick an opening in the traffic that suits you best. Either speed up or slow down to blend in.
I used to drive at speeds that would put a Texan to shame but for years I have found traveling at or slightly below the speed limit (I rarely drive 70mph in my personal vehicle and my big truck is governed to 67mph and the cruise control limit is 62mph) is my preferred style.
One of the best articles on driving slower is here.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Smart Car
I have always had a fascination with small cars and I was aware of the Smart Car before I went to France last year and knew they were all over Europe and especially the large cities.
Mirco Cars appears in Europe after WWII but proved not to be practical enough for every day use and the small cars replaced them.
Everyone remembers the Volkswagen "Bug", but there were other very popular makes in the late 50's and early 60's. In California the most popular ones included Hillman, Vauxhall, Simca, Renault, Morris Minor, and Austin American. Used models could be bought for $25-$100.
Most wore out long before they should because Americans drove them 60mph or faster, when they were designed more for speeds of 45mph. They would run fast but they just would not hold up.
Along come the "Bug" and it really didn't have enough power to tear itself apart. The valve train was designed so it could not be over rev'd and therefor became the standard for small cars.
The Smart Car is almost a Micro car. While I am sure you have seen news on the car, I thought I would show to one in traffic on the Champs Elysees
in Paris that I took last spring.
Click on the picture to get a true perspective on its size. Almost all the Smart Cars in Paris (as most cars) were diesel.
I could see myself driving one,
but I seriously lust for one of these little diesel panel trucks.
Mirco Cars appears in Europe after WWII but proved not to be practical enough for every day use and the small cars replaced them.
Everyone remembers the Volkswagen "Bug", but there were other very popular makes in the late 50's and early 60's. In California the most popular ones included Hillman, Vauxhall, Simca, Renault, Morris Minor, and Austin American. Used models could be bought for $25-$100.
Most wore out long before they should because Americans drove them 60mph or faster, when they were designed more for speeds of 45mph. They would run fast but they just would not hold up.
Along come the "Bug" and it really didn't have enough power to tear itself apart. The valve train was designed so it could not be over rev'd and therefor became the standard for small cars.
The Smart Car is almost a Micro car. While I am sure you have seen news on the car, I thought I would show to one in traffic on the Champs Elysees
in Paris that I took last spring.
Click on the picture to get a true perspective on its size. Almost all the Smart Cars in Paris (as most cars) were diesel.
I could see myself driving one,
but I seriously lust for one of these little diesel panel trucks.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Spring fever
My favorite flower is the daffodil. When I see them growing in the wild, they mark "springtime" for me.
Every spring I develop a case of wanderlust. Not just a passing fancy but a severe case that really hits hard and I have trouble not quitting my job and pulling up stakes and traveling. I'm not talking about a trip but a whole new address.
This year the urge is stronger because I know I could actually do it. Maybe that is also the reason that makes it more bearable. The unattainable always has more attraction.
Well, it will pass in a couple of weeks as it does every year. I have taken hitchhiking trips, bus trips, car trips, camping trips, motorcycle trips, moved to the coast or back, and even a trip to France to help with the wanderlust. I think traveling is in my DNA., my dad had it and my brothers suffered from it.
I long for the days of traveling Route 66 when it was "The Mother Road". Boy do I remember the sites, sounds and smells of that grand old highway. My family traveled it so often my dad said we could stop and borrow coffee because they knew we would be back through within a few months. A 1941 Reo flatbed truck started our trips to California.
Guess I will drag out my copy of "The Grapes of Wrath" and do a little reading.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Sunday Drive
The Sunday Drive is a term often given for any drive that is just for pleasure. It is one of life's simple pleasures. In the spring and fall, there is nothing that can compare to driving around slowly with the windows down and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells (also one of the main reasons for owning a motorcycle) of the countryside.
Back in the day (before I had a/c in my cars), finding a tree shaded road just before sunset was sheer joy.
With gas prices almost assured of reaching $4 a gallon and diesel almost there, my "Sunday Drives" no longer seem a viable option. We try to drive as little as possible to keep our fuel costs down. We still take an occasional short drive but always incorporate it with a trip to the store.
If I fuel both my trucks the price tag now exceeds $150. While I live about 13 miles from work, we have several drivers that live over 50 miles and one young man with small children that drives over 70 miles, ouch!
If there is one thing that can put us in a depression (we are already in a recession), it is fuel prices. The price of fuel drives up the price of every thing we buy. Diesel prices really compound this as trucks deliver all our goods.
So the next time someone driving too slow (like driving the speed limit) for you, just remember they might be doing so to save a little gas and you might want to consider doing the same.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Snow = money
When we receive snow (or it is even mentioned) in Arkansas, people go crazy. They buy all the "milk and bread" in the stores (it is a known fact that in Arkansas people can't survive 2 days without milk and bread).
Most of the state received snow this week with some getting up to 18 inches but here in Little Rock we received about 2 to 4 inches.
My brother-in-law (about an hour away) sent pictures of their 10 inches of snow. This was taken on their patio by the pool.
Snow means extra work in the milk business. From just extra milk on my loads, to extra drops from my trailer, to extra loads.
Extra milk on the trailer doesn't pay extra, extra drops pay a small amount, and extra loads play very well. This week I had extra drops, extra small runs and working on my off days.
Thank you "Mr. Snow Man"
The B-I-L (the one that looks like crap)
The Snow Man (the cute one)
The niece ( "a real honey" [must take after her mother] and 18 today)
Most of the state received snow this week with some getting up to 18 inches but here in Little Rock we received about 2 to 4 inches.
My brother-in-law (about an hour away) sent pictures of their 10 inches of snow. This was taken on their patio by the pool.
Snow means extra work in the milk business. From just extra milk on my loads, to extra drops from my trailer, to extra loads.
Extra milk on the trailer doesn't pay extra, extra drops pay a small amount, and extra loads play very well. This week I had extra drops, extra small runs and working on my off days.
Thank you "Mr. Snow Man"
The B-I-L (the one that looks like crap)
The Snow Man (the cute one)
The niece ( "a real honey" [must take after her mother] and 18 today)
Friday, March 07, 2008
Ratings
From the seat of my truck I have a nice view inside the vehicles that pass. Though the years I have watched the "little movies" (only recorded in my mind) that appear in my drivers door window.
These little clips can last a few seconds to just a quick blink, depending on how fast the vehicle is passed by. City stop and go traffic can produce longer versions of these little movies. Just like the movies at the theater, mine can be rated as G, PG13, R, X, and even XXX.
After dark when I see a vehicle with the interior light on, I usually see someone eating, reading, or selecting a compact disc.
All this looking is just not voyeurism but also a safety issue, as a car passes the air disturbance caused by my large truck can suck the passing car toward my truck ( that's my story and I am sticking to it).
Wednesday night as I was driving from from Texarkana, I noticed a car approaching and as it reached my side window, the interior light came on. The car contained two college aged girls and the the passenger put on a little show for me, I was obligated to look (can you imagine the years of therapy she would have to endure if she couldn't get an old trucker to look) and after a few seconds they both waved and off they went after turning off their interior light.
So, how did I rate the show? Differently a "D" and quite possibly "DD's", hehe.
These little clips can last a few seconds to just a quick blink, depending on how fast the vehicle is passed by. City stop and go traffic can produce longer versions of these little movies. Just like the movies at the theater, mine can be rated as G, PG13, R, X, and even XXX.
After dark when I see a vehicle with the interior light on, I usually see someone eating, reading, or selecting a compact disc.
All this looking is just not voyeurism but also a safety issue, as a car passes the air disturbance caused by my large truck can suck the passing car toward my truck ( that's my story and I am sticking to it).
Wednesday night as I was driving from from Texarkana, I noticed a car approaching and as it reached my side window, the interior light came on. The car contained two college aged girls and the the passenger put on a little show for me, I was obligated to look (can you imagine the years of therapy she would have to endure if she couldn't get an old trucker to look) and after a few seconds they both waved and off they went after turning off their interior light.
So, how did I rate the show? Differently a "D" and quite possibly "DD's", hehe.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
March Book Review
"Pretty Boy Floyd", by Larry McMurty (of "Lonesome Dove" fame) and Diana Ossana.The true facts of any famous person will always be disputed and the life and times of Charley "Pretty Boy" Floyd has many that can not to proven and this novel is written with the known facts, innuendos, and a certain amount of artistic license.
One fact is certain, times were hard in depression era Oklahoma. The novel conjours up the "Joad" family in "Grapes of Wrath". Charley helps enough poor people with food and tore up land mortgages at banks that his was often refereed as the "Robin Hood Bandit".
Pretty Boy Floyd had a wife and a son, a steady girl friend, plus an older woman (lover and mentor in his criminal live), and George Birdwell (his partner in crime).
Charley and George robbed so many banks in Oklahoma that the bank insurance rated doubled in a year.
This a not a book for the prudish but I found it a very intriguing read. After reading the book, I checked out some of the other facts and legends of Floyd online as I knew very little about him before I read the book.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Not much happening
I know it has been a nearly a month since my last update but not much is happening to write about.
My weight is steady at 222lbs.
My schedule has changed and I am no longer driving to Texarkana on Mondays (I still go on Wednesdays and Fridays) and my Mondays are filled with "what-ever" they need me to run.
I have read several entertaining books with month ( have you ever seen TV as crappy as it is right now?).
If you have cable or satellite tv, are you watching "Mad Money" hosted by Jim Cramer? I highly recommend it. It is on CNBC or channel 208 if you have "Dish Network". He pulls no punches when talking about the stock market and his picks are great. I like the "lightning round" where people call in and ask about a stock they are interested in. You can also check him out on the internet.
Watching any financial business show will keep you thinking about your financial future and as with anything, "the more it is on your mind the more you want to follow through on those thoughts".
I will be back over the weekend with my monthly book report about a colorful and infamous man of the 1930's. No, not Al Capone.
My weight is steady at 222lbs.
My schedule has changed and I am no longer driving to Texarkana on Mondays (I still go on Wednesdays and Fridays) and my Mondays are filled with "what-ever" they need me to run.
I have read several entertaining books with month ( have you ever seen TV as crappy as it is right now?).
If you have cable or satellite tv, are you watching "Mad Money" hosted by Jim Cramer? I highly recommend it. It is on CNBC or channel 208 if you have "Dish Network". He pulls no punches when talking about the stock market and his picks are great. I like the "lightning round" where people call in and ask about a stock they are interested in. You can also check him out on the internet.
Watching any financial business show will keep you thinking about your financial future and as with anything, "the more it is on your mind the more you want to follow through on those thoughts".
I will be back over the weekend with my monthly book report about a colorful and infamous man of the 1930's. No, not Al Capone.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Poor Baby
222 lbs.
I have caught the "crud" from getting wet Thursday (or DW gave it to me). I wish I had the day off but Saturday is one of my longer days.
The weather here has really been crazy, winter one day and spring like the next. Hell, I might as well get of the computer. When you start talking about the weather, you know you have nothing to say.
I have caught the "crud" from getting wet Thursday (or DW gave it to me). I wish I had the day off but Saturday is one of my longer days.
The weather here has really been crazy, winter one day and spring like the next. Hell, I might as well get of the computer. When you start talking about the weather, you know you have nothing to say.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sir Alex
Several years ago we lived on a short dead gravel road by a small AG&F lake. Our neighbor owned "free range" chickens and one of his roosters would wake us up in the morning by crowing.
It was rather funny, if we were already up when he came over, he would just walk around the yard. If we were not up he would crow until we started moving around and making noise or just yell at him.
We named him "LUTHER" and made a game out of him coming over to wake us.
We how have a new "fowl friend", he is a Guinea and I have named him "Sir Alex". He stands by the tires on the Dodge truck all day and he "fusses" when we drive it. Nice to have him around as he will eat any ticks in the neighborhood, now if I could get him to eat ants. Could there be an Aardvark in my future?
It was rather funny, if we were already up when he came over, he would just walk around the yard. If we were not up he would crow until we started moving around and making noise or just yell at him.
We named him "LUTHER" and made a game out of him coming over to wake us.
We how have a new "fowl friend", he is a Guinea and I have named him "Sir Alex". He stands by the tires on the Dodge truck all day and he "fusses" when we drive it. Nice to have him around as he will eat any ticks in the neighborhood, now if I could get him to eat ants. Could there be an Aardvark in my future?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The El Dorado Promise
Hearing grumbling about $3 a gallon gasoline. That is not the case with the El Dorado, Arkansas school students. El Dorado is the home of Murphy Oil Corp. so naturally it provides a large number of high paying jobs in the area, but that is not what has the students excited.
The El Dorado Promise is sponsored by Murphy Oil and it guaranties that every graduating senior ( read the story for the facts) at El Dorado High School that wants to attend a college or university will have their tuition and fees paid in full.
The tuition money is capped by the highest tuition charged in Arkansas but can be used at any school in any state up to the Arkansas cap.
The best students usually receive scholarships at most schools but this program covers any student that gets admitted to a college or university.
A student from a poor family will now know he or she CAN attend a college or university. Students will try harder through their school years because they know there will be a big payoff for them.
If this story doesn't make you feel good about America, I don't know what will.
The El Dorado Promise is sponsored by Murphy Oil and it guaranties that every graduating senior ( read the story for the facts) at El Dorado High School that wants to attend a college or university will have their tuition and fees paid in full.
The tuition money is capped by the highest tuition charged in Arkansas but can be used at any school in any state up to the Arkansas cap.
The best students usually receive scholarships at most schools but this program covers any student that gets admitted to a college or university.
A student from a poor family will now know he or she CAN attend a college or university. Students will try harder through their school years because they know there will be a big payoff for them.
If this story doesn't make you feel good about America, I don't know what will.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
See ya down the road
I met another backpacker this week but he was not what I would consider your usual (if there is such a thing) vagabond.
He had his backpack off and taking a break near our yard on hwy82 west of Texarkana, Tx. He asked that I not take any pictures and we had a short chat.
He was eager to talk but was hesitant to give real details. He appeared to be in his late 40's or early 50's. When I asked where he was from he just answered "all over" and then his destination was "just heading down the road".
His clothes were clean and he was clean shaven and his back pack looked fairly new.
His setup was similar to the one above and he was carrying a tent and ground pad. He appeared to be equipped for backpack traveling.
I just wondered if he was "running away" and had not made it far enough from home to give any personal information. Maybe he was just wanting to leave for awhile or perhaps attempting to make a fresh start down the road. Maybe he was just off for a weekend (it was Friday afternoon) hike, but it was one of you coldest (in the low 30's) days this year.
He was very intriguing but I just could not get him to open up. I would like to meet him a month or two down the road and hear his story.
He had his backpack off and taking a break near our yard on hwy82 west of Texarkana, Tx. He asked that I not take any pictures and we had a short chat.
He was eager to talk but was hesitant to give real details. He appeared to be in his late 40's or early 50's. When I asked where he was from he just answered "all over" and then his destination was "just heading down the road".
His clothes were clean and he was clean shaven and his back pack looked fairly new.
His setup was similar to the one above and he was carrying a tent and ground pad. He appeared to be equipped for backpack traveling.
I just wondered if he was "running away" and had not made it far enough from home to give any personal information. Maybe he was just wanting to leave for awhile or perhaps attempting to make a fresh start down the road. Maybe he was just off for a weekend (it was Friday afternoon) hike, but it was one of you coldest (in the low 30's) days this year.
He was very intriguing but I just could not get him to open up. I would like to meet him a month or two down the road and hear his story.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Robbing Peter to pay Paul
"Robbing Peter to pay Paul" is generally referring to taking money from one bill to pay another.
My "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" has to do with my job and my health. The harder my job (loading trucks, not the driving part) the more my heart rate rises and therefor the stronger my heart becomes and that in turns lowers my blood pressure, but the harder I work the more damage I do to my knees.
For years I have used a hook to just drag the stacks of milk. We stack milk crates five or six high and the stacks can vary greatly in the overall weight. I will use gallons of milk as an example: 4 gallons to the case, 8.5 lbs. per gallon= to approx 35 lbs. when you add in the weight of the case. Now a 5 high stack is about 175 lbs. or 6 high is 210 lbs. While your body is not carrying the 200 lbs., the weight is transferred to your knees.
The average stack is dragged about 50 feet multiplied by the number of stacks in the load (70 stacks in a really small load to over 200 stacks in a large one) and one starts to see that it can be quite a workout. A milkman's knees really take a beating but his heart is better for it.
Dragging the milk is faster than rolling the stacks on a two wheel dolly.
With a hook, you just hook the bottom case (while using the other hand to grab the top case to steady the stack), drag the stack (walking backward) and when you get it where you want it just sling it in place.
With the dolly, you have to pull the stack forward enough to tilt it backward so the dolly will go under it, then you have to turn the stack and dolly around and push it where it needs to be (you could walk backwards with it but you have to turn around when you get to the destination anyway), when the stack is where you want it you have to lean the stack forward to pull the dolly out, now you have to push the stack forward into its place tight against the rest of the stacks.
Walking with the stack on a dolly or dragging the stack takes about the same time as "walking is walking", but the extra steps with the dolly adds up. The real difference is the amount of energy between the two. One uses less energy but takes longer.
My knees are not what they used to be so I have been using a dolly for several months ( I am paid by the run so time is not a factor to the dairy). While helping my knees, my heart is not getting the workout several times a week that it needs.
My blood pressure has always been about 117/ 70 . By not exercising my heart my blood pressure is all the way to 147/83 on the high side and 142/76 on other days.
I think a trip to the doctor is close at hand.
My "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" has to do with my job and my health. The harder my job (loading trucks, not the driving part) the more my heart rate rises and therefor the stronger my heart becomes and that in turns lowers my blood pressure, but the harder I work the more damage I do to my knees.
For years I have used a hook to just drag the stacks of milk. We stack milk crates five or six high and the stacks can vary greatly in the overall weight. I will use gallons of milk as an example: 4 gallons to the case, 8.5 lbs. per gallon= to approx 35 lbs. when you add in the weight of the case. Now a 5 high stack is about 175 lbs. or 6 high is 210 lbs. While your body is not carrying the 200 lbs., the weight is transferred to your knees.
The average stack is dragged about 50 feet multiplied by the number of stacks in the load (70 stacks in a really small load to over 200 stacks in a large one) and one starts to see that it can be quite a workout. A milkman's knees really take a beating but his heart is better for it.
Dragging the milk is faster than rolling the stacks on a two wheel dolly.
With a hook, you just hook the bottom case (while using the other hand to grab the top case to steady the stack), drag the stack (walking backward) and when you get it where you want it just sling it in place.
With the dolly, you have to pull the stack forward enough to tilt it backward so the dolly will go under it, then you have to turn the stack and dolly around and push it where it needs to be (you could walk backwards with it but you have to turn around when you get to the destination anyway), when the stack is where you want it you have to lean the stack forward to pull the dolly out, now you have to push the stack forward into its place tight against the rest of the stacks.
Walking with the stack on a dolly or dragging the stack takes about the same time as "walking is walking", but the extra steps with the dolly adds up. The real difference is the amount of energy between the two. One uses less energy but takes longer.
My knees are not what they used to be so I have been using a dolly for several months ( I am paid by the run so time is not a factor to the dairy). While helping my knees, my heart is not getting the workout several times a week that it needs.
My blood pressure has always been about 117/ 70 . By not exercising my heart my blood pressure is all the way to 147/83 on the high side and 142/76 on other days.
I think a trip to the doctor is close at hand.
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