One Great Week.

Feeling good ,weather good , foods good, Patti and I enjoying the week. Went dancing Sat. night played euchre Sun. What a blessing He gave to us this past week. Can't ask for any more hope you had a good week also. Love all of you.

Round 3 with Little "C".

Round 3 with little "c" it is Jan 13 2012 3:30 in the morning I seem to be slept out. Had the 1st. session of Chemo two days ago so I'm coming out of the fog after sleeping a good bit of the time. I'm going into this round in much better shape than last both physical and mentally. Give credit to Big "C" for that one. The side pain has already left me which I take is a good sign. I'm in a good place right know the weather is very good so I'm able to get out get the air and do some exercise. It was very good to see Denise but very short visit. We miss all of you but now this best for us.

This round I believe with the help of my Lord is mine. It may not be a knock out but I will live to fight another round. Little "c" be warned.

Love to all of you from our winter training camp. God be with all of you.

A New Experience

Surgery is and experience that was for the most part a passive activity. You went into the operating room sedated and the surgeon did his or her job. Later you woke up in recovery. Well if you do it with out being sedated the ball game changes you can hear and feel all that is going on. I'm very glad I did it. I was given a unique perspective about areas I have very little knowledge. I would guess it's about living and learning.

3 Little words

To Patti, to my Daughters and Sons. To my Grand Daughters and Grand Sons
Know you are loved by me.

Round 2 with "c"

Here we are about a year and a half later after winning round one. Need to gear up for the second. Good news listen to your body it talks to you. Double check Medics they are busy they can miss signals you receive. Lesson learned patience.(Tough for me.) Not all moves as quickly as sometimes wanted. ( This to is not always a bad thing.) I have to remember it's not my plan. A positive thought comes to mind. The cup I drink from is much lighter than so many others. I am fortunate to be so blessed. So it looks to be another adventurous chapter in my journey. More lessons to be learned. With the help of big "C" I'll win round two with little "c" if thats the plan, if not the lesson will be acceptance. Knowing I am loved and supported gives me the courage to take this on. Thank You for your gifts.

EASTER

In nature all things die for that needs to to happen so new life can spring forward. Think in terms of harvest and seasons of dormant. Replant the year old harvest and the new begins again. The message is quite clear. Believe He died to give New Life to all. What a Gift to Celebrate the Resurrection the Joy of Easter.

EPIPHANY

Celebrate,celebrate,celebrate. What is that all about??? Why is Christmas so special? Children are excited with anticipation . Adults carry some of the same left over from their childhood. Some of the excitement comes from receiving surprise gifts at times very unexpected. Their is another side of this anticipation it is in the giving of these surprise gifts. Will the one receiving like and accept what has been given? This generates some very high anticipation in the giver at times.

We celebrate Birthday of a Person known worldwide. Did the Giver of Life have expectations of those He gave a gifts to? There are times that giving is much easier than to receive. Accepting our given gifts makes this season a season to celebrate. Sharing those gifts with others makes this season special. The Gifts He gave are eternal. Think,Believe and Celebrate.

Love, Mom &Dad

DREAMS and MEANDERINGS

Here are some of the flashes that come to me in the night or when listening.

Youth has no warnings.

Age is the salt of life.

Friendships are bond

Memories are the seasonings.

Choices are main.

To love is to give.

Time is your journey's gauge.

Listen to the Spirit.

Seeking truth is key.

Enjoy life.

Eternity is the celebration.

Update News

Free pass to go and collect $200.00. That's what the Doc said about Labs and Scans. This news was welcomed and reassuring. I'm blessed and been given a gift. Thanks be to God. It is great just to bathe in the daily mystery of life and all that is. It opens the mind and heart to contemplate.

Spring (New life)

Just take a minute to look. Dormant is waking up. Take a deep breath,Sweet smell of new grass. Fresh rain lush earth preparing to grow all vegetation again. Such wonderful happenings Mother Nature has in store for us, take some time to celebrate with her.Yesterday I observed an earth worm crawling on a concrete drive (must be hard on the hide) Picking it up placing it in the grass watching it quickly try to get back in the ground brought a thought to mind. Don't crawl on concrete. But if you must, accept help ( that at times is very hard to do) from those who are offering it. Enjoy the gift that surrounds you. SPRING!!!!

Findings along the way.

Some thoughts in the past couple of weeks. It's hard to type (spell) when on Chemo.
The fruit of the vine has a lot of antioxidants,
Antioxidants ward off free radicals,
I'm getting to old to be a free radical,
Therefore I believe I should drink more wine.

Ever try to count the hairs on your head?
Don't there is no lot of them and when you touch them they will let you know they are about to fall out.
Most food taste like chewing paper only on certain days.
You get a choice constipation or diarrhea only certain days.
This adventure is worth every minute. Just to see a different perspective of life not yet encountered.

The best of all this I consider myself very fortunate not to have all the hard side effects.
This was possible I believe because 1. good doctors. 2. Supporting Family and Friends 3. Humor of self.
And most of all A compassionate Lord and Savior,
These words are most life giving: "I am not worthy but only say the word and I shall be healed"
My wish for those that surround me that you search out the meaning of these powerful words.

That's all for now don't want to strain the grey matter. I think it may be leaving with the hair.
Love You

Mending and Mortality

While on the mend the one has time to think. (this could be dangerous) First I'll share mending there are times humor and times of pain. To my surprise so many people take time to call visit send a message just to let you know they care. This brings to mind on how I have shared my time with others (a bucket list item). The mind says get going their are things to do. Patience is not a strong suit. The body says I'm out of gas, big tug of war. So you take a physical break but the mind is in full speed you have all this time to think. It's not the drugs I quit them a week ago. Questions,answers,and decisions are needed as this journey unfolds some are within control and some are not. This gives me an anxious feeling like wondering what lies down the road and how to play the hand that has been dealt. It's not worry. As I already know what ever the journey brings all will work out. Life is based on a couple simple facts. You are born, you live,and you die. Pretty basic life cycle all living things have to face this reality. This physical cycle will happen. The question in my mind now becomes what else is there. What about the spiritual unknown the life after this physical cycle. My what a trip that is going to be. This finite mind is unable to comprehend the Infinite so I have to lay this mystery at the feet of my faith belief that it will all work out.

A QUICK RIGHT TURN

In the past few days along my journey I've encountered a detour. The smooth road I've been on is in need of repair. Choices need to be made and new paths are to be taken. What will I see? What will I learn? What do I use as a Map or a Guide? So many questions and a lot of unknowns. It's good to have family and faith rapping their arms around me for comfort. I feel very blessed and thankful.

If all goes awry what is the positive side? One positive that comes to mind is that I win,I win the race on the journey to destiny. We will all run but I'll have the advantage of  arriving sooner than later. It's not the male bravado not fearing but it could be the fear of living past of considered usefulness that is a remote thought lurking in the recesses of awareness.

Am I ready? I hope so. The Plan is not mine as it is a Divine Plan and I believe I'm truly part of it. Life is a learning adventure.

The FALL of SUMMER

Can you smell the frost? Taste the red yellow and browns of the maple,aspen and oak. See flavors of ripened apples, grapes,melons and corn. Can you hear the sky with darker shades of gray. The senses tell not yet of course but the early morning signs are there. The need to savor the summer lingers the special times that reach the inner parts of heart and bring a flood of memories that are held so close. Not always shared but enjoyed and kept in that private place. The cycle of the four seasons in thought can be likened to birth,growth,understanding and dying. All things in their time. What a Divine Plan it is. Celebrate!!!!!

Contemplate

Random thoughts I think not. Millions of bits of data,ideas,thoughts,questions and what ifs. Are these choice??? Logic,reason or critical thinking is based on what is learned.What about perception or intuition??? Who or what instills these in ones mind? When inspired by the five senses we accept it as human understanding. What about the six or seven sense are these accepted or dismissed for lack of understanding. Blind faith is not blind. Not all questions have answers. (at least in the human sense) Take the gift time and contemplate Creation.

Seasons

Time allows me to listen to learn to enjoy the seasons...... not those of the year but those of life. Time gives the chance read and hear my children as they move thru their seasons. Part of my season is to review and reflect on memories of seasons past. (It's a older thing I would guess.) Joys and good times are many these I try to hold close. Regrets are few I try to accept them. There are different season yet to come. More to listen,to learn, to enjoy and to accept. Seasons renew.

Clear vision>>>only sight???

For the times it is hard to focus not only the eyes but the mind. Minutia clouds the thought process. Little problems like plugged sinuses and a persistent cough not only are bothersome but fog logic and reason. Medications also help the mind to wonder in multi disciplined directions. A clear head is truly a blessing allowing to expand your awareness outward to others versus self centered needs. Maybe these hazy times are needed to enjoy the ones that are not!!!!!

Tragedy and Treasure

It is truly the season for both, just listen to the spin around you. The news is filled with joy and sadness.Oh the wonder of being able to drink in, absorb,comprehend,digest the life that surrounds one. Precious moments in time are there to realize I am part of this season and so are you. PEACE

Driving in Ohio in 4 wheel drive

While heading south for the winter on I- 75 The snow started to fall then the rain and sleet. Cars to the right. Cars to the left. Cars on my rear bumper not touching but within inches. Many in the ditch or the median. Semi's unable to go up the exit ramps. The need to hurry is addictive never mind that Mother Nature has her own plan. Time to listen to her, slip the old RAM in 4 wheel and slide to the first exit with lodging it's 11:00 am but thats ok. We are safe from those who try to beat the odds. Time to kick back have a toddy and catch some TV. Schedules are for those who really need them. Thank God we don't. 

This happens often

It seems when you have it all under control. You don't.( Thanks Murf.)

God has a great sense of humor.

When being with children (young and old) it's hard to keep all the puppies in the box.

When in charge means one gets a chance to screw up publicly.

Don't mess with demons of others take note of your own. 

A old saying "Never can you tell what you least expect the most."