Alone At Last

It's been a month since I posted, but a lot has been going on. For the first time in 32 years, my wife and I are living alone. Our oldest daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1976. Our youngest daughter, Missy, was born in 1980. Missy married the love of her life, Zach, in 2002, and they have lived on their own ever since. Jennifer came home from college at ASU and finished at UNCG. She and our grandson, Dylan, have lived with us since he was born in 1996. Jennifer has recently purchased a home for her and Dylan. Don't get me wrong. I love both of our daughters and grandchildren, but it was time for me and the wife to have "our" time. We suffered through "Empty Nest Syndrone" for about 3 minutes. We enjoy so much being married to each other and we hope to have a long life together. This August we will be married 35 years. It sure doesn't seem like it. We've had some rough times, but some very good times and memories.
It's hard to believe that summer is half way through. We have just set up our Easy Set pool for the back yard. I can't wait to have it ready to jump in on these hot July and August days. I hope to post again soon.

Well, it's happening again. I remember a few years ago, ice a the store came in 10 lb bags for 99 cents. Then they went to 7 lb bags for 99 cents. Now it's back to 10 lb bags for $1.69. The same was with loaf bread. They went from a 24 ounce loaf to a 20 ounce loaf for the same money. Have you noticed the ice cream "half gallons". Bryers first went from 1/2 gallons to 1.75 gallons. Now they are 1.5 gallons for the same price. I guess we continue to get less for more money. Don't get me started about the price of gasoline. The oil companies don't care how much crude oil is a barrel because they ultimately pass the cost along to the consumer and their profits remain the same. I blame the jokers on Wall Street who keep bidding higher and higher, as if the oil suppliers aren't going to sell crude unless they keep bidding higher. Tell me what you think....

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but it seems life has speeded up lately. My wife and I have just taken a long, much needed, weekend away to the mountains. We towed our travel trailer up to Grandfather Mountain Campground, near Boone, NC. It was so enjoyable to relax in the mountains and go rving. During the weekend, we were joined by our youngest daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter and also our oldest daughter and our grandson. The guys went fishing in a pond while the ladies went shopping. I caught two rainbow trout and another got off just as I got it to the bank. I burned a lot of gas towing the camper, but there is just something about rving and sleeping on our own sheets. Our meals ranged from hamburger and hotdogs to waffles to lasagna. It was a wonderful time.

During the weekend, we went to Blowing Rock the city and Blowing Rock, the state park. The legend of the Blowing Rock states that two Indian lovers were about to be separated by his moving back with his tribe. He leaped off the mountain. His female friend prayed the spirits would lift him back up. Suddenly, the wind lifted the Brave back onto the rock. To this day, there is a constant heavy wind blowing up the valley to the top of Blowing Rock.

40th Anniversary of death of M.l. King, Jr.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I have been under the weather, so to speak, after spending 3 days in the hospital at the result of a nasty stomach virus that shut down my digestive system and dehydrated me. But enough of that.
This week was the 40th anniversary of the assassination of MLK, Jr. I spotted a web site on a billboard that seemed very interesting. It was www.whokilledMLK.com. Larry Ray, the brother of James Earl Ray is contending that his brother was set up by a government conspiracy. James Earl Ray admitted to the killing after being captured, but recanted his story after three days. According to Larry Ray, James Ray plead guilty to the murder under pressure of federal agents. Read for yourself and make your own conclusions.

A Day at Prime Care and the Emergency Room

My wife had been having unbearable pain in her left shoulder and arm. Her doctor had given her pain medicine, which did not touch the pain and made her extremely nauseous. After a night of no sleep and sickness, we went to Prime Care, and waited in line for 3 hours. She was so miserable, she returned to the car where she could lie down while I waited for her to call her name. After being taken to the exam room, an EKG and x-rays were done. There was no conclusive idea from the doctor from those tests. As a theory, they tried nitroglycerine tablets and the pain seemed to lessen. They immediately called for an ambulance and sent her to the Emergency Room at Forsyth Medical Center, thinking it was her heart. Her family has a history of heart disease. I prayed all the way to the hospital. Upon being treated at the ED, another EKG was done in the ambulance. It was insignificant. An x-ray was done again of her back and neck. One intern looked her over and had no real diagnosis. She was given pain medicine to make her able to rest some. Another doctor came in and located what he believed a pinched nerve at a disc in her spine. He stated he did not believe it was her heart and seemed very knowledgeable. He pressed on the area he suspected was the disc causing the problem and it was tender. He gave prescriptions for an anti-inflammatory drug and a steroid to reduce any swelling to the disc. We were so relieved that it was not her heart. She had lost her Dad in his forties to a heart attack and her brother in his 30's. We thanked God for his mercy and guidance of the doctors. She was able to sleep fairly well last night, eventhough she awakened several times. Her pain is bearable now and the new pain medicine doesn't make her sick. Praise God. The ED doctor said to try the medications for about a week and then see her family doctor. If it isn't better by then, he recommended seeing a spine specialist and get an MRI. I am so glad her pain has lessened and that she can now sit and rest without having to lie down...

Week End Away

Last weekend, my wife and I were able to spend a weekend in Asheville and visit the Biltmore House and grounds. It is unfathomable to me that someone could have that much money to build a private residence the size of a castle during the Great Depression. The fourth floor has now opened since the last time we visited. If you've never been, the house has an indoor pool, a bowling alley, exercise room, and everything else in a private residence, only on a larger scale. There are still several areas not open to the general public, but can be seen during the "Behind the Scenes" tour for an additional cost ($15.00). We plan to do that the next time we visit. If a person gets there after 3:00 PM, he can return the next day under the same ticket. We plan to do the behind the scenes tour in the evening and go back the next day for the house and gardens. I will try to post some photos later of the house and grounds. The flowers were not yet in bloom. Spring is the best time to enjoy the gardens.

Back to Work

Well, today was my first day back at work after 11 weeks. I am on light duty for the next 6 weeks, which means I am not to use my left arm for lifting, reaching or holding any items "heavier than a coffee cup" as described by my doctor. I was fortunate to have enough sick time to cover my time out of work, so I missed no paychecks. Upon returning to work, I had a little trouble logging into certain programs I use in my job. I couldn't remember at first what icons to click on to get to the programs I needed. It was a little tiring today, being use to being at home and taking a nap if needed.
My co-workers appeared glad to see me back and some of us ate lunch together at my favorite lunch place, Mountain Fried Chicken. They have the best wings, bar none. The wings are deep fried, but never greasy. They also have potato wedges and other vegetables for your meal. I always get the wings and wedges. What a meal.
I have to praise my wife for the great care she has given me during my recovery. She has taken extra special care to make sure I didn't injure my arm or shoulder. She drove me everywhere I needed to go for the first six weeks and made sure I was always as comfortable as possible. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful caring woman.