Saturday, December 30, 2017

Still Pretty Tired

Friday was a decent day.  I did my knee exercises, some singing, 30 minutes of stationary biking, another wash, and a late walk at the University Kroger.  The weather has been quite unkind, and the next ten days don’t look promising with no day supposed to get over 40 degrees.  I am about two and a half weeks before starting teaching and I feel pretty good about it.  My only fear is that I am still pretty tired and I hope that the Prograf will kick in before I start.  I need two naps a day and they are each over an hour.  I have decided that once I start teaching I am going to concentrate on my teaching and getting enough exercise.  I hope to continue singing but that will depend on how well my teaching is going.  I do enjoy the singing but I want my teaching to go very well this semester.  I can see a lot of napping in my office.  The apartment is in pretty good shape and my only real concern is how quiet it will be once my neighbors move in. 


Friday, December 29, 2017

Long Drive Back From Pittsburgh

On Tuesday, I woke up at 8:48 and went down to get a cup of yoghurt and some coffee and then returned to my room to catch up on my blog.  I talked to Judy and she and Paul picked me up a little before noon and I treated them to lunch at Panera.  After that Paul drove into Pittsburg and gave me a tour of the different college campuses (the main ones being Duquesne, Carnegie-Mellow and The University of Pittsburg).  We had a short walk downtown (since it was so cold) and saw the gingerbread house competition.  After that we drove home and I got a quick nap before taking them to dinner at Denunzio’s. 

On Wednesday I got up at 5:30 and was on the road by 6:15.  It was 15 degrees out and dark, and I quickly found out that my windshield wiper fluid had frozen.  That forced me to stop again and again to clean the windshield and I was averaging about 40 miles an hour until around noon (after a quick nap with my heavy jacket and hood on and my minus 20 sleeping bag over my head.  Only my feet were a little cold.  After the windshield wiper fluid melted I was able to drive around 50 or so and after another quick nap, I got home just as it got dark around 6.  Long, long day but I got through it safely.  It was very cold and I went inside and stayed, doing my knee exercises and riding the bike for 25 minutes.


On Thursday morning, the temperature was 7.  That was more than enough to keep me inside and I got to work on more straightening out.  I emailed Heather with my complaints and she addressed most of them.  I am a little worried about what is going to happen when I have neighbors but I am hoping that it won’t get too noisy.  Presently I have no neighbors but that will change soon.  I did some singing and 25 minutes of biking and at about 2 the fellows from Lowes came and delivered the washer.  I ran out to my truck around 4:30 and got a few things out and then I watched the Tech game, which they lost 30-21, mainly due to a couple of turnovers.  At around 8 I drove over to Kroger’s for supplies and a 25 minute walk before heading home.  I was able to adjust the refrigerator to around 12 degrees so now that concern is addressed and the adjusted shower curtain is also working better.  I did my first wash in the washer and the humidity stayed around 35 % even with the humidifier off.  I did some more singing and had a nice talk with Dave.    

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

The Pittsburg Trip

On Saturday evening I made my decision to head to Pittsburg in the morning.  The weather looked okay and I really wanted to do the trip, not only to see everyone but to show that I could do a long trip again.  I went to bed around 12:30, setting the alarm for 6:00, hoping to get going by 7.  I had packed my stuff and showered so all I had to do you move my belongings to the truck and head off.

I didn’t sleep too well so by 6:00 on Sunday I was on the road with dawn at least an hour away.  Traffic was light out of Blacksburg and I made it to Paint Creek before I took a nap.  That was very needed and then I kept driving till almost Morgantown, where I napped again.  The trip was supposed to be 323 miles but it ended up just over 370.  I got in around 3 and it was quite fun to see everyone.  At seven we went to Christmas mass, and I sang most of the songs.  In the evening, we sat around and I caught up with everyone and left around 9:30, pretty tired, then stayed up till 12 watching TV.

On Christmas Day I thought the plan was for Gianna and Grace to open there presents when they got up but instead they waited till I got there around 9:20 and I was very embarrassed that I didn’t get there much earlier.  However nobody seemed too bothered and watching everyone open their presents (I got a couple) was very rewarding.  They all seemed so comfortable with one another and I did get to chat some with J.T., along with Josh, Paul, Judy and Jenny, who was still very funny.  I think Jenny should try her hand at writing some of her stories down and I hope she does.  I ended up chatting with Patty, Jenny and Judy till just after 12 and headed to the comfort Inn very tired, dropping off to bed immediately. 


Thursday, December 21, 2017

An Anxious Night before the Move But All Goes Well

Wednesday was the day of the move and Tuesday night was a very anxious one.  Earlier, I was not able to get the shot to help my blood because my blood pressure was too high and I was so restless later on that I went out around 11 and bought pistachios and steamed Cajun shrimp and ate all seven ounces of pistachios and over eight ounces of steamed shrimp.  I felt awful about doing it but I literally couldn’t stop.  After an incredibly restless night I finally got up around 6, finished packing some stuff and then took a well needed nap.  After that, Claire came over and we packed up all TV, my piano, the radio and my printer.  I took Claire to lunch at Macado’s and then I went back to meet the movers.  They loaded things in about an hour and then drove over to Prices Fork and unloaded in about an hour and a half.  It cost me 275, so I was a little under budget.  At first it seemed like I just had too much stuff, but as I put away a few things I started to feel better.  I treated myself to Chicken Mac and Cheese at Macado’s and then returned to my new apartment and put away a few more things.  I spend a very good night sleeping in the darkness of the guest room and didn’t wake until 6:30.

Thursday was a very good day.  I was feeling pretty good about my new place and I put away a few things and then headed over to Hethwood to start cleaning out what was left in the apartment.  It didn’t take long to get the stuff out and then I decided to drive back to Prices Fork for a nap before the Comcast guy got there. I did my knee exercises and then started putting more boxes away and at a little after one the Comcast guy came and within an hour he had everything fixed up.  Claire came and I took her to Greens for lunch before we drove back to Prices Fork to unload the truck, which only took a few minutes, then we headed back to Hethwood and while Claire vacuumed I finished cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen and then we loaded the truck and we gave back the keys a little after 4:30.  Then I dropped Claire off and was just about to take a nap when Rob called and we went for a nice hike and then I took my nap and after I got up I decided to upgrade to 80 more channels for 10 dollars a month for the first 12 months and eventually, on the fourth try, Comcast succeeded in getting my new channels to work.  I did my weights and yoga and took a very needed shower and now my blog is done.  I am really liking my new apartment and I hope that it continues. 


Monday, December 18, 2017

Very Good Day

Monday turned out to be a good day.  I did my knee exercises, did a little packing (very little left), went out for a 40 minute bike ride, took a quick nap then headed out to play golf.  I shot very well playing two balls per hole and I had a lot of fun, even though I hadn’t played in 10 days.  After that I headed to Walmart for two perscriptions and the cabinet lining material.  Then it was back home for a long nap and then I ordered Lucia’s present and headed out to VT for a 40 minute walk.  I called Craig Waggaman and updated him on my health.  He and Linda are doing well and we talked about getting out and playing again on a nice day in January.  I talked to Heather Hodges and I pick up my keys at 11:30 on Wednesday.  I hope to be able to carry over a lot of stuff when I head over with Claire.  I talked to Cathy and she is tired but she will have about 10 days off in a couple of days.  I also talked to Judy about the Pittsburg visit and thought the weather looks worse than it did a couple of days ago, I am still hoping it will work out for a Christmas visit.  Days like today are a real blessing.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Decent day

Saturday was an okay day.  I did my knee exercises in the morning, sang my church songs, then went for a walk with Rob.  He said my numbers were about the same so he thought Trivedi would increase the Prograf to 2 mg twice a day.  I certainly have to rest after I do something strenuous, but overall I am doing okay and my packing is basically done until Claire gets here on Wednesday morning.  I wish the move was over and I am a little worried about singing tomorrow since there will be fewer people there.  However, I haven’t taken any Valium and I hope to just get a lot of exercise in so I won’t need any.  The weather in Pittsburg looks pretty good for Christmas so I am definitely thinking of making the attempt.  I had a quick text message exchange with Kelly, mainly about Lucia’s birthday present but I am still not sure what to get her.  I went for a bike ride after I napped following the walk with Rob, and then I ended up taking a walk in the University Kroger for 20 minutes then heading home.  

Friday, December 15, 2017

Some Good, Some Bad

Wednesday was an okay day.  I did some of my knee exercises, did some singing and some piano playing, did some stationary biking and then went for the open house at Prices Fork.  The food was fine and I did some more measurements in my apartment so I can cut some carpet to protect the rugs in the 3 closets and the alcove.  I also did a little more packing.

Thursday started okay and then ended up poorly.  I did my knee exercises, sang some songs, played the piano and practiced my three jazz songs, then went for a 40 minute bike ride outside.  I then headed off for Kate’s party and that was okay.  The food was fair enough and I did get to chat with Laurie Cubbison, Kim Gainer, Rick, Jola and her husband.  I said hello to Kate and that was about it.  I went back to my office to finish up my work but decided to take a nap since I was exhausted.  The nap didn’t help much and I struggled home and then really had no energy the rest of the night.  I went to be around 11 and the rest of the night was restless. 


Friday found me tired again, but I forced myself to do three sets of yoga and weights and to ride the stationary bike for 25 minutes.  I felt good about that and I did my knee exercises and then rested a little and did a lot of work on the packing.  I am making a lot of progress but there is still a lot to be done.  I cut up the carpet to protect the apartment carpet and I moved more boxes and got all the shelves off the bookcases.  Then I went to Rob’s party and that was fun.  Rob said my numbers were about the same, which I guess is all right.  The food was good and my target gift card was an okay present.  Then I drove back home for a good nap, then some more packing stuff and then to my blog.  I am hoping to take a walk later, maybe at Walmart.  I certainly did better today than last night, when I was totally without energy.   

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

An excellent day

Monday turned out to be the best day in a long time.  I woke at 6:30, made coffee and started working on my outline for the M-W class.  I then wrote two days of blog.  After that I did my knee exercises, then decided that I should go play golf since it was going to be sunny and almost 50.  Unfortunately, Auburn was closed because there was still some residual snow but Castle Rock was open so I drove out there and played two balls on the front nine and shot okay, 6 over bogey.  I didn’t putt especially well but I haven’t played Castle Rock in a long time so that was a big part of the reason.  I then took a quick nap in my truck and then drove to VT and rode my bike from the frat section back to the duck pond and then along the road to the Smithfield Plantation.  Very good ride and the first outdoor one in a while.  Then I drove to Lowe’s and bought a washer and a cheap rug that I will cut up to protect the carpeting in the closets and the alcove.  I also got a Target gift card for Rob’s party on Friday and two gift cards at Barnes and Noble for Grace and Gianna.  I then went for a 35 minute walk in Torgersen and then went home for steamed veggies and to watch the end of Eugene Onegin.  The ending was a bit long winded but I overall I did enjoy the opera.  I stayed up until almost one, what a wild guy I have become.  I think the effects of the reduction of the prednisone have worn off and I am not going to change things until after Christmas.

Monday, December 11, 2017

A couple of decent days

Saturday started out very well.  I did my knee exercises, packed up a number of boxes, practiced some church songs, then went out and got 12 liquor store boxes so I won’t be short for the move.  I returned home and did a little more packing but I was pretty tired.  I stayed in bed much of the rest of the day, getting up to watch TV and more of the opera Eugene Onegin.  I forced myself to ride my stationary bike for 20 minutes but that was all I could do.  I was totally exhausted and I couldn’t do my weights and yoga.  I am assuming that my energy level is low because of my reducing my prednisone from 17 and ½ mg to 15.  I didn’t take any Valium so that was a positive.  I did have a nice talk with Dave and I am trying to focus on getting the move done (and I really should be okay with Claire’s help) and then getting through what is going to be a hard winter.  I was picturing Coltsfoot starting to flower in early March and if I can make it till then that will be a real accomplishment.  I have just about a month left before I start teaching and that is worrying me a bit.  If I had to start right now, it would be a real struggle.  Lou and I had a discussion about the past, and I am finding it sad to look back at many of the places I’ve been and realizing that I will never return to so many of them.  Lou uses the past as a source of inspiration for his writing but that may be because he was never much of a traveler.  I have dreams about some of the wonderful natural places I have visited and I wake up pretty sad.  I do still have places nearby to return to and I hope my travels within an hour or two will be able to give me a sense of independence and renewal.

Sunday was a pretty decent day.  I did the first part of my knee exercises, then got ready to go to choir practice at 10:00.  It was a very sloppy practice with fewer people than normal and some showing up late and a new piano player who wasn’t that good.  The singing during the mass was okay but the piano player messed us up on the last song and that bothered me.  I drove over to Walmart to get my meds and then I headed to my office to get my fall preference sheet in.  After that I drove back to my apartment and took a needed nap.  I was very tired but when I awoke, I had a nice chat with Gyorgyi, then had some food and decided to go hear the speaker at St. Mary’s.  Dr. Italy was quite lively and I enjoyed his comments about reforming ourselves and letting Jesus take over the driver’s seat, letting him guide us along.  I certainly don’t know where my path is going but I am starting to see a little bit of future ahead especially since my kidney numbers are better again and Rob thinks the Prograf is working.  I went for a walk at Torgersen for almost 40 minutes then came home and finished my stationary biking while watching Eugene Onegin, then the rest of my weights and yoga.  I also had the energy to wash the dishes so I must be feeling better. I am still on the 15 mg of prednisone but I am not going to reduce it again until after Christmas.   


Sunday, December 10, 2017

Still Struggling

Friday was certainly a better day than yesterday.  I didn’t take any Valium all day since I didn’t get too anxious.  I did my knee exercises, read some from the Bible, did two sets of weights and yoga and then headed out to see Rob and have my bloodwork done.  Some bad news there.  Val is going to be leaving in the summer and I will surely miss her.  A nice thing did happen in that John invited me to Rob’s holiday party next Friday and I agreed to go.  When I got to see Rob I went over all my concerns, the chills, the testosterone level, the asthma (or whatever my breathing problems are), exercising (which is fine), the blood clot, the prednisone (which I cut back to 15 mg today), my eyesight (the cataracts are developing because of the prednisone), my tiredness (which Rob thinks is because of the prednisone withdrawal.  Quite a list.  I then went back home for a nap before going to the 7 pm mass of the Immaculate Conception.  I was able to receive the Eucharist, which made me feel good, and I sang well on the songs I knew.  Beth sang very well throughout the mass but at the end she sang a litany about the Blessed Virgin and that was quite lovely, quite incantatory.

Saturday started out very well.  I did my knee exercises, packed up a number of boxes, practiced some church songs, then went out and got 12 liquor store boxes so I won’t be short for the move.  I returned home and did a little more packing but I was pretty tired.  I stayed in bed much of the rest of the day, getting up to watch TV and more of the opera Eugene Onegin.  I forced myself to ride my stationary bike for 20 minutes but that was all I could do.  I was totally exhausted and I couldn’t do my weights and yoga.  I am assuming that my energy level is low because of my reducing my prednisone from 17 and ½ mg to 15.  I didn’t take any Valium so that was a positive.  I did have a nice talk with Dave and I am trying to focus on getting the move done (and I really should be okay with Claire’s help) and then getting through what is going to be a hard winter.  I was picturing Coltsfoot starting to flower in early March and if I can make it till then that will be a real accomplishment.  I have just about a month left before I start teaching and that is worrying me a bit.  If I had to start right now, it would be a real struggle.  Lou and I had a discussion about the past, and I am finding it sad to look back at many of the places I’ve been and realizing that I will never return to so many of them.  Lou uses the past as a source of inspiration for his writing but that may be because he was never much of a traveler.  I have dreams about some of the wonderful natural places I have visited and I wake up pretty sad.  I do still have places nearby to return to and I hope my travels within an hour or two will be able to give me a sense of independence and renewal.


Thursday, December 7, 2017

Good Day, Awful Day

Wednesday turned out to be an okay day.  I slept pretty well and I did my knee exercises, then did some paperwork, made a reservation for Amtrak to go down to Palm Beach.  I drove out to Auburn Hills hoping to play some golf but there was only one car there and the thermometer was stuck at 40 and that just seemed too cold.  I drove back and picked up some meds and supplies at Walmart and then drove home for a long chat with my sister Roberta and I am planning to visit her for 3 days before I head over to the CEA conference in St. Petersburg.  I think it will be a good visit and I know I will try to be the perfect guest.  I then drove over to Torgersen and walked for 40 minutes before returning home for weights and yoga. 
Thursday turned into an almost total disaster.  I slept poorly, coughing a lot, and started to get anxious so I took half a valium.  I got up a few times to eat a little and take my meds but I went right back to bed drifting off a number of times while reading Women in Love.  I did one set of the first part of my knee exercises, then did a nebulizer treatment which did help my coughing.  What a long day.  I had scheduled an appointment to see Rob at 3:15 but I couldn’t get out of bed so I had to cancel.  At points I couldn’t even lift my arms from the bed.  Rob called and offered to come over and though I didn’t want him to, I finally agreed and when he checked me out he wasn’t overly concerned although he wanted me to come in tomorrow at 12:00 for bloodwork and maybe some other tests.  He is not sure what is going on but the possibilities are many: my tiredness could be because of my low testosterone, because the 300mg of synthroid isn’t being absorbed, because of a virus or infection, because of my decreasing the prednisone from 20 mg to 17 and 1/2 mg.  I finally got out of bed around 7:30, sang some songs and did my blog.  I am going back to bed now until I have to get up at 9:30 to take the Eliquis and the Prograf.   Horrible day.  I really can’t live this way much longer.      


Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Bad Day, Good Day

Monday was a very hard day with a very frustrating ending.  I knew I had to get my kayak dried out since Tuesday was going to rain so at about 8:30 I pulled it out and  started drying it.  Much of my gear had ice on it so I had to wait for the sun to warm up my booties, my wet socks and my gloves.  Even the kayak had some ice in it.  I did some work in the truck, then rode my bike for 40 minutes, then did an outline for my Monday Wednesday class.  I tried calling St. Mary’s to go to confession but my phone wouldn’t connect with them so I didn’t go.  I finally got the kayak dried out and folded up and then carried it to the closet.  Then I collapsed into a deep sleep but I wasn’t very rested when I woke up so I needed to nap a couple more times.  I talked to Claire about moving on the 20th (am I going to be capable of that?) and talked to Xfinity about moving my service over to Prices Fork, which is set up for the 21st.   I still have to talk to SlimTransport to set up the move though I did leave them a message.  I then got up and got ready for the Mercy Mass at 7.   I had gotten my music ready but when I got there I decided to sit off by myself and then I got a chill and had to huddle up in my jacket.  I left right after the mass and I was very cold.  I went to Panda Express to treat myself.  I know I was a distraction during the mass and I hope that once I go to confession I will be calmer.  I hope to go tomorrow if I can set it up.  I watched some TV and finally did one set of weights.  I took a half of a valium to help go to bed.

Tuesday turned out to be an okay day.  After talking to Trivedi yesterday and she informing me that my numbers were better and that I could reduce my prednisone to 17 and ½ mg for a few days and then down to 15, I was feeling better and then Rob called in the afternoon and reiterated that things were looking up.  That made me feel even better.  Earlier in the day I did my bike ride for 40 minutes, my knee exercises in the afternoon, and did some packing for the mover, set up with Slim Transport for the afternoon of the 20th.  I did a wash and got some of the bigger boxes ready before heading off for Torgersen for a 30 minute walk, followed by a couple of Taco Bell burritos and then a visit to Kroger for some supplies.  I did my weights and yoga (after doing two sets this morning) and I felt pretty good overall.  I had some steamed veggies and a couple of waffles and then went to work on my blog.  Not a bad day at all and I should see Father John for Confession tomorrow.  I did try to explain how sick I was last night to Joseph and he wished me a speedy recovery.  I also had a nice chat with Dave and he cheered me up pretty good.   


Sunday, December 3, 2017

Bad Day, Long Day

Saturday was not a good day.  I was anxious most of the day, but I did my knee exercises in the morning.  I called Rob and we went for a full walk on the Tom’s Creek Trail.  Rob was optimistic about the prograf but I told him that I have been sick for over a year and that his moments of optimism have not fully panned out.  Initially he said that with the cellcept that I would be so much better in 6 weeks and that didn’t happen, then I did finally get better after the 4th chemo with Cytoxin but that fell apart around three weeks ago, when Trivedi put me on the prograf along with an increase of the prednisone to 20 mg from my 12 and 1/2.  That has really added to my anxiety and I am hoping that this week’s blood test (still no results from last Tuesday) will show some improvement.  I did try to go to confession but it was so crowded and the younger people simply got ahead of me that I decided to pass for today.  I ended up taking 2 halves of valium throughout the rest of the day.  I am back to where if I don’t wake up in the morning that will be fine with me.  I did take a bike ride at VT in the Perry street garage going up 12 ramps which is a good ride overall. 

 Sunday was a long but pretty good day.  I go to rehearsal at 10:00 (having little desire to do that) and then I sang for the 11:30 mass and I did pretty well.  I was pretty scattered but Betty Anne helped me out and that calmed me quite a bit.  I was really hoping that my kayak friend would cancel but that didn’t work out so I met her at around 1 and we headed over to Dudley’s landing and got ready for out trip.  Unfortunately, the valve in the floor of my boat was not working so I had to sit in a lot more water than I usually do.  I got cold about halfway through, as did my kayak friend, but we kept paddling and we both thought it was a decent trip.  It felt so good to pack up our gear and warm up in my truck.  After dropping her off, I changed into dry clothes, drove to Jimmy John’s for a sandwich and then headed to my office for a nap.  My breathing wasn’t very good and I hope I don’t get a cold.  After I woke up I got the money to Holly for the party and the housekeeper and finally filed some of my documents.  I ended up leaving around 7:30 and got back to my apartment around 8:15, resting on the couch and checking some of the songs for tomorrow’s mercy mass.  I was able to clean my saucepan with boiled baking soda (an idea I got online) so that will save me 20 dollars or so.  I also had a big dish of steamed vegetables at 9:30 so I could take my Eliquis and my Prograf.  I am not sure if I will do my weights and yoga since I did so much paddling today to stay warm.


Friday, December 1, 2017

A Decent Day

Friday saw me up at around 6.  I really wanted to get my governor’s school proposal over to Amy Rubens and I finished that up and sent it and then caught up on my blog.  I then did my knee exercises and took a quick nap before heading out to ride my bicycle for 40 minutes.  Then I did some singing and piano playing (Green Dolphin and All of Me) and headed out to play nine holes of golf with two balls on each hole (shooting a very decent 95).  I then drove to Walmart and got the rest of the Eliquis for my blood clot and then drove home for a good nap, then a cup of tea and some singing.  I will do my weights and yoga later but today has been a pretty good day.  I talked with Judy and made reservations in Monroeville for Christmas but made it clear that I will only be coming if I feel pretty good and the weather is good.   

A long day indeed

Thursday was a pretty interesting day.  I didn’t do my knee exercises because of my swollen ankle, and then Mary took me out to breakfast at Panera.  It was fun to chat with her and I will miss her a lot.  I then went back home, tried to nap but at least rested my eyes and then went out and had a solid 40 minute bike ride doing the hills.  After that I drove to Rob’s office, with the plan to go play golf after I finished.  Rob looked at my leg and told me I had to immediately get a venous duplex scan at the Imaging Center.  He said that Dr. Trivedi’s diagnosis of gout was wrong and that I could go back down to 20 mg of prednisone (which should help my anxiety).  He couldn’t find my Tuesday blood test results so I’m not sure what is going on there.  I asked him about my breathing (the night before I had one puff of albuterol and I slept till 6:30) and he was okay with that.  He said he didn’t want to put me on testosterone for my sore breasts because there are significant side effects. He also looked in my eyes and said that there were cataracts developing and told me to make an appointment with the optometrist.   After finishing with Rob I went right over to the Imaging Center and got the ultrasound done and the technicians told me something was weird about it and that I had to go right back to Rob’s for more info.  When Rob saw me he told me I had a blood clot in my left leg and that he wanted me to go on a blood thinner right away.  I drove off, took a quick nap and then had time to drive to Walmart before my dinner with Claire Hall at 5:15.  Unfortunately, there was a foul up on Rob’s office sending in the Eliquis prescription so I had to leave for my dinner date.  Dinner was fun and I talked to her about helping me pack the TV, my printer and my piano, and maybe driving over one load of boxes that the movers won’t be taking over.  She will be available until the 22nd so I hope I can move in before then.  I don’t think it is going to be a very hard move, but I am sure I will get more anxious as the day approaches.   We took a walk around the drill field and she told me a very interesting story about her visit to the acupuncturist, and how awful the woman was.  Then it was time to head to Walmart for my prescription but the prescription was sent to the Blacksburg pharmacy so I was only able to get two pills and I will have to go back tomorrow for the rest.  Mary Gorton called and I told her I would come visit and I did, chatting with her for a half hour and helping get her luggage into her car.  She will be flying out  tomorrow and I wish her well with her new life in Dallas.  I drove home and watched a movie I had wanted to watch for a long time, My Own Private Idaho with River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.  An odd movie but I did enjoy it a lot.  I stayed up till almost one.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Rough Times

Sunday was okay.  I sang again in the choir, this time with Mary Gorton, and that was fun.  I think it was the best I sang and I hope to continue if my health permits.  I am still having problems with my eyesight.  That situation is getting worse.  My left ankle is still stiff and swollen.  I did get to ride my bike and do my knee exercises, but my breathing is still bothering me.  It doesn’t seem to matter too much if I use the nebulizer or just several puffs albuterol spray.  I wake up coughing around 3 and though I get back to sleep pretty quickly, I certainly am not getting a restful night’s sleep.  My breasts are still very sensitive also.  And I kind of feel listless.  I helped Mary with more packing and she appreciated that.  Jeff got in touch and I told him my situation and I said I would get in touch when I was feeling better.   I had a nice chat with Kelly about all the political stuff going on and she may come to visit after Christmas. 

Monday was okay with knee exercises, a bike ride for 40 minutes, helping Mary pack some more and taking her out to lunch at Olive Garden and then to Lowes for some packing supplies.  Holy Spirit group was okay and I enjoyed singing some of the songs. 


Tuesday was another listless morning but some knee exercises and then I headed in for my blood test with a new temporary woman named Tessa, who was very nice.   After a nice breakfast I went out to play golf and shot a 99 for 18 holes (now hitting from 175 and 275 because of my health and the jacket I was wearing.  I tried to contact Dave and Judy and will try again tomorrow.  I didn’t call Mary and it was nice to have a break.  I sang 3 of the new songs and I hope to be ready for Sunday.  I also took a 40 minute bike ride in the outside Perry street parking area and that was fun as I listened to my music.  I am going to see Rob on Thursday since my health issues aren’t getting any better.  I pushed myself to do my weights and yoga so I did get a lot of activity in even though I was not feeling great.   

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Bad Night, Decent Day

Saturday worked out okay although I had an awful night sleeping.  I took a single puff at about 12:30 and woke at around 3 coughing a lot.  I had to use the nebulizer and that helped me get to sleep at 4.  I woke pretty tired and it was really tough to get going.  I am not getting much better if at all.  I did drive over to pick up my meds at Walmart and then I decided to see if I could play golf again (haven't played in almost three weeks) and I played okay even though I shot from 175 on the par 4s and 275 on the par 5s.  I ended up shooting a 7 over for 18 holes and my goal was a 13 over so overall it was a nice time.  I drove back home and watched the opening of the Alabama Auburn game and then Mary called and asked me to come over to help a bit and to just hang out and I enjoyed that.  I am really going to miss her.  I then drove over to ride my bike around the Tech campus and that was fun even though I was somewhat tired but I did do a 40 minute ride.  I then headed to Kroger for some supplies and then headed home to watch more of the Alabama Auburn game and have a big bowl of mixed veggies and then wash all the dishes.  I am not sure if I will have the energy to do my weights and yoga but I will give it a try. 

Friday, November 24, 2017

A Pretty Decent Day

Friday turned out to be a pretty good day.  I got up early and went to Our Daily Bread and got a quiche and a loaf of 12 grain bread, then returned home to do my knee exercises.  I then got ready and drove in to meet my kayak friend for lunch, then I headed back and sold my coin collection for 80 dollars, which I can use right now.  I stopped at Our Daily Bread and got a loaf of Olive Rosemary bread, then I headed back and rode my bike for thirty five minutes before taking a good nap then heading over to Glenda’s for dinner.  I gave Daniel the suitcase I had and he appreciated it.  I had a nice chat with Candi and Daisy and then I washed a lot of plates to help out.  The food was again terrific.  I drove back home and took a thirty minute walk before heading in and watching the Tech game.  I did a full set of weights and yoga and that felt pretty good.  I was not too anxious all day and that was a very pleasant relief.    

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Things are pretty bad

Tuesday turned out to be a pretty important day.  I went to see my new apartment at Prices Fork and it looks fine.  The one problem I brought up is that there are no screens on the windows and that is important.  I told Heather Hodges I need at least one and two (for each of the rooms with windows would be best).  She is going to bring it up next week.  It shouldn’t be too hard to have a small frame built that would take care of the problem.  
      The bigger concern was my meeting with Dr. Trivedi and that was really a setback.  She explained that my numbers were slightly worse and that my case had turned into a refractory or difficult case and that meant that the prednisone was not working as expected (my dosage should be increasingly lower) and that is why she put me on 20 mg instead of the 12 and ½ I was on.  She offered me several options for an alternate drug but the best one seemed Prograf, a kidney transplant drug, that has to be strictly monitored and of course can have a lot of dangerous side effects.  I started on it that evening and will take two pills a day at about 9:30 am and pm.  I also need to start taking iron since my iron level is very low.  Trivedi thought much of my anxiety is coming from the move and from my returning to teaching in January.  I think it is mainly due to the prednisone but I’m not fully sure.  I did get another blood shot and it didn’t hurt much and hopefully it will increase my energy some.  I was really down about the visit and my relapse, but I did have a few laughs when I visited the Gallows.  Lou seemed pretty down but he has his own stuff to go through.  I did ride my bike along the river so that was a good break and some good exercise.   I also helped Mary with some of her packing.

Wednesday was the start of my new situation and I can’t say it was very pleasant.  I slept pretty good by using the nebulizer but when I got up I was very low energy.  I did my knee exercises, did a slight bit of packing, practiced the songs, rode my bike for 35 minutes.  None of it felt very good and I took half a valium to make me feel less anxious.  I went over Mary’s to help her pack more and then I came back for a real nap of over an hour then went back to Mary’s to help pack a little more and to socialize with her while she made bread.  I ordered a pizza and salad for us and then we played a game for an hour and I headed to Kroger for some grapes and clementines for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving at Glenda’s, then I chatted with Dave for a while and he seemed to be doing rather well. 
Thursday has started out pretty anxious and I am hoping that I can get out of the terrible funk I am in.  I am really down about my health stuff.  I talked to three people this morning, my sister Judy, Rob, and my sister Roberta, and I broke down talking to all of them.  I just feel lost, anxious, tired, just pretty awful.  Talking with Lou did help me quite a bit since we are both in a pretty deep hole and we are both doing well talking.  I did get my knee exercises in and I did go for a bike ride, for the first time since the asthma attack going up the smallest hill twice.  I then picked up some stuff for Mary and got ready for Thanksgiving dinner at Glenda’s.  Fortunately that turned out pretty well and I socialized okay and felt reasonable when I left around 7:30.  I took a 25 minute walk and talked to Lou again it was comforting to speak with him and he and Cathy and Maddie and Claire had a decent Thanksgiving so that was good.  I texted Gyorgyi and got a nice response and I sang three of the songs before doing a couple sets of weights and yoga.  


Sunday, November 19, 2017

Singing once again

Saturday started pretty good.  I slept pretty well despite coughing quite a bit, and then I did my full knee exercises, along with reading some of Kings.  I packed 4 boxes more so I am only 2 behind on my goal of 12 (3 a day).  I did some catching up on my blog, sang 3 of the songs twice, tried to nap and failed, then started my prayers.  I felt well enough to go for a 30 minute flat bike ride with perhaps a cough or two, then I settled in to watch the Tech game, which Tech won 20-14, with a very exciting goal line stand my Tech to prevent Pitt from winning.  After that I got ready to go to mass and attended the 5 o’clock mass hoping to be able to practice the new songs, but two of the songs were different so I didn’t get the practice I was hoping for.  I saw Joseph and Felistus after mass and I gave Mary Bland back her book.  I had another good conversation with my sister Roberta and admitted what a dummy I was.  Then I had a long and good conversation with Lou.  He thought I should write about my Lupus experience and work with the wolf imagery.  Another thing that struck me was the lack of a future I have.  Later I  emailed Beth but she didn’t respond so I guess I will just wing it.   I went for a 20 minute walk over at Kroger and bought one of the small roasted chicken and enjoyed over half of it in my truck then drove home for a big bowl of vegetables.  Unfortunately I started coughing very heavily so that is very disconcerting.   I watched TV until 12:15, and then tried to go to sleep but I was still coughing heavily, even after I took several puffs, so I decided to use the nebulizer and that did help.  I had to move to the master bedroom to sit upright but fortunately the upstairs tenants were quiet and I did drift off at points.


Sunday I awoke at about 8:15, feeling pretty tired but not coughing too much.  I wasn’t sure if I should try to sing but after trying to nap for a few minutes and failing, I decided to get up and go to the church.  I got there just as the baptism was finishing and we started our practice around 10:30.  I felt pretty good during the practice and Beth didn’t complain so I decided to sing through the mass.  I had to go out at one point to cough and get some water but overall I think I sang pretty well, although Beth didn’t say a word.  I guess if she had problems with my singing she would have said something.  I felt pretty good about singing but not as good as the first two times, but I think that might be because I am not feeling that well overall.  I stopped at Food Lion to pick up some vinegar and take a 20 minute walk and I hope to drive to Walmart later for some supplies and for a longer walk.  I did a wash, watched a little TV, napped a little, and am going to try to work on a poem.  I did write a pretty good draft of a poem about losing my future to lupus, and I think it could easily turn into a series of poems.  I sent Lou a copy and he liked it.  I am planning to go over there for a quick visit on Tuesday.  I drove to Walmart for some supplies and a 45 minute walk.  That felt pretty good.  I haven’t taken any Valium today and I think that is very good, but I am not worried about taking some if I need to.  I guess today went okay.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Three bad days

Thursday started out okay, with knee exercises, some chapters of Kings, then packing three more boxes.  I had no luck trapping the mouse so I called Hethwood but got no response.  I took a decent walk along Stroubles Creek, seeing a number of small fish in the clear water.  It is a pretty little stream and I did some research on it, finding out that it starts in three springs in Blacksburg, goes under the Drillfield, enters the Duck Pond, then exits to become Stroubles for 12 miles before it enters the New near the Ammunition Plant.  I called Gyorgyi and she was available for a late lunch at the bakery and that was fine.  Then I did a walk in Torgersen before returning home for dinner.

Friday was not a particularly fun day.  I had slept pretty well with some coughing but I got up pretty early to get to Rob’s office at 8 so that pushed me.   Val wasn’t ready until almost 9, having to get the blood culture bottles.  She had to stick me in both hands because the test is more effective from two sites but each stick hurt and even taking the needle out hurt.  But I handled it pretty well, with no valium.  I showed Rob my swollen foot and he told me it was probably because my kidney numbers were worse than last time and he told me that Trivedi wanted me to go back to 20 mg of prednisone right away, not good news at all.  He wanted me to get a chest x-ray even though my chest sounded okay to him.  My thyroid level was good so that is not what is causing my incredible chills.  The blood culture stuff should help figure out if I have an infection in my blood. My eyes are also getting worse, probably from the developing cataracts which have been hastened by the prednisone.  I headed off for lunch with Claire and that was a pleasant respite.  The sushi at Greens was good as usual and Claire and I took a decent walk on the Drillfield.  Then I napped pretty easily, then headed for the Imaging Center for my x-ray.  It proved negative so that was good news.  After that I napped again briefly, then called Mary and went over to help her with her packing for her move to Texas at the end of the month.  We worked for an hour and a half and got a lot of books and stuff packed and then we had Chinese food (I treated even though she wanted to pay), then we chatted some and then I left around nine and went over to Tech to walk but Torgersen was closed and it was just a bit cold to walk outside so I went over to the University Kroger and walked there for 30 minutes.  After that I came home and was too tired to do any exercising.


Saturday started pretty good.  I slept pretty well despite coughing quite a bit, and then I did my full knee exercises, along with reading some of Kings.  I packed 4 boxes more so I am only 2 behind on my goal of 12 (3 a day).  I did some catching up on my blog, sang 3 of the songs twice, tried to nap and failed, then started my prayers.  I felt well enough to go for a 30 minute flat bike ride with perhaps a cough or two, then I settled in to watch the Tech game, which Tech won 20-14, with a very exciting goal line stand my Tech to prevent Pitt from winning.  After that I got ready to go to mass and attended the 5 o’clock mass hoping to be able to practice the new songs, but two of the songs were different so I didn’t get the practice I was hoping for.  I saw Joseph and Felistus after mass and I gave Mary Bland back her book.  I had another good conversation with my sister Roberta and admitted what a dummy I was.  Then I had a long and good conversation with Lou.  He thought I should write about my Lupus experience and work with the wolf imagery.  Another thing that struck me was the lack of a future I have.  Later I  emailed Beth but she didn’t respond so I guess I will just wing it.   I went for a 20 minute walk over at Kroger and bought one of the small roasted chicken and enjoyed over half of it in my truck then drove home for a big bowl of vegetables.  Unfortunately I started coughing very heavily so that is very disconcerting.   

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

A Difficult New York Visit

Tuesday is turning out to be a hard day. I started with my knee exercise, then straightened up some, then headed in for the lunch at Radford for our first candidate.  I was feeling okay and I wasn’t coughing, so after the lunch I decided to ride my bike from the dog run to wildwood park and I think that was a bad idea.  I started coughing when I got done and on my way to visit Verizon to see why my alarm wasn’t working, I called Rob’s office and he called me in an antibiotic just in case my coughing portends something serious.  I am to see him tomorrow at 1:30.  I got to my office around 5 but was very anxious and I took half a valium and napped briefly although I got very cold and had to hide under the covers.  I did force myself up, printed out this weeks songs, found out the time for the dinner, then started doing my blog.  I am not very happy.  The new York trip was not very good but I did get to spend a lot of time with Julian and some with Gabes.  Francesca was in Italy so I didn’t get to see her, but I did chat some with Arlene and that was good.  The train ride was boring, uncomfortable and it had a lot of people coughing so I think that is where I picked up whatever I have.  I spent about an hour walking around Times Square and Bryant Park and Grand Central Station but I had to stay near a bathroom because of an unpredictable constipation.  I did get to ride Gabe’s Peloton bike and that was pretty impressive.  I did a couple of trails in Costa Rica and along the San Francisco coast.


Wednesday was an okay day.  I slept pretty well despite coughing some and then I got up and did my knee exercises.  After that I packed three boxes of books and did some straightening out around the apartment.  The big surprise was that I saw a mouse exiting my garbage and that has to be taken care of.  I drove into town around 12:00, dropped off Mary’s stuff, picked up my jacket at Rose Tailor, then drove to Rob’s office.  He said my chills may be because of my thyroid, that the sensitive breasts might be because of a testosterone problem, that that my chest sounded fine but he was glad I was on antibiotics.  I talked with Gloria and we had a nice chat, mainly about how life sucks as you get old.  It really does.  I certainly lack joy in my life, and though I will continue praying, going to church and going to the Holy Spirit group, my hopes that some kind of joy or at least comfort might come from my struggle for belief, nothing has really happened.  I also talked to Cathy and both Maddie and Claire are sick and she is exhausted from all the things she has to take care of.  I do hope that she and Lou can work it out so she can quit her job.  I did print out the music for next Sunday and I did listen to several of the songs and I sang very softly to them.  I put out two mouse traps and I hope they will work tonight.  I wish I could be more positive and enthusiastic but it is so hard right now.  I do hope Dr. Trivedi can do something about the prednisone when I see her on Tuesday.   

Thursday, November 9, 2017

An Awful Morning

Thursday started out an awful day, with my anxiety level way up there.  I hardly could stand it and I had to take half a valium just to calm down.  I called Dr. Trivedi’s office and Kendra said she would call me back to discuss me coming in next week instead of the week after (she never called).  If she did call I was ready to go get my bloodwork done so as to be ready for an earlier appointment.  I did my knee exercises, did some straightening around the apartment for tomorrow’s inspection, tried to nap, failed, then drove over to Tech to return The Magic Flute and then I walked around downtown a little. Then I went back to the apartment, got more things together for my trip to New York tomorrow, tried to nap again and failed again, then did my 45 minute bike ride and I was finally able to drift off at least for a few minutes.  I got up and packed my truck, bringing my computer with me though I was unsure if I really wanted to carry it in my backpack (I am pretty sure I won’t).  The drive up I-81 was pretty impressive and the leaf change seemed almost to peak.  I decided to stop at Barnes and Noble to see about purchasing A Man Called Ove but it was pretty large so I am just going to bring Tender Is the Night, the Fitzgerald novel I haven’t read in years and is pretty small.  I had some mussels at Carrabba’s with some of their delicious bread and then drove to the Holiday Inn Express where I finally got a reasonable nap.  After that I watched some TV and then I went down to my truck, drove around the back and sang three of the songs for church, two times each.  I hope to go down and sing some more later.   Kim’s surgery seems to have gone well and there is a chance she will be able to go home tomorrow, which would be great.  My right breast is still sensitive but I will just have wait until I get back to see what to do.  

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

A New Will

Wednesday turned out to be a pretty good day.  I decided that I was really being negative and I decided to try to make the day a good one even with the prednisone—and I pretty much succeeded.  I got up and did my knee exercises, did a wash, cleaned the bathroom a little for the inspection on Friday, did some singing on the new song, “Christ, Be Our Light” and then played the melody on the piano and sang to that.  I am getting the higher E better so progress is being made.  I then headed to see Bettye Ackerman and I got my new will and my power of attorney.  Bettye told me about a guy coming to find Tracy a few months ago who eventually killed someone in an optometrist’s office.  That must have been pretty scary for her.  After meeting with Bettye, I headed over to my office and got a good bit of stuff done, sorting things for my files, finding out my Long Term Care benefit, talking with Robert Williams some, chatting with Holly, getting a copy of the Power of Attorney and the Will for Rob.  Then I went bike riding along the river and up into Wildwood park for a decent 45 minute ride in the cold light mist.  Back to my office for some more work, then driving home to take a quick nap and then off to Tech to walk for 40 minutes in Torgersen Hall.  After that it was time for cooking dinner, a veggie burger and a big bowl of mixed vegetables, then singing “Christ, Be Our Light” and “All of Me” and “Green Dolphin Street.”  I guess since I can’t play the flute anymore, singing will have to be my musical way.  I am enjoying it very much.   

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Negative Tests

Tuesday was a pretty stressful day.  I awoke anxious at about eight and then I headed over to the Imaging Center for my mammogram and for the ultrasound.  Rhonda, the woman who did the mammogram was very friendly and told me not to worry, that it wouldn’t be so painful.  She was right and the ultrasound was also pretty easy.  After the procedures I treated myself to the lunch buffet at Indian Gardens and then headed home for a nap.  I didn’t really sleep but after I got up I went for a 30 minute bike ride in the very dismal mist, stopping just as the rain began.  After that I did take a nap and practiced a couple of last week’s songs, then watched some TV, then did some scales (I was able to hit the higher E, so that seems progress), then I drove over to Tech (and it was hard to see since the sky was so dark) to take a 40 minute walk in the library and Torgersen before heading back home for dinner.  I watched most of The Magic Flute and should have it finished tonight.   I got a nice text from Cathy and I responded back to her, telling her that Lou seems to really care for her now and he spoke about her in a way I had never heard before, which is good.  I talked to Rob and he called Trevidi and she is not going to cut down my prednisone despite my anxiety.  Perhaps something will be done when I meet with her in two weeks.  My breasts still hurt but I am not too worried right now.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Another Kayak Trip and Growing Health Concerns

Sunday was a good day, though my fears about what’s wrong with my right and left breasts made me pretty anxious.  I get the mammogram and the sonogram on Tuesday and I am getting pretty scared.  I didn’t sleep very well, with my health issue worries and my concerns about singing plus my worry about the kayak trip since it was so gloomy out in the morning.  I packed up the truck with my kayak stuff, then headed over to St. Mary’s to get to rehearsal at 10:15.  I was very flustered at first but Beth was very helpful and the rehearsal went pretty well.  When it was over, I checked my email and my kayak friend had cancelled, which seemed a mixed blessing.  Now I didn’t have to worry about getting to the 114 bridge at 1 o’clock but not seeming my kayak friend was very disappointing.  Mass went okay and Beth said I did fine so I will continue with the singing and maybe take lessons but I will probably wait till after the doctors can figure out what is wrong with me.  As mass was going on I noticed that it was brightening outside and when I left after the exit hymn I thought to call my kayak friend to see if she wanted to reconsider but the woman parked next to me couldn’t get her car started and asked me if I could help and I did, pulling out my jumper cables and, with the help of another fellow, getting her car started.  I texted my kayak friend and then called her and she was having the same thoughts I had and we agreed to meet at the bridge at 1:30.  Our trip went very well, and though we had to pull our boats around the island because the water was much too low, we ended up doing the whole trip in about 2 hours, which was a surprise to us both, and it allowed her to get back in time to walk her dog.  Very good trip.  I then took a brief nap in my truck and then headed over to see Lou and Cathy.  I was a nice visit.  I gave Cathy her gift cards and they gave me a small CD/radio and that will be a useful thing to have.  I left there around 9 and since I really wanted a distraction, I headed to the Blacksburg Cinebowl to see the new Thor movie and it was very different than the earlier ones.  It was much more comedic and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Then I stopped at Kroger for some cheese and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, but the flavor, American Dream, was not to my liking so I only ate a little and I am going to throw the rest out.  I finally got to sleep around 1:30.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Dougie and Margee's Wedding

Saturday turned out to be an okay day despite being rather gloomy outside, very overcast with occasional rain.  I awoke a little anxious but I did my knee exercises and read more of Samuel 2.  David is a pretty rotten character at points.  I then decided to take my bike ride over at the Perry Street garage and I rode for 45 minutes going up the three ramps a total of 12 times.  That calmed me some and after getting home I took a quick but rewarding nap and then I headed over to the John Farm for Dougie and Mergee’s wedding.  I was a brief but nice ceremony with the couple mixing small bottles of sand together.  I saw a lot of the people from the campground and I talked with Tim, Danny’s son, and talked with Danny and Judy some.  The food was pretty good and I ate too much but enjoyed it.  I stayed for over 2 and ½ hours and almost didn’t get back to Blackburg in time to beat the darkness.  I emailed Kate but haven’t heard from her so I am not sure how tomorrow will go.  I wouldn’t mind not kayaking since I am going to sing tomorrow and I still don’t have the songs fully down even though I have practiced them twice each day.  I think my voice is getting a little stronger and with a little more range but they seem much harder than last week’s songs.  I also had a nice chat with Gyorgyi (she is doing well) and I tried to call Nora and Dave, to no avail.  I am watching the VT / Miami game and at this point Miami is ahead 14 nothing.  Tech is usually a good second half club.

Friday, November 3, 2017

A Mixed Day

Friday was a mixed day.  I did my knee exercises while reading more of Samuel 2.  Then I got ready to go for my appointment with Rob about my right breast and my concerns with how often I have to urinate now.  He thought the urinary problem might be an infection but he wasn’t sure about the breast pain.  When he probed it it was very painful.  He didn’t think it was cancer (especially since my left breast was also very sensitive) but he wanted me to get a sonogram and a mammogram.  Those are scheduled for Tuesday.  I am nervous about the procedures and of course the outcome but figuring it out now is the best approach.  Dr. Trivedi said not to drop to 10 mg on the prednisone so I went back to 12 and ½ this afternoon.  One of my ears had a lot of wax in it and Kelly got it out along with washing out the other ear.  After a visit to Walmart to pick up supplies I returned home then rode my bike for 45 minutes and that felt good.  A nap followed nap and then some cleaning up around the apartment.  I put coasters under the three largest pieces of furniture and that should help.  I did three loads of wash today and when the third load finishes, I am going to go for a walk over at Tech, inside if the rain continues, outside if it had cleared up.  Then I will return home for dinner and my weights and yoga.  I also practiced all my songs for Sunday and I am still nervous about getting them right.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Good Day at Jeff's

Thursday started okay.  I did my knee exercises, then I got ready to go see Jeff Saperstein.  We had coffee and the almond croissants I picked up at Our Daily Bread, then we indulged a bit before listening to a Boccherini String Quintet, some of the arias from La Traviata, one of Paganini’s violin concertos plus some other pieces.  Jeff had a wonderful memory for the music and I enjoyed all the selections.  Lisa came back from teaching high school and I chatted with her and Jeff before heading off to ride my bike on the River Trail before heading off to Hethwood.  Claire Gallo had texted me a late birthday greeting and I sent her a very friendly and supportive thank you and response.  I took a brief nap when I got back and then practiced my songs for over a half hour.  I am definitely nervous but I will do the best I can.  I will get to my weights and yoga after I finish this blog.  

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Pretty Good Day

Wednesday was a pretty good day.  I did my knee exercises while reading Samuel 2, then taped all the new songs together, then sang each of them twice.  My voice is okay but I wonder if I should get some coaching.  I think my range is getting slightly better but I’m not sure.  Several of the songs are 5 pages long and that is a bit unnerving but I’m hoping the practice will help.  I then drove over for my appointment with Bettye Akerman and she was a delight to meet and to chat with.  I was very impressed with her.  Then I went over to get Cathy Gallo’s gifts and back home for my bike ride (only three laps since my neck started to hurt) and at the end my sister Roberta called and we had a very good chat for almost an hour and a half (it was too late to go to the 7 o’clock mass but it was very good to reconnect with her).  It was very easy and comfortable to talk with her and I hope we can stay in touch.  I got Kelly’s card today and I emailed my thanks and offered to come up on a Friday in the future so I can get back in time for singing practice on Sunday morning.  My kayak buddy also texted me about kayaking on Sunday and I should be able to meet her by 1 on Sunday.  I still have to call Nora and it will be nice to catch up with her and Gloria called and we had a very nice chat.  I am watching the World Series and the Astros are leading 5-0 and that is fine with me.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Bad day, Good day

Monday was a fairly difficult day.  I awoke fairly anxious, did my knee exercises, then did a slightly shorter bike ride.  I practiced some singing and then went to play golf but I was awful.  It was windy so I was wearing my flannel liner and my goretex jacket but I am not sure that really affected things.  I drove over to Heather Hodges’ office and signed my lease so that is done.  Later I did attend the Holy Spirit group and with Betty Anne there, the singing was better but it was very cold and I was really uncomfortable.  Next time I will wear my heavy coat. When I got home I was thoroughly chilled and I didn’t do my weights and yoga but I did watch A Man for all Seasons and enjoyed it very much.  Thomas More was an extraordinary individual. 


Tuesday, Halloween, is my birthday and I am 66.  I think I have come to terms with my finances and after I pay off my truck loan and my AXA loan, both in February of 2020, I should have a reasonable amount of extra cash coming in, and then when I finish paying Tracy off in December 2022, I will have even more financial flexibility.  I probably means I should keep working until June 2020, but that is only five more semesters and I will be 69.  Moira Bake is 70 and still working and Lou is 72 so 69 shouldn’t be a problem if my health continues doing well.  It is that next two years and a half that will be tighter than I would like but if I am careful with my money, then I should get by.  Kelly called me and wished me a happy birthday and we chatted some and that was nice.  Gabes also called and I should see him the weekend of November 11th and 12th  when I will be taking Amtrak from Roanoke to New York.  I also got a call from Lou wishing me a happy birthday.  He and Cathy are going to take me out Saturday for dinner at the Mexican place next to Sal’s.  Maddie sent me a birthday greeting also.  She is feeling a little better.  I texted Claire Gallo about how her job is going and how her cough is and she texted back that she talked to her boss and that her cough is better.  I did my knee exercises, practiced some singing, and then went for a good bike ride.  I tried to nap a little but could only rest my eyes.   I went over to Radford to meet Kate at Macados and we had salads and a nice chat then Rob called and I went for a full walk on the Tom’s Creek trail with him and caught up on his doings.  Then it was home for a quick nap and some more printing out songs and singing practice.  I will watch the World Series and do my weights and yoga.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Good Day

Sunday ended up being a very good day.  I slept till almost 7, got up and did my knee exercises, read some more of Samuel I, and then got ready to go to St. Mary’s to see if I could join the choir practice.  Beth was fine with that and after practice went well, she told me to stay and sing during the mass.  I was a little nervous, but I think I did okay and Beth thought I did well.  I almost started crying during one of the songs and during the last song, where we started clapping while singing, I really felt good.  There were 6 singers and 4 musicians so my singing was actually an important part.  After that I went home and rode my bike for 45 minutes, up the big hill on Plantation once, then twice up the smaller hill on Plantation, then four times up the small rise off Plantation.  After that I took a nap (it was pretty easy to fall asleep since I felt much calmer than yesterday and I was pretty tired.  After my nap I did some bill paying and sang some of the holy songs and I felt my voice was getting stronger at points.  I then headed to Walmart to pick up supplies.  I had left messages for Lou and Gyorgyi but they didn’t return my calls yet.  I returned home, put the frozen stuff away and then drove to VT and walked for 40 minutes and took out a DVD of A Man for all Seasons.  Then it was time to drive home and make dinner and start watching the World Series and the Sunday night football game.  I may practice some of the jazz songs and I will do my weights and yoga later.   

Saturday, October 28, 2017

A pretty awful day

Saturday has started out poorly.  I woke somewhat anxious and that increased as the day progressed.  I also got the chill and had to hide under the covers for a while.  I did finally get out around 10:30 and do a good bike ride and that made me feel a little better. 
     I have been working on my leaving the hollow piece and that may not be the best thing to be writing about right now. 
     Mary Gorton says I worry about money too much and perhaps that is right.  I saw a program this morning which talked about having 600K in retirement savings by age 67.  I will have about 480.  If I keep working till 69, I will have about 600K.  And if I increase my long term care insurance some I will have enough to pay for the average cost of a nursing home (about 90K a year, and right now I would have income and insurance of about 87K) but should that be my real concern.  I dread the thought of being in a nursing home.  I still can’t get over the loss of the 55K on the hollow sale.  That certainly has made a difference in my thinking but I can’t do anything about it so I just have to let it go.  .  And now much of the money I gave to people seems to have been very questionable.
      My problems with religion are also troubling me deeply.  I wrote to Mike Ellerbrock today about my concerns and perhaps he will have some advice on what to do.  I quit Holy Spirit because of Joseph’s reaction to my email and because the group is not going well (at least in my view) and I don’t feel like going to mass today because of the priest that is filling in for Father John.  He is a bully and that is not the kind of priest I want to deal with.  I read the prologue to Matthew Fox’s Cosmic Christ and that seemed to make a lot of sense.  I understand that the Earth is suffering and that the Catholic faith doesn’t have the mystical connection to it.  But I am not now a mystic nor have I ever been.  I remember Judith Gleason telling me that my vision would come when I really needed it.  But if it didn’t come while I was so sick in the hollow I doubt if it will ever come.  I like the belief of the some Episcopalians, that the Bible is “inspired” by God but not “dictated” by Him, thus you needn’t take all of it literally.  I have been reading the Bible steadily and I am up to Samuel I and I am struck by the violence of it (all the killing of the men, women, children and animals), the pettiness of many of the rules (does God really care about the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant or what color cloth should be used).
      I called  Lou today and found out that Maddie is sick with perhaps bronchitis and Eric is bringing her home (along with Claire) to go to the emergency room.  I offered to drive them back but if she has acute bronchitis then I might get it and end up in the hospital.  That could be very serious and I wonder if I just want things to end, to not have all this anxiety, almost as bad as I had in the hollow but I am not taking any valium.  Dave says I should take a little just to get through this tough period.  Perhaps he is right.  I don’t think I am suicidal but I am very anxious.
      I guess the move is also bothering me a little since that is coming up pretty soon.
     I did end up taking a half a valium before mass and that calmed me some.  I am not sure why I am so anxious so suddenly.  I know I feel bad about my argument with Claire but I apologized to her so I am not sure what else to do.  I did email Joseph with an apology and he emailed back a very comforting email and I will attend on Monday night. 
      I exchanged some friendly emails with Mary and that calmed me a little.
      My right breast still hurts but I did my weights and yoga anyway. 

      Rough day, to be sure.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Bad day, good day

Thursday started out as a pretty bad day, but ended up okay.  I woke up and was pretty worried about my finances.  Then I called my sister Judy while I was doing my knee exercises and she tried very hard to be helpful but I was in a very down mood.  I was feeling very trapped and even more so with moving to Prices Fork (the idea that they are planning to build more apartments behind me upset me even further).  Finally I got going and rode my bike for 45 minutes, then went to Auburn Hills to play golf.  I was horrid and didn’t even finish up the nine holes.  Things started to change when I called Heather Hodges and she told me they wouldn’t be building for at least 2 years.  That was good news.  Then I spoke with Dave and he cheered me up and said that perhaps I should look into increasing my long term care coverage. I also spoke to my niece Jenny and she was as lively as ever.  I drove to RU and dropped off Kate’s gift, visited Holly, said hello to Rosemary, then had a nice chat with Moira Baker.  It was almost 8 when we finished so I went to the reading in Rick’s class and the woman who read was very good, and she read from a piece on the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where I had been in December.  After that I drove home in a good mood.


Friday was a much more relaxed day.  I did my knee exercises, then took a good bike ride.  I tried to nap but just rested my eyes, then I got an email from my kayak friend showing me the bouquet of Oriental lilies and red roses I sent.  I then drove to the Cascades and walked up about a mile and back.  It was very pretty and I felt very good that I could go so far.  I then drove out to Walker Creek and first stopped at the bridge in White Gate to fish (no hits) then drove to Mechanicsville and got two nice bluegills on a spinner.  After that I drove back to Bburg, stopped at Kroger for some shredded cheese, and headed home for a quick nap and getting ready to watch game three of the world series. 

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

A return to Macados and to the Cinebowl

Tuesday was a pretty busy day.  I did my knee exercises, reading Augustine and the Book of Samuel, then I took the wet kayak out of the back of my truck and started drying it.  I did my 45 minute bike ride while it was drying and did some straightening out of the truck.  When the drying was done I folded up the kayak and put it back in the guest bedroom closet.  I then headed off to meet Heather Hodges at the Prices Fork apartments and after seeing the apartments, I decided to rent one of them with a washer/dryer outlet, around 750 square feet with the rent 850 a month, with electricity costs for heating and cooling and other uses about 125 a month.  Then it was off to play golf and I did okay shooting roughly a 51 for nine holes.  Following that I dropped off my application for the apartment and then drove to Blacksburg for a short walk with Rob on the Tom’s Creek trail.  I decided to treat myself to dinner and headed to Macados and saw Jake for the first time in months and saw pictures of his beautiful 20-month-old son.  I ate my Margie’s Cashew Chicken Salad and then decided to really treat myself and go to a movie for the first time in months, my choice being the new Blade Runner movie.  It was not a great movie—and it ran 2 hours and 44 minutes—but I enjoyed it a lot.  Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford are two of my favorite actors so that was a treat.   Finally, after an ice cream sandwich, I headed home and got to bed a little after 1.

Wednesday turned out to be a cold and blustery day (luckily I had dried out the kayak yesterday).  I did my knee exercises, read more Augustine and Samuel, the showered and headed over to have an early lunch with Claire Hall.  It was nice to see her and after lunch we took a short walk on the Tech campus.  After that I returned home, having mailed Dave a copy of my book, and took a short nap, really enjoying my warm covers.  A bit slow to wake up, I finally got going and went outside, dressed in my heavy winter coat and gloves, and rode my bike for 45 minutes.  When I got back I took another short nap and then did the rest of my piano playing, read some of Lou’s poems, gift wrapped the present for my kayak friend, did the dishes and did a wash, then made dinner and started watching the World Series.  I read the packet from Warm Hearth and it seems that any of their options are out of my class financially.  That depressed me, and I realized that I will have to be careful with my money the rest of my life.  I hope I like the apartment at Prices Fork.  I can certainly afford it but I still can’t spend much extra each month.  Then I think of people like Mary and I wonder how she really gets by.  Oh well, there is not much I can do about my financial situation except keep working for 5 more semesters and hope that I don’t end up in some awful nursing home.   

Monday, October 23, 2017

Rainy Day

Monday was a dreary weather day, even though the rain was well needed.   I did my knee exercises, read more of Samuel and Augustine, dried out my kayak stuff and did some writing, along with 30 minutes of piano playing.  I had dinner with Kim at the River City Grill and the crabcakes were pretty good.  It was nice to chat with Kim and I am glad I could be there to support her during her heath problem.  I also responded to Jeff Saperstein and I will try to get together with him soon.  I went bike riding in the Perry Street garage and that felt good even though I didn’t go up and down the ramps because they were wet.  I sent my kayak friend an email that I hope was funny but it got too long so I ended it pretty quickly.  My right breast is still sore and if it doesn’t clear up soon I will have Rob look at it.  I also had a nice chat with Dave.  

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Another excellent kayak trip

Sunday turned out to be a wonderful day.  I did my knee exercises, reading more of Samuel and Augustine, and then I played some piano before heading off to go kayaking with my kayak friend.  The river was fairly low so we couldn’t go around the island but we both had fun, chatting and joking and enjoying the warm sun and the change in the seasons.  My friend got a little cold toward the end but I think if she dresses better next time (with her spray jacket and pants and her wet socks, along with a toboggan I am going to get her for her birthday) she will be fine.  We are hoping to get out one more time before it gets too cold.  When I got home I napped, then went over to VT and rode my bike all over campus, up to Deets and back.  I rode for 45 minutes and it felt good to ride on campus again.  Back home I made dinner and watched the end of The Night of the Hunter.  Not a great movie but good enough for a Sunday evening.  I have one set of weights and yoga to finish and then it will be time for bed.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Taking Mary to the Airport and lunch at Smokey Bones

Saturday was an okay day.  I got up around 8, did my knee exercises, showered, then wrote some before heading over to pick up Mary so I could drive her over to the Roanoke Airport.  She needed to deposit a check and she had problems with that but finally we got going.  Then as we were approaching the Peppers Ferry exit she discovered she didn’t have her cell phone so we had to drive back to her car.  After finding the phone we started off again, only about a half hour late and got to Smokey Bones in plenty of time for lunch (which she treated me to) and to get her to the airport by a little after 1 for a 2:30 flight.  I drove home and took a nap, then watched VT demolish North Carolina.  I decided not to go to mass, mainly because I really don’t like the priest who is filling in for Father John.  He is a real bully.  I would like to give him a piece of my mind but I doubt it would do any good.  I tried to nap again but didn’t feel well and thought I was getting sick but I did go on a good 45 minute bike ride (3 times up the bigger hill) and when I got back I did really nap and woke up feeling much better.  I made dinner (spaghetti and clam sauce and a bowl of veggies) and then watched some of the Michigan / Penn State game before playing piano for 30 minutes.  Then back to football and baseball until I took another break to do my blog.  The only thing I have left is my weights and yoga.  I took my golf clubs out and put the kayak in, but two of my patches on my right arm broke and there was blood all over.   

Friday, October 20, 2017

Good Biking and Fishing

Friday turned out to be a good day.  I had a very good night’s sleep, not getting up until after 8, then did all my knee exercises while reading Augustine and the Book of Samuel.  I then did a solid bit of writing on the hollow piece and that felt very good.  I talked to the woman who is handling the place out on Prices Fork where Mary is going to rent and I am going to meet her on Tuesday to see if one of the apartments will work.  They are rather small (750 square feet) but the price (850) is attractive.  I rode my bike for about 45 minutes adding rides back up the hill three times.  I then drove out to White Gate, where I got a couple of hits and decided to go to Trail’s End, where I got two nice bluegills.  I drove back and got to Lowe’s just before dark, and there I got a piece of furring strip.  I drove home and cleaned the windshield for my trip tomorrow to Roanoke and also drilled out the hole for the hook in the furring strip.  Then it was time to cook dinner (a big dish of veggies and a veggie burger sandwich), then time to watch some of the Yankee game.  Cathy emailed me and thanked me for helping Claire and Maddie.  I responded that it was no problem but that Claire’s comment about me imposing on her to help navigate hurt a little.  I hope to do some piano playing later and my weights and yoga.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

An Argument with Claire

Wednesday I did my weights and yoga in the morning after my knee exercises.  Then I headed off to Wake Forest, where I rode my bike for 40 minutes.  The campus is not bike friendly but I got to see more of the campus, including Wingate Hall and The Waite Chapel.  I met Maddie at 4:40 and she was upset because she had lost her keys.  We called the bus company but no one returned our calls so we were hoping that we might hear tomorrow.  When Claire arrived, we drove over to MacAllister’s Deli, a place I have never been and Claire and I had a big argument.  She started yelling at me not to turn just as a car started pulling out in front of me.  I yelled at her because she was supposed to be paying attention to traffic.  She said I was imposing on her by asking her to be navigator and that upset me a lot.  Does she think I am her servant or an Uber driver.  When we got to MacAllister’s we chatted for a while and I explained that my only focus was safety and that I needed help with getting there since it was a completely new place.  She calmed down a bit, paid for her own food, and despite saying she was going to sit by herself, she sat with Maddie and I although she didn’t speak much during dinner.  When we got back to the apartment, I offered to stay outside for awhile or get a room, but Maddie wanted me to stay so I did.  Maddie came out from her room later and we had a nice chat and then Claire came out and joined in for a few minutes.  I watched Mad Max Fury Road and a few other programs until I went to bed around 11:30.  I didn’t sleep well even though I had closed the vent and the air wasn’t blowing much on me but it was still pretty cold and I ended up putting on an extra set of long johns and my sweater over my liner.


Thursday we got going around 9:30 and the drive up was fine.  Claire seemed in a good mood and we passed the giant pumpkin fields just before getting on 81.  I got Claire and Maddie home safely and chatted with Lou for 15 minutes before heading off to meet Doug.  The house was okay but there were steps up from the garage and the price 249K was just too high.  We then drove over to the Lovely Mount townhouses but they weren’t in very good shape so I decided to pass on them.  I took a nap then played golf, playing the last three holes, 4/3, 5/5, and 5/4 to finish 4 over (roughly a 49).  Then I drove home, tried to nap and couldn’t, then rode my bike for 40 minutes around Hethwood.  I straightened up the truck, did my knee exercises, read Ruth in the Bible, some Augustine and then cooked dinner.  I hope to do my yoga and weights later.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Almost making an offer on a house

Tuesday was an interesting day.  I did my knee exercises and read some of Augustine and the Bible.  I wrote to Joseph about how I felt his email to me was autocratic and made me uncomfortable and that I was not going to return to Holy Spirit.  He did send an email apology but I think I will stay away from Holy Spirit until things change: we need a good singing lead like Candido was, we need a regular instrumentalist, and we need the energy of someone like Glenda.  I went to play golf with Craig Waggaman and surprisingly, I won handily, not losing any holes and winning 5 outright.  Craig just kept missing putts and I played okay, shooting a 50 and he shot only a 47.  I tried to adjust the rules but he wasn’t having it.  It was good to see him and I hope we can play again.  I then went to meet Doug for a look at the house on Cub Circle and I liked it very much and told him to make a bid for 230K which would put me at my limit financially but still allow me to keep paying Tracy the full 500 a month.  However, Doug called me later and said that he had noticed that the 2 acre lot behind the house was for sale and zoned B-1 which he wasn’t sure what that meant so we postponed putting in a bid.  I then had dinner with Claire Hall at Greens and we went for a nice walk on the Drill field.  After our walk I went over to the Perry Street lot and rode my bike for 40 minutes and then went home to warch the exciting Yankee game (they won 6-4).  I did do two sets of weights and yoga.

Monday, October 16, 2017

A Visit to Winston Salem

Saturday was a very decent day.  I looked at some houses with Doug Trexler, and then I went out to play golf with Mary Gorton.  She didn’t play very well (she simply needs to practice some and play more) but we had a good time and I took her out to eat at Panera, and that was fun.  I did my bike ride at Perry Street and then I was too tired to do my weights and yoga so I simply watched the TV I had recorded, including the end of the Michigan Indiana game, the Georgia Tech Miami game and the Yankees Astros game, all three of them very good games.


Sunday started well, with knee exercises, weights and yoga and a 40 minute bike ride.  I then went to 11:30  mass and came home, tried to nap and failed, did some work on the truck and did some straightening up around the house.  I then headed off to Radford to pick up Maddie and Claire and when I got there I stayed for 20 minutes to chat with Lou and Cathy.  Cathy looked like she was worn out and in a lot of pain.  Then the three of us headed to Winston Salem.   We stopped at Zoe’s Kitchen for dinner then we headed to their apartment.  Unfortunately, Claire was coughing a lot and at midnight I called Cathy and she talked to Claire and told her to try to wait until the morning to go to the urgent care place, which she did.  I cancelled the listings that Peg Warren was sending me and I also told Doug Trexler that I only wanted to look at places with a HOA and around 220 or less.  

Friday, October 13, 2017

Decent numbers and the House Search

Friday started out somewhat poorly but ended up being an okay day.  I didn’t sleep well, having a nightmare related to the Holy Spirit group and Joseph.  I finally got up around 10, and then did some of my knee exercises, then did some figuring out on what I can afford for a house.  I went to meet Doug Trexler and he showed me one of the Villas at Peppers Ferry but it was too expensive and not very enticing.  Then we went over to Spencer Springs and he showed me a house with a second story that was 239K.  I liked it and the neighborhood looked fine but I don’t need a second story and 239K would really push me.  He is going to show me something tomorrow that is one story.  I also looked at 5 houses in Cburg and Bburg, but none of them fit the bill.  I am finally getting to look at the stuff Peg Warren sent me.  Then it was home for laundry and dish washing and my blog.  I am going to see Cathy on Sunday at least for a few minutes so that will be nice.  I will do my yoga and weights later and I hope to send out my proposal for CEA later tonight.   I did get a good bike ride in of 40 minutes.  I got my bloodtest results today and my blood numbers were slightly better.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Safe Drive Back with Claire and Maddie

Wednesday was a good day.  I drove down to Wake Forest, leading around 9:30 in the morning and getting there around 11:30.  I rode my hike for forty minutes seeing a little of the campus (I didn’t want to go down a hill to the main part), including Waite Chapel, Farrell Hall, the Heath and Fitness Building and Alumni Hall.  I met Maddie at 1:40 and took her out to lunch at the Silo Bistro and we had a fine lunch, with the baked brie as an appetizer a fine treat.  My shrimp salad was very good.  Then we went back to the apartment and Maddie studied until Claire got home around 5:15, then we drove to a Brixx Pizza place which was decent.  After that we headed home and Claire and Maddie stayed in their bedroom and I watched TV until 11:30.  I did do my yoga.


Thursday was another good day, with Maddie and Claire getting up around 8:00.  I was able to do my yoga before they got up.  We left around 9:00 and we passed a huge pumpkin patch near the New River, literally thousands of pumpkins.  I dropped them off around 11:00 and it was good to see the reunion between Lou and Maddie and Claire.  I stayed and chatted for a few minutes, then drove to Rob’s for a flu shot and my blood test, then I headed off to play nine holes of golf.  I started awfully, an 8 and a 7  on the opening par 5 on the back nine but I played okay after that, ending up 2 over so a 51 for each nine.  I did play from further up since I wasn’t playing that well.  Then I headed back for a nap and then a bike ride over at VT in the Perry Street garage.  Then it was home for pasta and veggies then another nap and watching the Cubs/Nationals game.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Still Looking for a Place

Tuesday had its moments as I ended up looking at a house for rent on Glade Road.  It was very private, near Heritage Park and across from some VT fields.  But ultimately it had too many negatives: no thermostat in the basement, large yard that had to be cut, snow removal not included, no washer dryer and if I put one in it would be in the basement.  I looked this evening at over 1300 listings on Craigslist covering the NRV and there were many duplicates.  After I go pick up Claire and Maddie in Winston Salem I will look at a handful of listings that looked promising.  I also found out from the IRS that I am only going to lose my October check instead of both September and October, so that is an extra 2000.  I did my knee exercises and rode my bike for 40 minutes and I will do my weights and yoga later tonight.  

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Back Home and looking for a new place

Saturday was kind of a down day.  I did my knee exercises, then rode my bike for forty minutes, then did some straightening out around the apartment.  I looked at some houses on Craigs List but I couldn’t look past page one so I switched to Zillow and found a number of houses for rent and did look at several (only the 1350 place had any appeal) before heading out to play golf, the first time since I hurt my back.  I played reasonably well, shooting 2 over, and my back felt okay.  I had invited Mary Gorton to join me but she helped out at the church work day and was too tired to play.  I stopped for some supplies and then got home in time for the VT game (which they won fairly easily) and did my weights and yoga.  I put on quite a few pounds on my trip and I hope to work off some of the weight soon.  I felt kind of depressed all day, and I am not sure why.  Also tomorrow will be rainy and that means my kayak friend and I won’t be going kayaking tomorrow.  

Friday, October 6, 2017

The Rest of the Trip

Tuesday  went very well.  I drove to Arches and spent a couple of hours in the park, taking a few pictures, two of which I sent Kate, and one short hike.  The park was a lot more crowded than I expected and I didn’t park at the Windows or at Devil’s Garden.  My favorite walk, at Park Avenue, was closed but it was still a very good visit.  I took a nap after I left the park, and then I drove on to Glenwood Springs, where I stopped just before it got dark to fish the Colorado at a ramp and I got several hits.  I got to the Quality Inn just before dark and I couldn’t nap so I watched the Yankee game and ordered salad and a small pizza from Dominos.  I didn’t feel like driving into town and that worked out fine.  I talked to Dave and he was really out of it and I think I have to talk to Danny about his drinking.  He certainly puts the vodka away, and he smokes weed constantly.  I did my knee exercises and my yoga just before I went to bed.

Wednesday was my final day of driving and it went very well.  I only had about 150 miles to go and I stopped several times to fish some very tempting if accessible spots.  I didn’t get any hits but I did see a small trout run after my spinner in one long pool.  Catching fish would be an added plus but just being out fishing on a Colorado stream is reward enough.  I wasn’t sure I could make this trip and it turned out very well.  I got into town around 2, checked in the car, then got a free ride from Lyft over to Union Station where I checked my bags and then rented a bike and drove over to the Platte for about 40 minutes.  I stopped for coffee and a coffee cake at the Starbucks at the kayak run and then rode back to the train station.  I took a short walk and then got my bags and decided to work on my blog.  We should be mercy boarding in less than an hour.  I boarded at around 7 and the train headed out around 7:30, only 15 minutes late.  Dinner was pleasant and I had the Land and Sea, a steak and crabcake combo which was pretty good.  I went to bed around 11:00.

Thursday started slow because I didn’t sleep well.  I was up at 5, then I dropped off to sleep for a few minutes and got up just as breakfast was starting at 6:30 so I had my breakfast then.  I came back and napped some and that made me feel a lot better.  Mary Gorton called and Carilion called so I will return the calls when reception returns.  I read a little of Mary Bland’s book on prayer but I feel really detached, still as much as an agnostic as ever, though I am praying some.  The kind of God I would like is one who loves me despite my faults and doesn’t expect too much from me, a gentle God of compassion and.  Not sure there is such a God.  I will be home tomorrow and I will begin my search again for a new place to live.  I am not looking forward to it but it has to be done and I will get to work as soon as I return.  I got on the train around 5:30 and it left at 5:45 so that was on time.  I read a little more in Mary Bland’s book and I hope that helps.  I had a fun email exchange with my kayak friend and I am expecting her to respond to my latest one.  It doesn’t look like Sunday will work out because of the expected rain.  I am less than 16 hours from home and I will be glad to get home to ride my bike and maybe play some golf with Mary Gorton. 


Friday began with breakfast at 6:30 after another restless night.  It took me a while to put towels under the upper bed to quiet its ceaseless noise but after I fixed it I was able to catch a few hours sleep.  After breakfast I awoke at 9:00, cleaned up some and then watched the view of the New River Gorge, always spectacular.  I am about 2 and ½ hours from Clifton Forge, with lunch coming up at 12:30.  The trip was a good one and the only problem driving came at two of the rotaries, where I had to make a quick move to get over to the right exit lane.  Other than that the driving was pretty easy, which bodes well for another trip at some point.  Money will be a factor but if I save some up, I should have the possibility of traveling next summer.  I have already planned a couple of winter trips, one to visit Gabes and one down to Charlotte.  This trip cost me about 3500 but I had paid for the train trip (1900) back in December before I got sick.  I got off the train around 2:15, an hour and a half late, and walked over to the police station and then drove back to Blacksburg, thus ending my first trip since December.  I napped, then rode my bike for forty minutes, watched some of the Yankee game, then did my knee exercises.  I texted Maddie, congratulating her on her A minus in her paper (she was very happy with the grade).  I will drive down on Wednesday to visit and then drive them to Radford on Thursday.  I hope to do my yoga and light weights later.