Create no images of God. Accept the images that God has provided. They are everywhere, in everything. God is Change — Seed to tree, tree to forest; Rain to river, river to sea; Grubs to bees, bees to swarm. From one, many; from many, one; Forever uniting, growing, dissolving — forever Changing. The universe is God’s self-portrait. | |
― Octavia E. Butler | |
From her book: “Parable of the Sower“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | An Honorable Preference |
2021 | Very Young Or Very New |
Feelin’ It | |
2020 | Or To Destroy Democracy |
2019 | A Defense Of Liberty |
2018 | And Blog To Word Up To The Universe |
The Irony Of Greed | |
2017 | Or Revisiting A Blog Site |
2016 | Alas, Too Often The Latter |
2015 | Either / Or |
2014 | Memorial Day – 2014 |
Perfection | |
2013 | Memorial Day Video |
Equal = Equal | |
2012 | Congrats, Nephew!! |
Doggie Vision Networks | |
The Flash: Omnibus | |
JLI: vol 1 | |
Flash: Rebirth | |
Burning Images | |
What Do You Believe? | |
2011 | Are We Still At War With The Poor? |
Archive for the ‘Faith Family and Friends’ Category
Images Are Everywhere
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Change, God, Images, Octavia E. Butler, Parable Of The Sower, Philosophy, Quotes, Universe on May 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Happy Meeting Day 39 (And Counting)
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family History, Pictures, tagged C.S. Lewis, Eleanor Roosevelt, Family, Happy 39th (Meeting) Anniversary, Happy Meeting Day - 2023, National Forests, Oregon, Pictures of Hil And Me on May 19, 2023| 2 Comments »
I became my own only when I gave myself to Another. | |
― C.S. Lewis | |
Happiness is not a goal… it’s a by-product of a life well lived. | |
— Eleanor Roosevelt | |
This is another of the “older” photos we took when we went on a trip to Oregon (over 10 yrs ago). We stopped along the way to view light-houses, waterfalls, covered bridges, and walk among the BIG trees in National Forests. | |
Thirty-Nine years ago I met the love of my life… Loving her a little more each day makes getting old easier than I ever imagined it would be. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Happy Meeting Day 38 (And Counting) |
9 (40) – Done | |
2021 | Happy Meeting Day 37 (And Counting) |
2020 | Happy Meeting Day 36 (And Counting) |
2019 | Happy Meeting Day 35 (And Counting) |
2018 | Happy Meeting Day 34 (And Counting) |
Storytelling | |
2017 | Happy Meeting Day 33 (And Counting) |
2016 | Picture Perfect |
2015 | Life Showed Compassion |
2014 | And Then I Met Her |
2013 | Defining Maleness |
The Run Continues | |
2012 | All Set |
2011 | Not Always |
Too Small
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Carl Sagan, Galaxy, God, Philosophy, Problems, Quotes, Universe, Western Theology on May 9, 2023| Leave a Comment »
A general problem with much of Western theology… is that the God portrayed is too small. It is a god of a tiny world and not a god of a galaxy, much less a universe. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | But Don’t Forget It Either |
2021 | Appreciating Intricacy |
I Read It In A Fairy Tale | |
2020 | Insensitive To Silence |
Weaker, Sicker And Poorer | |
2019 | Don’t Be Small |
2018 | Persistence |
2017 | Are You A Loser? |
2016 | Constitution And Conscience |
2015 | Separate, Fearful And Imprisoned |
2014 | Something Worth Making |
2013 | Absolutely |
2012 | Can Do |
2011 | Wise Criticism |
Heart Update (+30 Days)
Posted in Cardiac Ablation, Disclaimer, Family and Friends, Health, Workouts, tagged Cardiac Ablation, Disclaimer, EKG, Exercise, Health, Health Insurance, Medicare on May 6, 2023| 2 Comments »
Back on 4 April 2023, I had a cardiac ablation procedure. I survived and am on the road to recovery… | |
A few days later I posted my “milestones to recovery” timeline. Here is my post-30 day update: | |
1) | Survive the procedure (check) |
2) | Survive the first 24 hours and go home (check) |
3) | 1 week post-op review and EKG with cardiologist / staff. (check) EKG results are normal sinus rhythm. |
4) | Survive the first 11.5 days. According to the NIH, this is the median point for fatalities in the first 30 days after the procedure. Fatalities for the procedure are “roughly” .46% – so 1 in 200, but the majority of those deaths are related to co-morbidity factors, which I do not / did not have. (check) |
5) | Survive 30 days post-op. Again, according to the NIH, this is the critical time frame after which fatalities from the procedure drop to near zero(0). (check) |
6) | 90 days evaluation of post-op medications and return to almost “normal” activity. |
7) | After 90 days, and assuming the procedure was successful, my “odds” of living a “normal” life expectancy (compared to those on or off of AFib medications) are the same. |
How do I feel at the 30 day milestone? So-so. My cardiologist told me it can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days for the heart to heal and I have to continue to go-slow and pace myself until then. I’m feeling it… I have a “weighted chest” at some point almost every day. This happens with or without exercise. I am also frequently finding myself short of breath – normally when walking. Most times, it passes quickly, but sometimes it can last for more than an hour, and this is with and without the weighted chest feeling. I am also popping into AFib most days, although these sessions tend to be of only a few minutes. (Yesterday, I had my first instance of weighted chest, tight chest and shortness of breath – combined – which lasted about 75-90 minutes.) | |
The bottom line is the external incision points have closed and are well on the way to being fully healed, but questions remain about my heart. Not so much about immediate consequences of the ablation procedure, but whether or not it’s helped with my AFib. So, I have begun light exercise to go along with my daily walk (increased from .4 to .8 mile) around our block. I do one lap with my wife (walking our dog) and then a second lap on my own. My resting HR is in the mid-to-high 60bpm range. Most of the walking is in the 80-90 HR range, but I almost always get a 30 second to 2 minute bump to 140 – 155 HR range. I’m not “doing” anything different to make it go up (walk faster) or down (walk slower). It just seems to happen on its own. | |
In addition to the walking, I’m also doing some light weights exercise – 40lbs pull downs, inclined pushups and pull-ups, body-weight squats and 25lbs dead-lifts for 10 reps (each exercise) of three sets (in cycles / circuit). I’ve been adding an exercise to each circuit about one per week. I have brief pauses between each exercise and each set and I have not experienced any significant HR issues during or immediately after these exercises (sets or circuits). (I originally started with at least one full hour rest between circuits, but I don’t do that anymore.) I was hoping to start some “Niko-Niko” jogging after the 30 day milestone, but given my walking HR issues, I don’t think I’m up to that level of aerobic exercise quite yet. Maybe in a week or so… Ah, well… Slowly, slowly, Inshallah. | |
Disclaimer: As always, I would like to remind anyone reading this that I am NOT a doctor, I am not recommending this medical procedure or exercise program to anyone, and you should ALWAYS consult with your own medical provider / primary physician if you notice any personal health issues and before beginning any diet or exercise regime. My “road to recovery” checklist is based on my conversations with my cardiologist and my personal research on the Internet. | |
For anyone who is interested… I just received my insurance statement for the ablation procedure / over-night stay. My hospital billed at $260,790!! Medicare paid $33,000 (rounded) and my insurance paid $1,600. My out of pocket cost is $0!! While I’m happy my cost is nil, I have to ask: Is this any way to run a health care system? I feel for those people / families too young for Medicare and without health insurance. Without both insurances, this procedure would have bankrupted us or burdened us with debt for the rest of our lives. | |
Finally, I (again) offer my thanks to anyone who has or is offering up a prayer or positive thought for me. I am and will remain extremely grateful. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | The Edge Of Today |
2021 | Why I’m Wrinkled With Age |
Is There A Generic Available? | |
2020 | I Feel Noblesse Oblige |
2019 | Live For Something |
2018 | My Dogs Beat ‘Em Up |
Is Your Sky Falling? | |
2017 | Unseen Here, Too |
2016 | Criticized Anyway |
2015 | Sometimes The Truth Hurts |
2014 | All Agreed, Say “Aye” |
2013 | Two Books, Two Movies |
Just Because | |
2012 | God’s Requirements |
2011 | Greater Purity |
Faith Is A Challenge For All
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Catholics, Challenge, Eucharist, Ordinary, Philosophy, Quotes, Shawn Tunink on April 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »
It is a challenge to all Catholics to never let receiving the Eucharist become something ordinary. | |
— Shawn Tunink | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Looking For Solutions To Climate Change |
4 – 40hrs | |
2021 | Our Identity Crisis Continues |
There’s No Hiding Place | |
2020 | In Need Of Concerted Action |
2019 | Anything / Everything |
2018 | Touching A Nerve |
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors | |
I Have Realities In My Past | |
2017 | Did I See You In Chapter 13? |
2016 | As I Recall |
2015 | Less And More Irritation |
2014 | That Marvelous Feeling |
2013 | Exceptional |
2012 | A Wild And Crazy Believer |
2011 | A Lack Of Scarcity |
The Joy Of Prevention | |
Heart Update
Posted in Cardiac Ablation, Disclaimer, Family and Friends, Health, Workouts, tagged Cardiac Ablation, Disclaimer, EKG, Health on April 16, 2023| 2 Comments »
Back on 4 April 2023, I had a cardiac ablation procedure. I survived and am on the road to recovery… | |
A few days later I posted my “milestones to recovery” timeline. Here is an update: | |
1) | Survive the procedure (check) |
2) | Survive the first 24 hours and go home (check) |
3) | 1 week post-op review and EKG with cardiologist / staff. (check) EKG results are normal sinus rhythm. |
4) | Survive the first 11.5 days. According to the NIH, this is the median point for fatalities in the first 30 days after the procedure. Fatalities for the procedure are “roughly” .46% – so 1 in 200, but the majority of those deaths are related to co-morbidity factors, which I do not / did not have. (check) |
5) | Survive 30 days post-op. Again, according to the NIH, this is the critical time frame after which fatalities from the procedure drop to near zero(0). |
6) | 90 days evaluation of post-op medications and return to almost “normal” activity. |
7) | After 90 days, and assuming the procedure was successful, my “odds” of living a “normal” life expectancy (compared to those on or off of AFib medications) are the same. |
I have not been able to find out the mean point for fatalities after the procedure – only the median. As such, I am hoping the “mean” is on the left side of the “median” and not the right. (LoL – I am still demonstrating my OCD personality type, seeking control / security where there is no certainty.) | |
The bottom line is that although the external incision points may have closed and are well on the way to being fully healed, this is not true for my heart. My cardiologist has said it can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days for the heart to heal and I have to continue to go-slow and pace myself until then. So, I have begun light exercise to go along with my daily walk (.4 mile) around our block. 40lbs pull down for 10 reps in three sets spaced at least an hour apart. Ah, well… Slowly, slowly, Inshallah. | |
Disclaimer: As always, I would like to remind anyone reading this that I am NOT a doctor, I am not recommending this procedure to anyone, and you should ALWAYS consult with your own medical provider / primary physician if you notice any personal health issues. My “road to recovery” checklist is based on my conversations with my cardiologist and my personal research on the Internet. | |
Finally, I offer my thanks to anyone who has or is offering up a prayer or positive thought for me. I am and will remain extremely grateful. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Widening The Moat |
2021 | Core Strength |
Thinking Of You | |
2020 | Rising Danger |
210 Day Health / Weight Update (Apr 2020) | |
2019 | Never Let ‘Em See You Sweat |
2018 | Just Two? |
2017 | Living Without Love |
Good News! | |
2016 | At This Moment |
2015 | Still Dreaming |
2014 | Good Wins |
2013 | Before |
2012 | Look To This Day |
2011 | One View Of Man |
Given The Option
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Faith and Family, Happy Birthday James, Philosophy on April 7, 2023| 2 Comments »
Happy Birthday, James!! | |
A parent’s (dad’s) greatest hope is that their children (son) will grow up to be a better person than they are. | |
When given an option, hopefully, you’ll follow our example more frequently than our advice. | |
Stay true to yourself and be kind… (rough around the edges, but kind). | |
Love Always, | |
— Mum and Dad | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Remember |
2021 | Now You’re 31… |
Versions: (Father And Son) | |
2020 | Make A Fuss |
2019 | Hopefully, You’re Learning To Forgive |
2018 | Enjoy The Sunsets As Well As The Sunrises |
2017 | Enjoy |
2016 | I Got A Feeling |
2015 | Fiction Leading To History |
2014 | A Self-Correcting Process |
2013 | None But He Knows |
2012 | 99% Are Demanding |
2011 | All In The Family |
Take Your Pick | |
Still Saying Them…
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Anonymous, Courage, Fear, Philosophy, Prayers, Quotes on April 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Courage is fear that has said its prayers. | |
— Unknown | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Beyond Racial Classification |
2021 | There’s Still No Voter Fraud |
Versions | |
2020 | Another Reason #DonTheCon Continues To Lie About The Pandemic |
A Receptive Push | |
2019 | I’m Still Struggling To Rise |
2018 | Once Suddenly Free |
2017 | What Is Childlike |
2016 | The Latter A Lot Quicker Than The Former |
2015 | Notes On My Nightstand |
2014 | Generations |
2013 | Two For One |
2012 | Seen And Heard |
2011 | The Hazards And Vicissitudes Of Life |
So Far, So Good
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged AFib, Cardiac Ablation, Disclaimer, Faith, Gratitude, Health, John Muir Hospital - Concord, National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIH, Positive Thoughts, Prayers, Road To Recovery on April 5, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Well, it appears I have indeed survived my cardiac ablation procedure (yesterday). Because I ended up as an afternoon procedure, I had to stay in the hospital overnight for observation… | |
Before I go any farther, I want to give a BIG shout-out to the wonderful doctors, nurses, aides and other staff working at John Muir Hospital in Concord, CA. Every one of them were professional and caring! I KNOW they were busy, but they all took the time to make sure I was comfortable and that everything followed the protocol / schedule without making it seem routine. I genuinely felt like a person and not just a patient. | |
I am dating myself, but I’ll say it anyway: “You guys ROCK!“ | |
Now, I start the road to recovery. The milestones are: | |
1) survive the procedure (check) | |
2) survive the first 24 hours and go home (check) | |
3) survive the first 11.5 days. According to the NIH, this is the median point for fatalities in the first 30 days after the procedure. Fatalities for the procedure are “roughly” .46% – so 1 in 200, but the majority of those are related to co-morbidity factors, which I do not / did not have. | |
4) survive 30 days post-op. Again, according to the NIH, this is the critical time frame after which fatalities from the procedure drop to near zero(0). | |
5) 90 days evaluation of post-op medications and return to almost “normal” activity. | |
After 90 days, and assuming the procedure was successful, my “odds” of living a “normal” life expectancy (compared to those on or off of AFib medications) are the same. | |
Disclaimer: As always, I would like to remind anyone reading this that I am NOT a doctor, I am not recommending this procedure to anyone, and you should ALWAYS consult with your own medical provider / primary physician if you notice any personal health issues. My “road to recovery” checklist is based on my conversations with my cardiologist and my personal research on the Internet. | |
Finally, I offer my thanks to anyone who did offer up a prayer or positive thought for me. I am and will remain extremely grateful. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Dust Under Your Fingertips |
2021 | Stopped Counting Decades Ago |
Just Enjoying The Sun | |
2020 | To My Idealistic Sister |
2019 | Respect For My Sister |
2018 | I Trust Cows |
No Boundary | |
2017 | Don’t Sink Now |
2016 | A Burning Passion To Teach Freedom |
2015 | Before Debit (And Credit) Cards |
2014 | Herding Cats |
2013 | Ooops! |
2012 | Understand A Great Truth |
2011 | Start Here… |
2010 | Random Acts of Vandalism On Easter Weekend… |
Thinking About My Sister
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Bravery, Creating Yourself, Family, Finding Yourself, Fury, George Bernard Shaw, Happy Birthday Sis, Helen Keller, Jean de la Fontaine, Joy, Patience, Philosophy, Strength, Time on April 5, 2023| 2 Comments »
We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world. | |
— Helen Keller | |
Patience and passage of time do more than strength and fury. | |
— Jean de la Fontaine | |
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. | |
— George Bernard Shaw | |
[Happy Birthday, Sis!! — kmab] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Dust Under Your Fingertips |
2021 | Stopped Counting Decades Ago |
Just Enjoying The Sun | |
2020 | To My Idealistic Sister |
2019 | Respect For My Sister |
2018 | I Trust Cows |
No Boundary | |
2017 | Don’t Sink Now |
2016 | A Burning Passion To Teach Freedom |
2015 | Before Debit (And Credit) Cards |
2014 | Herding Cats |
2013 | Ooops! |
2012 | Understand A Great Truth |
2011 | Start Here… |
2010 | Random Acts of Vandalism On Easter Weekend… |
Takin’ A Lickin’
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, General Comments, Health, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Cardiac Ablation, Deterrent, General Comments, Gossip, Health, Leonard Ravenhill, Philosophy, Prayers, Quotes, Surgery on April 4, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great deterrent. | |
— Leonard Ravenhill | |
[This afternoon, at roughly 2:30pm, I should be starting my heart “surgery” / ablation procedure. The procedure normally takes between 2-3 hours, with a similar amount of time in post-op / recovery. This means I will probably have to spend the night in the hospital under observation. If all goes well, I should be home tomorrow with a heart that’s still tickin’. | |
Please keep me in your positive thoughts and prayers… | |
— kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | If That’s What You Mean |
2021 | Awakening The Glow |
I Remember | |
2020 | Golden Eagle |
Like #45: Incompetent Donald | |
2019 | #45: Who Lost By Three Million Votes |
2018 | Torn Between Two Loves |
A Girl And A Boy | |
2017 | I Think They Are Starting To… |
2016 | Living There |
2015 | Bookin’ West |
Beyond My Reach | |
You Never Call Anymore… | |
2014 | Winning? |
2013 | Still Inventing |
2012 | Motivated |
2011 | Waiting In Line At Starbuck’s |
Sometimes Once Can Be Enough
Posted in Family and Friends, Humor, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Aging, Albert Einstein, Anonymous, Happy Birthday to me, Humor, Kids, Philosophy, Quotes, Richard Gere, Shag Pile Carpet, Socks, Young At Heart on March 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Kids today don’t know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag pile carpet to change the TV channel. | |
— Anonymous | |
I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don’t have to. | |
— Albert Einstein | |
I am old but I am forever young at heart. … Each year is special and precious, you can only live it once. | |
— Richard Gere | |
[Happy Birthday to me! — kmab] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | The Air Is Thinner, But It’s A Killer View |
2021 | Staying Young While Getting Old |
Mid-Afternoon (Hopefully) | |
2020 | Still Measuring |
2019 | Living On The Couch |
Who Am I – One Interpretation | |
2018 | A Gardening Goal: Feed The Flowers |
2017 | Freakishly Happy Cowboy |
2016 | One More, Please |
2015 | Infinite Adventure |
2014 | Unpaved |
2013 | Headstones |
2012 | Keeping Young |
2011 | Lessons Well Learned |
What My Dog Thinks About Her Daily Walk…
Posted in Family and Friends, Humor, Included Video, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, Walking, tagged Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, Dog Walking, Family, Feelin' Groovy, Humor, Music Videos, Shiva, Simon & Garfunkel, The 59th Street Bridge Song, Tony Christie, Vevo, YouTube on March 24, 2023| 2 Comments »
Each morning, I interrupt my dog’s life long personal research of eating and napping for a walk around the block. In her younger days, we would go out for over an hour and cover several miles. Now, she’s getting on and has arthritis in her shoulders and hips. Despite her aches, her enthusiasm for the upcoming variety of smells is infectious and I’m sure this is what she’s thinking… | |
After a bit though, she looks at me and I’m sure singing the chorus to this…. | |
Ah, well… As long as the tail keeps wagging, we’ll keep doing what we do… After all, a dog’s gotta dog! | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Following His Own Path |
2021 | Show A Brother Some Love |
Beyond Words | |
2020 | Especially You, Bro |
Words Without Explanation | |
2019 | Enjoy! |
2018 | Happy Birthday, Bro! |
2017 | Love Can Change The World In A Minute |
2016 | 60, Little Bro! |
2015 | Vision and Courage |
2014 | 58 – Little Bro |
2013 | New Adventures And Old Hopes |
Caving In | |
2012 | Bits And Bobs And Birthdays |
Always Hope | |
2011 | Wet Snow And Long Hills |
Still Sunny
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Humor, Included Video, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, Walking, tagged Family, Happy Birthday Bro on March 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Happy Birthday, Bro!! | |
We may both be on the wrong side of 65, but at least we’re both still on the sunny side of the grass! | |
Enjoy the day! | |
Love ya, | |
Kevin & Hil | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Following His Own Path |
2021 | Show A Brother Some Love |
Beyond Words | |
2020 | Especially You, Bro |
Words Without Explanation | |
2019 | Enjoy! |
2018 | Happy Birthday, Bro! |
2017 | Love Can Change The World In A Minute |
2016 | 60, Little Bro! |
2015 | Vision and Courage |
2014 | 58 – Little Bro |
2013 | New Adventures And Old Hopes |
Caving In | |
2012 | Bits And Bobs And Birthdays |
Always Hope | |
2011 | Wet Snow And Long Hills |
Memorial Day 2023
Posted in Disclaimer, Faith, General Comments, Pictures, tagged Disclaimer, Images, Memorial Day - 2023, Philosophy on May 29, 2023| 4 Comments »
enjoying the freedom you sacrificed your lives to provide for us,
a grateful nation
remembers
and prays for you and your families…
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