Memorial Day 2023

As we gather around our dinner and picnic tables enjoying the freedom you sacrificed your lives to provide for us, a grateful nation remembers and prays for you and your families…
[Disclaimer:  This image was found on the web.  I make no claim of ownership.  I believe it was from a U.S. government site and therefore available for free (non-profit making) use.  If it is not, and you are the owner / creator of the original image or hold its copyright, and you object to its use on this site, please notify me and I will substitute another suitable image.     —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Stumbled On This Memory (Of High Notes)
2021	A Chance Meeting Finds A Way
	Over 50 Years Ago!
2020	The Magnitude Of The Challenge
2019	Still Tearing, Still Being Rewarded
2018	Nothing More, Nothing Less
2017	Memorial Day – 2017
	No Wonder I’m Smiling
2016	Thinking Science Fictional
2015	Dawn Is Coming
2014	Back When I Was A Firebrand
2013	Pen In Hand
	Word Up!
2012	Disturbing
	Trying To Keep Up
2011	Unreliable And Selective
2010	Adult-Onset Athlete

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Images Are Everywhere

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?

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Happy Meeting Day 39 (And Counting)

I became my own only when I gave myself to Another.
―     C.S. Lewis
Hil and me sitting in a tree stump
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

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Too Small

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

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Heart Update (+30 Days)

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

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Faith Is A Challenge For All

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

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Heart Update

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.
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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

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Given The Option

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

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Still Saying Them…

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

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So Far, So Good

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…

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Thinking About My Sister

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]
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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…

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Takin’ A Lickin’

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

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Sometimes Once Can Be Enough

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]
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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

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What My Dog Thinks About Her Daily Walk…

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!
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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

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Still Sunny

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
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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

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