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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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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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I became my own only when I gave myself to Another.
    ―     C.S. Lewis

Hil and me sitting in a tree stump

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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