We're still here....Barely.

23 Jun 22

06:00 hrs

     The Beast is proving to be quite the problem. In the past three weeks I have dropped 24 pounds. But, with all that we -  my Better Half is a great coach - have done with diet, exercise and meds my numbers have not come down far enough. So, now I'm taking another subcutaneous injection that is supposed to aid in my goal. I took my first shot last night and this morning my number is down at least three points from what I had read every other morning. I still have a long ways to go and I'll get there eventually. 

     Time is closing in on The Big Road Trip. The storage box for the back of the Ram has begun to take shape. The internal dividers and shelves have to be built and installed. The electrical components are ready to be wired in as well. The only thing that may not happen is the painting. I wanted to paint the shelves inside and out but I do not have the time to do that. Once completed it may not look pretty but it will be functional. 

21:00 hrs.

     One more day to this shift. This weekend is supposed to be blazing hot so going fishing is out. I've got a few projects to do at home anyways. There is a bunch of tall grass invading the Saskatoonberry bushes and the horseradish plants need to be weeded as well. The big gate to the backyard needs to be worked on as there is dry rot on one of the boards. I should be able to partially disassemble the rotting parts and replace them with new wood. I would really like to replace the entire set of gates. Maybe next year. 

     My Better Half gave the back lawn a Brazilian. She was mowing and noted the large number of bees in the clover and decided to leave some for them. Sounds like a good idea as we need more bees. It's simple .... no bees = no food = no life.

     There is still lots of construction happening in the Valley. The new Cubes are just about completed. I've heard they are going for $600K. That's for a three storey townhouse. I don't think that qualifies as affordable housing.

24 Jun 22

06:00 hrs

     A couple of nights ago my Lobster and I went for a big walk through the neighborhood and we spotted a big bird nest near the new Cubes. I don't know if it is occupied. Pictures will be posted. Last night we went for another big walk to deliver a copy of Wood Knocks and Tossed Rocks to a friend who purchased a copy for a friend of hers. Yes, my first book is still being sold, both online and from out of the Wayward Inn. It's hard to believe that it has been in print for eight years. I'll be happy when I finish my third book.

     Yesterday, when I was getting ready to come home from work, I discovered that I had inadvertently sat on a cushion that had been coated in a heavy grease. My work pants and the driver's seat cover in the Ram was now coated with this grease. Not good. My Better Half found a three step process to remove the sticky substance. It worked!

     Have you been watching or following the Jan 6th Hearings from the Hugh-ess? It's a great behind the scenes look at the Shit Show Circus the Tangerine Tyrant was trying to coordinate to keep himself in power. There was also a four part program about the Watergate break in that took place 50 years ago. Great history stuff.

30 Jun 22

06:00 hrs

     And....Happy Thursday Kidlettes!

     Tomorrow is Canada Day. So, while you are lounging with beer in hand and burgers on the Flame Pit, take the time to reflect on what this nation means to you and try to make it just a little better for all. 

     Speaking of burgers...last night I cooked up an assortment of patties - beef, veggie and salmon. My Lobster baked some homemade whole wheat burger buns. They were so soft that I was the only one capable of slicing them without tearing them. And they tasted great too. But, the Beast didn't like them. No, Sir. My BGI shot up seven points. It took most of the night for it to drop back down to where I started. So, breads are out until I get the BGI down to a normal range which could be another couple of weeks at the minimum. And that could be an issue as I will be on The Big Road Trip.y Lobster is concerned that I'll slip in my new food regimen. I'll ear shrimp instead.

     12:30 hrs

     This is the one year anniversary since the sleepy Interior town of Lytton was cauterized from the mighty Fraser Valley. A massive wildfire razed it to its very foundations. Homes, businesses,personal belongings, banks and infrastructure was all removed. Today the townsfolk are having a day of Remembrance with the hope of rebuilding. It has also been a year since I last saw my father. It will take longer to rebuild this hurt than Lytton. 

     I heard yesterday thar the new Rabbit Hutches near the Wayward Inn are renting for nearly 2K and you still have to pay for parking. Here on the Left Coast rent has become so expensive that many people in their Golden Years are opting to sell their place and then downsize into an apartment where they have zero, or next to zero, maintenance costs and can live comfortably knowing that the equity unlocked by the sale of their house will likely cover their rent until well after they have passed away. An interesting idea.....

The End of the Month

28 May 22

04:45 hrs

     Getting old really sucks and if you are not careful you will wind up dead or worse if you don't start taking care of yourself now. All the boxes of beers and all the late night pizzas and all the extra chockie bars have finally come to roost. 

     Let me give you a word of advice. If you have scratches, scrapes or wounds that are taking forever to heal you might want to check with your doctor. If you are finding yourself constantly thirsty and in need of frequent urination you might check with your doctor. There are dozens of more indications that I could tell you but if you're not willing to pay attention to yourself what's the sense?

    I made all those mistakes and more. And, as a result, I am now a diabetic. 

     My shock was immense probably because I felt invincible. Well, I'm not. When you get right down to it no one is.

     So, the Doc has me on some new meds that is designed to combat the excess sugars in my system. That plus watching what I am putting into my system.

04 Jun 22

     Happy Birthday to me.

     And of course I'm working. Nine years ago, when I turned 50. My Lobster threw a surprise party for me. Friends and relatives from far and wide came to celebrate. My dad was still alive then as were Mike and Lorraine from Hub City. There were several other friends there who, sadly, have passed away as well.

     Never take a day on this side of the sod for granted. Accept the challenges in life. Always push forwards and help your fellow person. Stand up for what is right.

       Miseris Succurrere Disco 

     On a lighter note,  have seen these people walking through your neighborhood with their bluetooth airpod tuned in having a one-sided conversation with no one? It's as if they are Elmer Dowd and they're talking to a pookha. (If you can figure it out, it's a great movie.)

09 Jun 22

     A couple of things have happened in the past little while. My Lobster threw a surprise party for me last Sunday. A small gathering of friends at the Wayward Inn.  She even rooked in my compadre, Gordo, who took me to a movie while the Wayward Inn was decorated and the guests arrived. Chef Blaine was hired to man the Flame Pit as Sous Irene had already made all of the sides and appies. It was a great event.

     I'm still trying to get a handle on the Beast that I have acquired. I am now plugged in to a glucose sensor that I scan multiple times a day. My meds will be changing. My food intake, not that it was overly large, has been reformed overnight in its content, its amount and its very makeup. Yes, we had been watching what we ate - reading labels and whatnot. But, we - meaning I - had abused my body with too much alcohol, too much garbage food and too little exercise for many many years and now the cows have come home to roost. This year when I went to see the Sage and I was pounding back the H2O and passing a river every 90 minutes was a direct result of the Beast coming to the forefront.

13 Jun 22

09:30 hrs

     Back to the grind. But, today it's an easy day. My Lobster is back from the Pearl the Pacific. She had gone with friends to watch Hamilton. The trip was good with only one hiccup. Two of the pax decoded get out of the vehicle to get some food before getting on the boat. Needless to say the line started moving and the vehicle was able to get on an earlier departure. The two missed the boat resulting in the car remaining in Hub City for the next boat that arrived ninety minutes later. No cool. 

    I heard on the radio that some person has climbed Everest ten times. Risking your life once to ascend the world's tallest peak is a challenge to be sure but ten times? Doesn't this person have any other goals to achieve? Or, is there a hidden death wish? And, who's funding the adventure because it can cost up to $85K per person to make the attempt. I suppose it's all about the sponsors.

     Work has been steady for everyone at the Wayward Inn. The Couch Monkeys are engaged in their endeavors, my Better Half is busy with the Oma-nator and I am all over the map with three different assignments this week. Makes the time pass quickly so I don't have time to worry about the Beast.