Finished lunch of left over cheese pizza with extra cheese added. It wasn't too swift so I sprinkled it liberally with red pepper. Left over pizza is just that. Sometime time you can eat it, soometime you can't. Having done the dishes while my roommate carried out the trash and put both the trash and recycle barrels out for tomorrows pickup, I made a pot of tea, adding half a baby spoon of honey to the hot pot. FYI it is some kind of delicious. My sister in law called from Arlington. My brother is having a rough time. They think he is bleeding internally, he is uncooperative, not following instructions, sometime not rational. He wants to go home but can't be released in present conditioon. Today is his tenth day in the hospital. I'm hopeful for him and a bit fearful. I have notified my brother in Wisconsin; I keep him updated as info reaches me.
I've had computers that could be reset. If your computer got to acting up and not working right you could go to your history and reset your computer to that point in time. Your computer would behave as it had done on that date in your history. I sometime wish I had a reset button. I suppose my big decision would be where to reset life. I've had so many failures I'd almost have to go back to the beginning to correct most of those and I'm not sure I'd want to do that. They were my failures, my responsibility. Always over estimated my ability, thinking I could somehow do it, whatever do it was. Or allow someone to talk me into something and before I knew I was into over my head. I could make things worse in a hurrying. Standing back, looking at the road I took, the road less taken. Someone might say, "Boy. You're a mess. The road less taken is less taken for a reason, it's a rough ride." All water under the bridge, l'd set the clock back to December 12, 1951. That was the day in Dallas, Texas when I raised my right hand and joined the marines. Or maybe not. I was thinking about that old computer and how to fix things. Some things are not fixable. And the weatherman is telling me our next storm is off the west coast.
Spring has arrived here in the former indian Territory. A neighbors tree hangs over my back yard and is full of white blooms. I think it is a fruitless Mulberry but I don't really know that. My pine tree next to it is almost as high as the electrical utility pole the other side on another property a forty footer, I'm sure. The bamboo along the western half of my yard has got to be twenty feet high or higher. most of the bamboo is on the other side of the fence on a commercial property. The short bamboo on my side of the fence rises up under the tall stuff and blends in so that it looks like it all is on my side. It hides my back fence and provides a buffer against sound and wind and is a refuge for birds. And it is to my mind rather picturesque. My grass already needs mowing. Expect that will start after the first of the month. Well it is confirmed. Medical staff visited our small domain this morning and checked my roommate; She has the shingles. Although she has been in pain for almost a week, it appears to be a light case.
A question asked about tires reminded me of a job I once had. I was purchasing agent for the agriculture division and as such was fleet buyer for cars, trucks, tires, and all kinds of ag equipment. We had service vehicles that traveled high milage from lower Texas to the Dekotas to the west coast. Tires were a large budget component. Generally speaking local mangers were allowed to buy where they wanted, and what brand of tire. Often, auto and tire dealerships also owned large tracks of farming and ranch properties, or had close family who did, they were allowed to buys tires from the dealership that did business with us, up to a point. Resprosity can go only so far. After a eighteen month study of tire usage and in discussions It's operations managers and legal department, it was mandated I direct all locations in the western US to buy Michelin tires only and recommended them for any high milage vehicle. That was then, this is now. Tires world wide are a competive item. Today, most major brands make good tires. I have used on my personal vehicles and company cars I used, Cooper, Goodyear., Michelin, Bridgestone, and Firestone. A few years ago Bridgestone bought Firestone and today I think Firestone is a better tire than when it was a stand alone company. Tires companies are competitive and they all want their share of business. To compete they have to make the best tire they can in each catigory within a price range. All major tire companies make good tires in the markets they go after but there is a compromise in good ride and longevity. They usually make a high end and a low end for the budget buyer. Another factor if you live where it rains often, hydroplaning can be a problem. Unless you are operating a truck, ply of the sidewalls are pretty standard, two ply for automobiles. Asked dealer for best combination of best ride with longevity, and a tread not likely to hydroplane. And you can lean heavily on either the good ride or how long the tires might last, depending which you prefer. Today's tires are better than they used to be wherever you get them.
I think most of us wish we had a 'reset button' Bill Wishing for a good outcome regarding your Brother
Today marks twmy brother has been in the hospital. He was admitted with pneumonia. In the hospital he had a heart, resulting in a triple bypass, a heart valve replacement. He went into shock in the middle of th night, could not breath. Placed on a machine to breathe for him, he suffered an embolism of the lung, had three additional blood clots in his arm and led, then he suffered a strok. He has not been able to get off the machine and can not yet breathe on his own. Doctors were going to try again this afternoon to see if he might be able to breathe on his own but I have heard nothing. Wife and daughter's nerves are frayed. It has been a long ordeal and it 's not over. I am hopeful he will recover, sound of mind and body.
My brother is breathing on his own, is smiling,is trying to talk. Everything seems to be functioning okay. So looks like he has turned the corner. He managed to tell his wife he loved her. Don't know when he'll be able to leave the hospital but everything looks positive now. Such a sudden turn-a-round. I'd like to have a stiff drink of something. May have a little sip of red wine tonight.
Sounds like your brother has gone through Hell, @Bill Boggs. Glad to hear he has turned the corner, both for his benefit and his family's.
Latest report on brother Doyle, a short while ago indicates all is not well yet. A-Fib seems to be the next problem, and keeping him from having another stroke. Today he cannot talk, is not medicated but acts as though he is, acts as though he is in pain but he is unable to express himself; does not try. His Afib is periodic but worrisome. It is what caused his first stroke. His wife and two daughters are with him. It is also wearing on them. His wife is a veteran of twenty-five years of military service, as a military wife, she is capable, resilient, as most military wives are, but this is wearing. They are hopeful and because they are, I remain so.
Thanks, He has had another stroke. His feet have turned blue and it lookks like no circulation down there. They think he may have another blood clot in his arm. He is not responding to stimuli, doesn't open his eyes. doesn't try to talk. They say he is very critical. I expect it is a matter of time.
@Bill Boggs Bill, I read all the way down to this last post, hoping for better news. Nothing I can say will truly help, but still I wish you the best in this ordeal. Frank