Category Archives: blog

I have been away from writing for a while but with good cause. In the middle of August, I had cataract surgery for my right eye followed by a visit to the dermatologist which resulted in nine biopsies on my head, face, and back that will require further “attention” in varying degrees.  Unfortunately, the worstContinue reading “Willow Green”

I live in Macomb, Illinois—population something under 20,000. I was not born or raised in Macomb but with the exception of two years at the University of Florida in Gainesville, I have spent the last 56 years here. I’m pretty much committed to the place.  I never expected that to be the case. When IContinue reading “We’re Number Four!”

Eureka! Hooray! Yippee! PEG is no more. On July 5, 2022, Surgeon Dr. Ed Card “yanked” it out.  The Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy is the medical way of saying “the tube.”  I went to Dr. Card’s office and waited to be escorted to the room where the outpatient procedure would take place. I was not sedatedContinue reading “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do…Sort of”

What follows will lack in fun and folly but occasionally one finds it necessary to address reality as plays out in front of us and there is simply no denying what’s happening. Part of this is surely a function of my getting deeper into my own personal 4th Quarter, but I fear there are otherContinue reading “Baseball Cards, Goodbyes, & the Menace”

It all began on a rainy Friday night, March 31, 1967. I was a Resident Assistant in Seal Hall, and it was my night to stay in and keep an eye on things in the residence hall. I went to bed early and got up early to do laundry before anyone else had a similarContinue reading “Bumps”

OK, so I have a certain type of sense of humor.  I’ll admit to that as I’m reminded of it frequently BUT no one has ever walked up to me and smacked me across the face.  Goodness, couldn’t Will Smith have maybe taken Chris Rock aside and said, “Hey buddy, no more jokes about myContinue reading “Perspective”

When I sit down like I am this afternoon, I just never know where my mind will take me, and today is no different so let’s begin. It has been some time since reflections were made here about The Fourth Quarter, and as I hit year #76 before this month is over, it would seemContinue reading “Rule 6”

Hooray, we have arrived in SW Florida.  It is a bit chilly here but then compared to up North, well you get the picture. We are moved in, bought groceries, got the car washed, and went to the weekly Farmers’ Market. Time now to walk a bit, do some long-delayed reading, and soak up theContinue reading ““We just kept on coming…””

Swallow test #3 is now “in the books.”  I entered the “swallow room” on the 13th with a good deal of apprehension as I knew the future of my relationship with PEG (stomach tube) hung in the balance. For the past six weeks, I had been diligently doing my exercises and knew what to expect sinceContinue reading ““I Just Want Some Money so We Can Have Chinese for Dinner””

I simply couldn’t escape the logic of writing a few lines relevant to the holiday that is upon us, so Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Before I ruminate a bit about my favorite holiday, an update on the “journey” would seem to be in order.  The Mayo Clinic’s Medical Oncology Department called to say they don’tContinue reading “Thanksgiving”