Thurs. Oct. 16

We left here a little before 6:00 a.m. to head to Liberty. It turns out a good thing as before we reached Hamilton a red light came on indicating "low coolant". Jim pulled in at Hamilton, looked at the container, and headed inside to purchase coolant. The container was way low!

The light came on again on I-35 before we reached the rest station - so Jim pulled in again and this time the container looked full - so we continued on to Liberty.

It didn't take long for Jim to check in and he was soon being escorted back to be prepped for surgery - which lasted about 45 minutes. The doctor talked to me afterwards saying the tendon had been severed and he had attempted to reattach, but didn't know what 4 weeks being severed would be a negative effect. I was soon called back to see Jim and was then helping him get dressed to head home.

We first went by Walgreen's to get a prescription for a pain killer filled. Jim then wanted to eat so we went to O'Charley's where we ended up splitting a marvelous entree and each had a side salad -- very, very tasty - and we were full.

Then we went by Roger's to let Jim look at baits for fish - then headed home.

We stopped at HyVee to get a couple of bags of frozen peas as he is to keep the arm iced, then stopped at Barnes/Baker to set up an appointment for an oil change and to also have the coolant checked to see if there might be a leak.

We are meeting Pat at 4:00 as Jim wants to show off his bandaged arm and hand. I think that probably the bandaging is excessive, except I think the doctor now realizes he is dealing with a bullheaded old codger!

We go back on Monday, Nov. 3 to see the doctor.

Be safe.
B.

Oct. 5-14

From a cooler and somewhat gloomy MO,

Last week we went to Liberty on Monday so Jim could see his orthopedic doctor for a one year check-up on his hip - and to also inquire about his left knee. The end result was that he had a MRI in Chillicothe on Thursday morning for his knee with a follow-up visit with the doctor (at our local clinic) on Monday (13th). Jim decided finally to show a doctor his mangled little pinkie on his left hand and doctor immediately asked how long ago it happened - shook his head - sent him for an x-ray to rule out a broken finger - wasn't - and thinks probably Jim did damage to a tendon in his finger. The end result of this is that on Thursday (16th) of this week we make a trip to the out-patient clinic at Liberty to have some exploration surgery done on his finger, checking to see if the tendons can be sewn back together, etc. - - PROCRASTINATION! PROCRASTINATION!

We began a weight loss program through our local county health unit this past Wednesday. There are no stringent rules, but we will check in weekly for weight and every other week for a class. There were probably 15 people in the group - some with diabetes and others needing weight guidance. The official program is to last 10 weeks - so we are hoping for a pound off a week at this point - anything will help. We should do okay until we arrive in Austin for Thanksgiving. We started walking last Thursday. I have managed a mile per day and Jim began with half a mile and is now doing one mile with me.

Our homecoming game last Friday was rather one-sided. The team played well and impressed the football team of 1978 that was being recognized. I think 19 members had been able to come back for the introductions as well as the gathering afterwards at the Country Club. I understand that someone even dug out old reels of the games that year and some of these were also watched.

Our game this week is again at home, the one next week is only about 45 miles away, and the last regular season game is at home -- all quite well with me.

Be safe.

B.

Sept. 25-Oct. 4

From another gorgeous fall day in MO,

The past few days have been rather active for two old geezers.

Two Fridays ago, we made the trip to St. Joseph Benton to watch our Hornets in action. The game is usually well fought there, but we ended up on top. John and Sandy rode over with us, ate at Whiskey Creek, and then John drove home after the game.

We semi-slept in on Saturday a.m. and left at about 9:30 to head towards St. Joseph again. We stopped and had an excellent breakfast/lunch at Perkins and then headed towards Atchison, KS. One of my younger first cousins had a son getting married on Saturday in what turned out to be a small Catholic church - setting in either a bean or corn field. The church was filled with people with actually a good representation by our side of the family.

Afterwards, we headed south to Leavenworth to locate the site of the reception - turned out to be a renovated depot overlooking the Missouri River. We were early (as usual) and spent the upcoming time driving around Leavenworth. There are marvelous old homes there and of course Fort Leavenworth as well as the federal prison. We left after the buffet and cake cutting to head home - arriving about 9:30.

I had the computer work on Monday for Mobile Meals (do envelopes each Friday) and it turned out to be much longer than usual as somehow one whole column of data had been deleted - of course turned out to be the "diet" requirements - and since I am not real good at a data base, it took me some time to figure out how to add a column - later had to add some width - and eventually got the data retyped. I did call the hospital kitchen to let them know and I think they found only one significant goof, but at least they were alerted to double check me. Naturally this was the most difficult column as you have to be sure to indicate if diabetic, salt requirements, food dislikes and preferences, etc., etc. Most individuals are rather easy, but there are one or two that I wonder what they actually eat as their dislikes are so lengthy - and they are not diabetic.

Jim saw his prostate cancer doctor on Wednesday (at least here in Chillicothe) and discovered that the Viadur implant for his arm is no longer made so he is back on having to take a shot every four months - which in the past has caused a lot of "hot flashes" which he is not looking forward to having to deal with. The Viadur seemed to reduce the intensity of the flashes.

John and Sandy went with us yesterday (Friday) to Maryville. First we stopped at Whiskey Creek to eat in St. Joseph - J & J enjoy the Amber Bok (spelling) there and of course the BBQ is quite good. The pulled pork seems to be our favorite - however Jim gets a Cuban/Reuben sandwich which he really likes.

The game was a cliff hanger!!!!!! When the time eventually ran out - we were ahead by 28-27! There were many good plays by our guys and we are guilty of yelling especially loud for Clint - one of the pole vaulters that Jim has enjoyed working with. Both teams had been undefeated this year with Maryville being ranked 2nd in the Class 2 division and Chillicothe ranked 2nd in the Class 3. There really are very few students different in the two schools so they are really evenly matched. We arrived back in Chillicothe about midnight.

Jim rousted me from bed this morning a little before 9:00 with the promise of going to Nick's for breakfast. I am not sure what was going on there this a.m., but the place was packed - and they had run out of biscuits and gravy - which I have temporarily sworn off as I really need to try to get some weight off. I have also temporarily sworn off the hashbrowns - with gravy added.

We did a few errands afterwards and will probably be home the rest of the day. Laundry has been done, the vacuum has been operated, and some minor dusting has been accomplished (should have been major.) I put some small lima beans on to soak last night when we got home and they have been in the crockpot since about 10:30 - adding some ham and onions. This will be our first meal of ham and beans this fall. I have some Marie Callender corn bread mix - so this will finish off supper.

We make a trip to Liberty on Tuesday as Jim has a year check-up with his orthopedic doctor. We have started a list of things that we can do in Liberty so as to save another trip.

Homecoming is this coming weekend with the football team of 1978 (state champions) being recognized. I am not sure who is doing the organizing, but hopefully the whole team has been contacted and many will be here. Doug was a sophomore (meat squad) on this team.

Other than Friday football games, we then should have a rather uneventful rest of the month. On November 1, we are going with friends to Kansas City to see "The Lion King". This should be a marvelous performance. We are going to the matinee which will be much easier on these two old codgers.

Be safe.
B.