Friends from The North Country

Sunday Morning awaiting the arrival of Christina and Kiersten (Check Spelling), I am so proud of them. Flying down here to visit, both never experiencing air travel.

I pray it is a positive experience for both.

Torrie is anxiously awaiting their arrival, Sheryl has hit a "milestone" the house is not "Hospital, No, NASA Clean Room STERILE"

My wife has finally come to the conclusion that people do not visit to inspect their homes but actually want the company of their friends.

Growth is possible for us all.

Back to work tomorrow, I am ready. and It's time.

I miss you my old friend my memories found me no matter that time has passed or that miles separated us before I could say goodbye, what is done is done, moments pass quickly and time is something that you borrow.

We all have so many marbles in a jar.

"Hey Man"

David Bowie lyrics run thru my head,Torrie and I are out and about meeting with Insurance agents and doing errands we always seem to be doing errands, life I guess.

As I was getting dressed today I found myself dressed all in Black, my mood was not a dark one I just found myself dressed in Black.

Even the band on my $5.00 Walmart Roman Numeral Round "Never goes out of style watch face Black.

This prompted me to think What is a Man?

As I got dressed this morning (Torrie who feels the need to dance in our master bath) dancing to The Eagles (daddy's music) stops.... Leans forward and states "Daddy you smell good!" This makes me smile, she then adds Daddy you are Handsome. I smile what a gift this then reminds me of when her two older sisters would conduct a fashion inspection of me before we would leave so I would not embarrass them in my choice of clothing.

I started as a lump of coal however I have always been under pressure, and when coal is under pressure it becomes a Diamond.

As we sit in the parking lot of Target I thought about how eclectic I am and how uncomfortable some of the people I know are of me because I am my own person and a Man comfortable in his own skin, this brought me to "labels' and how people feel a need to Label others and God forbid if you for one day digress from that label.

As of late I have come to grips with who I am.
I'm' Happy who I am even if you don't get me. It's choice, and I am Okay with It.

As Sheryl and I drifted off to sleep me drifting her reading I said.....

"Honey, I've been thinking about a "Harley Davidson Skull Belt Buckle or a Skull and Cross bones a Belt buckle that screams Rock & Roll.

Her reply..... "You can probably get one at the Flea Market".

Yeah I was thinking of it maybe we can go today, I know I'm weird.

Sheryl Replies...."That's what I Love about You!"

I love "Brick"

"Brick" is the youngest male character in ABC's Sitcom "The Middle" I love his facial expressions and his "Tells". He is a "Tom Sawyer", he manipulates his mom by her own design to do his work, "Brick is a Genius! Perhaps there is a leadership book Idea here?

Love that line....
"I don't know all the words but I do know the shirt I am going to wear."Love ya "Brick"

Happy Valentines Day and Junior takes second!

Happy Valentines Day all! my daughter, woke me this morning singing Twinle,Twinkle little Star, she finished kissed me on the cheek, said....I love you Daddy. Thinking I was still asleep she announced outloud that she loves mommy and sissy's and Oma, and grandma, and auntie's and Opa. Her Heart is as big as Montana.

She is my world. Another day out of work, Torrie helped Daddy clean the office and organize, we cleaned the kitchen and read books. (Torrie's choice)

We called "Oma" and Dawn and Mr. Kim.

I am thankful that we are here to celebrate Valentines day after being in our crash.

While talking to Mom I realized how upset she was after our accident. After we said our goodbyes I found myself crying, I do that a lot lately, well ever since the accident, I can only reason my emotional state to the fact that Torrie was involved and I swear all that night Tim Mgraw sang "Don't take the girl" inside my head.

I haven't been right since I fell out of the maple tree that stands sentinel in the circle of my childhood home. At age 10. The daqy that happened was the day I realized that my Dad was a Man and not a Superhero.

Dad showed his emotions when he realized that I was not "Playing" while lying on my back at the base of my maple tree, a length of old rotten manilla rope dangling like a broken arm from the trees canopy.

Our experiences make us who we are, I can only pray that Torrie grows stronger from her experience.

Watched the Daytona 500 6 hours 10 minutes Thank God I can multi-task.

With 2 laps to go Junior turns it on and goes from 10th to 2nd.

My god it was like watching the old man. Long Live The Man In Black #3.

I guess in the end you are always seeking your parents' approval.

Love you Dad.

"Funk Free" and "Zesto is The Besto"

Well I am rid of the "Beast" The Neurologist advised me yesterday that the fracture is "Stable" and I do not have to wear The Collar also known as the "Beast" (because of the funk it creates.) However I am still a Redneck. No Meatballs Though (alto ugh I do find myself strangely aroused when I pass by loaves of Italian Bread?)

Why do you want to hurt Daddy?..... Sarah. LOL.

Anyway I had the pleasure of my daughter's company today and her Demands/Request was Ice Cream and Chicken and a roll.

Ice Cream was the top priority. She Added that she had been good and that she did not want to go to Goodwill!

Ahhhhh, she wants to go to Zesto's a local fast food restaurant.

Very good fried chicken. Torrie and I shared a two piece "Snack".

Torrie of course wove her spell upon all the ladies working at Zesto's.

As we ate Torrie commented that the Dr. fixed Daddy's Neck, and on that note, I will be able to return after the 21st of February. With out restrictions God willing,also Sheryl and I have a lawyer Ref. personal injury (we only wish to protect ourselves and our family.)

It snowed today and I had the opportunity to burn some 35mm film in my newly acquired NIKON FE2.

I will see how it works I plan to have the film developed in the next few days. Keep your fingers crossed.

Bye for now.

I don't mean to be ugly,I was born this way.

Wednesday morning, and my head feels like it came in contact with a louisllville slugger. (nothing like a nice piece of ash to start your day!)

Morning and at night is the worse for me,I try not to complain or take my anger/frustration out on those around me. Ibuprophen is my friend during the day and valuim is my Midnight Rider.

I have yet to light a cigar but I feel it is only a matter of time.

I avoid alcohol (Tequila in the freezer) and I have a full prescription of percocet.

I have too many friends who have fallen prey to both,I am not going to weaken.

If I enjoy a cigar that I intend to be my only vice.

I go to the neurologist today and I have to be on my best behavior and not tell He/She that their office staff

SUCKS

I will withold the "Yankee, Redneck, Headknocker that I am".

Do not release "The Ray" Mom and Dawn can appreciate this last statement.

Sheryl brought home another Cervical Collar a rigid "Short" stiff-neck.

The reason.... so I can have the foam "Hold that Funk" collar cleaned. I fear that the funk is permeated in the foam and I will now refer to the "Funk" as the "Beast" or Benico (The Wolfman with Benico Del Toro is being released this week.)

Thats all for now I have to see what the man in the yellow hat is up to..... Torrie is watching Curious George.

Second day out....how many to go?

Tuesday the ninth, my second day out, frustrated,I am enjoying the time with my daughter.

Awaiting to see a neurologist. If you have never worn a soft foam cervical collar it is a challenge,at best. I have to bathe with a wash cloth, I cannot take the collar off.

This offers another problem, the "funk" that brews and blends with my body odor, a distinct musk at best.

I have been grounded, I am not able to drive,so I am dependent on Sheryl to bring me out and I have to gauge what Torrie and I need for food etc.

Sheryl has just called to tell me that she is off to study group,which apparently I had forgot about because she told me the other day, I don't recall.

I have prepared dinner and Torrie has eaten, she is in her "Jammie's".

I have not eaten because, I don't feel good and I cannot medicate myself, because I am alone I can't take the risk. I feel like shit, I tire easily,my stomach is yuck.

I am not a wimp nor am I a "whiner" I'm just trying to Heal.

Stay tuned....

My wife Sheryl is a Hero to me and Torrie.

My Bride is my Hero.

Hero is not a word I use often or lightly...... But she is.

Last night Our family started out to Little mountain for a fare well gathering for Brian Hartney.
We are going to miss you my friend.

A rainy night here in the mid-lands as we approached the Saluda Circle the SUV in front of us stopped, as Sheryl came to a complete STOP.
Within seconds a pick-up truck behind us driven by a man of 57 years rear-ended us.

At the time I would not know that his vehicle ended up an estimated 35 feet from us and sideways into a ditch.
(no injuries.)

My neck and head killing me, back and chest pain,I asked Sheryl if she was alright? yes my next question how is the baby?

Torrie answered by crying and wanting Mommy and Daddy.


Sheryl the only one of us who could exit the car.

My door and Torrie's door were jammed.

"Monkey's little legs were trapped by the back of my seat,I was helpless.

Sheryl freed Torrie.'s legs and as she was calling 911, she was placing a No-Neck stiff neck collar on me (Thanks Allan).

I watched as my wife Torrie's mother and EMT shifted gears effortlessly between her three roles.

I could smell her adrenaline as I could smell the Meatballs that were another casualty of our crash, half the contents of our new crock - pot on the floor and the remainder in my crotch.

As First-Responders came upon the scene my wife and the other two people who reside inside her directed questions and guided the oncoming responders to our needs.

I was so proud of her. She held C-spine (Her training took over) she performed this duty while calming and consoling our baby.

I was the last to be extricated placed in KED and Long-board (Good Job Saluda).

The Family rode with me in the back, My wife is a lioness protective of me as well as her Cubs.

I was released from Lexington with a Medical Note. Out for Two Weeks until I am cleared by a Neurologist. Dx a Displaced fracture of a bone spur attached to C-7. Stay Tuned.

As I cooked dinner tonight I announced out loud "Mommy is Our Hero"!

Sheryl Replied as I believed she would.... "I'm not a Hero", but in our eyes you are our HERO my Love.

Thank You.

Satisfaction.....

As I move thru this world as an older (not always wiser individual), I have realized that I find a greater satisfaction in Doing it Myself. Whether it is cooking a meal,writing a letter, etc. Example I fixed my wife's car. (it had a vaccum leak no computer diagnostic) I attribute this repair by scratching my head and eliminating the obvious.

Do I dare say it.... Common Sense?

Repair cost.....85cents.

Not going to a Dealership to put the car on a diagnostic computer..... PRICELESS.

Amazing what a little confidence and common sense will take you.

Don't get me wrong I embrace technology, Im' Blogging am I not. Im' just saying we should all keep in mind what separates us from machines. The Human Spirit.

No human should totally immerse oneself in technology that they cannot interact or communicate without the use of a machine.

I believe "all in moderation",and "Balance" (Probably why I was born under the sign of Libra "The Scales").

Living Each Day Thats what gives me satisfaction, knowing I might not have hit the Mark but at least I tried and I got to Live another day.