Dealing with drama in life

I have the honor and privilege of having a tremendous variety of friends and acquaintances. Most are mature and reasonably adjusted to the benefits and consequences of being an adult with life skills to contend with them and move on. However, one or two of them are helpless as newborn babes when they come to anything that even resembles a challenge or hurdle, and they make sure everyone within ear shot hears just how horrible the particular days challenge is. A pain in the foot almost means a trip to emergency. An argument with the significant other provides an excuse to get drunk, a child's bad report card is, of course a phone call to the school superintendent to ostracize the incompetent teacher. Taking absolutely no responsibility for their own actions and blaming everyone else seems to, in some way remove them from having to cope, take action and remedy the situation like the rest of us. As much as I enjoy other people and their perspectives, well, that particular perspective I do not wish to be a part of. Suck it up buttercup!........... Leave the drama to the theatre!............Please!!!!!

Keep on Bicycling

The trip around Lake Michigan continues, albeit very much slower than I had planned. Being flexible and altering expectations is key to ward off disappointment. On my fourth leg I rode into a steady headwind of 20mph, gusting up to 35mph. It seems that when I have time to ride the wind remains a constant. When I walked around the lake almost 50 years ago the wind was not much of a factor. As time goes on it is almost a certainty that the wind will either be coming from the side or my back. That will be a welcome relief. My lower legs and ankles are another issue. I can ride for 10 miles, even into the wind but when I stop standing without wobbling or falling down is a battle of will. I have to admit, if I was watching me walk I'd probably think I had been partaking a bit too much of the demon rum. I am determined though that whatever distance I can go on any given day, be it 2 miles or 100 miles, I will accept what it is. When I first decided to make this trip I planned to do it all at once. That is definitely not even a remote possibility due to time and other restraints. I was inspired by a lady that wrote a book about walking around the lake in short segments as her time allowed. If she could, so could I. I realized that it is either short segment trips or no trip at all. I'm good with that.

Met another cyclist named Gary. Originally from Indiana he fell in love with Michigan, it's cycling trails and just about everything else you can imagine. Interesting guy, works in food quality and testing. He was very encouraging regarding my rubbery legs even though he may have had a bit of a chuckle as I wobbled around in the parking lot at the end of my trip. One thing that got straightened out is the mileage. I've not gone quite as far as I had thought. The odometer I was using on the bike was set for another tire size and we got that adjusted so now it is very accurate. I believed I had gone 34 miles but in actuality it is 29. A little frustrating but then again something to be pleased with at the same time. My stamina and strength are improving with each mile. The next leg should bring me to the lake shore and then it's north to Grand Haven. I hope to do a little book promotion in each town if there is time. Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime is a good, fun, interesting and sometimes life changing book in the opinion of every review I've received.

That's it for right now. Today is decision day for several issues, should be enlightening to say the least.

A.L.S. Lou Gehrig's Disease

One of the most important parts of my life concerns my friendships. Not acquaintances, but the close, lasting, unconditional friendships that are a real gift. I am blessed to have several of these close friendships. Through our best and worst times my friends have stuck with me and I with them. One of those close friends will be taken off life support tomorrow, June 1st 2012. He was stricken with A.L.S. a couple years ago and has been limited to a bed for most of the time since. He has remained a friend throughout his ordeal. He has maintained a sense of humor despite the constraints of this disease. We have said our good-byes and I will not see him again in this world. That is his request.

For decades we talked about going fishing together but because of work, family and some health issues we just weren't able to get together until about 7 years ago. We finally met one early morning at a boat ramp and in his fishing boat off we went. We fished all day long! He caught his limit and most of mine. That guy was both skilled and lucky when it came to catching fish that day. I believe I caught, maybe 5 fish all day while he caught upwards of 80. Same equipment, same bait, same spot: He caught the fish I caught nothing. There was no end to my embarrassment. As far as his part, he didn't razz me or even good hearted ribbing. We simply talked about our families, work, life and those elusive fish. It was a great day and the last and only opportunity we had to fish together. But that's the way it is with friends isn't it? You share what you can and savor it for a lifetime.

This is not a eulogy or a good bye. I believe life never ends for us, it merely changes. I believe he is ready for the change and I am comforted by that. As far as my friend Don, if there are fishing holes where he is going he'll make full use of them. His wife already has the picnic lunch packed I am sure.

I hope you enjoy, savor and appreciate your friends as I have learned to do mine.

Book signings and speaking tours

"Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" is an excellent read, mistakes and all. I felt a book signing was in order. I contacted a nationally known Book store and made the arrangements. The P.R. person was very friendly and cooperative. She described how we would go about advertising the event. I would conduct a short question and answer program concerning CO Poisoning, followed by a Meet The Author book signing with coffee and donuts. I was excited! I prepared a riddle contest, bought several hundred dollars worth of prizes, created posters, book marks and information pamphlets.

Two days before the book signing and program were scheduled I recieved a note from the Book Store P.R. person. She had decided to go on a weekend with her girlfriends to a small resort in the South. Also in her excitement she had forgotten to advertise the event anywhere, even on the stores website. I still went to the store at the agreed time, put up a small table and spoke with people as they entered the store. about a hundred or so books were sold in the five hours I sat there from people simply picking it up and reading it. I did my best to conduct the riddle contest and hand out the pamphlets about CO poisoning. Considering the circumstances I figured that was pretty good.

Sometimes we do all the right planning and make all the right arrangements but do to something out of our control it all turns to mud. That's life isn't it. We pack our stuff and move on and learn from the experience. If we don't learn from it we are doomed to repeat it. That's what I've been told. I learned fro the book signing. Joe's Story, even without a lot of hype, stands on its own merits as a good read. It's raining, that warm steady soaking Spring rain we so sorely need. Flowers to follow shortly. I'm lovin' it..............Joe

P.S. Spell check is still ot working. I'm doing my best but please forgive mistakes.