How to mend a broken leg- The hard way!

Several years ago, through a serious case of misjudgment of activity suitable for a guy  my age, I managed to break my leg and many parts of my ankle. It hurt! The doctor I went to at first mis-diagnosed it as a sprain and treated it as such for almost 5 months without any noticeable relief. Not so much enjoying the pain, I decided to obtain a second opinion. An immediate x-ray (not ordered by the first doctor) showed all the broken parts and I was sent to a very competent and well credentialed orthopedic surgeon who recommended immediate corrective surgery. "You've got a lot of broken bones in there" He said. "We'll throw the kitchen sink at it including bone grafts, steel plates and screws to stabilize it. "And after that heals" he continued, "We'll go in there again and fix the abnormal shape and fuse the ankle. It will be somewhat odd in appearance and you won't be able to flex the ankle but you will be able to walk for at least short distances. Perhaps with a cane or walker." I appreciated his honesty. I said I'd think about it for a day or two. He said I was not doing myself any favors by putting it off. "The longer you wait, the less I can do and the more deformed and weak it will be." I thought about it and  also studied the statistics regarding that specific procedure. Right or wrong I chose not to have surgery. I got an "Arizona Brace" instead. Along with duct tape, several other styles of braces and perhaps a couple thousand dollars in expenses for those other braces, I now walk relatively well for extremely long distances and the pain is very minor most of the time. I'm Ok with the results of my choice against surgery. I would not recommend that choice to anyone else. They have to make their own decisions.
The up side:
I never missed a day of work
I didn't have to spend time in the hospital
There was no opportunity for post operative infection and hospitalization
No opportunity for post operative crumbling due to screws or plates failing
Didn't have to go under sedation
Those are just a few but I think you get the drift.
The down side
For the first year there was a lot of pain, a lot!
The ankle is a bit tender
The ankle is a bit unstable
I wobble sometimes due to a lack of strength from underuse (it's getting stronger though)
The ankle looks rather deformed, maybe ugly
I have no idea what the future may bring (but that was also the case with surgery)


That's my story for today folks. It's been a long time healing and it's not over yet. However, it is a whole lot better than I thought the outcome and tribulations of surgery would have been. If you can walk fine today? Be grateful with each step and be careful......................Joe

Good health, Gluten free diet and food journals

Sometimes I feel just plain silly. For twenty five years I have kept a food journal, recording every food, quantity and even the seasoning I have consumed. I started the record of intake on the advice of a doctor following a blood test that indicated I had certain food sensitivities. No allergies mind you, simply sensitivities. Gluten was one of them so for many years I avoided anything even remotely related to wheat or barley. Because most gluten free substitutes used sugar to compensate for the lack of gluten, I switched to diet soda and other sugar free items on the shelves to help keep  my weight down. About five years ago I began slowly re-introducing gluten back into my menu. I dearly love a good sandwich, hot dog or burger for lunch and toast on a Sunday morning after church. Seemed OK to me but I kept up with the diet soda and other stuff. Mmmm! Cake, cookies, French bread, short cake, all the good things in life were back. I enjoyed eating so much I ignored the danger completely even though I was recording the food and my health situation. That's the silly part. Here's what I mean:
Slowly, ever so slowly, I started to be plagued by heart burn, then came some headaches, in my entire life headaches are so uncommon I could probably count them on one hand. Bad headaches too. Still I ate that delicious bread and cake. My legs began to hurt so bad I could barely walk by the end of the day. They cramped up all night long too, keeping me awake and in pure misery. My energy level dropped precipitously, I am a man full of energy and anticipation, waking early each day looking forward to whatever comes along. A happy guy I've said so many times. Unhappiness slowly crept into my daily life. I was almost crippled, miserable, confused and in constant pain. The doctor suggested some pain medication but tests were not showing anything more than the difficulties resulting from getting older, I was simply wearing out. I have an aversion to pain meds other than aspirin so I just put up with the pain and inconvenience for five years.
A bit over a month ago I woke up in the early morning, about 12:30am. In pain, heartburn burning my throat, legs twitching uncontrollably and a pounding headache. I decided to stay up and do whatever I could to get my mind off the misery until it was time to go to church. I began reading my food journal. After an hour or so a light went on in my head and I laughed at myself for my own stupidity. "Gluten" was a glaring connection to me problems. before returning to eating gluten I had felt terrific, after introducing gluten back into my diet I became miserable. Duh!
I have eaten no gluten since that moment. I began feeling better by that very evening, I have not suffered heartburn or a headache since. The legs on the other hand continued to be a problem. What to do, what to do? Back to the food journal. What else could the problem possibly be? I didn't like the idea of simply getting old but if that's what it was I would accept it with grace. Right? Well, there was just enough evidence in that journal to indicate that the leg problem began to increase at the same time I started to drink diet soda and eat foods with sugar substitutes. What the heck! I had nothing to lose so I eliminated diet, sugar free and sugar substitutes of every kind from my diet. I am happy to report that the leg problems are reduced greatly to where I can walk reasonably well, climb and descend stairs rather easily and even ride a bicycle again without pain of any consequence.
So there you have it. The happy is returning to my life once again. It's a wonderful feeling to wake up after a full night's sleep filled with anticipation for the coming day. Yeah, it's a areal treat. I offer you this suggestion: Start a food journal, be faithful, record your food and liquid intake every day. Also record how you feel and any health issues you may have, if the worsen or get better within three days of any particular food or liquid consumption. I'm certainly glad I did. even if it took me five years to get it through my thick scull.

Join me in my exultation, it's a very happy place.

Triple Mocha, extra Espresso, whipped Cream

I shouldn't be drinking high caffeine drinks, right? Neither should I eat meat, put salt on my food, eat fruit, have more than two beers or even munch on a candy bar. From what we read, just about everything is dangerous at some point or another. Recently I was watching a program that dealt with unusual health threats. One of them was drinking too much water can cause some sort of drowning process. What was that again? I'm beginning to fear most any type of nourishment. This morning I decided to stop at the specialty coffee shop just around the corner and get a Triple Mocha with an extra shot of Espresso. It's been about three months since my last one and it sure sounded good on a cool crisp morning just to jump start the day don't ya know. A very nice, middle aged couple was about to enter the shop behind me so I opened the door for them and let them in first. They went right to the counter in front of me and proceeded to order. "Two single de-caf's, no sugar, no cream. One plain bagel, steamed, not toasted, sliced in half to share equally." Along with a few other comments, taking several minutes while they discussed the health benefits of their choices with each other while I waited as patiently as possible. This after I had allowed them in the door instead of being first in line. (They hadn't thanked me.) They were skinny and pale looking. I'd say somewhere in their late 40's or early 50's. He had sunken eyes and wrinkled skin while she was so bundled up she almost waddled. When they finally finished and moved on I ordered my high intensity Mocha with a little whipped cream on top. The waddling lady gasped in shock. After I paid and waited by the table for them to make it the wrinkled guy came up and quietly whispered in my ear that sugary, creamy, caffeinated Mocha could very well lead to heart disease. I was a little taken aback but responded that it was OK, I already had heart disease. I'm not exactly sure why I said it but it was spontaneous and not well thought out. However, the look on his face was priceless.

I do not make fun of life threatening diseases. I really didn't then either. I was just making the best of a situation I wasn't accustomed to. I am enjoying this Mocha, guilt free. I espouse to the theory that moderation in all things ingested is the best policy: Savor the treat and move on. If I had one every day it would be a different story. I'm not particularly interested in paying for a bland de-caf or tasteless steamed bagel either. I appreciated the man's concern for my health but at the same time I didn't chastise either of them for their poor manners which I deem as important also. Meanwhile, I will trust in my good judgement as to the type of nourishment that passes my lips.

Writing a "How To" book

The subject of collaborating on a "How To" book concerning staying healthy has been presented to me. That sounds rather interesting doesn't it? The co author, should this project ever get off the ground is a solid contender for Mr. Universe body building competition. I, for my part am right in there with comparison shopping as a genuine pear. It ought to be interesting. Why me? Because I show a definite need to adjust my living habits towards better health. Well, I'm already healthy! Yeah, I may be healthy but I don't particularly display it with my doughnut shape do I? This Jack La lane Mr. Universe type guy, on the other hand looks to be the picture of physical fitness. Lots of guys in middle age would love to look like that. Nobody would ever kick sand in their face if they looked like that. (A reference to fitness ads in magazines back in the 50's and 60's) How is this all going to come together? The outline looks something like this:

Here we have two guys with different lifestyles, motivations and results. I have built a successful business. He has built a successful body. The affects of what we have accomplished are as different as our goals. The book is projected to be a conversation with the end being how an average guy can regain his health and improve his appearance. Here's where it gets a little complicated and the discussion would become heated, to say it mildly. Conflict, real guys stuff!

Throughout life I have faced a few health issues but by and large, through a combination of professional health care and learned life choices those issues changed from life threatening to manageable. Heart, lungs, circulatory and skeletal functions are all in line. My exercise regimen consists of hard work, stretching, some weight lifting and bicycling. When I wake in the morning, after prayers my first thoughts are of business and paying the bills. Humility is a necessary mainstay of my world.

The guy with the million dollar physic has also faced some health issues, some of which remain and must be tended to not because they are natural but rather because of choices made to maintain the perfect body. Blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are elevated and require medicine. Upon waking every day the first thought after showering is how to build a better body. Vanity is a necessary mainstay of his world.

The goal here is to argue points and habits and lifestyles so as to reach a compromise on how the average guy can firm up the abs, tighten the arm flab, find his waist again and be proud to wear a swimming suit while at the same time living a full, healthy, happy life style. There is a lot to be learned here. For guys anyway. It is up to the two of us to make it interesting enough to read and follow. That's what writing is all about, keeping the reader interested.

Vitamins and minerals and trust

All this writing stuff has an incredible effect on my physical self. Read that: After working a full day, gardening, socializing and other necessary activity, I get tired and fall asleep while typing. It's taking a toll on the delicate keyboard when my head hits the keys.

In an attempt to counteract the sleepy thing I have begun to frequent my local natural health nutrition shop. The first thing when I walked in the door the clerk/nutritionist smilingly walks up and confidently guides me towards the "men's" supplement shelf. "You don't even have to ask, I know just what you need." He says. "All you guys are looking for this high potent elixir." He was set back when I said the "men's" shelf wasn't what I was there for. It took a few seconds for him to gather himself and forget all about his prepared sales pitch. He didn't say that, I could just tell. After he recovered I explained about my sleepiness and my wish to make sure I was getting all the right nutrients he got down to business and, after a lengthy discussion we decided on an intelligently proper vitamin regimen without chemical additives that wasn't linked to any sales promotion. (I think promotions always seem to have some sort of agenda other than my well being.) As a result I am feeling all vitaminized every morning now. It takes a while for vitamins and minerals to take affect so I am looking forward to the next month and feeling better.

A couple years ago I found and wrote about a spray-on hormonal type product that was supposed to instill a feeling of trust to those people around you. Seeing a couple of bottles of that on the shelf next to the "men's" supplements piqued my curiosity. They had a sample bottle and I gave it a little squirt into the air and smelled it. The aroma was similar to baby powder. "Not particularly manly" I thought. However. what's not to trust about the whole baby powder thing. Then I continued on choosing the correct supplements. When I checked out my purchases I noticed the clerk had a peculiar odor about him. Yes, it was baby powder. Yeah, really it was. I wonder how much you can actually trust a guy that wears a trust spray........Joe

Your dog, not mine

To me, all this to-do about dogs running loose and harassing us is a very interesting exercise in human behavior. Not being judgemental is rather difficult because I was directly involved but I am trying. In attempting to sort out the facts with as little emotion as possible:
All of us connected with the traumatic episode, to me anyway, are all nice people and otherwise good neighbors.
Absolutely no one feels inconvenienced or endangered except the two of us who were approached by "Buffy" and "Cuddles", two dogs running loose on public property.
From what I have heard and observed the two dog owners appear to have no remorse or accept any responsibility for the attack.
The premise is that the two offending dogs are only "yappers" and have never bitten anyone.
The general consensus is that I am taking offense for something that could have been easily avoided by not walking on the sidewalk in that area. In other words; I caused the altercation. Not only from the dog owners but several other people from the area that either witnessed the event or heard of it.
Those dogs are well loved by everyone and I am actually treading on thin ice by insinuating they are dangerous in any way whatsoever. It's almost blasphemy.
The police have chosen not to be involved any more than the possibility of a phone call. It's not their job, said the officer.
If a person sees an illegal act that can cause injury to another human being and does nothing, the law states that they are legally liable for any resulting injury.

So, what to do? From these observations I have concluded that:
We have the law and common sense on our side because our rights have been violated and our health and safety put in jeopardy due to neglect on the part of the dog owners.
According to city ordinance it is a violation to allow a dog to harass or approach or cause anyone to fear for their safety on a public sidewalk. There are legal and civil consequences for not restraining your dog.
If I push this further or press any charges, the entire neighborhood will shun me.

There is no apparent physical injury, I should be over the anxiety and able to sleep sometime in the near future. How important is it? Do I want harmony in the neighborhood I've lived in for 30 years or do I want to make sure we can safely walk our streets without fear from these and other dogs? Should I let "sleeping dogs lie"?

What is it that I hope to accomplish here? It is my practice to take at least 3 days to make major decisions whenever possible. We're all good people here so being the immediate threat is over I will do just that..........

Wisdom vs Knowledge

I had a wonderful working vacation. Evenings at the lake, family visiting from across the state, campfires, stories, fishing, sleeping in, baseball on the radio. Life couldn't have been better. Unless, of course I didn't have to commute back and forth to work every day. But, that was even OK because I worked less than 8 hours a day when I usually work 10 to 12. Hot weather and cool water make a great combination don't they?

Some of my time was spent in discussions with a long time friend. He's going through some health issues that although they are not life threatening, they certainly are painfully cramping his abilities. He's gone from doctor to doctor to find some way of reversing or at least slowing the progression of his "old age infirmities", as he call them. He is one of the most knowledgeable people I know. He spends hours and hours a day learning about things I didn't even know existed. We can be talking about any subject and he knows the whys and wherefores concerning every facet of its existence. I admire that. However, he has one glaring problem. He's so very smart and has not one ounce of common sense. He often mistakes his knowledge for wisdom. They are, unfortunately not the same. I have knowledge of those things which concern me. Not much about those things that don't. I think that I have inherited a great deal of common sense, or wisdom though. Let me explain what we talked about and you decide.

He has a muscular/skeletal problem which he defines as a disease often striking older people. For some reason he chooses to not be too specific about it. He says that there is nothing that can be done so he had resigned himself to being without much of his physical abilities. He "was done trying," he said. I explained that I could only guess how difficult it is to be going through so much pain and immobility. However, I was raised and still believe to this day that it never hurts to keep trying. After several conversations he decided to try a new thing that some "Quack" came up with. It was an exercise and didn't cost him a dime. He did the exercise and within a 12 hour period he felt stronger and could move his arm. Other things happened after that.

I feel it's a mistake to think that knowledge brings wisdom. Knowledge told him any further effort was useless. Wisdom told him that he had nothing to lose. He's having a better day because he's just a little bit wiser. Never give up trying............

Great book quotations

In the writing of "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" The farthest thing from my mind was the possibility of someone using parts of it to quote and make a point. That's still true. I'm not known particularly well for making profound statements. Hopefully, I make sense most of the time though. And, of course most recordable quotes are taken from people who are in the public eye for one reason or another. After all, if you say something noteworthy there should be somebody there to hear it shouldn't there? I mean like otherwise you may just be making something up. Memorable quotes come from a variety of sources on a variety of subjects. I enjoy studying quotations and also the people that made them. Sometimes its the people that make the difference on whether the quote has any significance at all or is simply a series of mundane words. Here are a couple of my favorites:

On the intelligence of mankind: "Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe"................Albert Einstein

On the difficulty of understanding phobias: "A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths."............ Steven Wright

Putting aging into perspective: "When I was a boy, the dead sea was only sick."..............George Burns

On relationships between the sexes: "The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when he's a baby....................Natalie Wood

Looking back on our childhood: "I knew I was an unwanted child when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio"...................Joan Rivers

Explaining changing life styles as an adult: "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted............Mae West

Constantly changing perceptions of modesty: "I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do now.".........................Will Rogers

Interesting perspectives on living a healthy life: "Food is an important part of a healthy diet."...........Fran Lebowitz

Another health perspective: "Smoking kills! If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." ..................Brooke Shields

Many quotations bear a sense of humor but not all.

Sometimes it's all about doing something: "The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention.".....................Roger Nash Baldwin

On being under scrutiny of the public eye: "You can only do so many interviews with the word 'controversial' to where you just naturally become fairly weary."......Pastor Rob Bell

I am fairly assured that my quotes won't be recorded for posterity any time in the near future. But, on the other hand maybe I'm wrong. That's just like being mistaken. We should maybe all think before we speak just in case................Joe

The Today Show on NBC

Thank You NBC!!!!!!
Last week the Today Show on NBC conducted a report on CO poisoning in ice arenas. Most often caused by the Zamboni machines. If CO poisoning can happen at an ice arena, it can happen anywhere can't it? Again, Thank You NBC!!!!!!!

CO poisoning almost killed me once. For over 30 years I have tried to educate everyone withing hearing distance about carbon monoxide and it's dangers. NBC has done more in one segment than I could hope to do in a dozen lifetimes. This program will undoubtedly help prevent hundreds, perhaps thousands of people from suffering the consequences of CO poisoning. Chronic CO poisoning can cause a lifetime of major chronic health problems involving any organs of the body.

It's sneaky, this carbon monoxide gas. It lays in wait for unsuspecting victims. Invisible, odorless, undetectable for the most part without special equipment or metering devices. A person's best protection is just being aware of its existence. Thanks to NBC millions of viewers have had the opportunity to learn about it and take steps to be safe.

The show also highlighted another major point. CO poisoning attacks a surprising number of our most vulnerable, the young. They don't know what's happening. It's just another day to them. They may feel a little dizzy, nauseated, confused maybe a little sick. But kids work through that stuff every day. They just want to keep going. The gas silently continues to do its deadly work.

A major TV network like NBC has the power to help the world. They did it again this time regarding a largely ignored threat to our health. I often wonder what would be found if children were monitered for CO in the morning when they get to school. Yeah, I really wonder about that.

Good Job NBC!

Writing lesson

Yesterday I spent several hours composing one of the most interesting and informative postings I've ever done. At the crack of dawn I arose from my slumber with my head filled with ideas for this blog. Many comments and emails from friends and followers often ask questions I'm unable to answer at the time for one reason or another. So, I place them in a folder for future consideration. Yesterday was my day for future consideration. I was inspired and motivated. After church I sat down and researched the material. made notes and got started. My fingers flew across the keyboard as if they had a mind of their own. Everything was falling together like a mental jig saw puzzle. Letters formed words, words formed sentences, sentences formed ideas and ideas blended into massive accumulations of common sense. My writing was exquisitely fluent, professional and riveting.

The subject matter involved our quest for a healthy lifestyle without being consumed by it and limiting our total life experience. Some topics included: diet, exercise, meditation, faith, recreation, motivation and how to put them all together and be happy and stress free. Knowledge is empowering was part of the main theme. How to obtain correct knowledge was the driving motivator, driving home the importance of resources other than friends or self proclaimed know-it-all acquaintances. I was filled with enthusiasm through to my soul, my message was upbeat and filled with hope. I thought of nothing else while I was writing. The rest of the world was put on hold.

While I was busy writing the rest of the world went on without me. In my solitude I forgot something. The "save" button. My server went down and all was lost despite my efforts to retrieve it. Gone! I don't know what I could have done to prevent this from happening but I'm on a mission to find out just what that may be. You never know when I might wake up and write that way again. Meanwhile, stay healthy and happy......................Joe

The fountain of youth

I had the excellent privilege of meeting with a large group of past high school classmates yesterday evening. What a delightful experience. A class reunion, in my opinion is the closest we'll ever come to the long sought fountain of youth. When I first walked in my first thought was "What have I gotten myself into?" My memory of names connected to faces is almost non-existent, especially given the changes we all go through as the years pass. However, there was someone that looked across the room and called out, "Joe, I'm glad you could make it!" followed by a rush through the crowd to give me a friendly handshake saying, "I'm '''''', do you remember me?" Yes, I did and suddenly I was in a friendly group of schoolmates once again with a steady stream of acquaintances busily catching up on the happenings in our lives. Within fifteen minutes we were all 18 again.

When we were all in school together it was a slightly different story. I, for my part scurried back and forth from class to class as if I was on a mission. However, being a friendly albeit sort of goofy young guy full of energy, growth spurts and extremely high expectations was finding it difficult to make time work for me very well almost to the point of appearing rude or unfriendly. I was sent to the principal or counselors office over 80 times in high school. Most were for running in the hallways between classes and a couple for being late for a class. Nothing real bad though. I worked before school, after school and on the weekends. After school activities were extremely limited and social activities almost unknown to me. The surprising thing to me is that so many of those kids that I sped so quickly by in the hallways spoke to me of the good times and fond memories they have about me. I left that social event feeling real good about myself. I felt forgiven for being a goofy kid. I brought up a few good stories of my own.

I have learned very much over my lifetime. One of the most important things is that we were all kids once. New to the world and learning the rules as we went along. In our own ways we were all sort of goofy kids. It's a pretty good group of people to belong to and be welcomed by. I couldn't help but say an immature goofy thing or two just to let them know that some things never change. None of us ever lost the love of laughter. We all need that from time to time don't we? It helps us maintain our youth.............Joe

Book publishing, expect the unexpected

Joe's Story:The Book of a Lifetime has been in publication for almost 3 years now. It has been sold, shipped and read in every state and several other countries around the world. It's been quite a learning experience for me. I had no idea what to expect when, after 13 years of writing I held the first copy in my hands. Of course there were visions of huge royalty checks but that was only a dream for the most part. The primary purpose of writing Joe's Story in the first place was a hope of saving other people from the devastation that was brought upon my family and I as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and the amnesia that followed. Being a published author opened up several venues for me and I had the opportunity to speak of carbon monoxide and it's ever present dangers in front of thousands of people. What an honor that has been. I learned another thing on Monday this week. Once a book is published and in print, expect the unexpected.

Monday morning, as I performed my usual ritual of formulating a plan of action for the week and determining my priorities the front door of my office opened and a pleasant looking couple came in. After a few words of greeting from me the man introduced himself and his wife, explained they were in Michigan from their home state of Tennessee and asked for a few minutes of my time. The story went like this: They had happened across the book, "Joe's Story" while they had been visiting in Florida on vacation. Their neighbor at the campground was an avid reader as is his wife and they struck up a conversation about exciting new books. "Joe's Story" was mentioned and when they got back home they ordered a copy from Amazon.com. After reading it and recognizing some health problems they were experiencing they decided to get a blood test for CO poisoning. The test showed elevated levels of CO, they had their furnace and hot water heater checked and found the water heater defective, the doctor said it may have saved their lives. They had come to say thanks and have me sign their copy of "Joe's Story." I was humbled and thankful to hear that they were going to be alright.

So, that's what I mean by, expect the unexpected. Once a book is in print it's always there.........Joe

The Pink Pill for women

The airwaves are filled with news about the long anticipated "Pink Pill" for use by the ladies. The purpose is to bring certain situations to a much more amorous conclusion than could otherwise be expected. It doesn't work! What do we do now? Millions of dollars were spent on hopes of restoring a drive that nature thought necessary to lower if not totally eliminate. Evidently there is a reason the scientists hadn't anticipated. It's not all about the ability like it is in men. The difficulty runs much deeper. It's got to do with: Feelings! Apparently the pink pill doesn't deal with that. Back to the old drawing board. Meanwhile we're stuck with the old tried and true methods that come to us down through the ages in song and tale.

A while back our favorite health and fitness guru, Jack La lane was on TV hawking his latest juicer and flexing his muscles to show how well the juice diet works. He actually looks great for someone half his age. The reporter was asking him lots of health related questions while Jack's wife stood by smiling. She is up there in years and looks very good too. A couple most of us would like to emulate I am sure. (Except it takes so much work to look that good and most of us aren't that energetic or motivated.) A comment was made that being two healthy people of advanced age do they still get intimate? Jack displayed that huge toothy smile, squared off his muscular body and said, "Look at my wife, do you see her complaining?" The reporter then turned to her and asked the same question, her answer was, "Sure we do, once every week Jack gives me a couple glasses of wine, that sets the mood and we just do what comes natural. We are very happy!"

There is a popular singer that touts the benefits of tequila in song. It's on juke boxes and Karaoke machines around the world. One of the lines in the song goes something like: "Tequila makes your clothes fall off." And, when it comes to bringing a woman to a rather more, shall we say, accepting mood, an old saying from ages ago says that: "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker!"

Agree or disagree it kind of makes you wonder if that little pink pill should be augmented with a creamy filling of 151 rum. I wonder if the scientists working on this pill include women of the age they are targeting. Maybe they need more. Maybe they need to talk to good old Jack and his wife about it. Then again maybe most women like life just the way it is and would just as soon be doing something else. I'm sure more research will follow, Those scientists are pretty persistent when they work on messing with nature aren't they? I hope you enjoy the day. It's the time of year to be outside anyway.............................Joe

National "Vent your pet peeve" day

Do you have a pet peeve? Today is "vent your pet peeve" day. If you've got something that's been bothering you, today is the day to let it out so the rest of the world knows too. No sense in suffering all alone now is there? Is there something that someone else does that kind of gets under your skin? let's get it out, cleanse ourselves of the weight of unspoken issues and get on with life. That's the point of "vent your pet peeve" day. I've got a few myself:

I own a business. When a customer comes in I leave whatever I'm doing so I may attend to them 100%. My pet peeve there is when I am trying to concentrate on them 100%, they continuously break into the conversation to answer their cell phone, making me stand there while they discuss the dinner menu, shopping yesterday or how their golf game went. Apparently they do not believe my time has any value. Kind of irks me.

When I stop in the bank to do something that needs another person answering my questions in a face to face one on one situation. There are 7 teller stations, there are two tellers, the line of people waiting runs through that roped off area and halfway out the door. There are two tellers in the break room, there are two managers or assistants sitting in the office area typing on computers and one of the tellers carries on a long conversation with the customer about her trip to Myrtle Beach. Sort of makes you understand why banks like Goldman Sachs got into so much trouble. It's all about the money, not the people.

I stop at a small convenience store to pick up some milk for the morning's coffee. I park my car, go in get the milk and come back out. Meanwhile, it seems the passenger in the car next to me is not liking her cafe' Latte' so much. She rolls down her window and pours the Latte' out onto the pavement next to my door, splattering the door in the process. It is also impossible for me to get into my car without stepping into her Latte'. She looks at me laughs and rolls her window back up.

There! I've vented. I've got more and I feel better already but I'm sure that quite soon I will feel even lots better. You might want to try it....Joe

Cancer and people

Today is one of the days I've set aside for those people and their families involved with cancer and other critical diseases. If you haven't been affected by one of them I would be surprised. Sometimes the pain is so great that we avoid talking about it. That's a shame. Admitting the pain and difficulties involved is part of the healing process.

One of my heroes is a guy that had inoperable brain cancer. His way of dealing with it was buying a sailboat and sailing around the world and visit as many tropical islands as he could. living off the local food and fauna. I haven't heard from him since. he was so grateful he found out in time to go off and realize his dream. Another is a guy diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. He was an active, grab life by the horns type of guy, surfer, sky diver, avid skier, mountain climber and hiker all his life. After his initial diagnosis and treatments he stopped by to visit. Full of stories and jokes it took him almost two hours to tell me what was going on. Then he took off his hat and showed me his bald head. His long, flowing, curly, blond, surfer locks were gone. He grinned and said it was beginning to grow back. I felt immediate sadness. He dispelled a lot of it by explaining what he intended to do. During his treatment he saved up a lot of the pain medication and he also had a stash of "medicinal" stuff of some kind. He was leaving that day to go on a long vacation by train across the United States. Stopping spontaneously wherever he wished and ski, climb a mountain, surf or whatever tripped his trigger at that moment. I haven't heard from him either. Another acquaintance had ALS and rode across the old Route 66 with a bunch of car guys in a caravan of Corvettes. Another dream come true. A minister with the same situation lived a year as Jesus did. Doing without many common amenities. We all have our own opinion of what is important.

I've visited many other every day heroes too. Most have overcome what ever they faced and gone on to many more years of life. Others didn't fare so well and I've held their hand while they slipped away. We all have our way of handling such matters. I do know this; Friends and family can make all the difference when it comes to comfort and support. It's a good thing to remember. For them, and us don't you think?...............Joe

Perspective can be unhealthy

Perception. What you perceive may not at all be what you see.

A long time ago I rode a train back to Grand Rapids from the East side of the state. Arriving rather late at a, long since demolished way station used mostly by commuters. Not having much in the way of money made it an easy decision to walk the 5 miles to my home through the dark streets. At approximately the halfway mark I was about to cross a very busy, 4 lane avenue when I saw one of my old high school buddies walking down the middle of the street, carefully following the center line looking very confused. I waited for the cross walk sign and approached him cautiously. "What's going on? I asked. He looked at me and said, "Hi Joe! Hey, do you have any idea why all these crazy people are driving on the sidewalk like that?" rather than correct him and cause possible disagreement, I said I didn't know but why don't we get the heck out of here until they leave. He followed like a puppy, wandering this way and that but did manage to stay with me until I'd gotten to a side street with no traffic. He said thanks and went running down the side street. I tried to keep up with him and couldn't so I watched until he was out of sight, far away from the busy avenue. I've not seen or heard of him since.

He believed that he was walking on a sidewalk. That was his perspective. It could have gotten him killed. That's what perspective can do sometimes. Just a Dingus Day observation. I wonder if that has anything to do with philosophical thought? ..........................Joe