Cartakers and cowboy movies

Recently I've been talking a lot to a few friends that are taking care of relatives in health crisis of one type or another. A father with ALS, parents with dementia, a mother with Alzheimer's, a wife going through chemo and radiation, a friend with serious, suicidal depression. All incredibly difficult and emotionally and physically exhausting situations for the afflicted and, to another degree, the caretaker. Not to make light of those suffering the challenges, the needs of the caretakers themselves are often neglected or completely forgotten throughout the crisis. No one intends for that to happen but that's the way it is from what I have observed with these people. In one particular instance, a husband has been visiting his wife of 61 years, in a care facility due to her advanced Alzheimer's, every day, all day until he is kicked out at night. His doctor told him to back off and start taking care of himself more so he can experience life too. The husband is having a difficult time doing that. If he doesn't go every day, all day he feels guilty. Just one example of how this caretaking thing works sometimes. When you love someone it just comes natural I think.

That brings me to the cowboy movies. "SAGEBRUSH THEATRE" was one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid. On Saturday morning, upon waking at 6am as usual, (much to the sleepy dismay of my hard working, sleep deprived parents) I would grab a quick slice of sugar covered buttered bread and rush over to Hank and Ken's house. Their home, with 7 kids under age 11 was always filled with activity even at that early hour. We'd just hunker down in front of the TV and watch Sagebrush Theatre, the Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, Sky King and finally Roy Rogers. We learned all about life from those cowboy shows it seems sometimes. Bad guys often wore mustaches and wore black hats. Cowgirls were the most beautiful and smartest women ever and always helped their cowboy friends. And, when it comes to caretaking: A horse was the most important part of being a safe and healthy cowboy. Cowboys, always needing a healthy horse to help them automatically knew that when the day was done and the horses work was over, the cowboy would feed and brush and check the horse to make sure their horses needs were taken care of before they ate, washed up or bedded down for the night. That assured them that the horse would be there for them in the morning. The horse took care of them, they took care of the horse. The bad guys didn't always do that and their horses got sick and then the bad guys had to walk.

That's what I learned about caretaking from cowboy movies. I wonder if that holds true for people too?

Art Prize Grand Rapids

If you have the opportunity to peruse the Art Prize exhibits throughout the downtown area of Grand Rapids, do it. You'll not be disappointed. Every offering is not for everyone's liking but I guess that's the whole idea. Sparking conversation and debate in some cases and reflection and meditation in others. And, simply because apparently art knows no boundaries, outright disdain or disgust. Yeah, this competition covers the entire gambit when it comes to opinions. This event is so far away from when I used to frequent the Grand Rapids Art Museum it boggles my mind. I am not an artist, I am not an art aficionado, I still find some of my favorite works on a church wall or a Norman Rockwell magazine cover print. Never really had time to figure out all the intricate details of the more refined art stuff. Just can't figure it out. Most art forms do not, "bring out my innermost thoughts." No, those thoughts are usually most apparent when I hit my thumb with a hammer. I am impressed, however with the ability and insight of so many people when it comes to a true understanding of the art projects now strewn about the various venues. The oohs, and aahs, and tongue wagging on the streets, in the restaurants and even in the multitude of bars and breweries is varied or polarized. Creating a cacophony of interest and activity. Art? Or is it the people? It definitely is interesting and fun. See you there.

Strength, independence and perseverance

As is my custom, yesterday (Sunday) after church services I went across the street to pay my weekly visit to the final resting place of my parents in the cemetery. A few quiet minutes to reflect on the two people who instilled me with their perspective on living a good, respectful life with integrity. One of the key elements to that kind of life, in their opinion was being independent and self sufficient. Some ways they accomplished that were gardening, fishing, hunting, working multiple jobs, coupons, bargain shopping, accepting their own limitations and not allowing others to do anything for them that they could do themselves. Not always an easy way of life. They thanked God daily for that life. On their knees at home or in church, they prayed honestly and faithfully. They were truly grateful for being together and for what little they had. When my father died my mom was heartbroken but carried on through the rest of her years in the same fashion. She remained a widow because, as she said, it was her job to finish up what they had begun for their family. Someone else might mess up the whole plan. I always chuckled when she said that but admired her tenacity and sense of independence. Making her meager funds last until she passed away was a monumental task. I have first hand knowledge of that. My brother, sister and myself watched over her but she wouldn't allow us to "take charge". No siree! She took care of herself with a passion. It was the way my folks had agreed upon. period!

Brushing off the headstone, replacing the flowers, trimming the grass edges, at least they  let me do that without shooing me away. I honestly think they may even enjoy it. I hope so anyway. I do love them. I can never quite say that enough.

Reading the bible

Reading the bible, cover to cover is a rather interesting undertaking. It's not just one book like 50 shades of Gray. Although some of the circumstances in the stories are rather explicit too. From the very beginning it becomes obvious, to me at least that some of it is meant to impart knowledge instead of specific historical fact. Nor, really was it meant to be read all in one fell swoop. It took me a few months to do it but that's just what I did. How much do I remember more than I did before? Probably not much. In an athletic analogy it was more like running a race than a walk through a park. Concentrating on getting the job done rather than savoring each sentence. I'm happy I did it. The benefit will play out over time I'm sure. But, I have another comment regarding one of the books in the bible, The Book of Revelations to be exact. Now that book is a real piece of work. I mean no disrespect whatsoever as my faith is sound in the truth set forth in the sacred texts of the bible. However, from the aspect of simply reading without benefit of meditation on the true meanings, The Book of Revelations is really far out there as far as understanding.

From angels to devils, swords, numerous heads and fire and truly mind bending visions it is most difficult to maintain focus in realistic way. The next time I read it I will be spending the time necessary in search of "revelation." This is definitely not a bed time story for kids or the weak of heart. The message of hope in spite of ourselves carried throughout the entire bible, to the beginner at least is well hidden in this final book. Yeah, my intent was well meaning but the quest of knowledge and truth was lost in the marathon approach. Still, time well spent compared to some other offerings on the best seller list. To be honest, no matter how I did it, by reading the entire bible, sometime, somehow, somewhere, I will see something I've never seen before. That's the way it works I think. Even if, at first glance to me at the time, it seems like the last book was written by a guy on a trip.

Amazon.com has Joe's Story in hard copy and Kindle

My book, "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" is going well on Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Joes-Story-Lifetime-Joe-Cramer/dp/1424185513/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379071364&sr=1-1&keywords=Joe%27s+Story%3A+The+Book+of+a+Lifetime

The hard copies are doing well but the Kindle version is fast catching up. Since it was highlighted on a website a few weeks ago in connection with rehabilitation of people facing brain damage and memory loss, lots of 20 or more have been purchased by such institutions. I've been told the story is excellent for helping establish a route to regaining memory lost through trauma. Another area it is helpful in is hope. I am pleased that "Joe's Story" is helping people. The main reason I wrote it was to do good somehow. A man come into my office a while back, burst into tears, gave me a hug and said he felt better about himself than he has going through 15 years of Psychological counseling. He even bought another copy for his Psychologist. His wife even thanked the book for bringing her husband back from chronic unhappiness.

I certainly am not any sort of doctor but having survived a two year battle with amnesia I can attest to how wonderful it is to get a feeling happiness back. Just having one person tell me that makes all the time and effort worth while. And a royalty check in the mail yesterday is just another reason to be happy my own self wouldn't you think?

I wish you a day of happiness...............Joe

My book and a retirement fund

I enjoy listening to the adventures of my friends. The fellow I mentioned in the last posting had many stories to tell about walking trails and losing weight and learning to use his new found slimmer, more muscular and way more energetic body in ways he had not dared to dream of only a year ago. Now his plans are filled with hope like I'd never seen before in him. An excellent, inspiring conversation! I wish him well on his journey. Before he left he turned the conversation towards what was going on in my life with a few questions and he did some listening of his own. He is a good listener and I suppose I'm pretty good at talking too because he laughed a lot. I autographed a copy of my book: "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" he purchased and we said our good byes til another day. I figured I wouldn't see him again for a while. I figured wrong. He read "Joe's Story" all in one day and stopped by this morning to tell me how much he enjoyed it as well as an idea he had for me. I listened with interest to his advice. I got down right inspired again and thanked him when he left for parts unknown. It's pretty cool when someone goes out of their way to help you.

His idea was this: Start doing everything I can to get "Joe's Story" out there and in the hands of book readers as soon as possible. "It's a terrific story" he said. The wisdom in the book would help hundreds of everyday people by validating them in so many ways. By getting the book sold and helping others I would add to my own sense of having done good by writing the story. The side benefit, in his opinion was that I'd finally do something about a retirement fund like he did.

I can say without hesitation that his words made my day. I am also going to do some serious thinking about promoting "Joe's Story".I could use a few bucks in the, as yet non existent retirement fund.

Um, er, by the way. Are you looking for a good book to read? I can help you out there.

Personal adventure

A friend stopped by yesterday that I haven't seen in over a year. He's been on a sort of personal adventure, "renewing himself", he says. He and his wife split up a couple years ago after 43 years of marriage and 3 kids. She felt they had just grown in different directions and had nothing in common anymore. He was devastated, he loved her. Lost and not sure of himself, he decided to quit his job and go looking for whoever he was. The kids are grown, he's been frugal enough to be financially independent if he doesn't go crazy and figured he had nothing left to lose. Off he went in his van to see what he could see. When he left he weighed 304 pounds and used a walker most of the time. Holy Cow! Not any more. He went on a high protein eating regimen along with reducing his calorie intake too. His plan was to walk as far as he could each and every day. As the weight dropped, he walked more and more. Eventually he took on parts of a trail on the West coast over the winter and then came back to the East side and did parts of the Appalachian trail before returning to Michigan. He tips the scale at around 195 pounds, give or take a pound or two now, he says. Looks great and sounds great too. A different person in so many ways. He says his wife is paying some attention to him for some reason, they went on a "date" even! A continuing story there I guess. It was good to see him. Reminded me of back in the day when I lost 90 pounds in a very short time. I managed to gain about 30 of that back but that's a whole nother story too.

He sent me a link to a news story he had seen and in his opinion, the video says it all when it comes to the results and the lady in the video obtained.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/womans-time-lapsed-weight-loss-video-goes-viral-135734803--abc-news-health.html?vp=1

I found it interesting. You may too. Have a good day!