At the risk of sounding like an old fogey, I'm sidelined. Typically, I'd be involved in some sort of boat planning or expedition or adventure during this time. Whether it be a short trip or one of the other events that require much more planning or commitment, SOMETHING would be happening in MY boat world.
Well, it ain't. And I'll tell ya why it ain't, is because the old fogey syndrome has raised it's head in the form of certain health issues. And no, I'm not going to list all the things but they have been numerous and disrupting, the worst being blood pressure issues. Deciding that stroking out on the water wasn't a good idea has caused all manner of problems with the boat, and I'm trying to work through it. Let me tell ya, BP issues ain't no joke and is a whole new animal for me. Naturally, the weather is great, too."You fuss about the weather so much,take THIS!", sez Mother Nature, with a gentle SE breeze blowing puffy white clouds in off the Gulf and the temp pretty much perfect.
(She can be a real witch when she wants.)
So...things are at a standstill, although I did manage a run down the bayou with the little aluminum skiff last week. I have THOUGHT about some activities, but that's about as far as it got. Maybe things will get lined out eventually, but for now I'm shorebound I'm sad to say. Don't feel the best in the world just yet and definitely am not up to rigging, launching, and messing with a sailboat. Maybe I'll get a trip before it gets too hot. And that's ANOTHER thing telling me those age numbers are adding up. I can't take the heat like I once could. You get old and then die; I get that part and really have no trouble with it, as that is just reality.
But I ain't going out without a good fight!
Take care of yourself. Sailing is secondary to health!
I started BP meds last year. Low dosage but keeping an eye on it.
I haven't sailed since October but hoping to soon. Arm feeling pretty good. I worked in the yard yesterday all day doing some heavy stuff. Made it through. Leads me to believe I can row, at least a bit. Still hoping to do my 70th bd sailing trip and still training for a backpacking trip. I saw my brother this week who plans to backpack with me. He's recovering from a hamstring injury (he tore it completely loose from the hip!!!). His recovery is going slower than anticipated, so we'll see about it. My wife does not want me to do either adventure alone.
Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
I think you two kids are trying to join my club too early. ;) The reality for me is that I wake up every morning refreshed, with a great plan to get all this stuff done, and find that I actually have about 4-5 hours before I have to call it a day. :o And in that time I accomplish much less than I would have five years ago. My new mindset is that some of the low priority stuff has to be subbed out so I can concentrate on sailing, fishing, and other things related to water. Low priority would be yard work and home repair and maintenance and administrative chores such as taxes which I just subbed out last year for the first time ever.
It is not just me, Sheri (much better half) just went through an emergency surgery to graft an erosion area on her good eye which required three trips to Vanderbilt (four hours travel time each way) and a relatively long recovery time whereby I had to take over those things she does much better than I. No complaints there, blessed to have one of the best surgeons in the world for that task and the outcome was way better than expected. So we forge ahead, lean on each other when we need to, and thank the Lord for what we have and what we've had. ;D
I have five days to make a $400 bet. Early lift tickets are cheap. I won't be able to help myself, going to do it and prove I can still ski at eighty. But maybe buy insurance this year ;)
So far I'm still capable for the most part. The issues have cropped up and been dealt with until things went south again recently. I'm previously wasn't one to agonize over diet and now that's a BIG thing. Used to be, I ate what I wanted. And I've always said this place has the best food on planet Earth. Seems those days are over. O well, I'm still trucking long after I figured I'd be gone from stupidity or a jealous flame.
There have been MANY times in the past that were things were hanging in the balance and luckily it tilted to life. You can't explain to those that have no clue about life in the oil patch and heavy industry. About the hours and the danger and the egos and the money. A job title can be very misleading. Put something in a box and give it a pay rate. I can weld but that wasn't a title, it's a skill, and nowhere in the titles I've had. I've been VERY lucky in my life to have One watch over me. And have brothers that took part in all that too, not by blood, but by experience. And I must add a fine woman has been there too, and made it all worth it.
A lot of things have changed because of age. Some organizations I take part in are dying on the vine. There is nobody to replace those that leave. Much like this place I've enjoyed for so many years. I like to deal with the Truth, even when it is hard. So many are gone and others in the wings waiting. And then I look closer and see folks LOTS older than me still getting around and doing their thing, even if it is slower and taking longer. I'm just glad I'm still able to do what I can. And REALLY understand that the end can be a blessing.
But it ain't over until HE says it's over. We make our plans but God decides what happens. And I can live with that and embrace it and understand that in the end, it'll be ok. It's just another chapter in the book. And in reality, maybe the most important one.
We all joke about "If I had known I was gonna live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." And then, the reality hits you and it isn't funny. Two years ago, I bought another motorcycle (scooter) and we planned for a summer of riding. I'm trying to convince the Blonde that we need to plan for another summer like that... well, anything to get out of the desert heat in July and August.
One of the reasons for the move from the Gulf Coast to the desert came after some health issues - our daughter lobbying with "you two aren't getting any younger," but I didn't get onboard until a pesky bit of cancer made me consider what would Joan have to deal with on my departure... and no other family anywhere nearby. I can read an actuarial chart and understand the statistics.
Living in the desert, I miss the boating. I miss the Gulf and the beaches. I still have itchy feet, love to drive and ride. There is a lot to see and explore here in the Southwest. I am actually more mobile now than I was 6 years ago, thanks to a titanium hip replacement. Also never thought I'd live long enough to need "replace parts."
I feel ya, Riley. Do what you can and what you feel like doing. When you get the BP stuff dialed in, it becomes part of the routine. I now consider each day a "bonus day."
Better! And of course I give thanks for that. I've sort of got back into rhythm somewhat and things are settling down. I feel good. Good enough to hike a bit and stir around some. Note to self: A ham for Easter will get you ALL MESSED UP!"
There is something almost poetic in that ;D A more cynical self would wonder if the cook is tired of me ;D Anyway, things are much better and I'm looking forward to seeing in binocular again and getting the OTHER eye done that got preempted. Quit fighting the fog. I'll be so glad to sing "I Can See Clearly Now". Except that I have to sing to myself now because when they tried to cut my head off to get to my neck bone, they took what little singing ability I had with them ;D
PS...it sounded like a bullfrog in a bucket anyway. I was ok with giving it up to make the head better. My wife, who had the same procedure, couldn't talk for a couple of weeks. And didn't lose a single note with her beautiful voice! Talk about poetic!!!!