New haircut, old arthritis

I finally cut my hair after nearly a year. I look different. I will have to post photos soon. Then you can all see what a handsome, young lad I really am. :D

However, arthritis is really giving me heck. My left hand now refuses to close all the way and I have no grip on that side. Two knuclkes of my middle finger have stiffened ti the point that I can't bend them. The pain is devilish at times, too. It has slown my typing speed but I am not giving in to it. I'm fighting for flexibility and movement.

Nothing new to add about my wife's health. She is doing as well as can be expected with me giving her a boost from behind all the time. She's a fighter, just like I am. At the rate we are going, we will still be going strong together long after we should be totally incapacitated. Go us.

On the soap box: Still not buying McCain as a valid choice for president. Let's inaugurate Obama tomorrow and end the tragedy of the Bush years. Off the soap box. Good night.

Friday the 13th diagnosis

It has been too long since my last update. I've been having ISP issues. Problems solved! I fired the losers and got a new ISP. Qwest is worlds better than Comcast. Yes.

Now for the latest. On Friday, June 13, 2008 my wife was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. We knew something was not right for years but only now have we been able to get in to see a neurologist.

We are coping as best we can. We have terrific neighbors who all want to help. We have the best medical care available in New Mexico. We also have friends and acquaintances all over the world who care deeply.

Prayers would be welcome from anybody who knows how to pray.

Current Albuquerque Pix

The Trigo Fire - Manzano Mts. NM

Hi, everybody. Just an update to let all my friends know that we are safe from the fires for now. The biggie, the Trigo fire, is being held by the fire crews. Severl states sent in hotshot crews to help ours fight the fire when the winds blasted the fire out of containment earlier this wek.

Two villages, Tajique and Torreon were saved by the emergency efforts. The fire was barricaded of by chemicals and new firebreaks and traveled a path between the villages. A masterful job of fire management under extreme conditions. Hats off to the hotshots.

Since then, the winds have calmed down into the 10 to 15 miles per hour. The planes and copters are flying again and once more the fire is under containment. If the crews can make sufficient progress before the winds before the winds kick up again around midweek coming up.

At least I can put the battery back into my smoke detector now.

Big Brother won by Adam - Right or Wrong?

Hi, friends! Big Brother 9 is history. Adam is the $500,000 winner. I originally wanted Natalie to win but when she got voted out I switched to Ryan. I thought he played the game better than any house guest I have ever watched.

I might have had a different opinion if I had been able to see last season to the end. Dick was a great player too. Unfortunately, I slipped into a coma before BB8 was half over and didn't wake up until it was done.

So, vote in my poll. Over there -----> to the right. See it? (just kidding)

Then, go back to http://slimtainment.com and vote in Slim's poll. Tell him Doc sent you.

Dumb Weather Channel!

Sitting here eating a chicken salad sandwich and watching the dumb weather channel. Why are they dumb? Because all they do is talk about the weather. They never do a doggone thing about it.

Okay, so Winter's over here in Albuquerque. The temperatures are up in the upper seventies and pushing into the low eighties. The snowfalls are done for this year and the deep dry has set in. All the storm systems shoot past us to the North and we stay bone dry. Parched, even. Daily humidity readings in the single digits. Yesterday, for example, the humidity dropped all the way to 3%. Yes, it is that dry here.

My skin is a mass of flakes. I don't even want to go outside where people can see my dryness. My wife is complaining of the same problem. If the wind would let up for a few days it might be a little nicer but I doubt it. The mountains are only about ten miles away from home and I can't see them for the shroud of dust hanging in the way.

I think I'll go stand in the shower until I look like a white prune. Maybe my skin will stay damp for a few minutes.

Other than that, life in Albuquerque is still pretty nice. I have some nice neighbors. I can watch the middle schoolers play tennis across the street. I can feed the little birds and watch their antics.

I also have this thing called a computer. It's my connection to the world. Howdy, friends!

Time for an update on my condition

Such as it is, my condition is in pretty good condition. My heart is improving. (YAY!) My kidneys are 100%. (YAY!) My diabetes and cholesterol numbers are the best they have ever been. (YAY! YAY! and YAY!)

Now if I can get back into the exercise/walking routine I will be doing just great. Huff-puff-huff-puff! Life can be good at times. Catch you all later!