I've been lax in my duties; my apologies.
I think I've obtained another level of "ranking" in my life: having broken an ankle when 14, then my wrist about twelve years ago, I've never had any major run-ins with the medical profession. A little over three weeks ago, I had a mini-stroke (look up "TAI"), that miraculously left me untouched, save for the fact that I now know I have high blood pressure (very untypical for me). Two weeks later, while playing with my dogs, I had a pretty heavy heart attack. No foolin'! Over two hours of living hell. Into the second hour, I was thinking of looking for a way out, as the pain meds weren't doing a thing. They ran a stent up through my femoral artery to re-establish the blood flow to my heart, so there's not even any cool scars to brag on! That was a week ago this evening, and the doctor made me swear "no motorcycles" until next week. 'Probably just as well, as I get tired kind of easily at the moment.
Now, when someone says to be thankful for what you have, it takes on a whole different meaning for me than what it used to. The stroke could have rendered my whole right side immobile, and yet, I suffer no ill effects. Why? As for the heart attack, had I not been close to the hospital, or, better yet, had been up in the foothills on my mountain bike as I was planning to do that evening, I'd probably be dead. Again, why? Apparently, the Lord wasn't ready to pluck me just yet.
I continue to build my stamina, and now see things around me in a different light.
Anyway, on with the list. I'm happy to report that I will
not be reducing the population by one at this time!
Nathan