Things I've Never Done

 

Okay folks, this is an update on things I haven't done. A few weeks ago I posted a list "Never Have I Ever." I'm always fascinated by what people have and haven't done. So without further ado here is a list of things I HAVEN'T done.

Broken a bone

Been skydiving

Had braces

Gotten a tattoo

Dyed my hair

Ridden a horse

Given birth

Sung karaoke

Gone scuba diving

Eaten sushi

Gone zip lining

Met someone famous

Been camping

Been on a cruise

Gotten piercings

In my posting I listed my score as fourteen but actually it is fifteen. I never actually "met" someone famous. I've been face to face with some one famous (Milton Berle getting out an elevator at the Pittsburgh Hilton as I was going in) but I never "met" anyone famous. I've "seen" in person famous people but no one famous has ever acknowledged my existence when I appeared before them and I doubt that will ever happen in whatever time I have left on this earth. Oh well.

Of the items left of things I haven't done, I have no desire to do any of them except one. I would like to ride a horse. I haven't given up on that yet. I can feel that throbbing beast between my loins now as I think of it. Maybe I rode a horse in a previous life.

If I Should Die Tomorrow

 

These days I've been giving a lot of thought about my demise. Oh sure, I've written about this subject before and why not? At fourscore years (80) it is a subject frequently on my mind. More so than when I was a young man of eighteen or twenty-one years old with my whole life ahead of me. 

Right now I don't feel I'm in imminent danger of crossing over the rainbow bridge but it could happen tonight. In recent years I've had two cousins on both sides of my family (Mother and Father) who died unexpectedly in their sleep. Both were younger than me. 

A few months ago my youngest brother passed away. I remember what he said to me shortly before he died. He knew he was dying (lymphoma) and was preparing. I didn't know what to say to him when he told me he would be gone soon. He told me "Ronnie, we all get our turn."  And indeed we do.

I remember what one of my former classmates told me when I contacted him about attending one of our class reunions. He had never been to any of our class reunions and thus I had little hope of finding him or getting him to attend. But when I did contact his wife she said "Oh, Steve wants to talk to you. He wants to go to the class reunion." When I talked to Steve on the phone he casually informed me he had brain cancer and only had  few months to live and wanted to see his long ago classmates before he died. Again, I was left speechless when he told me this. I said "Steve, I don't know what to say." He said "Oh that's all right, I've always been curious as to what is on the Other Side." 

Three of my former classmates including the one who told me he was dying (guy holding the paper). The other guy has also passed on. Me and the woman are still here. 

One of my last conversations with my brother, who was an Christian Evangelical Minister was "John, when you get up there (Heaven), let me know what's going on."  He said "Ronnie, if I can I will."  It's been several months now and I haven't heard from him. In fact I haven't heard from ANY of my friends and relatives (so many of them) who have died which leads me to believe either they're very busy in Paradise or that there is (God forbid) NOTHING. I tend to believe the latter by the way.

I do not fear death. I do fear (maybe too strong a word) who I get there. Not for me great pain of immobility and dependence on others. When my time comes I wish it to be quick and painless, much like when one goes under anesthesia prior to a colonoscopy. That's the best part about a colonoscopy, going under. But I digress. However, if my passing should be like that I will be ever so thankful although it wouldn't make a difference how I felt because when you go under there is NOTHING. I'll take that though.

Another thing I feared about death is what I would miss. But if you're dead you don't know. I've comes to terms with that. What I don't know I don't miss.

Now we come back to my life, my eighty years on this planet. I'm tempted to say I have no regrets but that wouldn't be true. Oh sure, I have plenty of regrets, things I wish I had done differently but as the old Frank Sinatra song says "I did it my way." And indeed folks I did. But one thing I know for sure and I am so content with is that I've had a damn good life. A very interesting life. 

I was born reasonably good-looking (if you get the right angle). Average intelligence. I realized early on I wasn't going to be a brain surgeon but I did have a knack for survival whereas I read that so many really smart people were pretty screwed up in their lives. Not me. I wished I had some kind of unique talent but alas, only a knack for business back office management and hotel front desk agent. Nothing anybody is going to write about when I die, and that's all right too but for the longest time I was concerned with what I leave behind. Not anymore. I've come to terms with no one cares. Just me while I'm alive. And that was/is enough. All my genealogy research, photo and video collection even my stamp collection which I haven't looked at for half a century. Doesn't matter. And how can I die and not having read all the books I have to read yet? Doesn't matter. All that matters now is enjoying and living each day and be grateful for my relative good health.

And yes, I am also curious as to what is on the Other Side. If I can, I'll let you know when I get there.

By the way, dying is a win win for me. If I die and there really is a rainbow bridge, then I will be reunited with my Pomeranian dog Horace who graced my life for sixteen short years. I have never gotten over his loss. The only way I could eventually tolerate his loss was to convince myself when I die and there is Nothing, then this pain will stop. But even better, if I did and there is a rainbow bridge, Horace will be waiting for me and indeed then I will know there is a Heaven. 

Puppy Horace

Adult Horace

Old Horace

We were inseparable. 

Hearing Aid Test

 

Last month I began to notice little signs that maybe my hearing wasn't normal in my right ear. Then about three weeks ago I felt like I had to pop my right ear like you would after a long plane flight. My hearing for the past three weeks has been seriously compromised. For the first time in my life I realized what it is like to be hard of hearing.

This morning I had an appointment for an audiology test. I had a thorough examination. The audiologist discovered that I had a big hunk of ear wax imbedded in my right ear. Ah ha! 

The audiologist performed a suction procedure to take out the ear wax. At times it was very painful. I am one of those lucky people who have never had an earache. Now I realized what an earache was like, not good. Almost as bad as a toothache but not even close to my kidney stones passing. More pain for Ron. But this time is was worth it. I can hear out of my right ear now! Now I have a new appreciation for hearing. 

My audiologist performed other tests on my hearing and determined that I am a candidate for hearing aids. I will get them because I want to hear. I've had a taste of what it is like to be hearing impaired and I didn't like it one bit. Now to get my cataracts removed. I'm scheduled for cataract surgery next month for my right eye, which is now cloudy and in August for my left eye. Now if I could do something about my arthritis. I'm getting old folks. Actually I am old folks!

For all you youngsters reading this blog, don't take  your good health for granted. Appreciate it because if you live long enough you will see your health gradually deteriorate like mine is inexorably going downhill. I'm not at the stage where I need my afternoon nap (at least an hour sometimes more) then to bed early at night. I don't take my good health for granted now. I value each day. And today was one of those beautiful 72 degree sunny spring days. 

It's just past 10 o'clock now. I'm listening to "The Last Work" with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC now as I type this blog. My eyelids are heavy with sleep. I will call it another day as I prepare for bed. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Never Have I Ever

 

All right folks, fun time again. 

A few days ago I was so sick. I spent most of the day in bed. I had a runny nose, head congestion, body aches and just feeling miserable. I took one of those home COVID tests. I thought for sure "This is it! I have COVID." However the test came out negative. So I don't know what hit me but I'm on the mend now. Still a bit weak but the runny nose is history and I just have my normal aches and pains now. 

Yesterday I posted a video of Harold, one of my favorite people in the world. This is an 89 year old gentleman who enjoys each days as it comes in spite of his age and health issues. Harold is a true inspiration. God bless him! 

Today I'm posting one of my favorite types of blog postings, a LIST! 

This is a list of things I HAVEN'T DONE. Check it and see if you can guess which things I haven't done. I think you will be surprised. 

NEVER HAVE I EVER

Give yourself one point for each thing you haven't done

Broken a bone

Skipped school

Fired a gun

Been skydiving

Ridden in a limo

Had braces

Gotten a massage

Gotten a tattoo

Been swimming in the ocean

Dyed my hair 

Watched Star Wars

Ridden a horse

Given birth

Sung karaoke

Gotten a ticket

Gone scuba diving

Eaten sushi

Been on a train

Gone zip liming

Been camping

Eaten food that fell on floor

Gone skinny dipping

Left the country

Been in an ambulance

Met someone famous

Been on TV

Been on a cruise

Gotten piercings

My score is fourteen things I haven't done on this list. What is  your score?

Harold Siroonian Dancing in Hamilton July 15 2022

This is a video taken today by my friend Pat F. in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is of Harold Siroonian, otherwise known as "The Hamilton Dancing Man." I've posted videos of Harold dancing in previous blogs. However, for the past two years Harold has been missing from the scene because of COVID. In fact Harold caught COVID but survived which is somewhat amazing because he does have medical issues and is now eighty-nine years old. 

Pat has sent me several videos of Harold dancing which I find great pleasure in viewing. Harold was a scientist by occupation. Of course he's been retired many years now. He is a widower and has two grown children. He is of Armenian heritage. 

I did have the privilege of meeting him in person a couple of years ago, while he was in the hospitable. Of course he was a gentleman of great class. Humble and interesting. He has inspired others to street dance. Even me (once in Palm Springs!). 

I often watch his videos when I want to relieve my stress. And things have been stressful around here lately caregiving for Bill which is why I haven't posted for awhile. I'll catch you up on that part of my life in future blog postings. But for now, I'm enjoying watching this video of this classy man enjoying life by doing what he likes to do. 

Welcome back Harold!

What the Hell?

 

Bill awaiting his second COVID booster shot

This is Bill at our local Walgreen's awaiting his second COVID booster shot. I also scheduled a second booster shot for myself but I took this picture. Later, as we were both sitting there in those chairs awaiting the doctor with the Pfizer vaccines, I was tempted to asked one of the strangers standing in the pharmacy line to take our picture but I didn't. Sometimes I fail. Next time I won't be so reticent. I don't know how much longer Bill or I will be on this planet so I should take all the opportunities I can to record the significant events in our lives.

This is our second COVID booster shot. We're bolstered up now. Should be safe from dying from COVID. We'll stay on the track to die from old age thank you.

Last week I had something scary. Just after I got into bed I felt a deep, heavy pain in my penis. Yes, penis. My apologies if I'm grossing anyone out but I'm just telling it like it is. I checked and I found one of those half a peppercorn sized ticks had embedded itself into the loose crown (former foreskin, I'm circumcised) of my penis. How in the hell it got there I'll never know. I do have trees on out almost one acre lot and lots of grass where I read these ticks hang out.  Apparently this tick worked its way up my pant leg into my nether regions. Damn! 

The tick was already impeded so my next step was to get my tweezers and remove it. That wasn't easy with my one cataract eye and the smallness of the tick. But remove it I did but its poison was already into my skin. For a week I felt the after effects of this tick bit. 

As a result of this tick bit I set a new protocol for myself when doing yard work. I change my pants, wash them and shower after a day of yard work. Yesterday I found ANOTHER TICK! This one was also on my penis but the shaft. Again, I apologize in advance for grossing any of my readers out but man oh man. I was able to get this tick off before it injected any of its poison into me so at least I'm not feeling after effects for a week. 

We live in a world fraught with danger folks. Not only do I have to scope out the possible exits at the local supermarket lest a crazed mass shooter decide its our turn here in peaceful southern Delaware, five miles from President Biden's weekend retreat at North Shores, to escape the body exploding bullets of an AR-15. Now I have to worry about ticks invading my very private places on my body. What the hell?

Yesterday I listened to Matthew McConnoughey's speech at the White House Press room. I was so moved by his recounting of the nineteen students and two teacher at the Uvalde school shooting that I couldn't hold my tears back. I'm not only saddened but very frustrated that the Congressional Republicans will do nothing about gun safety in this county. There is absolutely no reason for ANYONE to have an automatic rifle unless there are in the military. Yesterday North Dakota Senator John Thune said his constituents needed AR-15's to "shoot prairie dogs." Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy says his constituents needed AR-15's to shoot "feral pigs." 

These are not serious people folks. These are cowards who prioritize their hold onto power over the lives of innocent fourth graders, grandmothers shooting at a supermarket, people attending a country music festival, gay men and women partying at a night club, and I there are many other examples but I've made my point. WE ARE NOT SAFE ANYWHERE! This is the culture we're living in folks.

I can handle the ticks on my body. What I have a difficult time handling now is that every time I go out to a public place I have to decide whether or not to go at a time when the store isn't crowded (less likely a target for a potential shooter) or look for the exits should some idiot whip out an automatic rifle and start mowing people down. I'm not afraid of dying, in fact I'm ready to go anytime. What I am concerned about is how painful and messy it would be. And I'm especially concerned that we're losing the one thing I always took for granted most of my life, that the government would protect me. I can no longer take that for granted after seeing the Uvalde police force wait for OVER AN HOUR to go in and save those children because they were afraid of BEING SHOT AT! Hey, doesn't that go with the territory? The Uvalde police had a SWAT team but that was apparently for only harassing low level drug dealers, making school tours to brag abut themselves and collecting extra pay. WHERE WERE THEY DURING THE UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING? They were "off" that day. Probably planning there next "play at being cops" SWAT hit on some low level drug dealer. And of course now the coverup has begun. 

Sometimes folks, I do despair for our country but I remain confident that there are a lot of good people in our country as in the world. Unfortunately there are NONE in the Republican party. Yes, I said it. They are all cowards to permit this carnage to persist. That and looking the other way when Trump and his traitorous henchmen tried to over throw our country. That tick that had the never to imbed itself into me doesn't know any better. That's what ticks do. They're parasites looking for a host to enable their survival. Those two ticks I washed down the drain. I can't wash down the drain those Republican parasites in Congress who will do NOTHING to prevent or at least minimize future gun violence and pass gun safety laws but I can vote against them. And again this brings up the old Edmund Burke quote:

Do something Republicans! DO SOMETHING!!

Vanity Fair Meme - Part 1

 Got the idea for this post from Ur-spo of "Spo-Relfections" blog.

It's been a long time (years actually) since I posted one of these personality revealing question and answer blog posts. Here goes:

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Good health, comfortable home, no debt and living out my life with someone I love and who loves me.

2. What is your greatest fear?

Losing our democracy to the far right wing white racists supremacists MAGA mob.

3. What is the trait you find most deplore in yourself?

Inability to forgive when I'm wronged by somebody.

4. What is the trait you find most deplorable in others?

The ease at which many can be brainwashed into believing the Trump/Republican lies.

5. Which living person do you most admire?

Dr. Anthony Fauci.

6. What is your greatest extravagance?

Shirts. I am to shirts what Imelda Marcos was to shoes.

7. What is your current state of mind?

Fearful, apprehensive, depressed.

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Religiosity, the so called "Christian values" which are all too often just a synonym for hypocrisy which so many so called Christian Evangelicals prove over and over again. 

9. On what occasion do you lie?

I don't lie. I can only remember twice in my life that I lied. One time was when I joined the Army and I checked "NO" on the application form that asked if I had "Homosexual tendencies." The other time I'm not telling. 

10.  What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My posture. I used to think my lack of a straight back was my laziness in standing up straight. Many years later I realized I have a very common condition called curvature of the spine. I couldn't stand ramrod straight if I tried.

11. Which living person do you most despise?

Putin (used to be Trump). Putin is the personification of evil. He has a lot of competition. Mitch McConnell and forty-nine Republican senators also in the running.