Prostate cancers treatment is more complicated than I thought it would be. First of all, there are too many choices, or options , if you will. After the initial counseling session during which a doctor lays out your treatment options and answers questions. Next I will need an MRI. Not every patient receives an MRI. In early stage MRI are not given. In fact doctors may do nothing but watch for years before a choice has to be made. also, if a patients life expectancy is less than 10 years chances are there will be no treatment.
In my case, the MRI will determine exactly where the cancer is in my body and if it has spread. Based on the results, I will make my final choice of treatment options. Then I will begin a series of hormone shots to help reduce the size of the prostrate thereby making the radiations treatment more effective if my preference for treatment is used.
In any case this procedure is going to take awhile, is going to bring about so undesired changes, at least for awhile, and will require many treatments. It could involve up to a years worth of shots and then 40 radiation treatments and tests every three months.
If the cancer has not spread outside of the prostate I have a chance. If it has then my odds are greatly reduced.
When I was young I always thought that healthy habits were only for older folks and that I had plenty of time to live healthier once I got older. I have learned that eating and living healthy lifestyles begins when one is young. We are all going to die but what we do throughout our lives has a big impact on how well we function when we get older and what we suffer from. I know a few people in their nineties that do better physically than many people in their sixties and seventies.
There are some decisions we think we can make later: exercising, healthy diets and living for Christ. Often times by the time we really need to exercise our knees are bad, our back hurts or we are just too fat to do much of anything. I have seen many people with diabetes eating stacks of deserts are buffets and who are way overweight. Don't complain that your diabetes is out of control while stuffing your face.
Putting off making that positive decision for Christ is one of the worst things we can do. None of knows how or when we will die. I know of some that thought they would put off living for Christ until they got old but when that time came they had dementia and could no longer make any kind of decision. 50,000 people and more die in automobile accidents each year. For those that had not accepted Christ, it is now too late. That thought they had many more years to live, much more time before they had to accept Christ. Just like avoiding heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer, the process begins when we are young. Waiting too long can be deadly.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Saturday, June 09, 2018
Brick and mortar versus on-line
For the most part, brick and mortar stores can no longer compete against online retailers. In order to shop traditional retailers, one has to get dressed (some just wear their bed clothes but most people do put on clothes) drive to a store, look around and if one doesn't find what they are looking for, then on to the next store, or the next town in many cases. Often it is a return trip home empty handed because one could not find what one was looking for, found the price to high, or the quality lacking. Or one can sit at their computer, search for an item, compare prices among different competitors, place an order, and wait a day or two (at most three in most cases) and the item will be delivered to ones doorstep.
There are notably exceptions: when an item in known to be in stock locally at a good price, when one is unsure how an item looks, feels, or fits, when an item is needed now, when an item is perishable (and this is changing) , and as an excuse to get out of the house.
Shopping by not going to stores is not a new concept. Sears and Roebuck built a big business through catalogue sales. JC Penny did also. Big retailers often make fatal mistakes. WT Grant
closed down after their credit card fiasco. Montgomery Wards was well on their way out by the time I reached adulthood (I can't remember why). K-mart and Sears were both hurt by poor customer service. Roses was did in by not having adequate in stock conditions, especially of sale items.
I don't like Walmart. They have come to small town America and changed the face and character of the towns that they locate in. I'm leery of buying certain items there because they are only sold at Walmart. Often the items are good items are a good price but if something (or rather when) goes wrong, no one has the parts to fix the item. If it's broke it is no bargain.
Sears should have been the one to jump into online sale with both feet but they were too busy figuring out how to make their customers shopping experience a big hassle. No, retailers have waited on Amazon.com to get too large to be able to compete with them. Customers still need to be careful though. I love Amazon but not everything is a bargain. I recently ordered an item that locally sold for $110.00 and Amazon wanted $69.99 for for only $29.99. It was the exact same item, same mfg.. It was not one of those to good to be true buys.
No one can be the cheapest on everything. Not Walmart and not Amazon. And yes, there are people who will figure out how to rip you off. A company has to learn how to deal with them without making life harder for all the honest folks. I'm rather tired of the minority dictating to the most of us how we live and shop and think and feel.
If many of our traditional stores are to survive, they need to adapt their way of doing business.
For example, I'm in need of a new mower. Their is a dealer I pass often and I looked on line to see their selection and prices but they only show their bigger mowers. I know they sell lawn tractors
as well as zero turn but the lawn tractors are not featured on their website. How convenient for me if I could survey their entire selection , be able to compare quality and price, order the product and arrange delivery without actually driving to the store, writing down the model numbers and prices, then coming back home, doing the research, then driving back to the store to make my purchase. it would be doubly frustrating if I returned to the store and my selection was no longer available.
Companies, big and small, have to learn that in order to survive, they have to learn to do business the customers way and quit trying to force the customer to do business their way.
There are notably exceptions: when an item in known to be in stock locally at a good price, when one is unsure how an item looks, feels, or fits, when an item is needed now, when an item is perishable (and this is changing) , and as an excuse to get out of the house.
Shopping by not going to stores is not a new concept. Sears and Roebuck built a big business through catalogue sales. JC Penny did also. Big retailers often make fatal mistakes. WT Grant
closed down after their credit card fiasco. Montgomery Wards was well on their way out by the time I reached adulthood (I can't remember why). K-mart and Sears were both hurt by poor customer service. Roses was did in by not having adequate in stock conditions, especially of sale items.
I don't like Walmart. They have come to small town America and changed the face and character of the towns that they locate in. I'm leery of buying certain items there because they are only sold at Walmart. Often the items are good items are a good price but if something (or rather when) goes wrong, no one has the parts to fix the item. If it's broke it is no bargain.
Sears should have been the one to jump into online sale with both feet but they were too busy figuring out how to make their customers shopping experience a big hassle. No, retailers have waited on Amazon.com to get too large to be able to compete with them. Customers still need to be careful though. I love Amazon but not everything is a bargain. I recently ordered an item that locally sold for $110.00 and Amazon wanted $69.99 for for only $29.99. It was the exact same item, same mfg.. It was not one of those to good to be true buys.
No one can be the cheapest on everything. Not Walmart and not Amazon. And yes, there are people who will figure out how to rip you off. A company has to learn how to deal with them without making life harder for all the honest folks. I'm rather tired of the minority dictating to the most of us how we live and shop and think and feel.
If many of our traditional stores are to survive, they need to adapt their way of doing business.
For example, I'm in need of a new mower. Their is a dealer I pass often and I looked on line to see their selection and prices but they only show their bigger mowers. I know they sell lawn tractors
as well as zero turn but the lawn tractors are not featured on their website. How convenient for me if I could survey their entire selection , be able to compare quality and price, order the product and arrange delivery without actually driving to the store, writing down the model numbers and prices, then coming back home, doing the research, then driving back to the store to make my purchase. it would be doubly frustrating if I returned to the store and my selection was no longer available.
Companies, big and small, have to learn that in order to survive, they have to learn to do business the customers way and quit trying to force the customer to do business their way.
Thursday, June 07, 2018
Agent Orange
For those Veterans who served boots on the ground in Vietnam, you are fully aware of Agent Orange. For those of you who do not know what Agent Orange is, or was, just be glad you didn't have to deal with it. Agent Orange was a chemical compound used to defoliate the forest and fields in Vietnam. Jungles were thick which made fighting difficult and gave the enemy many places to hide.
But Agent Orange did more than defoliate Vietnam: It affected the troops there and caused health problems and continues to do so. I had one and now I have been diagnosed with another. My civilian doctor discovered the potential problem and referred me to a specialist who confirmed my doctors suspicions. When setting up a treatment schedule I informed them that I may prefer to be seen by the VA (mainly for financial reasons).. I asked for an estimate of my out of pocket expenses if they did the procedure.
When I hadn't heard in a week I called and they had not done the analysis yet because the doctor forget to ask for one. Then I was told they couldn't give me one because the VA had not sent an authorization yet. I don't think the woman understood I was trying to make a decision as to whom was going to treat m: them because of convenience or the VA based on cost. An authorization means that the private sector provider does the work at VA expense.
I then sent an e-mail to the civilian provider explaining the situation. I think they understand now. I just wanted a simple answer to a simple question.
I will have to make 40 trips to the hospital in 8 weeks regardless of who treats me. I can go to Randolph County Hospital 10 minutes from the house or make the trip to Winston-Salem every day.
The trip to W-S will only cost me car expenses and time. To be treated at Randolph County Hospital will cost me some cash. I just need to know if the amount is small enough to offset free care and the drive to W-S on a daily bases.
In the mean time, I'm not getting any healthier, except for the AMD in my right eye. The blood buildup is now gone.
But Agent Orange did more than defoliate Vietnam: It affected the troops there and caused health problems and continues to do so. I had one and now I have been diagnosed with another. My civilian doctor discovered the potential problem and referred me to a specialist who confirmed my doctors suspicions. When setting up a treatment schedule I informed them that I may prefer to be seen by the VA (mainly for financial reasons).. I asked for an estimate of my out of pocket expenses if they did the procedure.
When I hadn't heard in a week I called and they had not done the analysis yet because the doctor forget to ask for one. Then I was told they couldn't give me one because the VA had not sent an authorization yet. I don't think the woman understood I was trying to make a decision as to whom was going to treat m: them because of convenience or the VA based on cost. An authorization means that the private sector provider does the work at VA expense.
I then sent an e-mail to the civilian provider explaining the situation. I think they understand now. I just wanted a simple answer to a simple question.
I will have to make 40 trips to the hospital in 8 weeks regardless of who treats me. I can go to Randolph County Hospital 10 minutes from the house or make the trip to Winston-Salem every day.
The trip to W-S will only cost me car expenses and time. To be treated at Randolph County Hospital will cost me some cash. I just need to know if the amount is small enough to offset free care and the drive to W-S on a daily bases.
In the mean time, I'm not getting any healthier, except for the AMD in my right eye. The blood buildup is now gone.
Sunday, June 03, 2018
managing diabetes
Diabetes seems to be a common ailment and so many of us struggle to control this disease. It isn't a disease on gets by being fat but being overweight does increase ones risk of getting and treating this disease. The worse part of the disease is the "spikes" in blood sugar levels after eating.
A person's A1c should be 5.0 or less (that is an average of ones glucose level over a 90 period. The daily glucose reading should remain between 90 to 110. Ones blood sugar should be in the high 70's to low 80's just before a meal and should not rise above 160 during the two hours after eating.
If ones blood sugar is to low or to high one can go into a coma and their life can be endangered.
There are several things one can do.
1. Exercise every day.
2. Monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your medication as necessary
3. Follow a proper diet.
Exercising is not for weight loss per se but to build your muscles thereby stimulating your immune system.
Without knowing ones current condition it is impossible to handle the situation. When ones blood sugar drops a person gets shaky and hungry. When ones blood sugar gets too high, one can feel tired, light headed and hungry. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether ones hunger is due to high or low blood sugar. One certainly does not want to eat when the blood sugar is high.
Following a proper diet can help control fluctuations in glucose levels. Eating at the same time each day, avoiding starch foods, not adding salt or butter, and eating proper portion sizes and portion numbers.
Work with your doctor to get the proper medication and use it like it is supposed to be used.
My A1c had been averaging between 8.8 and 9.6, way to high for anyone and I seemed to be gaining weight every month. I finally decided to take control and follow the same advise I just gave you. For the past month my average glucose reading in the morning before breakfast has been in the eighties. My spikes after eating has been to 125 except for once when it reached 172. ( I know what I did that day I should not have done).
By proper eating my weight has come down and so far I have lost 20 pounds.
My exercise program consists of doing water aerobics for an hour and a half M-W-F and walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes T-T-S.
It isn't easy but the results makes it worth while.
A person's A1c should be 5.0 or less (that is an average of ones glucose level over a 90 period. The daily glucose reading should remain between 90 to 110. Ones blood sugar should be in the high 70's to low 80's just before a meal and should not rise above 160 during the two hours after eating.
If ones blood sugar is to low or to high one can go into a coma and their life can be endangered.
There are several things one can do.
1. Exercise every day.
2. Monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your medication as necessary
3. Follow a proper diet.
Exercising is not for weight loss per se but to build your muscles thereby stimulating your immune system.
Without knowing ones current condition it is impossible to handle the situation. When ones blood sugar drops a person gets shaky and hungry. When ones blood sugar gets too high, one can feel tired, light headed and hungry. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether ones hunger is due to high or low blood sugar. One certainly does not want to eat when the blood sugar is high.
Following a proper diet can help control fluctuations in glucose levels. Eating at the same time each day, avoiding starch foods, not adding salt or butter, and eating proper portion sizes and portion numbers.
Work with your doctor to get the proper medication and use it like it is supposed to be used.
My A1c had been averaging between 8.8 and 9.6, way to high for anyone and I seemed to be gaining weight every month. I finally decided to take control and follow the same advise I just gave you. For the past month my average glucose reading in the morning before breakfast has been in the eighties. My spikes after eating has been to 125 except for once when it reached 172. ( I know what I did that day I should not have done).
By proper eating my weight has come down and so far I have lost 20 pounds.
My exercise program consists of doing water aerobics for an hour and a half M-W-F and walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes T-T-S.
It isn't easy but the results makes it worth while.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Southwest Airlines apologizes after coach's claim that staffer asked her to prove biracial son was her child
I do not think Southwest Airlines has anything to apologize for. If anything she owes them an apology for getting upset that the airline employee was looking out for the best interest of her child.
In case you didn't read the story, a female basketball coach who is white tried to board a plane with a biracial baby. The cause for concern for the airline employee was that her last name and the baby's last name were different. The employee just wanted to make sure the baby was safe.
In case you didn't read the story, a female basketball coach who is white tried to board a plane with a biracial baby. The cause for concern for the airline employee was that her last name and the baby's last name were different. The employee just wanted to make sure the baby was safe.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Comment sections
MSN website does not allow comments on their articles and I have come across some other news providers that do not allow comments on their articles either. The reason cited by one site, and I have no doubt their reasoning is the same or nearly the same as other sites not allowing comments, is that so many of the comments are filled with hate, intolerance, racial slurs, insults, and rudeness.
Many years ago CB radios became popular in passenger cars and one could apply for a license to operate one. I had one and found them to be handy in some circumstances. But as the radios became more popular people would resort to insulting other users and things got so bad that most people stopped using CB's so they didn't have to listen to the disrespectful chatter.
It does seems that when you give people freedom to express themselves and the anonymity to hide their identity then the harassing speech quickly follows. Democrats insult Republicans, whites insult blacks, non believers insult Christians, straights insult gays, men comment on women's bodies and what they would like to do, and almost everyone insults police officers. The other side of this coin is just as childish as the first side.
We can have a difference of opinion and have a meaningful discussion without resorting to calling each other names. Once one person attacks then the other goes into defensive mode and the fight is on. It should not be this way.
Many years ago CB radios became popular in passenger cars and one could apply for a license to operate one. I had one and found them to be handy in some circumstances. But as the radios became more popular people would resort to insulting other users and things got so bad that most people stopped using CB's so they didn't have to listen to the disrespectful chatter.
It does seems that when you give people freedom to express themselves and the anonymity to hide their identity then the harassing speech quickly follows. Democrats insult Republicans, whites insult blacks, non believers insult Christians, straights insult gays, men comment on women's bodies and what they would like to do, and almost everyone insults police officers. The other side of this coin is just as childish as the first side.
We can have a difference of opinion and have a meaningful discussion without resorting to calling each other names. Once one person attacks then the other goes into defensive mode and the fight is on. It should not be this way.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
A deeper faith 5-27-2018
I missed the first three but if you view this message please leave me a comment, even if just your first name. Our pastor is young but our attendance is growing. I would like for you to join us.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
fishing
Today was one of those rare occasions when I got to go fishing. Yesterday I sent my mower out for repair and it was returned today: cost was $37.00. One of the hooks that holds the fan belt in place was bent. The repairman disconnected that annoying feature that requires one to stop the blades before going in reverse. The pickup and delivery charge was $25.00 so I got out cheap. I also fixed the church sign but got one line crooked. The cost of all the letters was only $10.00 I also got out cheap. I feel bad for getting the line crooked but once the letters are on the sign they are there to stay.
The VA called and approved my medications and filled my prescriptions.
So far I'm having a good day.
The VA called and approved my medications and filled my prescriptions.
So far I'm having a good day.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Diabetes, weight loss, and prostate cancer
My last three A1c screening were disturbing: 9.6, 8.4, and then back to 9.6. The average healthy person has an A1c of around 5. I was taking Metformin, glipizide, and insulin. The doctor dropped insulin and added Invokana and when that didn't help wanted to put me on Humolog. I thought to myself, this is unacceptable.
Even though I had been losing weight I diabetes was out of control. I exercise regularly and thought I was doing what I was supposed to do. Then I realized my problem. A healthy diet isn't just about eating the correct number of calories and getting proper nutrition. For a diabetic it's also about controlling spikes in blood sugar. One side affect of failing to control ones diabetes is high triglycerides. Why my total cholesterol was low, my good was acceptable as was my bad, my triglycerides was extremely high. What's really sad is I take medicine to keep it within proper range but it's still out of control.
I decided enough was enough. It is more than necessary to control what I eat as well as how much.
I have stopped taking the Invokana , never took the humolog, and my average blood sugar reading before breakfast has dropped from over 200 to 90. And just as good, my blood sugar spikes, which once jumped into the 4 and five hundreds has stabilized as less than 125, except once. My wife has some dilly bars and I ate a couple bites of one. My blood sugar spiked to 180. That's not unacceptable but that's not what I want to accomplish.
As far as weight loss, I've dropped 20 pounds so far. I'm halfway to my goal and I'm making steady progress.
Oh yea, the other thing. I just got the news. It's not all bad. It's non life threatening for now and it's treatable. I am also a Vietnam Vet who was boots-on-the-ground so I get some help. I should because chances are good that being in Nam gave me my health problems to begin with. My weight gain is a side effect of the medications I take. It's really difficult for me to lose weight because my medicine leaves me with a hungry feeling 24/7. I've gone to a buffet, eaten until I'm full, and still feel hungry. But I'm winning the battle of the bulge, getting my blood sugar under control, and I'll beat the prostate cancer too.
Even though I had been losing weight I diabetes was out of control. I exercise regularly and thought I was doing what I was supposed to do. Then I realized my problem. A healthy diet isn't just about eating the correct number of calories and getting proper nutrition. For a diabetic it's also about controlling spikes in blood sugar. One side affect of failing to control ones diabetes is high triglycerides. Why my total cholesterol was low, my good was acceptable as was my bad, my triglycerides was extremely high. What's really sad is I take medicine to keep it within proper range but it's still out of control.
I decided enough was enough. It is more than necessary to control what I eat as well as how much.
I have stopped taking the Invokana , never took the humolog, and my average blood sugar reading before breakfast has dropped from over 200 to 90. And just as good, my blood sugar spikes, which once jumped into the 4 and five hundreds has stabilized as less than 125, except once. My wife has some dilly bars and I ate a couple bites of one. My blood sugar spiked to 180. That's not unacceptable but that's not what I want to accomplish.
As far as weight loss, I've dropped 20 pounds so far. I'm halfway to my goal and I'm making steady progress.
Oh yea, the other thing. I just got the news. It's not all bad. It's non life threatening for now and it's treatable. I am also a Vietnam Vet who was boots-on-the-ground so I get some help. I should because chances are good that being in Nam gave me my health problems to begin with. My weight gain is a side effect of the medications I take. It's really difficult for me to lose weight because my medicine leaves me with a hungry feeling 24/7. I've gone to a buffet, eaten until I'm full, and still feel hungry. But I'm winning the battle of the bulge, getting my blood sugar under control, and I'll beat the prostate cancer too.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
If it sounds to good to be true
Last year a friend told us about the great health insurance plan they had through AARP called Medicare complete. I called the company and they said there would be no premiums. I gave them a list of my current medications and they assured me there was zero cost if I filled them through there online pharmacy.
This is a big decision because I was receiving care through the VA. My prescriptions were only $8.00 a month but with all my prescriptions and supplies the total came to $64.00. It's not much but I'm on a fixed income so if I could save $64.00 a month I would. The biggest hurdle is that the VA will only fill prescriptions they write and only at the VA. I would have to see a civilian doctor. I didn't mind since the co-pay was zero and I could get more responsive care. I made the change.
The first time I had my meds filled they were zero except for the insulin. They said there was a $25.00 co-pay. I would have still made the switch if they had told be that but I had asked them point blank and they said is would be zero. All tier one drugs are zero cost.
Now they want to charge me $578.00. They claim my medication should never have been free and that I have reached my deductible. None of that was explained when I took the insurance. Since it costs nothings I will keep it but I'll not get prescriptions from the AARP Health Care plan anymore.
This is a big decision because I was receiving care through the VA. My prescriptions were only $8.00 a month but with all my prescriptions and supplies the total came to $64.00. It's not much but I'm on a fixed income so if I could save $64.00 a month I would. The biggest hurdle is that the VA will only fill prescriptions they write and only at the VA. I would have to see a civilian doctor. I didn't mind since the co-pay was zero and I could get more responsive care. I made the change.
The first time I had my meds filled they were zero except for the insulin. They said there was a $25.00 co-pay. I would have still made the switch if they had told be that but I had asked them point blank and they said is would be zero. All tier one drugs are zero cost.
Now they want to charge me $578.00. They claim my medication should never have been free and that I have reached my deductible. None of that was explained when I took the insurance. Since it costs nothings I will keep it but I'll not get prescriptions from the AARP Health Care plan anymore.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
"If we let everyone go then there would be no one in jail"
A story on MSNBC details the plight on one young woman who was stopped for a tag light being out on her car. The officer that stopped her discovered the lady had an suspended driver's license and a failure to appear on another traffic charge. He was just going to give her a citation and have her car towed but another officer talked him into arresting her.
This article isn't about this particular woman but about the plight of many people, particularly blacks and especially young black women. It details their plight because so many are to poor to afford bail money. It is written so as to make us feel sorry for those ladies and to set us against the bail system.
In fact the bail system is in place so that people do not have to spend time in jail while awaiting trial. I do not believe the bail system is unfair to poor people. The lady should have registered her car as required by law. If she had then she would not have been charged in the first place. If she had gone to court instead of skipping the court date because she could not afford the ticket, the courts would have worked with her. If she had made sure her car was legal to drive she would not have been stopped the second time.
In other words if somewhere in this scenario she had acceptable responsibility for her actions she would never had needed bail in the first place.
Being poor is no disgrace. I'm poor. My income places me just barely above the poverty line. I keep my car repaired and I obey the law. Recently I mailed my taxes to the tax department. It should have been mailed to the NCDMV so my tag expired before I got my new sticker. I had to arrange rides for the important stuff and skip the non essential things for a couple of weeks. I could have easily just jumped in my car and driven it to the church which is a straight shot of 1/2 mile from the house. Chances are high I would never had been stopped. But if I had been I would have had a ticket to pay plus court costs. If I just didn't go to court because I didn't have the money for the ticket I could have ended up in jail just like this woman. It has nothing to do with being young, black or female. It has everything to do with making proper decisions and accepting responsibility.
This article isn't about this particular woman but about the plight of many people, particularly blacks and especially young black women. It details their plight because so many are to poor to afford bail money. It is written so as to make us feel sorry for those ladies and to set us against the bail system.
In fact the bail system is in place so that people do not have to spend time in jail while awaiting trial. I do not believe the bail system is unfair to poor people. The lady should have registered her car as required by law. If she had then she would not have been charged in the first place. If she had gone to court instead of skipping the court date because she could not afford the ticket, the courts would have worked with her. If she had made sure her car was legal to drive she would not have been stopped the second time.
In other words if somewhere in this scenario she had acceptable responsibility for her actions she would never had needed bail in the first place.
Being poor is no disgrace. I'm poor. My income places me just barely above the poverty line. I keep my car repaired and I obey the law. Recently I mailed my taxes to the tax department. It should have been mailed to the NCDMV so my tag expired before I got my new sticker. I had to arrange rides for the important stuff and skip the non essential things for a couple of weeks. I could have easily just jumped in my car and driven it to the church which is a straight shot of 1/2 mile from the house. Chances are high I would never had been stopped. But if I had been I would have had a ticket to pay plus court costs. If I just didn't go to court because I didn't have the money for the ticket I could have ended up in jail just like this woman. It has nothing to do with being young, black or female. It has everything to do with making proper decisions and accepting responsibility.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
My new plants
The top picture is the hanging planter which I placed some plants from the spring plant sale at the zoo. The center picture is of the new butterfly garden . it has a butterfly bush, two kinds of bee balm, a black eyed Susan and one other plant with a funny name.
The bottom picture is a mistake.
Visit with friends
I served in Vietnam in 1971/1972. I was an air crewman on planes that flew daily missions in support of our troops inn Vietnam and on my first mission I met a fellow sailor and we have been friends since that February day in 1971. Through the years I have been to his place in Ohio and he has come to visit me wherever I have lived. About 16 years ago he and his wife retired and for eight years traveled the United States of America visiting various beaches. Eight years ago they purchased a motor home and have traveled around the Southern States. Often in the Spring they head home to Ohio to visit family and friends there and quite often will stop by to visit me. A few years ago they made it here for my birthday in November and gave me a lottery ticket as a present.
They play occasionally and the most my friend and his wife have ever won was $40.00 but the one they gave me was worth a thousand. I did share with them.
They stopped by yesterday for a visit. My old friend, although 4 years younger than me, is not in the best of health and he and his wife are considering settling down. He said he was a little jealous of my house and gardens. I told him I had been a little envious of all the different places he has been and things he has seen.
We all have to make our choices in this life and when we chose to do something then a lot of others things give left by the wayside. Often people let life dictate their decisions but sometimes we have to be bold and reach out for our dreams For me it is to be the best servant of God that I can be and to make my wife love me.
They play occasionally and the most my friend and his wife have ever won was $40.00 but the one they gave me was worth a thousand. I did share with them.
They stopped by yesterday for a visit. My old friend, although 4 years younger than me, is not in the best of health and he and his wife are considering settling down. He said he was a little jealous of my house and gardens. I told him I had been a little envious of all the different places he has been and things he has seen.
We all have to make our choices in this life and when we chose to do something then a lot of others things give left by the wayside. Often people let life dictate their decisions but sometimes we have to be bold and reach out for our dreams For me it is to be the best servant of God that I can be and to make my wife love me.
Mothers Day and the Zoo
Instead of buying my wife a bouquet of flowers and dinner for Mother's day or Valentines Day, I try to find a way to make the day last forever, or at least a very long time. I started by planting her a rose bush and now I have six. I made her a rock garden and placed a statue of an angel in the center as a memorial to her mother since her mother was fond of angels.
This year i celebrated her days by building her a butterfly garden. I made a list of flowers and plants that are attractive to butterflies and purchased some of those plants at the spring plant sale at the NC Zoo at Asheboro. I snagged 11 plants for only $42.00, Seven of those plants were strictly for the butterfly garden. Three were for a hanging basket and the other one was for our water feature. Neither the water feature or the butterfly garden is impressive now but once the plants fill out and multiply it is going to be very attractive to butterflies and to us. It may take a year or two to live up to it's potential. I already had a butterfly bush and a phlox garden as well as some Milk Weed, which I purchased last year at the Zoo plant sale. Last year my butterfly bush, planted at the front of the house, was covered in butterflies for much of the summer.
Milk weed is supposedly the only plant that Monarch butterflies will land on. That may well be why we just don't see them around here. They look much healthier this year than when I planted them and are beginning to multiply. They have an orange flower on them.
I'm not suggesting that you plant your Mom a flower garden because she may not want one for various reasons. That's just what I do and my wife likes the idea. If you really want to honor your Mom on mother's day take her to church and just spend some time with her. The bible tells us to honor our Mother's and we will live long. There is a big difference between saying "I love you", just showing respect, and really honoring your Mother so don't think you are fulfilling the commandment just because you call her now and then, stop by once in a while and buy her some flowers and/or a card on Mothers Day.
I don't care if she is the meanest, most hateful, or undeserving Mother in the world. God says we are to honor her. do you know more than God?
This year i celebrated her days by building her a butterfly garden. I made a list of flowers and plants that are attractive to butterflies and purchased some of those plants at the spring plant sale at the NC Zoo at Asheboro. I snagged 11 plants for only $42.00, Seven of those plants were strictly for the butterfly garden. Three were for a hanging basket and the other one was for our water feature. Neither the water feature or the butterfly garden is impressive now but once the plants fill out and multiply it is going to be very attractive to butterflies and to us. It may take a year or two to live up to it's potential. I already had a butterfly bush and a phlox garden as well as some Milk Weed, which I purchased last year at the Zoo plant sale. Last year my butterfly bush, planted at the front of the house, was covered in butterflies for much of the summer.
Milk weed is supposedly the only plant that Monarch butterflies will land on. That may well be why we just don't see them around here. They look much healthier this year than when I planted them and are beginning to multiply. They have an orange flower on them.
I'm not suggesting that you plant your Mom a flower garden because she may not want one for various reasons. That's just what I do and my wife likes the idea. If you really want to honor your Mom on mother's day take her to church and just spend some time with her. The bible tells us to honor our Mother's and we will live long. There is a big difference between saying "I love you", just showing respect, and really honoring your Mother so don't think you are fulfilling the commandment just because you call her now and then, stop by once in a while and buy her some flowers and/or a card on Mothers Day.
I don't care if she is the meanest, most hateful, or undeserving Mother in the world. God says we are to honor her. do you know more than God?
Tuesday, May 08, 2018
Left over furniture.
There are a few furniture items left from the yard sale at Academy Street Baptist. A set of bunk beds and a bedroom set. if one knows how to refinish furniture the bedroom set could be made to be a really nice set. Contact the church( Facebook/ Anthony/Larissa Green) if you are interested. We are trying to get a nice playground set for the kids.
Wednesday Night, May 9, 2018.
Wednesday night at 6 pm Jimmy Davis will be the guest speaker at Academy Street Baptist Church. He is a guitar picker, singer as well as a preacher. I'm looking forward to seeing him Wednesday night. I would really like to see you there too.
Battle with Diabetes
For the past year or so I lost control of my diabetic conditional and my A1c has been at least 8.4 but more often up to 9.6. For those who don't know A1c means the average blood sugar reading for the past 3 months. Normal is 5.0 or below.
Diabetics test their blood sugar reading using a meter and test stripe which gives us a daily reading.
The reading at a normal level is 90 -110. In order to get an A1c of 8.4 or higher ones blood sugar needs to average around 400 or higher on a daily basis.
What makes it difficult is one can have a test result of 160 first thing in the morning and then have a proper breakfast but still have a blood sugar spike up to 400 and 500 hundred. The cause is the body is not making insulin or not making enough insulin. The solution is medicine, usually metformin. If one cannot control their diabetes with metformin then other medicines are prescribed, then insulin and then other types of medicine can be given. How much and when depends upon a particular person's ability to regulate their blood sugar reading.
A person's diet and weight and exercise regime has a lot to do with their diabetes. In my case I was able to control mine through diet for many years. I lost 50 pounds and when I retired I embarked on a rigorous exercise program. I thought I was fine until my next doctor's visit but I wasn't. I began taking insulin. I was warned that insulin would probably cause me to gain some weight. It did., Over the next few years I gained 34 pounds but only had to take a token amount of insulin. But in the last year my ability to control my blood sugar readings was almost nil. My doctor but me on Invokana as well as increased my insulin usage. It seemed my diabetes got worse. My doctor increased how often I take insulin and prescribed another medication. Invokana is expensive and so is the additional medication. In fact the two medications together is twice my monthly disposable income.
I made a decision. i was not going to allow diabetes to control me. Even though I exercise everyday for at least an hour and I had been losing weight (13 pounds in three months) my diabetes was winning the battle for my health. I made another change in my diet. It has been hard. I'll have to wait to find out if I continue to lose weight but my morning blood sugar reading has dropped from an average of 220 to 95. My last two have been below 90 so I'll have to be careful not to let it drop too low. I'm really encouraged by the results.
I'm not saying I have the problem under control. It's still to early to tell. All I can say for now is that things are better.
Diabetics test their blood sugar reading using a meter and test stripe which gives us a daily reading.
The reading at a normal level is 90 -110. In order to get an A1c of 8.4 or higher ones blood sugar needs to average around 400 or higher on a daily basis.
What makes it difficult is one can have a test result of 160 first thing in the morning and then have a proper breakfast but still have a blood sugar spike up to 400 and 500 hundred. The cause is the body is not making insulin or not making enough insulin. The solution is medicine, usually metformin. If one cannot control their diabetes with metformin then other medicines are prescribed, then insulin and then other types of medicine can be given. How much and when depends upon a particular person's ability to regulate their blood sugar reading.
A person's diet and weight and exercise regime has a lot to do with their diabetes. In my case I was able to control mine through diet for many years. I lost 50 pounds and when I retired I embarked on a rigorous exercise program. I thought I was fine until my next doctor's visit but I wasn't. I began taking insulin. I was warned that insulin would probably cause me to gain some weight. It did., Over the next few years I gained 34 pounds but only had to take a token amount of insulin. But in the last year my ability to control my blood sugar readings was almost nil. My doctor but me on Invokana as well as increased my insulin usage. It seemed my diabetes got worse. My doctor increased how often I take insulin and prescribed another medication. Invokana is expensive and so is the additional medication. In fact the two medications together is twice my monthly disposable income.
I made a decision. i was not going to allow diabetes to control me. Even though I exercise everyday for at least an hour and I had been losing weight (13 pounds in three months) my diabetes was winning the battle for my health. I made another change in my diet. It has been hard. I'll have to wait to find out if I continue to lose weight but my morning blood sugar reading has dropped from an average of 220 to 95. My last two have been below 90 so I'll have to be careful not to let it drop too low. I'm really encouraged by the results.
I'm not saying I have the problem under control. It's still to early to tell. All I can say for now is that things are better.
Sunday, May 06, 2018
Teacher of the year shares speech Trump wouldn't let her read to reporters
I am a Republican but I also am a Christian. As a Republican I do believe in having a strong business economy so people will have jobs, earn a good living, and provide for themselves. I did believe we needed health care reform as we should be able to purchase descent health care no matter where we work but that's pretty much it for me.
As a Christian I do have a lot of sympathy and empathy for others. I agree that immigrants and refuges have a right to the same benefits of being American as Americans do except for voting and office holding. But I also think that if you are a citizen of another country, the country you are a citizen of is the one responsible for you. If you break into my house, I'm not going to feed and clothe you and see that you have an education and a job. I'm going to call the police and you will be arrested.
It is expensive yet humane that this country does jail people for long periods of time for being here illegally but does provide them transportation back to their home. How would you feel if someone broke into your house and all the police did was give them a ride home? The police won't give you a ride to work if your car broke down. They won't give your kids a ride to school if they miss the bus and your spouse is driving the only car in the family. What if we treated illegal immigrants exactly the same as their home countries would treat you if you decided to take up residence there without the legal right to do so?
I understand why people want to live in America and I understand that they are human just like me and I also understand they are willing to do the jobs that most Americans are unwilling to do. If allowing anyone who wants to live here just move here is the way Americans think it should be then let our laws reflect that. In order for a society to function properly we must have laws to govern behavior and for that society to survive we must have citizen that obey those laws. Just because you disagree with the law does not give you the right to violate that law. It does give you the right to attempt to change that law.
Saturday, May 05, 2018
Staycation
My favorite way of taking a vacation is a one day road trip. Occasionally my wife and I will stay over night somewhere, as we did Thursday night in our trip to Kure beach. The weather was perfect, the beaches clean, and the travel uneventful except for one incident of someone entering Andrew Jackson Hwy's North bound lane heading South. I didn't get to see the outcome of that event but I do hope it was uneventful.
My wife and I had a great time. The walk on the beach was really nice, the fishing was great, the motel room was comfortable, and all the events were enjoyable. In fact, those two days were some of the most enjoyable of my life. Still, it was nice to get home.
My wife and I had a great time. The walk on the beach was really nice, the fishing was great, the motel room was comfortable, and all the events were enjoyable. In fact, those two days were some of the most enjoyable of my life. Still, it was nice to get home.
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