Recovery

I had my left ankle replaced on the 19th of Nov.  I am on the road to recovery and everything that goes with it,  I had a cast on this same leg as a young man the first time it was injured.  I remember being able to get around a lot better back in those days.  I have indured physical therapy and the fact that things that used to be so easy are now hard or unable to do.  I use a walker in the house and crutches when I go out.  I have 3 more weeks with the cast and then a boot for...I don't know for how long. 

The pain I endured all the time is gone.  I couldn't walk much before.  I want to thank the Dr's and Nurses of the Durham VA for a great job.  The VA hospital is a good hospital.

180 Degrees True South: Another book trailer video...

180 Degrees True South: Another book trailer video...: ...that I produced and edited for globe-trotting author Kate Benzin....

Sharing with my Son

My son and I attended the monthly meeting of the Sons of Confederate Veterans which I am a member.  We had our annual auction and it was great.  There was a lot of things to bid on.  The items were donated by Camp members and the bids went to the Camp.  There was some spirited bidding.  I really enjoyed seeing old friends.  I don't attend every meeting because of health issues and of being away.  I enjoyed the company of me youngest son.  We have been talking more and I am glad that our bond has become stronger as of late.  He lost a wife and daughter in 1999 due to illness.  I feel he has had his fair share of tragedy.  I guess we all worry about our children.

A Friend Lost

I found out that my dear friend Jesse G. Burke had died.  We were friends in the Army while stationed at Ft Bragg, NC.  We went through a lot together.  He finished his time in the Army and went home to Kentucky.  I re-enlisted and stayed.  We had lost touch with each other until last year when he found me through the computer.  I would get a call about once a month and we would laugh at all the stuff we had been through together.  We would remember old friends and times.  He was a good friend and I will miss him greatly.

Hi Ho West Virginia!!!!

Well, we decided to make a trip to WV for a couple weeks.  There's plenty needs doing around here so we need to get to work soon.  The yard has been neglected for most of the summer.  It only got cut when I could make it in to do it.

There are some wood working needed.  I got to replace a couple steps and such.  There was a bad storm back in the summer and we had trees down.  They are all cut up and the brush left behind needs burning.

You can feel Fall in the air up here and the trees are slowly showing their colors.  I like fall.  The air seems cleaner and sounds are sharper. We may even get a snow before long.  I like the first ones but don't care for the ones that last a long time.

These Days

The weather is better and my yard is crying out for attention. I sit here and think of what needs to be done. My body says nope not today! I have to try and coax my 2 sons to help. Good luck with that. We have had some rain for the last couple of days and there are flowers blooming that we planted up to 2 years ago and this is their first time to bloom. The azaleas are in bloom and the crepe myrtles have leaves. they are one of my favorites next to the azaleas. The roses are doing well too. I just wish my sons liked yard work. LOL

The End of Summer

Most people feel that Labor Day is the end of summer.  they make that dash to the beach or mountains to have one last vacation.  I enjoy the fact as September comes in you can feel that faint feel of Autumn.  The days are somewhat cooler and the nights begin to take on a chill.  Even the trees and grass fade and explode into color.

I have a feeling of regret to see the change from summer to fall and when winter comes I feel depressed and a sense of loss come over me.  Christmas is no longer a happy time.  I just as soon see it over and done with.  I enjoy the family but how it has come so commercialized I don't.

Dog Days

They call this time of year the dog days of Summer.  My son brought home a new puppy.  She is a firecracker of energy.  I love her to death but she doesn't get along with our oldest dog, Angel.  She likes to agg on a fight and the puppy just keeps up at it until Angel snaps at her.  She retreats and lays down like she is plotting her next attack.  The barking and carrying on just kills Sherry and she gets into the fray with a non tolerant voice that has little or no affect.  The puppy's name is Pickles.  Where did my son come up with that name?  I beleive it may have been from the movie "Lady Killers".  To add injury to insult we are soon to have another dog by the name of Bell.  She is a refugee from WV.  She is an outside dog at least.  If she came in with the pack I know Sherry would bust a gasket for sure.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

My wife and I traveled to Hinton WV for her 35th High School reunion.  We met her old classmates at Willowood Golf Club.  There was a lot of huggin and "Are you so and so?"  They pulled out the School Albums and reminencse about this teacher and that.  They commented about where one or that one landed in life and those no longer with us.  I doubt I would remember many of my old classmates or they I.  Sherry enjoyed herself and that's what it is about.

Oh the Rain and Pain

I know the old folks used to complain about the rain and dampness affecting their arthritis.  I didn't know what they were talking about but now I do.  I hobble around and hurt so much that I refrain from walking as much as I can.  The cane the Dr's gave me help but not enough.  There is no relief that I can see.  It's just suffering thru it.  I can start the day and get to walking and limber up somewhat but if I do a lot of standing or walking I pay a dear price by bedtime.  I pray for it to leave me.

These Days

The weather is better and my yard is crying out for attention. I sit here and think of what needs to be done. My body says nope not today! I have to try and coax my 2 sons to help. Good luck with that. We have had some rain for the last couple of days and there are flowers blooming that we planted up to 2 years ago and this is their first time to bloom. The azaleas are in bloom and the crepe myrtles have leaves. they are one of my favorites next to the azaleas. The roses are doing well too. I just wish my sons liked yard work. LOL

dixieoutfitters.com - Burlington, NC

dixieoutfitters.com - Burlington, NC   Take the time to stop in.  I love their merchandise!!!

The Phone Company

Thunder storms are an act of God.  They make ya remember just how small you really are.  Scares ya, and makes you comfort the ones you love and try and make the dog to stop trembling.  Maybe the dog knows more than us?

We live with storms, that's a given.  Occassionally the weather plays havoc with the applicances we take for granted, one being the telephone.  When it stops working you find yourself at the mercy of the phone company.  You call right away, on a different phone of course, most likely a cell phone.  I don't know why we have 2 phones. You call and they say they will be by in a couple of days and if it's not inside your house where the problem is, it's free but if it's inside $85.00 will be applied to the bill.  Ok, I can deal with that.  You wait the time agreed upon by them and the phone still isnt fixed.  The phone rings constantly if its on the cradle and if you take it off it sounds like a lawn mower.  You call em back and they inform you they fixed it.  I let them hear what I have coming out of the receiver because I don't want them to think I'm lying or something.  I'm told they will be by in about....2 more days.  God help us.......and the phone company.

Sadness in my Heart

I feel a sadness and a sense of loss.  I often have these bouts of gloom and they weigh heavily on my heart from time to time.  All is dark and my heart lays heavy within my chest.  I do hope that the spirit of the Lord will lift me up and I will be troubled no more

Pickin' Em Up, Puttin Em Down

I gave this entry something that came to me while I sat here trying to think up a title.  The brain is a funny thing, it reminds me of a computer that has been wired wrong.  Maybe it is just my brain that functions that way.  I can be anywhere at any given time and a thought will pop up from nowhere or a memory.  Aint that weird?  I had this thought just come sliding in to home of the time when I was in the Army and was on a forced march.  If I remember correctly they were all forced.  I wonder what the other kind of marches they had?  Anyways I was about give out and the Sarge yelled pick em up put em down!!!!  I wonder if he meant me.  I just remember the heat and sweat and being bone tired.  It was just a hell of a way to make a livin' I tell you!!  It may be just the fact of getting older or maybe the PTSD I suffer  from that makes me always most of the time think about the Army.  I don't know.  I miss my friends.  I feel like the ones still alive are passing away more and more.  I miss em that's all.

Southern Stories and Study: More from Henry Louis

Southern Stories and Study: More from Henry Louis: Civilization, in fact, grows more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; th...

Southern Stories and Study: Into the Free

Southern Stories and Study: Into the Free: A great Southern novel by Julie Cantrell: Into the Free. Just came out. Don't miss it.

Oh the Dreadful Wind and Rain

It's raining in the Carolina's today.  I had to run into town for an errand or 2.  The wind is a sign that old man winter is still here.  I got to town and the rain started and the wind gave it a 1 - 2 punch.  It is still cold too.  The dogs only go out for their business with a little coaching.  They finish fast and are at the door to come in again.  First day of mail after the holiday (MLK) and we had a big box.  It turned to be a model plane my son ordered,  He is into RC planes and it has become a passion for him.  Like all things it is not cheap but he works hard and deserves his fun.  Sherry and I had pancakes for breakfast.  I has regular and she had blueberry.  Since she has been on the chemo her diabetes has flared up.  It was unusually high.  I called the Dr's office and they said to stop the blueberry pancakes.  We are definitely gonna change the diet.  I am too because I am carrying way to much tonnage myself.

This is a stay home week for us.  It's hard to believe and I am not complaining.  I think we are needing some time to regroup from the holidays and and the Dr's and such.  We got back from WV on Sunday.  Sherry was worn out and I worried the trip may have been to much.  It was great for her from a mental standpoint.  She need to see the Grand kids and Angie.  I was glad we went.  She saw snow too that was the first she had seen this winter.