A Tough July for Many
Hello, Blog, it has been a long time away. Actually, only 4 weeks, but when it's a tough 4 weeks, it seems like forever. It happens that way. When you are fully engaged in a positive paradigm, time is meaningless and endless. And, when your Mom and Dad are slowly slipping away with each and every day, well, it's personally a very tough challenge. A quick update is to say, Mom is both mentally and physically leaving us in a slow and painful manner. The stress of providing care and seeing your life partner's health deteriorate daily has taken a harsh toll on my Father. I admire his resilliancy though. Each day he attacks with an enthusiasm and Love that I believe is endless. He has really provided a beacon of hope to give my parents many good days in the last few years. I love my Father with all my heart.
His commitment to Christianity has markedly impacted his life in a positive way. I know he is at peace with his present plight and unknown future. Unfortunately, he fights these battles alone. His Pastor is leaving for the month of August and Willoughby, his social circle for the last several years is totally deserted in the summer. All of his friends, and I do mean every last one of them, is 'up North' at their summer homes with families and cooler weather. My father has endured a tough sense of being deserted at life's most critical times. Thank the Lord for Pearl, she is one solid lifeline my Dad can cling to and count on.
Speaking of Pearl, my challenge is whether or not we are able to take our Colorado vacation together. For over six months we have had a home rented in Breckenridge and I have assembled about 12 people to join us for some mountain hiking. It's six days until departure but 'touch and go' as to whether or not it will happen. It would be a well-deserved break for Pearl and my only vacation planned for 2007. One could say I'm already on vacation every day but is sure doesn't seem like it. My health care and financial issues are creating too much stress right now. I have gained over 20 pounds since 2004 and it is not helping me. I MUST do something to change or my health will continue it's spiral in the wrong direction. When I say July has been tough, only I really know what that means. I'm fighting depression I know, but my friends and my running help me the most to maintain sanity. And you, my friend the Blog, help me much as well.
Two personal highlights of the month included finally picking up my fourth old Mercedes Benz. I found a 1994 E320 wagon in Wilmette and gained possession of it last Wednesday. It's not bad for the $3850.00 I paid for it. I'm sure there will be $1000-$1500 worth of immediate maintenance but it should give me another 100,000 miles or so. My plan is to eventually sell the Range Rover, but that is proving quite difficult emotionally and practically. Not much of a market for a 1995 Range Rover with 202,000 miles.
The other highlight of the month was visiting the EAA Air Show in Oshkosh, something I have wanted to attend for twenty years or more. It was really fun. But, the magnitude of the event demands at least two days next year to really see it all.
I enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of my long-time buddy Mike, and his beautiful bride Pam, and the comfort of their 40 foot Monaco Windsor motor-coach. Wow, what a great way to travel and live for that matter. My intuition says I'm going to sample this kind of lifestyle at some point in the future. In 1986 I enjoyed seven days in a 40' Bluebird with Cheryl and Lauren, and ever since I have wanted to try it again.
Well, on another topic, July was a really tough month for Cub opponents. The Cubbies are playing the best baseball in many years and are really getting my hopes up high that this could be a playoff year at least. But we will just have to wait and see if history repeats and the curse of the billy-goat emerges once again.
That's all folks. May God bless you and keep you and make to shine his face upon you now and forever. Amen. Over, and Out, Ricky.
His commitment to Christianity has markedly impacted his life in a positive way. I know he is at peace with his present plight and unknown future. Unfortunately, he fights these battles alone. His Pastor is leaving for the month of August and Willoughby, his social circle for the last several years is totally deserted in the summer. All of his friends, and I do mean every last one of them, is 'up North' at their summer homes with families and cooler weather. My father has endured a tough sense of being deserted at life's most critical times. Thank the Lord for Pearl, she is one solid lifeline my Dad can cling to and count on.
Speaking of Pearl, my challenge is whether or not we are able to take our Colorado vacation together. For over six months we have had a home rented in Breckenridge and I have assembled about 12 people to join us for some mountain hiking. It's six days until departure but 'touch and go' as to whether or not it will happen. It would be a well-deserved break for Pearl and my only vacation planned for 2007. One could say I'm already on vacation every day but is sure doesn't seem like it. My health care and financial issues are creating too much stress right now. I have gained over 20 pounds since 2004 and it is not helping me. I MUST do something to change or my health will continue it's spiral in the wrong direction. When I say July has been tough, only I really know what that means. I'm fighting depression I know, but my friends and my running help me the most to maintain sanity. And you, my friend the Blog, help me much as well.
Two personal highlights of the month included finally picking up my fourth old Mercedes Benz. I found a 1994 E320 wagon in Wilmette and gained possession of it last Wednesday. It's not bad for the $3850.00 I paid for it. I'm sure there will be $1000-$1500 worth of immediate maintenance but it should give me another 100,000 miles or so. My plan is to eventually sell the Range Rover, but that is proving quite difficult emotionally and practically. Not much of a market for a 1995 Range Rover with 202,000 miles.
The other highlight of the month was visiting the EAA Air Show in Oshkosh, something I have wanted to attend for twenty years or more. It was really fun. But, the magnitude of the event demands at least two days next year to really see it all.
I enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of my long-time buddy Mike, and his beautiful bride Pam, and the comfort of their 40 foot Monaco Windsor motor-coach. Wow, what a great way to travel and live for that matter. My intuition says I'm going to sample this kind of lifestyle at some point in the future. In 1986 I enjoyed seven days in a 40' Bluebird with Cheryl and Lauren, and ever since I have wanted to try it again.
Well, on another topic, July was a really tough month for Cub opponents. The Cubbies are playing the best baseball in many years and are really getting my hopes up high that this could be a playoff year at least. But we will just have to wait and see if history repeats and the curse of the billy-goat emerges once again.
That's all folks. May God bless you and keep you and make to shine his face upon you now and forever. Amen. Over, and Out, Ricky.
posted by Dick Mc D at 5:46 PM
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