So, if you can't ski....

....take a trip to a Dream Mountain!

More on that soon, but first some old news! As some people have correctly discerned, I have had my mental ups and downs with this illness. My discovery that November was "Lung Cancer Awareness Month" didn't help! All around all I seem to hear is about the campaign to eliminate Breast Cancer--certainly something needed!!

Enough ranting and "sorry feeling". After a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with local friends and relatives, Anne and I went off to Maryland. While they had snow there, no 8 foot snowman or skiing this year--just me where snowman should be! So, in between several wonderful meals it was off to WVa with Anne's niece Loren and her boyfriend Mike. This is a game reserve owned by a friend where we chased elk and deer on 1150 Acres, we also had time for glamor shots on 4 wheelers and in front of buffalo--man they are big! Had a few beers too and just a wonderfully unexpected afternoon! A true trip to Dream Mountain!

My life has become a real interesting time split between great trips, fun with friends and relatives, lots of great meals, and--yes, of course, working on overcoming my "incurable illness".
Now I am well aware of the overwhelming support and encouragement sent my way by so many people. It has been wonderful and I know I will go on to have many more years of travels and fun---hopefully there will also be many times where I can help other people as well!

I am truly Thankful for all I have and have had.

Do not corner something....

.....that you know is meaner than you! In this case, cancer!

(the saying was sent with others from an old--and we all are now--high school classmate)

I have been trying and trying to get answers and find some sort of cure for my ailments. But, I think it is time to fall back a bit, not pursue so heatedly, just try to "roll along for a bit" and not be so damn worried all the time.

And so, I can talk about ailments without feeling angst! In honor of all my friends who qualify, I am putting in the Bday card one of my nieces gave me.

I have had a rough week, somehow my brain kept dwelling on the predicted rapid end of my life. Pretty dumb, but I guess not unusual. The neuropathy in my feet seems to be getting worse, I have a constant stuffy nose, sometimes I cough on a breath, and my right side (lung?) feels funny lots of the time. But...I feel generally good, get some exercise, take "power" walks with Roxie, meet with friends a lot, do other social activities, and even travel a whole bunch! Most people have a far worse life than I do! Life is Good! The glass is half full and can get fuller!

On Monday I am in Columbus again for Avastin which turns out to be something called a "biologic" not really a chemo. Interesting, Expensive, and I hope it is doing its thing!

One definition of mental illness is: "continuing to do the same thing in the same way and expecting a different result!" I hope to continue to keep my thinking clear and move always in ways that don't keep me down and expecting the same result!

All we really need is someone to tell us that things are going to be OK!

"What happens in Las Vegas........

.......stays in Las Vegas!" Well, not exactly, since I am going to discuss the trip to Vegas right here!

Many people ask me why as, not much of a gambler(although I did manage to lose about $100), I would want to go to Vegas? Two simple answers: the first I give quite often these days, namely that some damn doctor has said that I will be gone in 1 year--4 at the outside!!!! I am trying to prove him very wrong, but just in case I want to see all that I can. Certainly not to "spend more time in the office".

Second, I was only in Las Vegas once before and that was to spend a long weekend and get married. Now, that was fun but I was "other occupied" with lots of things.

So, I packed up a bag and head off with 3 friends who know the place. I had a great fact finding time in lots of ways:

1. Hotels are cheap.
2. Flights are cheap--and direct!
3. Shows are pretty expensive. We saw the Cirque de Soleil Beatles show and it was truly wonderful--wonderful!!
4. Sometimes people stay up all night playing cards (not me) and don't seem worse for the wear.
5. The downtown is very interesting, less expensive, and not very close.
6. "The Strip" has everything one can imagine and all these places are right next to each other, but still a long walk away!
7. Somehow I though it would be quite warm there, but it was as cold as here in Athens.
8. I thought I would "learn to gamble" but somehow that did not happen. I do have more interest and understanding, but not really much of either.
9. My new cell phone not only will do "texting"--yes, I can do it!! But will take pretty good pictures when I don't have a camera along. Even "self-portraits" if your arms are long!
10. Finally, and unfortunately very important, there is the fact evidenced these days that I have a belly for the first time! (Note the pic at the hotel where even the flamingos in the background thought I was fat)I do not like it and am into avoidance. I need to work at losing the protuberance by exercise--or at least pulling in my fat belly.

Well, enough facts for one day and I guess I still prefer Key West. For now, I need to go off to get some culture tonight at that local cultural mecca, Nelsonville, Ohio.

"You can't get to heaven on roller skates....."

Or so the old song goes, but you can come awfully close in Key West, especially at Ricky's Blue Heaven Restaurant.

Great ambiance and food, whether it is breakfast with chicks and chickens running underfoot or elegant night dining under the stars!

As usual, Key West was great, but when you come down to it, Athens, Ohio, ain't all that bad.
Last week we not only had the house-to-house trick or treat for the little ones like Leia and Batman, but also the Saturday night main street party fueled by OU college students in costume along with quite a number of "over age hippies"---and you know who you are!

Princess Leia looked great, but was far too young to be uptown at night! Then there were the Zombies that tried to get Anne to go with them. I think they liked her flowered hat!! Of course there were lots of police, many on horses, as well as Christians looking for converts and even some very wealthy people! As good time was had by all--except perhaps those who got arrested!

A trip to Key West and a good street party can certainly make one forget his troubles. And, you know, I really have a good life with no daily complaints. Of course, I wish I hadn't shown up with cancer, but it makes a person take stock and count blessings. These are tough financial times for many, many people and we need to all do things to help out not just blame and complain!

My illness has certainly made me realize that at my age it is time to get out to see things, do things, and--if I am real lucky--give some others a little joy in the process! Remember to "Do what you want to do" while you can!