The News From Here

Caution: If you are struggling you might want to skip this edition. I’m trying to clean my brain a little. Certainly not the worse day of my life but a not great one either. My goal, as of yesterday evening was to get a temporary ¼” water line run to the evap cooler in the courtyard. I had all the parts and extra. My thinking was to have it operational while I decided how I wanted to do it permanently . My appointment at VA wasn’t till 2:45 – yeah plenty of time. Next thing I knew it was 1:30 and having all the parts and tools ready was as far as I’d gotten. I thought (always a problem) I need 15 minutes to shower and dress, 35 minutes drive time plus getting from the parking lot to Dermatology 5 minutes. Still I have time – I mean it was mid afternoon – NOT rush hour, no problem, right? Top freeway speed was 35 mph and a few stops & go’s. I never saw why it was so backed up. Arrived with a few minutes spare. Waited 15 minutes in the waiting area (not bad at all). Then waited in the examination room for 15 minutes. Still all was OK Then my Dermatologist came in. I noticed she was moving slow. Which I kept to myself. She likes me and actually seemed glad to see me. (I don’t flinch, groan or gripe if something is a little uncomfortable.) We did agree that things are pretty screwed up around there. Well I left with one spot (on my nose right where my glasses nose pad sits) treated and one on my arm – samples - off for a biopsy. So far she has never missed – if she takes a biopsy - I’ll be going back for the knife work. OK all’s well and I head home- traffic was crazy by then so I took surface streets most of the way. Lots of starts and stops at traffic lights but I enjoyed seeing areas I been though for years. As I pulled into Mesa I realized I was short of cash & hungry, If I was going to NOT have to fix and clean up after myself I needed an injection of assets. OK I was going to be going right by my bank and headed straight to the Legion from there. That worked out fine plus I had drink chips a plenty in my pocket. Whoops it’s Monday! Even great chefs need a day off too. It was almost empty but I knew everyone that WAS there. B.S. began – I was feeling a lot better and someone had ordered in pizza already. Things took a major turn when I mentioned a good friend “Jerry the mobile mechanic” and the Post Commander asked “you know he passed on” a couple weeks ago? Good Grief No! He was at the house 2 weeks ago. Just stopped by to visit. “What Happened?” He explained that his wife got up and Jerry didn’t. She went to wake him up and he was gone. Shock ! Sorry! More shock ! I knew when he was here that he wasn’t feeling all that well but he’s been that way a while but. . . When you say “good bye” to someone make sure you mean it. Sometimes it IS. I’ve got a little too much experience at that - like many of us.
I’m going to sign off for tonight – Maybe it’s cool enough outside to read if not well I CAN read inside but. . .