Thanks & Welcome

Seems I'm behind in my duties. Five nice people have clicked my follower button for which I owe a thanks. So to Skip, Kathi, Stopsign, Sandy, & Falcondawn, thanks and welcome to my humble blog.

I promise to always answer your comments. It might take me a few hours, and on rare occasions, days, but rest assured I shall leave a reply.

To my long term friends I ask you each, please, take a moment and visit the blogs (those linked above) of my new friends. They are very interesting.

Again, thanks and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Watercolors

In the hours before dawn the river is a wavy reflection of color cast by the city lights. Streaks of amber and ivory and red. A momentary and wistful display seen only at this hour. The fog lifts and with the mornings first light the painting disappears. It's the nature of light and life. Tiny reflections, fragile, easily disturbed.

People are much the same. They walk into our lives and cast their colors and give us reflections into their spirits and lift and guide us on our daily walks. Much as you good folks have done for me over the last two days.

You have overwhelmed me.

This morning I shall make every attempt to individually answer each of your comments. Seems the least I can do after such a wonderful outpouring of support during this difficult period of my life.

I hope each of you awaken to find a personal watercolor to begin your day. God bless you.

Stephen

Another Chapter

First, I'm fine and appreciate all the kindness, love, and prayers. I write this from my bed with another beautiful view of the river at the Medical Center as Sweet Wife quietly reads and watches my every move.

Last evening, Little Bit asked if I'd take her to bed. I did. Just before we turned in for the night I began to experience pain in my right arm and shoulders. The pain extended across my chest and into my jaw. It hurt. I tried to sleep. Little Bit offered to rub my shoulders. After a few minutes a instinctive bell rang in my otherwise hard noggin. I rose and asked my wife to please jump on the net and research my pain. Ten minutes later she called 911. The rest is history.

It came as a complete shock to me. I'm not what you'd picture as a candidate for a heart attack, being an active six foot one man, not overweight at two hundred and twelve pounds (now) and careful of my diet....for the most part. Seems I had a bad blood clot that moved to my heart and cut the blood flow to one artery. Just goes to show, you never know when the old man with the black cloak and sickle will come and rap at your door. Heed the pain. The staff here said quick action saved my life. You have ninety minutes from start to finish.

Two stents later, two hours prior to my birthday, and my problem, for all intent and purposes, was over. Well, at least for the most part, according to the nice doctors and nurses, I've a few minor adjustments to make in my otherwise normal life. I feel better. Quick action and very practiced paramedics and surgeons saved my life. I'm now in ICU. I hope to be released tomorrow....God willing. He has saved my life again.

Guess the Good Lord isn't finished with me.

I awoke with hundreds of email, texts, with well wishes from all over this wonderful country and Europe. Once again, thank you all so very much...it means the world to me. You've touched my heart.

This chapter is closed.


God bless you.


Stephen

The Facts; Zimmerman

This is best post I've yet found on the Zimmerman case. Please, read.

H/T Craig

Stephen

A Little Bit Sunday

It's been a long day. Last evening I opened my mouth and stuck my foot firmly inside with a promise to Little Bit; a trip to the zoo and a local park. This morning, a few minutes after she had finished her breakfast, she said, "Let's go, Papa."

Our local zoo is world class, hence, parking is dear and the park attendance overflows. It only took us five attempts, and two hours, to catch a ride on the zoo train. Careful what you promise little girls.

The one exhibit she really wanted to see, above all others, was the butterfly gardens. I must admit, it was nice. She asked for my phone before we entered and took dozens of pictures. Here are a couple she selected for your enjoyment. Oh, before I forget, she told me to remind you she really took these pictures..."Tell 'em I really did it on my own, Papa." She's checking over my shoulder....

Little Bit, as she waits for her train ride. The river beyond.

 Here she is as tour guide...notice her map. Her finger points the way. We just followed.

After the zoo we stopped at our local market. Again, Little Bit always takes the lead. She checks the expiration dates on the milk.

I'll skip the park session. By then I was worn out, foot sore and ready for a long nap. Didn't happen, still I'm happy she had a nice day. It's her last night of Spring break and tomorrow begins another session of school. I think she's ready.

Tonight, she'll be curled safety in my arms.

Stephen

The Wee Hours

Sleep wasn't in the cards for me last night, nor this morning. Strange how that works. I climbed from my nice warm bed and roamed the house, skimmed the interwebs, drank milk. Didn't help. So I went out to the garage and begin to sort ammunition.

I have one corner of our garage dedicated to old and fairly new ammo cans, not quite as large a pile as in years past. I've relocated quite a bit of it...for obvious reasons. Over time my home stash had spread out and had become a pain in my path. I began to sort and clean and re-stack. The owls kept me company, their hoots soothing, as I worked. It was peaceful. 

During my labors of organizing this disarray imagine my surprise when I come upon a cardboard box filled with over a thousand rounds of 5.56. A wonderful gift of treasure I'd completely forgotten. I stood there like a statue for several seconds, and could not for the life of me remember when and how I'd acquired this unexpected extra thousand or so rounds.

Then, I find a plastic bag and pulled it from the stack and find inside about fifteen boxes of defense shotgun loads...double and single ought buckshot. I'd forgotten it, and again, have no idea how I acquired it. Thank goodness I had a couple of empty ammo cans.

I lost sleep but at least I'm richer for the experience.

Have a great day. Think I'll make another pot of coffee. 

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

To my new friend and follower, K. My friend, I promise to always answer your comments. To all my other friends, please visit K's very well written blog, Planning And Foresight. It's filled with great information for the survivalist.

Again, thanks and welcome K. You are now among friends.

Stephen