Power Of Positive Thinking, Go O's

What a beautiful day here in Baltimore!  A/C off, windows open, me and the dog are wrestling, life is good.  The boy got off of work early, brought me home a soda, if I knew kids were this useful I'd of had more!  The girl starts back to skating tomorrow,she is elated about that, and can use it.  The guy she was pretty serious about broke up with her and said he needed to concentrate on his children, oh yeah, I have a few children, forgot to mention that!  Still trying to figure out a way to make his life miserable, but for today it's sunshine and lollipops, hope everyone else is enjoying this beautiful day.

What's happening to my Orioles, they are folding like a...what folds easily and at a time you don't want it to?  Whatever it is, that's what they're doing!  Everything seems to be going wrong, from pitching to hitting.  They are still on pace to the least amount of errors in a season, but I'm afraid they are running out of time and games.  Not giving up yet, there's still time, they just have to stop giving away games.  Best part about baseball is it gives me 162 days with something to do!

Is This Heat Ever Going To Wane, Piano Moved For Food

Summer is here, yay!  Everyone is so excited, they just don't get it.  It means sweating like a father with 5 daughters in gold rush town, that's sweaty!  Means my vision is hazy almost everyday, like the way it looks in a steam room.  Means what little functionality I have in my limbs will be stressed, making it even harder to walk, rendering the right arm purely ornamental.  Means my energy level will be lower than normal, if that's even possible?  Means we aren't even through June and I am ready for winter.

We moved the piano down into the basement, had the boy and 3 of his larger friends move it, bought them dinner for their effort.  The wife was a nervous wreck, what if they get hurt, what if they drop it?  She seems to forget, I moved it with my friend 5 times, twice to the 3rd floor of an apartment, once up, once down.  Hard to imagine I ever did those things, once was capable of great feats of strength, like carrying my own drink down the steps, or moving a piano, both in the same category as this point.  Anyway, the piano is moved, in one piece, and no blood was shed.

Multiple Sclerosis And Heat, And Visiting Family In Boston

It is like Africa hot in Baltimore, or what I think of as Africa hot, the days you see the lions laying next to gazelles, too hot to eat them. Gazelles could probably eat this lion it's so hot here! I walked out back to see about watering the farm, was dehydrated and had a heat stroke before I took 10 steps, that's hot! So damn humid, can't stand it. Luckily Multiple Sclerosis thrives in heat and humidity, so at least I'm not having any problems from that! Pool is great, but you have to get to and fro, not a small feat without the bioness off. I wish we had had a spring.

Planned a trip in August, going to Boston to visit family. The wife set everything up, the parents are going with us, stay with the aunt and uncle, should be a hoot! Be the first I've flown since the beast has gotten worse, curious how I'll do? Never liked flying, but now with balance and vision issues hope I don't scream all the way there! Tell me that wouldn't be funny, a 6'5", 300# man screaming for an hour and 15 minutes straight, the marshal would have to shoot me!

Road Wash Out, and Weather Related Crop Damage

Man did it rain today! Went up for my spine injections, they went well, thanks, but the rain was unbelievable! My friend took me, the wife was disinterested, and the ride home was a true adventure. The road in front of us washed out, a lot of debris, a lot water, all from a little babbling brook you wouldn't even know was there, until today.

With all this rain we've had, some of my plants have taken a beating, especially the things I grew from seed and transplanted. My bag tomatoes took a real hit, may need to replace them with plants from Richardson's farm. Need to go up and check the church garden, they were nice sturdy plants, don't expect any problems. Why are the plants I grew from seed in my basement not as strong, they all had little, spindly stems? I think next year I will sow the seeds right into the ground, cut out the middle man.

Horrible Weather, Snow, Wind, How I Miss Being Out In It

No place on earth less hospitable than Baltimore today, pretty sure I read it someplace, or maybe I said it to the wife, can't remember which? Either way it must be true, right? Snowed all day yesterday, sustained winds over 100 miles per hour this morning. Saw a crow battling the wind, all of it's feathers blew off, looked like a Cornish hen sitting on the fence post. Our American flag is snapping in the wind, looks like the flag from Ice Station Zebra! With all of this, harsh baby, harsh weather conditions, there is nothing I'd like better than to be sitting in a tree stand, watching the deer and the antelope play. I miss me.

No Answer From Kratovil-Harris, Multiple Sclerosis and Temperature Change

I sent Harris and Kratovil both emails, CC'd the other on each, waiting to hear from them about the 23% sales tax issue. Saw the ad again tonight, not only has a footnote for Harris' page, but it also has a link for fairtax.org. I went there to see what I could see, don't see anything for Harris, just a bunch of places to donate money, can't wait for someone to point me in the right direction. You'd think the dude that's telling the truth would get back in touch?

Long day today, got up early, could not sleep. When I say early I don't mean like 9ish, I'm talking like 5 am, cramps and pain in my legs. Came down to the command center, had all the windows open, it was great, I think it was in the high 40's. Don't know about anyone else, but my MS kills me when the weather does this jumping around thing. Say 50 this morning, 86 tomorrow, who do I call about regulating the temperature? I need it to stay in one place, either summer or fall, not each.

Great Weather, MS and Leg Cramps, and is it Wheelchair Time?

What a day in Baltimore, we need hurricanes brushing the shore more often! The A/C is off, windows are open, and we are closing the pool on Monday, cooler weather is on the way. It has been hot as hell here this summer, my lawn proves that. Garden didn't produce so well either, not for want of hard work by the wife, she's incredible. Planting lettuce tomorrow after church, we enjoy that a lot, and it grows like mad here in our tubs.

Leg cramps, I thought I knew what discomfort was, but I was wrong. I have the real bad cramps for about 3 hours every night, just uncomfortable ones the rest of the day. I think the cramps are the reason why my legs are so weak, and why my knees hurt so bad. Can't figure out what to do about it, hoping the acupuncture helps, but we shall see. Pain medicine isn't the answer, it doesn't do much, and it doesn't last very long when it does. My insurance covers 12 puncture sessions in a calendar year, 1 down, 11 to go.

Going to have to check about adding a ramp to the outside of the house, need to bring the wheelchair in out of the shed. Starting to wonder when you know when enough is enough? I can still walk, but it hurts, and it hurts a lot. Then my legs are so tired I'm actually unsteady on my feet. When do you cry uncle and say screw it, I'm not walking anymore? I don't think that's the answer, but I'm scared it's getting closer.

Heat, Graduation Trip, and Reconnecting With Friends

The heat has been unbearable, thank God for air conditioning! What did people do without it? I actually remember the work without A/C, I was 13 before me family had it, we just soldiered through hot times. I really don't remember it being that hot, but it must have been, guess we were just used to it. I know now it is a comfort I would fight for, and pity the fool that is without it.

The wife and boy are in Florida, a graduation present for him, he took his one buddy with him, and a very deserved break for her. The dudes went to Universal Studios and their water park, she was the queen of the pool. I tried to talk her into hitting the shopping scene, but she wanted to be at the hotel if the boys needed her. Can you say cell phone? It made her feel better to be there, so that's all that matters, and I'm glad they are home tomorrow evening.

Been spending a lot of time on facebook, it's been pretty cool hooking up with people I knew 30 years ago in school. Seems like I have more in common with the gals I went to school with? Don't know what it is, but we get together fairly often, lunch, Friday night snowballs, Karaoke every once in a while, nice. Trying to be out more while it's still somewhat easy to do, what I call being out amongst the humans.

Weather Fluctuations, Squirrel Feeders Rock, and The Kids Are Great

Does the change in the temperature effect everyone like it does me? 100 degrees today, snowed yesterday, it's killin me! OK, 80's today, 50's yesterday, but it takes its toll on me. The legs are AWOL to begin with, but when mother nature hits me with this, they are almost useless. Heat is bad, but this back and forth has to go.

So I got a couple of bird feeders, one for songbird feed, the other for thistle. The thistle has been attracting gold finches, and the other has have everything, including big grackles, that can empty out a feeder in a hurry. The squirrels have also had a field day, that is until I bought a squirrel feeder. That's right, if you can't beat em, feed em! I'm having more fun watching the squirrels open the lid of the feeder, take out a peanut, then scurry away and bury it. Fun is where you find it.

The girl finished up her first semester at U of Baltimore, best switch we could have done, she loves it. Did I mention she got a job? She got a job! She is working at Claire's down the mall, 2 minutes away, and she likes it! The wife and I actually have been home alone a few days, the boy only uses this as a mailing address. Cooking meals for 2 people is strange, it's almost not worth getting dishes dirty. The kids are good, so life is good.

Dinner With Friends, and the Snow is Vanishing

Me and the wife went out to dinner with our friends, Slammer and his wife, the snow plow queen! Went to a family style restaurant, a place called Friendly Farms. Slammer had pretty serious ankle surgery a ways back, walks with a really cool thing he kneels on, and scoots along. I think he can walk faster with that than he can without it? So, people are watching him scoot, watching me go with my flashing stimulator and cane, and some people can't help but comment. Were you two in the same accident? Told them it was Bobsled accident!

Looks like things are back to normal tomorrow, schools on time, trash pick up on normal day, all is well. It's amazing how much of the snow is gone, thought it would be around til June. We are going to have snow in parking lots when my kids are my age, it's piled 30 feet high! The snow has been beautiful, I've always loved it, but I'm looking forward to to having dry pavement.

Schools Still Closed, Lunch With a Friend, and The Wife Trying to Work From Home

Schools are still closed here in the great of Maryland. Why when I was a lad, we had to walk uphill to school in a blinding blizzard, both ways. I built the house I was born in, it was tough but it was expected of us. Not too many people shoveled their walks, just their driveways and cars on the streets. Our home is all dug out, including the sidewalks, the Sheriff and his henchmen won't be stopping here to hassle the man.

Going out to lunch on Wednesday with my friend Joe. I think it's been good for both of us that we reconnected, I know it's been for me. He doesn't live that far away,and always offers to pick me up, good egg. I turned him on to a hot dog joint that serves up the best chili dogs on the east coast, Coffman's Snack Bar. My family has been going there for chili dogs my whole life. The father isn't going with us so I can get french fries without having to share them!

The wife is looking to find a job she can do totally from home, so we can spend more time together. I'm not to the point where I need a lot care, and the things I get help with I can still do, just easier with help. It's only a small gap in the money she would need to pick up, and I wouldn't be so lonely. This is a tough gig, I thought it would be easy. It will be 12 years the 22nd of this month, and though I've always thought myself to be not much of a people person, turns out I'm more in need of human contact than I thought.

All Dug Out, Front Wheel Drive, and a Great Wife

What a beautiful day here in Baltimore, particularly compared with yesterday. The wife and boy went out to shovel us out, hooked up with a guy with a backhoe. The guy was just driving around Perry Hall on his tractor, picking up $20-$40 a clip. My gang had the hard part done, backhoe boy just finished it off. This is the first storm-storms that I've ever seen that people haven't shoveled the walks, probably because the plows piled it up 40 feet!

When I was a teenager, 100 years ago, we had a big storm, shut everything down like this one did. The snow plows never came to our neighborhood, it was our responsibility to dig ourselves out. I remember the guy across the street telling us he could drive out, but we thought he was crazy. He told us he had one of them there new front wheel drive cars, an Audi I think. He got out, burned up his transmission, left a dark red trail of fluid all the way up the street, but he got out!

The wife is busy, she's always busy, but these storms have really been a lot of work for her. To make me feel even worse about her doing it all, tomorrow is my birthday, and yes, she is prepared for it. She's sitting her right now, almost asleep, icing my cake. She's not doing it to make me feel bad about her birthday, the one I skipped, but I think she is smiling a little bit?

Two Blizzards in Three Days, Kids Routines Interrupted, and My Wife Is The Greatest

This was the end of cleanup #1.


The boy in typical snow attire.


The wife making snow removal look good!


The girl in her wild child garb.


And this is round 2! 2 all out blizzards in 3 days, crazy man. Baltimore is at a standstill. Schools are closed, government is closed, no trash pick up, Dunkin Donuts was closed for Pete's sake! People have had it, enough is enough. The old snow record was 62.5", this year so far we are at 77.3", and we ain't done yet. My crew is cheering on spring.

The boy is going crazy, definitely the most time he's spent home in the last 5 years. Can't figure out why the lanes are closed, he would walk in this mess to bowl. He keeps telling me how much money they are losing, he takes that personally. The girl has a rollerskating show coming up in March, 200 kids, just like the ice capades, and they aren't able to have practices. She is in a panic, thinks it's going to be her fault it snowed. Neither of the kids got my, ah screw it attitude when it comes to work, probably a good thing.

The wife has been pulling double duty, cooking, cleaning, and her new role as shovel queen. I guess that's more than double, but you get it, she is just that good. She never complains, always has sunshine blasting out of her a... she always cheery. This has her down a bit, mainly because this was always mine. Not because it's a mans job, rather because I love it. I would sit out in this weather, just can't anymore, and that gets us both down. She's dealing with it better than me, she's upstairs picking out her outfit for tomorrow!

More Snow in Baltimore, Sheriff's Office Softball, and MS Gets in the Way Of Memories

Snow is falling, big time falling, if this keeps up, we will have 2 blizzards in one week. The boy went out to shovel already, he's trying to prevent another big dig out. The girl has a cold, isn't that convenient? The wife is having an optical migraine, she isn't having any fun, at all! I still want to get out there, but I moved the truck for the boy and my back hurts from that.

Was thinking today about the times I had playing softball, it was a hoot. Played when I was real young for some pretty competitive teams. Later on played with the gang from work, we weren't very competitive, but we had a blast! I was what you call an offensive specialist, mostly because I couldn't throw. I could hit pretty good, and was surprisingly fast, for my size. I remember like it was yesterday, running to first, almost falling when my right foot dragged. Seems MS won't even leave my memories alone.

I remember playing in the annual Sheriff's tournament, different county each time, it was great. We got the chance to fool around with guys from other jurisdictions, and drink way too much. Had an umpire throw our catcher out of the game because he was so drunk he couldn't catch the ball the ump was tired of getting hit. I rounded second on one play, catch the 3rd base coach and he was waiving me home. I kicked it into high gear, rounded third, on deck batter was putting me down, telling me to slide. What they didn't tell me was the catcher already had the ball! I slid, was out, left about 3 lbs of ass on home plate. The city sheriff told me I should shoot the guy that sent me. It's actually a good memory I was able to run fast enough to get a huge strawberry on my thigh, good times.

The Shining in Baltimore, Winter Mobility, and the Girl Wants a Dog

REDRUM! I feel like I'm living in the Overlook Hotel from The Shining. If the boy starts typing a book, I'm leaving. He has been snowed in, we've all been, and he is climbing the walls. He went out and shoveled a majority of the neighborhood, helping out some of the other folks on the street. The bowling alley is still closed, and we are getting another 20 inches, starting tomorrow. I may have to sedate him, don't want to, but it's for his own good.

I didn't do any of the shoveling this storm, something I love to do. We had about 30 inches, getting 20 more, man I would be in heaven! Problem is I can't walk in deep snow, or snow period anymore, too afraid of falling. I used to be a fearless Viking, now I'm just a wuss. I don't like the place I find myself, the things I'm missing, or the things I'm watching. The only bright spot is, the wife looked beautiful out in the snow.

The girl wants a dog, oh my. Like I've said before, I am not a pet person. I told her she can have a dog, she can open a kennel ... someday. One of the neighbors brought over their new puppy, a little white rag, about the size of a child's shoe. The girl moped around all evening, I told her she could have a hermit crab, or a ant farm. I will stand my ground, put my foot down, and demand my voice be heard. I'll also let you know what we get.

Record Snows in Baltimore

Just a bit of snow here in Baltimore, closing in on a record, more to come Tuesday. This was always my favorite, just to be out in it. It's not anymore. I can't move around, lift my right leg enough, at all really, so it's not fun at all. The gang was out to shovel, I even miss that, everyone out, talking. I'm moving to the keys, looking for a grass hut, like the one Gilligan had.

Snowed In In Baltimore, and Fat Andy's Sammich Shop

The snow is here! We have all of our supplies, plenty of food, drink, and all our meds. OK, we have all my meds, nobody else takes anything. Me and the girl took a ham, some soup, and some dry goods up to the in laws, so everyone is in, well stocked, and ready. The best part of all, the bowling alley is closed, so the boy sat here and watched the hockey game with me, go Caps!

Our local Quiznos closed, it was attached to gas station, both the gas, and the food, were hugely overpriced. The Quiznos would have been a perfect place to open Fat Andy's Sammich Shop! I would have loved to have had a little breakfast and lunch place, small menu, but quality food. It would have been cool to have had a soup de jour, everyday, and sammiches named after people I knew. I suppose I'll have to wait for the wife to open her tea shop.

Yet Another Spinal Injection, Soup is Good Food, and a Snowy Super Bowl

Had another spinal injection today, this is getting old! The doctor said that if this one doesn't hold, time to start thinking about going to talk with a surgeon. All I can say is, it's about time! I know he is concerned about the rehab, but time to do something or get off the pot. I'm not giving up on the shot yet, I am optimistic by nature, but this is my spine people!

The wife and I Have been making a lot of soup, and making it together. We enjoy cooking, but soup is fun to make. Our big disagreement comes in if soup by it's lonesome constitutes a meal. The wife thinks a good soup with a flavorful broth is enough for a meal. I disagree. We made a Lima bean and sausage soup, out of this world. She was stuffed, I am still trying to figure out what to eat! We are going to make some more, send some to the in laws house, we'll see how they classify it.

If the weather gods are right, a lot of businesses are going to take a huge beating in our area with Super Bowl Sunday being this one. I'm sure the zealots will still make it out, but on the whole, we are gearing up for a motionless weekend. Those of you that live in more regular snow areas will find that funny, but you can't find eggs, milk, or toilet paper in Maryland if they even use the S word. We are all set here, so let it snow, and go SAINTS!

HSA Help On Hold, Feet of Snow Coming, and Leg Cramps and Exercise

The family snapped to under pressure, they always do when needed. I feel bad, I think my pissing and moaning about the HSA testing was misinterpreted as we need to do something now! The parents were all over it like my ex-wife on cake! (I don't have an ex-wife, but it seemed safer tan putting a real name to it!) The help is greatly appreciated, but we decided not yet.

Looks like we may get pounded this weekend with more snow, they are talking feet. A friend in MN asked if we have gotten a lot of snow, I owe her an email by the way, and when I answer, I will have to say yes. We are just to snow time now, and my minions have already shoveled like crazy. This storm coming is going to be a good one, the kind I used to like to sit out in. Have to make sure I have dry wood, a good seat, and plenty to read.

Left foot cramps are killing me! The leg cramps so badly, it hurts my knee. This isn't really noteworthy, but this is what happened on the right side, about 8 years ago, and look how that's worked out! Going tomorrow to get another spinal injection, going to ask if riding a recumbent bike would kill me? I really think that if I can get a little exercise that maybe my legs would feel better,and my heart won't fall out!

I Got Your Clunker Right Here, Heatwave Hits, and Pool in Moderation

Where did they come up with the phrase, cash for clunker? That's not what the program is, by the way. It's cash for less fuel efficient vehicles. I know, because I have a clunker! Our 95 Oldsmobile, the one with 115,000 miles on it is fast becoming the poster car for the program. It's a beautiful car, looks brand new, the wife's favorite car of all time. The valves play a melodious tune, either whilst idling, or accelerating, so avoid those 2 things, and you're flush.

The Olds is listed at a combined 20mpg, something I don't think it ever achieved, and of course you have to be below 18mpg. You also have to get the same class vehicle, truck for truck, car for car, or so it seems to someone of limited intelligence, and someone who saw right away they didn't qualify and stopped paying attention. We pay our house payment, live within our means, and drive a fuel efficient car, so far we're not feeling very stimulated!

Here comes the heat, and I mean heat! By tomorrow we could be pushing 100 degrees, above 90% humidity, just stick a fork in me now, I'm done! That cabin above the Arctic circle is looking pretty sweet right about now. Was in the pool all day yesterday, it was wonderful, except I can't wear the stim into the water, so I looked like Quasimodo walking to get in. The water was cool, it was relaxing, and I thought I was going to need a Sikorsky helicopter to get me out of the water. Wobily is a good word for my legs, not what you want to call them, but accurate. Moderation will be king today. In for a bit, out for a bit. I know, party animal.