One More Of My Heroes

Glenn Ford passed away yesterday, he was 90 years old. Born May 1st, 1916 in Quebec, Canada with the birth name of “Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford”. He stared in such movies as “The Man From Colorado”, “The Fastest Gun Alive”, “Cowboy”, “The Rounders”, “The Sacketts”, along with many others, all toll he had 85 movies to his credit with his last appearance being a cameo in 1993’s “Tombstone”. I will miss him along with all the others.

“If they try to rush me, I always say, I’ve only got one other speed -- and it’s slower”
Glenn Ford 1916 - 2006

My New Wheels…

The last time that I was in the hospital, June 22nd to July 3rd of this year, my doctor ordered me a wheelchair, it’s actually the exact model of the one in my last post. The Cherokee Nation paid for it and had it delivered to my house. I don’t use it in my house but only when I go out for appointments. I can walk about 20 to 30 feet before my legs go numb and my left ankle starts to fold. Once the ankle goes I either hit the ground or set down on the closest thing available, then I have to worry about getting back to where I started from. In my house it’s not too bad, I know my limitations so I only push it so far. I can’t stand long enough to cook anything on the stove, or do any household chores, even taking a shower or standing to piss is a huge pain. I can usually walk up or down about three steps as long as there is a rail to hold on to, any more than four and I wouldn’t even attempt it, and when I do have to go up or down steps it’s one foot at a time, right foot first and I kind of pull my left leg behind me. Most of the time when I get into a car or my sister’s van I have to have someone lift my left foot up into the car, I even have to have help getting my left foot up onto the footrest of the wheelchair. My whole left side doesn’t work right, even my left arm weakens quickly. I had a CT scan the last time I went to the doctor’s to see if there was some type of other damage to my left side (such as a stroke) but I’ve not heard back from them yet, I should be going back at the end of September or the first of October.
I’ve always been huge, a little over six foot tall and over three hundred pounds, most people in my family are big except for one of my younger brothers, he’s about five-ten and weighs about one sixty-five to one seventy-five, and he eats whatever he wants. Ever since my walking has slowed down I’ve gained even more weight which sure doesn’t help the mobility part. Even at three hundred pounds I had to stay pretty active to maintain that weight. I’ve always spent time in the woods, shooting, hunting, fishing, or just hiking around. I had a few buddies and we would get together about three or four times a week and play basket ball,. When Emily was a baby we had horses and there was always something to do to stay active, building fences, mending barns, trimming hooves always something strenuous, all of that seems like a long time ago now. The hardest thing I do now is let the dogs out.
Monday I had to go to the Cherokee Nation to check on some type of assistance in getting some bills taken care of while I’m waiting on my Disability, my sister and I picked up Emily from school and we tried to take care of that (I now have to go to the Creek Nation in another town and file for assistance) after that we went out to eat and did a little shopping (I bought two new dog dishes for four bucks and some change) it was the first restaurant (BBQ) and store (Big Lots) that I had been inside in over a year. We had a pretty good day and I even drove my sister’s van some. I’m looking forward to getting out more now for things other than doctor's appointments and social services.
I guess what my point is that if I keep losing weight it’s going to get easier to get around and I won’t have to rely on the wheelchair. I’m already looking forward to donating it to someone who needs one but can’t afford it. So I’m not going to individualize my wheelchair or, “Pimp It” as Emily calls it, I’ll leave that to the next owner and I hope it still looks brand new when he or she gets it. Peace and take care.

I've been in a funk lately...

I went to my friend's Mother's funeral last Wednesday. It was the first time any of my old friends had seen me in a wheelchair. It was good to see everyone, I wish it was under different circumstances. Everyone was gracious and acted like it was no big deal to see me that way. It was good because the day was not about me anyway. I’ve been a big strong guy my whole life and I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about people seeing me wheeled around by my fifteen year old daughter. After the first few minutes I didn’t worry about it at all. My friends are good people and quite surprisingly well mannered.
It was a nice day and a good turnout, the preacher did not get on a roll and over preach the occasion, the singers were in key and harmonized well. As far as it goes it was a pretty good day. My friend said that he could not remember ever hearing a harsh word come from his mother’s mouth, I know I never did, and growing up we gave her plenty of opportunities. She was special and I will miss her always. I'm sorry but I can't write any more right now.

Marilyn Yvonne Reese
Nov. 2, 1938 - Aug. 19, 2006

Saturday my friend Scott's Mother passed away.
Marilyn Reese will be a part of my heart forever.

13 On Where I Live…

Muskogee Oklahoma, The Heart Of Green Country

1. Muskogee is the County Seat.

2. Population 38,317.

3. 11th largest city in Oklahoma.

4. First settlement was established in 1817 on the south bank of the Verdigris River, just north of present day Muskogee.

5. The Creek Indians made Muskogee the Capital of the Creek Nation in 1836.
(The Creek spell it “Muscogee”)

6. The Cherokee Nation also shares Muskogee.

7. Muskogee has 2 High Schools, Muskogee High, Home of the Roughers, and Hilldale High, located just south of the City limits and Home to the Hornets.

8. Home of Bacone College.

9. Home of The Five Civilized Tribes Museum.

10. Home of Honor Heights Park, which is world famous for its Azaleas.

11. Muskogee has one newspaper, “The Muskogee Daily Phoenix”.

12. Muskogee covers approximately 38.8 square miles.

13. Muskogee is also home to the “USS Batfish War Memorial”

I found this at TNChick's place.

The Diet That I Try To Stick To...

I eat breakfast no matter what, 6 days a week I eat a bowl of cereal with Splenda and 2% milk and 2 slices of whole wheat toast (yes buttered) and a cup of coffee with splenda. When I feel like it I skip the toast and sometimes have an apple.

Drink a large glass of water.

For lunch 6 days a week I will have a sandwich either on whole wheat or white, 2 thin slices of lean ham or turkey one slice of Kraft American cheese, no condiment, a slice of tomato, and letuce if I want, along with approximately 6 small baby carrots, a small dinner salad with fat free dressing, I use French or Italian, Emily uses fat free Ranch. Depending on whether or not I had an apple with breakfast I might have one with lunch or half of a banana. Diet Mt. Dew (I drink it constantly most of the day and with all meals)
I may substitute the whole meal for a large salad made with half a can of tuna, a hard boiled egg, half of a diced medium tomato, mushrooms, grated cheddar cheese (about a quarter cup) imitation bacon bits, and 2 Tbl spoons of fat free dressing

Drink a large glass of water.

If I just have to have an afternoon snack, I eat one of the following: an apple, a banana, half a sandwich, 6 to 10 saltine crackers with peanut butter spread real lightly on them, a can of sardines, 2 ounces of cheddar cheese (anything high protein helps with the diabetes) 2 or 3 graham crackers. I try to stick to low fat, low sugar, high protein, and under 300 calories the closer to 200 the better.

For dinner again 6 days a week I try and eat between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, no later than 8:00 PM. I will have a sensible meal with 6 to 8 ounces of lean meat (chicken, pork chop, smoked sausage, steak, or fish) half a cup of some type of vegetable (corn, green beans, carrots, peas or spinach) and half a cup of most anything else (mac and cheese, stuffing, potatoes, or pasta with some type of a light sauce) and a dinner roll. I may also have a couple of Tbl spoons of a low fat gravy or sauce on my meat or potatoes.
Depending on what I had for lunch I may substitute this meal for a large salad like I described earlier. I also may switch sometimes and have lunch for dinner and vise-a versa.

AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY… I eat what ever the Hell I want such as: Bacon, Sausage, Fried Chicken, Ramen Noodles (I can’t help it, I like them) Pizza or Chinese take out, anything as long as I don’t get too carried away and I try and keep my blood sugar from going off of the scale too much.

Here are the basic rules recapped:
1. Diet drinks only
2. Two large glasses of water each day (at least)
3. Eat breakfast everyday
4. Buy everything, Low fat, No Fat, Fat Free, 98% Less Fat, Reduced Fat, Extra Lean, and read all labels, most of what you read on the front is a marketing tool. Remember when reading a nutrition label that the first thing listed is what is in it the most, such as with bread, if the first words are not “whole grain” then it’s not whole grain bread.
5. Never eat more than a whole cup of any one thing (other than a salad) variety is the key. Even things that are considered bad for you, carbohydrates, starches, sugars, and fats, are alright in small and balanced amounts.
6. Do not eat after 8:00 PM (eating meals around the same time everyday helps)
7. Most Important Of All, If you cheat and get off of your diet, it’s ok, just get back on it. Most people think if you blow it once, what’s the use and just toss the whole thing out the window. Everyone cheats, just don’t give up all together.
8 Plan to treat yourself one day a week, it gives you something to look forward to, just don’t go overboard.
9. Remember that if you look at it like your stomach holds a quart of food, that a quart of good food will fill it up the same as a quart of bad food.
10. Also remember, “Food is not Love” (I know that’s stupid, but I heard it on an episode of “Friends” and I just had to include it)

As heavy as I am now this diet works well for me, the more I lose the less affective this diet will become and I will have to adjust it. Cutting out the amount of carbs and starches, and the portions of some things. And I will have to throw in some exercises soon I’m sure, but it’s a good start and to be honest I probably cheat more than once a week and I’m still seeing results, I take my meds everyday along with my Lasix (water pill) so keeping the water weight down helps also. I have a long way to go and Emily has been a big help, she knows me well enough to know how to encourage without pushing and when to back off when I might be a little cranky, she also takes it well when I try and help her as well. Anyway there you have it, I’m sure that I left a bunch out but you get the general idea of things, eat healthier and don’t give up. Peace and take care.

The Real Karate Kid

This weekend my nephew Daniel, won a world class championship karate tournament in Missouri, I don’t know all of the particulars but he has just started the sixth grade and he defeated his opponent that out weighed him by 20 pounds. He has been taking karate here in Muskogee for a few years now and has defeated most everyone around him and the biggest part of the time he has to go outside his weight class to get a fight. He he is a nice calm young man but takes to karate like a fish to water, he is a natural at it but also works very hard at it. We are all very proud of him and I am sure that you will be hearing about him some day. I think the highlight of his day was when he was signing autographs and the “Hooter Girls” asked him to take a photo with them. As soon as I get it I’ll be posting a picture of him and his championship belt.

Yesterday I had another doctor’s appointment, my blood sugar was ok, my potassium level was in range, my blood pressure was a little high so we adjusted my medication some, not more just taking it earlier in the day. She upped my happy pill to two a day instead of one, I had a CT scan on my left hip, knee, and ankle to try and see why it does not work very well, I met with the Benefit Coordinator for the Cherokee Nation and we finished my appeal for Disability (I’m glad to get that out of the way) and I have lost 14 more pounds, that’s 54 pounds total since June 19th. Kind of helps on the dieting when you know it’s working, it still sucks though, all I ever think about is money and eating. Emily has been dieting with me and she has lost 10 pounds in the last month. We celebrated by having pizza last night, it was like heaven. She also started school today, her first day in High School (9th grade) she said everything went well and she likes most of her teachers. She has never gone to a school this big, there is more people in the 9th grade class here than there was at her old school all together. She is a little tired now and taking a nap, she probably won’t have any troubles going to sleep early tonight, I missed her today, I even woke up once and called for her before I remembered that she wasn’t here, I’ll get used to it though. I hope everyone has a good week. Peace and take care.

American Flag: $25.00

Gasoline: $2.00

Cigarette Lighter: $2.50

Catching yourself on fire because you are a Terrorist Asshole: PRICELESS

I liked this so much that I swiped it from my friend Frank, and I don't care who you are... that's FUNNY!

Emily’s Campfire

Last weekend my daughter Emily went camping at the lake. She went with her mother, her sister, and a few friends from her old school. Due to the dry weather and the imminent threat of grassfires, there is a “Burn Ban” on here in Oklahoma. That means no outdoor fires except for gas or charcoal grills, and sometimes not even those are allowed. So instead of the traditional campfire on the ground they had to make due with one in the park's grill. Emily took my camera along with them and took a photo of it after the sun went down.

Robin Williams, wearing a shirt that says "I love New York" in Arabic.

You gotta’ love Robin Williams...... Even if he's nuts!
Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan.
What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.

Robin Williams' "Plan"...
(Hard to argue with this logic!)

"I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for Peace. So, here's one plan."

1) "The US will apologize to the world for our "interference" in their affairs, Past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those "good ole boys", we will never "interfere" again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea, the Middle East, and the Philippines. They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal !!! France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit !!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign "students" over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a "D" and it's back home baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while .

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we'll go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up all of their storage sites should be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not "interfere." They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of us know that what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us "Ugly Americans" any longer.

11) The Language we speak is ENGLISH...learn it...or LEAVE...

Now, isn't that a winner of a Plan?
The Statue of Liberty is no longer Saying "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses". She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, "You want a piece of me?"

(my friend SW sent this to me)

FRIDAY'S "10"

This Is From Babs From Last Friday, I’m A Little Behind

1. I do not like friggin' dieting.

2. I wish I didn’t have to friggin’ diet.

3. I am friggin’ tired of dieting.

4. I want a to eat some friggin’ pie.

5. I did eat some friggin’ bacon on Saturday. I spent a lot of friggin’ time in the Crapper on Sunday, my friggin’ body is now rejecting pork.

6. I can't have any friggin’ pie.

7. I would eat pie wrapped with bacon smothered in friggin’ gravy if I could.

8. I friggin’ love pie.

9. I should inject Liquid Plumber into my friggin’ jugular vein.

10. I won't have any friggin pie again today.

If you read this, all my friggin’ homies on the sidebar, let me know what's up in your life with "10" !!

WARNING!

Police are warning all men who frequent clubs, parties & local pubs to be alert and stay cautious when offered a drink from any woman. Many females use a date rape drug on the market called "Beer".
The drug is found in liquid form and is available anywhere. It comes in bottles, cans, or from taps and in large "Kegs". Beer is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and sleep with them.
A woman needs only to get a guy to consume a few units of Beer and then simply ask him home for no strings attached sex. Men are rendered helpless against this approach. After several Beers, men will often succumb to the desires to sleep with horrific looking women ! Whom they would never normally be attracted
After drinking Beer, men often awaken with only hazy memories of exactly what happened to them the night before, often with just a vague feeling that "something bad" occurred. At other times these unfortunate men are swindled out of their life's savings, in a familiar scam known as "A Relationship."
In extreme cases, the female may even be shrewd enough to entrap the unsuspecting male into a longer term form of servitude and punishment referred to as "Marriage." Men are much more susceptible to this scam after Beer is administered and sex is offered by the predatory females.

Please! Forward this warning to every male you know.
If you fall victim to this "Beer" scam and the women administering it, there are male support groups where you can discuss the details of your shocking encounter with similarly victimized men.
For the support group nearest you, just look up "Golf Courses" in the phone book.
For a video to see how Beer works click here: Beer Demo

Well I'm An Idiot, But I don't Mind This Time.

It seems that I jumped the gun a bit. My friend's Mother made it through the night and is still with us today. After they took her off of the ventilator she started doing a little better on her own. She is a good Christian woman and turns out that she is a fighter, I should have known. She is still in pretty grim shape. They started her back on her meds today and this morning started her back on the respirator to give her some strength and to keep the fluid down on her lungs. Her family is around her and praying with her constantly. My friend said you can really feel the faith in the room and it's nothing short of miracle that she is still here. I thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts, I'm sorry that I misinformed everyone, I was not all together with it last night, I'll keep praying.

This is just one of the good memories that I have of her. Her name is Marilyn and she is 67 years old. Some times when my friend and I would go on a hunting trip she would send some type of special treat with us, a few years ago it was home made Plum Jelly made from plums that she had picked in their back yard from the house where my friend grew up. That jelly could turn a biscuit into something from out of this world. I can hardly even look at jelly without thinking of her. I told my friend today that she was as good as they came, and we sure tested her while growing up, he agreed and said if there was any evil in her we would have known it many times over, She is a good part of my past, it would be great if she could stick around. God bless her.