*HEROES*

Hero -a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal:

  What really makes a Hero ? This question has been asked many times throughout history and has been answered in many ways. It is almost always relative to the situation at hand. Throughout history we have had a process for recognizing Hero's in the Military, and Public Service Sector [police,firefighters,ems personal].

  While in the Military I received recognition on several occasions for such action as defined by the U.S. Army,[i was young and perhaps foolish]. In one instance, several of us received awards at the same time for a particular event, as the details were being recited from the citation at the ceremony several of us looked at each other in surprise. Much of what was being read was not as we recalled the event [everyone remembers such things differently?]. We were cited for "holding our ground against a superior enemy force" [by our recollection we were surrounded and had no choice] "extraordinary ingenuity and resourcefulness''  [if ya got no bullets ya gota do something] "remained in position although wounded and continued to provide medical care to his fellow soldiers" [once again there was no place to go and that was my job].

  I am proud of having been so recognized and take nothing away from those who have dangerous jobs and who do them with out question. I have close family members in EMS and Police work who risk their lives daily without special attention. Most of the Hero's of 9/11 were those type of people, those on the planes who may have fought back  most certainly responded 'above and beyond'. 

  I have a retired Air Force Colonel as a friend and he and I were discussing the Presidential aspirations of a man who was shot down over North Vietnam and became a POW. I referred to the man as a Hero and my friend said "Hell, I flew over the DMZ dozens of times and  never got shot down." In recent weeks our President has awarded The Congressional Medal Of Honor to two people, one whose service was decades ago, and the other who is the first in our current conflicts to have not received his posthumously.It is situational.
   I wrote about the Hero's we commonly think of in order to talk about another kind, mostly unrecognized. From time to time you do see articles and stories about 'everyday Hero's. I want to talk about some I know.I will not use their real names, just their stories.
   The REAL Hero's are those who everyday, do their jobs, care for their families, are good neighbors, good friends, We all say, almost daily if not more often, "Life is hard right now". "Things are bad", "It is hard to make a living". All these things are true,but many are making it anyway. Over the next week I want to tell the stories of a few of these people who have made an impression on me. Some of the stories will be about very unique individuals and some regular guys and gals but who are Hero's none the less.


 



 

“ To be or not to be, IS THAT A QUESTION ?”

    No, this is not a misquote of Shakespeare, it was is a paraphrase by the Old Guy.  I did, as I often do, answer my own question, [I am seldom sure if the answer is correct but I do get an answer] . To be or not to be? Has no real answer. We are who we are and despite our attempts to redefine [or design] ourselves through education, enlightenment (spiritually and emotionally), geographical changes, changes in social groups, etc. We are who we are !
    No mater how much paint you put on the barn, it is still a barn. That is not to say that you should not try to improve your self by any means. Self improvement lets you be who you are.
    My ancestors were and are simple country people, we were not born to royalty or high position we were farmers, merchants, soldiers and preachers. These are of course honorable occupations and important ones. I have relatives who do not want others to know about their humble beginnings in Texas and Oklahoma, we have documented Native American blood and there are some who even deny that.
    While life’s experiences make us what we are, not who we are. Some of the worlds best educated, best looking, most successful people are not very good people. We see examples everyday in the News and in our neighborhoods . People with every opportunity to be good and do good, blow it !All [or most] of us have made some serious BAD choices in our lives.
    Almost 20 years ago I experienced  a “Chemical Dependency” problem [not something furnished by DOW or Johnson & Johnson] . The first in my family [at least that had become public knowledge], one of just a few in my small town [again, Who knows?]. After attempting to “hide” the problem for many months, without success. I lost two businesses, a very nice home, damaged family relationships and experienced legal problems.
    I voluntary entered Rehab. [Seems quite the thing to do today] Although the physic courses I had attended should have led me to a different conclusion I first blamed my associates, then my wife, then my job which supplied me with enough money to get into trouble. After a few weeks of clearer thinking I realized I had a ME problem.
    I came to realize and accept that one “root” problem was that despite my success, my community standing, social position I was still just Plain Old Me.  That was not a bad thing [being ME] what was bad was that I had gotten caught up in, as many do in the “Rat” race. Only to realize that all my competitors were also “Rats”, and “Rats” are cannibals. Once my troubles started most of the “Social and Community Rats” jumped ship. Despite my connections-friends, clients, business associates even relatives I had few visitors while in rehab.
    One couple however set me on my way to recovery in a way , that no matter how many times I tell them will they ever realize how important their visit was. One Sunday  a staff member said , you have some visitors. I went to the day room and there sat a couple from my town whom I actually did not “know” well, I had been their customer and had seen them at local eateries a few times. At first I thought they might be there to see someone else.
    They stood and greeted me, she hugged me and he shook my hand. Their message was that they respected my willingness to get help, stating that they knew many others in our town with a similar problem as mine who would not seek help. They came to see me they said, because behind the facade I had created and the one that had dissolved they saw the real ME and liked what they saw and wanted me to know that.

"To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?"

 Thanks Bill. 

"What in the World is Wrong With Us ? ?"

I have been told that my recent series on Medical Care in America may have been a little to "HEAVY". 

One of the points I was attempting to make, and did I think,is that we lack a sense of personal responsibility [this is not a new concept it is being shouted everywhere TV,Radio,Newspapers and the internet.] There is one factor that I see in many of the problems we face, and one I suffer from personally is that we are- 
L  A  Z  Y
There are many reasons for the condition and many facets, it effects every area of out lives and often we are so lazy we don't realize it.

 Blame game.

          Is never holding yourself responsible for your actions. In life there are only a few true accidents, the rest of the bad luck we suffer from can be honestly laid onto our selves [we are our own worst enemies]. Most of the time if we would have done something differently, made the right choice, did the ethical thing, asked for help, not lost your cool, or had showed up on time that "thing" would not have happened.. You show up to work 15 minutes late and get in trouble. Do you blame the traffic for being backed up,You had to grab breakfast , you had no clean cloths? Or do you take responsibility and next time make a point of leaving early because you know traffic will be backed up, you get up a little earlier and make breakfast and do your wash several days before.

Lazy people will always point the blame elsewhere. Non-lazy people will look at themselves first and ask "What could I have done differently?"

Unethical Behavior

Cheating, lying, stealing are three separate actions but still fall under unethical. Whether it's coming up with next months rent by stealing, covering up something you did or did not do with a lie. All unethical practices, all ways to get out of making an effort, all pure laziness. Now days people are becoming more and more aware of body language, in order to tell if someone is hiding something, not telling the truth, etc. Body Language is something that only the most skillful can fake, the majority of us would fail at. When you ask a lazy person why some task was or was not completed, their shoulders drop,eyes down cast, voice breaking when they start blaming.

Lazy people will cut corners and fore-go all effort with lies, stealing and cheating. Non-lazy people will make that extra effort to do what's honest, be honest.

Spoiled Person

Have you ever taken a close look at that kid in the grocery store who's throwing a fit because they can't get what they want? When you see someone get upset when things don't go their way, the first word that usually comes to mind is 'Spoiled'. A responsible person takes responsibility for their actions, makes an effort to get along with others as well as share their bounty.There are spoiled adults as well as children. Next time you get upset when something doesn't go your way, picture yourself as a spoiled child. Are you a spoiled brat? Lazy people don't like making an effort. It takes an effort to get along with others, it takes effort to hold yourself responsible, it takes effort to control your emotions. Effort is not a lazy trait; therefore lazy people only put out on enough effort to get what they want and it is usually the effort to get you to do things for them.

Lazy people will not control their emotions, compromise, or share the wealth. Non-lazy people enjoy seeing everyone happy and make a point of getting along.

In regards to political and societal matters the general populace can count apathy as our worst curse, while a large number of people are becoming less apathetic the reason there is less action than talk is the one sighted above.

In a recent Blog I listed the steps to the ruin of a civilization or nation. I post them again for review.

 From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage

"Sick Are We ?" Controling Medical Costs- Part FIVE

This fifth installment of my Blog on the “Business of Medicine” will be the last in the series, I feel I have “vented” enough [for the time being] .
Obviously it is a subject of great interest and concern for me as it should be for everyone, as the health of ourselves and our families is paramount.
    I have stated before that this issue is one on which many political decisions and careers are hinging. It has replaced the “War” and the “Economy” [to which it is closely tied, 17 % of our GDP is Health Care related] in the hearts and minds of most Americans.
    If you choose to reread the past installments all of them are Archived on this site, and the subject may be revisited from time to time. I have devoted most of my life to the health care field and am very concerned both as a consumer and a provider.
    One of the major problems with any issue in society, is that the public is complicity- “just leave it alone ,it will work out-it is not my problem-there is noting we can do anyway-it does not effect me and other such statements are common.”
    We cannot-“just leave it alone, it will work out” We the people must be proactive by doing what we can as individuals , if we leave it alone the Government will “Fix” it for us and I guarantee that will be UNHEALTHY.
“it is not my problem” It is YOUR problem. Unless you are perfectly healthy and do not expect to die. “there is noting we can do anyway-”  I have pointed out many ways we can and we must control our demand for “Burger King” medical care.  “it does not effect me “ Unless you are a mountain top hermit you are effected , either by high premiums for health insurance, including the inability to afford any. The quality of care you and your family does receive and increased costs reflected in the price of everything we purchase.
    Two more areas of concern before I let this subject take a “nap”
PRESCRIPTIONS - Meds, Scripts, RX’s, My Pills, The stuff I take, What ever you call them is the single, largest cause of increases in medical costs.
This may be the one area of the “Business of Medicine” in which “if you build it they will come” may be true. As a member of the Health Care Profession I am frustrated and saddened when I see so many commercials on TV and in Magazines for the latest new drug and often vanity prescription for “medical” problems, which most of us would never know we had in the first place. The most recent is an aid for men with bags under their eyes, [Good G-D, most of us were born with bags under our eyes and will certainly die with them]. ED, PAD, UTI, COPD, CAD, HBP, ADM, [it seems if we just give them initials they seem more serious] not that these problems are not significant to those who have them, but many people run to their Doctor and demand the newest and latest cure for the newest and latest medical problem [Doctors hate this and the companies who advertise like this] we have become a nation of hypochondriacs. Many Doctors dismiss immediately complaints from patients when they come in demanding a specific medication for a condition they have seen on TV. [Doctors do not LIKE to be told what to do, somehow they think their years of schooling and experience make them the expert !].
    Do you ever listen to the long, and quickly recited list of possible side effects of most of these medications ? Many people, particularly the elderly find them selves taking additional meds to control the side effects of things they may really need to sustain a quality of life. “SAY NO TO DRUGS” when you can, while I am not a big fan of “Holistic” medicine, there are many natural substances we can utilize to achieve better health. These commercials remind me of Gracie Slicks song "White Rabbit"
I mentioned in an earlier Blog how significant the Pharmaceutical business was, a major portion of their budgets go to marketing NOT research and development. They have increasingly larger sales staffs filled with MBA’s not RN’s or RPH’s. [pharmacists]

     

Finally ,there are in place fraud and abuse laws and regulations for ALL insurers including Medicare and Medicaid , if WE report violations and insist on action and compliance with current law costs will come down.

Americans get off your “hemorrhoids” ,use your “wax built up” ears, “blurry” eyes and “scratchy” throat to speak up. Use your “tired” feet to take you to the polls and use your “dry, flaky” hands to vote against ANY type of Government controlled medical plan. 

MY LIFE AND YOURS DEPENDS ON IT !

   

"Sick Are We ?" Controling Medical Costs- Part Four.

I ended my last Blog on “The Business of Medicine” by mentioning-
“Who is to blame ? TRIAL LAWYERS- STUPID GREEDY  PEOPLE- NUISANCE SUITS.”
    I want to expand on that. My title tag line >Sick Are We ?; was inspired by watching TV and seeing the enormous number of “Commercials” encouraging people to sue almost everyone for anything, “Have you ever taken X ?, had a Y, been exposed to Z ?- if so, have you or ANYONE you know suffered, sleepless nights, double vision, memory loss, abnormal hair growth, skin rash, sore mussels, hair loss………. If so contact -Sueem and Winn, Attorneys At Law - 1 800- GET RICH, operators standing by, [not licensed in all states or ethical in any]. While the legal profession, despite jokes to the contrary, is a noble and necessary one. The people who encourage this type of suite are disgrace to the profession. Adds like these make almost anyone, want to pick up the phone and call. [I have been tempted my self, but had no justifiable resin]
   TRIAL LAWYERS- Several years ago, at almost the beginning of this “craze’’ I was asked by a Lawyer friend to provide some testing for individuals who had taken a particular diet drug, someone had identified a “possible” cardiac problem associated with its use. I worked only ONE day. There were several signs that all was not “kosher”. First- Payment for services would be deferred until the case was settled. Second- My Lawyer friend was working for a large out of state firm and all cases were referred to them. Third- The “clients” were found through half page adds run in several regional newspapers with the headline “HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN XYZ?” and Fourth- I was asked to perform procedures and interpret them in ways which were not in keeping with current Medical protocols or established guidelines for the testing conducted.
    STUPID GREEDY PEOPLE ; Many of the people who came to be evaluated could not prove they had ever taken the medication in question, many did not appear to have ever had a problem with their weight and for many, if they had taken it ,they got a very poor result. I gave a preliminary “report” to the Lawyer indicating the degree of “damage” the person might have if any at all, those who had no evidenced were told the results and dismissed. Those with any degree of damage were scheduled for more definitive testing.
    Many of those who were dismissed were angry ,demanding to be retested or suggesting that the exam they had undergone was inadequate. I was shocked that someone would be upset that they showed no evidence of a potentially life threatening condition and I was angry that my 20 plus years of experience were being challenged. The ones who were referred for more testing wanted to know how much money they could get and how soon and if they got “sicker“ between now the hearing could they get more money.- These are STUPID GREEDY PEOPLE.
    NUISANCE SUITS- In a few states judges are beginning to evaluate civil cases before they are heard to dismiss  so called Nuisance suits. These are defined as suits in which the plaintiffs [patients] case is weak and the defendant [Hospital or Doctor] must spend money and time to defend themselves, the amount sued for is general small, a few thousand dollars, so the defendant usual settles out of court to avoid negative publicity and legal expenses in excess of the amount sued for. These suits are commonly filed by greedy Lawyers on behalf of greedy clients. I have seen suits filed against Hospitals for things as stupid as “unappetizing food” during hospital stays, employees being "rude" to them and crowded waiting rooms at Doctors offices.Hospital "risk management" directors and Doctors Attorneys recommend quick payment and the cost is passed on to us.

Greedy Americans, and the Lawyers who take their cases add millions of dollars to The nations Medical bill every year.

In Part Five we will talk about the Pharmaceutical Companies and Insurance coverage and regulations , 

"It's a Hard Pill to Swallow "
   

   

Sick are we ? Three -“Medicine as a Business”

    The reasons behind the high and rising cost of medicine are multitude, I can list a few ,greed, consumer demand, greed, cost of technology, greed and a lack of an informed populace. The lack of information has many sources or causes, among them; an inability of those in the profession to communicate with the public in a way they can understand; a lack of desire to KNOW by the public [we see public service spots almost everyday encouraging us to ask questions of health care providers] Most welcome our desire to be more involved in our own care, but there still exists the “What they don’t know wont kill them” attitude.
    The following are some suggestions that we as consumers can utilize to reduce costs, and some explanation of why cost are as high as we find them today. The Government cannot and will not solve the problem through MORE legislation ,regardless of what we are told. Those motivated by greed will not take less unless we make them or change our own habits. 

**IT IS A CONSUMER DRIVEN MARKET**

    When you seek care, ask questions, it will soon become apparent whither your provider is willing to communicate with you. Ask the NURSE, they are well educated and may have a little more time to answer your questions regarding your medications and treatments. When given a prescription , let the Pharmacist talk with you regarding it. Yes we are all busy, but DON’T use the drive up at your drug store, if you care and are concerned about your health take the time to go inside and get the brief “Consolation” which is offered at most drug stores today. Read all the cautions and information provided to you, yes it takes time but it can prevent you from running out of time forever (death).Death Mints

    DO NOT USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM AS A DOCTORS OFFICE !

This one is a big “bugaboo” for almost everyone in the health care business, I worked for a number of years in various emergency rooms in several parts of the country. Over use of the ER has long been a serious problem which is a prime cause of increased health care costs. This has been an issue for many years , now days many hospitals have “Rapid care clinics” of some sort at their facilities, there are after hours and emergent care clinics in almost every town and city. Use them. Use Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants when those options are available they provide up-to-date levels of care, and are in it because they want to be. You will be seen quicker and referred when you have a problem out side their scope of practice and are better regulated than MD’s.
    Emergency Rooms are very expensive to staff and are almost always the least profitable cost center in the Hospital. Charges in other hospital areas are kept high to off set losses in the emergency room. [The most profitable cost center in the Hospital is Cardiac Services. Unless it is an absolute emergency , Cardiac Catheritization, Angioplasty, Stinting and other such procedures should get a second look.] Emergency room care is expensive because NO licensed Emergency room can refuse care to you, Government regulations prevent it, besides insurance costs for hospitals , which is already astronomical would become galactic if a patient were turned away and were to suffer loss of limb or a have their illness extended.

CAUTION- DO NOT HESITATE TO USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM,IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING  CHEST PAIN OR BREATHING DIFFICULTIES !

    Insurance, the big buzz word today.Malpractice insurance costs have driven many good Doctors out of practice , we have some areas of the country where Obstetrical services are almost non existent due to malpractice insurance costs. Insurances companies base all premiums including you health care  on “claims adjusted/paid” this number is calculated in two ways; First, how large is the pool of money “netted” from customers in a specific demographic vs. payment of claims, and claims adjusted down and Second- [this is a biggie] how much money was paid in settlements in suits brought against medical practitioners and medical facilities in the same demographic regardless of which insurance company paid them. Yes, your insurance company charges you if someone wins a large claim against a Doctor or medical facility even if they did not pay the claim. Why? - if a precedence is set by suits filed and won in your demographic chances are they will get hit also. Who is to blame ? TRIAL LAWYERS- NUISANCE SUITS- STUPID GREEDY PEOPLE.

I know this may be boring to some of you, My purpose is to provide, as best as I can, information and observations which effect the issue of Health Care in America. An issue which this Administration has made its primary goal and on which the November Election may hinge.

There is more to come , Part FOUR soon.

Sick Are we ? -2 , More of the “Business of Medicine”

Sick Are we ?  2  More “Business of Medicine”

    A few years ago I wrote an article for a local paper while I was still working at a Hospital in a small town in Arizona. The issue at hand was the building of a second Hospital in the town. The existing Hospital was a County controlled “Not For Profit” facility, part of the motivation [at lest publicly] for building the new Hospital was to provide expanded and improved care for the large rural area we lived in.
    The article I wrote was entitled “Can we afford to be Well”  My conclusion was NO,  Not and have what we want when we want it.
Medical care like any other “Business” is consumer driven , You can, almost, get what you want. While many businesses are built on the theory that “If you build it they will come” in reality this is not the case. Empty strip malls and restaurant buildings across the nation testify to that. The empty factory and manufacturing facilities are vacant because their owners have discovered that goods they produced can be manufactured cheaper elsewhere or they have been unable to keep up with technological advances.
    The Medical profession bases it training model and it’s R and D on what people want. The post WW II era brought with it a new desire and a newly designed American Dream. Until that time Medical practitioners were task primarily with saving lives, this is still the ultimate goal, I have a Son and Daughter-in-Law who are both active and aggressive Paramedics and both have advanced training in Trauma and Cardiac life support. I my self spent many hours working in Emergency Rooms with the goal of providing acute life saving care.
        The post WW II era brought with it a consumer demand for a longer life in which to enjoy the American Dream. The Health Care industry heard the call and Medical School Deans their Boards and the owners of pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies world wide responded. Millions of dollars and many newly educated brains began to work on new ways to give us more years. The space race brought amazing new technology with associated benefits in all aspects of American life. The Viet Nam War, as damaging as it was for our country demonstrated our ability to save lives which just a few years before would have been lost. The awesome abilities of emergency room physicians and trauma surgeons is directly related to the lessons learned in Viet Nam. [That is a collateral effect which is acceptable].
    In the almost thirty years I have been involved in the Health Care business, I have both been a part of, and witnessed amazing advances in medical care. People live much longer now than ever before. This country provides the most advanced medical care possible.
    Several years ago, and almost no one I know in this business can tell you exactly when the public's demand shifted again.
    We went from SAVE US to LET US LIVE LONG to LET US LIVE WELL. Most of us in the health care industry agree that this is the best for everyone. We like to help provide quality of life. For many years , people in this industry have discussed in public and private our thoughts and concerns for patients and families who find it difficult, If not impossible to consider quality of life over quantity of life.
    This has either already become an issue for us personally or will be something you will deal with in the future. The philosophical and technological shift has contributed to the increased cost of health care in this country, Medicine like any other “Big” entity is slow to move and it is expensive to move so many minds and established institutions.
    The care available is “Consumer Driven” just like any other industry.
We want safer and more economical Automobiles- They cost more.
Better and faster Computers and hand held communication devices-They cost more. The same is true in this business.

In part three we will look at ways to control costs at any cost !

Sick, are we ? [The Business Of Medicine]

An essay on the Medical Profession and The Business of Medicine.

   
    From my earliest memory I wanted to be involved in the health care field. When I was a child, when asked “What do you want to be when you grow-up?” My answer was “A Missionary-Doctor-Archeologist.” {people still ask me what I want to be when I grow-up}.
    As with many of us, we may not always reach our peak goals, but I have been reasonably satisfied with what I have achieved. I attend Church on a fairly regular basis; been an EMT, Cardiac Sonographer and Nurse; and am an avid History Buff.
    I have been involved in the medical business from a number of angles, I have been an employee, a business owner and partner, worked in all sizes of Hospitals and private practices and in Practice Management and as a consultant. Among my close friends I count. Doctors, Lawyers, Doctors who are Lawyers, Nurses, Hospital Administrators, Drug and Medical Supply Reps, Insurance Agents and consumers [the above named people are consumers as well, none of us are unaffected] I get input from many sources regarding “The Business Of Medicine”.
    Twenty years ago a Doctor who I worked with and for said “Herb, good medicine is good business.” I have remembered that often and tried to make it a rule when I was in business. [this man is now a member of Congress and I believe that is still his conviction]  Sadly during the ensuing 20 years Medicine has become more of a business than a calling. The highest paid sales jobs in the nation are those of Pharmaceutical Salespeople and Medical Equipment Sales, most profitable are those dealing with Cardiology which was my primary area of interest.
    Few Doctors are actually wealthy. Certainly most make a comfortable living and they deserve to, considering the expense of their education and training and the actual hours they work. [most take their own call or share call with just a few others, their day starts hours before their office time and continues after ‘office hours’]. However ,Harvard School of Business did a study of incoming students  and those who stated that their goal was to make money fast and acquire a comfortable retirement quickly. The majority of those surveyed elected to go to medical school !
    I still feel that most of those who enter the medical field at any level do so because of a desire to help the hurting. Big money and big business have attracted many with different motives in recent years. The last Hospital I worked at was a teaching Hospital and I got know many of the Emergency and Family Practice Residents we had on staff. Many were there because they really wanted to be Doctors, but an increasing number have a more mercenary motivation. One young man who’s Father is also an MD said without any reservation “I wasn’t smart enough to get into law school and don’t have a good head for business so I went to Med School.”

 Part Two in a few days will cover "Costs-Contributing and Containing"

Retirement ?

RETIREMENT- is the point where a person stops employment completely (or decides to leave the labor force if he or she is unemployed). A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.
     I "retired" (left my old career field, and "regular" work hours) just over a year ago, I had FINALLY tired of the proverbial '9 to 5', and increasingly frustrated with 'Medicine'.
     Many friends and family were concerned that when I retired I would do what many have done (become sedentary and die) but I have always been a busy person, involved in lots of things. I looked forward to retirement so I could do many of them, when living in Arizona I had some livestock projects I wanted to expand, started wood carving, glass etching, painting and making reproductions of "Native American" items.I have been working on a book for several years and was going to devote more time to that.
     However after re-evaluating affairs of the heart and finances we decided to move Home to Louisiana, where we had family [kids, grand kids] .Moving back has changed some things, such is life, space limitations have but the "Art Work" on hold, and 'new' career developments have limited the time dedicated to the book [I am saving for a good lap top so I can work while on set !].
     Two landmark events occurred this past Labor Day weekend which have set me to reflecting on
"retirement" again, I used a "GARMIN" for the first time, my Son lent me his [I want to know how that British dude knows so much about North Louisiana] The other landmark was my 45 Th HIGH SCHOOL reunion. YES, FORTH-FIVE YEARS- a life time for many !
     I did not get to attend in the flesh but enjoyed the pics and video's via the internet [great technological progress in 45 years] as I viewed the pictures I wondered who those "Old" people were who were pretending to be my former classmates. We seldom picture ourselves growing old, both my Son's are graying, my oldest Daughter just turned 40 and my eldest Son will soon be 41. I am fortunate in that I am most always surrounded by younger people. The girl I am married to now, did not witness the first manned space flight, and was born the year after the "Beatles" came to America.
     In the line of work I am involved in now most of my associates are are 15-20 years or more younger than I.It is a good feeling to be able , in most cases, to keep up with them, to be able to work as long and hard as they many of them are surprised to discover that I am in my 60's [they think I am prematurely White Haired].
     I have much to be thankful for,I am in reasonably good health, I limp from some old wounds, and have a couple of medical issues caused by poor life style choices [20 lbs over weight and High Blood Pressure]. I have many new and old friends and a family that tolerates me and asks for my help and advice as if they still need me.A wise man, I believe it was Mark Twain who said "The only problem with youth is that it is wasted on the young."

I am going, now to sit in my recliner with a bowl of Ice Cream and record "Americas Got Talent", in case I fall asleep and text unsolicited advice to people I think might need it !

I can get away with it because I am old.