Sunny Daze

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She makes me smile.

She makes me smile.

This is the second day of sunny skies.  After an extended period of drab gray days.  It sure feels good.  And much good comes with it.

Yesterday, I received a call from the podiatrist’s office.  The recent blood test showed a very high white blood cell count.  They wanted me to come in right away.  I did.  I’m recovering well from the gout attack.  He ordered another blood test.

I saw the results (online) today.  White cell levels are back in the normal range.

Our friend, Vanilla, posted today.  Looks like he’ll be released from confinement next week.  I was feeling very good at this point.

A few minutes later, I was on my granddaughter’s FaceBook page.  She had posted a short video or her dancing with her father.  My spirits soared.  What a great day!

Good News

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Our friend, Vanilla, is on the mend.  I’m glad to see that and continue to wish (and pray for) him a speedy recovery.  Take a moment, visit his blog and leave a word of encouragement in a comment.  Thanks.

A Long Week

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Monday morning, I woke with a very sore left foot.  That happens from time to time, and it usually clears up later the same day or the next.  Not so this week.

I was able to get in to see my podiatrist today.  However, it was at his secondary location.  Which meant driving through Grand Rapids commuter traffic shortly after 5 PM.  For country souls, like Sylvia and me, that is not something we do if we can avoid it.

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This is not my foot.

After an examination and X-Rays, first guess is that I’m suffering from gout.  Tomorrow, I’ll have a prescription filled and have blood drawn for lab tests.

The podiatrist gave me an injection in the bunion.  He said, “This will probably hurt . . . a lot.”  He was not wrong.  I did manage to stay in position with some difficulty and many sound effects.  As he withdrew the needle he looked at me and said, “Well you are still smiling.  As usual.”  Seems I have a reputation of being a cheerful guy.

Why not?  It doesn’t cost any more.  If you do that, you’ll feel better and everyone around you will too.

Monday Rewind

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Why do I review old posts?   I want to remember what was on my mind a couple of years ago.  How about three or even five years?  This is from about five years ago.  The question was, “What does it look like to be a Christian?

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The Question

I stood the midnight watch atop the rampart
Sleep who wrapped me in her arms had fled
And loving mercy withheld slumber

The year was not yet three weeks old
In the frosty silence above the sleeping world
The hunter made his nightly circuit of the sky

The gibbous moon veiled the scene in ghostly light
And that weak light diminished the stars’ shine
Though its glory is but a poor reflection of the greater

A friend had shared from sincere heart
The thought with which he wrestled
The burning question in his mind

What does it look like to be a Christian
How do you know, how can you spot
That which is real from what is not

As I pondered on the thought and on my friend
My thoughts were bent toward persistent grace
And along side is untiring love

The fruit is borne on the inside
Outwardly, the form and fashion vary
Each of us a Work in Progress

What would your answer have been?

The original post went up in January 2011, part one and part two.

Beautiful Day

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I’ll admit that I loved Mr Rodgers’ theme song, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”  It is catchy and that’s the way I feel [almost] every day.

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Light snow over night left the road and driveways white.  What a beautiful sight!

Snow has continued and now only a bit of green is peeking through.  At this rate the world will soon be white.  What would you expect for February?

Sylvia and I, along with others are glad to see the report that Vanilla has moved to a rehab facility in his home town.  That should make life easier for his wife, JoAnn.

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Fun With Friends

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I’m feeling a little bit sad this morning.  Our friend, Vanilla, went back to the ICU yesterday.  We continue to pray for him and his lovely wife as he recovers from his recent surgery.  Also Sharkey will wrap her visit and head back home after lunch.

We’ve had a lot of fun, laughs and serious discussion.  Last night was our big music fest.  Sharkey with her accordion and Sylvia with her guitar.

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I don’t think you’ll find any of our music on a top-40 list from recent decades.  That doesn’t matter.  We love it and that’s good enough reason to play and enjoy it.

Looks like the rain forecast for this afternoon will come to pass.

To Each His/Her Own

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Last evening was open forum discussion night.
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Bed time came too soon.

After breakfast this morning, I had to rush off to the dentist’s office.  I must be transforming into royalty, because they put another gold crown on in my head.

When I returned home, Sharkey was on her laptop computer writing for her newspaper column.  Sylvia was reading on her Nook.  Not to be left out, I came into the office and started surfing with my desktop computer.  We may not have smart phones, but we can get entangled with our electronic devices.

The gals have gone on a walk.  It’s a beautiful day for doing anything outdoors.  I even feel sorry for our neighbors who are stuck in Florida.  I’m sure we’ll arrange an appropriate Michigan-winter welcome home for them.  You may know that means icy winds and knee-deep snow, but not today.

If you read this Vanilla, we wish you were here and not there recovering from heart surgery.  You are present in our thoughts and prayers.  Special thanks to your BBBH (wife), who has been keeping us informed of your progress.