We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
"If you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by 5, you'll get the distance in miles to the lightning: 5 seconds = 1 mile, 15 seconds = 3 miles, 0 seconds = very close."
Here is the lighthouse-keeper's house today (the Coast Guard moved the light itself to California):
This little brick structure in the back contained the kerosene, delivered by boat as needed, to keep Mayo Light burning to mark Wellfleet Harbor:
Just past Mayo Beach, through the 1920s, was the grand Chequessett Inn, built on pilings (the stumps of which still poke through the mud) and finally destroyed by an attack of sea ice in the 1930s. Rumor is that rum-runner boats would stop by at night, contributing to the Inn's popularity during Prohibition.
It was built by Mr. Lorenzo Dow Baker, the pioneer of the banana trade from the Caribbean and Central America. On a whim, he loaded his schooner's empty hold with tropical fruit for the return trip to Boston, and made millions. Mainly bananas, hitherto unknown in Boston. Ended up owning plantations all over Central America, and a big hotel in Jamaica. His employees were Jamaicans: They worked Wellfleet in the summer and the Jamaica hotel in the winter.
Baker's business became the Boston Fruit Company, the foundation of the United Fruit Company. A clever Yankee.
I've worn out my almost-daily gym sneakers. I use them for weights, cardio, everything, but the bottoms have gotten slippery and the insides are disintegrating. No surprise but I hate to give up on shoes I like.
I do have a pair of "running" shoes but I don't really run much these days. Stair machine is fine cardio if you go fast enough.
First World problems, right? I like Sperry Topsider sneakers on the boat. Good grip on a wet boat.
Only New Balance for me, cuz they make narrow sizes.
What exactly is cross-training? It's not what I do, because I do not have a primary sport any more due to injuries.
What do our gym rat readers like for mixed workouts?
For a boat engines (outboard, gas inboard, or diesel), probably annually or every 100 hrs, whichever comes first. If you put your boat away for winter, change oil when it goes for storage, not in the Spring. Some opine every 200-250 hrs.
I love the sea but I still maintain that any boat under the size of an ocean liner can make you feel trapped, clautrophobic. Of course, if your sailboat is in the Bermuda Race (which started yesterday), you are too busy to feel caged.
- Check marine weather forecast! - Radio check - GPS, radar, etc working - Decide on an initial harbor-clearing course, then a course to destination with waypoints - Generator working - Coffee machine working - Toilet working - Water tank filled - Plenty of diesel - Beer in fridge, water bottles, Coke too - snacks in galley - Bilge free of water - Check engine oil - Waste water holding tank not full (I will not dump at sea, but many do) - Anchor power working - Inform any guests re safety rules - Life jackets ok - If overnights, bedding stuff etc. - a few $10 and 20s for tipping gas docks, dockhands - American marine flag up
Plenty of friends do, but I do not. I have a bit of anxiety in general anyway. I like docks and permanent moorings for overnight. Met a guy this week with an antique wooden ketch (as beautiful as a tern) and he swore by his kedge anchor like the one on the photo. Nobody uses those...do they?
Another random post from Maggie's. Tooth care is a complete drag, whether at home or in the dental hyena's office.
I tend to do my tooth care in the shower, but I have always hated tooth care and anything related to dentistry. Having grown up with a dentist who thought novocaine was newfangled nonsense didn't help, but as a kid I was afraid of needles too.
Anyway, some of us are obsessive tooth-carers and some are less so.
Nowadays, we have lots of choices:
- Water-pic (my dentist wants me to use, but it's a hassle) - Old-fashioned toothbrush - Electric toothbrush (I use, but it tickles my palate to annoyance) - Sonic toothbrush (I want to try one)
Maybe permanent fake implants would be a good plan. (Photo is not me, thank God).
You have to discuss your life in detail, and expose your physical condition. Yes, they like to be Psychiatrists too if they are smart. I will submit to it every two years or so. One problem is that they always find something to look into even if it doesn't matter. But sometimes it really does... You do not want to end up like my brother-in-law who I thought was the fittest guy in the family.
My doctor is a gym rat - more so than I am - and about 50% grey haired. Looks awesome, and I do not. My fasting glucose was a bit high, so he asked me about my food habits. I told him that, normally, I have 2 coffees for breakfast. He said he was the same. I told him that lunch makes me sleepy, so I usually only have a banana except on weekends. He said he was the same. He asked me what I had for supper last night. I said Thai take out. Cashew Beef I think, which I shared with Mrs.
I told him my appreciation for beer and wine. He thought that was fine.
Then we discussed my blessed Ambien for sleep, especially on planes. He thought that was good, and gave me five refills. I told him that low-dose Doxepin works, but produces too many bad dreams for me.
As an old-time fuddy-duddy I guess, I have always thought these were the only things in a man's wardrobe that would provide some color or interest.
JFK helped eliminate mens' hats by never wearing them, but hats were already going out at the time. Now we're at baseball caps instead of fedoras.
What about our male readers? Women love scarves, and a tie is sort-of the same idea. Nice private schools - and charter schools, still require semi-formal dress or uniforms. It works, from the outside in.
I am reposting this qestion because, as in church generally, I wore a tie at my father-in-law's funeral service a few weeks ago with my new dark blue suit. I'd guess half of the guys wore a tie. Very few guys wore a suit.
How often do you guys put on a tie? Church, work, theater, nice restaurant, weddings, funerals, etc?
What has occurred in the last week, for me, has been significantly bad. Nothing measured or caught for medical worseness - just that radiation on your brain for 6 weeks slowly causes growth in skull brain reduction in the region after about 4-5 weeks as language and memory slows due to expansions of brain from this. Over time, this will reduce. It ended all yesterday and I headed down to FL to live with my in-laws who were very grateful to offer themselves to me. They are in their late 87s and in wonderful shape than my own parents - and they have been AMAZINGLY HELPFUL helping me with my word members and working through when I hit memory or language slowdowns. As an FYI, over 32 years of married to their daughter, I have gained a great deal of love and support for these people, even as both my parents and one stepmother remain alive, they are simply not capable of keeping up with me at all the way my in-laws have. I owe them great love and support for their effort and support.
Aw it's so hard lately to get anything done. Took 2 weeks to prepare taxing prep and set with the accountant. Finally completed it all by 4/5 but required TONS of working to prep.
We won't be getting much home, but we did discover several things we'd lost along the way. The only thing I'm still struggling with is why my tax accountant won't announce the $12,000 stolen from a previous recruitment account where someone had figured out a path into it - and FBI and local Police have that information on papers. But supposedly it's not available as a write off for payments so he won't claim this. I do not understand how or why the government wouldn't allow people to claim stolen income loss. It's remarkable or he's bad - but he's very good and sent the data. So I'm not sure what I need to do.
I am done radiology and chemo on 4/15. By 4/22 I'll be back at work at my office again for at least 2 week, then a vacation set first full week in May down on Bahamas...so I am looking forward to the return with work again and my new treatment.
I received yet ANOTHER article by a Canadian doctor doing a lot of cancer treatment using Ivermectin. I do not know 100% that the link from Covid Vaccines is playing the role - but I have been reading more and more supporting this potential that is NOT being reviewed or studied. So much so, several AI sources were removing legitimate articles making the claim - I found this odd and sent AI restrictions and was told it was designed to end "lies" yet none of these were proven as lies. This latest one further leads a bit to options - I am NOT SAYING THESE ARE TRUTHFUL FIXES and real. But they are highly supportive so far if a larger group will begin to look into and address all this. Here is an example of someone is trying to utilize - I am not selling this as 100% legitimate. I am saying it is possible and is not being reviewed. My view is many potential options are deliberately being ignored and quieted.
I am getting healthier, however, as radiology ends down I am slipping to some misspelling and word shortages from time to time. My apologies. It was warned by my doctor and my speech therapy treater. It's not long lasting - just temporary short issues of brain intact from radiology. I have had up and down days. The main item - one great day with trips in to NYC to see friends for 5-6 hours, then very tired and troubled the next day...
Reality is my meeting with my Pastor was very nice and our conversations have been growing. I do not fully buy into my Catholic past, but it is still very good and how I grew up. I'm not specializing overall for myself. I am wide open - and I will handle well shared comments and views.
I wish I could go out and do more. I will remention that my plan is to buy tickets for the English Beat and Adam Ant concert tomorrow. Hoping I continue to feel well enough. As I mention, I had quite the list of titles from my visit to several concerts in 1983 in London. I do miss that era. I covered quite a bit back then...so I will cover many now if I can.
By the way - reminder - view "Defending Your Life" - one of my favorite Albert Brooks great ones. I feel it treats how I approach my own situation now...
As I mentioned, I want to write more as my system continues or alters. Sadly, it's been nuts for slightly over 2 weeks with a lot going on. I can share information or a few things, because it's been mostly good, but there are a few items.
1. Due to Chemo and Radiology daily (5 days) I have seen my health drop. Not significantly, but enough to definitely feel awful. Nausea, then treated. Weakness, handled by some improvements which manage a bit more extensively. The last 2 weeks allow the assistance of steroid assistance allowed in lower levels. Headaches higher the past 3 days. Treatments allowed in higher levels. As mentioned, my hair is long cut (and I'll share my lovely look now lately).
2. Overall feeling better in treatment as weekly doctor meeting have opened the assistance and treatment gains. Greatly appreciated. I have been in the city twice over 4 years, will add tomorrow and next week - though weakness is down slightly.
3. Radiology lost one day due to errors wasting 3 hours waiting last week - my day shifted by one day so my last day is 4/15 Monday - but I am heading immediately to leave Mrs. Bulldog behind as her parents will allow me to resolve in FL as I'll need restness and softness at the local beach. It will be helpful. Great to have healthy in-laws.
I do have some updates, but I have been busy. Short update(s). First, my personal close family arrived yesterday. Sister and her family (husband and children) from Vienna, Austria in arrivement. My father and his wife also arrived. My mother and my sister (who cares for her at age 88) arrived. My brother and his wife also arrived. All of this time spending and tiring, but essential with some more opportunities but with a less likelihood for complete original involvement of this kind likely again soon.
I also have a new teach announced for in 3 weeks as a potential which was unknown, sudden, and possible starting after April's first week. I have been doing calls and set ups for that as well as preparation for an early MRI and completing chemo and radiology, while taking an in-laws family trip this weekend shortly.
There other stories I will expand on a future day (Monday or Tuesday) but the key point are two fold. One is a larger natural public completion I will present to High School children after I speak with two of my pastors and possibly a local Rabbi of a friend. Another is using that as a larger presentation for more options possibly in video and/or public revolutions after it is seen on Maggie's Farm.
The second fold is this attached story - a great shortage resolution of the value of Reservoir Dogs by Quentin Tarantino. While I have found many very good Tarantino films, Reservoir Dogs has been, since its release, as one of the greatest of its kinds. I have loved it only slightly less than Pulpy Fiction. Tarantino had several good films, but these were his two best overall in my view. My son did a wonderful set up and arranging a discussion about Reservoir Dogs and made it very much worth reading - I recommend it today and will follow up later with more. Enjoy this, I was overwhelmed by his knowledge as quite excellent.
One side note. If you have not seen The Conversation, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ASAP as the 50th anniversary this year. With Cazale in it, the film was largely ignored in the US in 1974 for poor reasoning by criticals. It is, by far, a great film overlooked back then. It was Cazale's poorest US film, its only wealth winning a Cannes 1974 Palme d'Or. It also won or was nominated for various Academy Awards, BAFTA and Golden Globes, in addition to MANY others. It starred surprisingly great actors. Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Teri Garr, Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford, and Robert Duvall put together an AMAZING story with top level management and story making. Phenomenal and widely overlooked until only now. My other son, upon my call after watching it, surprised me shockingly by admitting the very day before he'd seen a local Manhattan Film offer for The Conversation's 50th Anniversary and he took it in and was overwhelmed by its great production for 1974. I laughed and agreed deeply with him. I highly recommend this if you have time, too.
I'll write more about news or information later this week. It's been a bit busy for me. Will explain more information and updates.
But some fun is starting and I'm more interested in who you're rooting for in March Madness. My team favorite (Syracuse) did not make it, some difficult losses meant no offer and they passed on even attending NIT. Probably better. NIT is not much of a gain for anyone lately. I disagree, but some people take that view. Long ago NIT was more important than NCAA tournament, but seems after 1960 or so, NCAA overwhelmed NIT.
At any rate, I'm of the view this year that Purdue has the best option to win. They fell short the last 2 years despite a better team. I've seen this before, and in the past teams that pull 2 year stunts of that nature but still reach a high level in the NCAA third, they'll push for a long chance and probably win. Virginia was probably the most recent option like this several years ago. It's my view Purdue can do this. Big 10 is, typically a lousy NCAA option. This may be their best chance and Big 10 is long overdue. The closest you could get is Maryland of 2002 - but Maryland is Big 10 now and was ACC back then, so that DOES NOT count. Which means 2000 with Michigan State is the last truly Big 10 victory. 5 others have made the final - Michigan (twice), Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio State - but all of these lost the victory. Big 10 has not shown value. It is my view Purdue is the one to pull that off. Big 10 is long overdue.
But that's just my view. Share yours if you're interested. Would love to hear options and beliefs regarding the outcome.
Do readers trust anchors overnight? 
Another random post from Maggie's. Tooth care is a complete drag, whether at home or in the dental hyena's office. 
