End of 2015
I will continue to evolve I believe by the Grace.
I know that I will do better, make choices that are not as troublesome.
I've learned a lot for my 61st year.
Tis is Tis
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Tis a Lil bit Warm on this Christmas Day 2015
Christmas Day in the Deep Deep South.
It's Humid Today, temps are hovering around 77* at the moment.
Today, I will venture out to the Judge's Home for a lil cocktail before Noon, then its off to Bob and John's, we will have Red Fish, from the Gulf today. The Red Fish comes by the way of friends who fish the Gulf on a regular basis. Bob and John are the new guys, who have moved into the neighborhood, both very dynamic, vibrant, great Spirits. Then if I feel like it, I will take a bike ride over to the Mayor's house for a cocktail and maybe stay for Supper....
But, and the is always a But, I am not so sure after dinner, there is plenty of Red Fish, that I may just come home about 2pm and hunker down, for peace and quiet.
In the years passed, I would walk down to the Judge's house and have a cocktail and come home, lock the door and be very very quiet and remember my Blessings.
That has changed since B&J have been around.
Have a Great Day, if you are reading this Blog today. Thanks for stopping in.
It's Humid Today, temps are hovering around 77* at the moment.
Today, I will venture out to the Judge's Home for a lil cocktail before Noon, then its off to Bob and John's, we will have Red Fish, from the Gulf today. The Red Fish comes by the way of friends who fish the Gulf on a regular basis. Bob and John are the new guys, who have moved into the neighborhood, both very dynamic, vibrant, great Spirits. Then if I feel like it, I will take a bike ride over to the Mayor's house for a cocktail and maybe stay for Supper....
But, and the is always a But, I am not so sure after dinner, there is plenty of Red Fish, that I may just come home about 2pm and hunker down, for peace and quiet.
In the years passed, I would walk down to the Judge's house and have a cocktail and come home, lock the door and be very very quiet and remember my Blessings.
That has changed since B&J have been around.
Have a Great Day, if you are reading this Blog today. Thanks for stopping in.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
The Morning After...... Sup'ing from the Cup
As with all, you begin around five in the afternoon, the last hanger ons left at 12:26am this morning...
They consumed 5 gallons of chicken and sausage gumbo, pounds of hog head's cheese, a pound of Maytag Blue,grapes, Nut Rolls, Crackers for every taste buds, enough nuts to give the monkeys a year's supply of nuts at the Zoo, and a Sundry of other condiments, etc etc.
I got in the bed at 1am, rested till about 730am.
We begin the day with coffee and sausage, cause I'll be off to the Mayor's Christmas Brunch at 11:30am with the Boys, then its Eggnog at the Dr. B's house around 6pm... who knows what will happen later. I am hopefully, I will be snug in my bed before 10pm tonight, waiting on Santa Claus.
No midnight Mass for me.
I've got a few invites for Christmas Day Dinner and Supper (in the Deep Deep South, Dinner is y'all's Lunch)..... Supper is Supper.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Yucky Yucky Weather, But It's Gumbo Time.
Today is my Christmas Party here at the house for invited guests. I've paired the list down this year, to a nominal 68. Certainly not all will stop in, but we will see. There are a few uninvited guests that "stop over" seeing all the folks on the front porch.
I'm worn out by now. The Gumbo in its self is a task. 10 pounds of Smoked Chicken Breast, 12 pounds of double smoked sausage (sausage is cured with smoke, then I smoke it again on The Egg), and 10 pounds of Mirepoix, the trilogy here in Louisiana. A gallon of chicken broth, half gallon of beef broth. Sprinkling of Bay Leaves, Cracked Pepper, and the Secret Ingredient.
I made the Gumbo on Sunday, chilled it for two days, took the grease off of it last night. Had a bowl for supper last night. Hopefully I will have a lil bit left over to freeze when cold weather gets here.
It's Not Cold now. It's rainy, balmy, and downright nasty out there, dew on the front porch is thick, and it's not going away, cause it is about to rain again.
Since, the weather is not cooperating, I went ahead and purchased another case of Chardonnay, to add to my already one case I have. Folks tend to drink Chardonnay with it is hot, Reds when it is cold.
And these invited guests, Drink!!!
So Where is the Cold Weather.... Gee... another Nasty Nasty Day, deep in the heart of Central La.
I'm worn out by now. The Gumbo in its self is a task. 10 pounds of Smoked Chicken Breast, 12 pounds of double smoked sausage (sausage is cured with smoke, then I smoke it again on The Egg), and 10 pounds of Mirepoix, the trilogy here in Louisiana. A gallon of chicken broth, half gallon of beef broth. Sprinkling of Bay Leaves, Cracked Pepper, and the Secret Ingredient.
I made the Gumbo on Sunday, chilled it for two days, took the grease off of it last night. Had a bowl for supper last night. Hopefully I will have a lil bit left over to freeze when cold weather gets here.
It's Not Cold now. It's rainy, balmy, and downright nasty out there, dew on the front porch is thick, and it's not going away, cause it is about to rain again.
Since, the weather is not cooperating, I went ahead and purchased another case of Chardonnay, to add to my already one case I have. Folks tend to drink Chardonnay with it is hot, Reds when it is cold.
And these invited guests, Drink!!!
So Where is the Cold Weather.... Gee... another Nasty Nasty Day, deep in the heart of Central La.
Monday, December 21, 2015
21st and Counting
Hmmm Its the 21st
What can I say, I made the chicken/sausage gumbo yesterday.
Letting it sit, in the icebox, until I serve in on the 23rd.
Parties Parties Parties,
My weight shows it.
In the next few days, tradition mandates what is happening.
on the 23rd, its my gathering at the Camp, on the Red Bricks, there's neighborhood folks, political groupies, gossip columnist and a sundry assortment of folks, about 75 in all.
they will consume, based on years passed, 10 gallons of gumbo, bags and bags of crackers, biscuits, two pounds of hog head's cheese, enough brie to establish a cheese factory, and the ever present Wine....
then its my boss's Christmas eve brunch, his guest list is 200.... grillardes and grits, milk punch,boil shrimp, oyster rockefeller, and the ever present Wine
then its Dr B's Eggnog Christmas Eve Party.... .. Eggnog, Milk Punch, biscuits and sausage.....and
the ever present Wine.
then comes Christmas Day..... by this time, I am laid out in the living room on the rug in front of the fireplace with a nice warm fire.... bemoaning the fact that I picked up 10 pounds and swearing to take it off... mostly salt and water I am sure.... fastly!!!
What can I say, I made the chicken/sausage gumbo yesterday.
Letting it sit, in the icebox, until I serve in on the 23rd.
Parties Parties Parties,
My weight shows it.
In the next few days, tradition mandates what is happening.
on the 23rd, its my gathering at the Camp, on the Red Bricks, there's neighborhood folks, political groupies, gossip columnist and a sundry assortment of folks, about 75 in all.
they will consume, based on years passed, 10 gallons of gumbo, bags and bags of crackers, biscuits, two pounds of hog head's cheese, enough brie to establish a cheese factory, and the ever present Wine....
then its my boss's Christmas eve brunch, his guest list is 200.... grillardes and grits, milk punch,boil shrimp, oyster rockefeller, and the ever present Wine
then its Dr B's Eggnog Christmas Eve Party.... .. Eggnog, Milk Punch, biscuits and sausage.....and
the ever present Wine.
then comes Christmas Day..... by this time, I am laid out in the living room on the rug in front of the fireplace with a nice warm fire.... bemoaning the fact that I picked up 10 pounds and swearing to take it off... mostly salt and water I am sure.... fastly!!!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Long Ride and Back in the Saddle.
Well.... Well....
I made it back from the drive to San Antonio, 442 miles one way, 7hr 15 minutes over there, 7 hrs 30 minutes back. Stayed two days, at the Omni Hotel. I'm getting to know the bartender fairly good, she remembered what I drink, not my name, but what I drink. Impressive. We had a discussion on her recall technique.
The drive over and drive back, always gives me a time to think, to see where I am in Life.
The new MRI test was neat, the radiologist places a probe in the rectum, secure it by inflating a device that grips the prostate, then during the last 10 minutes of the process, (which last about 45 minutes) they shoot some "contrast" in you. The Tech was certainly very nice, the young radiologist, that performed the test, certainly by all accounts, she was very pleasant.
I went to a teaching hospital, University Hospital in SA. Saw the Wave and Breath of Humanity walk pass me there. I was amazed at all the young doctors (female and male) in their starched white lab coats, following old grey headed doctors around, sort of like movie set really.
The radiologist has not sent over the results as of today, I spoke with my Urologist's nurse today, I am told they will call me in a few days. My PSA has been running about 1.7 to 2.1, its been as low as 1.3. This just depends on how long it has been before the test when my prostate was massaged or manipulated, LOL. To get a true sense of the PSA, one must be non invasive for about 8 days or longer.
Just glad to be back and making a fire tonight at the house.
I made it back from the drive to San Antonio, 442 miles one way, 7hr 15 minutes over there, 7 hrs 30 minutes back. Stayed two days, at the Omni Hotel. I'm getting to know the bartender fairly good, she remembered what I drink, not my name, but what I drink. Impressive. We had a discussion on her recall technique.
The drive over and drive back, always gives me a time to think, to see where I am in Life.
The new MRI test was neat, the radiologist places a probe in the rectum, secure it by inflating a device that grips the prostate, then during the last 10 minutes of the process, (which last about 45 minutes) they shoot some "contrast" in you. The Tech was certainly very nice, the young radiologist, that performed the test, certainly by all accounts, she was very pleasant.
I went to a teaching hospital, University Hospital in SA. Saw the Wave and Breath of Humanity walk pass me there. I was amazed at all the young doctors (female and male) in their starched white lab coats, following old grey headed doctors around, sort of like movie set really.
The radiologist has not sent over the results as of today, I spoke with my Urologist's nurse today, I am told they will call me in a few days. My PSA has been running about 1.7 to 2.1, its been as low as 1.3. This just depends on how long it has been before the test when my prostate was massaged or manipulated, LOL. To get a true sense of the PSA, one must be non invasive for about 8 days or longer.
Just glad to be back and making a fire tonight at the house.
Wednesday, December 09, 2015
Just Late
Late Late.........
The Good Doctor, who happens to be a close friend, called Late Late on yesterday afternoon.
By all indications, from the Techs and His Head Nurse all was well....
He decided to take a 'late in the afternoon', more thorough review and compare my last echo stress test to the last five years of tests.
Hmmmmmm , He is considering sending me out of town to do a nuclear stress test, one where they shoot some radioactive dye in you and watch it swirl around the heart.
He considering that..... maybe he can review his findings on a late late afternoon again.
I'm off on Monday to do a lil trip over to San Antonio, nice hike, day's drive to get an MRI of the prostate done. This will be my first, MRI of the prostate, its taking the place of the biopsy which I have had performed 8, let me say again 8 times in the last 12 years. Each time they did a biopsy, the good doctor would stick the old jewel of the gay man, 12 times, 12 samples. I've had 96 sticks, 96 lil holes put in my jewel. There is nothing left but scar tissue, hopefully. So having the MRI performed is certainly much better and certainly there will be no pain in the ass.
and it will be performed on a late late afternoon on Tuesday.
The Good Doctor, who happens to be a close friend, called Late Late on yesterday afternoon.
By all indications, from the Techs and His Head Nurse all was well....
He decided to take a 'late in the afternoon', more thorough review and compare my last echo stress test to the last five years of tests.
Hmmmmmm , He is considering sending me out of town to do a nuclear stress test, one where they shoot some radioactive dye in you and watch it swirl around the heart.
He considering that..... maybe he can review his findings on a late late afternoon again.
I'm off on Monday to do a lil trip over to San Antonio, nice hike, day's drive to get an MRI of the prostate done. This will be my first, MRI of the prostate, its taking the place of the biopsy which I have had performed 8, let me say again 8 times in the last 12 years. Each time they did a biopsy, the good doctor would stick the old jewel of the gay man, 12 times, 12 samples. I've had 96 sticks, 96 lil holes put in my jewel. There is nothing left but scar tissue, hopefully. So having the MRI performed is certainly much better and certainly there will be no pain in the ass.
and it will be performed on a late late afternoon on Tuesday.
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Stroke of the 48th Minute
Sixty Two Years ago today, I arrived at approx 648am, being delivered to Thomas Williams Thompson Jr and Wilma Ruth Sumrall Thompson, at the Baton Rouge General Hospital, commonly known back then as the Baptist Hospital.
Today, I passed my Echo Cardio Stress test at 748am, at the St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, in our lil City by the Red River.
Sixty Two, let me say it again. After I passed Fifty Nine and a half, I became the longest surviving first born member in 5 generations of Men in my Father's Family. All others, including my Father passed before their Fifty Ninth Birthday. I guess it says something about the morality rates in our present day or how I have piss poor genes. My Father would have been One Hundred Twelve this past October 2015.
So, Today, at 1048am, I will walk into my old gym and sign back up. I have been needing to do a lil more cardio and strength training, maybe a lil bit of toning too, the chest is about as flabby as I have ever seen it..
Along about 448pm, I will make a lil fire in the fire place and sit and remember all the men, I have had in my life, which have passed to the Greater HereAfter.
For to Remember Those who have Passed before ME, is to Count My Blessings and Appreciate the Life that I have been Given.
Then Who Knows how I will entertain my self for the rest of the day......
Today, I passed my Echo Cardio Stress test at 748am, at the St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, in our lil City by the Red River.
Sixty Two, let me say it again. After I passed Fifty Nine and a half, I became the longest surviving first born member in 5 generations of Men in my Father's Family. All others, including my Father passed before their Fifty Ninth Birthday. I guess it says something about the morality rates in our present day or how I have piss poor genes. My Father would have been One Hundred Twelve this past October 2015.
So, Today, at 1048am, I will walk into my old gym and sign back up. I have been needing to do a lil more cardio and strength training, maybe a lil bit of toning too, the chest is about as flabby as I have ever seen it..
Along about 448pm, I will make a lil fire in the fire place and sit and remember all the men, I have had in my life, which have passed to the Greater HereAfter.
For to Remember Those who have Passed before ME, is to Count My Blessings and Appreciate the Life that I have been Given.
Then Who Knows how I will entertain my self for the rest of the day......
Sunday, December 06, 2015
Thinking and Rambling
Last night I cooked Supper for a few friends, Joe/Pete, Liz/Donna, Bob, Tommy, and myself. I cooked a beef burgundy....South La style.
We had a good night, Bob's partner John was not in attendance, he was taking care of business duties down around Baton Rouge.
We all had ate well, drank well, and then went and sat by the fireplace, to enjoy the warmth and glow of the fire.
It was a very nice night, as I looked around the room, our ages appeared to me, Tommy was the youngest at 56, Pete the oldest at 67, the rest of us, fell somewhere in between. All in either thinking about retirement, retired, or contemplating a second part time career.
It was nice to have the over 55 crowd at the house.
On Tuesday, I have a birthday, born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day in the Church, I am hoping it will be a quiet day. Other than my heart stress test at 8am that morning, it should be.
Not much else is going on, Winter is slowly making its self known here. The local florist came on Saturday to hang my wreaths on the front of the house with red bows.
I tend to be moving a lil slower these days....maybe its time to go back to the gym.
We had a good night, Bob's partner John was not in attendance, he was taking care of business duties down around Baton Rouge.
We all had ate well, drank well, and then went and sat by the fireplace, to enjoy the warmth and glow of the fire.
It was a very nice night, as I looked around the room, our ages appeared to me, Tommy was the youngest at 56, Pete the oldest at 67, the rest of us, fell somewhere in between. All in either thinking about retirement, retired, or contemplating a second part time career.
It was nice to have the over 55 crowd at the house.
On Tuesday, I have a birthday, born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day in the Church, I am hoping it will be a quiet day. Other than my heart stress test at 8am that morning, it should be.
Not much else is going on, Winter is slowly making its self known here. The local florist came on Saturday to hang my wreaths on the front of the house with red bows.
I tend to be moving a lil slower these days....maybe its time to go back to the gym.
Thursday, December 03, 2015
Good Tidings..... Its what you put into Life ..
Today, I had a lil bit of good fortune, I lost my wallet! I was frantic, two bank cards, AE card, dr lis, my badge!!!, health card, and a small amount of 20 dollar bills was in there.
I had went out to the country to deliver some Christmas Rice and when I returned here to the house, I patted my back left pants pocket for some unknown reason, NO WALLET....
I went into a panic.... gee...
As, I was calling the bank to cancel the cards, I was on the front porch pacing, I looked to and behold, there was the WALLET... sitting on the small table on the front porch.
I grabbed it... the badge, the cards, the dr lis, the 20s, etc was there intact...
But Who, where... not a note not a sign, No Calls, No Nothing.....
I had just went to the bank and loaned a guy some money to help out him, cause he had called and was crying..... The Spirit of Good Will Shined on me.
What if I had told that guy.... sorry I can't lend that small amount of money to you.. and I had lost my wallet....would it had been returned with all things in it.. or returned at all.....
So, whomever returned my wallet, intact... thank you... what Spirit out there was looking upon me.. Thank You too... actually Thank You the Most.
I had went out to the country to deliver some Christmas Rice and when I returned here to the house, I patted my back left pants pocket for some unknown reason, NO WALLET....
I went into a panic.... gee...
As, I was calling the bank to cancel the cards, I was on the front porch pacing, I looked to and behold, there was the WALLET... sitting on the small table on the front porch.
I grabbed it... the badge, the cards, the dr lis, the 20s, etc was there intact...
But Who, where... not a note not a sign, No Calls, No Nothing.....
I had just went to the bank and loaned a guy some money to help out him, cause he had called and was crying..... The Spirit of Good Will Shined on me.
What if I had told that guy.... sorry I can't lend that small amount of money to you.. and I had lost my wallet....would it had been returned with all things in it.. or returned at all.....
So, whomever returned my wallet, intact... thank you... what Spirit out there was looking upon me.. Thank You too... actually Thank You the Most.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)