SENIOR TALES

ANGEL BABY

2010-03-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

Joan Baez 'Rejoice in the Sun' - Silent Running

2010-01-23T17:23:00.001-08:00

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising

2009-09-08T10:21:00.001-07:00

ROAD RAGE!!!

2008-09-14T10:59:00.001-07:00

You're An Asshole Tonight. - video powered by Metacafe

Two drivers race down the busy freeway, swerving in and out of traffic, screaming obscenities and flipping each other off. Finally, unable to contain his rage any longer, one driver pulls a small handgun from his glove compartment and carefully aims it directly at the other driver. In a display of misguided bravado, the other driver becomes even angrier at the arrogant gesture, and the screaming, the fighting and the reckless driving continue for several more miles.

The two speeding cars are now side by side, and again the gunman reaches for his gun, only this time he pushes it out of his driver’s side window, holds it high up in the air, and awkwardly waves it around. But to his surprise, a loud “Pop!” pierces the air, and the other car quickly decelerates, swerves erratically back and forth, and then slowly rolls off the freeway into a storm channel. Moments later the sorrowful gunman tells police officers that he only wanted to scare the other driver. “You know…teach him a lesson.”

This short story touches me in particular because the gunman was a man I once hired to do some construction work around my home. He seemed like a normal guy, friendly, hard working; and I’m sure the other driver had the same qualities. But it’s difficult for me to pinpoint blame in this tragedy. Both drivers were out of control - driven by primal forces deep within their brains. One thing is for sure, however, the tragedy affected more than just those two drivers. In that brief instant of road rage the lives of men, women, wives, husbands, children and grandchildren were forever changed. As I recall, the gunman spent two years in state prison. The other driver was less fortunate.

HANDICAPPED PARKING ONLY

2008-08-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

One of my all time pet peeves is to watch someone pull into a handicapped parking space, attach their little blue handicapped parking permit to the rear view mirror, get out of their car, and then I see that there's absolutely nothing is wrong with them! They don't even use a walking stick!

It happens all the time, so I know you've all seen it. And to make matters even worse, they park in the handicapped spaces even when there are plenty of other spaces available - and just as close. I guess it's just the idea of the thing. They want to park in the very first space. It makes them feel special. Well these selfish, insensitive, self-centered, egomaniacs not only piss me off, but think of all the disabled men or women who have to walk all the way across the parking lot because their space has been taken by some idiot in good health. Good gosh! If I live to be a thousand I'll never know why human beings behave this way? I say parking in a handicapped space when you aren't handicapped, should be a $1,000 fine!

What do you think?

FIBROMYALGIA & LYRICA

2008-06-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

Fibromyalgia involves the entire body.

My dear friend suffers from a sever case of fibromyalgia. She has full body joint and muscular pain, cluster headaches, frequent migraines, clouded mind, and chronic tiredness. These, of course, are all classical symptoms of this truly debilitating syndrome. And, as if those problems weren't enough, it took a team of doctors 20-years to to arrive at the correct fibromyalgia diagnosis. So if you suspect that you may have fibromyalgia, expect to do a lot of your own research. Fortunately, there are several good books on the subject.

The new drug, Lyrica, is supposed to help with the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. My friend heard about it on a television advertisement. So she went on the Internet and did as much research as she could. Then she reviewed all the literature and books she could get her hands on. Plus, she spoke to a licensed pharmacist. When she was convinced that it was potentially a good thing to try, she went to her doctor and requested a prescription. Having no time to research all of the latest drugs himself, he spent a few minutes looking over the literature on his own computer, and then he wrote her a prescription.

Note: Some doctors will appreciate your research efforts, while other doctors will get a little testy if you make any suggestions about medications. If you're stuck with an egomaniac like that, my advice is to change doctors immediately before he/she accidentally kills you.

So, the 64-thousand dollar question is: Does Lyrica work? In my friend's case, she has noticed a certain degree of relief. It's very difficult to be precise because her underlying pains are so intense. But she reports that if it wasn't for her daily dose of Lyrica, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the mornings. In another case, a reader of this post who uses Lyrica commented that she feels about 25-percent better. Considering how much pain is involved, that's a significant improvement. The bad news is that Lyrica has side effects. Weight gain, and finger swelling are common. In fact, my friend's fingers have swollen so much she can't remove her ring.

So if you are considering Lyrica, study the literature, consult medical professionals and make sure Lyrica is the right drug for your ailment, and for your body. Read more about Fibromyalgia and Lyrica

THE PTERODACTYL NEXT DOOR

2008-05-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

The pterodactyl, or "winged lizard," has been extinct for 65-million years.

I've heard of weird looking prehistoric fish being found in isolated pools of cool water in the middle of Death Valley. I've heard of giant prehistoric sharks being pulled from the black ocean depths. But is it possible to see a gnarly-looking pterodactyl flying around my own neighborhood?

As I mentioned before, my lovely Queen loves to bird watch from our upstairs window. If she stands on her tiptoes, leans awkwardly against the bathroom sink and looks cockeyed through the high bathroom window, she can see several bird's nests in the eve of the house next door. Evidently, a lot of birds like to hang out over there. She loves her little feathered friends and spies on them as they make their nest, lay their eggs, and nurture their youngins' until they fly away on their own.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of different kinds of birds in our neighborhood, and the Queen has identified several of them. Sparrows, warblers, robins, she looks in her bird books and can put a name to each and every one of them. I call her the Jane Goodall of our little city. All she needs to complete her wilderness persona is a pair of high-powered Army binoculars, a tan colored hunter's vest, baggy shorts, and a pair of high-top combat boots. Eat your heart out Jane!

It's always interesting to hear the Queen talk about the birds she's seen. Occasionally she's even spotted a really unusual bird. Like the other day she reported seeing some kind of extinct prehistoric bird. What? I don't know what brought that on, but I said, "Pterodactyl?" After all, if prehistoric fish can be found in Death Valley, and prehistoric sharks can be found in the ocean, I guess a pterodactyl can be sighted hovering over our neighbor's house, but I'm calling animal control anyway.

Homeless Not Worthless

2008-04-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

A picture of a homeless man taken around 1939. It could have been taken yesterday, because for the homeless, not a whole lot has changed over the last 69 years.

The Queen and I were back at the mall again yesterday. Like every Saturday, it was crowded. But it seemed even more packed than usual. The parking lot was so full that we had to park way off in the back parking lot. Inside the mall, people were everywhere. Macy's department store was having a sale, so the register lines were unbelievably long. It's amazing what ten percent off will do to some people. The food court was no better. I had to wait through fifteen people just to buy a lousy pretzel. I love those giant pretzels, though, so it was worth the inconvenience. The Queen likes them too. Since I have a sensitive stomach I have to eat my pretzel plain, but she goes for the Mexican hot Jalipeño pepper and cheese. Yumboza! I'd give my right arm to have a good stomach.

After we finished our pretzels the Queen hit the shops, and I sat in a soft chair reading and scoping out potential blog posts. Today, it was a homeless man. He wheeled his suitcase over and sat in the chair next to mine. Now I've seen this guy before. He comes to the mall on the weekends, and he always brings along a fiction book. He's definitely not mindless. He's cleaner than most homeless guys too. He always combs his hair, his clothes are fairly clean, and he wears a decent pair of tennis shoes. He opens the suitcase and pulls out a sealed Tupperware bowl that contains his lunch. I can't help noticing that it contains several pickled eggs. How do I know this? Because I smelled the sour aroma wafting through the air. Next he pulls out a plastic bottle of water. Now he's all set. He eats slowly, and when he's finished he cleans up and throws his trash in the trash receptacle. Very neat. Then he leaves all of his personal stuff unattended while he steps outside of the mall for a smoke. He's totally casual about the whole thing. Then, after reading for a few hours, he gets up, puts his book in his suitcase, zips it shut, and leaves. I have no idea where he goes. But he'll be back next Saturday.

Watching this guy made me think of all the homeless people in this country (currently estimated at over 3-million). I mean, here we are, a stupendously rich country, and yet we do absolutely nothing about the poor souls who live on our streets. It's shameful. As the world knows, right now we're in the middle of a presidential race. The candidates talk about universal health care, global warming, economics, foreign policy and the fight against terrorism...ad nauseam. But just where do the homeless fit into all of this morass of politicking? That's what I'd like to know. After all, they're homeless - not worthless. Read more about the homeless...

BRAIN RESPIRATION?

2008-03-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

I spotted this sign as I was driving by a group of small stores. The business behind the sign promotes healthier living through Yoga, Tai-Chi, Meditation, Breath Work, Energy Training and Brain Education. So far so good, but then the brochure describes Brain Education as a five-step program based on brain respiration??? You're killing me Larry!

NEVER HIT A WOMAN!

2008-03-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

A glimpse back in time to my childhood lessons of character, respect, and honor.

Way back in the early 1950’s all of us kids used to play in the park. In the summer we played baseball. In the winter we took dance lessons, and in the spring we enjoyed Easter egg hunts. It was loads of fun, and it kept us busy and out of trouble. The park also provided a natural laboratory for us to develop our budding social skills. It was there that I learned a life-long lesson about character, respect and honor.

One day we were playing out in the hot sun when suddenly everybody made a mad dash for the drinking fountain. We raced through the trees and across the high grass that covered the park, and a little freckle-faced, red headed girl won the first spot in line. Her hair was messy, her cheeks were pink, and she had to take a few seconds to catch her breath. But just as she started to take a long, cold drink from the fountain, a little boy shoved her out of the way and stole her place in line. She resisted, but he punched her hard in the face, and she went down crying. It was sad. The rest of us just stood there with our mouths open not knowing what to do. Boys and girls alike – we were shocked.

That evening I told my uncle Bob what had happened at the park that day, and I could tell he wasn't too pleased to hear what I was saying. He told me that I was never ever to hit a little girl. And even after I was all grown up, I was never to hit a woman either. "Do you understand?" "Yes," I replied. He said that there was no honor in hitting women, and that a real man wouldn’t do such a thing...and that goes for boys too. "That little bully in the park," he said, "will never be an honorable man."

It’s been well over a half century since my conversation with my uncle Bob, and I'm proud to report that I have never struck a woman.

I believe that if you teach your sons and daughters about good character at a young age, and also conduct yourself according to that standard, the concept of honor will be a driving force in their future lives.

What do you think?

WALKABOUT IN THE MALL

2008-03-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Walking is great exercise, but walking around your own neighborhood can be hazardous to your health. Walking in the mall is a safe and convenient alternative.

The Queen and I went to the mall today, and, as usual for a weekday, it was packed with senior citizens doing their power walking thing. Seniors love to walk around the mall. It’s convenient. It’s safe, and it’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Perfect. They walk briskly four or five times around its inner perimeter, and in a good-sized mall, that can add up to a few miles. So the mall’s a perfect place for seniors to get in their daily exercise.

I read someplace that walking 10,000 steps a day could improve your health. Walking can even reduce the risk of cancer, improve cholesterol levels, increase bone density, control weight and improve flexibility and coordination – all positive things. And anybody, unless you’re stuck in a wheel chair, can walk. So a lot of seniors wear pedometers on their hips to keep track of their steps. It’s a simple little gadget. Just dial in the length of your gait, and the pedometer automatically keeps track of how far you’ve walked. Magic. I wear one when I go for my early morning walks. It takes me a little over a 1,000 steps to walk around my block, and since I’ve got a 30-inch gait, that calculates out to be about a half mile. It's not really far enough for a good workout, so I’ve doubled the distance. In another month, I’ll double it again. And the month after that, I’ll double it again. My goal is to hit 10,000 steps by 2009. Yeah! I’m going to be skinny!

So, evidently, the word’s out on walking, because seniors all over the country are doing it; and it’s a good thing. But maybe you’re one of those folks who has trouble walking around your own neighborhood. It’s hot in the summer, and cold in the winter. Dogs bark at you. Cats hiss at you, and teenager drivers nearly run you down as you cross the streets. If that’s the case, then I suggest you take a trip to your local mall and join the other gazillion seniors who’ve found a safe, comfortable and congenial place to get in their 10,000 steps a day. It may just be your ticket to a longer life.

By the way, before you embark on any walkabout program, read up on the subject, acquire the proper walking gear, and for goodness sake, consult your physician.
Check out these pedometers...

DEADLY STAPH INFECTION UPDATE

2008-03-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

This is a photomicrograph of Staphylococcus aures that has been color enhanced for clarity. It is very high resolution, so click on the image for a full-screen view.

As reported in my previous post (Senior Citizens Vs. Staphylococcus aureus), the number of cases of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA (methicillin-resistant Stapgylococcus aureus) has been on the rise for several years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, Georgia, Staphylococcus aureus –related deaths average approximately 10,800 per year, and MRSA-related deaths average about 5,500 per year. But apparently there’s good news. At least two companies are working hard to reverse this trend.

Researchers at Universal Detection Technology, in Beverly Hills, California have been busy developing a new technology to detect and monitor the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in ambient air. This technology will be especially helpful in monitoring the air in locations where humans tend to congregate such as gyms, train and bus depots, airports, hospitals, schools, and shopping malls. Presumably, a flashing sign would warn people of the potential danger in a similar fashion as the current smog alerts.

Another company, Cepheid, Inc., is working on a new way to detect MRSA in the human body. Once employed, this technology will assist doctors in making an accurate and timely diagnosis of a potential life-threatening Staphylococcus aureus infection. Something badly needed. The earlier the diagnosis, the better your chances of survival.

Obviously these new developments are a major step in the fight against MRSA, however, they are not a total fix-it. Deadly disease is always going to be lurking about, waiting for a chance to infect the unwary. Therefore, while we welcome these truly remarkable new technologies, we should never forget that the best fight against a Staphylococcus aureus infection, indeed, any infection, is good old-fashioned cleanliness.

FINANCIALLY SPEAKING

Universal Detection Technology's principal activity is research and development of bio-terrorism detection devices. For any of you who are interested in tracking this company, it is traded over the counter (OTC), and its symbol is UDTT.OB. This stock trades in the 0.0006 - 0.0009 range. Historical price information is not available.

Cepheid, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets systems for testing in the clinical molecular diagnostics, industrial, and bio-threat markets. Its Nasdaq symbol is CPHD, and the most recent 52-week price trading range was $7.94 to $33.36. The last trade as of this post date was $23.48.

The Day I Had Polio

2008-01-12T15:43:00.000-08:00

Billboards like the one shown in this picture appeared all over the country during the 1950's. Along with the March of Dimes, they helped in the nationwide fight to eradicate polio from American life.

One hot afternoon in 1952 my mother came home from shopping to find me lying on the couch sound asleep instead of being in school. The teacher had pinned a note to the front of my shirt that read: Take Gary to the hospital immediately. He has polio!

As reported in VACCINE, The Controversial Story of Medicine's Greatest Lifesaver, a whopping 54,000-cases of polio were reported in the United States during 1952. It was a record. Old or young, no one was safe. People were naturally scared. Polio was a strange disease and nobody knew where it came from, or how you caught it. So as the level of paranoia rose, people began to see it everywhere they looked. Suspects included wheat, bread, water, and even electric cables. One woman believed you could catch it by drinking water from a garden hose. I drank plenty of water from the hose, so that wasn't good news. I remember being told that it lurked in dirty mud puddles. Don't play in the mud! My mom would say. She probably just didn't want me not to get so dirty. Either way, the wild tales seemed to spread faster than the disease itself.

Unfortunately, my second-grade schoolteacher took one look at me and thought - Polio! Stranger things have happened, I guess, but this weird story actually happened to me.

On that particular hot September day all of the second graders had been bunched together in the far corner of the playground in preparation for a walk to the fairgrounds to see the circus. Naturally we were excited. We talked out of turn, giggled, fidgeted and generally acted up as kids do, so the teacher constantly admonished us to be quiet and calm down. We couldn’t leave until everybody had been properly identified, and lined up in a singe file. In the meantime the sun beat down onto our uncovered little heads, and the sweltering heat hung heavy in the air like an electric blanket thrown had been over us. Before long I began to feel head achy, tired and weak.

I guess it showed, because my teacher said, My goodness, you look just awful. It was true. I felt pretty bad. I noticed that she looked kind of worried, and then she consulted with another teacher. I don’t know where the school nurse was. They never called her. But finally, the two of them agreed to write a short note and pin it to my shirt. You go on home right now. She said. And when your mommy sees this note, she’ll know exactly what to do.

With that, the teacher pointed me towards the front gate and the sidewalk. Go on now. Go right home. So I walked the mile and a half, or so, to my house. Actually I felt fine after I started walking. The headache went away, and I got my second wind. I could've played all afternoon if I had had someone to play with. But they were all in school. No one was home at my house either, so I just climbed up on the couch and fell asleep.

That was a long time ago. Of course, I didn’t have polio. Mom said it was probably heat exhaustion. Never mind what my dad said. Thank goodness. But I was one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately, thousands of kids weren’t so lucky. They were left crippled for life after polio insidiously destroyed the delicate nerves in their spinal cords.

The next day at school nobody said anything about the kid who had polio. The teachers went about their business, as usual, and all of us kids just played - as usual. Evidently, I only had polio for one day. Read more about polio...

Seldom Seen Slim

2008-01-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

This picture of Seldom Seen Slim was probably taken in the late 1960's. With the huge influx of tourists into Death Valley, bedrock characters like Slim have become instinct.

In 1965 I moved to a small town on the edge of Death Valley, California called Trona. I had heard that the American Potash and Chemical Company was hiring, so I went to find work. Trona was the atypical company town. AP&CC owned the market, the department store, the hardware store, the movie theater, the credit union and, of course, the Snake Pit bar. I worked eight to ten hours a day in the blistering heat, and on my days off I either drank beer at the Snake Pit, or explored the old abandoned goldmines that were scattered throughout the adjacent foothills. Once upon a time Trona had been the bustling, wildwest center of gold rush frenzy. Now it's just a ghost town.

When I lived there, Death Valley was populated with a variety of interesting characters – mostly diehard old gold miners and prospectors who eked out a meager existence from the shiny flakes they found in the icy streams that flowed down through the mountains. But I’d have to say that the most interesting character I ever heard about was a skinny, dried-up looking old-time prospector everyone knew as Seldom Seen Slim. Now I never actually met Slim, but it didn’t matter, because the locals talked about him constantly. He was so interesting. The things he did. The things he said. The sights he’d seen - his whole life. In fact, considering the times, and the remoteness of Trona from the rest of civilization – we used to call it the last stop before you fell off the edge of the world - Seldom Seen Slim was the equivalent of the modern-day celebrity – right up there with Paris and Tom and Britney.

I left Trona in 1967, and Seldom Seen Slim died in 1968. In 1971 Tom G. Murray wrote a book about him and a few of the other colorful Death Valley characters. Not surprisingly, the book is titled, SELDOM SEEN SLIM. All I can say about this book is, Thank you Tom, for making sure that bedrock characters like the Wildrose Kid, Jim Sherlock, Chris Wright, Silent George, Shotgun Mary, Harry Oliver, the Old Mirage Salesman, and Seldom Seen Slim, though gone, will never be forgotten.

From a sign on Seldom Seen Slim's shack:

"You S.O.B. don't take anything, I might be watching."

Source: SELDOM SEEN SLIM, By Tom G. Murray

Senior Citizens Vs. Staphylococcus aureus

2007-10-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

My friend contracted a deadly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection that almost cost him his arm.

Gyms Can Be Dangerous Places To Visit

My friend works out everyday at a local gym, and that’s where the doctor thinks he picked a deadly staphylococcus infection. The germ found its way into his body through a tiny open wound on his upper arm as he was leaning his bare arm against a piece of gym equipment. He normally places a small towel between himself and the equipment, but on that particular day he had been careless. It was an unfortunate mistake.

Getting rid of the staphylococcus was difficult. The doctor prescribed several different antibiotics for the festering sore, but it kept getting worse. My friend even had a severe allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics. His arm swelled to twice its normal size, and he had black and blue blotches all over his arms and torso. He didn't look too good. The doctor finally found an effective antibiotic, though, and I'm happy to report that my friend made a full recovery. He was lucky, because the doctor told him that he could have lost his arm. It was a close one. My friend still works out, but needless to say, he is very careful about what he allows to touch his body.

According to CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY made ridiculously simple, Edition 3, by Mark Gladwin, M.D., and Bill Trattler, M.D., Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that can cause a wide variety of serious ailments that include the following:

Gastroenteritis
Toxic shock
Scalded skin syndrome
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Osteomylitis
Acute bacterial endocardis
Septic arthritis
Skin infections
Bacteremia/sepsis
Urinary tract infection

Recently, MRSA has been in the news across the United States, and several cases have been cited. Death has even occurred. And just because those cases aren't in your neighborhood, be advised that staphylococcus aureus is everywhere - under your feet - even in your nose - just waiting for the right conditions to break out. No place is safe, and no one is safe. Your only chance is to learn all you can about this disease. Regarding this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has useful information on this subject that is available on its website. And since seniors don't do too well when they're up against a MRSA infection, I recommend that you visit the CDC's site now. Find out how to protect yourself from this nasty little germ before it's too late.

Successful Blepharoplasty

2007-09-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

The Queen finally had her followup visit with the young doctor who did her blepharoplasty. It has been a long ten days since her operation, and her eyelids had become very swollen and red. They look pretty scary to us, so we were both anxious to hear what he would say. The visit went well, though, and he said she was actually healing faster than expected. Good news! The swelling will subside - no worries. Just keep applying the antibiotic cream for another week, and that’ll be it – no more droopy eyelids. No makeup for at least another month, but she can handle it.

As surgery goes, a blepharoplasty is a fairly routine procedure. It doesn't require a big operating theater with several surgeons, anesthesiologists, and skilled nurses, but it is surgery, and there are a few important things to watch out for. The biggie is post surgery pain around the eye. That could be a sign that blood has pooled behind the eyeball which could cause blindness. Not good. For the swelling, they recommend icepacks directly on the eyelids, but you also have to keep water from contacting the stitches – infection and all that. The Queen puts a plastic bag over her face in the shower. It looks funny, but it works. Finally, she has to keep applying the antiseptic cream to the incision exactly as prescribed. It's just a precaution until the stitches dissolve. The only problem with the cream is that it gets into her eyes and blurs her vision. It's annoying, but not dangerous. And, oh-yeah, another thing about the operation is that you can't take any aspirin from a month before the surgery until ten days after the surgery. Aspirin thins the blood and could cause bleeding. Remember the blindness thing? So don't break that rule. Of course, laying off the aspirin was rough on the Queen's fibromyalgia problems - no pain relief - but she toughed it out.

Of course, before you undergo any type of medical procedure it's a good idea to do your homework. Talk to friends who you know have had the same operation. Talk to more than one doctor, and read medical references and other books on the subject. There's probably a lot of stuff on the Internet, but be careful, and consider the source. For something like blepharoplasty, don't expect to find an over whelming amount of material anywhere, but you should be able to piece together enough information to make a decision you're comfortable with.

Assuming you have the right surgeon for the job, a blepharoplasty may be a routine medical procedure, but it's certainly no walk in the park. It's complicated, the target area is small, and there's ample opportunities for errors and problems - any of which could lead to disfigurement, muscle dysfunction and permanent blindness. After the surgery the recovery process is uncomfortable, and you have to stay down so the body can heal itself. Therefore, somebody should be around to help you get through the first few days. After all, you have to eat. In Queen's case, everything went well - knock on wood. Now the blepharoplasty is a thing of the past. Her body aches from her fibro, but she can see better!

How to Win the World Series of Poker

2007-09-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

I posted How to Win the World Series of Poker, by Pat Walsh, on my blog because it’s a great little book to read if you’re interested in playing Texas Holdem’. This book won’t waste your time. It's interesting, it’s informative and it’s well written. I rarely read an entire book in one sitting, but I couldn't put this one down - every page kept me wanting more. I was on the couch. I was at the kitchen table. I was in the bathroom. My wife threatened to hide the thing from me, but I finished it. I sure hope he writes a sequel!

Mr. Walsh decided he wanted to win the World Series of Poker, and I have to hand it to him, he literally put his money where is mouth is. He went from playing penny-ante poker at his kitchen table with family and friends, to entering the high-stakes world series of no-limit Texas Holdem’ in Las Vegas, Nevada. That's a $10,000 buy-in, folks, so the man deserves a little respect. Throughout his fantasy journey he kept meticulous notes, and his book details his upward spiraling learning curve, as well as his setbacks and frustrations. That's right, he gives equal writing to his failures. But the man didn't quit. That’s the thing. He wanted to be a winner. He read poker books. He memorized the odds. He played online, and experimented with computer simulation programs. He learned to watch people - to know their quirks - to recognize their revealing tells. For months and months only one thought drove his life – Holdem’.

It really doesn’t matter if you’re retired, or a youngster. If you want to play Texas Holdem’, read this upbeat and absorbing book. It's honest, and it'll tell you what you need to know by someone who was actually there and who actually did what you want to do. So what'a ya say pilgrim: check, call, or pass?

A&hearts &heartsK&hearts Q&hearts J&hearts 10Hearts

The Queen's Dermatochalasis

2007-09-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

I took the Queen in for surgery today – nothing too major. Her eyelids were drooping down so much they were interfering with her vision, so the doc lifted them up a little. The condition is called dermatochalasis, and the procedure is called blepharoplasty. Local anesthetic, of course. A cut here, a snip there, remove a narrow sliver of fat, apply a few sutures, and she can see again. It’s a miracle!

The operation took two hours - that's for both eyes. They keep it super cold in the operating room, and she was shaking like a leaf when they finally brought her out. I covered her up with a hospital blanket, and it took several minutes to warm her up again.

The doctor was very young. If you’ve ever watched the Doogie Houser, MD, television show, then you have a good idea of what our doctor looks like. I can’t remember ever being that age. It was like talking to my kid’s kid. The risk, he said, is that if blood gets behind the eyeball it can cause a loss of vision. Yikes! The surgery went well, though, and now the Queen's home sleeping off the discomfort. Thanks doc, or should I say, Right-on Doogie!

If you’re contemplating a procedure like this for yourself, be advised that the swelling can last several months. And it's not real attractive. In fact, the Queen calls it frog face. Otherwise, there’s only minor bruising and a little pain. No problem. That’s why they make sunglasses and acetaminophen.

1950: Crossroads of American Religious Life

2007-09-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

I grew up during the 1950’s, and the church was always a part of my life. I was required to attend church faithfully every Sunday, Bible study on Wednesday evenings, and two weeks of Bible school during the summer. I could pick a different church every week if I wanted to, but attendance was non-negotiable.

The First Southern Baptist Church was all the way across town. That was my choice. I’d jump on my bike, and in ten minutes, I was there. I liked the preacher. He was a massive, middle-aged man with a big barrel chest who delivered thunderous, hellfire and brimstone sermons that incited the congregation to frequently blurt out, “Hallelujah!” and “Praise Jesus!” Finally, he'd stretch his arms high towards the stained-glass skylight, bow his head in humble submission, and we’d all join together for a solemn, “A-men.” Church was exciting. It was moving. It made me feel good; and as I peddled my bike swiftly back across town the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers resounded in my mind. I had no doubt that Jesus himself was looking out for me.

I attended Bible study on Wednesday evenings at a house in a nice neighborhood. Several of us young boys and girls would sit around eating ice cream and cookies and reciting Bible verses we’d memorized. For ten verses, I was awarded a New Testament. It was the first milestone in our lessons. I was proud of myself, and I completed all of my assignments with enthusiasm. Forty verses landed me the big prize - my very own maroon-colored King James Bible. During the warm summer nights the minister would let us look through his neat-looking three-inch refracting telescope that sat on a tripod in his backyard. We saw the great craters on the moon, Venus and Jupiter, and the spindly rings of Saturn. I wanted with all my heart to be an astronomer, and I couldn’t wait for my turn at that beautiful telescope. Sixty perfectly recited versus, including The Lord's Prayer, and The Psalm of David, scored me a field trip to the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles. The year was 1955, and that summer was the highlight of my young life.

In his book, 1950: Crossroads of American Religious Life, Robert S. Ellwood writes about the religious revival that swept the country during the 1950's and it's relationship to the historical events of the time. Post war Americans were returning to their churches and synagogues, and attendance was up across the board. In fact, new members of Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism actually exceeded the real growth in the general population - Gloria in excélsis Deo. It was a time of great change, and organized religion was helping reshape American culture and preparing it for the challenges of a brand new future in the era of baby boomers, emerging technology, the Evil Empire and the hydrogen bomb. I found the book to be a very interesting read, and I am glad that I was around in the 1950's to witness some of those great changes.

I give the book three Hail Maries†

The Jokes on John Wilkes Booth

2007-09-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

Walt Whitman once asked what the condition of America would be today if Abraham Lincoln had never lived - never been President.

John Wilkes Booth was filled with hate the night he entered Ford's Theater to to kill Abraham Lincoln. He carried a pistol and a knife to ensure his success. But what if Wilkes' bullet had missed its target, and his knife had failed to find a mortal entry point? Would Lincoln have died anyway? Scientists think he would have.

Medical researches have long wondered whether or not President Lincoln had Marfan Syndrome, a genetic weakness in the wall of the main artery that carries blood from the heart. If Lincoln had the Marfan genetic marker then modern-day medical experts believe that he wouldn't have survived his second term in office. In that case, Vice President Andrew Johnson would have assumed the presidency and continued the work of reconstruction; and John Wilkes Booth and the other assassination co-conspirators would haved lived out the remaining years of their lives. Evidently, Wilkes' assassination of Lincoln on April 15, 1865 did absolutely nothing to change the course of history. It certainly didn't fullfill his dream of being the great American Brutus. But then again, Lincoln may have lived another thirty years. Who knows? Read all about Marfan Syndrome in Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics.

Walkabout In The Mall

2007-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

Walking is great exercise, but walking around your own neighborhood can be hazardous to your health. Walking in the mall is a safe and convenient alternative.

My wife and I went to the mall today, and, as usual for a weekday, it was packed with senior citizens doing their power walking thing. Seniors love to walk around the mall. It’s convenient. It’s safe, and it’s cool in the summer and warm in the summer. Perfect. They walk briskly four or five times around its inner perimeter, and in a good-sized mall, that can add up to a few miles. The mall’s a perfect place for seniors to get in their daily exercise.

I read someplace that walking 10,000 steps a day could improve your health. Walking can reduce the risk of cancer, improve cholesterol levels, increase bone density, control weight and improve flexibility and coordination – all positive things. And anybody, unless you’re stuck in a wheel chair, can walk. So a lot of seniors wear pedometers on their hips to keep track of their steps. It’s a simple little gadget. Just dial in the length of your gait, and the pedometer automatically keeps track of how far you’ve walked. Magic. I wear one when I go for my early morning walks. It takes me a little over a 1,000 steps to walk around my block, and since I’ve got a 30-inch gait, that calculates out to be about a half mile. It's not really far enough for a good workout, so I’ve doubled the distance. In another month, I’ll double it again. And the month after that, I’ll double it again. My goal is to hit 10,000 steps by 2008. Yeah! I’m going to be skinny!

So, evidently, the word’s out on walking, because seniors all over the country are doing it; and it’s a good thing. But maybe you’re one of those folks who has a rough time walking around your own neighborhood. It’s hot in the summer, and cold in the winter. Dogs bark at you. Cats hiss at you, and teenager drivers nearly run you down as you cross the streets. If that’s the case, then I suggest you take a trip to your local mall and join the other gazillion seniors who’ve found a safe, comfortable and congenial place to get in their 10,000 steps a day. It may just be your ticket to a longer life.

By the way, before you embark on any walkabout program, read up on the subject, acquire the proper walking gear, and for goodness sake, consult your physician.

Slay the Speckled Monster

2007-08-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time small pox was known as the speckled monster, but the miracle of vaccination changed all of that.

I was vaccinated for small pox way back in the late 1940’s. Small pox was a ghastly disease that could leave you with hideous scars, high fever, fatigue, headaches, blindess and even death. So after the vaccine was developed, everyone flocked to get one. I stood in line with a lot of other kids and, when it came my turn, the nurse pricked my skin on my upper left arm with a small, sharp, bifurcated needle. A scab formed within a few days, fell off, and I never suffered from any ill effects from the procedure. My parents had no problem with me being vaccinated. The schools required it, so as far as they were concerned, it was safe. They had no way of knowing, of course, that, "...the risks of small pox vaccine were greater than the risks of small pox" (Vaccine: The Controversial Story of Medicine's Greatest Lifesaver). I was vaccinated nearly sixty years ago. My memory is fading, but I still have the telltale small pox scar.

The last case of natural small pox anywhere in the world occurred in 1978, and by 1980 the disease had been completely eradicated. Yahoo! It was a great scientific achievement, and we're now free to go about our business with one less thing to worry about. However, we know there are still countries out there that keep a few tiny vials of small pox on ice. They say it's only for research, not biowarfare. Do we trust them? It's a hard question. So to be on the safe side, we keep a supply of small pox vaccine. In fact, the National Food and Drug Administration recently announced that a brand new small pox vaccine, labeled ACAM2000, has just received the FDA's final approval. Don't worry, though, this time there won't be any long lines of little kids anxiously waiting to be vaccinated. The new vaccine is only for the so-called high risk segment - public health workers, military personnel, scientists, the president - those guys. What about the rest of us? Avoid contact with small pox patients.

Before I leave this subject, I'm interested in something: Do you remember your own small pox vaccination? Did your parents object? Did you suffer any ill effects? Have you heard of anyone who developed health problems as a result of being vaccinated? Drop me a line. I'd like to har what you have to say.