the pod bay door

.: Today, 15 July 2026, is Callie’s 10th birthday. She’s been a part of my life since November 2017. She’s been a good companion for the most part, and knows where the treats are kept and lets me know in no uncertain terms when she wants to go outside in the back yard in her harness. She’s a lap cat; I’ll be sitting on my loveseat watching tv and she’ll quietly come by, survey her surroundings, and hop up onto my lap, where she will stand for a few seconds before deciding how she would like to make herself at home, and subsequently plop down and get comfy.

So, Happy Birthday, Callie, and thank you for being in my life.

.: Once again, I have completed another lap around the sun. I detest being “this old,” but realize the alternative is to leave this mortal coil. I do resent my body sending me signals that old age is officially making its way through my systems. In addition to my non-Hodgkin lymphoma (in remission, thankfully) and T2 diabetes, I now have neuropathy in my feet and lower limbs, making walking a little difficulty. Anyway, no point in whining or complaining. Onward to the next phase of my small life.

Meanwile, 73 men sailed up, from the San Francisco Bay….

OK, it’s late in the day of my 72nd Birthday. I am still here.

.: So, at 01:05 hrs on 28 June 1953, I was born. I have made it to 71 years old, and every day I can feel it in my bones and elsewhere. But I survived another trip around the Sun. That’s all I will say this time.

Peace to everyone.

.: I had suspensionplasty surgery on my left thumb on 21 March 2024. Both basal joints in both thumbs have osteoarthritis, and playing guitar has become painful. Now that the first surgery is done, I have months of healing and rehab ahead of me. I’m hoping to be able to resume guitar playing later this year.

Post-surgery tensor bandage over a half-cast:

After tensor bandage and cast were removed, they were replaced with a plastic splint, which I will wear for 4-6 weeks. I will also go for rehab once a week.

And finally, for your viewing pleasure, a few “aftermath” pix:

Here Come The 70s was the title of a tv show than was broadcast in Canada on CTV in the early 1970s. It also represents my latest birthday, which hits hard this time. Born 28 June 1953 at 01:05 hrs CDT, I am now beginning my 8th decade. I find this birthday difficult to process, in part, I believe, because parts of my body are failing me: osteoarthritis at the base of my thumbs, making it very difficult to play guitar, osteoarthritis in my right knee joint and lower back, type 2 diabetes, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (in remission, thankfully,) and other minor ailments. So forgive me if I am not in the most celebratory frame of mind as I complete another revolution around the Sun. Having a 70th birthday is better than the alternative, that much I accept. Plus, there is still much to do, people to see, places to go, and stuff like that!

Anyway, my love to everyone and thanks for checking in with me on my special day.