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| A lovely sunrise over Lake Conroe from the patio of our Lake House |
30 Sep: Arise now and greet the morning! We did and discovered a brilliant sunrise. The cardiologist phoned last night with news that the cardio procedures could be delayed until Friday instead of our scheduled time 7:30 AM tomorrow. He will phone again this morning with a plan. We will continue with morning plans to go to the gym and the dentist; if he has not called by noon, we head to the medical center where we have a hotel room reserved for the night. I am very thankful for this day. Ok! It's high noon:fifteen. We continued on and did not receive the call to delay the procedures so off we go to the medical center after stops at Smoothie King and the recycling center. The drive is always stressful, but we are now ensconced at the Hilton Plaza Medical Center with a lovely room; the doctor called Ron with good news that we are scheduled tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM for certain. We are due at the hospital by 5:30 AM. We plan to walk the 10 blocks from the hotel to the hospital because the shuttle doesn't run until 7:00. Tonight we will walk to the Rotary House for dinner.
29 Sep: Microsoft issues and glitches surfaced in Vol 6 once again just as the end was in sight. What else is new but yet another problem to be resolved? Several hours later, Vol. 6 is fixed after believing it would be a simple 15 minute operation. Now, it is backed up on the external hard drive as well as the Airport and sent to Dropbox. Ron phoned Thompson Shore. Yay!!! Plans for today: exercise, pack for the morning departure. Oh. We will make a trip to the storage unit with boxes since Ron can't lift over ten pounds after surgery Thursday. Cynthia made a Smoothie using protein powder, sugar free jelly and ice cubes.
28 Sep: First I love you of the day, Smooch!! Cynthia live streamed some of the heavenly wonders last evening because overcast skies blocked her view. We did good at our gym workout! We thought we deserved a treat at Smoothie King but the doors were locked; the staff did a no-show. On Cynthia's return trip from the dermatologist early afternoon, Smoothie King was open so she brought the treats home. She went in for a biopsy on her right nostril that the doctor believes to be basal cell carcinoma. Results will be return in ten days to two weeks. A badly needed rain fell throughout today. The evening skies are clearing with marvelous shades of orange, violet to Crimson. Printed pages of Vol. 6 look mighty fine; the next job is to split the manuscript into two (6 A and 6B), then it goes into Dropbox for the publisher Thompson-Shore. But, unfortunately, glitches continue to appear because of Microsoft Word. Another issue this morning. Bummer!!
27 Sep, Sunday: The photos below are from an enchanting walk last night. The sunset and moonscape were marvelous; so, too, the music and message at morning worship:
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Refrain
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then *I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!
26 Sept, Sat! The lake is gorgeous and the temperature is glorious. Ron (photos) is enjoying his Saturday conversations with sistah Carol. For lunch we will reap the benefits of dental cleaning: Smoothie King has fat free and low sugar enjoyable meals in a glass. Good news: our pharmacy will reschedule all of our RX to renew the same date and ship them to us wherever we are; the first package of 90 day refills will be ready Tuesday with the next refills ready when we return to Texas in January. While some of our details may seem silly to our readers, this blog is really a collection of records for the IRS.
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| Ron is caught red handed in mid conversation |
25 Sept, Fri?? How did that happen? Three months to Christmas??? Maybe we should stay up later to hold back time? We woke up at 3:30 AM so it has already been a long day, but a good one, beginning with our gym workout. Ron rowed fewer strokes but more efficiently burning more calories. Cynthia is increasing strength. Not wasting time, we ran errands with a stop at Smoothie King second on our shopping list. Ron worked on Vol. 6 this afternoon, inserting a footer that increased the size by two pages and did not change the pagination; he changed the titles to reflect which volume has the index. By mid afternoon it was time for a Jacuzzi...Mmmmm. We walked Walden after dinner at the Caddy Shack once again; the Cajun spiced Rainbow Trout was tasty while Cynthia enjoyed a cucumber salad with chicken breast. Ron's after walking massages are helping Cynthia's sciatica.
24 Sept, Thurs: Brenham--- Former President, CEO and Chairman of Blue Bell Creameries, Ed F. Kruse, passed away at the age of 87.
Kruse helped his father at a young age at Blue Bell Creameries hand wrapping ice cream sandwiches by hand. He dedicated to the company for over 60 years.After graduating Texas A&M University in 1949, Kruse joined the company full time in 1951 as a manager. He was formally named Chairman, President and General Manager in 1968 and a CEO in 1986. In 1993, he moved into a smaller role with the company until he fully retired in 2014.
Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences named Kruse as Outstanding Alumni Award as well as the Association of Former Students Distinguished Alumnus Awar
23 Sept, Wed: Happy Autumn Equinox!!! Ha! The temperature here is forecast to be 93 degrees. Our gym workout was challenging. Oh, boy, Eddie is quite the taskmaster. Ron was delighted to row for 15 minutes, 134 strokes and 153 calories with only one short-of-breath rest. Boot camp was abusing jump ropes and jump-ropers. Then on to the dentist for Ron's two hour cleaning ordeal. Ron managed to endure the two-hour heavy-duty, pick-and-shovel cleaning nicely thanks to a little bIt of numbing. Dr. Anderson is also a VERY competent dentist; he gave us an overview of treatment that will begin in January once we return to Texas: temporary caps on 8 front uppers and lowers followed by several gum grafts (surgery) on exposed teeth and behind the yet-to-be-installed new bridge, and then permanent caps. Dr. Ernie Anderson is one of Houston's finest dentists; he will do an excellent job. He prescribed liquids only today, preferably cold ones. The 40-ounce Smoothies at Smoothie King were certainly a relief for sore teeth, the best part of the day. Yum!
22 Sept, Tues: Hey! I don't remember yesterday. Hmmm Cynthia worked on DNA. (Nothing surprising about that.) Yes. Ron hardly worked. Yes. We walked to the Caddy Shack for dinner and followed that epicurean adventure with our 92nd rendition of the 4.5K "Walk in Walden." We turned back from the gravel path immediately upon encountering gnats today; for once the concrete sidewalk looked preferable.
21 Sept, Mon:Ron arose early, as is his custom, to enjoy the sunrise on the dock. Gym class was at 9:30 this AM. It is much quieter without the motivational music for the girlies Boot Camp; those girls work impressively hard. Ron is learning how to row, row, row his boat-less "shell" more effectively and burned 154 calories in 15 minutes taking 138 strokes. Following our escape, Ron mailed our first Christmas letter early and scored holiday Elvis stamps. We also bought sorbet at Brookshire Brothers and yeast at Wally World (absolutely essential for bread). What a surprise to receive a request at noon-thirty to show the house at 3:45, so we did the clean up boogie. After straightening our messes, Ron pulled weeds, and Cynthia washed windows. We are pleased with the results. Now, if only we can get a buyer!! To while away the hour for the showing, we drove to the Walden Fitness Center for a post-workout workout. Even on the second last day of summer, it is still much too hot to walk in the Texas mid-day sun. To each his/her own, Cynthia spent time on the treadmill, and Ron on the elliptical machine. We had a Beatty Good Day!
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| Jon & Cynthia, Bill & Sandy in BRIGHT sunshine |
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| Ron & Cynthia,Bill & Sandy at the Walden Yacht Club for Sunday brunch |
20 Sep, Sun: Music at worship was very uplifting; it helps to have familiar hymns. Even Ron joined in singing "Amazing Grace." Cynthia's friends Bill and Sandy from Hempstead joined us for brunch along with Jon, Cynthia's son. When 6:30 PM arrived, the temperature had cooled enough to walk but at the approach of darkness the nasty gnats swelled to epidemic proportions; they were ... Nasty!
19 Sep: After a morning of computer stuff, we went to our fitness center (not the gym) and we worked out (gently) for an hour before getting ready for dinner with Merry and Bill S.; they are always so much fun. Bummer, I didn't get photos. Ron went for a walk to talk to Ed.
18 Sep: CAP elite is a marvelous gym and Eddie is a terrific pro trainer. Ron works on various machines (gently) burning 134 calories in 15 minutes on the rowing machine and about the same on the manual treadmill. Cynthia is learning new routines that will travel and can be done in 30 minutes a day in hotel rooms. We enjoyed a "date" breakfast by driving 30 minutes to the Toasted Yolk, then on to shopping at Wally World; when we returned home the cleaning crew was finished and waiting to be paid. We skipped dinner out and walked instead, covering the usual 4.5 miles to the Fitness Center, counting many deer. Ron enjoyed a phone visit with brother Dean and learned of their impending adventure building a new home in Delaware only minutes from windsurfing. Ron called the South Carolina Friday Night Dinner Group and talked to everyone.
17 Sep: Accomplishments, many and varied: The house has been cleaned for the cleaning woman tomorrow, the recycling is ready to be taken to the recycling center, Cynthia baked bread, AliveCor has been installed on Cynthia's phone and it does take an EKG in thirty seconds. She made reservations at a hotel in the medical center for 30 September so we can easily get to the hospital early morning October first for the procedure to open the LAD. And we had a 6 plus mile walk that included a trip to the Caddy Shack for dinner. We won't order Mahi Mahi poached again; we didn't know that mahi mahi is Caddy Shack speak for minnow.
16 Sep: After gym class, Ron was dragged to a dental appointment (not unwillingly), where Dr. Anderson performed a most thorough evaluation of Ron's myriad dental problems. Cynthia is in favor of incredible amounts of corrective work: filling that long-lived hole behind his bridge, capping many chipped teeth, treating periodontal disease NOW, etc., etc. The Toasted Yolk again fed us wonderful egg white veggie omelets, and now we are ensconced at the Montgomery County Library researching. Woo woo: A new phone app, AliveCor, is expected to arrive this day; it fits the phone like a cover with two metal squares on the face. By holding fingers to the metal or by holding the phone to the chest it takes an EKG and sends it to the doctor. It is supposed to record blood pressure, pulse, meds and activity. Does it work? We don't know. We have returned three wrist devises because they don't do what is promised. We were too tired to walk after dinner, but Ron went for a speedy walk-n-talk for nine holes worth on the golf course cart path.
15 Sep: Cynthia's ear infection is healed: Good news! Ron received another care package of Sudokus from Oke in Vermont which gave him a very big smile. Now he is pondering what to do next because he was anticipating a long search for a paper he needed, but instead, he found it immediately. Cynthia is working on Brooks and Lea DNA.
14 Sep: 73 degrees at Lake Conroe this gorgeous morning. Up and at em to the gym followed by shopping at Wally World, and more of the usual computer works till time for the nightly walk.
13 Sep, Sunday: Pastor Diane blessed backpacks that were donated for school kids with an interesting sermon about items of faith to carry in the packs. Ron had a couple episodes during worship when sudden sweating caused him to sit down a couple of times; when he opened his eyes his vision was blurry. Cynthia thought he looked pale before worship. Was breakfast too big (two bowls of fat free cereal and toast with protein powder)? By the time church was over Ron was refreshed and ready for brunch at the Walden Yacht Club. This is Grandparents Day meaning eleven grandkids had better be in touch with Grandmother by midnight.
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| Our Walden neighbors |
11 Sep: The anniversary of 911 is heart rending. We slept late because we didn't have to go anywhere until gym class; Cynthia described it as a tough workout; she is sore. Ron worked on the slanted treadmill that operates manually or with power. Dr. Gould sent an email that he prefers Option #2 which means we are scheduled: October 1st surgery to open and stent the LAD, October 2nd surgery for cardio version to correct atrial flutter, October 8th follow up medical appointment with Dr. Arian, October 9th flight to Vermont. We hope to hike and see New England fall colors, return to Boston by motorcycle to see our friends, Richard, Maggie, MIT friends, and then travel to Philadelpia to see friends, and on to Raleigh, NC to the Archives. Prayers for Eddie and Beanie as they mourn the loss of her mother.
10 Sep: Ron's follow-up appointment with Dr. Arian was preceded by a delicious breakfast at the Toasted Yolk and light traffic on the long drive to the medical center in Houston. First things first, Dr. Arian pronounced that it was his official medical opinion that Ron is still alive - GREAT NEWS. We discussed treatment options, and Dr. Arian recommended an ablation procedure to cauterize the faulty electrical pathways that cause the atrial flutter. (Pam says that my EKG is the classic atrial flutter pattern that she studied but has never seen in the flesh.) Ron opted instead for door number 2, opening the LAD followed by a quickie cardioversion to reset the heart into normal sinus rhythm. Cross your fingers and pray that God approves of this decision. So the procedure is scheduled for October 1st, the cardioversion for the 2nd, a follow-up with Dr. Arian on the 8th and a flight to Rutland, VT via Boston on the 9th. With luck, the motorcycle will start, if we are less lucky the battery will still recharge successfully, and if we have bad luck, the battery will be dead as a doornail. We ate again at Pappadeaux; this time the Icelandic Cod was delicious. Upon successful return to 13506 Northshore Drive, we embarked again on the daily routine fitness walk to the fitness center - except it was near enough dark that we instead walked on the golf course cart-paths to a point looking out at the lake. Ron then showered, ate, and composed an e-mail to Dr. Gould to ask his advice in re ablation vs opening the artery. Now it is midnight, time to collect points for first "I LOVE you" of the new day.
Oh oh. Houston, we have a problem. Somebody accidentally deleted the first several days of September. Well, we will fix this blog tomorrow night! But Ron didn't get a Round Tuit until May 3 2021 !!
8 Sep: Ohmygoodness but the days fly. We saw the ENT, Ron had an x-ray to determine if he has a sinus infection. The X-ray says no, Ron says yes. Cynthia has a bit of ear infection extant so keep on with the drops. The audiologist did repair work on her hearing aids. Now she can hear everything!!! Uh-oh! Ron will lose his opportunity to rephrase his speech. Breakfast at the 105 Cafe was yummy before going to CAPelite to sign Cynthia up for a month of Boot Camp. Well. Not quite, but at nine AM tomorrow she begins a month of workouts with a personal trainer. The sculpture below, according to Cynthia: (This photo was lost in the mishap.)
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"Woman's Empty Womb, sculpture by artist who sculpted Jimmy Carter's bust, touched my heart when son, Scott Forde, was terminally ill in 1998. I filled her womb with Faith, Hope and Love to overlook a meditation pond. Tomorrow she will have a new home with Scott's daughter Samantha Rose Forde.
7 Sep: Have a happy, safe Labor Day! We are home alone because grandchildren's plans changed to go to the beach with friends. Most nicer restaurants are closed so Cynthia prepared fat free potato salad, Cajun chicken breast (George Foreman Grill) to go with veggies and fat-free, sugar free bread churned out daily by the bread bakery machine. By 6:30 we were ready for our evening walk; by 8:30 we had covered about 5.5 miles and saw about 20 deer.
6 Sep, Sunday: Imagine not hearing a sound??? Yup! That has been the problem with Cynthia's hearing since ear drops for an infection made the hearing worse. Today's sermon was about Jesus healing the man who could not hear. Ron and the pastor thought this quite apropos and enjoyed a good laugh. After brunch, a realtor brought a client for a house showing so we sucked up the heat and walked to the fitness center to workout while they were viewing the house. Yes, Cynthia is doing her part to keep Ron exercised. Atrial fibrillation is keeping his energy output to a comfortable level. That is, he got on the elliptical machine and was pleased to be able to walk at a moderate level and pace ... for about 10 minutes - before noticing that he was running short of breath. So he lifted light weights and used strength machines lightly before resuming on the elliptical machine. The shortness of breath returned in only a few minutes, long before he lost interest in the Grand Prix race on the TV. So he hopes for more improvement after the next procedure, God willing, but for sure he needs the atrial fibrillation fixed before he'll be happy with his physical capabilities again. And later, Cynthia's hearing returned, Imagine!!!
5 Sep: Anyone for a repeat of Friday? ... Just sayin...! Cynthia was delighted to hear from our friends Lene and Erling in Kristiansand, Norway. Lene, a famous rosemaling artist and sculptor, has completed four of seven Ambar boxes for Cynthia's seven granddaughters. Ambar boxes once held bread dough or puddings, etc. Here is a photo of three of the Ambars, not yet painted. (Photo lost in the mishap.)
2 Sep: Ron watched the sunrise until Cynthia awoke early, excited to discover grandson Eric sent a touching YouTube video of his proposal to Haylee. Covenant Electric Company arrived by nine AM to replace the smoke detectors; mission accomplished in less than an hour with very satisfied customers. Thanks to Oke for keeping Ron supplied with Sudokus for any minute he can spare. We keep on keeping on with our daily 4-5 mile walks despite the heat and humidity.
1 Sep: Ron awoke at 5:30 to recommence paging through Hofmann's NC Grants. He is finally finding enough neighbors with plottable plats to hope to locate the various properties in Caswell County precisely. Volume 6 is awaiting feedback from the proofreaders. This afternoon, the first draft of our annual letter will soon be typed. (Ron wrote the draft on a "napkin" en route to the hospital for the heart cath.) The plan is to post pictures of the PET scan and arteries before and after stenting. So here is the PET scan under stress (another photo missing)
Notice that the top line shows the heart well supplied at rest, an improvement. Then notice the blues in the bottom line; essentially half of Ron's heart is not getting enough blood under stress - and I've been doing fine with that heart and vigorous hiking until the atrial fibrillation kicked in. The first stent in the RCA has probably already improved the blood flow so that half of that blue, blood-starved area has turned a prettier green and yellow. We continue walking 4.5 miles daily in the Texas heat, cooler recently.
