My walking routine has taken a "hit" lately. Something about not taking enough calcium, fiber, potassium or water. My life pardner has provided that diagnosis.
Then I consulted with my chiropractor guru over in Madison. Dr. of Chiropractic, Grasshopper No.2 diagnosed the problem as "so-ass" (some people mis-pronounce the term as sore-ass). Yep, that is me.
Grasshopper No.2 says that mid-back Vertebrae No.12 needs adjustment to release the tense muscle group to my butt. Then when you follow the muscle group to my butt, Vertebrae No.4 is out of place putting pressure on my psoas (pronounced so-ass) muscle causing my leg to have problems. Vertebrae No.12 was adjusted painfully. Vertebrae No.4 was adjusted from both sides painfully. Now with relaxed muscles and a perfectly alligned butt, I have a chance to get back to my old self. Time will tell. My butt still aches but I'm told it takes 5-7 days for inflamation to recede.
Of course pulling weeds and trimming bushes with Collin couldn't have exacerbated my problem.
Potentially playing golf 2-3 weeks ago without stretching exercises couldn't have caused my problem.
It couldn't be old age?
The lesson Grasshoppers is that health issues do occur in life. We each need to find the solution that works for us. I tried Grasshopper No.3's remedy for everything (rub some dirt on it) and it didn't work. It is really embarassing to tell people my problem is "so-ass". Then again, maybe the diagnosis is an appropriate discription. Hmmmmm?
Have a great 4th of July. Enjoy your freedoms. Live your freedoms. Fight for your freedoms.
Love,
Dad
I see that Warren Buffet, the financial guru from Omaha, Nebraska agreed to have lunch with 4 people. The key was the lunch was put out for bid. The highest bidder for the package of 4 guests got the honor for a mere $1,600,000. The money goes to charity. I wonder what people would bid to have lunch with me?
Yesterday was Grasshopper No.4's birthday. My calculations say 37 years and counting. He got a birthday card from someone that opens to the music "Macho Man". That must have set his heart "aflutter".
Coincidently, Grandson Nevin also had his birthday on the same day. 22 years and counting.
To finish off the birthdays, Mom's sister turned 70 in May and her younger husband turns 70 in August. They have celebrated and celebrated and celebrated!
Wait, one more person to remember. Grasshopper No.2 has always hated her birthdate of Dec.30. She has intentially picked the halfway point in the year to celebrate. It has something to do with the festivity of Christmas making her birthday less important. So here is a happy half year birthday wish making her 47.5 years of age. My brother Jerry has a birthday on Dec.27th. The timing always spoilled the celebration.
Last year, we had a landscaper do some major "surgery" around the house. We pulled bushes and shrubs. Weeds came out. Roundup Weed Killer was the choice. Then we planted and had mulch hauled in. In really kept the economy going.
This year Grandson Collin and I have tackled the landscape job. It beats the $40-50 per hour for professional landscapers. Collin has a stronger back. I have lots of supervisory experience. What a combination! It is amazing what two people can do over 8-10 hours. My contribution to slowing down the economy is doing my own landscape work. It is the economy, stupid!
Rumor has it that Grasshopper No.3 has sold his 21 foort Checkmate boat. I can't imagine what is next. Maybe a hovercraft? I think the love affair with going very, very fast trying to achieve the perfect synchonized maximum out of a 235 horsepower Mercury engine might just be exchanged for "fat assed comfort". Getting older does that for you.
The lesson Grasshopper is that life keeps moving. It waits for no-one. Make the most of it!
Love,
Dad
I had a casual conversation with Grasshopper No.3 recently regarding parents and children. As all of you know, I never attended any of your activities when you were growing up. Yet I have many, many pictures to prove I was there for you. Hmmmm!
I did miss No.3's soccer involvemnt when he was a senior year in high school. I think the year was 1982. This was the first year of competitive soccer at the school and North High was part of the Fox Valley Conference. No.3 had to choose between football and soccer. Soccer won out and the rest is history.
North High played 12 conference games. They went 11-1 and were declared Conference Champions. Grasshopper No.3 went out a winner.
Where was I? This was one of those situations where I missed the drama. I vaguely remember the interest in soccer but I had no idea that soccer would go on to be something big. I don't remember going to any games but if I search our photos long enough, maybe I'll find one where I am present.
No.3 did not score any goals. I was informed that he played defense and he didn't have the opportunity to score. That shows what I know about soccer. I asked if he was any good. His response was "we were champions weren't we"? He has a picture in the school Annual to prove his accomplishments.
So in this instance, I failed as a supporting father. I'm sure that No.3 gained much needed acclaim and sense of accomplishment. This must be the only instance where I didn't render my support to you kids growing up?
By the way, the North High School mascot is the Golden Eagles. Go big birds!
The lesson Grasshoppers is that sometimes parents miss the precious growing experiences of their kids. You can't ever get those moments back. I do know you always had unconditional support.
Love,
Dad
Father's Day came and went. It was exciting as usual. I was surrounded by my children and their families. I was treated to steak from the grill, lots of gifts and the day ended by watching the U.S Golf Championship on TV. Lastly, a messeuse showed up to give me a one hour massage (one of my gifts).
Then I woke up from my dream. Yep it was a dream! I read a few cards and took a few "love you Dad telephone calls". I fried my own brats. No massage!
When I was a kid I remember a song that contained the lyrics "Where Have You Been Billy Boy, Billy Boy". The song kept running though my mind as I watched the end of the U.S.Open Golf telecast. Instead of "Billy", I substituted "David". "Where have you been David Boy, David Boy. Where have you been Charming David. He has been to seek a life, the true meaning of his strife, it's a tough thing he needed to discover".
I am talking about David Duval. 10 years ago he was ranked number one in the golfing world. He was rolling in money. He had discovered nutritional eating and developed a body building regimen that made him really "buff". He won the British Open title in the late 1990's.
Suddenly David disappeared from competitive golf. He played in some tournaments but didn't do well and recently was ranked 882 in the world (only the top 150 get reasonable recognition). He is 37 years old and the last 10 years have kind of slipped away. Then this last weekend as the U.S.Open unfolded, this sloppy overweight guy dressed in loose fitting clothes was challenging to win the Open. To eliminate the suspense, it was David and he did not win the Open but he did finish 2nd. Given a few breaks, he could have won.
So the question is "Where have you been David Duval"? He has started a nice family and his priorities are balanced. Golf obviously did not provide the satisfaction he was looking for. It is hard to feel sorry for David. His 2nd place finish earned him $560,000 for 4 days work. He stood on the "recognition stand" with his son cradled in his arms. He seemed at peace.
So maybe the real winner of the U.S.Open was David Duval. Surrounded by family and a nice check for finishing second, his enjoyment of the moment (and Father's Day) had to be very satisfying.
So Grasshoppers, it ain't complicated. Enjoyment of life involves what is important to you. The world "balance" always seems to come up.
Love,
Dad