POST 1189; SEPTEMBER 27, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

 Feel as though the past two months have been mostly wasted...sitting in this empty apartment - not a single visitor or phone call - watching the shin splint injury healing, which it is doing.  Of the three points of injury, only the muscle / tendon tear attached to the index toe (next to the big toe) is still on the mend.

Last week, took the first of three walks with SAM...each 1.5 to 2 hour duration, avoiding any steep hills.  The completion of each walk resulted in some swelling...less with each walk.   There is, however, no pain.

Most of my leisure time has been spent re-reading books from my small library.  Interesting how much "new" information I find even after reading the same stuff a number of times.  Glad I have not thrown - or given away - books.

Having little exercise for many weeks, the ole' body is badly out of shape.  Sitting or lying down to read for hours on end also leaves sore places, especially in my back.  Was a bit concerned at continued breathing difficulty wile lying down...especially lying on one side or the other.  Spent 1.5 weeks staying awake most of the night(s) for fear I might stop breathing while sleeping.  The breathing restriction seems centered in my upper back above and behind the Heart.  Standing, the restriction goes immediately away.

Spent half of one night fascinated by a series of chest pains...very like a heart attack...  During this episode, drank swallows of water during each pain, which seemed to flush out the cause.  ever since my 1995 heart attack, I keep drinking water close by.  Have discovered that stomach gas often produces chest pain(s) very similar to the heart attack pains.  Drinking a swallow or two of water flushed the "gas" away, relieving the pain.  Have come to the decision that if the pain persists after drinking the water, best to look further.  So far - after 18 years - I'm still here.

Oh, my, the little worries of advancing age.

Have one other malady:  Arthritis in both hands.  Left hand thumb started acting up some 15 years ago.  Since pushing SAM some thousands of miles, both hands are now becoming arthritic, with the restrictions / pain moving into the wrists.

It is my discovery that energetic walking allows the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM to do it's job, which among other things, flushes the body, removing toxins - indeed, removing virus, bacteria, and all other "invaders" including CANCER cells - from the body.  My take is that Arthritis is nothing more than build up of irritants in the joints...removable by and through the Lymphatic System.

Disclaimer:  No, I am not a Doctor...nor do I have any formal training in matters medical...I share here in my blog that which I have discovered...to be used or ignored.  Many might, however, find it interesting and perhaps rewarding to do a bit of research on the Lymphatic System.

My apartment lease is being renewed next month.  Terms switch from yearly to monthly; i.e., residents can terminate residency after a 30-day notice.


FALL is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest.  Rain and intermittent strong winds have been daily occurrences.  Temperatures have also dropped during the past two weeks.

I have given SAM a full overhaul, adding some details to enhance her performance.  She is fully protected from the weather and stays dry in the most severe conditions.  I owe much to many who have assisted me with SAM during our journey...with special thanks to BROKEN SPOKE Bike Shop in BISMARK, and STEFFAN BIKE in DICKINSON, North Dakota.

Work opportunity has slowed as Winter approaches.  I have resumed job search - part time or full time - which I am confident I will find shortly.

In the interim - awaiting March 2014 when Montana snows and cold abate to allow SAM & ME to complete our interrupted USA crossing - will begin local short excursions with SAM.

I must return to daily intense exercise.  It is intense exercise that allows my Lymphatic System to function to it's fullest.

It is my Lymphatic System that allows this old body to remain healthy and - as coined for SPIA (Seniors Performing Incredible Acts) by my Bellingham Teens in Juvi - walk 1.5 Marathon distances day after day after week after month after year.