POST 1485;MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI;11-30-15

Tomorrow morning we will arrive in the village of SOSO, Mississippi.

Today we meandered South on Route 11, stopped for lunch in a valley of lakes squared off looking ever so much like Rice Paddies.

SPIA once again gave a few "stutters" after sitting an hour or so during lunch.  Acted like water in a cylinder or two.  The stutter smoothed out after 10 seconds or so and did not come back.  Worth checking at a auto service shop if it continues.  Radiator water level seems OK above the fins.  Purchased a gallon of anti freeze just in case there might be a gasket leak or some such ...

A bit of local history.  Never hurts to gain more knowledge which, after all =  POWER.

You laugh ... WHAT IF:  You are on JEOPARDY and that becomes the final question? ... OR ...

US 11 South - extension - as it parallel's I-59 near the Alabama - Mississippi border.

Lunch at lakes appearing to be Rice Paddies.

* * * * * * * * * *

It is now 2:30 PM.  We are stopped for today and tonight at LOVE's Truck Stop neat Meridian, Mississippi, some 50 miles from SOSO, where we are expected to arrive tomorrow, spend a day or two before continuing on our current Saga to the CANADA / USA Border at Blaine, Washington. 

Anticipate a 4 - month walk and roll, arriving April - May 2016.

I will take this opportunity to introduce you to that which I call THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.

Searched for by explorers from time immemorial, THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH has never been found.

In 1991, I found The FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH after a 48 - hour search !

In January 1991, my wife, CRI (Christiane) was diagnosed with aggressive very advanced Breast Cancer ... given a short time to live.

I asked myself, "What can I do to help CRI?

Searching the NET and Medical Books by the score, I discovered a single sentence in a 3 - inch thick medical volume.  That sentence changed both our lives: 

By our application of our discovery for five hours EVERY DAY for the next five YEARS, CRI was apparently Cancer Free.

CRI after those five years, asked me to move out of our home, as she wanted to "...do the rest on my own...".

I did as she asked.

Five years later, CRI passed on.   

I too, received a gift from CRI ... for our final five years together, she applied to my body the SAME discovery she received from me.

Since 1991, I have not been ILL - except for the Heart Attack when I learned she had divorced me.

I mean my body has avoided being ill !  I attribute my "Wellness" to our discovery and DAILY applying the guidelines laid down by THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.

I also strongly feel that had we remained together, CRI would today be alive and well.

Where, might be asked, did I discover The FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH !

...In my own BODY ... as well as in the BODY of each of us !

In further answer, I refer to a single TIME - LIFE Book carrying the Title:

THE DEFENDING ARMY ...

The DEFENDING ARMY is written by MANY highly educated medical experts from numerous fields ... together defining in clear text and beautiful illustrations ... THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM has two main attributes:

CONTROL of our BODY WATER SYSTEM - AND - Main depository for our IMMUNE SYSTEM; i.e. White Blood Cells, which "Live" in our Lymph Nodes.

WATER is moved about our body through our LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.

ANTIGENS (ANYTHING classified as an ENEMY to our body) travel through our LYMPHATIC SYSTEM, carried along by the water.  IMMUNE CELLS located in our LYMPH NODES have a single mission: ... to identify, intercept and DESTROY ANTIGENS.

Sounds easy so far. 

The LYMPHATIC SYSTEM looks much like our Blood Circulatory System, with two major exceptions:

1.  The BLOOD SYSTEM is CIRCULATORY; that is, the FLUIDS (blood cells) go round and round the system, delivering nutrients to working cells ... and return to be refilled with new nutrients.

1.A:  The LYMPHATIC SYSTEM is a ONE - WAY System, carrying FLUIDS (Water, Etc.) from body EXTREMES to Center Organs

2.  The BLOOD SYSTEM has a PUMP (the HEART) to continually push the fluids round and round.

2A:  The LYMPHATIC SYSTEM has NO PUMP.   It is totally up to EACH of us to MAKE THE WATER FLOW !

To MAKE THE WATER FLOW, the "Pipes" are encapsulated in a MESH of MUSCLE, and contain "Non Return Valves" allowing the WATER to flow ONLY toward the center of the body.

MUSCLE Contraction squeezes the Pipes, compressing the fluid inside, causing the fluid - and ANTIGENS hitching a ride in the water - to FLOW.

Essential to be DESTROYED, ANTIGENS are carried by the flowing water into the LYMPH NODES and the waiting IMMUNE CELLS (White Blood Cells) where ANTIGENS are identified and DESTROYED.

Many actions make MUSCLE Contract:  The very BEST way is for each of us to WIGGLE.  The LYMPHATIC SYSTEM Pipes are every where in our body.  Cross your knees starts an automatic leg( moving action...apparently for one reason: 

TO MAKE THE WATER FLOW !!!

REFLEXOLOGY, TAI CHI, and any number of movements (Essentially, EXERCISE) get the job done.  We constantly hear the doctor's departing words :  " ... be sure to do your exercises...", but NEVER tells us why ... AND, it is not to make us feel good ...

...it is to MAKE THE WATER FLOW!


I said I discovered a single sentence that led me to THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM and the magic CRI and I found.

That sentence was:

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM "KILLS CANCER".

The TIME - LIFE volume THE DEFENDING ARMY is available on line.  I purchased my copy from AMAZON.COM for $3.00 plus freight. 

By walking I tend to remain WELL.

I profess that merely WIGGLING is enough to CONTRACT the MUSCLES surrounding the Pipes in which WATER and ANTIGENS  ...FLOW !
.
Would be pleased to receive comments and / or Suggestions.

POST 1484; MC CALLE,ALABAMA;11-30-15

The huge storm has reached into the South East.  Been raining off and on since we left Knoxville.  Culloden (Dallas' home), West Virginia,even had a few inches snow.

We stayed at Flying J Truck Stop, McCalla, Alabama, last night ... about 50 miles South of Birmingham on I-59

As we have SPIA, Truck Stops offer a free safe place for overnight with food and showers available; all very welcome.  Sure beats sleeping in a cold damp tent.


Two nights ago we over nighted at a Truck Stop near Chattanooga, Tennessee.  SPIA's motor has developed a MORNING stutter on startup.  Probably the high humidity with all this rain.  Only stuttered once, so trusting it will be OK.

We sneaked into the State of Georgia for a few miles; otherwise, we spent the day cruising down Highway 11 (paralleling I-59), enjoying the countryside and gorgeous estates sprinkled along the way.

Not many ranches as the one pictured above.

Surprising number of Cattle ranches along Highway 11.

This looks very much like an abandoned Gas Station ... perhaps converted into a nice looking home.

Typical estate home in Alabama.  A number are advertised FOR SALE.

Nice LEAN TO to come home to ...

All in all, Alabama is a comfy pleasant State.

*  * * * * * * * * * *

Today we continue on Route 11, following I-59 to the city of Laurel, Mississippi.  Nearby is the tiny village of SOSO, home to friend Julius (Mr. Gavin), Author and Retailer (with Wife and Sister-In-Law) of some VERY fine Southern Antiques.   He purports to have every poisonous snake as most-of-the-time residents on his properties.  Perhaps this visit he will introduce one to me. 

I have lived in and visited many environs where choosy vipers live.  So far, I have NEVER met up with a live one in his natural habitat.

SPIA = 1995 MAZDA MPV.

POST 1483; KNOXVILLE, TN.; 11-27-15

It is hard to perceive the beauty of the Tennessee River TVA Project ... miles and miles of shoreline hosting unending designer homes with magnificent views.  The river itself, like the trunk of a massive tree with many branches ( Coves ), themselves with palacial homes standing shoulder to shoulder on steep river banks... many with small floating boathouses protecting spotless yachts and powerful fishing boats.

Please say HELLO to Coleen and Clayton, neighbors of Sister Millie, out for their daily doggy walk on steep, curving, forested country / mountain roads.

Love your Hat, Coleen !

Small Cove branching from the "trunk" of the Tennessee River.

Millie's home is a bit to the left of the Cove ... yet, with a view looking over the cove and far down the main Tennessee River Channel., which reaches the Mississippi River some 600 miles down stream.

Typical hill top home looking over the Main River Channel.

Driveway goddess welcoming visitors.

A tree bent nearly flat by a long ago tree falling on it when it was young.  Many such dis-configured trees are seen in the hardwood forests.

Private Driveway climbing from the main roadway to a splendid home hidden from view.

Another Cove leading from the Tennessee River Channel when one of the 29 Hydro electric dams flooded valleys far back into the hills of Tennessee; ... Coves now becoming stunning neighborhoods with endless waterfront.

One "designer" home more exquisite than the next one; all with seclusion and views to dream of.

A tree in the process of dying.

Stockpile of Water Pipe waiting for the start of the project to bring "City" water to the country folk ... who currently use water from private drilled wells.

Very hilly near the river, affording spectacular views for nearly every one.

Yes, good fishing too.

Home of Sister Millie ... SPIA parked to the left.

Front yard designer plant ...

* * * * * * * * * *

Having enjoyed Thanksgiving with Sister Millie, it is once again time to Walk and Roll.

In the morning we say goodbye; Millie to prepare her gorgeous home for the Spring Market  ... and SAM, SPIA and ME to find new treasures and friends while traveling to the tiny town of SOSO (near LAUREL, Mississippi).

That, before walking and rolling West to Bakersfield, California, thence North on the Pacific Ocean Coast to the USA / CANADA border crossing at Blaine, Washington ... thus completing USA Crossing number fourteen - and some 33,000 miles on foot!

POST 1482; KNOXVILLE, TN; 11-26-15

Please say HELLO to Sister Mildred (Milly), now 73 years old, living on the banks of the Tennessee River near the FORT LOUDOUN Dam. 

Spending a few days with Millie over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we took a long tour of the TVA Project  towns and TVA River facilities near Knoxville, Tennessee.

TVA history may be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Valley_Authority

Sister Millie (Mick) playing Tour Guide.

SPIA (1995 MAZDA) parked at Millie's beautiful Log Home overlooking Tennessee River Lake FORT LOUDOUN

View of Lake FORT LOUDOUN as seen from my room at Sister Millie's.  Photograph taken before sunrise this morning.

FORT LOUDOUN Dam ... ; the most up-river TVA dam, completed in 1943.  There is no navigation beyond this point (Knoxville, Tennessee).

Please say HELLO to RUBEN holding the WALLEYE he caught in the out-flow from the Spillway of  FORT LOUDOUN DAM.

Waters rising behind TVA dams displaced more than 15,000 families who left behind the grain SILOS above.  More SILOS were here and there poking out of the lake Millie and I visited today.

Countless homes, marinas, restaurants have been built on the extensive shore line of the TVA project.

Popular CALHOUN's Restaurant.

Tennessee River viewed from the highway bridge spanning the Tennessee River above FORT BOUDOUN DAM.

Barn overlooking the Tennessee River.

1802 Church - part of the UNDER GROUND RAILWAY smuggling Slaves in Civil War Era.

Distant Blue Ridge Mountains...looking East toward North Carolina.

More Farm SILOS flooded be TVA Project.

Vintage Water Tower.

Tennessee River Cove from Millie's home looking toward FORT BOUDOUN Dam ... unseen in the distant mist.

* * * * * * * * * *

In a few moments we will share our Turkey Thanksgiving Din Din.

Wishing a safe and blessed holiday to all.