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.

POST 1188; SEPTEMBER 11, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

On a beautiful 85 F. sunny Bellingham day, I remain a cripple...cripple in that since the leg has finally lost most of it's swelling, I can visible see the extensive damage received from the Shin Splint injury while walking North Dakota.

Since stepping off the fish processing assembly line, it is now 1.5 weeks.  Understanding that ALL my medical care - beyond MEDICARE - has been terminated, there is no "professional" care available.  My VA application is pending, but for the moment I am dependent upon my own observations and - after referring to medical books - my self-determined treatment.  Damage to the left leg / foot is as follows:

!.  TENDON OF EXTENSOR HALLUCIS LONGUS (left leg) has torn adjacent to the ankle bone.  The tendon is healing...at present retaining a small marble size lump which is sensitive to touch, especially to rubbing from shoe while walking.

2. TENDONS OF EXTENSOR DIGITORUM LONGUS (for toes # 2, 3 and 4) have also received stress tears, with all three tendons still locally swollen with pea size bumps sensitive to touch.  Swelling for toe #2 is significant enough to make it difficult to put on a shoe...and is sensitive to even short walks (5 - 10 minutes).

The toe tendon tears appear to be at the splice point of the tendon and the muscle lying above the metatarsals.

#2 metatarsal swelling is pronounced, leading me to suspect potential bone damage, as that point of injury is NOT appearing to improve.

Bottom line:  I seem to have sustained severe damage...compounded by standing 10 - 13 hour shifts in one spot, resulting in the entire foot and leg to the knee swelling to calf-size.

Now that the swelling has mostly gone down, the damage is visible.  Any bone damage is not visible without X-Ray, but if the bone were broken, pain should be much more severe than it is.

Needless to say, I am walking only as absolutely necessary; I.e., driving to the supermarket every three or four days.

In the interim, I stay in the apartment, icing a couple times a day, using arch-supported house slippers on carpeted floors .  To keep blanket pressure off the foot, a full size pillow is used to support the bed cover(s) away from the foot.

Because of the injury, I am leaning toward a 6-month renewal of the apartment lease...then put everything into storage, and returning to the roads as a homeless walker.  The $$ saved from having no rent to pay should make it possible to continue walking with little or no $$ pain.  I remain in good spirits, confident that the injuries will heal quickly and properly.

Perhaps during the next 6 - 7 months, I will be fortunate to discover a "sit-Down" job to help pay medical bills incurred during the past 3+ years.

I appreciate the expressions of concern.  Will continue to post every few days...and in event of any significant moments.

POST 1186; AUGUST 24, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

Last night was a night to forget...and hope it never returns.

As the Sun set, so did a great weight sit on my chest...in short, I was unable to take a full proper breath until mid morning today.

The THREE days of work in North Dakota was performed in a near continuous cloud of construction dust...wood. paint, cement, and dirt tracked inside.  I requested permission to spray a water mist or sweeping compound, but was denied...resulting in my lungs filling with dust...YES, I SHOULD HAVE USED A FACE FILTER, BUT DID NOT.

The first two days working in Bellingham was spent in an enclosed room folding thousands of corrugated "fish" boxes.  Turns out corrugated boxes also create substantial "dust" also.  Naturally, face masks were not available - althouge Hair and Beard "nets" were issued to all of the 30 something folks working along side me.

Yesterday offered the opportunity to work in a different Company, performing "warehouse" work...something I have done since age 9.  Arriving at the work site, discovered the task to be joining a "production line" assembling steel cable ANCHORS ( for bridges, tunnels, buildings, etc) requiring precision and extreme high quality; steel cables inserted into plastic pipe shrouds, adding fittings, bundling 30 - 50 foot lengths of pipe-shrouded cables into groups of 4 or more cables...then feeding the cable assemblies onto a cable "coiler".

Each step of the process utilized "hay wire" fasteners applied with a "spinning" hand held hook, causing the hay wire to twist tightly around the cable bundle assemblies.

I failed in this work...primarily because I did not grasp the dexterity of the spinning hook...and the rapidity of the production line.  I was given NO instruction...told to join in...which I did at every work station...to be overwhelmed by the speed of the work...and the limited physical work spaces.

For the first time in my life, I was released early...and NOT invited to return.

Back to breathing, I slept not one minute all night...unable to take even a 1/2 breath...fearing the next breath might not come at all.

I have analyzed the progression leading to my near suffocation, thusly:

My lungs became saturated with construction and corrugated box "dust";  Sinus fluids drained down the back of my throat into my lungs (a common occurrence) mixing the dust into a pasty gruel which literally became a PLUG, cutting off my breath - both inhale and exhale.

In addition, the damage received to my KIDNEY during the recent bus ride - being squished by grossly oversize ladies into the seat arm rests, resulted in intense pain...pain released by trips to the toilet every 10 minutes ALL NIGHT LONG.

I was pleased to get my breath back around noon today...and no need to pee for the last many hours.

Today, I have slept comfortably nearly 7 hours.  Tomorrow night, I am back on the "fish" crew...from 6:00 pm 'til 4:00 am, this time, hopefully PACKING Salmon instead of handling the corrugated boxes .

My "employer" is COMMAND CENTER, INC. with temporary employment on a day-to-day basis - with $$ paid at the end of each day -.  With employment offices in over 60 cities / towns nationwide.  Phone #: 1-866-464-5844.

Left leg tendon is still swollen and tender.  No possibility to walk any distances on it for a while yet.

POST 1185; AUGUST 21, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

Yes, the national employment firm COMMAND CENTER, with whom I worked in DICKINSON, N.D., has come through again by putting me to work within 24 hours...this time, processing FISH.

One of about 30 part time workers reporting to BORNSTEIN Company, our first night (6:00 pm to ???) spent 4 hours "setting up" corrogated boxes into which fresh caught SALMON are to be packed.

Last night, we set up many hundreds of boxes...(it is now 6:00 am August 21)...tonight, all 30 some workers have been asked to return to physically process the salmon, packing them into the boxes we prepared last night.

Having never before having processed commercial fish (have been a sport fisherman all my life), I sincerely hope the processing is somewhat better organized than box set up of last night.

Last night's experience was an ABBOTT and COSTELLO presentation...

Led into a LARGE WAREHOUSE ROOM FILLED with dozens of palletized flat boxes and dozens more cartons filled with plastic bags.

Without ANY instructions or further explanation, the lady supervisor disappeared...to be seen 4 hours later when we were all sent home...with instructions to return tomorrow to "pack the salmon" into the boxes / bags we prepared last night.

Considered giving a blow by blow dissertation of 30 blind workers following 30 blind workers.  Decided against it, as I need the job and would get little thanks for revealing the THREE STOOGES approach to set up boxes...suffice to say, with NO on the spot leadership or guidance, the next four hours were at once comical...and sad.

During the bus ride last week, the bus was packed...many over-sized passengers squished into their seats...during one "leg", my seat companion plunked half of her posterior fully on my lap.  Sometime during that 27-hour bus ride, my KIDNEY became injured from the tight quarters...today, one week later, the kidney is still very sore

POST 1184; AUGUST 19, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

SAM is finally unloaded, all dirty clothing washed, folded, and put away.  Not much room in the apartment for SAM, but have used the past couple days checking out SAM's integrity---replacing many fasteners that had worked loose...also redesigning SAM's "kitchen"...the entire rear portion of SAM is reserved for "Bambi" bottles (BAMBI bottles = drinking water bottles frozen solid---just like BAMBI saw in the frozen lake), Bambi bottles kept frozen packed into IGLOO thermal zipper bags together with sandwiches and other items needing "REFRIGERATION"... The kitchen also has space for fresh fruit, yogurt, and other items needing to be kept cold.  The entire "cold" shelf is surrounded by a large thermal blanket bag...then wrapped in micro-fibre blanket.  Under SAM's push handles is another platform holds two thermo thermos bottles of 1 gallon each...filled to the brim with solid ice cubes.  As the ice melts, they are mixed with juices and / or used for drinking water.  Have discovered Bambi bottles stay frozen up to 36 hours - even in near 100 f. heat.

My left leg injury is coming along nicely, with NO pain.  It is, however, sensitive to pressure and needs more time to heal fully.

Today, Monday August 19, I have checked in with the COMMAND CENTER of Bellingham.  The COMMAND CENTER is the National organization - with offices in many USA town's and cities - which offer day to day employment.  I was employed in DICKINSON ND by the COMMAND CENTER, and can be instantly given daily work in ANY of those offices nation wide.  Have today been offered four potential "day" jobs here in Bellingham; I expect to report for work tomorrow evening to work the night shift processing FISH next to where a few short time ago, I sailed my yacht into the beautiful San Juan Islands...

Oh My, how things do change.

While walking recently, my U.S. Air Force Honorable Discharge Papers have arrived.  I will now enroll with the Veterans Administration Medical Services...needed because ALL my "Civilian" medical doctors AND AARP Supplemental medical services have DROPPED me from my civilian medical affiliations.  It is my conviction that this has happened because of my limited income (Social Security) does not produce enough $$ income for me to pay the "co-Payments" associated with MEDICARE...making me a poor risk to continue as a money-producing patient.

...one more consideration for those of us advancing age with little or no spendable income...

I.e., my need to find and hold employment.

It might be rightly asked..."...why did you not save for your retirement...?...many are finding themselves in similar condition...as many ways to screw it up as there are screwed up old timers.

In ANY event, I have my health; I have have my functioning mind; I have a great desire to become solvent...solvent enough to keep my "home - such as it is...and I have my objective to continue - SAM AND ME - walking and blogging.

Now 4:45 pm...time for a RUM and COKE to chase my NEAOPOLITAN Ice Cream Sundae before settling down to listen to the Seattle Mariners play Oakland Athletics...

...and,how 'bout them Seattle SEAHAWKS NFL team...40 - 10 win over Denver...

Seattle is bursting with Pro Baseball / football fever...

GO HAWKS !!!

POST 1183; AUGUST 17, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

SAM, after two years on the road, is back in Bellingham...sitting in fact at my elbow in the apartment living room...waiting for me to decide what to do next.

We arrived in Bellingham at midnight yesterday, August 16; as we walked thru the night, a taxi pulled up, offering us a ride...one thing we have discovered about America these past 3.5 years, is that there is a sincere desire by EVERYONE to help one another.

Hundreds upon hundreds have welcomed SAM AND ME into their lives...into their homes...and as I have so often said, ..."not a bad one in the bunch".

In WIBAUX, Montana, Patricia, who has recently embraced ISLAM, took SAM AND ME under her wing, driving us to the town of GLENDIVE, Montana, where she had already arranged our passage on the bus to Bellingham.

Bus is an uncomfortable way to travel long distances.  Drivers are a bit careless about their passengers...especially ignoring the need for passengers to find and seat safely seat themselves.  I personallywas thrown around ... and have often witnessed young Mothers holding babies and LUGGAGE also thrown off their feet as the driver turns off the inside lights and indifferently drives the bus out of the parking area, across rough roadways...not even looking that everyone is safely seated...

OK, perhaps a few might be a bit more considerate.

It is bittersweet to be back in my apartment...out of stormy weather...warm dry roof overhead...

as some are suggesting...perhaps it is time to quit the walking...give the old body a rest.  Perhaps I should, but how I would miss all those still out there to be met,...to become part of our adventure.  I know what is inside the apartment; I also now know what awaits outside.  What better way to live old age than to learn more...find new friends...

My leg will soon heal.  Injury was allowed because I became careless.

I am eager to once again be on the road.  In fact, I am considerring becoming "homeless" by intent...now that would be a true experience...blogging all the way.

We shall see ...

POST 1182; AUGUST 14, 2013; WIBAUX, MONTANA

MAIN STREET WIBAUX, MONTANA

Please say HELLO to REBECCA...single MOM hotel and restaurant worker, who helped set up this ANDROID phone to process images and post to FACEBOOK.

The BNSF railroad overpass frames downtown WIBAUX, MT.

SHAMROCK Restaurant where I experienced an excellent dinner last evening.  The Shamrock is owned by the family of Patricia, whom we met

yesterday...and who is arranging a ride for SAM & ME to catch the bus this afternoon in the town of GLENDIVE, some 30 miles distant.

A local veggie garden about to ripen.

BEAVER CREEK MOTEL, where SAM AND ME have spent the night...and are now waiting for our ride to GLENDIVE

Upon arrival at the bus station, we must adjust SAM to fit her into the bus.