| 070109
Year after year people like me, write about the celebrations of the good old days for July 4th and many other holidays. Around Littleton and Lake Gaston, the good old days for our kids and grandkids are now. That’s right, we are helping to make the memories for our kids and grandkids by fulfilling their dreams today. If we do our job, years from now they will probably be writing about the good old days when people knew how to celebrate Independence Day.
Part of our job is to expose them to all these events and activities. The one problem we have around this area is that there is so much to do, it is hard to decide and sometimes, due to scheduling, impossible to attend all the events. There are many events scheduled this year, but three of them draw the most attention of Littleton and Lake Gaston residents and visitors year after year.
They are the annual Littleton 4th of July Parade, the annual Lake Gaston Boat Parade, and the world renowned Longbridge Volunteer Fire Department Fireworks over Lake Gaston.
This is one holiday that generally lights up everyone’s heart. It meant so much to Thomas Jefferson and John Adams that they kept themselves alive until this day, both dying on July 4th. It is the day that says we are a United States with a constitution that protects everyone and lays the ground work to best insure our life, liberty, and our pursuit of happiness.
It has been celebrated from the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Early celebrations varied just as they do today. According to the American Education web site, on July 4th in “1778 - From his headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., General George Washington directs his army to put “green boughs” in their hats, issues them a double allowance of rum, and orders a Fourth of July artillery salute; at Princeton, N.J., an artillery salute is fired from a cannon taken from Burgoyne’s army; in Philadelphia, guns and “sky rockets” are fired…”
Fireworks and celebrations have been part of the recognition of the day every year during good times and bad. It is a day we are all one nation and nothing can take that away.
In all my years in service July 4th was always celebrated with a special meal and other celebrations. To me there is nothing more prefect than to watch a Marine Drill Team in full dress blues performing on July 4. Those were special events for me.
During my many years around Washington, DC if you didn’t have a calendar you would know the fourth was coming with all the display of flags and bunting on buildings and monuments all over the area. How lucky I have been to see them year after year.
I can remember as a little boy having backyard cookouts. This was a big event and we had great times. We had cookouts a lot when I was a kid, but 4th of July was special. We not only had the cookout, we got to bug our mom about when we could light the sparklers.
Later in the day as night began to take over, we would all sit on the small front porch on Euclid Avenue in Allen Park, MI. My brothers, sisters, and I would be waiting so we could each have our own sparkler. Then the sparklers would come out and we start making figure eights in the air with them or just try to make a dancing motion.
My dad would throw a few fire crackers; making sure we were all safely away from where they would land.
Year after year, towns and cities all over the country have stopped having Independence Day Parades. Littleton is one place where they keep up the tradition. Adults dress up to depict Uncle Sam or Lady Liberty. One and two generations of families walk down the street together to show their American spirit.
Churches decorate floats and kids and adults ride on them. Classic cars, fire trucks, and horses are all part of the parade. Kids decorate their bikes and one year a dog wore the red, white and blue. It is a good old fashion neighborhood parade that brings back memories of my childhood and will make memories for today’s kids.
Another unique local event is the annual Lake Gaston Boat Parade. It is something that you cannot find in many areas. Boats of all sizes and personal water craft are all decked out with flags, American and State. The boats make a trip from Holly Grove Creek on the north side of the lake to Little Ponderosa on the south side of the lake, working their way around the west end of the lake.
The boaters also enjoy the view when they see the docks and houses decorated with bunting and flags showing the love for our Independence. They travel fast enough to stay moving and slow enough so everyone along the shore can get a good look.
At the end of it all the boaters head out to the main lake and sing, “God Bless America”. Whether you decorate your boat and show up at Holly Grove Creek or line the shore, this is another memory maker for all of us - but especially the kids.
The third event is what we used to call a happening. Thousands of people from hundreds of miles away gather at Eaton Ferry Bridge for the annual fire works sponsored by the Longbridge Volunteer Fire Department. The show starts at dark, but the attendees start arriving by boat and car as early as noon to make sure they get a good seat.
You can tell the early arrivals, they generally have a grill set up and food cooking. The kids are enjoying themselves and the parents are relaxing waiting for the big show along the shores of the lake. As the day moves on the crowd gets larger and larger. It is not uncommon for people to park a mile away just to see the greatest show on the lake.
There are plenty of police and fireman around to handle the crowd, which always seems to be more concerned about having a good time than getting in trouble. This is a perfect way to end Independence Day and just as importantly it will help create a memory that will last forever.
|
| Dear Diary - |
| July 3, 2009 |
| Here comes the most active weekend around these parts. We will only attend a few events and will in fact skip the local fireworks at the Eaton Ferry Bridge. Five to ten thousand people will make their way to the bridge and the waters around the bridge. The boats end up being stem to stern and packed in side to side as close as possible.Losing weight is still my main goal for the operation. I’ve done fairly well this week. We are having a discussion between my son, wife and I over why I want to have the gastric by-pass instead of the lap band. My sons reasoning is that if I have to get down to 350 before they operate and then the lap band generally takes off about 100-150 pounds over the first 18 months why isn’t that good enough. Plus it can be reversed. The problem is that I would have to have a very strong exercise program to keep the weight coming off. I’m not good at that part of the program. Still, it is an interesting question. Hope you all have a great weekend. |
| June 26, 2009 |
|
Emotions are a funny thing. Last week I was as excited as anyone could be that we are moving forward, this week I have no feeling about it. I am disappointed in myself because I have not kept the eating routine I had during my quick weight lose. I have managed to have my 4 p.m. snack and cut out some of snacks after dinner. But I have not had the best of meals – I succumbed to I’m in a hurry, so I’ll eat fast food and not worry about what the calories are.
I have to admit that part of my problem is the inability to catch onto two new computer programs that are driving me crazy. I’m not sure if my age is dimensioning my mental ability or it is just a blip in my learning curve. Whatever it is it is depressing and takes up plenty of time. Maybe the light bulb will flash on during the week.
|
| June 21 2009 |
|
Finally, a decision has been made and a course of action has been recommended for laparoscopic gastric by-pass surgery at Duke. Last Wednesday was filled with more questions and to be honest many answers did not seem to lead to the direction I finally ended up taking. The one thing that bothered me the most was the doctor kept talking about how risky the surgery is on a patient of my size and age.
I finally asked him what he meant by that statement? If he felt it was so high risk why do it. He answered by saying he only does high risk surgery. He also told me that the success rate is very high. He said he felt that by having the surgery I could lead a better life, but there were no guarantees.
We agreed that the only way he would open me up like they did in the old days was in case it turned into an emergency situation. We all agreed that was doable. Now the course of action is to lose as much weight as I can.
In a surprise the nutritionist told me that since I have lost over 20 pounds in the last couple of months I should continue to do what I am doing. With two exceptions; first I have to keep a record of my grazing each night. Second, I have to have a snack at 4 p.m. each day. My eating habits are that most days I don’t have a meal until around noon. Up until then I have a cracker with peanut butter.
My next meal is between 7 and 9 p.m. After about 11 p.m. each night I graze on packages of 100 calories items. Hopes this all works and I hope I am helping someone by writing all this down.
|
| Jun 11, 2009 |
|
I can honestly say that for the first time since I can remember, at least thirty years, I have energy to do things and am not tired all day. How long this will last only God knows, but I hope forever. Within the last thirty days I have had my pressure on my bi-pap sleeping unit changed plus a now take a pill every night that helps me sleep for 4 to 7 hours. What a difference getting good sleep makes. The amount of energy I have actually shocks me.
My weight is on the down side again, now below 390 for over a week. I am still struggling to learn a new web site building program, Dreamweaver CS3. This seems to have me in a stupor, especially CSS.
My appointment at the weight surgeon is next Wednesday. I am still anxious as to what he will say.
That’s if for now.
|
| Jun 5, 2009 |
|
My apologies to my younger sister who I told that we never go to Myrtle Beach in the summer time, I lied! We did this year. Thank God for a poor economy, it forced the motels where we generally stay to lower their rates drastically. After my wife and I worked on three publications in a ten day period we needed a rest. The Avista hotel in North Myrtle Beach gave us an offer that we couldn’t refuse so we spent four days at the beach. I woke up Sunday paying the price for eating too much and we ended up spending Sunday there also.
I am still loosing weight at the rate of ¾ pound a day (last weekend excluded). I am not as devoted to having surgery as I was before. It has been almost a year since I started this project and the most disappoint thing is trying to stay in touch with the surgical team. I call them but they don’t call me back until I call a third time and tell them it is my third try. This has happened three times since last September, the only three times I have to get a hold of them.
After almost dyeing from my kidney and hernia surgery in the 2002, I am very concerned about being able to get in touch with people. The weight loss surgery will be in Durham about 2+ hours away, in 2002 the surgery was in Baltimore about 2+ hours away. That is a tough distance to travel when you can hardly move and your temp is over 101. So, I really am considering what to do.
My appointment for the surgeon is on June 17, hopefully I will have some answers then. My goal is to be forty pounds lighter than the last time I saw him.
Life goes on, I had two serious bug bites from our trip to our Granddaughters college graduation a few weeks ago. So I had to be on antibiotics that were not fun for ten days. All of this stuff has meant I am still not back in the pool, which is what the surgeon will not like.
This week end I plan to spend starting to learn a new web program, I want to be able to put movies on the sight. So I better get some rest.
Stay happy – remember it is up to you how happy you want to be.
|
| Memorial Day 2009 |
 |
Memorial Day Poem -
I see the men of wars gone by
CLICK HERE FOR POEM |
I'm Back -
Come join me as I continue my journey through life. Let’s talk about life and what’s happening today and what we would like to see happen tomorrow. |
| May 23, 2009 |
|
Memorial Day weekend is always a busy weekend. For me it is busy for two reasons, first my mind spends more time on my days in the Corps and in Vietnam. Second is that we have all kinds of events that keep the area, Lake Gaston/Littleton, NC, very busy. The major event is the Annual Battle of the Barbeque. Last year a new cooker (that’s what they call the head man of the grill) came to the event. He brought with him a display of military memorabilia to honor all fallen soldiers. The team is called Nothin Butt Fun, but he is serious about his recognition of those who given there all.
This year he is back with a few more items. Just as importantly we found one more cooker, Minuteman cookers, that has a display of a fallen solder – his son-in-law, Anthony Lachance. He did not die in battle, but after 20 years in the Army including one tour in Desert Storm, he did die of cancer. This display is simple but heart felt and memorable for what it means to all of us.
Please take a few moments this holiday Week end and say a prayer for all who have served for all of us.
Click here for photos of displays.
|
| May 8, 2009 |
|
Things are looking up this week. I had another sleep study done last night. If was the first time I had a study where I was asleep for more than a few hours. I know they will have to change the pressure (the amount of air the bi-pap machine forces into me while I’m sleeping). When I was on the way home I realized that if this works and I am able to sleep all night or at least for 5 or 6 hours during the night, I will definitely eat less, because I won’t be snacking during the night.
Still losing weight at a good clip. Down to 388 pounds this week, that makes it 36 pounds off – or as my doctor says, I small kid. My eating routine so far has worked, my target is not eat more than 2,000 calories, but eat what I want. No very scientific or medically promoted, but it is working for me. I also try to limit my coke as much as possible, which so far works when I don’t leave the house.
Still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. It is taking a major effort and a lot of guilt trying just to relax and so called enjoy life. I never planned for not working. At least I’m improving my reading. I read about 400 pages a day from soft cover books. Problem is I can never remember the titles after I read them so I have to keep charts.
Did some physical work last week. Kay and I built a platform for a shed we’ve had in the yard for four years. Every summer we hire someone to put it up and they never show. This year we said we will try. We only have the roof to go. I haven’t work in my shop since we moved here, maybe I can figure out a way to get the down the hill and back without feeling like I’m going to die, so I can work in the shop.
|
| May 1, 2009 |
|
May Day – I have very few memories from my days in Catholic School as a very young kid. May Day is one of those that I remember. When going to St. Mary Magdalen School in Melvindale, MI they would hold a May Day celebration. May is Mary’s month and it started with a mini-procession into the small old church. I remember being at the head of the procession because the nun wanted to keep an eye on me.
I bring this up because for me it plays a role in my life long eating problem. Getting attention was important to me. I spent a lot of time trying to figure what good things I could do to be notices. I was stressing myself out. I eat when I’m stressed and I eat just to pass the time. Generally I don’t feel hungry nor do I feel full very often. I am, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a type A personality, I always have to be accomplishing something or I feel that I am not doing what I should to live. So I provide my own stress.
Being noticed seems to take on a more important role while losing weight. I like it when people notice the pounds are gone. Fortunately for me most people have good manners and don’t say, “Boy have you put the weight back on.”
Writing this today seems to be a problem for me. I have so much going on in my head that it does not allow me to focus on any one thing very long. It is one of those situations that I would normally graze my way out of. Even grazing is a problem for me now. It seems my wonderful wife only has the foods I should have in the house. The exception is the 100 calorie packages of snacks. Hopefully, there will still be some left tomorrow morning.
I hope I make it through the day without gaining any of the weight I lost. It is now up to 30 pounds and going south. Have a nice week.
|
| April 26, 2009 |
|
My latest eating regimen is paying off, to date I have lost 28 pounds. I do my best to stay between two and three thousands calories a day. Actually I try to stay on the 2,000 end of it. It generally means I have my biggest food consumption for lunch and then a light dinner. Breakfast is generally one 3 x 5” cracker, sometimes with peanut butter. My coke consumption is down considerably. My water consumption is up to 2-4 20 ounce bottles a day.
Considering last weekend was one of my most stressful weekends in quite some time, I was pleased that I stayed on the routine. The stress ended last Saturday night when I stepped down from my Editors job at the local weekly paper. I was anxious for the next couple of days as I put my last edition to bed, but after that it has been an unusual life. The pressure is not there, but for now it seems like a void in my life. I’ll still do my weekly column and a few other stories for them.
As time goes by and I get more rest, I hope to start focusing on improving the Observer web site.
Spent time at the foot doctors for some minor cutting. Still no word on whether or not I have to have more test before seeing the weight surgeon.
Have a nice week.
|
| April 16, 2009 |
|
Decisions, decisions my mind spends more time thinking about the plusses and minus of having any type of surgery, especially lap band or gastric by-pass that it is always in a state of flux. I originally started thinking about the surgery when I viewed myself in a short term nursing home just prior to my death in 8-9 years. All I saw were bed sores and no one being able to or have the equipment to help a 400 pound person. The answer was losing weight.
Then the more I thought about it the more it appealed to me just for a better life. I always felt a certain amount of guilt about how my wife and family must feel when they see me or introduce me to any of their friends. None have them have ever made me feel anything negative about my weight, but I still wonder.
I guess it all goes back to when I was kid and saw three bothers sitting outside their service station in a little town called Allen Park, MI. When I would ride by or see them I would always think, but never said the words, those are the tons of fun guys. Is it now the time for me to pay the piper. I know this is not the case but I still apologize to those men in my mind.
What doesn’t help my decision is the knowledge that it is very likely that having the operation will not improve my sleep apnea or change the anount pain from my back. In both cases I have been told so by surgeons and specialist.
So as I move forward to see if they will even do any surgery, I keep wondering if I want to take a chance on something I am not sure of or just skip it. Fortunately no decision has to be made today.
|
| April 8, 2009 |
| Another week, another couple of tests! I never realized that you had to go through so many tests and be in such great health to have any type of weight loss surgery. The plus side is that the Surgeon wanted me to lose some weight before surgery. So over the last two weeks I’ve lost 20 pounds.
It has not been determined whether I will have lap band surgery or gastric by-pass or both. Both means that they would do the lap band surgery now and then when I have lost a hundred pounds or so they would do the by-pass.
As I indicated up to now it has been only test. For three weeks in a row we have travel to Durham. So far eight blood tests, CTI upper body scan, EKG, chemical stress test, Upper GI. Unfortunately for me I have not been able to do the specific tests the Surgeon ordered, but they were able to do a substitute test.
Now I’ll be off for a couple of weeks before the appointment with the surgeon to see what is next.
|
| April 1, 2009 |
|
If you have been following this blog you know it has been a long time since I made an entry. My last attempt to lose weight was like so many before it. Takeoff weight and then put it back on. The last effort saw me lose 92 pounds only to put 72 back on.
Here I am again in the process of trying to lose weight with a new method in mind. This time I am preparing to be operated on using the lap band surgery to help in the never ending hope to keep the weight off. I’ll do my best to keep this blog up to date and keep you informed on all aspects of life before and after surgery.
|
|
|
| Click here to visit my 2007 entries. |
|
