(Paul Harvey voice on)
And nowwwwwwwwwwww, for the reeesttttt of the story!
(Paul Harvey voice off)
What's six weeks among friends?
When we left our story Bill had seemingly made an about face, without causing any serious injury to himself. The Navy bootcamp training apprently still resides somewhere in the depths of the gray matter that resides beneath his hair. You may recall, and if you do not you can read the post further on up, that I was off to my little sister's home that afternoon, with an ocean side horseback ride scheduled for the following morning.
I arrived around 4 PM to find little sis slapping fresh ground beef into patties to be sacraficed later over some Kingsford charcoal. Asking if I could help was a mistake in that she immediately put me in charge of making a huge bowl of salad, lettuce, tomatoes, green and red peppers, red onion, sliced cucumber and chopped celery. She also wanted sliced mushrooms in it but they were reserved on the side for anyone wishing to consume them. I do not eat toadstools. Frogs pee on them and then you get warts in your stomach!
Sis had already made potato salad, which was chilling in the refrigerator. Pickles, pickled onions and beets, as well as the customary chips and dogs completed our feast. I was pleased to see the dogs because that is one of the things I can taste.
However, I decided to live dangerously and tossed a large beef patty on the grill for myself. Cooked beef tends to be dry, and dry is not good for swallowing, but I have always consumed cheeseburgers from the grill at about medium-rare, still holding some of the natural juices. With a dash or two of salt, a splash or both mustard and ketchup I bit into it. No, other than the taste of the charred exterior from the charcoal I could not taste much. But I ate the whole damn thing, and only need an occasional sip of "liquid" refreshment to get it down.
It was, an absolutely fantastic dinner and I ate a bit of everthing there, well except for the toadstools, and I doubt it necessary to revisit the reason for that. Later on we built a fire out in the yard and sat around yacking and just plain enjoying the company of one another.
I was up at 4:30 the next morning and got the coffee going. While I was showering sis got up and prepared breakfast, just for the two of us, homefries, sausage patties, scrambled eggs and toast. We ate like two starving animals. Sis hit the shower and I cleaned up the table and kitchen.
We were out the door at about 5:45 and after a short drive arrived at the stables. Ten minutes later the horses were trailered and we were headed to the ocean, arriving at about 6:30 with but a faint hint of light appearing on the horizon.
We had been riding for near 20 minutes before the sun broke the plane of the horizon, on what was a completely cloudless morning. We needled each other about being challenged and not remembering to bring along a camera. Damn I love that girl. If she were not my sister, and already married, I would marry her in a heartbeat.
We returned to the trailer just before 11:00, loaded the horses and headed back to the stables. Both horses were given baths and brushed down before we headed back to the house for some much needed lunch. Lunch you say? HAHAHA!!!
My brother in law is Italian. The familiar essence of garlic permeated the air as we walked to the front door. We nibbled on antipasto for a bit which was followed by chicken cacciatore and shells with meat sauce. Oh, and garlic bread.
The three meals were very likely more food and calories than I had consumed in past several weeks combined. Who cares that I could not taste much of it? It did not matter. My stomach was not emitting strange noises, similar to those found in some science fiction movies.
There is one small piece of not so good news, and that is that I am still stuck in S Florida. However, I am taking a reprieve. I am flying up to MA on the 15th of next month for a couple of weeks, returning on Dec 2nd. I AM going to celebrate the coming holidays with my family.
I did manage to solve the problem with my medications I currently have anywhere from a six to nine month supply of each.
It would not surprise me to learn some day that doc had to call several company reps the following day to get his sample supplies restocked.
I have kept myself busy around the house, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, washing and waxing and doing laundry. I have also delighted in the melodic sounds that eminate from the grass and hedges several times more, as their heads are ripped off by the now rather dull blades of the mower and clippers.
My wife has scheduled a couple of appointments for me while I am up there. I need no reminders from the peanut gallery. I know it has been far too long since my last visit to see a doctor and dentist. Yes, she is back to work and loves her new job. The absolute best part of it though is that our new health coverage is through Pilgrim Health and Dana Farber is a part of the network!!!!
I am tired so I am going to put some Greenmusic on loop on the computer and head on off to my four-poster. I have REALLY gotten into ambient new age music. If any of you wish some suggestions for some awesome relaxing sounds let me know.
'Till next our paths do cross yet again, peace and health to all of you, accompanied by my most grateful and sincere thanks for being here for me. No, I am not about to disappear into the mists of the moors. You'll see my smiling face again, soon.
(Paul Harvey voice on)
And now you know the REST of the story.
(Paul Harvey voice off)
PS: I wonder if I will ever be able to make a short post.....
