The girls go hiking

On April 20th, Nancy, Tina and four friends flew to Greenville North Carolina to start an adventure of hiking the "AT" (Appalachian Trail) Not all of it of course, that would take months and months. They wanted to do 35 miles in 5 days. Who said the desert is a hard hike. From what Nancy said, it was most uphill the whole time. Girl time was great with a lot of giggles, tall tales, stories and down right gut busting laughing. The only problem, besides the hills, 4 out of the 6 got sick from a virus a lot of people on the AT get. It's called a "Nova Virus". Sort of like a couple days of the flu symptoms, without the fever. And then there was the 24 hours of rain the last day on the trail. So everything got packed in the suitcase WET. All in all, they had a ball and now talking about another girl hiking trip. I must say, I am VERY proud of my wife for completing this trip at the age of 69 (the oldest of the group). Two of the ladies are VERY experienced backpackers, and the other four are, I would say, intermediates. Even so, they all did wonderful, and should be proud of their accomplishment.

Our 1st G-child turns 16

Yesterday, the 3rd of April, Nicole our oldest grandchild turned 16 year old. We reflected on old photos and events while we embarrassed her with them... especially in from of her boyfriend who flew down from Washington state. Nicole is really excited to get her driver's license and not sitting in the back seat anymore. Happy Birthday Nicole.

My Sunday morning rant

I am sorry, but I have to complain about TV. Yes, it is entertaining, and, yes I watch too much when I should be doing more important things like taking out the garbage, or touching up the paint on the house, or maybe just reading a book. But, TV shows today really suck. What happened to the wholesome shows like Andy Griffith, or MASH, or shows that had life lessons hidden in them. Today it is Police shows, people walking around naked in the wilderness, or a bunch of people trying to break into show business by competing their singing or dance moves. Then there are the commercials. Have you ever counted to number of commercials during the breaks? 8, 9, or 10 at a time. My gosh! I am SO SICK of "Flo", "Jamie" and the Gecko. Pharmaceutical companies flood the commercial breaks with, "This drug has shown better than the one your doctor prescribed". Did you know that doctors are pressured by their patients to prescribe the advertised drugs they see on TV, and that actually increases your health insurance costs? It is a proven fact. If that advertised drug is better, don't you think the doctor would know that and prescribe it? Oh yeah. Let's not forget the INJURY LAWYERS. OMG! Are there any lawyers left that just do wills or property attorneys? No, it's "Call us if you fell at work or while shopping. We'll get you money." And take 1/3 of it too. My daughter is a doctor, a OB-GYN doctor. Her malpractice insurance increases higher each year. She is actually responsible for any medical problems of any child she births until the child is 18 year old. Really? Because if a 12 year old kid falls and hits their head on the jungle gym bar. Lawyers will claim it was the birthing doctor's fault, according to the injury lawyers, and they will convince the parents to sue the doctor for malpractice. COME ON, IS THIS SERIOUSLY RIGHT? Maybe the kid had an ear infection, or was distracted for a moment, slipped and fell. That is the doctor's fault? I guess the bottom line to my rant is that companies, people are greedy. If they see an opportunity to make big bucks off of someone else's back, they will do anything to get it. Even lower themselves to a level just above dirt. My last rant is about insurance companies. It is a necessity to be insured, but when they raise your rates due to a claim after being claim free for decades, or a hurricane hits your house or car, or you get medically ill and they cut you off? Have you ever heard of an insurance companies going bankrupt? They split their company into smaller companies, with another name/brand and procedure like nothing happened. Look at their net worth sometime. Not millions, but BILLIONS and BILLIONS. No wonder why Benjamin Franklin went into the home fire insurance business in the 1700s, and was one of the first insurance companies in the USA. OK, I guess I am done getting my anger out and off my chest. You know, it's not just TV, but the way our culture has gone. Someone said, "Money is the root to all evil." And I believe that. Being truthful, love and believing in each other to do the right thing should be our goals. Returning a lost purse to the owner, helping an owner find their dog, opening the door at the store for someone who may in good health, but just being nice. Doing these things for each other without expecting a reward but maybe a thank you and smile. that is what Andy Griffith taught me. Take care and be nice.

Not a great end of a year or a beginning

On October 25, while cleaning my shop, I moved a metal creeper and leaned it against something. As I turned around, the creeper fell hit my left leg and cause a good size evasion (flap of skin) about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. Well it still is not healed after almost 4 months later, so my family doctor sent me to a wound care doctor. My last two P.S.A. (Prostate blood level) were high, so I had a biopsy done. It came back as a low to moderate amount of cancer. OH, it gets better. On January 26 I loaded my pick up truck with a bunch of scrap steel to take to the dump. As I jumped off the tailgate, my left foot got stuck and I fell on my back onto the shop concrete floor. With extreme pain, I got a X-ray which I was told I have a fracture of T-12 (12th vertebra of my spine). Each week I go to a wound care doctor, the urologist has not schedule the prostate surgery because I have to have a pre-op exam, and, get the OK from my cardiologist, and still waiting on what can be done with the vertebra fracture. I can't sleep in our bed so my nights and days are spent in my recliner with a heating pad watching re-runs Andy Griffith , MASH and the car channel. This is NOT fun. Hey, I am not telling all of this for sympathy. It is just to let you know if you come over and I don't get up to greet you, or if the phone rings a long time, it's because I am have a hell of a time getting up to answer it. Or if you ask us, or me, out to lunch or dinner, I may have to say NO. It is not that I am mad at you, it is because it hurts to walk, sit, ride or drive. Yes, I have meds for pain and muscle spasms, but unless I want to get hooked on an opioid drug, I only take one if the pain gets unbearable. Getting old and getting hurt is not fun. Many people tell me I don't act like I am 72 year old and that I am more active than most my age, but believe me... I feel like 90 right now. I am sure I'll heal up fine, but now, I don't see the proverbial 'light at the end of the tunnel', just more doctor appointments. Stay safe, don't do dumb stuff and stay healthy.

Our end of year letter 2018

Two days before it is Christmas day. Tomorrow night, our family will be here to exchange gifts and a traditional dinner together. I am sure many thousand families will be doing the same. Our family is no different than other families. We have had our ups and downs, good times and bad, heart breaks and joys. This is my fond time of the year. No only being with my family, but celebrating the birth of Jesus. This may surprise some of my family and friends, but I am a very religious man. I just don't preach it or push it on people, like it was to me growing up. I have believed in Jesus since age 12, and maybe sooner. Of course, I have not been a perfect Christian, as I should be. I have sinned many times, and I have asked for forgiveness many times too. Ok, this is not about MY religion or how I believe, it is about Christmas and why it is what it is. It is a celebration. It is not about gifts, which that has become the key around Christmas. It is not about lights or decorations. It is rejoicing the birth of Christ. This varies from one religion to another. In our recent visit to a Muslim country, Egypt, we learned even they rejoice in the Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus. It is even in their Coran. They even map the Holy family's trip to his birth place. Also, that 'Allah' means "love", not their God's name. "Allah be with you" means 'Let love be with you'. Surprised? I was. I have gone into Mosics and prayed along with Muslims, and for the same things...peace and love and rejoicing God, no matter what you may call him, or her. I believe ALL religions praise a God that we will find (someday) that is is the same God, by a different name. So, Christmas is NOT just for Christians, but for everyone. It may not be celebrated on December 25th, BUT, it should be celebrated EVERYDAY. Christmas, or whatever your choice of religion is, should be year-round. Everyone has or believes in creation, I just don't believe it came from the BIG BANG. Something created that big bang. Something started everything, it did not just happen. So the bottom line is celebrate your God, your family, life, love thy neighbor not matter what kind of creep they may be, be nice and forgiving, and lastly... MERRY CHRISTMAS. I love you all. Harrold and Nancy

A trip of a lifetime - Egypt and the Nile River

Before we left for South America back in January, I saw another trip we had wanted to do for years... Egypt. We called our friends in Oregon (which were also going to South America with us) and asked them if they' re interested and they said "SURE!" We left on the day before Thanksgiving and flew into London, and then to Cairo. Long flights. Arrived at our hotel at 2:30 AM. The Marriott Cairo was where we'd be staying for 2 nights. It was an old palace years ago. Over the top does not describe it. The gardens, a massive pool, luxurious dining and someone to wait on you hand and foot.

From our 7th floor balcony, we could see the Nile and the beautiful gardens. Only a hour or two away in Gaza, was the pyramids and the sphinx. We had seen them in books and on TV but that did not do them justice. So big, so massive and so old. Kids crowded around our group wanting to take 'selfies' with us, Americans, being asked our names and touching us with big smiles on the faces. So friendly and curious.

But that friendliness would continue the entire trip. Ancient temple after temple we would visit in several towns. The Pharaohs were all about themselves.From Cairo to Gaza, south to Aswan by plane and there we boarded our ship for a five day cruise. Only 16 people in our group on a beautiful ship styled like the one used in Cleopatra's days.

Several spots at night to anchor and mini tours of villages or tombs and temples. We visited a school where the kids went nuts over seeing us, ate lunch in a village with their elders, we had dinner with an Egyptian family and so much more.

We spent one night in a Eco-lodge (very minimal) and the next couple night in another old palace where Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie stayed many time. We crossed the Nile River from one side to the other to reach sights by a small boat ferry. My mind is filled with all the things we did and saw, but no way I can post all of my 500+ photos and videos, plus what Nancy shot. Egypt is a VERY old country with a deep history of take-overs, cruel foreign governments raping and controlling it. Now Egypt is a growing country with problems, like most countries, that is a center of the middle east culture but does NOT have a problem with America. They literally love us, and ALL religions. In one city block, we saw a Jewish church, next to Muslim, Catholic, and Coptic churches. Their all get along and help each others rebuild aging buildings. They respect each other, caring and no sign of ethic problems. So polite to everyone. The Nile River is the life-blood of Egypt and surrounding countries. Egypt does not tolerate violence of any kind. We ALWAYS felt safe walking the streets at nights. But we were escorts daily but an armed Police officer, just in case. We loved Egypt, but especially the people.

So long Lance

On Tuesday, I received a call from a friend telling me one of my best friends (Lance Sr.) was in ICU after he was in a very serious car wreck. I went to the hospital to visit him. He looked really bad. So many broken bones that cause more damage. His son and a friend were there. We tried to comfort each other with prayer and talk to my friend as he lay there in an induced medical coma. Even tho he was unconscious, he fought the sedative with chewing and struggling to move, but he was restrained for his own good. At times I could almost see him mouthing his son's name and mine. It was painful to see him that way. Such a strong, handsome guy. At one time he won the title of 'Mr. Arizona' in body building. Lance was a 35 year veteran of the fire department and my Captain for a period of two years. He and I went through paramedic training together in 1980. He was one of the few who came to visit me many times in the hospital in 1998. Several years ago, Lance was diagnosed with Huntington's disease. A non-curable disease that slowly eats away your reasoning, your nervous system and your life. Many people commit suicide before they come to the end. There is no way to slow it down, or stop it. Most turn to alcohol or heavy drugs. Yesterday I received a call from the son (Lance Jr.) of one of my best friends. "Harrold, my dad has died." I asked, "What happened?" He replied "He chewed through his breathing tube and aspirated vomit and they could not get his airway cleared out. He was without oxygen for a long time and his brain suffered." Maybe that was the way Lance wanted to end his suffering or not face the ending of his disease. My heart breaks for the family and what they are going through and the terrible monumental ordeal of cleaning up Lance's affairs afterwards. Losing a dear friend is as hard as a loved one of your family. To me, Lance was like family, and I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace my brother. You are in better place now. Rest.