It's been a Hell of a long time...
...since my last post and life has been tumultuous. I don't know why that's surprising, life is usually tumultuous.
But I gotta say, 2013 has been a study in wild contrasts.
I've carped enough about having to quit Karate...though that's one bright side, I've found another style and a new Sensei. Though, at 55, I think I'd better be more careful. *Starting* Aikijutsu and Wing Chun at my age is probably a bit daft.
My Lady-wife ended up in the Hospital, again, in April. This ended up being an 8-day stay, three of them in ICU, unconscious and intubated. The longer I think about the 72 hours prior to that admission, the more angry I get. She presented to the ED with the same complaint they've been largely ignoring/minimizing since January. Once again, the ED doc got as far as "used to smoke" and "COPD" and shot her full of steroids and sent her home. She'd been complaining about her throat closing. That Sunday night, they could barely get the damn breathing tube down her throat because her airway was so swollen.
I have to say folks, if you've ever smoked (and I used to a long time ago), you're screwed. It appears modern medicine won't look any further than the last Marlboro you lit up. No matter how long ago.
Anyway, it turned out she developed a hideous allergy to mold, which led to the discovery of roof leaks (four small ones) and wet drywall. A generous gift from a friend you recently passed on from cancer provided the resources to create a safe space on the first floor, (new bedroom, full bath) and isolate the problems. If it ever stops freaking raining for longer than 48 hours, I'll get the roof repaired. That's going to be a "DIY" job...don't have the funds to pay for it. First purchase is an OSHA rated safety harness and anchor.
Work is a combination of fun and aggravation. The fun part is what we're actually building. The aggravation is found in the completely dumb-ass way the federal government spends your tax dollars.
Pennsic is rushing up. A week earlier this year and get out a day earlier...yes, I acknowledged the Coopers have been good to us and we've been good to them. Still, the change to long-standing tradition is a bit jarring. There are other complexities this year as well.
Ah well. All of this beats a dirt nap...something far too many people I know have taken in the last year or so.