Pardon the Interruption

The Southern California Fires

First, I want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all who expressed concern about me due to the fires here in Southern California. Your messages and thoughts are much appreciated and mean a great deal.

I am among the fortunate Southern California residents only impacted by smoke and ash. Sadly, too many people cannot say the same. Special recognition goes to William Wolfrum for writing about how people can help those who aren’t as fortunate as I. His post gives detailed information and links and rather than repeat the information, I recommend interested readers click here for his account.

Sidenote: Thousands of homes have been destroyed, over half a million people have been displaced, millions of others have been scared that they will be next. Oh thank heaven, we can all rest assured now that FEMA is involved. And President Bush has visited. And Governor Schwartzenegger continues to hold press conferences with plenty of applause. Um… Arnold? Any chance we can keep the federal funding and kick FEMA out of the equation? Just a thought. We were so organized before they got here.

A confession: it’s not the fires

Now, in the interest of the diary-style nature of this (and many) blogs, I confess what has caused my neglect to write here or elsewhere. It had nothing to do with the fires. I am ashamed to admit that before I neglected you, I neglected myself. How? My fitness. Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, you name it – I have abandoned all workout routines for quite some time. And now I’m paying with a back injury. I was completely incapacitated for almost four days and, for the first time in my life, absolutely dependent on someone other than myself. My heart goes out to anyone who has ever felt this way and especially to those who live this way. A few days was too much for me.

Greg took good care of me and I can’t begin to express my gratefulness for his help. The thought and devotion was so impressive and meaningful, but I imagine it was especially difficult when dealing with such a fiercely independent patient.

As always, I thought of The Goose and missed her love and support, but had she been here, I could only have given her love and not taken care of her other daily needs.

Though I hate to acknowldge big pharma, I also want to thank Vicodin for its temporary assistance. Though your effects weren’t much noticed those first two days, your help got me through and gave me hope the next two. I apologize for giving you up on the fifth day but I knew I had to move on. Aleve is now my respite when I’m not counting on my old friend Alcohol.

I hereby resolve to renew my commitment to fitness and health. I haven’t yet determined which routine I will use, but it will definitely be one with a focus on flexibility and strength that will not only prevent back injuries but also work towards improving my golf game.

Next post.