29 April 2024
Surprise! The state of Florida sent my retirement check a day early. That’s always nice to wake up to. Of course, the majority of the check is already obligated.
Another surprise was my cardiologist’s office called and canceled today’s appointment. I’m rescheduled for sometime in June. By then I’ll have the results of my third echocardiogram. He’ll spend 10 minutes with me and listen to my heart and tell me to come back in 3 months.
I made my usual pilgrimidge to Walgreens to pick up two prescriptions. As I sat at the drive through, Chip, an old Coast Guard buddy called. He’s going through some significant health issues and he was updating me. He’s been very supportive of my problems and I hope I can be an ear to listen with him. Once a Coastie, always a Coastie.
I stopped for lunch at the Georgia Pig. It was packed and you had to put your name in for a place. I walked in about the same time as another guy and he told me to put my name in and we could share a table if one became available. It was in line that I met Russell, a retired Delta employee. He was wearing an LSU hat and off we went with stories and tales. He says they still play the Billy Canon runback every year at Halloween in Tiger Stadium.
We both ordered the BBQ Pork deluxe which comes with fries, Cole slaw and a drink. Service, once seated, was quick. The Georgia Pig makes a mustard based BBQ sauce that’s pretty good.
Russell grew up in Hollywood, Florida and, with Delta, went all over the world and the U.S. He was quite interesting and I enjoyed sharing a table with him.
I began overpacking for my trip. It’s hard to guess what to take but May weather in Mississippi can be iffy. Central Mississippi is about 10° cooler at night than South Florida. The weather service predicts rain on a few of the days.
So far, the plan is for me to arrive at Roosevelt State Park on May 2nd. It’s about 6 hours from Quincy, Florida where I’ll spend the night. I’ll try to treat Tanis and Archie to a late lunch. On Friday, the cousins, Archie and Tanis and I will try to do lunch at Ichibana in Flowood. Notice we are doing lunches. The problem is that none of us want to drive at night. That afternoon (or morning before lunch) I’ll see if my cousin Charles is up for a visit.
As far as I am concerned, I feel better today. The neuropathy is ever present but at least isn’t painful today. I did notice that the combinations of medications I’m taking is giving my urine a distinct odor. Shades of asparagus! I suspect after I compete all my treatments I will be classified as a toxic waste site by the federal government. I’ll apply for funding as soon as the classification is made.
Either late this afternoon or tomorrow my neighbor will do my annual tree trimming. The biggest problem is the coconut palm which is loaded with mini canon balls (in a hurricane). His crew goes above and beyond what I expect and my yard looks great for several months after he finishes.
Stay tuned!
