Broken by an adventure, his story is even more remarkable, Theodore Roosevelt a life well lived

I had known that President Theodore Roosevelt suffered from depression later in life. I watched the other day the PBS' program the American Experience about Theodore Roosevelt's exploration of the Amazon. This trip would break any of us and probably most of us would remain dead in the rain forest, yet this remarkable man survived. 

He had originally planned a trip into the wild where supplies and equipment would have given him an adventure that was more suited to his age and health. While on the ship he was challenged to take and exploration trip mapping an unknown river deep into the Amazon jungle. The change in the trip made it closer to the exploration of Lewis and Clark, Fremont and Carson that opened the frontier of American to settlement, Livingston in Africa. 

Roosevelt was not prepared for this kind of trip. Roosevelt was not fit for it, but he was mentally. He

Roosevelt's clothes are very loose, the river still bears his name

had true grit. At a period of time with no antibiotics or adequate malaria medicine, Roosevelt was done in by a cut in the leg and malaria. The food supplies were not sufficient and nothing was packed for a river are trip. They actually had to cut out their own canoes from logs and portage them hundred of times. To make matters worse they had to deal with Indians hostile to their presence. The trip changed from map making to a trip to survive and in the final stretch to save the life of a president.

The president lost fifty pounds. In the photos, you could see that Theodore was once a muscular man who had built himself up from a weak childhood. Gone was the over weight man, but weight-loss was because of starvation and illness. Getting malaria in a time where you have to keep moving is a testament to his will power.

Kermit is sitting on ground with legs crossed

Fighting at the same time an infection in the tropics would kill most men. Roosevelt at his weakest, his son Kermit took over the decision making. The exploration took on a new mission, save the president's life. It was his son's finest hour. 

The trip cost Roosevelt with his health ruined for the next five years of his life. In this fight for his life, Roosevelt character is seen and thinks a wonderful story. 

Roosevelt gained all his weight back and then some. Like today there were people wanted to discredit   Roosevelt for his exploration into the unknown. As I see it there is no need to do so. The majority of us given the same conditions the jungle would have grown over our bones. I think we can lean a few things:

• Choose adventures that are doable - we ain’t 20
• Some our biggest battles is fighting disease or infections - plenty of courageous fights for life going on
• Take a moment when your children step up for their finest moments - and sometimes that comes when they take care of you
• Enjoy life and live everyday with thanks both to God and others who are there for us - but more for each other
• My respect for Theodore increased as I learned more of his battles in later life. Even in his weakest moments there was character. Bully for him and his son Kermit, who did well taking care of his father. Later Kermit Roosevelt would commit suicide from years of alcohol and loss. Sometimes it is good to see a brighter moment in his life and think kindly of people who often suffer with depression and alcohol - we need to boost our kindness

Congratulations Donavon, you got that Steelman spirit (article a grandfather's perspective)

I read a couple of articles how walking helps the aging brain deal with dementia. One article reported what walking an hour three time a week did for those dealing with vascular dementia. Another Report talked about the benefits of short briefer walks benefiting those suffering from dementia.

The back trap for both of these reports show the value of controlling blood pressure and improving our vascular health.

I have reported research regarding how exercise can actually develop more brain cells. With heart disease and vascular disease activities that prevent or slowdown the progress of disease is time well spent. I highly recommend forming the habit of walking everyday. I had to replace walking with biking and I've been pretty consistent with it now for about six weeks. I have also been saying no to the two many bad habits I have about food, taking in less calories than I use. Hurrah!

Keeping the blood flow to our brain and arteries open takes little active participation on our part. One day at a time. 

Donavon at reward ceremony

Today I have another grandson, Donovan Sontag graduating from Joliet Central. He is a cool kid. In grade school he had a desire to play soccer. He played for JT his freshman and sophomore years. He had talent, but JT has a lot of good soccer players. He had a knee injury and foot injury and he's still tried to compete for the varsity team but was not selected. He got involved with club soccer and continued to play. He visited a college and had a tryout in which he impressed the coach and was given a tuition cut to play on the team. The JT soccer coach who cut him from varsity did not have the courtesy to recognize the effort of an athlete who fought back from injury to play a sport he loves. I was a coach, and if, a player continued to rehab and make progress in the sport; I still would be glad to talk about his progress at such an event recognizing athletes moving ahead playing in colleges. Whatever was going on in the coaches’ head I am unaware. Thanks to the assistant athletic director for speaking on Donovan’s behalf. For me it is easy, Donavon you had two significant injuries and you rehabbed back to playing again. You got guts kid.

I hope all of can fight back when adversity comes. Keep walking

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/well/move/a-1-hour-walk-3-times-a-week-has-benefits-for-dementia.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/well/move/frequent-brisk-walks-may-aid-those-with-early-alzheimers.html?action=click&contentCollection=Well&module=RelatedCoverage&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article

Perspective about a walk in the zoo with children

We went to Brookfield zoo earlier this week and weather was gorgeous. We had such a good time. I especially like the zoo in the later afternoon when most people have left the park. I have been of the opinion for years that Brookfield needs to change its layout. The park has a lot more room to redesign to give it to the animals habitats that could be created for grazing animals like you see at the San Diego zoos or Animal Kingdom, Bush Gardens. Other exhibits could be given a little more space in the park would to create walking on a Safari. Interest would pick up because animals would be in view all the time. I think the upgrade would give the zoo new life an increase in attendance.

Zoos are always a lot of fun when you bring your grandchildren. Two of my grandkids are in preschool age. In light of the tragedy that happen in Cincinnati and not too long ago in San Francisco. Zoos give us a view of some pretty large animals. In the wild snakes, mosquitoes, elephants, hippos, bears, tigers, lions, crocodiles to name a few all over hundred people a year in the wild. There're fewer deaths with the animals in captivity, but they do happen. 

Why we were at Brookfield, we walked by the tiger exhibit and the tiger was walking and prowling, we can see this magnificent animal in motion. Most of our visits the big cat sleeps. But I looked at the moat and fence and wondered if the animal had significant enough motivation could the tiger bound over the barrier? I was glad I did not have any young teenagers taunting the tiger.

How high do the fences have to be? We may lose a beautiful view.

I am probably overprotective with my children and grandchildren, but they do run. The little suckers are really fast. At the zoo children explore as well. I have to admit I am more concerned about the human predator. While we were at the zoo I noticed a lot of school groups and I remembered my own experiences watching mentally challenged children exploring the zoo. I was glad I did not have that responsibility anymore. 

I noticed the fence was raised at the Cincinnati zoo since the gorilla was killed. As zoos are built they have to be built to keep people out of the exhibits and keep animals in. But there is a balance between barriers and ability to see the animals clearly. 

When we are at the zoo there is a difference between preschool children, elementary children, and teenagers. From all reports the parents of the child was in the gorilla area were good people. Something happened between their watchful eye and the child climbing over the fence. What happened may help all us be safer? The zoo has now built a little higher fence. Every zoo should take a walk-through and rethink each area for improvement.

Our kids exploring the world. They need to do it. We have withdrawn into a virtual world and our children do not know shortcuts through the neighborhood. They do not know their neighbors. They don't walk to school and experience the change of seasons where they have to dress appropriate to the weather. They don't know how to recognize danger for themselves. They're too protected, too pampered, they are not allowed imperfections, they may not even know what it means to overcome, to fight back. For a child to grow there has to be imagination, adventure, failure and struggle. We need both good and bad, sin and righteousness, sadness and laughter, sickness and health, life and death. For many of our children we avoid these things at all costs. Our kids need to learn what it is to save, how to do without, inventing their own games, in making do with around them. 

How will they survive the next depression? How can they cope with personal loss? How can they accept that they don't looked like a Hollywood star? How can they learn to play a game not being the fastest, or the strongest and never making it to the big show? 

Every time we go out the door there is a bit of uncertainty. I love to quote Bilbo Baggins as he says,“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,” he used to say. “You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to.”

So zoos have to rethink four-year-olds as well as parents. But that child has a desire to explore their world. We have a bigger problem with our children with predators, drug peddlers, bullies where we need to take back our streets with parents careful eyes who for a time leave their own virtual escape. Keep walking

Take the kids in your life star gazing, memories from Pine Ridge

Pine Ridge Camp, our tent site was right close to the cabins.
You would think we were in the wilderness.
A great place for star gazing

At this picture brings back some real cool memories. We are looking at a marsh area in back of the cabins where I used to take the little kids camping for an overnight experience in a tent. After a full day of camp experience the kids would come down for supper and sit around the fire. I would have baked beans on the fire and the kitchen would prepare the fixings that went with the meal. We would have the evening chapel and sing as the sunset. The kids would stargaze and hear campfire stories.

One week we had a bunch of singers from the children's bible hour with uncle Charlie. The singing was so good that week I would start the song and just listen to the kids sing. It was the best singing that I ever heard from children.

Another time there was a meteor shower rather close and you can hear the meteors going through the air.

This experience was designed for our youngest camp. There was some concern that kids wouldn’t like sleeping in tents. I told him that summer tenting for a night would be new to the campers and I would create an atmosphere of the cowboy on the trail. Kids would love it. The whole evening was rather simple, but the fire, smoke, singing, stories and devotions would create a great memory. 

Kids slept with their cabin and I'm pretty sure most of them slept as close to their counselor as they could. I told them I would keep the fire going for a while as they went to sleep. The tents were all at a safe distance, but I think they could see through the tent the soft glow of the fire with appropriate sound of crackling. Ken and I, maybe with the missionary speaker would be quietly talking around the fire that would eventually die down and we would douse it for the evening. 

When the sun was up I would have another fire going for cooking and a grill going for pancakes. I had a coffee pot brewing and breakfast would be ready when the kids got up. There was always some kid or teen that would make there way over while I was preparing things. I often would put them to work and we would talk together. Kids like that. If they were too young I let them sit back and watch. 

It was always the teen staff from the kitchen for maintenance that would help me. Different people around the camp did things to make it happen that nobody seen. I got the benefit of seeing the kids smile but there was always a lot of people behind the scenes that made it happen. Isn't that the way it always happens.

One more thing, I wish more people what find ways for kids to see the night sky. To view of the Milky Way, to point out the planets. To have kids identify for themselves Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus is priceless. You have the kids identify a few basic cancellations like the small and big dipper, Orien’s belt. To see you satellite or today to the space station through a pair of binoculars. Kids need to see the stars with their own eyes. To help you find locations in the sky there are plenty of apps that can help you. 

I’m glad I helped a few hundred kids enjoy a night on the stars. Keep walking.

Beyond Special Olympics

Studies have shown that people who are fit in their 30’s do better in their health as they age. For many that fitness comes from playing sports they learned in their youth. In sports you may have to train with conditioning or strength training to improve performance. These practices develop life time habits that are good for us.

It is hard to mess with special olympics where every kid is a winner. There are team sports for special needs atheletes where kids can experience the sport. But is there a place for these kids to excel in the sport? Here they learn the how to (skills to play) and get the feeling of striving to do the best they can. Most kids will not develop skills in the olympic games. It is a fun day. I’m OK with that.

There are kids who have a talent. They can actually run. There may be something in their disability that hinders them from gettting all the steps needed to compete. 

If they love to play a sport can they learn how to train for that sport and work at the skills, endurance or strength it takes to make progress in the game. Can they get a coach who will know the game and how to make them better at it.

In a sport it is the training that is learned that can set up a life time behavior that can effect health. A special needs athelete who particapates in the sport to their late thirties may develop the practice and training habits that will translate into better health as they age.

As they transition into older life they could learn other sports like frisbee golf that can keep them on the move into their 50’s and 60’s. Being on a swim team or a cycling club could teach them how to do these things into their senior years. 

Can their be teams develop to do 5K’s or half marathon runs or walks? Can they learn to weight train, circut train for life? To learn these habits would take months to learn and not just a few days. With others they will have to take time to compensate to experience the activity. 

There is something to said for working at a goal and actually making progress towards it.

Consider for the moment the aging special needs person? Can bird watching activities be put in place where there is walking to do with the activity? 

Daily walking can be training to hike special places on vacation. Add learning to take pictures or movings fro a travel log can add extra motivation. Daily walking can also be good for the adult care givers as well.

Live by a zoo? Get a membership where you can make safaris to different exibits three times a week to take pictures of a particular animal. Walking skills and packed meal for a picnic, learning how to frame a shot can create a life time interest and improve health. Targeting the animal will keep the trip focused on the hunt and walk and keep the time small enough to repeat. They can look up the animal on line and learn one thing about the animal.

Bike trails can offer opportunities through out the year. Adding a camera can help give a focus. See if the pictures improve over time. 

A special needs student can assist a senior citizen pushing a chair to a site on a walk. Exercise is gained for the student and service to others to boot. Linking the activity with skills to be improved and reaching goals gives experiences of accomplishment and particapation in this wonderful thing we call life. Keep walking

Kids can actually learn a sport - http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/a-swim-team-for-teens-with-autism/?hpw&rref=health&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

The sky is the limit, at least a 14er

I was reading an article today on the training that a 35-year-old woman Christy Mehan  does to ski the 54 14,000 Mountain peaks in Colorado. She does the skiing in March to May where it snows more and the snow sticks. When she and her husband climbed the peek the fun part comes when they ski down. She prepares for these aventures in the winter with 5 mile runs high intensity light weight workouts twice a week. In the summertime she hikes the mountains and participates in running events. 

Weight training and mountain climbing works all the muscles in her body and running helped her to control the breathing she needs to do it high-altitudes. Some of the climbs she has done have been dangerous where if you fall, you die. Christie is the first woman to have climbed and skied the 14,000 peaks in Colorado. She now is a 14er. Some of the views have been breathtaking. Doing these things with your husband and fellow 14ers demonstrates how beneficial the support is to do the extreme skiing.

Their hobby is possible because they work at their fitness. When she runs, it is uphill and that's pretty good for 5 miles. 

We all have our fitness and health goals. They may not be the same as world-class athletes but it is good for us to take care of ourselves so that we can enjoy the life that we have. Thank you Christie for having lived well. Keep the rest of us walking

http://www.wsj.com/articles/what-it-takes-to-climband-skievery-colorado-14er-1426524299?mod=WSJ_hp_RightTopStories

Paul Smith, a well lived life

He types his art with One finger
Paul Smith confirms a God-given
talent and "my finger".

My aunt Wilma sent me a video of Paul Smith who is an artist that uses a typewriter to create his art. It is an older story but I was not aware of. What interested me was his self education. I took time to observe him and get to know him like I have hundreds of disabled kids. He blew me away!

In 2004 a local news program where Paul lives in a nursing home in Oregon at the age of 83 Paul demonstrated How he used the typewriter to draw. The video clip that I saw was just under 5 minutes. What makes the video so powerful is the fact that Paul is severely disabled with cerebral palsy. With one finger he uses eight keys on a typewriter to mark out his drawing. I thought the report also drew attention to the character and personality that Paul had. I saw the date 2004 and I thought it would be unlikely that Paul was still with us. So like I often do I search the net to find out more about him. 

As I studied his artwork I noticed not only the keys used to draw his art but also the way he uses the ink on the ribbon to create his colors, light and shadow and wonderful feel he generates using techniques that went beyond just to keys. As type writers and inks changed so did his art. He was able to express more as the years went by.

He would work 3 to 4 hours a day on his art. When you watched him work you could see the effort it took to do it. Paul himself did not concern himself with the effort but with what he was trying to create. If you got caught up with how he moves in his handicap you may miss what are you seeing of him as an artist. With Paul it wasn't anybody could do this if they work hard enough but that he had a God given ability to do the art. Most people would seeing this video see what we would tell students; “See if you work hard enough you could fulfill your dreams.” It is kind of like watching Michael Jordan and if you work hard enough you could be like Mike. Paul said, “It is not, if you work hard enough you can be an artist; but it is about, ‘What can you do?’”

FDR, more than keys

As I spent time getting to know Paul and seeing how he work the ink and keys into his drawing I can see the artist at work. Paul was born in 1921 and he wasn't expected to live out of infancy. He never learned to read and write. He lived at home with his parents until 1967 when his parents passed away. In is 46 years with his parents traveled with him all over the US. He took a trip to the Bahamas. Like many handicapped kids the parents gave Paul many wonderful experiences.

At 11 years old he began to use the typewriter to draw experiences. One person commented this is not about the content of his art but how he does it. I can see getting wrapped up in the amazement of Paul working through his handicap. But I think it did matter because it is what made him an artist.  What Paul drew was his life.There is a beautiful picture of a squirrel who came up to him to be fed. You can see in his drawing how the squirrel comes to life. He drew people and you can see in his art the people that he cared for. Look at the FDR painting.  He loved trains and art. 

His art today eight years after his death has grown in popularity and is being sold. In Paul's life most of his art was given away or was displayed in the nursing home where he lived. He loved music, church and prayers, chess, and people. He lived over 40 years in a nursing home and was well cared for. It is a lot easier for people to care for you if you're a nice guy. In 2004 Paul moved to be closer to family but he soon missed his friends of 37 years in the home and move back to Oregon. He passed away in 2007. 

Can us see # ( ) - detail of Mona Lisa 

Today Paul would've learn to walk sooner and maybe learned to read and write. His ability to play chess and express his artistic ability in words leads me to think that he would've learned to read and write. But I'm not exactly sure because each person's learning disabilities are unique to them. Paul said, “I am a self-made man, but I goofed.” Would we in his education today miss the mark completely on Paul's ability as an artist? Would Paul have the three hours a day to develop the techniques of the typewriter to do his art? Would that be encouraged or would emphasis be on a watered down curriculum that would've put his art in the closet? Reading and writing may have open doors up for Paul. Working with Paul earlier in his life may have opened up of their experiences as well. School, art, and thinking don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. 

Paul was an accomplished chess player, music lover, and spiritual person. These are probably things his parents built into his life and I don't think they would've been developed in school. What do you think? 

Doctors thought Paul would die in childhood. This self-made man lived almost to 90. The value of his work has grown since he died. He was a good man and friend to those who knew him. He lived in one room. He designed his own furniture. His life was well lived. Keep walking

Logical Mr. Spock

Leonard Nimoy at 81

I have been a true Trekkie for 50 years. I was so devoted to the early series that it took me a while to get into the next generation. Spock's character so wonderfully developed by Leonard Nimoy is  in my mind as a real character like Sherlock Holmes. I always thought that Leonard Nimoy would've been a brilliant Sherlock Holmes. Some characters like the Klingons changed with special effects redefining their character. But with Spock, special effects could not alter the perfection that Nimoy brought to the role. All of the lines play with my mind and are part of me.

I think of Star Trek IV where Nimoy explorers using profanity. Nimoy and Shatner carry on a classic exchange in which it's decided that a Vulcan should not swear. The cast brought us in on their experience. Somewhere on the deck of the Enterprise was the audience. Actors would take a bit part just to be on the set. The original warp drive was the sound of a window air-conditioner. Think of the little screen Spock looked into was nothing like our computers. It all was in the thee minds of the writers and actors who made it work. Nimoy’s screenplays of Star Trek IV and VI were the best in the franchise. 

There are no Vulcans yet we know them. We have a Klingon Bible. Space the final frontier calls to a better path.

He lived long and prospered. Thank you Leonard for embracing Spock and having fun with it. Well done. Keep walking

Lonely or Aloneness? What is the difference?

I was listening to Night Sounds with Bill Pierce a couple of nights ago where he talked about the difference between loneliness and aloneness. Reminded me of the song, Lonely Voices Crying in the City by Billie Banks, 1967

Lonely voices crying in the city,

Lonely voices sounding like a child.

Lonely voices come from busy people,

Too disturbed to stop a little while.

Lonely voices fill my dreams,

Lonely voices haunt my memory…

There are a lot of lonely people. In the last 20 years we have seen a lot of people drawn to the Internet who are lonely. The Internet being the new phenomena introduces us to ways in which lonely people seek connection in cyberspace.

Loneliness affects all age groups, but since now I am older I've been thinking about how loneliness finds its way in the lives of many senior citizens. I have shared with you how 25% of us by the age 63 are clinically depressed. The feeling of loneliness has to factor in. Loneliness has a painful, maybe even bitter feeling.

Aloneness is something quite a bit different. I remember watching a shop owner from Iowa move to Alaska and for 30 years enjoy living in an isolated life on a lake where he made his own log cabin to carve out for himself a way to survive the bitter cold and beautiful summers. Every day gave himself to the task of making his life better as he lived in the wilderness. He gave it up when he was in his 80s because you got tired of the cold weather and move back into a retirement home. (1960's PBS production)

Aloneness doesn't have to be this extreme. In might be sometime in the morning or late night where you have a quiet time or you're reading, listening to music, go for a walk. You may like Leroy Jethro Gibbs go down to the basement to build a boat with your own hands. These examples of aloneness move us away from that hustle and bustle of regular life that can be as enjoyable as drinking your favorite beverage or viewing a work of art or nature caught in the pleasure of your own thoughts. Prayer can be this. I think even writing can be part of this aloneness that can be enjoyable.  For most of us the short periods of aloneness can add tremendously to the quality of our life.

I'll leave you tonight with the thought of the differences between loneliness and aloneness. We want to cut down loneliness and find ways to enjoy our aloneness. Keep walking

The one and only Ernie Banks

1931-2015 Always remember the fingers at bat

Ernie a life well lived. I was too young to see Ernie Banks play his best at shortstop. He had the best pair of hands I remember seeing at first base. Every low throw was easily handled by Ernie. Researching about Ernie he played shortstop with few errors and had pretty good range. By all accounts a knee injury slowed him down. My dad told me that pitchers used to throw at his knees. But the injury came to Ernie Banks in basic training in the army during the Korean War. Ernie served in Germany I did not know that Ernie was a vet and think of the advantages we have today to repair knees. Derrick Rose recovery bears testimony of the change. 

What I was aware of were the nine years Ernie showed up and played two. Hurt, most of those years, he still came close to hitting 30 or more home runs and drive in close to a 100 RBIs. Ernie was the best PR man in baseball. Bill Veech, Phil Wrigley, Ernie Banks, Jack Brickhouse, and Harry Carey framed the “friendly confines.” Ernie coined the phrase and lived it. What makes a Cub fan a Cub fan Ernie had a lot to do with it. 

Ernie's high school did not have a baseball team. Ernie played football, basketball and track. He was good enough to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. Ernie's dad bought him a $3.00 glove and played catch with Ernie. Ernie played on a church fast pitch softball team. Did you know that Ernie was a Texan? He says he got soft hands from picking cotton. He dealt with racism by his desire to make others better. By every account that I read, Ernie made people feel like he had time to listen to their stories. It does seem unanimous that he was a nice guy. 

Ernie forced you if you were racist to see his humanity. He challenged you by just being Ernie. If Ernie is human, then my thinking about the African race is wrong. Today when you listen to people, you would think that nobody had a problem with race. It is always someone else. For me, I still remember the 60s, I remember me. It was a time when I was challenged in my thinking. The one constant reminder for me once is gentle man from Texas who thought the best thing in the world was playing game at Wrigley.

Ernie's positive attitude had to drive people nuts. Hardline winners in baseball are not nice guys. No baseball is designed to win anyway you can. True baseball leans to cheat and to make the umpire call the play. True baseball looks to get an advantage no matter what the costs. We get all out of sorts when somebody is cheating. The Cubs were good at this in the 19th century. Early in the 20th Century they had a double play combination that did not even talk to each other. They were winners, but nobody liked them. 

Nice guys, maybe not

Could there have been a greater contrast between Leo the lip and Ernie Banks? Leo Durocher played for the Yankees, Cardinals winning two world series. With the Yankees he played with the greatest teams in baseball history. "As long as I've got a chance to beat you I'm going to take it,” sums up the true morality in baseball. We have another quote, “Nice guys don’t finish last.” Then there is Ernie. As time moves on Ernie became more vocal. And the more you heard from this guy was the way he was a nice guy. Billy Williams who roomed with him, tells us that what you see and hear from Ernie is the real thing. Leo and Ernie could not be more opposite. Leo wanted to get rid of Ernie but, Ernie had already won the city. Maybe if Leo have been able to get rid of Ernie the Cubs may have won in 69. Ernie's RBI total was high, but his batting average was 50 points lower than his most valuable player years. Mr. Cub was destined to retire as a Cub. No, I think 1969 we can't blame on Ernie. Baseball has to be played well in August and September and the Cubs did not. While Leo wanted to get rid of Ernie, Ernie said that “Leo made me better and stretched me.” So Leo may have help Ernie hit 23 home runs and drive in 106 RBIs thereby helped an injured Ernie hit 500+ home runs. I see in Ernie's insights a competitor who looked at criticism as a way to improve. Every game he gave us what he could and in the end that is all a ball player can do. 

Now that he's gone, people will focus on his flaws. There is a shocker an athlete has flaws. Many have speculated that underneath the smile of Ernie was pain. Maybe, but Ernie went out of his home, genuinely enjoyed talking with people. He let us know how great it was to play baseball on a sunny day with the wind blowing out and maybe on that day it was a doubleheader. Keep walking

"That was pretty good!" Can be better than perfect

Its me playing for Joliet Junior College, 1970

Are we ever satisfied with ourselves? There's something within us that really keeps trying to strive for more. 

A doctor learns a new medical treatment and seeks to perfect the procedure that helps save many patients. That Dr. may go ahead and share what he or she has learned with other doctors and multiply his success. There is a sense of the doctor should kickback and enjoy the roses of a job well done. 

It has to be similar for an athlete who wins a contest or even a championship. He or she should take a moment to enjoy the success and maybe later think about it and share it as the story grows over time. 

If you listen to any great baseball announcer they tell a story that ages gracefully. There isn't really a comparison between the game today and the game of yesteryear. No, the story teller is wiser than that. The old story has been retold and each time grows as the story itself takes on a life of its own. If you find yourself getting bored with the x’s and o’s where the analyst goes on and on. You will recognize the great broadcaster who masterfully weaves the story of the game from legend to history of the moment. Just in case that doesn't workout, the old story can be a great metaphor of life.

I can sit back and recall playing a five set tennis match at a beautiful park. I lost the first two sets and came back and won the last three. My opponent usually beats me. Two sets I won 9-7 and 7-5. We drank water out of the tennis can filled up at the park’s water fountain. My waist size was somewhere between 33-35 inches. Four sets I played without my shirt. The tennis shorts favored strong legs. That particular day was good to think about. The rackets were wood and the game was slower to favor a strong serve and volley style. If I could shorten the point, it was better for my game. 

Tad Davis racket had a sweet sound and had good
balance for the one handed player.

I worked on my game mainly because I wanted to be more competitive. I never won a personal championship in tennis but I was on two championship teams in college. I helped other players become better doubles players. Perfection is just about impossible when you have cerebral palsy. Every time you go to hit a ball, it can be a new experience. Perfection implies consistency, so by definition, difficult to achieve in this body. I came up with a workable goal. “That was pretty good!” It may or may not have been perfect but it was pretty good. If you watch me play back then, you'd probably notice I was in a constant conversation with myself. 

No, our Dr. will go back to the drawing room, our doctor discovered other problems and quite possibly with the same problem. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes still remain and caused havoc. 

Our tennis player ages and goes into coaching. The game is no longer played with the sweet sound of wood but with the woosh of new technology. Everybody hits the ball 20 to 30 miles an hour faster. Serve and volley has just about become history. Yet there's a lot of things to work on to help younger players reach a goal of “that was pretty good.” Someday when the coach is gone and for the most part forgotten, that young player will remember playing when his waist was small and he drank water from his then obsolete water filter. He never heard the sweet sound of wood, but he reflects on the sound of woosh of his old racket that nobody plays with anyone more. 

Not satisfied with how you look, weight, health, relationships, money, spiritual life? There are a lot of good goals we can think about that are worthwhile to pursue. So try this attitude, “that was pretty good”. Keep walking

Unwanted things OK, but live anyway

What is it about a pipe and
thinking. 

We are halfway through fall and it reminded me of how great it is to walk this time of year. The sun was shining this afternoon and it was refreshing to see the lakes on our walk. The water was rich blue. I am getting the timing down on my walking with the cane where it is there if I need it and not for weight-bearing. My goal is to have my gate remain the same, as if I wasn't walking with a cane. In the 19th century people use walking sticks rather commonly. I think my make over would be complete, all I need is pipe and the game is a foot.

I was basking in the sun earlier. Now is a good for making vitamin D and bone health it also is good for seasonal mood problems. Brief times in and the sun can be healthy.

With the ability to take notes audibly with my phone I have been recording various quotes from books I've been reading. It's kind of fun recording things that you think are significant. You run the risk that nobody else thinks of it as significant but, the road to travel is your own anyway.

Years ago I started reading Robert Parker and the Spencer series, thanks to the acting of Robert Urich and Avery Brooks. Parker has a lively wit and he also  brings in a character who covers the plot from a shrink point of view. In the Jesse Stone series the shrink is an ex-cop, Dix. He is a crusty character who delivers Bob Parker one-liners. Therapy for Jessie Stone is a slow process. Change is hard for Jessie and I think that's the way it should be. "Why is this so hard?" The quote below was when the two of them hit a wall. 

“'Unresolved feelings don’t resolve themselves. Just because you shove unwanted things into the attic doesn’t mean they aren’t still there.’ Man, he especially hated those rare occasions when Dix would get folksy or metaphorical.” Bob Parker’s Jesse Stone 

Whatever the unwanted things are it is different for each of us. That usually only come out when something is painful or hard to deal with. We don't want them but there they are. I am beginning to think therapy is like me losing weight. It is hard to do and if it was easy this would've been a short blog. Put in the big picture doing things that are good for my heart is a day by day thing. Whatever the struggle is in “unwanted things” are or weight life goes along with it. Embracing today in-house remodeling, sitting on the porch, going for a walk, enjoying the evening meal and a ride in a car all became part of life embrace today. Simple stuff, Keep walking

Do you know the story of Bethany Hamilton?

Bethany Hamilton

I always like revisiting story that I have read about before. Bethany Hamilton I read about 8 years ago who 11 years ago was attacked by a shark and lost her left arm. She overcame her injury and return to competitive surfing. She is now 24 years old and she still competes. She has recently written a book, Body and Soul in which she reaches out to motivate young girls to live healthier lives. She leads by example and you can see the picture she maintains a fitness level and weight control. She hasn't allowed her loss of a limb to stop the disciplines of a professional athlete. 

She uses the suspension training that I've shared with you and you can see that she can modify to give her body a balanced strength workout that would directly relate to surfing. Can you imagine the coordination and strength it takes to get up on the board when you're catching a wave. I can't do it. I have used a bodyboard and I've been tossed around the California surf like a beached whale. 

My experience with the waves in California's is they are pretty strong. I experience a riptide that was taking me out to sea and it was cool to practice when I learned to swim parallel to the coast and then easily move back into the shore. A riptide isn't very wide but you can't swim directly back in. I am a strong swimmer and I could not directly swim against a riptide. You have to swim a little parallel 20 to 50 feet and then you get waves taking you back in. Every year there's people who drown because they trying to go directly against the current. The Pacific in California is a lot cooler than West Florida in the Gulf so Barb doesn't like going to water. I am trying to navigate the water with CP, Once I'm out A little deeper I'm okay but the waves by the shore they can be pretty strong. 

Bethany says she likes the suspension training because she can take it with her anywhere and she likes working outdoors. Check out a couple videos online about how people use this and remember you can always modify to fit your fitness level. Some people really are quite strong with it but we can use it regardless of our fitness level. Try to look at a couple videos of people who modified for themselves and you'll get the idea. 

Strength training is your program. No matter what tools you use there is away for you to strength training that helps you maintain or increase your strength no matter what your age. Bethany and myself demonstrate that suspension training or strength training can be modified to the disability. Keep walking

“End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.”

“End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.” Have you seen this sigh on the road? I had, but I did not make the connection that Ruth Graham did. She saw the sign toward the end of her life and she wanted the words on her tombstone. So if you visit her gravesite you will see those words. Ruth was the missionary daughter of Dr. Bell who served in China. She also is the better half with Billy Graham. I know he would agree with me. 

I remember when I was younger "Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet." The idea is that my life is under construction and that has taught me to be patient with myself. The hope is others may also be patient with me. Nobody has been more patient with me then my wife, Barb. It is not that I am at the end of my life right now but I am further down the road than I was. One thing about being patient, has something to do with kindness, looking for the good of somebody else.

Meryl Streep had recently said that she is no longer patient, I just saw the headline and I didn't read the article. I think I understand the gist of the need to move on and not be under the burden of stupid ideas or actions. 

For me both the request “please” and response “thank you” has a certain civility about it. I think

there's also a sentiment of the idea that I'm working on it. My efforts in the blog is to try to write better, but I can see where somebody would lose patience with it. It is time to read something better. Life is too short. But for the reader who visits my blog it is a working process that I hope encourages you as we try to improve our health.

God to me has been very patient. In every turn where I moved from some dysfunctional thought or behavior, to a principal or an idea that benefits myself or those around me; He has been there not to beat me down but to encourage me. Of course, if you are patient with me and God is patient with me than the real hard part is I have to be patient with you. I'm smiling as I wrote that last line. Think about the road we travel, where our lives are under construction, never really finished, where both please and thank you for your patience is part of our journey. At the heart of it I think is grace and love. Keep walking

Graham, Billy (2011-10-18). Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well (p. 95). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

Note the little things

When my shirt dries I go back in the
water, great way to stay cool on the Gulf

I was reminded last night if someone follows me and Twitter to notice the little things in life. It is easy to go through life and you realize little things were actually the important things. Life had a lot of opportunities to observe a lot of things in my time so I really have little regrets about this. It is true my favorite photograph about me was made 39 years ago. I can go back to the location and put on a similar outfit with the loose fitting backpack, canteen, hunters knife but it wouldn't be the same. My hair is gone, I am heavier, my face is weathered and I am sure the location is changed as well. 

But that's not the point about noticing the little things, it is really about today. The therapist leaning a little bit into the new age may say be mindful, be in the moment. Jesus long time ago reminded us worry about today, tomorrow will have its own problems. Of course there something about now, wherever we find ourselves. Living the now probably will give us the greatest satisfaction. 

Today I really enjoyed my quiet time and Bible study. I have been looking at the book of Job.

Little things are sometimes easy

I was listening to an introduction by Dr. Ken Boa. Last week I was listening to a introduction to the book by Dr. Wayne Styles. But really what made their inductions' so good was reading Job and developing my own my own outline or overview. I have read and studied Job before, but I did not read it or study it when I was depressed or recovering from depression. In my mind, I recalled an old professor who was depressed and I saw him in the library poring over scholarly Studies of Job but I feared it didn’t do him any good. He was a WWII vet who had part of his skull replaced due to a bomb exploding. I took upon myself to take an interest in him and invite him to dinner. I also talked to other students about adopting him and in one of the tables in the student center where married students love the banter. I got them to include the old professor in the crazy debates. From what I could see he really liked it. 

back when I was crunch
not munch

What I told myself from these experiences was that I would never studied Job or dark subjects if I was at a place of depression. But I am now five years down the line from my recovery from depression and I feel like I'm in a good place to look at the book. Down the road I will share my insights with Walking with Job. 

There are a lot of important stories to be aware of in a news these days. And I'm glad for online newspapers and reporting to see what's happening. The Internet truly brings the world right in view. In the middle of my Studies and surfing the net I am my exercise equipment right at hand and I can walk, workout, climb stairs, give my old man exercises working in moment throughout the day. I also have my share chores around the house that I look at as keep the body moving. Of course it has another for practical outcome with my wife loving the idea that I’m pitching in. 

Around here it is actually a nice day and worth spending some it outside. 

Finally, I am in the process of writing several books. I have the time to do these things now and for me there's little bit of fun in it. And there you have it part of the life of the fat man walking. My mind is alive and engaged and looking at now it looks pretty good. Tomorrow who knows? Well time for me to get moving and keep walking.

Big picture for baby boomers on depression and aging

Got an article in today's Wall Street Journal about Robin Williams suicide as it relates to suicide rates of the BBB boomers between the ages 35 and 64. Reported by Zusha Ellison. Traditionally suicide occurs more often in older people. This is consistent with two recent blogs that I wrote about. Aging I believe brings its own problems of suicide. Lifelong struggles with self-esteem and mental health, stress can pay a toll on people as they age. Sometimes the older we live our options seem less. Certainly in our health issues we can face problems that are life-threatening. There is also something that happens to our very minds as we get older like every other part of her body our brains can show where and tear. 

It seems suicide is declining for people who live past 75. This makes sense to me for two reasons: one, if you lived to 75 you were probably healthier to begin with both in the mind and body. And the longer you live the truer that would seem to be. I have read studies from different countries and those who live a long life are going to be people who more likely can handle stress. People who had health problems earlier in their 50s and 60s like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes have a harder time living older and need more medical invention. Two, people who have economic and social stress along with drug abuse and alcohol were themselves at higher risk for suicide. I read a quote that Robin Williams apparently said, "I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." – Robin Williams No matter what problems you have I believe there's hope if you're willing to want to deal with it.

Like many comedians who say good things, they often have insight into their emotional sides. One of the things that article brought out is our increasing isolation from each other. It's ironic that the very blessing sharing on my blog shows another phenomena of our life on the computer. People spend more time under devices than they do with each other.

I noticed a trend in education. 25 to 30 years ago the teachers lounge, due to having a place for people to smoke, created quite a place for dialogue and debate. At the time I was just a young guy listening to the old sea lions as they bellowed their sage wisdom. For me it was actually informative, funny, entertaining and at least worth three graduate courses of knowledge. When I retired from education, we were healthier because of non-smoking, but the teachers lounge was more isolated with individual groups staying within their little friendships. And as I walked the halls of the school I notice more and more teachers would spend time under computers rather than their comrades of arms. Even when the kids were in the classroom teachers would be on their computers and not engage with their students. To be fair in the good old days teachers may have spent time reading the newspaper or book and not be engage with the students. Different tools with the same problem, people not engaged in a dynamic classroom.

Believe it or not, I would rather bring back the smoking and bull sessions over one's favorite drink then the corporation training that education has become. It is always more refreshing to hear honest opinion than political correctness that bores me to tears.

So Robin Williams makes us more aware of the problem of drugs both prescription and not and alcohol and how that those things hinder dealing with depression. It seems everybody who knew him or had contact with him made a similar observation, “Robin is a class act and often took time to cheer others up,” like Christopher Reeve when he underwent back surgery. Many were asking today, “Why he couldn't get help?” That will always remain to me an unanswered question. Depression will always remain a complicated and painful experience where there are victories and defeats. 

One of the last good points that was pointed out is the fact that baby boomers wanted to deny aging. And when ageing happens, they seem less prepared for that then earlier generations. On one hand we have the AARP ideal of happy sunset experiences. I am actually all for that at least most of my days. But then there's the other side of aging which has its challenges that we have to do our best to cope with. If we can't face our challenges, they may do us in. 

For now what can we learn from our explorations with depression: 

• Put a psychiatric expert on our medical team as we get older. It is always good to be prepared if something does come up.
• Be more aware of drugs and alcohol and how they affect our discernment and mental state. 
• Become more aware of how our mind changes as we get older. Like every other system in the body there's always something. 
• If you have stress in your life, don't deny it, don't do nothing about it. Stress can hurt the body and mind and finding ways to reduce it is always a good idea. 
• Live life, keep developing friends. Remember computers are a thing and a tool, people are the real deal. Give less time to negative people and more time to people that really care about you. And don't forget care about them. 

Keep walking

http://online.wsj.com/articles/robin-williamss-age-group-at-heightened-suicide-risk-1407875597

It is true talking about one's health can become "old hat".

Chicago lighthouse and tall ship, Lake Michigan

It is true talking about one's health can become "old hat". Something Dennis Miller said, struct true. "Everybody who hits 90 has problems." He said it funnier. We all have our struggles. Talking about them has a way of driving people away. There is way of saying, "way to much information."
I think we like hearing "I lost 100 lbs." "I have been cancer free for 5 years." "I just competed in my 50th marathon." With before and afterward pictures and a spot on a talk show. (Instant solutions)
As I look around that is not what I see. Most of the audience on Dr. Oz's show look over weight. All the tips and insights don't seem to show long term results. I went to a ball game the other day and it seemed like obese people were all over the place. The other day I saw a clip of an obese man sleeping at the ballgame and he was really out. The announcers saw the humor and shared their thoughts. The unaware fan sued them. The camera shows all of our fat and can be unforgiving.
There is good information out there and there are lots of people taking advantage of the opportunities to live better. But there are many who struggle.
In my life and research I find it is harder than we think to lose weight and live healthier. There simply isn't any easy solutions or fast fixes. It can be a common experience of little change over the years. Someone loses weight and check back in a year or two and they have gained it back. This story won't get much "copy" or be something everybody wants to read. A chronic condition and coping is not the most exciting news to right about. But I believe it is more common than overcoming.
For overweight people, working on it may be the only hope they have.
Don't give up. Recently on the day of my uncle's funeral I fell back and hit my head on a window sill. To say I had a big bump on my head is an understatement. I have shared some of my falls in the past. It is an ongoing problem. One of those things people don't want to hear. Some of the falls have interfered with my fitness. I now use nordic poles on uneven ground and thinking about cane support on sidewalks.
What you are trying to do pays off. What I have done has been good for me. I wanted to get a new cardiac doctor and glad I did. Had a stress test and my heart is healthy. The doctor wants me to really go for fitness. Biking, walking, working of strength and flexibility. Weight-loss will be a by-product of better habits.
Focus on the big picture. Our fight with heart, cancer, and diabetes is more important than a youthful or fanciful appearance. If you exercise and diet for the heart you will be doing the right things for cancer and diabetes.
Remember a fat person moving is healthier than sitting. "We were made to move," Leslie Sansone tells us In Home Walking. Doing one thing healthy will lead to another thing. Doing one thing healthy means you are doing one thing that isn't healthy. Look at what you can do and don't focus on negative stuff that may be around. We are all different so there are good ideas that are just right for us. Don't dwell on it, just do one thing at a time.
Each day is a new day. Screwed up yesterday. Hey so did I! Today we can go for a walk. Today we can eat one three quarter plate for a meal. Today we can have 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables, "5 is fine, nine divine" Dr. Cooper reminds us.
Live well and reduce regrets. Keep walking