Lightning Strike

 

                                                        Lightning Strike

In My Bloodstream: Lisinopril,  Amlodopine,  Omeprazole, Tamsulosin
On The Stereo: Come Along With Me: Vicci Martinez, Cee Lo Green 

Last week's song was re-released by Jackson Browne when he contracted Covid 19.  He thought it to be a perfect song for our times.

The very good news this past week came in the way of a big win for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  For long-suffering Tampa fans, who have endured a 16 year drought, Monday night was  the start of a week long celebration.  The Kat Lady and I have been glued to the TV throughout the playoffs, rooting for The Bolts.  They had played  the Dallas Stars in a tough series for five games, and this game, the sixth, was  a much-deserved win.  Despite the prognostications of some of our Canadian friends that the Eastern division was too weak and the Vegas team would win, Tampa played without their injured captain, and are now Stanley Cup Champions. 

In fact, their captain Steve Stamkos, did play one shift for less than 3 minutes, in the fourth game, and scored that night's first goal.  His only time on skates in this shortened season.  He was nothing, if not inspirational.

In Florida fashion, and due to social distancing rules, the celebration had the team in shorts, raising the Cup for all the fans to see, on a boat parade down the Hillsborough River.  And now we are looking at our watch, to see what time the new season will start.  Should be soon.

In other news, Napa valley and surrounds, are struggling with devastating fires.  The latest starting near Glass Road.  So many homes and buildings have been destroyed, and even if some vineyards were saved, the smoke damage will ruin the crops.  We have been fortunate to have visited Napa many times, early on with our friends, the Van Fossens and later, on business and with the Hannas, with whom we stayed at Meadowood, a spectacular site, with villas, golf and one of the finest restaurants in the area.

                                              Meadowood, with a view from the golf course.

                                         Breakfast, after an evening of drinking the local produce.

It is difficult to define any particular area as pretty, as the entire countryside is a lesson in beauty.  Sadly, it will take years of healing before it returns to the Napa we know.

                      Robin Hanna becomes part of the scenery, as seen from Sterling Wines tasting room.

Along with the rest of the country, this beautiful area has had to cope with the financial losses brought about by covid 19.  Now, with a broken economy, they will begin to re-build America's finest wine region, not knowing whether or not the tourist business will ever return.  Some risky decisions lay ahead.

Earlier this week, we were entertained(?) by the first presidential debate.  What the hell was that about?  After watching and listening for a while, I suggested to Kath that they should have put a cage around the participants, give them each a Louisville Slugger, and let them have at it.  Might have made more sense.

So, in my mind, there were no winners.  Just a couple of guys my age, arguing incomprehensibly about who should be our president.  And they managed to maintain a high standard of ineffectiveness, even without a skinful of liquor.  Nothing substantive whatsoever.  We, however, did have a cocktail in our hands, and even that was not enough to improve the evening's ridiculous performance.

Basketball and baseball continue, without our viewership.  So nothing from me on that front.  Football has had its first causality, with Nashville having to delay its game with the Steelers, due to a covid outbreak within the team.  We will hope those who caught the virus are fine, and that football continues.  

We watched Tampa Bay improve their record with a comeback win over the Chargers.  Brady looked reasonably well, with five touchdowns.  It was , for us, an escape from this new reality.  We need some diversion to take our minds off the crazy world in which we live.  I think I speak for all football fans.

And, of course, Roll Tide.  They made Saturdays great again.

Oh, yes.  I did go to Moffitt on Tuesday for my surgeries.  They were quite pleased with the extent of healing on my left side.  What else would an artist say about his work?  We were joined by a new surgeon,  whose name I did not quite hear.  And Dr. Harrington asked if I  minded her performing the excision of one of the cancerous areas.  I asked if she had any references or affidavits to assure her competence.  I also suggested that Dr. Harrington might well have found her, standing on a corner somewhere, holding up a sign, asking for work.  I told him it would be just like him to bring a stranger in to keep his workload down.  You do know that I am not a real doctor.  But I did play one on Halloween a few years ago.  I know doctors.

                                                        He was a smooth operator in his day.

Anyway, even without substantive evidence, I agreed and she tackled the inner right thigh, while he worked on my right forearm.  I watched them carefully, advising them on their techniques.  I explained to her, that Dr. Harrington, six years ago, was wet behind the ears, as they say.  I told her that he had improved greatly over that time, thanks to my suggestions and my incredible bravery in accepting the role of guinea pig in his ongoing education.  He kind of agreed with me, since he figured we had shared the operation theater some twenty to thirty times, over that period.  Some fairly straightforward stuff and some difficult and dangerous.  I still bear the scars.  As time goes by.

I told the new surgeon that I was in this building on the first day it opened.  Not for surgery, but for my infusion, on the clinical trial.  It was a chaotic day, as almost all the staff were trying to find their way around.  Dr. Harrington said he also was there on that day, for the first surgery.  Only one session had been booked for the first time slot, to ensure there would be no hiccups.  He said the operating room staff waited forever for the gentleman to show up.  Finally, they went out to the wait room and he was with five new staff, all talking away.  The new buzzer system was not yet understood.

He talked about that patient with fond memories.  He said he was an extremely nice man and he had performed several operations on his cancer sites.  I jokingly asked if he was still alive.  "No", he said.  "I don't think he survived."  Great.  That does not bode well for me.  Again, gallows humor.

                                            My first run-in with my surgeon.  Many more since.

They both did excellent work.  Early on in my life of surgeries, I would go home covered in stitches.  These days, the stitches are all inside the flesh, below the skin.  And the surface skin is held together by crazy glue.  Incredible.  I explained to my new surgeon that she had to keep the stitches tight, as I was planning to play golf on the weekend.  She asked Dr. Harrington if I was joking.  He told her that I was serious.  "My god", she said. 

At my age, who has the time to sit around and wait for wounds to heal?  We only have so much time on the earth.  We better not waste it.  How could I further damage a body as corrupted as this one?  Let's get it on.

I was not able to play this past weekend due to inclement weather.  And today I did play the Pines.  It was an off-day, weather-wise.  The temperature dropped to 72 with no humidity and a light breeze.  Not the best of fall days.  I even considered trading my golf hat in for a stocking cap.   Way too chilly.  Hopefully this week, the heat and humidity will return, and we can rid ourselves of this wimpy weather, and get back to normalcy.  

The Child Bride continues to teach.  She loves her munchkins, and thankfully, she remains in good health. There have been no virus-related incidents, and I am impressed with her courage and commitment.  Children need teachers.  Her mantra.

And finally, in case you have not heard, our president contracted covid.  Hopefully he will recover.  And the noise will get louder again.

My friend and I continue to enjoy life.  And each other.  Who else would have me?  I am grateful.

Hang in, my friends.  The end is not even remotely in sight.  But we can continue to love and to be helpful.  Be happy and  keep your outlook positive.  Surely we can do that.

Next week.  

Thank you, as always.

jrobinmullen@gmail.com