DISPATCHES FROM THE GHOST MOOSE

Had a lovely dinner with my brother, sis in law and nephew...watching the Hawks...but in keeping with the Everest/handicapped climber theme, I couldn't get this out of my head: do you know why I refuse to climb Mt Everest if they allow double amputees and blind climbers? because the double amputees and blind climbers would complain that I am blocking the path to the summit and slowing them down.  there...now I am done for 2017

I would be remiss if I did not have a 2017 recap show like all the news programs.  here goes: - my golf game sucked.  I play way too much to be this bad. - after 34 years of being married, I am getting divorced.  I was married way too long to be so bad at being married. - I did lose 15 lbs. only 30 lbs to go. - I have the best friends and family in the world - my son called me today - I did not win the lottery.  I do have 2 tickets in my wallet.  Maybe one of them is a winner. - since Nepal is banning double amputees and blind people from climbing Mt. Everest, I will protest by cancelling my planned trip to Mt. Everest. Just can't do it. If anyone needs climbing gear, let me know. so...that is pretty much what happened to me in 2017.  who knows what 2018 will hold.  I hope all of us are around a year from today so we can compare notes.

The last day of 2017 is upon us.  and good riddance to this year.  It has not been a good year for me, and I guess 2018 will not be great until the divorce is final.  But it is something to get through, and be better for it.  No other way to look at it. At 59 yrs old, I look at how much sand is left in the top half of the hourglass.  If I make it to 80, that is 21 more years - a decent amount of time, but a lot less than what I have lived so far.  Makes me wonder how did 59 years pass so quickly...you wake up one day and realize you are getting old.  but it beats the alternative.  all the more reason to live life to its fullest...each day.  because we only get a certain amount of days, and most of us don't know what that number is. The last bears game of the season is on now.  a few good college games on tomorrow, then back to work Tuesday. happy New Year, all.  here's hoping 2018 is a good year. update - I read a story that...

Yesterday got away from me and I forgot to post.  Of course, I had nothing to say, like most every day.  3 days off left, then back to work.  and still cold.  once we hit January, it's supposed to be cold anyway.  of course it was 72 last February, and hoping for that again.  Maybe one out of 10 years we get to golf in March.  maybe this will be the one. more college bowl games today.  The college and nfl seasons went fast as they always do.  the nfl playoffs will go into February, then Nascar starts.  kind of sad to mark the seasons by what is on tv. I already went to the health club,  and going to hit some balls at the golf dome.  that should be enough activity for this old carcass.  this is certainly an uninspired posting. 

Not as cold today.  10 degrees is tolerable.  when the temp is below zero it gets a bit dicey. Got to the health club today.  I think that is 6 days in a row.  Now if I can just work out harder when I go there.  That will be next steps. I went to buy a vehicle sticker today.  The woman at the counter asked me if I was over 65.  Just like when I looked up the old actress and saw she was a year younger than I....kind of a buzzkill.  and for the record, I don't think I look like I am near 65 let alone over 65.  Then again, If I could have saved a few bucks I should have said yes. the other thing for today is that I saw a story in the business section that Mattress World is closing 200 stores.  That will only leave about 100,000 (give or take 200) mattress stores.  At what point did someone decide we needed so many matress stores?  There is a mattress store in every strip mall. still trying to get my first draft finished....

Still bitter cold.  and no change in sight.  Worked out at the health club...trying to do a little more each time I go.  so far so good. I struggled with whether to write the following or not, but since I am now writing of it, I guess I made the call.... I did not hear from either of my kids on Christmas.  no call, no email.  I am not surprised, just disappointed.  Divorce is between parents, and kids should not be involved.  just shows you the attitudes involved.  I guess this is how it will be.  I extended the olive branch to both of them, to no avail.  I have called...one sometimes picks up, the other does not.  Not much different from before - I would reach out more than they would...but now that is done.  I was made to feel more welcome by my friends sons at his Christmas party on Friday. A Christmas where I neither gave, nor received any gifts. I hope they didn't learn that behavior from me. as I said to both, if...

Watching NIU (my alma mater) play in a bowl game with my brother...the game is a stinker.  So I am posting to the blog instead of working on my book.  ok - so I took today off.  Will try again tomorrow...health club, then sit down at the keyboard.  Speaking of the health club, I really haven't done much working out in my last few visits to the health club.  Steam and whirlpool, but not much physical activity.  I did a bit more today, and will do the same tomorrow.  maybe actually get the the point of working up a sweat.  I have until Monday to ramp up to that level.  Another goal I have for this week is to get closer on signing a lease on an apartment.  Maybe I will do that tomorrow after the health club.  I really have to get that done.  There's a few milestones I have to pass on this divorce odyssey, and that is the first.  Well, the first is to decide to split, but you know what I mean.  Oak Island is not on ...