zenexistence

I don't know about you but the above pictures makes me want to alternately cheer and shit myself all at the same time. This, of course, is completely dependent upon who's shoes I was in.

So I flew to St Louis last Wednesday, met my lady and then drove nine hours to Murphy, North Carolina the next day to see my parents. My father is recovering pretty well from the stroke he had five weeks ago. More on that later. My brother and his fiance also drove up and surprised my parents.
Four days spent in Murphy included an abundance of good beer, laughter, grilling, love and overall appreciation for people that are, at least to me, stellar examples of human nature. It was happiness galore.

Did I mention much beer?
because it's worth repeating as the Ingles grocery store close to my parents had to much import beer that my wee brain nearly burst.
To say nothing of my bladder.
You're welcome for that info.
We were rolling like this:

Well, except my parents are very conservative New England preps that look nothing at all like the above fellow but the picture conveys the proper beer intent, I do so believe.

My parents are fostering a pup (they both volunteer at competing no-kill shelters) that reminds me of a Corgi. I do not have pictures of him but this'll help:


The house was also full of kitties. I <3 kitties, as you most probably know:


After I got home I decided to sleep like the dead for quite a few silent hours but then it was time to play:

"Play" is defined as speeding around with no top on (the JEEP!) and screaming out the lyrics to "Banjo the wood-pile cat, happy as can beeeeeeeeeee!" at the top of my lungs. Either that or it was the Fraggle Rock theme over and over again but I'll neither confirm nor deny this rumor.

I just rented a Penske truck and full trailer to take the Jeep to St Louis on.

I seriously considered driving the Wrangler but 33" tires don't make for the best gas mileage and why put seventeen hours of drive-time and a trailer on her if I don't have to? I'll be $400 lighter in the wallet but I know I'll arrive with a vehicle ready to go when I get there.



My Dad's stroke was a non-ischemic event, meaning he didn't throw a clot. He had a brain bleed. We're happy to report that there are no physical effects from it but his memory is still impaired in the fundamental sense, meaning he has a hard time remembering specific words/dates/happenings. Oddly enough, he's having staggeringly clear memories of things I haven't recalled in decades. Odd that. As of last week he WAS knowledgeable of his birthday, which is a huge leap.
His personality is still quite similar; he laughs, he jokes but he's also more quiet than he used to be. After his retirement with all of the pressure from work off his shoulders he became a much more social fella to be around. I enjoyed that change immensely. Since the stroke he's definitely become quieter, more like the guy I knew 15 years ago.
He used to love Nascar.
He now has zero interest in Nascar.
He graduated to drinking Manhattans about 5-6 years ago.
He's now back to drinking beer.
Don't get me wrong, things could be SO much worse, I realize that. it's just odd seeing a personality, a rock you've known all your life, change. It's been such a short path to recovery and there are so many more months to go before he's supposedly reached maximum recovery.
Step by step.
It's all about the small, happy moments right now.


Okay, I feel like this blog has been droll and off-putting, so I'm going to indulge you in some WAY off-color humor.
Ready?
GO!




Okay, I feel so much better now. I'm going to temper my poor taste with mad cute.
Ready?
GO!




Okay, off to go watch a movie.


Eye<3ewe,
Scotty

PS - Nerd love