The Waiting....

I must say, this is an anxious time in the state of Kentucky.  Is it what impact the Obama stimulus package will have on the economy? No.  Is it the current threat of voilence from the drug wars in Mexico that could spill over into the Southern U.S.? No.  Is it the continued threat of Islamic terrorism affecting Americans that travel abroad or even here at home? Nope.

The biggest question that has the entire state holding it's breath and making my father stay glued to every local sports show he can find on the AM dial (all the while, giving his two cents worth rather boldly, every five seconds) is this..  Will Billy Gillespie stay or go, and who will take over the helm of the basketball clipper that is known as The Big Blue Madness!! The University of Kentucky Basketball Program.

Billy-Gate is in full swing.  Some local sports programs all claim to have their own "Deep Throat" within the Ky. Basketball dynasty.  That, at my father's count, is three different "inside sources".  This calamity would even make W. Mark Felt, the original Deep Throat of Watergate fame,  say, "gee, that's kind of strange..:

Folks, let's look at it this way.  We will know whenever it's time.  Not before.  Take all of these "sources" with a grain of salt.  Friday March 27th will more than likely be the big day when we find out if Billy G. will finally be on his way out of town.  

Who will be the successor?  Billy Donovan? Johnny C. from Memphis? Pitino? Who knows!! Here's a sugestion.  Pat Riley.  I'll leave that name out there for everyone to, as Andy Griffith says, "study on"....  Andy

Spring Musings..etc.

I am very happy to see Spring has arrived.  Time to frolick in the meadow, stop and smell the flowers, embrace the warmth of the sun...  UGH!! Yea, right!  Time to get the farm in ship shape, not dress in layers, check all of the hay equipment to make sure it's in proper running order.  Boring I know, but such is life on the farm.

I am very glad though, the cattle are happy and weaning themselves from the hay to the green grass.  They are very playful and happy when they have a little green to munch on.  Spring on the farm is really a beautiful time.  Walking outside to get the paper first thing in the morning, having that first cup of chocolate coffee, and during the week, watching the news starting at 5 am.  

I start my day with Bill, Barb, Todd and Officer Don (who I happen to know is a very congenial person).  Watching them start the day laughing and joking with each other would make even the grumpiest man on earth (my dad) crack a smile..

Then comes breakfast..  Some days bananas, some days just java.  It's all good.  I am very sporadic in my eating early in the morning, but rest assured, the cows are not.  They like their breakfast every morning right on time.  And,  I happily oblige..

So, that pretty much sums up a country morning.  It may sound repititious, but it is the best routine to be in....

Meghan McCain....

This blog is hard for me to write..  Being a lon

g time listener of Laura Inhgaram, this is especially difficult for me..  Growing up as an obese child was hard for me.  I had no older brother or sister to talk to or take up for me.  My weight was always an issue for me.  After graduating college, instead of going to law schol like I had planned, I joined the fire department.  I became a paramedic in this time, all while having to try harder and go the extra mile because of my weight.  It seemed to me as if the horrors from my youth followed me into adulthood.  Comments about my weight were plenty from co-workers, and that made me work much harder and always be defensive.

I  had many awards in my fire/EMS career.  Going that extra mile paid off.  In 2002, my weight soared to 505 lbs.  I STILL did my job.  I was blessed with a big frame.  But, my health suffered.  I had gastric bypass surgery.  I lost 200 lbs. in 6 months.  I now weigh 254 lbs., and am in the best shape I have ever been.  I had the surgery to save my life, not for vanity.

Meghan McCain was unfairly targeted by Laura Ingraham.  The comment about Meghan being "plus sized" was totally uncalled for.  That comment made me lose all respect for Ingraham.  It was tasteless, classless, and totally uncalled for.  Meghan is a beautiful, intelligent, and very well versed woman.  She is a welcome change for the independent movement within the republican party.  A fresh voice, if you will, for the future.  She represents us..The future of the party.  

Hearing Ingraham make those comments hurt me and probably hurt many others who continue to struggle with their weight.  How can people continue to make these type comments, whether they be about weight, race, or gender, and expect to move this country forward.  This is a sad statement on our society today.  Just when we think we have gone forward, someone tries to take us a step back.

But, hold your heads up everyone.  This can only make us stronger.  Remember, we will get past this mindset eventually..  Andy Gilkison

  

What a morning....

Wow....  A whole half inch of snow today..  My calves were looking at me this morning as if to say, "is this all ya got??".... They love a lot of snow to frolick in......  Oh well, blame the weatherman....  T.G. could only muster a little bit of snow for this blast..

He Pulled It Off!!

Holy Crap!!  Billy Clyde pulled it off..  They won.  LSU is next.  Although this isn't the 80 Olympic ice hockey team, hold on to hope.. they just might pull this off....

Very Fortunate

Yesterday was a good day at the old Dr's office.  He put surgery off for another month to see if medication will take care of everything.  He also said with the progress I have made just in the past week that medication may be the only route..  Let's hope so!!

Judgement Day.. Medically That Is..

Today is the big day when I find out when I will have prostate/bladder surgery.  I'm a little scared, but after what I have put my body through the past several years, this is minor.  The big C word has been mentioned as a possibilty again.  I am not worried.  I have a strong church family as well as my friends.  My network of friends is the best I could ever ask for.  

Surviving obesity, gastric bypass, and drinking make this visit pale in comparison to what has happened in the past.  I have put my body through the wringer.  Now I enjoy good health and activity in my life.  This is but a small speed bump in my road to recovery.  It is very trying, but with faith I can accomplish anything....

Spring Has Sprung!!

Greetings all.. Spring has sprung down on the farn..  The cows are ruminating on the green grass and having the time of their life.  The fish are biting, the moon is almost full.  I am truly blessed to have the life I now have.  Coming down from the fire truck and ambulance after many years and putting all my energy into the family farm has proven to be financially and emotionally successful.  Instead of waking to face the unknown that a 24 hour Fire/EMS shift has to offer, I now enjoy waking every morning to my cattle and the sunrise.  Hitting the drive-thru and eating on the run have now been replaced with morning coffee, a beautiful sunrise, and fresh air.  

At night, it is a peaceful sleep.  No more being jarred out of bed at 3 in the morning by a loud alarm to journey into an unknown emergency.  Now it is peaceful sleep, sometimes interrupted by storms and rain on the roof, but that can also be peaceful..

Someday I may return th the hectic life of emergency services... Someday..  But not now..  This is the best life anyone can ever ask for..  I am blessed..