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Wed, Jul 9, 2025

2:11pm EDT

Members: 782

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From My Mind to....

by JACE

Rated: GC · Book · Personal · #1503918

A blog of no uncertain musings. What goes on in my mind is often a source of wonder to me.

My mind and my life are wonderous things ... as are yours, I'm sure. I have more slips of paper and pages of notebooks with musings and thoughts than I really know what to do with. Someone, actually several someones, have suggested I start a blog ... or a journal as a means of focusing some of this mental energy.

To be honest, I don't even know what the difference between a 'journal' and 'blog' is--or if there even is a difference. Read on, my friends, and you can judge for yourself whether it even matters.

And so....

Me on top of Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park, off the coast of Maine

I'm JACE. Yep ... that's me! And somewhere in all my writings my last name may be posted. But I'll just leave it at Jace for right now. I'm 70 years old and heading full tilt to 71. It's strange that while I'm going through some rather serious medical issues, I still consider myself to be in the prime of my life--pretty good shape physically AND mentally, though I don't run for competition anymore

. I love to ... dang, if I put this stuff here, I won't have anything for my blog.

Guess you just have to be patient until such stuff leaks out.

Perhaps 2025, having embraced my retirement, will see more participation in my journaling efforts.

Well, one can hope....

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Stik to My Own Beat

about 3 hours ago
In response to "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda"

That still looks better than the tree that recently toppled into a creek near my office. I actually did get pictures of that tree before it decided to lead a more horizontal life.

Ẃeβ࿚Ẃỉtcĥ

a day ago
In response to "Cooking Shows"

"...her palette was exhausted."

I may need to borrow that line someday!

Stik to My Own Beat

a day ago
In response to "Cooking Shows"

I do miss the cooking shows that are more focused on one chef's work. You can still see that sort of thing on TV in the off peak hours. Otherwise, YouTube is a better bet (at least in my opinion).

Silvern

Jul 7, 2025 at 4:48am
In response to "Cooking Shows"

Wow! What a nice sense of humour from your side that makes it so entertaining. Your wife loves to watch a cooking show which creates fear in your mind about trying the new recipes. I can understand that you have had some bittersweet experiences in the past. Those will entertain you in the future.
Enjoy these moments with your family.

JACE

Jul 5, 2025 at 9:48am
In response to "Just Thinking"

🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace - Thanks for the prayers. As for quiet, I'm not sure what that is.

I grew up with three siblings and two noisy dogs. At college, I couldn't study in the library--too quiet. I must have music; it's my life.

Sum1 - Interesting you mention the Finger Lakes--I was born at an AF base that no longer exists, near Romulus, NY, on the other side of Seneca Lake from Penn Yan. Perhaps hearing aids are in my future for the same reason as yours. We have a double recliner in our living room. I find it amusing I sit on the side with my 'bad' ear toward Jeanette. She's not laughing.

1 Like

🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace

Jul 4, 2025 at 9:51pm
In response to "Just Thinking"

I choose to listen to the music of nature when I walk.

Keeping you and Jim in prayer for healing!

Sum1

Jul 4, 2025 at 3:32pm
In response to "Just Thinking"

Jace, I needed hearing aids because the higher frequencies quickly drop on my hearing chart, and frequencies above about 8000 Hz are gone. It was our trip to NY State (Penyan was the location,Finger Lakes region). I was having to have Kathy frequenctly repeat her comments, even though we were in my van sitting side by side. I was still working when I bought these, and splurged a little bit. Being BT is nice, especially with my phone. I've forgotten how to make/receive a call without them in place! The best thing is, the receiver in my ear is TINY, I forget I'm even wearing them. Got in the shower once while wearing them, quickly realized I had them on and removed them.

As for exercise, I'm trying to be consistent with chair Yoga exercises. I'm too cheap to pay for the ap (They sayt it's free, but it's not. It's not that expensive, but I'm still getting settled into this retired budget), so I remember what I see them do, and copy it. It's not too bad, I just wish I could do more.

1 Like

JACE

Jul 4, 2025 at 2:41pm
In response to "Just Thinking"

Jim, I have to admit, any exercise I must do has to be consistent. And that's not an easy thing for me. One might think being retired would allow me to set a certain schedule for my life. Funny how that doesn't happen.

I use my phone for music--whether when exercising or typing, pretty much at all times. But without ear buds. My wife keeps telling me to get some. I just can't seem to get used to things in my ears. That's me, I guess. Jeanette has hearing aids which are WiFi capable. Not for me, I think.

Meds are both wonderful ... and awful. Jim, I hope and pray your benefits outweigh the side effects, and they continue to favor you through next year. Treatment plans--are they really for us? I can't imagine the patience and fortitude you must have to keep following your plan. I wonder if I'm lucky that I'm to be CT-scanned every three months as my treatment. I worry I might be forgotten. But then, I've been a pest before; I'll be one again if need be.

1 Like

Sum1

Jul 4, 2025 at 1:31pm
In response to "Just Thinking"

Dang, I hate to say this, but I don't listen to music when I walk. Forget about working out. With the additional physical ailments I have (Spinal Spinosis among other things), working out is almost a no-go. I do try and walk though, I took our Akita for a walk around the block this morning. He loves his walks so much, I really need to be more consistent.

While I don't listen to music when I walk, there's always music in my head. The reason I don't wear earbuds is two-fold. I wear hearing aids, but that's no excuse since they are connected via BT to my phone and tablet. I just forget I can do that. The other reason is due to 'me being me'. I remember signs in airport urging us to Tune in, and Tune out (the general surroundings). I look upon that as the Media and who knows who else, wanting us to not communicate with fellow travelers. They want us isolated, not in groups. See, I told you it was a me thing.

I'm off to Sam's Club in a few, then I'll need a nap since I've been up since 2 or so. That is due to taking Dexamethasone yesterday. It does help me a lot, but the insomnia associated with it is horrible. I saw my Oncologist yesterday, he was not concerned about me starting the Chemo round late, not one bit. It makes one wonder why I still take it, huh! It's prescribed, it's part of the treatment plan, 5 years taking it. I just started my fifth year. We'll see if he stops it next year, if all signs still point to deep remission.

1 Like

StephBee

Jul 3, 2025 at 10:41pm
In response to "My SIL is a Genius"

That prime rib is mouth watering. Just saying. You did get the important pic. I bow down to you for getting awesome prices for your prime rib every time! I usually buy our PR at Costco, but I think Brent might have gone to his butcher guy last time. We usually have PR for Christmas but this year, Brent got us one for Easter. As for self-checkout, trust me, I never goof it up.

July 2, 2025 at 10:30am

#1092667

Medical Procedure Forthcoming? Ask Questions

I went to my Clinical Trials consultation Monday with a number of specific questions to ask. I’d heard about both horror and success stories that had come out of such trials, though the horror ones stuck with me. I wanted to be sure what I was getting into.

A very good friend, Ms. B, whom I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, had gone through such treatments and offered some questions to ask. Sad to say, I didn’t get to ask these questions as I decided not to pursue the trials. But, I’d like to offer her list on the off-chance someone reading my blog might be faced with the option of undergoing clinical trials (or some other medical procedure) in their future.

1. Why should I consider a clinical trial?
2. What makes clinical trials better than alternative treatments?
3. Are other treatments available?
4. Is this a placebo-controlled trial?
5. Will my insurance cover the costs? Will I have other costs in the future?
6. How will treatments affect my every day life?
7. Will I have a primary contact throughout the trials?
8. Will all the doctors handling this treatment/case keep in contact with each other?
9. Will I be able to leave the trials before they are completed?
10. What specific reasons are allowed for leaving early?
11. How often would blood tests, scans, and other procedures happen?
12. How will the trial affect current medications I’m taking?
13. Will I need to be hospitalized at any time during the trials?
14. How long is the trial?
15. How long are individual sessions?
16. What would be my commitment after the trial is ended?
17. Will the results of the trial be made available to me?

Substitute your procedure for 'clinical trials.' And, you may have additional questions for your specific circumstances. Best of luck with any medical endeavors.

Drop me a note if these questions helped you out; I’d love to know.

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