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Sat, Jul 19, 2025

5:36pm EDT

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I'm Only the Trombone Player

by Richard ~ Looking for Luck!

Rated: E · Book · Activity · #2207577

So playing the trombone wasn't getting me in enough trouble?

I need someplace to write down the often confusing thoughts that enter my mind, while my stories give voice to the characters that wander through periodically, this is the place for my voice. Join me if you wish, comment if you wish, all are welcomed and appreciated.

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

tj wanderlust-words-in-motion

Jun 29, 2025 at 11:15pm
In response to "Thanksgiving in June?"

I have our grill out, but we don't use it very often since we got our pellet cooker/smoker. I haven't even used it yet, but after reading this, I'm hankering for a cook-out.

tj wanderlust-words-in-motion

Jun 28, 2025 at 10:43pm
In response to ""MAN" O' PAUSE - and Other Fun Stuff"

I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer this spring and am being treated with chemo every two weeks. I was lucky to catch it early as well, stage two. It's going to be a rough summer, but the way the weather has been, I don't think I'm missing anything, and surprisingly, I'm feeling pretty well most days.

I'm confident that both of us will be able to post that we are cancer-free.

🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace

Jun 25, 2025 at 4:54pm
In response to ""MAN" O' PAUSE - and Other Fun Stuff"

Thank you for sharing with us, Richard. You've got this! My neighbor had a similar situation with his prostate cancer and he's been free of it for years now. I have another friend who just 'rang the bell' for being prostate cancer free a couple months ago. So glad it was caught early for you all.

You'll be in my prayers for healing every day.

1 Like

Wordsmitty ✍️

Jun 25, 2025 at 3:15pm
In response to ""MAN" O' PAUSE - and Other Fun Stuff"

Sorry to hear it's cancer but good they found it treatable. My brother had it a few years back and went through a similar treatment. It was a success and he's cancer free. Hopefully, you'll be the same soon enough. Flashes and exhaustion are worth the price to beat it. Stay positive.

2 Like

Spud(She/Her)

Jun 25, 2025 at 2:10pm
In response to ""MAN" O' PAUSE - and Other Fun Stuff"

Man thats rough, I'm glad they caught it early enough. My grandpa died of prostate cancer at age 66. He had stage four though, his doctor kept writing off his pain as just "gas" until it was way too late.

I hope that your cancer goes into remission and that man-o pause isn't ubearable.

2 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Jun 25, 2025 at 1:55pm
In response to ""MAN" O' PAUSE - and Other Fun Stuff"

I call it andropause. I don't seem to have that although I'm definitely a candidate due to age. I've always been emotional so I probably wouldn't notice that side effect. Prostrate cancer can be slow... but still good that they caught it and are treating it.

Good to see you post by-the-way... been awhile.

2 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Jan 8, 2024 at 11:47pm
In response to "So, It Costs Me Money To Pay My Tab?"

I use cash except for large purchases when I use my debit card.

The ATM machines in Thailand charge 220 baht no matter how much or how little I take out. I take out the max... 20.000 baht. The fee is therefore 1.1%.

I boycott card-only places in general and absolutely in Montana. They discriminate against the poor. Here in Udon Thani many Thais use "Line" to send or receive payment. Even many small operations have that. I still use baht. Street vendors sell produce for as little as 5 baht. It would be silly to use anything but cash. If a person refuses to carry up to 500 baht (~$14) I have no sympathy. Theft here is uncommon; assault is almost unheard of. Honesty is the rule. "Finders-keepers" is not acceptable.

I rarely see foreigners at the local market. There are many staying in the condos where I reside. I don't understand. Perhaps, I'm assuming here, it's a matter of convenience and comfort. They are used to canned food and processed food and produce that looks pretty. And... peanut butter and hazelnut spread must be bought regardless of the exorbitant price. They bring their culture of personal comfort with them.

What does that rant have to do with your blog entry?

Credit is delaying the pain unless one pays it off every month. I don't buy what I can't afford. I don't go into debt. I live well by living well within my means.

Fortunately we don't have tipping here or "mandatory tipping" which I consider criminal. That would be a whole nother blog entry!

Jellyfish

Jan 8, 2024 at 3:34pm
In response to "So, It Costs Me Money To Pay My Tab?"

Recently I used my credit card to buy some foreign currency at a place which charges no commission. When I got my Credit Card bill, I had been charged £3.00 for the privaledge of using my credit card - not interest, mind, just for using it. So it literally cost me money to change money in to other money

tj wanderlust-words-in-motion

Jan 8, 2024 at 11:58am
In response to "So, It Costs Me Money To Pay My Tab?"

In most retail businesses, the cost of transactions is also figured into their costs and what they charge.

Robert Waltz

Jan 8, 2024 at 10:06am
In response to "So, It Costs Me Money To Pay My Tab?"

I rarely see discounts for using cash, but I know they happen. I try to avoid such establishments if I can. I use a credit card for just about everything, and yet I don't pay even one cent in interest, because I treat it like a debit card, paying it off in full every cycle.

Actually, because of cash rewards, they pay me. This likely comes out of other peoples' interest payments and merchant processing fee. Thanks, people paying interest!

3 Like

June 25, 2025 at 1:39pm

#1092217

"MAN" O' PAUSE - and Other Fun Stuff

I decided to post an update here on my blog so it won't clog the news feed. And if you don't want to read it, you can ignore it!

Well, if you don't know, let me start by saying that I have prostate cancer; fortunately, it is contained within the prostate and has not spread, which is an excellent thing. It's still cancer, but far more treatable and curable.

I am treating it via radiation mainly because it has fewer potential side effects. The treatments last about fifteen minutes; I have them for twenty-five consecutive days. They leave me a bit tired, which, coupled with our current heat wave, has knocked me for a loop. Preparing for the treatments is a topic for another blog post.

Part of the therapy includes a hormone shot. This serves a dual purpose of both shrinking the prostate, making the radiation more effective, and stopping the flow of testosterone. The cancer feeds off testosterone, so the hormone injection sends it into remission. But!! The hormone shot has a few side effects. I now experience what the Doc calls Manopause, among the symptoms are hot flashes, an enhanced emotionality, some hair loss, though it's hard to tell if I've lost hair.

All in all, things are going well, except for the occasional hot flash and feeling tired, I'm doing well!

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