Getting hurt, getting old, yeah I know that, But CAN I? In reality finish a dream?.

 This is a crying entry.  Today  when I opened my computer, one of the following  pictures popped up. I sit here disgusted at myself, hurting, aggravated, and tired of hurting.

Sherry and I have hiked over 1900 miles now on the Appalachian Trail.  The longest we trekked in a summer was 900 miles.  This adventure was ALL Sherry's idea, but once we started it became a love.

Taking a break to soak our feet was even fun. I remember once in Virginia, Sherry said as she jumped up," There is a snake in there!"

I laughed, "Put your feet back in there, that water is too cold for a snake!"  She did and I saw a water moccasin head for her feet."  I told her to get them out, she was right!!'

Much of the trail is like this.  Just a rough walk in the woods.

We passed by many old graveyards.  All of them isolated, some still cared for but all serene.  

In populated areas we hiked thru many Farmer's fields. This is a fence crossing one of the easier crossings. LOL

Walking you enjoy the sound of water cascading down a mountain OR

Just enjoy seeing an isolated lake, you know someone surely must fish there!  

BUT, but the next picture is the one that got me 'crying'. I think this shot reminds me of what I really want to do before "I depart this world. I want to hike the 2190 miles in one year."

Most of you know that last year I tried BUT made it only 25+ miles, part of it the wrong way! I about froze to death.

That is Sherry somewhere in Vermont or New Hampshire.  But scenes like this are so many, and so peaceful and quiet. I really do want to go back.  BUT I ASK MYSELF CAN I REALLY DO IT?  Or will it always just be a dream?

See that backpack? That girl carried 35-38 pounds. I carried about 45 pounds we were about 66 yrs old. BUT  Last year at 84 I had a rough time carrying 33 pounds.

Some of our hikes were short enough for day packs.  But as you see there are some obstacles to overcome also.

Above Sherry going under a dead fall across the trail.  Below is crossing many of the huge rocks on the way.

She claims I took these to show her rear.  Well, she does have a pretty one!

I am sure when I get weller I will have to make one more attempt, one of these days.  She does remind me that the longer I wait the older I get.  She thinks I don't know that. ;-)

Take care,

Nite Shipslog

When cannot do what you could do…. You fuss and complain.

 

Pic of the day:

My friend Jim Arp passed away a week or so ago. He was the only person of fame I have known enough to call him a friend. I will miss his wit and talent. 

 For today…

OUCH I strained or pulled something in my shoulder. It doesn’t hurt all the time, just in some positions.  I was trimming a tree with a long snipper and pulled at the wrong angle.  Of course I have been told several times, ‘It is your age, stop it!’  LOL

Our home base now is in NC. It has about an acre of land, mostly wooded and it keeps me busy. It is actually relaxing to pick up the fallen limbs and small branches, cut them up and keep a fire going in the put.  I have mentioned it before I love to watch a ‘camp’ fire or waterfall.

We had looked forward to a camping trip in the foothills of the Blueridge mountains. Nada,  While ibn Iowa we had hoped to get into one of the three parks near Lancaster, PA but as I mentioned in another post, it is hard for members to make reservations now, MOST all thousand Trails RV parks are full.

So towards to end of our stay in NC I met some yellow jackets in the woods. OUCH again. My arm was healing nicely but fighting the YellowJackets I moved my arm too much too fast.  Again, I am told you know you are OLD!  

AAAND the day I got the news about Jim, I took a good fall. Yep, again I am reminded, YOU are OLD.  I am starting to believe that stuff. LOL

WE took two days to drive the 450 miles to Southern Palms at Eustis Florida. The arm was ok as long as I used my left more than usual as I drove.

 Methinks, although it is too HOT here, I can’t get into too much trouble, and maybe my arm will mend faster. I have been typing this for a couple days now.  We shall see.

Nite Shipslog

PS:  Thank you all for being here…  Smile, life is better for me (on the road)…. 

Murphy is home, walking some and smiling a lot. He can take a bath now that there are NO tubes or lines attached at all. YEAH!

Murphy doing well, cannot say the same

 Just a note, Murphy is doing well with the heart transplant.  We learned his original heart had only two chambers, and the normal heart has 4 I believe, if I remember right.  His body is having to get used to the new blood flow, and is doing it well......

But as for me, I strained my right shoulder a few days ago cutting small tree limbs, making it hard to use my right side. Yesterday I took a good fall on to the same shoulder.  My right arm is now immobilized to  allow healing.   I am learning to use my left arm more.

I was quickly reminded of my dear friend Mary Ann, who has messed up her right arm MUCH WORSE than mine.  Laughingly she told of the toilet problems and the right handed person learning to use that left hand. LOL

Now I KNOW. ;-)

I will be reading but no typing for a few days.

This is nothing life threatening of course, just an imposition. LOL

Nite Shipslog.... until later

Murphy update.

 Just a note .  We were touched by the many comments, here and e-mails.  Especially blessed by your comments here and prayers.

YES, this Murphy is a fighter and had a host of 'Team Murphy' here in the area.

His chest has been closed, A biggie I understand.  Then the even bigger one, the removing of the breathing tube.  His dad was no duty the night before but mom had went home for a much-needed night off. Traffic delayed her return, but the Medics held up the BIG MOMENT of removing the breathing tube and bringing him around after the EXTREME SURGERY was completed so both parents would be present when he opened his eyes.  She arrived a few minutes  later and the PROCEDURE was done, the breathing tube was removed, and he was 'allowed' to come out from under.  They all smiled with joy,  when he opened his eyes and smiled then his first  words were:

I GOTTA PEE!

Oh yes, I will not give his name here now, but the donor was a sweet little three year old boy who had a strong heart but a life losing disease.  The scene was so touching with the donor's family taking THE LIFE-WALK to the surgery with their son. Family, staff and friends lining the hallway.

TEAM MURPHY announces so far everything is on track and of course they all know that recovery is a tough road.  Prayers continue.

Love you guys, i will be back on line soon......

Nite Shipslog

Miracle Workers (Doctors) & Murphy, An amazing kid,

  A picture from the Past.

 Mom and Dad Kiss the Murph years ago after a successful surgery.

For Today:

I have actually seen a miracle and been receptor of one, once.  But that is beside the point.  Today it is Murphy, he is 12 or 13 yrs old. He was born with a bad heart problem. In his short life he has had at least 4 open heart surgeries but can still bubble with laughter and smile. 

As I type, he is recovering from a heart transplant he received last night. They reported the surgery went well and he is now resting. Murph is Sherry’s great great nephew.

Isn’t amazing what the medical profession can do now. Do you remember EVER thinking of your heart at ten or twelve? The only time I can remember thinking of it was when I had run or climbed hard and felt it really beating.

Murph has a great attitude and is a winner.  The family KNOWS. Loves and appreciates the fact that someone died for Murph to receive the heart.  They feel the person will live within Murphy.

Below is Dad & Mom (Chuck and Casey) with sisters Reece and Emma Kate.  The big guy in stripes is Murphy.

Family and close friends were with Murphy 24/7 during the wait, they were "Team Murphy".

Let me tell you that I was overwhelmed when I heard all the preps that must go on, for about a week or so now the family was housed at the hospital, keeping Murphy READY, waiting,  because as you can understand, this procedure is time sensitive and must be completed ASAP.  You know there must be some stress here.

The family is so grateful and say prayers are still needed and appreciated.  They are so thankful to God and all who supported them in prayers.  So, I ask if you do pray, mention good ole Murph. If you don’t pray, think of him in a positive way.

NiteShipslog

PS: 

Once again ‘Thanks’ AGAIN to y’all for stopping by the Shipslog. I think we all would rather be home no matter how humble, than be in the BEST Hospital in the world.