September 2026? WTH?

 Yep, only the 4th post of this year, marking the beginning of year #20...but tis what it tis...



VA eye appointment last week, and yesterday the local {via VA contract} Cardio Doc to check things out...77 1/2 years old and amazingly I'm still above ground and have outlived all of my surname ancestors since my Great-Great-Great Grandfather 1775-1863...not sure how old Israel made it that old, but he was the last to get past 75 until me, at least in the known immediate family.  While I still have a slight {I guess} Heart Murmur, which I will have a Echo done early next month...frankly I'm not worried at all, because not likely I will let them cut on me regardless...

I've lived a good life, and can still drive, walk, drink beer, smoke good cigars...if it all ends tomorrow, I'm fine with whatever the good Lord brings on me.

Anyway the summer is passing on, and that IMO can't come soon enough.  I hate long, cold, winters, these days, but Hot and Humid Summers are almost as bad...and I look forward to a couple months of cooler, dryer, weather, where I can sit out, smoke a good cigar, or head to the lake and walk with Millie the Airedale and the wife.  I will also be taking in Fall League travel baseball over the next 6 weeks or so...I got down for a double header on Sunday where middle Grandson did his first games at D1 and he and youngest son moved back to that highest level as player and coach, although son moved to assistant coaching...with a business to run in 3 states and around 100 employees, he decided he needed to step back and work more closely with that and with the other son's and their activities as well...good decision, IMO.

Anyway, Kam, battled leadoff in both games, ended up 2 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases, and 3 runs batted in...he also took the mound in the first game, where despite being a bit wild, he survived...pitching is not his primary talent, but the team needs him as one of it's arms come next season {which begins in March}...they won 16-2 in the 2nd game after losing 10-6 in the opener...

Not a lot planned for much of the fall...a road trip with older son, OSU grad, either Iowa or Indiana, in October, still waiting on a kickoff time to see which will fit our calender ... and a Thanksgiving Bengals game vs New Orleans in Cincy with Middle Son on November 29th..

Come winter, wife and I will mark 50 years married...no big plans for that, not our style, but we will do something special the week before Christmas...I still wanna get back to the Everglades for one more photo shoot, where I can post my own, or do som Ai work, like the one below from a collage of photos I have taken down there.

That's the small but set plans for the rest of the year, although I'm sure something will come about in addition to those...and I will hopefully post a time or two more...

Back Later>>>>

Cubans....Where are the "Cubans"?

 

Well Hell, it's been 5 months, so figured I'd let myself and anybody that may stop by these days, that I was still alive and kicking...Just a quick note...it's been 19 years this month that I started this Blog. Of course I don't post often, unlike the 250 a years when I first began, but still want to keep it alive for old time sake.

Had my Semi Annual VA Visit in Columbus last week and the numbers, ect, were acceptable, so at 77 plus 4 months, I continue to outlive almost all male family members from the early 1800s until today...most die in their 50s or 60s and only one in my lifetime has made it to 75...so despite the Agent Orange issues {so the VA says} with D2 and Neuropathy, and perhaps some High Blood Pressure...for now all seems under control and I move and get around, enjoy what I enjoy, and move forward...

Cubans...

Recently a Cigar smoking buddy of mine from central Ohio, went on his semi annual dive vacation to Curacao...he is a collector of quality cigars, and came home with quite a few boxes of the Cubans...he gifted me a few.  While I would sneak a few Cubans back from Cana-duh, on our fishing trips years ago, I was never overly impressed, costly, Hell Yes!  But not much, if at all, better than the ones I was smoking...these on the other hand, so far, after firing up 2 in the past couple weeks, are a superior mild/medium smoke...now I prefer stronger Cigars, but at the late breakfast hour, sitting in the backyard on a nice day {perfect weather this morning} with the Airedale, while wife baked cookies for her class that she teaches, I enjoyed this Josh L. Piedra...it lasted just under an hour, and I smoked it down to the nub.  It was indeed good...

On the other hand Grandson's Travel Baseball and Swim Season has finished, so I can relax until Fall Baseball come late in August...I may finally get out for some Mad River Trout fishing...but really I'm not sure what I will do, but whatever it may be, I will include quality cigars on occasion and good beer...

I will try to get back before Summer's end...just to check in...

Back Later>>>

The Brutal Winter of 2025-26

 

While I have seen colder winters, with more Snow, the continued days of below freezing for highs, which finally ended yesterday, has been impressive...

Snow wise, despite some melting when it reached the low 50s yesterday with Sun and lite winds...the weeks of below average temps and highest snowfall in over a decade has really made the winter drag on...

Heading into yesterday we still had at least 15 to 18 inches still on the ground with plenty of deeper piles from the road plow and snow blower works.  Now to be sure this in nothing like my two winters in Upstate New York, post Vietnam in 1970-71 and the winter that followed, nor the bigger cold winter of 1977-78 in Northern Wisconsin living between Wausau and Merrill...but for this old guy, it has been a long, rather boring, run...with me no longer snow skiing or riding Snowmobiles, nor 4 wheeling thru the snow drifts...I am more than ready for Spring and some warm weather.  Next week is slated to be a bit above normal, while today and tomorrow are going to sit around freezing for the highs...

While I did get out yesterday to smoke a fine, but short Chunk Cigar, from Alex Bradley, it was indeed good to sit outside for an hour or more and enjoy the sunshine and cigar with a couple of beers...

Hopefully I can do that again next week...

Meanwhile we wait on more consistent warmer weather, which around here doesn't arrive until sometime in May...but we will take whatever Mother Nature throws our way in the meantime...I am however, ready for a bit of heat...🔥

In the meantime I slowly work my way to 77 years on this planet, next month, on March 16th...

Back Later.>>>

2026...19 Years here we come!

 

Sure I only post a few times per year these days, unlike the plus 200-250 a year back in the early years...but if I make it to July, it will be 19 years of ownership...not as politically controversial as it was back in the day, after all Liberals are to f*cking stupid to bother with 98% of the time.

2026 here we go...

Should be fun, between Trump driving the pathetic left nuts, and the TDS infected fools losing what little minds they have...this old guy is looking forward to the show...



First off Trump smoking a Venezuelan "Maduro"...no, not a Cigar, but the Drug Running/Dicktator, who is now on USA Soil and in Jail...my Ai drawing of The Donald with this hand rolled Maduro fits this start to 2026 perfect...

Tampon Timmy Walz Jumps Shit

Poor Tim Retard, wanted to be the VP of the USA, well now he's not even running for re-election to our Northern Shithole of Somalia ... aka: Minnesota...

Seems Timmy and his low life East African Refuse-gees, bilked the American Taxpayers out of $9 Billion and counting, but were outed by a young podcaster...and Timmy say "I'm Outta Here"

Better Yet...{I love Ai sometimes when I can create my own stuff} 😁

In other news, Sports...The Bengals didn't make the playoff, Joe Burrow's injury sealed that deal, and our Ohio State Buckeyes, the defending National Champs were eliminated by Miami in the Quarter Finals...however, don't be surprised if the other Midwest Big Ten team, undefeated Indiana Hoosiers, win it all...we will find out in the next couple weeks.

Winter Sucks...but

I will try to push my way to 77 years on this planet, come March.  I will try to post a bit more, perhaps once a month or so...but time will tell.

Back Later....

Been since July?

 

Damn...guess this will be my lowest Blog Count, since the beginning in July 2007...this will make just a handful {5} in 2025...

Got to admit, nearing 77 I just don't spend much time on anything Internet related, but will continue to post on occasion and check in...

2025 in a nutshell...

Have kept the weight off, still in the 1970s, but have gained a few pounds, up from 173 to being the year to about 178 this morning...I will have to keep on the lookout to control any urges to eat to much sugar, breads, or down to many have carb, darker, beers...some VA Blood Work next month should give me an idea on where I stand, and to see if my good numbers earlier this year in May have went the other way.

My Neuropathy in the feet is not improving...sure I can still walk around and did do plenty of walking at the Ohio State vs Illinois Football game in October, made the annual OSU "Road Trip" with son, Sam, and I survived that...but the fact remains that my walking is not what it was and not what I would like it to be...VA Doc prescribed some meds for it...but after doing some research I won't be taking those pills...enough "Scripts" is enough.  So I will move forward, knowing that someday, it won't be a problem...if you understand what I mean? 

Wife and I both purchase new vehicles this year...Wife got a 2025 Nissan Rogue SR in June, then paid that off within 2 months...I decide that the Nitro was past keeping and sold that to a friend of mine...and I leased a 2025 Nissan Sentra SV...Lease?  Well I don't put that many miles on, especially since I still have the Jeep Wrangler in good shape with about 130,000 miles on it...and the Nissan Altima of hers...with about the same miles on that...4 cars and a dual sport motorcycle for 2 people?  Why Not?  We can afford it and if something goes haywire with one or 2, we have backups...but the lease?  Well I'll be 77 in March, who knows how long I'll be driving or even above ground, so a 3 year/10,000 mile per year lease seemed like a good idea, if something happens, she is not on the contract and could turn it back in...I hope to keep driving past 80, but one never knows...

The rest of the family, including the 3 Grandsons, are doing fine...Wife went with youngest son, his wife, and the 3 Grands, to Orlando earlier this month for 10 days at the Condo and Dizzy World...I elected to stay grounded at home with the dogs...I had zero interest in sitting around down there, better to sit here with a few beers, cigars, and relax, so I did.

Here is to a grand Thanksgiving, on the Christmas, and then to see what 2026 might bring...

Not sure if I will return this year but will try to give it at least one more shot...back later, God willing.

From the Time Flies Files...18 Years?

 Just a quick check in...

Yep, still alive with the usual aches and pains of someone well into their 76th year on this Earth...as July wanes, I am reminded that I have reached 18 years doing this Blog...Crazy as it seems...sure I just post a handful of times per year these days, but I still find it amazing how fast those 18 years have gone, almost as amazing as realizing how fast the 23 years this month, July of 2002, that I retired from Environmental Health work, which is longer that the 21 years I did those gigs.

Anyway it's been now a decade ago, July - August that my Buddy Nick, The Judge from Dekalb, and I, went on a approx 1000 mile 9 day Dual Sport ride thru Michigan, then via Ferry to the Wisconsin Northwoods, and across the "Yooper" and back down to Indiana and Nick and I finally home to Ohio...we had 90% great and an equal amount of great times.

We had some TW issues on The Judge's TW200, some cool and rain in Baraga in the UP {Yooper} but other than that the weather was warm but not hot or humid and sunny the entire trip/ride, except perhaps that one day.  I'm not sure this old body {a big difference between 66 and 76 I guess} could do those type rides, like this one and the Big Bend, Moab Canyon, or West Virginia Mountains, but I still have the TW, just in case I ever decide to get the urge again, or a death wish.

Anyway now a full 7 months done in 2025 and I still kicking and posting on occasion ...  Here are a few more shots from that trip...

Back Later, God Willing...

June 24, 1968...Basic Training Begins

OK, first post since March, next month it will be 18 years ago that I started this Blog, July 2007.  Blogging is not what it was back then for sure...but I still have those nearly 18 years floating around Cyber Space and the Internet, to look back on when I feel the urge.

Air Force-The Beginning:

 I will never be one of the guys that says he misses the military life...I hated just about every freaking minute of it...sure I made some great friends, saw a few different locations, Texas, Delaware, Upstate New York, and of course my Southeast Asia Vacations at Nha Trang and Tan Son Nhut,Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.  No Regrets and I still hang out at and host reunions from those years as well.

It all began in March of 1968 after I received my draft notice {before they used the birthday system}..to Columbus to take my physical, which of course I passed, didn't everybody that wasn't a rich kid?  So no way was I going to get drafted by the Army or Marines ... no Infantry for me, I wasn't a coward, but I wasn't gung ho or stupid either, and I certainly wasn't cutting for Canada.  IMO those that did were not "Protesting" the war in Vietnam, they didn't want to get their asses shot...fair enough but admit what you were, and why.

Anyway I, after discussions with family and a visit to the Navy Recruiter in Lima, walked into the 
Air Farce{Pun Intended}Recruiting Station, with my buddy, the Late Eddie Bonifus...we both passed the tests and signed up for the Delayed Enlistment/Buddy system {first of many lies, they called me up 2 weeks before Ed, we both ended up at Amarillo and not Lackland, but not together, and after one meeting at Amarillo we didn't see each other again until after our AF days were finished.   

So on June 22nd I boarded a bus to C'Bus, took the Oath, and after a night with my Celina buddy, another Late Friend, Doug Gisege, at the Hotel the put us up in, I boarded my first ever Airplane flight to Amarillo via Dallas, and Lubbock ... arriving about 2 in the morning on the 24th, the next 3 years and 10 1/2 months were up and running.



6 weeks of Summer in Amarillo were hot in the day, windy every day, and coolish with lower humidity at night...Air Force basic, while somewhat hard was not unbearable, at least to me...Lackland AFB for "Cop" School later that summer was much more humid and equally hot...Staff Sgt Joe Prokop was our TI {Drill Instructor} and we would serve together in Vietnam some 18 months later...great guy he was and predicted I would end up in Vietnam, probably Tan Son Nhut, which was my 2nd base in Vietnam, and who would greet me at the Airport on my trip south from Nha Trang?  None other than Joe Prokop!

Anyway it all began 57 years ago this morning June 24, 1968...no regrets!

Back Later, if I'm still above ground  :)


Photos---PRH at Nha Trang August 1969 and bottom July 1968 Prokops Pups at Basic Training Amarillo AFB I'm 2nd row from top 4 guy from left

Turning 76 years old

 {Nha Trang AB Vietnam 1969 age 20}

First male in my Surname Family to make it this far since my GGG Grandfather, all the way back at the dawn of the Revolution...Ol' Israel H lived from 1775-1863...since that time none of my family males with the surname have lived past 75 until I made it to 76 yesterday, March 16th.  

It hasn't been without warts and scars, but up until about 2 months ago I was feeling pretty damn good despite the {the VA says} my Agent Orange related Diabetes 2 and accompanying neuropathy...some back and hip issues and a nasty fall which jarred my head a week or so ago, has slowed me somewhat...we will see if I recover my full body movements anytime soon.

All in all I have Zero Complaints...I am down 20 pounds in the last year {although I'm sure I may have gained a few pounds yesterday👀😄}...and just about 50 since Diabetes was discovered back in 2009...223 down to 173 on my once 5' 11' frame was and is a good thing...although it appears I have shrunk a bit, down to about 5' 10" ... 

Spent yesterday with wife and daughter and got calls from the Grandsons and sons...Porter House for BD Supper, along with Chocolate Ice Cream Cake and a few Irish Ales...all in all a good day.

Back Later with more...if I continue to stay above ground. 

Me in Scott, Ohio, back in the early days...

Yep, I'm still alive...

Winter, at least when you get my age (76 in 9 days}, SUCKS.

So here we are over 2 months into the 'New' year and this is my first post.  Reason?  Not much going on...the winter has not been terrible, and despite some minor to middling back pain, I'm doing OK...

Grandson #2 with his dad, son #2 coaching him, begins Travel andTournament Baseball already...yep, in Dayton, Ohio, the Freeze Out games get under way.  I coached, played, and then umpired, for 4 decades, and I always hated spring in Ohio...for every decent day in March and April, there were 3 or more that sucked...I much preferred umpiring in warmer weather, same went for my years officiating football.  But you don't always get to choose...since you make your schedules out a year and sometimes 2 or 3 years in advance.  So now, I get to sit and freeze instead...

I have spent much of the winter, keeping the weight off...got down to 171 in October and this morning I was a shade under 175...which was my original goal...so despite going back to Darker Beers and Ale, keeping away from Breads and added Sugar, has worked...BP continues to stay at a good level, even with the Meds cut in half. 

Also have added greatly to my Premium Cigar Stash with a couple new places with nice Cigar Lounges to buy and sample the good stuff.  I will also in mid May take a Northern Indiana Train/Cigar Trip Adventure to southern Michigan, with wife and a few dozen Cigar Smokers...the non smokers, like wife, will have a smoke free car, while the rest of us can light up at our pleasure...

The Newest Airedale, "Millie" has hit 16 1/2 months and is still in her "Wild Child" stage and at 90 pounds, I think she has stopped growing...she is a Big One, by far the largest female Airedale we have had share our house...and the old mixed rescue Schnauzer "Cam" is well over 17 years, and despite being blind as a bat, eats well and does his business outside not inside, so he is living the long life of Riley...

Looking to Warmer Weather, some of that next week for a few days...got outside work to do and garage cleanup as well...promised the wife I would take care of the garage "Clutter and Junk" before I die, so she won't be stuck with that chore...so I will get it done.

There you go...hopefully the health continues and the weather warms up early...

Back Later>>> And Yes, President Trump is doing what he said he would...despite the whining, pissing and moaning from the Left, it's Lap Dog Media, and the Fucking out of control activist courts.

Merry Christmas 2024 and Happy Enjoyable 2025

 

Things are looking up...The Demented Fool is about to leave OUR White House, and looking at the Miserable SOB, it appears he will be taking his rightful place in Hell in not to distant a future...

In the Meantime for those Patriots and people with a soul and faith..."Merry Christmas and a Grand New Year ...stay well, happy, and smoky my friends..." 

2024 Winds Down

 

This year is on track to be the least posted Blog since I began this thing back in 2007 over 17 years ago...

Blogging is just not that high on the Internet Food Chain these days, but I will keep this up as long as I am able...I was 58 years old when I began and already retired from both Broadcasting {part time} and my full time work in Environmental Health.  I will turn 76 in March of 2025, God willing.  

Despite Diabetes 2 and some Neuropathy, I still can get up and go with the best of my age...and especially so since I went on the Carnivore Diet back in August, thus losing 25 extra pounds down to 171 {at 174 this morning} and A1C down from 8.7 to 6.1, along with Bad {LDL} Cholesterol down big as well.  I've since moderated my diet, from all meat, eggs, cheese, extra lite beers and coffee with swell sugar free cream, by adding some green veggies, along with darker, richer beers, and so far the weight has been maintained from 172 to 176...which is where I wanted it to be.

The VA visits of late tell that my left Carotid Artery is closed somewhat?  That I decided was strange, since when I had my right one stinted on my 63 birthday they said they couldn't do my left, because it had already found a new route...but they were ready to put me to the knife this time anyway.  I balked and have pushed any decision back until my next scheduled visit in April at Columbus.  I'll be past my 76th birthday and really have no desire to get cut again, I hated the last, the blood thinner things, metal stiches, etc...but I was much younger and quickly recovered...at this point I lean to saying "No" but will decide again after the next checkup.

Looking back at 2024...

The new Airedale "Pup" Millie who we got last December, a year ago next Monday the 16th, when she was 8 weeks old, is now a fully grown 100 pound 13 1/2 month old Mini Monster, at least size wise.  She is a great dog, like most Airedales I have owned, but is so damn strong that she has to jump on anybody she greets and lick and paw them...all out of love, but frankly it hurts like Hell when she does...we, especially the wife, is great with her, but work needs to be done.

Spend much of the year attending the two oldest Grandson's games, especially the middle one's travel baseball coached by his dad, my youngest son...he has potential and had a great Summer Season, and decent Fall Season as well. and for the 2nd time in 3 seasons he scored high enough to participate in Champions Day at Cincinnati's GABP, after a Red's Game in September.

Older Grandson is good at Soccer and Swimming, but is not quite as Gung Ho as the middle one...the youngest will turn 4 next March on my 76th BD...

Took a trip to South Carolina with the middle grandson to hook up with his parents and brothers, stayed a day or two, then headed to Flagler Beach, Florida, solo, to fish, enjoy the beach, and smoke a few good cigars.  Wife took her own vacation to Wisconsin to see her family and we took turns watching the Critters when we each took off solo.  

Older son and I took our annual Road Trip to an Ohio State Road Game, and the Buckeyes came away at Michigan State with an easy win.  Now after the loss to Michigan, we shall see how they do in the CFB Playoffs.  Next season, we will do the Illinois game on October 11th at the Illini Home...quick trip for him, since he lives in the Chicago west bergs, and frankly not  that far from me.  Other than that, not a lot of fixed plans for 2025.

Photography wise, I didn't do a lot...at least by my standards...the Full Eclipse did come out well, and I got some decent baseball shots of the Travel Season.

And then there was the election...needless to say, I'm smiling and laughing at the fools and suckers that have Terminal TDS...I wish them nothing but political {not personal} misery for the next 4 years.

Back Later, probably not until 2025 unless something big happens...