Re: Anybody Out there?

Oh yeah - still here. Lots going on, but that's what happens when you've achieved "Venerable Sage" status.Let's see ... top things for 2015 seem to revolve around family, so,

0.) Congratulations to Kirsten and Mal on the new arrival!!! OMG - Mal is a dad!!! Can The End be nigh?

1.) I'm a grandfather, for the 3rd time. Grandson ICB was born June 29th. My youngest and his wife are so proud and siblings KJB and MBB adore him. It is difficult sometimes with them being in Quebec and us here in Texas, but we try to go see them every other year. Next year should be our year to make the trip north again. Still no contact with my oldest in Houston, but my father had lunch with him and his girlfriend a while back as he was passing through and he said things may be thawing down there.

2.) Dad is doing well in central Florida. Finally got the house remodel finished and they've moved out of the firehouse and into the house. So, no more narrow stairs to climb or cement dust from the interior brick walls. His motorhome-ing days are pretty much finished though, but he's keeping it for short trips like to the Keys or the Carolinas.Otherwise he's in great shape for early-80's.

3.) Mother-in-law was diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer and they give her 6 mos. We had to cancel our June trip to Florida to go to Nashville so Annorien could see her mother before things got any worse.She was in good spirits and we had a wonderful visit. Joyce talks to her almost every day to keep track of her. A and her mother have agreed that our trip to Nashville will not be repeated - she wants to be remembered as we last saw her - funny, in good spirits, and still active, though a bit slower nowadays.

4.) Stepsons continue to be a trial. The youngest and his wife left Texas and went to Orlando to start anew. I wish them luck, even though the amount of vitriol both A and I got in voice mails and texts caused A to change her phone number and me to block the both of them on mine. The oldest is still basically homeless, may have got a girl pregnant and made us g-parents (there are two other potential fathers.) He has no job, no place to live except through the generosity of what few friends he has left that'll give him a couch to sleep on. He spent a couple of weeks in New Mexico trying to get a fresh start but didn't work out so he's back in Texas. He's supposedly in class in Panther City for 3 weeks, learning how to drive big trucks and get his CDL.

5.) I know I mentioned it on LJ, but medically everything is going along smoothly. Mid-year A1C check-up went pretty good, a little high, but still hovering on the borderline. I still have another 6 mos. to go before seeing the pulmonologist again - which is a plus. As long as everything remains unchanged, I'm good.

and finally - I got rid of Serenity, my blue Honda VTX1800C, and got rid of Joyce's PCX150. The VTX was costing more in repairs than it was worth, and the PCX sat for months 'cause A was still too nervous to ride (even though she went through the class and got her license.) All is not lost though - at least A is now comfortable enough to ride behind me on a big bike, so I traded them both in for a bright, shiny red Honda Goldwing with Navi, ABS, AM/FM, heated seats and grips - Miss Sully. Seeing as I have another 3 weeks vacation to take before Sept 1st, I should be ready for A. and I to make a few nice day trips together.

So that's enough (but not all) from North Texas.

 - Galdrin