JUST CHECKING IN

I went to the hospital yesterday and had my post-op checkup and esophagram. I wasted five hours waiting for 5½ minutes of medicine but the results were so positive I could give a shit. Everything’s installed and working normally and I weighed in at 258 lbs! I believe that’s 50 lbs since the start of the liquid diet. Fifty pounds in five weeks. Life is good. I can do things I haven’t done in years – like tie my shoes without hassle, get up off the couch easily and walk up the stairs without losing my breath. And my knees don’t hurt anymore.

The most enjoyable result so far is that I’m about three feet back into the “thin clothes” sitting in my closet. I’ve had to change belts twice. But I’ve gotta keep in mind I’ve got a long way to go.

The next few weeks will be especially tough. I’m still on mushy foods but I’m cleared to go back to regular food this weekend. The challenge is that the lap band around my stomach hasn’t been activated yet. And it won’t be until the middle of July. Even though news the quote is from the doctor, I have to avoid believing it is now “party time.”

It could be a lot worse.

Anyway, here's something beautiful:

It's a lightning storm over an active volcano -- in the Andes, I think. No one knows why thunder heads form over volcanoes, though I suppose it has something to do with super-heated gas pouring out of the crater. But until someone figures it out, we can just enjoy the beauty of it.

And now here's the case of the worst of man repaired by the best of man.

Some stupid hunter, drunk I think, took a shotgun and shot down a bald eagle, blasting off its beak and leaving it to die a slow death.

But someone cared. They cared enough to capture the bird and keep it alive for months until it was strong again.

And some craftsman who cared worked long and hard to design and build a plastic beak that was tough enough for the bird to eat with.

And it didn't end there. Now that craftsman is working on a titanium model that can be permanently installed on the eagle.

Just when you think we couldn't get any lower as a species, you hear a good version of Beethoven's 9th symphony and things look a lot better. How could anything so stupid and clumsy conceive of something so brilliant and graceful?

I hardily recommend spending some quality time with old Ludwig van. If your life is so busy you can't find the time, just listen to the last movement. You'll be glad you did.

Good night everyone! Drive safely.