I told you that it wouldn't be another 4 years between posts. Fact is, it's only been 4 days. Yesterday, Memorial Day, was spent at one of may daughter's house watching everybody else play in the pool. In light of the fact that next Monday I will go to my dermatologist to have a couple of skin cancers removed from my already not very attractive face, I figured it best to not risk a sunburn.
I was pleasantly surprised that the day's menu was full of "stuff" that I could eat without endangering my BG's. I know that technically I can eat anything but there are times that if I were to eat the "anything" I would need a magnifying glass to find the allowable portion.
The evening was spent, as all Monday evenings are, conducting the chapel service at Brother Bryan's Mission. I don't know if I do anybody there any good but the guys are truly a blessing to my life.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Too Much of a Good Thing
I love to read and oftentimes I run across I come across things that truly fascinate me. These things tend to fall into a style of having, at first reading, a humorous nature but upon further consideration have an underlying substance of great importance. Such is the nature of the following item, which by the way is true.
First and importantly, let me point out that this concerns someone who became vegetarian BUT I relate it to you NOT in condemnation of vegetarianism. I believe that being vegetarian is an extremely healthy lifestyle and actually tried it myself for a period of about six months. In fact, I might give it another “go.” I’ve never been comfortable in knowing that some “critter” has had to die in order to fill my gut. But, I digress.
Robert Crabb had always displayed some rather unorthodox behavior in his life in general and in his religious practices in particular. Some of his contemporaries attributed these things to the fact that his skull was cracked open by a battle axe during the English Civil War.
In 1641 he felt “led” to embark on a diet of vegetables, water and celibacy. All of the foregoing were typical means of penance recognized by the Catholic Church at the time, but he was not Catholic.
He moved to Uxbridge and became a hermit. He supported himself by selling herbal remedies to visitors who came in a steady stream. He made his own clothes and also starting increasing his income by making and selling hats. He rather fancied himself a prophet and pursued the avocation with such zeal that he was accused of being a witch.
He then came to the conclusion that he must sell everything he owned and give the money to the poor. He did but it did not enhance his reputation of being a “nut” or help the poor all that much.
Next he felt that he was being led to give up the worldly extravagance of having potatoes and carrots in his diet. He ended up on bran soup, turnips and bean pudding. He still did not feel as if he had forsaken enough worldly indulgences and spent the rest of his life on a diet of leaves and grass, and an income of one penny every four months.
Side note: Robert had one convert to this lifestyle, a Captain Northwood from Philadelphia. The captain died shortly thereafter from malnutrition.
As I see it there is a triple moral to the story:
1. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a vegan.
2. Even something good can be carried to a ridiculous and harmful extreme.
3. I had way too much time on my hands today.
First and importantly, let me point out that this concerns someone who became vegetarian BUT I relate it to you NOT in condemnation of vegetarianism. I believe that being vegetarian is an extremely healthy lifestyle and actually tried it myself for a period of about six months. In fact, I might give it another “go.” I’ve never been comfortable in knowing that some “critter” has had to die in order to fill my gut. But, I digress.
Robert Crabb had always displayed some rather unorthodox behavior in his life in general and in his religious practices in particular. Some of his contemporaries attributed these things to the fact that his skull was cracked open by a battle axe during the English Civil War.
In 1641 he felt “led” to embark on a diet of vegetables, water and celibacy. All of the foregoing were typical means of penance recognized by the Catholic Church at the time, but he was not Catholic.
He moved to Uxbridge and became a hermit. He supported himself by selling herbal remedies to visitors who came in a steady stream. He made his own clothes and also starting increasing his income by making and selling hats. He rather fancied himself a prophet and pursued the avocation with such zeal that he was accused of being a witch.
He then came to the conclusion that he must sell everything he owned and give the money to the poor. He did but it did not enhance his reputation of being a “nut” or help the poor all that much.
Next he felt that he was being led to give up the worldly extravagance of having potatoes and carrots in his diet. He ended up on bran soup, turnips and bean pudding. He still did not feel as if he had forsaken enough worldly indulgences and spent the rest of his life on a diet of leaves and grass, and an income of one penny every four months.
Side note: Robert had one convert to this lifestyle, a Captain Northwood from Philadelphia. The captain died shortly thereafter from malnutrition.
As I see it there is a triple moral to the story:
1. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a vegan.
2. Even something good can be carried to a ridiculous and harmful extreme.
3. I had way too much time on my hands today.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Greetings and Salutations
I have, recently, been referred to as “Pop”more than by my given name. It is my humble opinion that anyone who survives long enough to be called “Pop” should not be ashamed of the title, but should wear it as a badge of honor. The greater the quantity of life that one experiences the more insight they acquire in how to live it. Not just by surviving but living it in a quality manner.
My years on this Earth have given me a great appreciation for, first and foremost, the God who created us, also other people, books, art, music, etc. My hope is that, through this website, I might share some of the blessings and insights bestowed on me with others.
My years on this Earth have given me a great appreciation for, first and foremost, the God who created us, also other people, books, art, music, etc. My hope is that, through this website, I might share some of the blessings and insights bestowed on me with others.
I'm baaaaaack!
Probably no one noticed that I've been gone. It's only been 3 years and 11 months since my last post but what the heck. a lot of things have transpired in almost 4 years. 2 grandkids and 1 more great have been added to the tribe. My work at Brother Bryan's Mission has increased but the thing I want to talk about is having to come to grips with the fact that I'm diabetic and if I want to remain on this planet for any extended length of time I'd jolly well better start acting like it.
I was actually diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes about 15 years ago. At the time it was no big deal. Take some pills, watch what I ate (sort of), check my Blood Glucose level every once in a while and everyything went swimmingly. As the years ticked by I put my condition on the back burner with disastrous results.
2 years ago, I had ballooned to 345 lbs.and had to walk with the assistance of a cane because my knees couldn't the load anymore. My blood glucose had gotten out of control and I just in general felt like crap 99% of the time. In addition my doc, who was already pretty darned disgusted with me, had to go on extended leave of absence due to problems of his own.
After coming to the conclusion that I didn't want to die, I went to another doctor. He wasn't all that keen on taking me on as a patient but due to the fact he was already my wife's doc he agreed to seeing me. He really laid it all out on the table, if I wanted to live I would have to make drastic changes in my eating, my activity level, my cooperation with a treatment plan and primarily in my attitude. Through the grace of God, a supportive wife and a doc that wouldn't put up with my crap, things have turned around.
Through many trials we have come upon a combination of medications that have brought my blood glucose level back under control. I am eating correctly again. Actually, better than ever in my life. As a result I have lost over 85 lbs. and my weight continues to slowly drop. I no longer need a cane. (If the truth be known, I really don't the the handicap tag on my car.) I can actually mow my own lawn again for the first time in 3 years.
Is everything just rosy? NO, but life is so much better I have no desire in returning to the miserable condition that I brought on myself before. My gratitude to Jane (my wife), Dr. Frank and primarily to God.
I feel certain that there will not be a 4 year gap between posts again.
I was actually diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes about 15 years ago. At the time it was no big deal. Take some pills, watch what I ate (sort of), check my Blood Glucose level every once in a while and everyything went swimmingly. As the years ticked by I put my condition on the back burner with disastrous results.
2 years ago, I had ballooned to 345 lbs.and had to walk with the assistance of a cane because my knees couldn't the load anymore. My blood glucose had gotten out of control and I just in general felt like crap 99% of the time. In addition my doc, who was already pretty darned disgusted with me, had to go on extended leave of absence due to problems of his own.
After coming to the conclusion that I didn't want to die, I went to another doctor. He wasn't all that keen on taking me on as a patient but due to the fact he was already my wife's doc he agreed to seeing me. He really laid it all out on the table, if I wanted to live I would have to make drastic changes in my eating, my activity level, my cooperation with a treatment plan and primarily in my attitude. Through the grace of God, a supportive wife and a doc that wouldn't put up with my crap, things have turned around.
Through many trials we have come upon a combination of medications that have brought my blood glucose level back under control. I am eating correctly again. Actually, better than ever in my life. As a result I have lost over 85 lbs. and my weight continues to slowly drop. I no longer need a cane. (If the truth be known, I really don't the the handicap tag on my car.) I can actually mow my own lawn again for the first time in 3 years.
Is everything just rosy? NO, but life is so much better I have no desire in returning to the miserable condition that I brought on myself before. My gratitude to Jane (my wife), Dr. Frank and primarily to God.
I feel certain that there will not be a 4 year gap between posts again.
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