September 7 - “Great sci-fi stuff”

We bumped back up to three miles. Well, 5K, actually. Well, 3.2 miles, to be exact. We were gonna pull up at two because Chris had a ladies breakfast to go to. But because a certain young lady was up and ready to go before seven, we had plenty of time. 

Left to my own devices, I did what any normal, red-blooded male would do. I went to Netflix and turned on a movie. Something about an alien invasion and the end of the world. Great sci-fi stuff. 

When Chris got home, we settled in to spend the afternoon inside (it’s still hot out there). I watched some college football (Baylor wins in double overtime) before the Astros came on (Astros win big over Rangers). Chris got started on another quilt. 

Corey came over and gave us an update on his mom. She’s in a regular room at the hospital now. The surgery went well. 

Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ says, Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Father, be with Corey’s mom now as she recovers from her surgery. And keep Cailyn in your hands. Amen. 

September 6 - “interesting”

Corey came over to give us an update on his mom. She’s getting either a new battery or a new pacemaker (update later: out of surgery and back in ICU. Apparently all went well). 

Chris had a 10:30 appointment with one of her docs. She had to drive into Texas, though, so this time I stayed home. The skin doc said she had awesome skin and was taking great care of it. I could have told him that. 

In the meantime, Josh called (his semi-regular check-in). I was chatting with him when Chris left. Always great to hear about the latest adventures of the Waco Cousins Family. 

Well, here’s some “interesting” news. I received an “interesting” phone call yesterday afternoon. It was from the very nice nurse who works for our (that would be mine and Chris’s) cardiologist. Seems he was not exactly satisfied with the results of that stress echocardiogram I took the other day. One or two things seemed a little wonky to him, I guess. 

So … his default is to do an angiogram (aka - heart cath). Honestly, he’s been trying to get me on his table for about two or three years now. Ever since that last stress test that I quit early because my back hurt and I didn’t want my neurosurgeon to get mad at me. Sigh. Guess it’s my turn. 

Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭15‬ says, “If Your presence does not go,” Moses responded to Him, “don’t make us go up from here.”

Father, we’re still asking for your healing for Cailyn. Thanks that she got to go home. Amen. 

September 5 - “Ea… wait”

Hello again, 5K. Yep. We made it 3.1 miles in our morning walk. Even managed to keep our pace under 19 minutes per mile. That’s good for us. Woohoo! 

But wait! That’s not all. I had a brainstorm. A real old-fashioned brainstorm. About our lawn mower that quit on us last time we used it. 

What did you used to do to get a car started years and years ago?  Push start it, right? Get the wheels and whatever that is they are connected to turning. But how about even further back? That’s right! Turn the crank. Hmm. 

Set me to thinking. Is there something about a lawn mower that is comparable to a crank? Yup. Trying couldn’t hurt. I reached under the mower and forced the blades to turn, first one way, then the other. I know. A pretty lame, last-ditch effort before giving in and calling the experts, right?

Well … it worked! Started right up. Of course that meant I had to mow just in case it decided to crash again. Hadn’t planned on that. But it stayed with me, and I got the whole yard mowed, ea… wait. I started to say “Easy Peasy,” but there’s nothing easy about mowing in the mid morning heat after walking three miles in the early morning heat. But, as I said, it got done. Woohoo!

Last night we had home group for the first time in several months. Several of our folks couldn’t be there for several reasons, but it was good to see the ones who did make it. The study was about the time Nathan challenged David with “You are the man!” That’s our son Nathan’s favorite verse. Courageous guy to emulate, for sure. 

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭5‬ says, This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.

Father, be with Cailyn. Also with Corey’s mom. And give both sets of doctors lots of wisdom. Amen. 

September 4 - “But not just Texas …”

I had the first one yesterday. Pretty early time, so no walk accomplished. I had to be at the occupational therapist by 10:30. The ortho doc ordered me to get my thumbs checked out. Arthritis and all, you know?  

Best part of the visit? I had an aspiring occupational therapist with me. Jachin managed to get a half day off from work so he could watch a real-live OT at work. He seemed at least a little excited. Probably because he got to hang out with ol’ DadDad. 

Pretty much all she did was the strength measurement test of my grip and a bunch of arthritis teaching and she also gave me a thumb brace for my left hand. The only one she had for a right hand was way too little. That’s the one I really need, so I guess we’ll be looking for one. She also showed us a whole bunch of arthritis-friendly appliances and gadgets. Lots of fun, and possibly useful, stuff. 

Our really big adventure came in the late afternoon. We drove into Texas. But not just Texas. Houston. And not just Houston. Downtown Houston. And not just Downtown Houston. Rush hour Downtown Houston. Whew. That was a mouthful. And that was a trip. 

James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ says, Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

Father, we’re still praying for Cailyn. Help her get better. Amen. 

September 3 - “A cool 155”

We cut back to just two miles yesterday. Why, you may ask? Because I had to go do a stress echo test. Not a symptom-driven thing, though. Just a repeat since I had one three years ago. I was probably supposed to have one every year, but I guess I fell through the cracks. 

I’m not sure how far I went on that hospital treadmill. All they were concerned about was getting my heart rate up to 148. I made it through three of their seven stages of difficulty (where they raise the treadmill and speed it up a little more) before I got to where they wanted it to be. The nurse asked if I just wanted to keep going. I quickly informed her that I had no designs on being a superhero. All she needed to hear. 

They got me off the machine in a hurry, flipped me around and onto the bed and frantically whipped that ultrasound gadget back and forth. I guess they found a heart in there. They did let me go home, after all. When I checked the readings on my watch, it said my heart rate reached a cool 155. Just proves I’m hot, right? And the results report we saw later on My Chart said I handled the test “excellently for their age.”  Not impressed that I was referred to ‘as “their” instead of “his,” or the “for their age” part, but I’m pretty proud of that word “excellently.”

Last night we sat for a while in the shade in the porch swing. Nothing with us but lizards, mosquitoes, and the neighbor’s lawn mower. Peaceful. Sort of. 

Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬ says, Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Father, thanks for my apparent good news from the doc … for my age. Oh, and please be with Cailyn and her docs. Amen. 

September 2 - “Singin’ in the Rain”

We decided to celebrate Labor Day in a bit of a different fashion. We started the day with a walk. OK. Not so different. However … two things made it extra-special. 

One, we went a full 3 point something miles. Basically a 5K. And we were under an hour, too. 

Two, it was full-on raining most of the way. We considered stopping at one point, but we hadn’t heard any thunder or seen any lightning. So we pressed on in the rain. And one of us may or may not have done a little serenading. Hey … tell me you don’t have Gene Kelley singing “Singing in the Rain” going through your head right now. OK. There may be a few of you too young to catch the reference. YouTube it. And join the chorus with the rest of us. 

We took a chance in the afternoon and went to Walmart. Yep. Walmart in Galveston on a holiday weekend. Bottom line here. We ran out of bananas. Of course we picked up more than that. And we enjoyed chatting in line with some folks from Houston. So it was kind of a bonus trip all the way around. 

Speaking of bonus … the Astros came through with a win. Capped off the day just fine. 

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ says, and (if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Father, thank you for the rain. I really enjoyed walking in it. Amen. 

September 1 - “Poor little brown dog”

I had a somewhat rude awakening yesterday. At ten minutes to five (A.M.!) Freddy, who had apparently jumped off the bed sometime in the night, made her return. 

Well, she attempted a return, anyway. She apparently misjudged the height of the bed … and missed. I awoke to the subsequent thud against the side of the bed. She was fine, though. 

I, on the other hand, was wide awake. So I got up and began my morning bathroom ritual. Now, if you are worried about the poor little brown dog … don’t be. By the time I came out of the bathroom, she was nestled snuggly on my pillow.  Poor little brown dog … indeed. 

Psalms‬ ‭68‬:‭5‬ says, God in His holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows.

Father, we do thank you for our little dog. She’s a sweetheart.  Amen.