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Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year!



Now's a good time to figure out if you are in the place in your life where you want to be and with the people you want to be with.

As for myself, I'm sitting on a sailboat in sunny Florida with my lovely wife. No complaints here.

It was a mixed year for me. My dad passed from cancer so that was rough. At least I was in a position in my life where I could be there for him.

I did have a lot of time to look on-line at sailboats for sale. When dad passed my lovely wife and I checked out a boat and bought it. A month went by before we could get back to it, but I took some comfort in knowing there was a boat waiting for me.

When dad passed it really brought my life in focus. The number of our days are finite. We just don't know the time or the day. Dad didn't live as long as my grandfather did. Dad's father lived on ice-cream, bacon and eggs, cheap whiskey, and cigarettes yet he made it to 87. Dad didn't drink, quit smoking decades ago, and only went to 80. (cancer sucks) A doctor once told me I wouldn't make it to 45. I'm happy to be 57. I feel I've already cheated death.

That being said, my lungs took enough damage from firefighting that they had to retire me. I'm fat and out of condition and haven't seen a doctor in about 16 years. I did promise my kids I'd make an appointment and get a physical when I get back home in the spring.

I'm gaming the odds a bit. Since living on a sailboat I've been eating lighter and getting a lot more exercise. By spring I'll be less fat and more in condition.

One thing for sure. We may not be able to know long we will live, but we can do a lot about how well we live.

New Years is a good time to look back at the past year and see if what you are doing is getting you where you want to be. If it isn't, maybe change is in order.

As for myself, I bought a sailboat.

-Sixbears

15 comments:

  1. Aw, you're just a young whipper-snapper. The first doctor who warned me about my weight has been dead for years. Sail on! (and Happy New Year to you and your lovely wife.)

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    1. Always good to outlive doctors. Thanks Gorges!

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  2. the less fat and, more important, the more movement, the better.
    without movement we tend to seize up!

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    1. Even on an "easy day" we have to paddle the kayak back and forth to land to walk the dog.

      Today my shoulders reminded me I haven't been paddling as much as I used to. Soon I'll be used to it again.

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  3. You and your lovely wife are living the kind of life that suits you and makes you feel good. Carry on.

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    1. We are carrying on, just as the Momlady ordered.

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  4. The new year is always a good time to reflect back and change what needs to be changed. Can't change the past, but we can make each new day better. May you and your lovely wife have a wonderful New Year filled with wind in your sails and amazing adventures ahead!

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    1. May your days be filled with joy and happy surprises. :)

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  5. just check your blood pressure in the morning when you get up. If it is 120/80 around that you are okay. If it is 140/95 then go talk to the doctor about cheap pills. Most are cheap now. then work on loosing weight with tasty rabbit food, or tasty chicken only, which is never easy

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    1. If they use the right sized cuff, extra large instead of normal sized, my blood pressure is usually around 120/80. A normal sized cuff bumps it up quite a few points.

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  6. I felt so bad your dad died at 80, it is the years in one life not the life of the years long or short..If a person is not on the terrestrial and the sea to enjoy the earth and the sea what is worth it to get to 95 like this lady who I loved and knew more than my mother who died very young of Cancer..I am 10 years older than you and I follow your blog, sailing on a boat would suit me just fine, however my hubs might get skitzy on a boat, but would eventually get used to it, the sea has always called to me, peaceful and lovely as it is, I look forward to your blogs and only wish you and your lovely wife the best life has to offer, remember you were able to be with your dad and learned and love him, something denied to many (myself and my huge bunch of kids) I never got to see her much and many came into my life that never had biological kids and treated me like their own, remember when you get blue you had your Dad something I never ever got to have, he was divorced from my Mother and I never saw him after my Mother's untimely young death..so as I said it really is the life in your years not the length, godspeed on your new boat with your lovely wife, enjoy your life, take care of yourself and have a loving, peaceful sea loving 2016 year! Peace and joy out to you and yours!

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    1. I'm lucky I got to spend as much time with my dad as I did. We were always very close.

      Hope you have a Happy New Year.

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  7. Thanks, Dad. We'll hold you to it. Happy new year!

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  8. Happy New Year Dad! Happy 37 Wedding Anniversary! And happy sailing. Love you! Call or Skype when you can.

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