August 3 Surgery

I am looking forward to the hip replacement surgery on August 3. I go for tests, x-rays, consultations, etc. on Tuesday, July 20. I will be in rehab for at least a month followed by limited mobility for two months. However, as soon as possible, I want to resume my walking.

I went to bed hungry again last evening. This is a small price to pay for longevity and good health. Some proof was on the scales. My weight has dropped to below 181 pounds. I need to pass the barrier of 180. The goal remains 175. I have learned that I can exist without sweets. I no longer crave ice cream and chocolate covered raisins, two of my weaknesses. I have walked for 5 of the last 6 days. The one day I missed was because I waited until afternoon, and that is the day the temperature reached over 90 degrees in Oakland. Too hot for old men walking.

We are elated that home prices in the neighborhood are rising again. Zillow.com now lists the two homes next to us over $one million. We, of course, like the rest of California, took a beating in the real estate market. A very beautiful new Tuscany home a couple of blocks from us is now on the market for $1.6 million. The views of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and beyond are superb. This should help all of us in the neighborhood. Eldoris wants to sell our home next year. We shall see how it goes.

Eldoris is off for Phoenix next week. This woman has to travel. She is on the road too often. Her sister Mae is just as bad. I tell her that she only uses her home as a rest stop before the next trip. There is so much to do in Oakland and the Bay Area. For example, over the 4th of July holiday, we listened to music in Jack London Square, took the ferry to San Francisco, for a promenade at the piers. I guess I am just a home body. However, I have to admire the energy of both Eldoris and Mae. They just keep on going. Most 70 years olds certainly can not keep up with Eldoris. Neither can I.

Remember. Food is the Enemy!

Mission Accomplished

A couple of weeks ago, my Kaiser doctor informed me that my glucose had hit 130, while normal is 100. This is pre-diabetic. I went on a crash diet to reduce my weight and glucose. Mission Accomplished. The lab tests late week showed a glucose reading of 93, and my weight has fallen from 191 to 182. Food is the enemy as I said in my other blog http://spaces.msn.com/OaklandSavant.

My hip replacement surgery is now scheduled for August 3. There is a chance that it could be earlier, if someone cancels. Now it seems that the knee aches more than the hip, so I will ask for a x-ray of the knee to see if it has also failed. Now I occasionally use a cane, since either the knee or hip will collapse from time to time. You may know that a person over 65 has over a 50% chance of failing in a given year. We have friends who have hurt themselves in falls. I am especially cautious in the shower. A fall could be deadly. I go to bed hungry sometimes. This is the price one has to pay.

I am entitled to a new toy since I have worked over two months as a census enumerator. So I spent $200 for a Archos 7 tablet computer. It allows me to access the internet via wi-fi, play music, video, pictures, the radio and record voice. I put together a file (My Songs) of my favorite music and it sounds great on this device. While not too much into music, I do like gadgets, which is why Eldoris says that I have a gadget fetish. That's fine as long as it does not extend into costly cars, clothes and vacations.

My friend Horace Stonework and I are planning a month-long trip to Africa next July. I want to take lots of videos and pictures to post on YouTube. There is such a dearth of information and exposure on Africa that I feel I need to make a contribution. Stay tuned.