Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Wheezing like a chain smoker

Those who know me have heard me tell the story of how I once tried smoking.
Back in Alabama, spring break in my day was called "AEA week," even at private schools. (I attended private school growing up then graduated from a public high school.) AEA stands for the Alabama Education Association and spring break usually coincided with AEA's annual convention. I think now most schools and districts just pick a week at random in the latter part of March.
Anyway, I think it was the spring of either '82 or '83. I was at home, Mom and Dad were at work. Dad smoked Pall-Malls and I decided I would try it. (I already messed around with chewing tobacco and snuff to "fit in" with a group of kids at the private school.)
I did not see the attraction, but I'm sure it's probably a habit he picked up in the military and never could shake.
I don't remember how many I tried - probably just one. He didn't miss it (them), or if he did, he didn't say anything.
As you are well aware from my wife's blog, she was sick last week. This week, it was my turn, and whatever I have has me wheezing like I'm a lifetime chain smoker.
So far, the baby's been coughing a little today but hopefully she hasn't picked up any of our crud. I didn't like having to stay out an extra day after taking some comp days from work, but I don't think I could function in the shape I was in this morning.
Hopefully the meds our wonderful nurse practitioner gave me will start to work. (Thanks to our friend Amy for hooking us up with the CNP.)
I think I'm going to re-joining the family nap time already in progress after posting something quick on Jadyn's blog.
Post script: I slept in another room to keep from waking everybody up with the coughing. And, I forgot to mention I got my first dose of medicine from a breathing machine. I forgot what they gave me, but it was kind of strange to see the smoky stuff come out of the end of the tube. I'm using an albuterol inhaler too. First time for everything.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

"They’ll never see the likes of us again"

Tom Brokaw immortalized the "Greatest Generation" with his book, and the men and women who stuggled so intently to get us through World War II are most certainly deserving of our thanks.
My late parents came of age in the 1940s, with my father doing so as a soldier in the 84th Infantry Division and my mother, eventually, as an employee of the Veterans Administration in Montgomery, Ala.
Dad suffered wounds in the Battle of the Bulge likely somewhere in Belgium Jan. 3, 1945. He returned home and started working at what was then the L(ouisville) and N(ashville) railroad, now a part of CSX Corporation.
A song by Genesis reminds me of Dad. It's called "Driving the Last Spike" and was released on "We Can't Dance" in 1991. It's the story of the development of the railway in England and the human cost, arguably one of the best songs they've done that didn't receive popular acclaim. Of course, there's the connection with the railroad. The hours were sometimes tough on us and him, and he certainly gave his all at his work but to my knowledge it was nothing compared to the loss of life and suffering the men who built the railroads endured.
The line that most reminds me of Dad, Mom and everyone from the "Greatest Generation" is this: "They’ll never see the likes of us again." And, I believe that's true. I hope that my generation can at least raise children comparable to that of the men and women who kept us safe during and after World War II.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Blog o' da month

I'm home for the first night since Friday and finally have a moment to write my first (but hopefully not last) blog of February.
We have been working out at the local hospital's wellness center (Baby and her Mama more than me) but it certainly has helped my stamina and outlook. Hopefully we'll all get some rest tonight after going hard for several days.
Yes, Jadyn's is going to water classes already. (There's one picture on a picture page accessible from her blog). I hope I don't wake up one day in front the man asking for her hand in marriage and wonder where the time went. Anyway, I'm off to change clothes and possibly go to the gym later. And, of course, see my daughter before she's a teenager or older.
P.S. - I didn't make it to the gym but I probably needed a night off of nothing but taking care of a few things around here and veggin' in front of "Lost" and "Invasion." ("E-Ring" will not be seen tonight so we can offer you something that will compete better with the Grammys.)