Reunion in Branson 2012

(2012 T-Shirt Graphic Designed by Keith Towler)

I was not able to go to Branson this year for the Association's 23rd Annual Reunion.  I really missed seeing all my Brothers!  I just got an email from Bill Miller who said "Great reunion and the 225^th was well represented. "  Bill also sent the link (see below) to a wonderful video that was produced this weekend at the Reunion.  It's about 15 minutes long, but well well worth your time!  And thanks Bill for sending this on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR1vuhve910&feature=plcp

Running Again!

I ran a 5K for the first time since I had surgery in February.  Last Sunday, October 7^th I participated in the Set the Pace for Prostate Cancer 5K on the Seattle waterfront.  This was to benefit the Prostate Cancer Education Council provide information and available screening services to communities. All proceeds will fund local prostate cancer needs such as free and low cost screenings, research and education, in addition to the PCEC's national awareness campaign. (prostateconditions.org)

I have been training since September 9^th and it was fun to put my Vibram Five-Fingers barefoot sports shoes back on and hit the Burke-Gilman Trail in Kenmore near our home after work to begin working toward the 3 mile run.  The picture is of our Medical Director Tony Woodward (left) and one of our Emergency Attending Physicians Neil Uspal (right) and me before the 9am start.  They did the run to support me!  How fun is that?!

My results weren’t stellar, but my time was only 3 minutes slower (42:31) than the first 5K I ran 4 ½ years ago.  Not so bad for an older guy who had major surgery 8 months ago.   (Tony’s and Neil’s time were way better than mine!)

I’d encourage you, if you are not already exercising more or less regularly, to begin by doing something you enjoy.  It can be by trying to get that little white sphere into a tiny hole a million yards distant, swimming, running or, my favorite other exercise, resistance training.  The point is that we’re never too old to begin!  I don’t know if he is still doing this, but I seem to remember that Tony Chapa told me he was riding his bike 10 miles a day; I have a friend at the hospital who is my age and she and her husband take a trip to Europe every year just to ride hundreds of miles on their bikes!  My plan is to continue running and training for a 5K in December. 

Also, check out this website: The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter 
www.senior-exercise-central.com; Logan Franklin puts out an email newsletter that I have found to be really encouraging.

Space Shuttle Endeavour Landing at LAX

Our friend Ed Balanger sent this to me a few days ago.  This is well worth the 15 minutes spent in front of your screen watching the Space Shuttle Endeavour make its last flight.  Thanks Ed!

In case you haven't already seen this is an extended view of the space shuttle Endeavour’s flight over Southern California and the landing at LAX.

This was filmed by a woman who is a NASA photographer and was riding in one of the F18's accompanying the space shuttle.  So far, this video has only been viewed by less than 200,000 people, not millions, yet, like some of the other videos - - - so not very many people know about it!

  

Turn your speakers on, please. Remember to open it to "full screen" to view. Click on the link below.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVPNDhOWutk

"The Post Library"

 Over the last year or so, I’ve been reading a lot more than ever before, mostly on the bus commute to and from work.  Periodically I’ve shared with you a review on what I will call now “The Post Library.”

This 900+ page biography of Harry Truman (ISBN 978-0-671-86920-5) is both an historical evaluation of his presidency and a paean to the 33^rd President’s rock-solid American values. Truman was a compromise candidate for vice president in 1944, becoming an accidental president after Franklin Roosevelt's death 12 weeks into his fourth term. Truman's stunning come-from-behind victory in the 1948 election showed how his personal qualities of integrity and straightforwardness were appreciated by ordinary Americans, and even his political rivals, perhaps, as author David McCullough notes, because he was one himself. His presidency was dominated by enormously controversial issues: he dropped the atomic bombs on Japan, established anti-Communism as the bedrock of American foreign policy, sent U.S. troops into the Korean War and fired General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. In this winner of the 1993 Pulitzer Prize, McCullough argues that history has validated most of Truman's wartime and Cold War decisions.

I would recommend Truman to anyone who is interested in modern American history.  The long book will take you an amazingly quick read through the life of this complex Missouri farmer, World War I Army artillery captain, local politician and world leader.   In this 2012 political season, it was fun to see how this president, in office when I was born in 1947, help shaped the last half of the 20^th century.  No matter what your political leaning, I think you would enjoy it.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven (ISBN 978-1-4143-3606-0) by Kevin Malarkey is a “can’t-put-this-book-down” story of the 2004 horrific car accident in which he and his six-year-old son, Alex, were badly injured.  The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex—and medically speaking, it was unlikely that he could survive. 'I think Alex has gone to be with Jesus,' a friend told the stricken dad. But two months later, Alex awoke from a coma with an incredible story to share. Of events at the accident scene and in the hospital while he was unconscious. Of the angels that took him through the gates of heaven itself. Of the unearthly music that sounded just terrible to a six-year-old. And, most amazing of all . . . Of meeting and talking to Jesus. The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven is the true story of an ordinary boy's most extraordinary journey. As you see heaven and earth through Alex's eyes, you'll come away with new insights on miracles, life beyond this world, and the power of a father's love.  (taken partially from Amazon.com’s book description)  This is a quick, enjoyable and uplifting read!

I would give this book a rating of a whole bunch of stars!