prune picker

This is the blog of a prune picker. (Native born Californian) Retired oilfield. I am an old man. I blog a lot about my body and getting old. As I approach death life gets more interesting. More interesting is not good. I still drive. I attend sports, music, and civic events. I am writing my memoirs. I attend swim class three times a week. Some of my blogs might be interesting. A lot of my blogs are silly and trivial. None are very long.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Vital Signs 0n New Years Eve. January 31, 2014.

Last set of vitals for the year. Columns are date, steps/weight, high blood press/low blood pressure-pulse, and temperature.


My weight is slipping up. My blood pressure is pretty good. Notice on 12/20 I only took 1000 steps. That is almost sitting all day! I hope to do better.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

20th straight home-court win for the Latech Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs hosted Southern Arkansas last night. They won the game 74 to 52. This was their 20th straight win at home. They start league games now and should face tougher competition.




 Do I look startled to have a pretty Lady leaning on me? That is sweet Melinda Thigpen who visited me during the game. She graciously agreed to join me in a selfie.


Zero tuba game. No band, no cheer leaders, no pom pom girls, no Champ.



Sunday, December 28, 2014

Janice and Dwight King at the Waffle House.

John and I had breakfast at the Waffle House this morning. We were so pleased to visit with Janice and Dwight King. (old friends from Jefferson Corner)


Below is a panoramic picture of the Waffle House.


Below is a picture of Janice and Dwight King.



The Kings sure look good. Dwight is busy contracting and Janice still works for Jefferson Corner 
storage. It was great to visit with them. They send their best wishes to the Blakley Ladies in Swartz.


Saturday, December 27, 2014

I had help checking the mail and papers.

The chickens were up at the highway to help me pick up the mail and newspapers today. They are a lot of company.



Friday, December 26, 2014

Kerry's three sweet cats.

I am taking care of these three nice cats while Kerry and John are in Franklinton. They are fun. Especially Felix.


Caramel


Belle


Felix

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve and Esophageal Manometry.

What a jolly day. Jeff deadened my right nostril and inserted this tubing.


The tubing was about 15 inches long and went down my throat and out the end of my esophagus and into my stomach. I was given  swallows of water. Each swallow was observed on the manometry graph.


The red line on the right would show waves as the swallow of water went down my esophagus. The lower part of my esophagus was indicated to not relax. This could be the reason for my swallowing difficulty. 

Medical Technician Jeff and the Doctor were pleased with the test result.










I hope these nice gentlemen do not mind these candid pictures taken by their patient, the old Prunepicker. They were so competent and gracious. I want to thank them for their good work.

An appointment has been made for placing some Botox in the lower part of my esophagus. The Botox relaxes muscles. This may ease my swallowing problem.

This was an unpleasant experience. I hope that you had better things to do on Christmas Eve.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Monday, December 22, 2014

Rabbit Report.

Pretty rabbits that go with John's Chickens. 5 or 6 weeks old. They are eating cabbage.








Grouchy old buck. He bites!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Graysons of Clarence, Louisiana.

The Russells took me to dinner at one of the fine restaurants of Northern Louisiana.


Nice front door.




I asked the Chef if the restaurant had enough ham for the Christmas Season. She said that they had enough.



Carolyn counted 71 hams. And there were a couple dozen in the back room. These hams are all special order at $99 each.

The Grayson Restaurant has been in business a long time. It was there when Carolyn started school at North Western.




Natchitoches. Christmas lights and fireworks.

Carolyn and Skip invited me for an evening with them and their family at the lights and fireworks in Natchitoches. I had a great time. There were about two dozen Russell kin there. They are really nice folk. It was heart warming to see how they loved each other. Carolyn's 94 year mother was carefully wrapped in a blanket by grand daughters. I wish that I had taken pictures of the family.






Here is a picture from the Russell's Facebook page.





Saturday, December 20, 2014

Friday, December 19, 2014

Bulldogs have won 19 Home Games in a row.

Last nights win against Nicholls State was the 19th consecutive win in their home arena.


Loyal fans!


Justin needn't have worried.



Champ had a time keeping up with his dance partner.



Six tuba game!



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