How Cold Is It?

It is bitter cold here. When I went to an appointment this afternoon it was only about 11 below zero. But one hour later when I left it was 30 below. The wind just blew right through 3 layers of clothing plus winter gear. We don't get the amount of snow that Western New York, where I grew up, gets but it is so much colder. I'd rather have the snow. Getting up in the middle of the night to start my car and let it run isn't fun.

Monday I leave for a week in Hawaii. It is my first, and no doubt will be my last, trip there. My niece is getting married, she and her fiancee are in the Army. It should be a fun time because quite a few family members will be there. That is usually a good thing though sometimes it can not be a good thing. If we can just stay away from talking politics we should be fine. How one family can have both extremes of the political spectrum is beyond me. I'm looking forward to taking lots of great photos.

I had my every 6 month scans yesterday. My liver is stable but my lungs are in a sorry state: bronchiectasis in the lower lobes, lesion in the right lower lobe but only a little growth, fibrosis in the right upper lobe. It is certainly a good thing I never smoked, I'd no doubt be dead by now. I so detest smoking.I will probably elect to wear a face mask on the long flight to Hawaii.

The day after I return I'm having surgery, nothing cancer related but I have to be on coumadin and will be non ambulatory for 6 weeks. Not swimming for 6 weeks is going to be really hard. I live to swim. Then in April I will hopefully be having the last surgery related to my eye cancer.

Why can't the paparazzi leave Britney Spears alone? Honest to God, the woman is mentally ill, stop chasing her. When I saw the photo of her in a car when she ran over someone's foot I though how could she not run over his stupid feet, he was way too close to her car.

When I was driving home from yesterday's scan I drove through downtown Saint Paul. That turned my thoughts to the Republican National Convention coming this summer. I just cannot envision that many delegates, media, and agitators in small downtown Saint Paul. It must be a security nightmare. The road in front of my place is the major route from the airport to the Excel Center where the convention is being held. It will be a good time to leave town except that the Great Minnesota Get Together, otherwise known as the State Fair, is at the same time. It also coincides with the opening of the school year, which is always a hectic time. It should be a very interesting time.

Today's photo was sent to me by Dennis Wilcox, a friend from high school.

I hope everyone is staying warm.