Surgery went good. I was in my room before 10:30 AM.
Observations:
1) A CPM (continuous passive motion) machine was started in recovery room and has been going all day.
2) I have not had any pain.Maybe tomorrow?
3) I feel great!!!
4) The Hospital and their professional care has been excellent. Double excellent for their TLC.
5) BEST hospital food I have ever tasted.
Many thanks to all my friends and family for your thoughts and prayers.
...from Jim's Motorola Droid
Just got a call from the hospital. I am supposed to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM tomorrow. I’m schedule FIRST for surgery.
Total Knee Replacement
Tomorrow morning I will be checking into the hospital for knee surgery. You know the routine: no eating or drinking after midnight. A new wrinkle this time. A Pre-Op they gave me a bottle of special soap. I’m supposed to shower tonight, dress in clean PJs, and sleep on clean sheets. Then tomorrow morning before I go to the hospital I am to shower again with the special soap, and dress in clean clothes. This is supposed to help with infections.
I am expecting to check out of the hospital on Friday. As I understand it, I will only be in the hospital for 3 nights. So no more posts this week. It is possible that I might be able to give you a report on my condition late Friday or sometime Saturday.
Thanksgiving 2010 Is Over
Most of our Thanksgiving guests departed yesterday. Here’s a picture that was taken just before Sylvia, Mandy and Alex left. Bethany will be flying back to Rochester tomorrow. We had a great weekend. It passed way to quickly.
Left to Right: Bethany, Mandy, Sylvia, Jim, Beverly, Alex
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet..
"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..
The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"
The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150.."
Life is Good! Yesterday we joined the chaos of black Friday. It was an awful lot of fun, if you know what I mean. It was awful and fun. It’s a family tradition that we do this on Friday with Bethany, Mandy, Alex, and Sylvia. We hit the shopping hot spots and then enjoy a nice lunch at a local restaurant. We’re having more fun today. It’s a great time of the year!!!
It has been a wonderful week having enjoying family and fun. Here’s a few more pictures taken on Thanksgiving day.
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.
The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."
"Good morning, Pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor, what is this?"
"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service."
Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Little Alex's voice was barely audible, trembling with fear, when he asked, "Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?"
Thanksgiving 2010
We had the best Thanksgiving ever! We had 19 in our family with us yesterday for an old fashioned Thanksgiving Dinner. We had 3 tables set up to handle everyone. We arranged people by age at the tables. We had a range from 9 to 97 years of age. Here’s the 3 tables:
 |  We had a great spread! |  |
An eighty-year-old man went to his doctor to complain about pain in one knee. The doctor examined it gently and said, "Well, you know that knee is eighty years old. You can't expect too much."
"That's true," the man agreed; "but Doc, so is the other one and it's not bothering me like this one!"
…And…
An inebriated man and his drunken friend were sitting at a bar.
“Do you know what time it is?” Asked the drunk.
“Sure,” said the man
“Thanks,” said the drunk.
‘Twas the Night of Thanksgiving
‘Twas the Night of Thanksgiving, But I Just Couldn't Sleep
I Tried Counting Backwards, I Tried Counting Sheep.
The Leftovers Beckoned - The Dark Meat and White
But I Fought the Temptation with All Of My Might
Tossing and Turning with Anticipation
The Thought of A Snack Became Infatuation.
So, I Raced To The Kitchen, Flung Open The Door
And Gazed At the Fridge, Full Of Goodies Galore.
I Gobbled Up Turkey and Buttered Potatoes,
Pickles and Carrots, Beans and Tomatoes.
I Felt Myself Swelling So Plump and so Round,
Until All Of A Sudden, I Rose Off the Ground.
I Crashed Through The Ceiling, Floating Into The Sky
With A Mouthful of Pudding and A Handful of Pie.
But, I Managed To Yell as I Soared Past the Trees....
Happy Eating to All Pass the Cranberries, Please.
May Your Stuffing Be Tasty, May Your Turkey Be Plump,
May Your Potatoes 'N Gravy Have Nary A Lump,
May Your Yams Be Delicious May Your Pies Take the Prize,
May Your Thanksgiving Dinner Stay Off Of Your Thighs!
~ Author Unknown
Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving!
No Inferior Vena Cava Filter for TG!
I went to the hospital yesterday for an out patient procedure to have an Inferior Vena Cava filter placed in body. I went through all the motions, had the IV inserted, had my little cute gown on, and was wheeled into the room for the procedure. The cut was made, and the doctor looked at my vein where the filter would be placed and stopped. He first told me that all human anatomies are different. Then he told me that my vein where the filter would be placed was too large to place a filter. He said if they put a filter there it could break loose and go to the heart and cause death. So I agreed with him!
So without the filter I may be in some risk due to blood clots, but I feel that with blood thinners and following doctors that I will be OK. My knee surgery is next Tuesday.
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.
~W.J. Cameron
It's the day before Thanksgiving, and the butcher is just locking up when a man begins pounding on the front door.
"Please let me in," says the man desperately. "I forgot to buy a turkey, and my wife will kill me if I don't come home with one."
"Okay," says the butcher. "Let me see what I have left." He goes into the freezer and discovers that there's only one scrawny turkey left. He brings it out to show the man.
"That's one is too skinny. What else you got?" says the man.
The butcher takes the bird back into the freezer and waits a few minutes and brings the same turkey back out to the man.
"Oh, no," says the man, "That one doesn't look any better. You better give me both of them!"
How Do They Do It?
A good friend sent me the following pictures a few days ago. The pictures show the face of the Buffalo Bill Dam on the Shoshoni River at Cody, Wyoming. Look at the first picture… what are those dots?
Look at the next picture. Those dots are bighorns walking across the dam. Some say they are licking the surface, for salt maybe?
Talk about being surefooted… these animals sure are! And why are they doing this? It reminds me of our neighbor squirrels who I watch coming on our patio and licking the mortar between the bricks. Maybe it some nutrient they need or enjoy from the cement. Does anyone know?
Yesterday
A surprising day it was! The Pre-Operation was the most extensive I have ever seen, and I hit a snag. When the hospital doctor was reviewing my records, he had concerns about my recent stress test. He refused to approve surgery until my heart doctor approved.
So hospital had to schedule a last minute appointment for me with my heart doctor for 3:00 pm yesterday. That meant my Inferior Vena Cava filter placement had to be postponed until today at 1:00 pm.
My heart doctor had no concerns about me having surgery, and the last stress test was in line with previous stress tests and no cause for alarm. So total knee surgery on my left knee is back on schedule for Nov. 30.
Tomorrow is Turkey Day!
Herman’s wife, Arlene, was lying on her deathbed, and taking his hand lovingly in her own, she said " Herman, I want you to get married after I die, don’t mope around alone. But promise me you will not give my clothes to her. I can’t stand the thought of another woman wearing my clothes."
" No I won't " said the Herman "in any case Elizabeth is a head taller than you."
Pre-Op
Today I go to the hospital for my pre-operation visit and to have the inferior vena cava filter inserted. My first knee surgery will be one week from today, November 30, 2010. I have to be honest in saying I dread what is coming up, but know that if I want to have a full, active life that knee replacement surgery is necessary.
Inferior Vena Cava Filter
The diagram to the right shows that the Inferior Vena Cava Filter is placed in the vein (blue) not the artery (red). The circle shows what the filter looks like. It reminds me of an umbrella frame.
I’m having the filter inserted because last year I suffered from some major blood clots in my left leg. My surgeon recommended the filter as a precaution because of the possibility of blood clots during or after surgery.
If you’re interested you can read what Wikipedia says about these filters.
Bethany
Our daughter Bethany arrives today as our first out of town visitor for Thanksgiving 2010. A big week is on the way! We’re excited!
A young man bought an expensive piece of jewelry as a present for his girlfriend.
“Don’t you want her name engraved on it?” asked the clerk.
The young man thought for a moment, and then, ever the realistic, steadfastly replied, “No, just engrave it: To My One and Only Love. That way, if we break up and she throws it back to me in anger, I can use it again.”
Turkey Time is on the Horizon
I just love this time of the year. It’s a great time for family, food and fun. We’ve got big plans for Thanksgiving this year. I’ll be telling you more about it as the week goes on.
Here’s a picture of what a Redneck Thanksgiving might look like. 
A young blonde was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana. She wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking.
After becoming very frustrated with the “no haggle” attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the blonde shouted, “Maybe I’ll just go out and catch my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes at a reasonable price!”
The shopkeeper said, “By all means, be my guest. Maybe you’ll luck out and catch yourself a big one!” Determined, the blonde turned and headed for the swamps, set on catching herself an alligator.
Later in the day, the shopkeeper was driving home, when he spotted the young woman standing waist deep in the water, shotgun in hand. Just then, he saw a huge 9-foot alligator swimming quickly toward her. She took aim, killed the creature, and with a great deal of effort hauled it on to the swamp bank. Lying nearby were several more of the dead creatures. The shopkeeper watched in amazement. Just then the blonde flipped the alligator on its back, and frustrated, shouts out, “Doggone it, this one isn’t wearing any shoes either!”
Happy Birthday to Sylvia 
A special birthday greeting today to my daughter-in-law Sylvia Massey! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
We’re looking forward to being with you for the Thanksgiving Holidays!
THE CHOSEN VESSEL
The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many – which one would he choose?
“Take me,” cried the gold one, “I’m shiny and bright;
I’m of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for Someone like You, Master, gold would be best!”
The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at the silver urn, narrow and tall.
“I’ll serve you, dear Master; I’ll pour out your wine,
And I’ll be at your table whenever you dine.
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And silver will always compliment you.”
Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass.
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
“Here! Here!” cried the vessel, “I know I will do.
Place me on your table for all men to view.”
“Look at me,” called the goblet of crystal so clear.
“My transparency shows my contents so clear.
Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,
And I’m sure I’ll be happy in your house to abide.”
The Master came next to a vessel of wood.
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
“You may use me, dear Master,” the wooden bowl said,
“But I’d rather you used me for fruit – please, no bread!”
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had that vessel that the Master might choose
To mend and cleanse – make it all His to use.
“Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I will mend it and use it – and make it all mine!”
“I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one so narrow who sits on the shelf.
Not the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor the one that displays its contents so proud.
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right –
But this plain earthen vessel, filled with My Power & Might.”
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay –
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly – “There’s work you must do.
You pour out to others – and I’ll pour in to you!”
I’m sorry, but I don’t know who wrote this poem.
The poem serves as a good reminder for us, that when we think we are something, then we are nothing.
Proverbs 13:7 “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.”
Grandma, a woman of 85, was slowly ambling down the street when she met her physician Dr. Cohen. Dr. Cohen, a dapper graying man in his early 60's asked the elderly lady-- "Grandma, how have you been feeling?"
For a long moment the woman gave the good doctor a
terrible stare and then she said -- "You ask me how I'm feeling! I'll tell you how I'm feeling!! My legs hurt, my chest is sore, my heart is beating too fast and I can't sleep!!! I have horrible headaches and stomach pains too!"
The good doctor looked at the elderly lady with
compassion, "If you're feeling so awful, why don't you
come and see me right away?"
Grandma let out a sigh and said, "I was just waiting until I felt a little better."
Yikes! It Makes Me Jump!
It happens to me about 2-3 times a year. I know it takes a year or more off my life each time. I’m thinking other married men are also impacted.
I saw in the comics a short time back that Dagwood is also impacted. After Blondie’s comment, Dagwood is in shock, the paper goes flying, and even the dog knows something big is coming up.
My wife has another comment that can get my attention. She’ll say. “I’ve been thinking.” When she says that I know I had better watch it. She’s been planning something BIG and it may not be in my best interests.
Next year on June 8, Beverly and I will have been married for 50 years. But I still flinch when I hear “We need to talk” or “I’ve been thinking.”
Stress Test TodayAfter her conviction of murder in the second degree, the District Attorney, during her sentencing hearing said, “Mrs. Grey – after you put the arsenic in the stew and served it to your husband, didn’t you feel even a little remorse for what you were doing?”
“I did,” she said calmly.
“And when was that?” quipped the D.A.
“When he asked for seconds!” she replied.
Tennessee Constitutional Amendment
I am happy to say that the Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment was passed by an approximate 80% to 20% vote. I wonder who would vote no? I’d like to talk to them to learn there reasons. But it is likely that they did not vote “no’, they just did not vote, and that counted as a “no” vote.
Petition to Ban the Use of Lead in All Fishing Tackle
l received a nice letter from Keep America Fishing on this:
Thanks to your help, on Thursday, November 4, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected the petition to ban lead in all fishing tackle.
The EPA and Members of Congress received more than 43,000 messages from anglers just like you opposing a federal ban on lead in fishing tackle. Your voice was heard and had a direct impact on the EPA’s decision. …
The above is good news for anglers.
Husband and wife were in the midst of a violent quarrel, and hubby was losing his temper.
"Be careful," he said to his wife. "You will bring out the animal in me."
"So what?" his wife shot back. "Who is afraid of a mouse?"
JFK + 50
Yesterday I told about my cousin’s daughter, Jennifer White, winning a beauty pageant and being in the running for Miss Tennessee as Miss Historic Jonesborough 2011.
Today I want to tell you about Jennifer’s Dad, John R. White. John has a new web site that provides a look at the 35th President of the United States 50 years after his election in November 1960. I found it interesting and I thought you might enjoy taking a look. Click on the following link:
I’m old enough to remember JFK. I voted for him. I was in shock when he was assassinated. His life was cut way too short. Do you remember any of JFK’s quotes? Here’s a few:
While living in Denver the weatherman said, expect 10 to 12 inches of snow tonight so park on the right side of the road so we can plow the left side.
Willie’s wife ran out and parked on the right side.
The next week the forecast called for another 10 to 12 inches of snow, but this time he said park on the left side.
So Willie’s wife ran out and parked the car on the left side of the road.
The following week he said 16 inches of snow expected park, the lights went out and all our power was lost.
Willie’s wife said, my goodness, now I don’t know where to park the car.
“Why don’t you just leave it in the garage!” Willie said.
Jennifer White 
I’m proud of Jennifer. She won the Miss Historic Jonesborough, Miss Johnson City, and Miss Northeast TN Pageant! She’s my cousin’s daughter. How about that!
She was named Miss Historic Jonesborough on November 6, 2011, at the Appalachian Fairgrounds. This picture shows her receiving the crown. Jennifer has a blog established that anyone can follow her journey as Miss Historic Jonesborough 2011 all the way to the Miss Tennessee 2011 pageant! Chick on the link below:
Miss Historic Jonesborough 2011
A TV can insult your intelligence, but nothing rubs it in like a computer
…And…
One man to his friend, what an automated society we live in. Have you ever noticed that when a traffic light turns green, it automatically activates the horn of the car behind you?”
Last Day of Fishing for 2010 
Doug and I went to South Holston Lake for one last fishing trip this year. We had a good day, and had our limit of lake trout before Noon and a couple of nice catfish to boot. The largest lake trout was 3 1/2 pounds and one of the catfish weighed in at 5 pounds. You will notice that I am smiling in the picture.
It was certainly a good way to end the season. My boat is in the shop today for winterization and it will not be back on the water until next March at best.
Knee Replacement
I’ve got full replacement knee surgery scheduled for November 30, 2010 on my left knee. And after that I hope to have the right knee replaced. I’m hoping to get both done this winter and be back to normal activities by spring. But that may be asking for too much.
Due to blood clots I had last year, I’m also scheduled to have a inferior vena cava filter placed in my body a week before my knee surgery. This is supposed to prevent “killer” blood clots. The picture above shows a typical filter.
A little boy knocks at the door and tells the owner that something of his had found its way into her garage, and he wanted it back. The homeowner opened the garage and noticed two additions; a baseball and broken window sporting a baseball-sized hole.
“How do you suppose this ball got in here?” she asked the child.
Taking one look at the ball, one look at the window, and one look at the homeowner, the little boy exclaimed, “Wow lady! I must have thrown it right through that hole!”
Eight Gifts That Won't Cost You A Cent!
As we enter the Christmas Season, you should be reminded that there are some gifts that are free for the giving. And you can give these thoughtful gifts all year long.
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no day dreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
One day, a couple of Tennessee boys went deer hunting in the woods. They sit in the woods for hours, when suddenly this humongous buck comes into view. With a nice clean shot, they bang the buck.
They drag it back to camp by the butt, but the antlers keep getting stuck. Another hunter says, "You guys should drag it by the antlers. It won't get stuck."
They do, and one of them yells, "Hey, he was right. He is not getting stuck."
The other replies, "Yeah, but we're getting farther away from truck."
A Good Story
An eye witness account from New York City , on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her. 'Are you God's wife?'
The undertaker called the next of kin to confirm the funeral arrangements desired for the dear departed. As luck would have it the son-in-law who was actually delighted to be rid of the old battle-ax answered the phone.
“We’re sorry to disturb you in this time of personal grief,” the undertaker uttered solemnly, “but appears to be some confusion as to whether the body of the loved one is to be buried or cremated.”
“Let’s not take any chances,” “Do both” said the son-in-law.
Worry, Yes Indeed
Even though I knew that “worry was like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy but you don’t go anywhere,” I have always been a worrier. Will I always worry about my children? Maybe so.
Then I got the following in the email from my friend Betty. Read on…
WORRY 
Is there an imaginary cutoff period when offspring become accountable for their own actions? Is there some wonderful moment when parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, 'It's Their life,' and feel nothing?
When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my daughter's head and I asked, 'When do you stop worrying?' The nurse said, 'When they get out of the accident stage..' My Parents just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher said, 'Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them.' My Parents just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, 'They're trying to find themselves. 'Don't worry! In a few years, they'll be adults. 'They'll be off on their own they'll be out of your hair' My Parents just smiled faintly And said nothing.
By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle.. Even though they were on their own I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments.. and there was nothing I could do about it. My Parents just smiled faintly and said nothing.
My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted by my parent's warm smiles and their occasional, 'You look pale. Are you all right' ? 'Call me the minute you get home'. Are you depressed about something?'
My friends said that when I became a grandparent that I would get to enjoy the happy little voices yelling Grandma! Papa! But now I find that I worry just as much about the little kids as the big ones. How can anyone cope with all this Worry?
Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of earthly creation?
Recently, one of my own children became quite irritable, saying to me, 'Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried.' I smiled a warm smile.
The torch has been passed!
The above is so true. I do hope my children read this.
A lady walks into a shop one day she asks if she could try on a dress in the window.
The manager suggested it might be better to use the changing room.
And….
As seen on a car bumper: “Driver does not carry cash. He is married.”
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