Good morning!!!

Surgeon was just in.

Everything looks great.

He did say that my knee was significantly worse than the X-ray and MRi showed. There was no cartilage at all and was completely bone on bone. Which explained the intense pain that I’d been having.

He actually used the word gnarley to describe my knee.

I’m other news, I’m going home today and will start the real process of getting back on my feet.

Thank for all the support and I appreciate all the people who reached out and were sending along positive thoughts.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

After 4,657,923 days, tomorrow (Wednesday)I’m finally getting my knee replaced.

In all seriousness I’ve needed it for more than a year.

I made lots of sacrifices putting the surgery off as long as I did. Nights of no sleep, excruciating pain, and bouts of horrible discomfort. I did much of this to little or no complaint except to Adam Beckworth.

That being said, I cannot wait to have this behind me.

I’ve gotten lots of advice and support from people I know and love. First and foremost take the pills and do the exercises.

I’ll keep you posted as to how the recovery is going.

Meanwhile I have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am.

Surgery at 7:30.

I’ll spend the night tomorrow night and be home midday on Thursday!

Thank you to all of you who have reached out over the last year.

I’ll see you on the other side.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

The trip continues.

Up and at em.

I’m on the road by 10:30.

McDonald’s soda water in hand, GPS set to my next destination, and I am off.

I’m driving through New York.

Then Pennsylvania.

Then into Ohio.

Destination: Findlay.

Why you ask?

This trip started with me planning to visit a friend. Three or four days at most.

It became much larger.

So my first destination is to see a friend I’ve known since 1971. We met in first grade in Ms. Sams’ class.

We went to school together through 9th grade. Her family moved north.

We had not seen or heard from each other for years until social media. We reconnected as we all did when Facebook came round.

We said the occasional hello. Happy birthday. As we all began to post more we learned our stories were similar. Growing up in small town conservative Kentucky. Both hiding our sexuality. Both discovering who we were.

Fast forward and in 2012 just a few months after we moved to Maine my friend reached out to say she and her partner were coming to Maine on vacation. I jumped at the chance to see her.

Fast forward a few weeks and the four of us sat down to dinner in our Maine apartment.

It was great catching up. Learning about our lives since we last saw each other. College, partners, moving, careers, life in general. By the time she and her partner left we were besties.

We have followed each others adventures since. Kids. Marriage. Job changes. Illness. Buying houses. Moves. Deaths. Love. Life.

We’ve shared stories with each other for the past twelve years. Most recently through my posts. She’s followed my stressful life for the past three summers. I’ve followed her son through soccer, and baseball, and breaking his arm.

So when I realized I’d be driving near her home I reached out. And on Thursday I drove to the Findlay Brewing company. I walked in and there was Tanya Weising-Pike sitting at a table. I’d recognize her big smile anywhere.

I got the biggest hug.

And we were off.

Finally catching up. In person. After 11 years.

It was as if we’d spoken every day for the last 50 years. We picked up right where we left off.

We both had a beer. And lunch.

And we talked and talked.

It was so awesome to finally be in the same room.

Two hours passed in 5 minutes.

We said our goodbyes.

Got a photo snapped of us.

And I was on my way.

After 52 years Tanya is the same lovely girl that I met in 1971. I can’t express how much I appreciated her taking time out of her day to see me for five minutes.

I spent the next 3+ hours driving in the rain.

Got to Lexington. Checked in to my hotel.

Was asleep in five minutes.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

Things have been a little weird lately.

I made it through the summer.

Barely.

So to reward myself…I bought a new car.

And.

To reward myself for that, I left last Wednesday on a two week road trip.

Except for four people, no one knew I was leaving.

I left last Wednesday. Pulled on to the highway at 12:00.

My car was tuned to the Broadway channel.

The cruise control was set to 75.

I was on my way.

First stop Buffalo.

For no particular reason.

Mostly, because it was halfway between here and there.

The trip was uneventful. No rain. No traffic. No problems.

I got there and found a hotel room at Doubletree by Hilton.

Stopped by Applebees which was across the street.

It was an adventure to say the least.

There was a foursome at the bar complaining about everything.

Then there were two girls who were cursing at the top of their lungs about their worthless boyfriends.

My takeout finally comes, I pay, tip 30%, and head back to my room.

I eat.

Shower.

I’m in bed by midnight.

Day one. Done.