Your Thoughts/Prayers/Voodoo Needed

[Temptd2]

Hey Glenn! Just thinking of you and wishing you a good Easter weekend!

Check in when you have a chance, would love to hear what you're doing.

 

[petey_c]

I'll second temptd2's sentiments. I've been meaning to check up on you. Hope all is well and you have a great Easter weekend.

 

[beernbourbon]

Put me down for a third, saw this pop up on my feed, and was curious how you're doing Glenn. Hope you have a great Easter, and hoping all is well in your world

 

[glenn514]

To be honest with you, the past several days have been hard. As many of you know, I served as a full-time church musician for many years, directing vocal and handbell choirs, instruments and playing organ for worship. This year, I did play for Palm Sunday, but I had no "gig" for Holy Week or Easter. And I just could not get myself to go to church alone this Easter. So, I'm just going to hang around home and try to stay out of trouble, and try not to feel too lonely.

glenn514

 

[SharonaZamboni]

Peace be with you, Glenn.
XOXO

 

[Temptd2]

We'll be around if you need some online company!

The first year of holidays were tough on me when my Mom passed, so I can only imagine how difficult it is for your without Marie. Hang in there, buddy. It does get easier.

 

[Temptd2]

Just popping in to say HI - hope things are smoothing out for you, Glenn!

 

[glenn514]

Just popping in to say HI - hope things are smoothing out for you, Glenn!

Things have been motoring along. But my current frustration has to do with my on-going therapy machine...my Honda Gold Wing. I bought a new battery for it less than a year ago, and it died. So, the bike shop has had the bike for over a week, and we are now at a new battery, cleaning the carbs, putting in a new air filter and installing new timing belts. Yes, all those things need to be done...but in the meantime, I live one block from US Highway 20, a favorite for bikers in this area. And for the past two weekends, all I've heard all day is the drone of Harley's on US 20! I NEED to do some riding! That has always been my therapy, and although my dear Marie will no longer be riding BEHIND me, she will always be riding WITHIN me. And I need that therapy.

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Here's hoping you're back in the saddle again ASAP! Thanks for checking in - been thinking you!

 

[DrunkleJon]

Things have been motoring along. But my current frustration has to do with my on-going therapy machine...my Honda Gold Wing. I bought a new battery for it less than a year ago, and it died. So, the bike shop has had the bike for over a week, and we are now at a new battery, cleaning the carbs, putting in a new air filter and installing new timing belts. Yes, all those things need to be done...but in the meantime, I live one block from US Highway 20, a favorite for bikers in this area. And for the past two weekends, all I've heard all day is the drone of Harley's on US 20! I NEED to do some riding! That has always been my therapy, and although my dear Marie will no longer be riding BEHIND me, she will always be riding WITHIN me. And I need that therapy.

glenn514

Do you have a battery tender? It may help you stretch the life of this new battery. I find that they tend to discharge during periods of disuse. I also seem to remember that with all the accessories some of the more touring bikes have that this drain is accelerated some.

Glad to hear that you are hanging in there and soon will be getting some riding time in.

 

[unionrdr]

Here's what I finally found on my '94 Probe SE as the battery drain that took me years to trace down. The OE starter's shaft bushings were shot, causing the battery's reserve charge to go south...even when the car was parked for one day! Replaced the starter & battery, bam! No more power drain, even after the car sat for about 2 weeks!:rockin:

 

[beernbourbon]

How goes it @glenn514? Been able to get out and get some therapy?
Been thinkin about ya, hope all is well as can be.

 

[glenn514]

I finally got the bike back after THREE WEEKS in the shop. It was an expensive bill: new YUASA battery, new air filter, new spark plugs, new timing belts [two] and squeaky-clean carbs! But this shop is much more comfortable with V-twins, so the carbs need additional adjustment.

But I've been having a tough time. Mother's Day was a bitch. My kids called, however, and cheered my spirits. I injured my left lower leg about 5 days ago, and I don't want to ride the bike until it is healed. In fact, right now I am going to put some ice on it.

I'm hanging in there, doing what I need to do to get through another day.

glenn514

 

[Inkleg]

I'm hanging in there, doing what I need to do to get through another day.

Glenn, please know we are always here.

 

[Temptd2]

Ditto what @inkleg says, Glenn. You don't have to suffer in silence. You can always come and vent to us.

How'd you hurt your leg, if I may ask??

 

[glenn514]

How'd you hurt your leg, if I may ask??

Last week Tuesday, my body was fighting some kind of virus or bug. I sat in my recliner, covered with TWO blankets, and had the electric space heater going full-blast, pointed directly at me...and I was still shivering. That finally passed...

But on Wednesday, the residual virus/bug and a martini became the "double whammy." I became very confused, and I ended up falling at least twice here in the house. I have been having problems with lower leg/foot swelling, and this injury is the frosting on the cake. In a few minutes, I will go sit where I can ice that entire lower leg. Ibuprophen has become my friend.

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Ibuprofen is a "wonder drug" IMHO. So sorry you've had problems - hope they all abate ASAP and you're back to doing fun stuff, Glenn!

 

[glenn514]

More prayers, please. My son-in-law has been hospitalized in Woodruff, WI since the weekend for a collapsed lung. A tube has been inserted, but every time they attempt to remove the tube, the lung begins to collapse again. So, they are going to move him to Aspira Hospital in Wausau, WI. Once he's there, some surgical procedure will be done to keep the lung inflated. Daughter Gretchen is still working in Eagle River...which is about a 2 hour trek to Wausau. Prayers that Joe's lung heals, and prayers for Gretchen's sanity!

glenn514

 

[Inkleg]

Sorry to hear this Glenn. I'm doing everything I can from my end.

 

[Temptd2]

Yeesh, that's a scary thing - sending out lots of prayers and positive thoughts that Joe's lung will be healed - what is the cause of the collapse, do they know?

Also sending good thoughts to Gretchen, you, and the whole family as this situation is resolved.

 

[Melana]

Aw Glenn I am sorry to hear this. Sending positive thoughts your way.

 

[petey_c]

Glenn, I'm hoping that everything will workout for your daughter and SIL.

 

[glenn514]

Son-in-law is home. They transferred him to the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, WI, and did some "scope" surgery. They found a hole in the lung tissue and fixed it.

I finally broke down and went to the doc about my left lower leg and ankle. Infected cellulitis! So, I was in the hospital for 48 hours, getting intravenous antibiotics. The swelling has gone down, and it is far less "angry red" now, but I'm still dealing with it. Oral antibiotics four times a day, along with my friend, ibuprofen. So, although I've got the bike back, I haven't ridden because of my leg. Frustrating.

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

I had a bad infection in the same place. Nearly healed now, but still wrapped up. All kinda pills too. Even blood thinners for the two large, old clots in my left thigh. Hip surgery on hold as a result.So I feel your pain, brother!

 

[glenn514]

For some reason, today was a day to go back and read some of the posts to this thread from December. I did the same thing with my Facebook friends, and yes, the tears were rolling down my face...and I have quite the mound of used Kleenex! But I noticed something different in my tears this time. They were mixed tears...a deep sadness mixed with joy and confidence, I am still mourning the death of my wife of 46 years, and that deep sadness will be a part of me for quite some time. But I look at all the responses...the words of comfort and strength that I received, and I am almost overwhelmed with joy and confidence looking toward the future. And this "FAMILY" that we call HomeBrewTalk has much to do with the joy and confidence I feel. I am so blessed that you all were here when I needed you the most!

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Glad you can see the joy in things, Glenn - you deserve to do so! And yep, amazing, isn't it, that a community of people whom you have never met, can turn into special friends? Big hugs to you, my cyber friend! [mushy mushy mush, LOL!]

 

[unionrdr]

I think we all sincerely wanted to give the benefit of our collective experiences to a fellow member in need. And I've found that I never forgot those hard times...they just got easier to live with over time. Deep scars never heal completely, but can have a positive effect on the rest of our lives. Insomuch as how we deal with new heartaches that come along. This one kinda does that for me, since turning 60 & my world turning upside down with Sharon & I not being close at all for some 9 years. Then it all came back, & we're moving forward by looking back again...if that makes any sense?...

 

[glenn514]

Homebrewing Friends...

Today is exactly six months since Marie followed her Lord into His everlasting kingdom. So, I thought that today would be a good day for an update.

I’m getting along as best as I possibly can. I still expect her to walk into the room or call out to me from elsewhere in the house. I know that, eventually, I will arrive at a “new normal” which will be different from the “old normal” I experienced before 24 July 2015. Some days ago, I was re-reading the posts to Facebook and on my home brewing bulletin board and email from around the time that Marie left us. And I wept. But I noticed in that weeping that there were tears of comfort and joy as well as tears of deep sadness. My joy and comfort comes, first and foremost, from my Lord Who loves me and gives me His peace. Then there are all of you out there who have shared words of kindness, love, comfort and hope, and those words definitely increase my comfort and joy.

I have been dealing with a health issue for about five weeks now. I injured my left big toe, and through that open sore, bacteria entered and caused a massive cellulitis infection in my left foot and lower leg. Four weeks ago, I spent 48 hours in the hospital, receiving intravenous antibiotics. The infection is cleared up, but the healing is quite slow. I haven’t worn real shoes in over six weeks!

In August, I am planning a trip to northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s upper peninsula to visit Gretchen and Joe. On that trip, we will lay Marie’s remains to rest on the shores of Black Oak Lake in Wisconsin and Lake Superior in Michigan. These were two of her very favorite spots. We will again commend her into God’s loving care, confident that she is with Him even now.

Again, my thanks for your kind words.

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Sorry you've been dealing with that nasty infection, Glenn! Hope the rest of the healing is speedy and complete.

I love your plan to give Marie's ashes to two of her favorite spots. I'm sure she'll be smiling down upon you, as she does each and every day.

Thanks for the update - I was thinking about you on Father's Day and hoping you were doing well.

 

[glenn514]

I was thinking about you on Father's Day and hoping you were doing well.

Father's Day was much easier than Mother's Day! In fact, I spoke on the telephone to three of my daughters, and the fourth one actually came out and did some yard work for me...so I took her out for dinner!

Each day presents its own struggle. But either because of my stupidity or the love of God, I manage to get through each struggle. The most recent one was removing my wife's name from our bank accounts, and adding my youngest daughter...she will be the "executor" of my "estate"...as "co-owner" of my checking and savings accounts. For some reason, that was hard to do!

glenn514