Many times in the past, I have seen ill wind sow the seeds of good. What seemed like a major disaster turn into the best thing that could have happen for me. So it is with my recent stroke. My strength and vision return a little more each day and that is great. Along with that I have much greater appreciation of life and the good things I find here. My dear wife Arlene has been so wonderful and patient with me and I love her more than ever for that. Our children have been so great to us, helping in many ways, having such a fine family, makes all the difficult years worthwhile. Neighbor's and friends also have been very supportive, It is good!!

My VA. Doctor told me I can drive, but stay out of town and be very careful. I can see the road clearly, and have no problem with driving. This means we can go to the mail, or the local store. We have regained some of our independence. Loved ones and friends have been good, but they have lives of their own, and we want to take care of our self as long as we can!

This may not be entirely right, but I think it go's like this. Our brains can only support so much activity at one time. Our vision centers use up a lot of activity just seeing. Blind folk become better at some things, including music, because they don't have the vision center running and can devote more brain power to other areas of the brain. One of the areas of my brain that was affected by the stroke, is my vision center. A part of the area of the brain that control my sight, had the blood supply blocked and is dead. Other surrounding brain cells are takeing over the work performed and little by little I see better. What is really interesting is, I seem to hear music better and also play a little better, this might have to do with the loss in my visual area. This would be some good in an ill wind for sure!!

For certain I am more in touch with my mortality. I know now I will not live forever! Now is the time to record and publish the music I have written. Now is the time to say to the world the things I would like to before I go. It may be I have Lot's of time or I may not, we should all live each day as if it were our last. This is good from an ill wind also, I am more alive than ever. 

For today, take care and love one and another,

Peace and Good Health to Your Lodges---Merce---