NOT DEAD YET

No big news to report. The things I have put in motion are going according to plan. Today the DirecTV guy will be here to install my new HD receiver in my bedroom. My son and his friend are still here for one more day. My sister will be here this afternoon and will stay until Sunday. On Monday I have an appointment with an attorney in Traverse City. I want to make the transfer of my property as seamless as possible.

Yesterday my son and I visited a local funeral home where I purchased a cremation plan. They will pick up my body and have it cremated and return my ashes to my son. I would like at least some of my ashes to be spread in my beloved woods where I have lived the past 15 years and where I belong. No services will be conducted. In their place, I have suggested everyone have a party. Get drunk and hoist a tankard to me. Tell lots of funny stories and have a good time. That will be much cheaper than a funeral and a whole lot more fun. Do not mourn a death - celebrate a life. We live on in the hearts and minds of friends and family.

Sadie and I are back to our two daily walks. I’m walking slower, but still walking. I plan to walk until it’s no longer possible. My mailbox and paper box are a quarter-mile from my house. Out in the morning for the paper and back in the afternoon for the mail makes a mile a day.

I often find myself in the position of consoling people about my situation. Others are more upset than I am and I have to let them know that it’s OK. My part in this little drama is actually quite easy. The people left behind have to deal with the aftermath. I guess it’s good that my passing will affect so many people. My wish for them is to accept it and to use whatever they can to make their own lives a little better. My advise is to live every day until there are no more days left. That’s what I will be doing.

Thanks to all for your concern and support. We are all a part of the same thing. If you call that thing “God” that’s one way of looking at it.