New wheels for my "wheels"

One of the problems with getting non-standard equipment is having to look for non-standard replacement parts.  I've used the brakes so much that Matilda (Walker Matilda) has virtually no tread on her left rear wheel and the right rear wheel is  also showing significant wear.

Duke McMillen told us about a place near the Wonder Bread Outlet store that has always supplied him with any size and type of wheel he's needed.  We tried to find out today but the company is off until after the New Year.  So many companies take that time off that some people have even started to think that the whole week is a holiday.  No, folks only New Year's and Christmas are close to being universally recognized as official holidays.

Fortunately, I have a spare walker to get by on until next week.

Sometimes snake oil works

I use the tern "snake oil" to represent any device, exercise, medicine, program, ceremony, or other activity that purports to heal or alleviate symptoms of disease and distress without scientific evidence or scientific explanation.  AS a general rule, I see no value in snake oil except as a placebo.  And I do believe in placebos.

The latest miracle cure is a machine to provide foot and ankle massage.  It feels somewhat like a dull-toothed crocodile trying to chew your leg off.  I find it irritating and sometimes painful.  Most other people find it tickles or pleasantly massages.  But whether I enjoy the feeling or not, using the dang machine seems to be reducing somewhat the swelling in my left foot and completely eliminating the swelling in my right foot.

We dropped by the sales display in Costco, tried out the machine, and said definitely NO.  I didn't need a machine that felt like it was killing me.  But that evening the evidence of some decrease of swelling was evident.

Santa brought me a machine.

Feet go in this side

Extension to massage legs and calves

I"m baaaaack

I don't know for how long and it certainly isn't going to be every day, but I'm back on the web.  During my self-imposed vacation from blogging, I realized that the world doesn't stop simply because I don't blog.  It doesn't even slow down.  But I do stop thinking "wow, I should blog that" or "wonder if any of my readers have heard of this."  I even read a book or two that might not get reviewed now because my memory of them isn't as bright as it was two weeks ago.

My posts will also be shorter for your sake and mine.  As a plus, that means you won't have as much to read to keep up.  As a negative, I'm likely to sound more disagreeable simply because I won't explain myself in a much depth.  Too bad.

I trust you had a good Christmas.  I feel I had another perfect one.  Lots of friends and family around or at least sending greetings, lots of presents, and relatively good health.

I wish the best to you and yours this holiday.

Arnold

Merry Christmas - 2010

Carolyn reminded me that we traditionally post our Christmas letter on the blog in a desperate gesture to try to catch all those who we've somehow missed in our other attempts at wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and in all other ways a Happy Life.

Arnold & Crolyn

p.s.  Click  on the letter once  or twice if you need to enlarge it for reading.