50+ thread

Been almost 25 years now but I can't imagine the traffic getting any better on a Friday in the summer when I was headed home after work. But the seafood, Sighhh....... I do miss it, a lot!

 

Whenever I see a wood pile I wished I lived in a more seasonal climate. Although we get cold weather it is not enough to warrant a nice stove. We have a place in Oregon but we aren't there enough, can't wait to retire up there. Lack of weather changes is boring sometimes.

 

Good Morning folks!

 

Good morning all

 

Mornin

 

Morning folks.

Heeeyyy, GOB (Grumpy Old Bastard) is my role. But you're welcome to join the club, it appears you qualify. I suggest you join me in a cup of coffee buddy.

exactly

 

Whew glad I am not the only GOB around. After 2 cups of coffee life usually has a totally different outlook though!

 

Fuck! Sorry man ... We are so screwed.

EDIT: Pardon my language if I offended anyone here ... seemed appropriate.

 

Pretty cool story about an abandoned Air Force radar base in Vermont.
This is near where I snowmobile, though I have never made it up there.
I can see it from another vantage point & never had the nerve to hike up it.
This guy did.
Great aerial footage & photos as well with a dash of creepy......
The comment to the story are interesting too
East Mountain Radar Base

 

That's very cool, and a little creepy. Thanks for sharing Judy.

 

Reading through it and looking at the pictures I couldn't help but think that looks like some great ruff grouse country. Sure enough on the way up to the top he flushed several. I wouldn't mind visiting it with the dog sometime!

There is a similar abandoned AF radar base in Northern Mn. that severed the same purpose, I've hunted around it before. It got sold off to a private company and they planned to develop it for resort housing but couldn't sell even one plot it is just too remote from jobs or anything else.

 

Love those kind of places, always wonder the back stories, thanks for posting!

Wonder how bad you had to mess up to get stationed there.

 

I totally gave up on Champus and the VA a few years ago... It doesn't sound like it has gotten any better.

The system is broke and I don't think it is getting fixed anytime soon. Have mixed feelings about the whole thing although the government isn't going to fix it I do know that. Like most all hospitals and clinics we have had to cut employees by ~20% over the last couple of years to keep operational due to the lack of reimbursements from Obama care. On the other hand my youngest son is covered by my insurance now until he hits 26 next Sept. before that he had no insurance. Champus however does not have to cover him even though they are "government" yet private company insurance plans do. Found out in January he had Advanced Stage 4 cancer and he has spent at least 2 months in ICU\CCU from complications from chemo. Heck chemo alone is $10K a pop. Not sure how he would have made it this far without the insurance. Tomorrow at 5:45 AM he has a PET scan (another $10k) to see if he still has cancer and they told us to expect it with it being Stage 4. If he does it will be another 10 months or so of chemo hell and likely close to another quarter million in bills. Still needs heart surgery to replace a damaged valve and not sure if he will be strong enough before his 26th birthday when the insurance drops. I spent most of yesterday on hold with the insurance company trying to get reimbursement for almost $3k I have paid up front. Sad part is we have our own insurance company. I wouldn't want to do their job though, it is a mess.

 

Damn brother ... Don't have the words to cover it properly. Thoughts and prayers for your son, your family, and you.

 

Very sorry for what your family is going through Mike. Puts some of our trials and tribulations into perspective. Thoughts and prayers your way.

 

That's Heavy Mike!!! Your in our prayers!!!

 

OMG Mike you & your family are in my prayers!!

 

Thank you all, it is appreciated! Not much for social media and too much information most of the time. I do go through periods where it feels like the wheels are falling off the wagon though. And nervous as get out about tomorrow I guess.

About 15 years ago my father passed away of cancer and a headhunter happened to contact me soon after from up here. Figured I wasn't smart enough to cure cancer but could help those that might which is why I moved here from Asheville, NC. Everyone thought I was crazy but I've watched Mayo Clinic save my sons life at least 3 times now. So maybe I'm not so crazy after all If you have to go through something like this it does help being at the number one hospital in the US.

 

You're in Rochester? My MIL was treated for her breast cancer there 6 yrs ago. Great place! Her son is a nurse at MD Anderson in Houston; she was gonna go local in Souix City, IA until he directed her there.

Don't hesitate to vent to us if/when you need to ... sometimes it's easier out here with less impact to those there with you. Personally, I'm open to a PM (start conversation) if you just need someplace to rattle out your thoughts and frustrations. I found it sometimes helps to clear your mind of the clutter so you can focus on what really needs to be dealt with. Let me know brother, always willing to listen and respond.

 

Thank you Rob! Yeah I live just outside of Rochester. My wife left about 6 years ago to go find herself and I finished raising both boys and got them out on their own. She has had very little involvement through this, I feel bad for my son because of that. I've taken him to all his appointments and sat in his hospital rooms when he is there. Had a number of Doctors and nurses give me hugs through this, I think what makes Mayo so good is the heart the people have. Thanks again brother.