Where To, Bud?

Who said that? Douglas MacArthur, right? Wrong. It was the 18th century US Naval captain John Paul Jones who said that, to a suggestion of surrender by the captain of the British vessel Serapis Here's something else attributed to the Revolutionary war hero: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.". Yeee-Haaw! Sounds like I might've liked to serve with this man. "So what's this got to do with you , Bill? You're no John Paul Jones", you must be saying to yourselves. Hell, I know that ! Some things in my life have and are changing pretty fast, and it made me look up that quote after I said the following words to myself; "Well, it has been an interesting life, hasn't it? No one can ever say that Bill Craig never pushed the "envelope" to its fullest!" Okay, as you're getting settled in for some interesting reading, let me update you on a few things: HEALTH Not...

Had to make a trip to the ER this am for kidney stones, so I need a few days off, because this pain is so horrible when I pee, that it makes me wanna re-arrange the plumbing. Thanks for understanding and please don't forget about me, okay? Love Bill

What was it I wrote, Kids? Did I reference a bible quote? Did I write "I will be honest, sometimes brutally so. John 8:32: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Did I write that???? Yes, I did. I wrote that. And I never ever BLUFF, so don't EVER lay down your cards thinking I might, because I will have the Jack and Queen of Hearts pissing in both your ears SIMULTANEOUSLY , and I WILL make them smile and laugh as it happens! A lot of things are going to be happening VERY FAST from here on out, and the truth WILL be told, because the person telling the TRUTH has absolutely NOTHING to gain or lose! The person telling the truth is dying , so hide and watch! And go home and cry. Go home and cry.

Every now and then, I like to just tell people how much they mean to me, and maybe just for that one time not carry any kind of a "heavy message". This would qualify as one of those times. Just a silly song sent to me by one of my cycling friends on www.bikejournal.com, and meant to thank you, Dear Reader, for following the blog - whether or not you do so on a regular basis. This is also an opportunity for you to make suggestions as to how I can improve the blog. I want to hear from you! If 24 of you care enough to follow me, then I have to think there are at least twice that many more who do not post, and with an average of 100 hits a day - well, that's just " FAARRRRRR Out !" - John Denver. Have some fun with this one, and notice the one bike with the "wobbly wheel"! Please remember the shelter pets! Wednesdays are not good days at my animal shelter. We try to save as many as possible, but we cannot save them all. Remember: They don't understan...

Just me. Just me and my body soaring up in the sky. Here's how it usually starts: I'm out running cross-country, and suddenly I'm running downhill and a breeze catches me and just lifts me up, and I just ride it out. When I feel myself running out of "lift", there's another breeze waiting to catch me, and another and another, so I don't have to land till I want to, and I don't "want to" for a very long time! But you know what's the strangest thing? I soar over people , and they are not in the least surprised to see me above them, even when I "buzz" them! They just look up at me and smile and wave! I think I know why that is. I think it's because those are the people who know me "intimately" and know what a dreamer I am. They know I am happiest when making others happy, or creating something to make them that way. That is also why I think I am having these dreams more and more often these days. It's my mind wan...

Y'all know what those two "terms" mean, right? For those who may not know: 1. TMI = Too much information 2. Whooosh = Not an abbreviation, but a euphemism meaning "That went 'right over the top of my head", Dude!" Heretofore, "TMI" has been used to describe inappropriate comments; (i.e. "Hey guys , come here and let me tell ya's what me and Jodie did last night!" in detail !"), but in this instance, I am going to use it to describe verbatim what it means, and I am also going to use the word whooosh (onamotopaeic) to describe the speed with which "TMI" 'flies' over your head! All I did was google the words "Alzheimer's related terminology" and this is what came up! I highlighted/bolded " diagnoses/symptoms from the other words just to show how "muddled" a conversation between a physician and the caregiver (s) can become/ acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter in the brain that is...

It is special because for the very first time since I began writing this blog, we have averaged 100 hits a day. I realize there are other blogs more popular than this one, which go "off the charts" with their numbers, but I am especially gratified to know that y'all are reading and getting some "insight" into what my life is like with EOAD. Hopefully, you have also smiled or even laughed at what was written, because that has been my intent all along: to "entertain as well as educate" , and that's why I include the music videos every now and then. After serving in the US Air Force, one of my first jobs was working as a DJ at a radio station in Carrollton Georgia, and I really enjoyed playing the music and entertaining my audience. So. Thanks for "hanging out" here and caring enough to read my words and learning about Alzheimer's Disease. I have a small bottle of "Sekt" (a mix of sparkling wine and champagne available only in ...

It was a cold and rainy Easter Sunday morning, and my friend Harald (I didn't play with just Ilona and Marion!) decided that once and for all, we were going to find "Der Osterhase" (the Easter bunny), so I met him outside of his house (just 3 up from us at 23 Litzelau)at 5 am, and warmly dressed (we thought) and booted, we set out on our mission to find this animal which could lay such colorful eggs, capture him and bring him back for all to see! We had packed some sandwiches, an apple, and some "Müller Milch" ("Alles Müller oder was?" - "everything Müller or what?" was the advertising slogan for this banana or strawberry flavored milk) along with a few cubes of Ahoj " Brause ", which was a type of candy which provided quick energy and effervesced in your mouth, similar to what kids here in the States used to eat out of a straw as a sweet, fruit-flavored powder. Do you have Google Earth? If so, you can find our emabarkation point....

My thanks to Natalie at www.dailydementianews.com for this story from the BBC: I play guitar, and about a month ago, I found myself really flustered at not being able to tune "string to string". I have a "guitar tuner" loaded on this computer, but dammit, what was suddenly wrong with me that I could no longer do this very simple thing I have done for years??? I finally gave up, but went back a week later and then was able to remember how to tune that way. Because I know that certain chords go with a certain pitch of my voice, luckily I can still play and sing, but I would hate to forget how. This video clip gave me pause and made me reflect..... John Suchet is speaking of his wife Bonnie who has Alzheimer's related dementia. John has written a trilogy of books about Beethoven, my favorite composer, and my friends know me as somewhat of a Beethoven "scholar". I love the "Maestro" and his works, and I wonder if he too, may have had Alzheimer...

After 150 entries in this blog, it occurs to me that we don't really know each other, Dear Reader. Since realizing my dementia has me staring Death in the face, I thought of writing my memoirs, and since I am sharing this portion of my life with you, why not share it all ? First, a few words about my style of writing: 1. You may see some words capitalized which English grammar rules do not require 2. You may read some "slang" terms, and by that I don't mean "curse-words", I mean words which mimic the way I speak if I were actually speaking to you . For example: "wanna" for "want to". (Of course you may see the "salty" slang as well) 3. I may slip from one "person" to another (1st to 3rd for example) 4. I may use my native language (German) where I deem it appropriate. In that case, I will provide a translation for you, if the word isn't obvious ("Gesundheit" would be such a word. Literally translated, ...

More like a "sleepy" day. I wonder if it could be the Lamictal beginning to work on my system, or maybe it's just one more symptoms Of EOAD. Hard to tell, I think. I do have a link I'd like to share with you, it is called www.dailydementianews.com. Natalie gathers up any and all news regarding dementia (i.e. Alzheimer's) and logs it on her site. Check it out. Also, don't forget the shelter pets. They need feeding and Paulding Humane Society needs your vote for the $20,000.00 Shelter Challenge. Here's the link once more: Remember to tell someone else about this and have them feed and vote as well. In the last three days we have had hits in the 160's on this blog and that has been a record. We now average 85 hits a day so far this month, and that ain't too shabby for this little German Georgia "redneck" *LOL* Okay, since I'm not feeling up to "snuff", let's have a little fun anyway. Some of y'all may remember this one ...

.... have been truly awesome in their efforts to help me help my shelter pets. Because of my problems with balancing, I haven't been able to ride my beloved Trek 1000 lately. I am hoping that one of the many meds I am taking will correct that soon, but that's not what I wanted to tell you..... What I wanted to tell you, is that those wonderful people on Bike Journal wanted to pitch in together and buy me a trike, so I wouldn't have to worry about the balancing. What a wonderful gesture Fredwina and all the others who were ready to pitch in, and I thank you all SO MUCH for thinking of me so kindly. But (you knew there was one coming, right? *LOL*)...... I'd much rather that money went to the animals and my shelter, and that is what is going to happen. So Paulding Humane , if you're watching this blog, look for some money coming in soon from my friends at BikeJournal.com. Also, BJ'ers ? Please know that I am fighting this thing tooth and nail, and will till...

Although this blog is about me , I would not be writing it if it weren't for this wonderful organization and how they have helped me, so I have been remiss in speaking of them in this blog, and I'd like to correct that now, if I may. Chances are, you know someone or of someone, who has the disease. Being that every 72 seconds an Alzheimer's diagnosis is made, odds are that you do , and if you do, please put them in touch with the nearest Alzheimer's chapter. You'd be surprised at how much they are doing with so little funding. The best thing I could have done for myself was to seek out my local chapter, and find my counsellor, Suzette. Yes, I began this blog way before going to that first meeting, but it was that first meeting which strengthened my resolve to continue it, and continue to learn about the symptoms so that at least I can answer questions intelligently. So again, if you or someone you know needs help, go to www.alz.org, find the map click on your st...

Thing 1: Sunday we had 155 hits on my blog, and I have to believe that at least 80% of those were in support of the Paulding Humane Society's effort to win the grant for their shelter, so thank you VERY MUCH, and please continue to click and do one more thing for me and the animals? E-mail just one person and ask them to do the same. Man! I just know we can do this! Here, if you need it, is the link once more: ERROR CORRECTION: The Shelter Challenge ends midnight, July 26th, NOT the 29th as previously stated. Sorry for the mistake, y'all! It's the only one I have ever made! ;) Thing 2: As y'all know, I'm a Straight Doper , and this morning I started a very interesting thread called "Ask The Guy With Early Onset Alzheimer's", and there have been some VERY intersting questions asked, and I'd like to encourage y'all to do the same. Here's the link for that . Thing 3: "Here's A Little Song I Wrote" (and recorded)! Thanks to my ...

This should have posted on 4.28.09, but I clicked DRAFT instead of PUBLISH, so it didn't get on. Since then Paulding Humane has slipped to #12 in The Shelter Challenge, but I am still optimistic that we can do this. We have until July 29th, so let's ummmmm....... "git'er done !" *LOL* Here again is the link which will take you to the site where you can "feed and vote" There's a place on the site where you can have an e-mail reminder sent to you to click every day, so why not do that and avoid all this bowing and scraping from me? *LOL* My thanks to my friend and fellow "git-picker", Johnny LA and all the other Straight Dopers for helping us help them! ===================================================================================== We're gettin' there! PLEASE do it for the critters! They LOVE us. Come on Australia ! Come on World ! It's NOT their FAULT, and we have to save as many as possible! WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Hey Everyone Taking a few days' break and getting used to a new medication, so this one will be short and sweet. Here's the update: Along with the new med (Lamictal) and stopping some of the old ones (Cymbalta and Primadone), I also shaved my beard! Guys will be able to relate to this: You wanna trim it so you work on one side, take off too much, try to adjust on the other one, then it gets lopsided, till eventually you get all discombulated, say "Aw, EFF it, then!", and just shave the whole thing off and then you feel all cold and shit, right? Okay, just another reminder to please help my shelter, Paulding Humane Society win the "Shelter Challenge" contest. (20 k dollars), by clicking the link below, then clicking the "feed an animal link) and then voting in the shelter challenge. I just checked, and my shelter is number 11 in our state and we need to do better if we expect to win this thing. Please remember to click every day from the link provide...

Beginning this Sunday, HBO will air a powerful documentary about Alzheimer’s disease. Aiming to bring a new understanding of the disease, THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT features a four-part documentary series, 15 short supplemental films, a robust website, and a nationwide community-based information and outreach campaign. A book published by Public Affairs Books was developed by the producers as a companion to the project. HBO will use all of its platforms, including the HBO main service, multiplex channels, HBO On Demand, HBO Podcasts, hbo.com, HBO Channel on YouTube, and DVD sales to support the project. In addition, all films will stream free of charge on hbo.com and will be offered for free on multiple platforms by participating television service providers. The schedule for the series is shown below: * The Memory Loss Tapes -- Sunday, May 10 at 9 PM * Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? -- Monday, May 11 at 7:30 PM * Momentum in Science -- Monday, May 11 at 8 PM * Caregivers -- Tuesday, ...

...... I'm younger than that now." Many of my friends remark on the fact that I have a special rapport with kids, and there is a very good reason for that: I'm a kid myself , and I hope I never lose that "child-like" quality. I know. I need to be an adult sometimes too, and I am, when necessary, but I would rather be a kid. When I worked in the ER of our hospital, I used to love doing magic tricks and bringing out my puppet "Dr. Bob", to make my pediatric patients feel a little better, and I sure do miss that. The last place those little ones want to to be is in a hospital emergency room, and I always thought that if I could make them smile, then maybe that visit wouldn't be so traumatic. What's your point, Bill? Right? My point is that I don't mind the aging, the Alzheimer's, and the fact that I will die from it some day. What I DO mind is the not remembering, the clumsiness, the rages and the forgetting of words as I try to speak them...

........ Do I still have romantic feelings? Oh yes, I sure do, but you know what? I need to get other things "sorted out" first. I don't think I can have a relationship with a woman under these circumstances, and if you were someone interested in me in that way, you wouldn't either. Yes, I miss loving someone, and I miss being loved back, but what I could give someone right now would be nothing but misery, and thank Og, I know that. It's one of the few concrete things I do still know. So in keeping with that theme, here's something I found on YouTube which should give you a laugh. Remember before you click the video, that this entire blog is adult-oriented, okay? Also know that I searched many versions of this tune for you, but these two are just too cute for words. Also, when you watch this? Ask yourself this: Where were their parents??????? Filming? God! :) Y'all have a great weekend, and I send my love! Bill

Never met the man, but I truly believe that if I extended my hand, he would have shook it. He wore the bracelet, and so do I! With PRIDE! For my adopted country! AMERICA Bill