Just to let you all know I'm still alive...the jury's still out on that as a long-term

[Redstone]

statement, but despite blacking out and ending up at the bottom of a 15-foot bank into the manky swamp across the street yesterday (don't ask), I thought it would be a good idea to let my pals at DU know that I'm still here (though I haven't been "here" at DU for a while). (Fortunately, I landed face-up in the swamp and have a large and strong older son to help drag me out of the muck. Yuck. You can imagine how much Mrs R freaked, and won't even let me go get the mail without using the damn cane anymore.)

The next few weeks are going to be no fun whatsoever, but with a bit of luck will end up with some very positive improvements in my health situation(s).

Cover me, boys, I'm going in.

I'll let you know how it all works out.

Redstone

[LeftyFingerPop]

1. I've been thinking about you a lot the past few days...

Day at a time, Redstone. My best wishes to you. :hug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Hang in there!

:hug:

[bigwillq]

3. Good Luck, man.

You've been in my thoughts for awhile. :hug:

[mainegreen]

4. Good luck, and enjoy the new summer!

:hi:

[flvegan]

5. I wish you that "bit of luck" sir.

My best to you and your family, Redstone.

[Redstone]

13. Steps at a time, my friend. Lumbar MRI to see if it's spinal nerve damage or

the MS that's the major cause of the instability (then to work on an appropriate treatment), then on to the finger-joint replacement.

As I've told my sons, if you hurt yourself badly enough when you're young, don't bother getting old, because it ain't worth the trouble.

Redstone

[Mike 03]

6. Redstone, I always love it when you post, and you are often in my thoughts when I'm here at DU,

and you know I wish the best for you.

I miss you, and I love it when you check in here.

[Haole Girl]

7. Should we call you 'Swamp Thing' now?

;-)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously though, I really do hope whatever you have to go through has only positive results. :hug:

[Redstone]

9. Dang, I should have taken a picture before I went into the shower. "Swamp Thing" would have

been an excellent description, especially since I still had my beard yesterday, and picked up an excellent algae/muck collection.

Redstone

[coffeenap]

8. Thanks for stopping by!

:hug:

[Shell Beau]

10. You take good care of yourself!! Get better!!!! That is an order!

:hug:

[Redstone]

14. Yes SIR, ma'am. I'd never ignore an order from you.

Rdstone

[Tangerine LaBamba]

11. I swear to doG,

some people will do ANYTHING for attention.

Cut it out. I ain't cutting you any damn slack, you attention whore.

That said, I miss you and your wonderful posts. I want you to be all right, and come back, and make this very good place even better.

Easy does it, Redstone. You're a keeper .............................

[Redstone]

15. But I didn't GET any damn attention! We live on a small, short street with very

little traffic, so there was no 911-call or ambulance drama, dammit. Just me and the dog, plus a water + goop coating.

Redstone

[Tangerine LaBamba]

22. Clearly,

you need some tutoring in the Attention Whore thing.

I can help you.

When the student is ready, the teacher will come.

I've also got the outfit.



I'll be waiting for you. Be prompt..........

[Redstone]

28. Woo-ha! Do I need to bring a paddle, or whip, or anything?

See, I may be sick but I ain't dead yet! And I wouldn't DARE be late, either.

Redstone

[Tangerine LaBamba]

29. Yep,

you're male. No question about that.

Only amateurs need props.

Well, maybe some Mazola. And an ironing board. Some dental floss. Night-vision goggles. And a Dirt Devil.

Get better. I'll teach you ......................... :hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

12. "Manky" swamp -a pure Redstone description.

Use the damn cane. (Mrs. R. paid me to say that.)

Take care in the next few weeks. We'll be waiting for your return.

[Redstone]

16. Oh, that it is. We're not talking "wetlands" here, just skunk cabbage and yuck, plus

skeeter larvae.

Redstone

[Midlodemocrat]

17. My dearest CG. I hope you know how much I adore you.

And how much I wish this didn't affect you.

:loveya:

:loveya:

To you and Mrs. R.

[Redstone]

23. Appreciated more than you might realize.

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

18. I'm glad you're ok

:hug:

Me lately, not so much, but I'm glad that you are. :)

[Redstone]

24. Talk to me, BB. PM if more appropriate.

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

30. This is all you really need to know:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=336&topic_id=5479&mesg_id=5479

PM me if you want. :hug:

[MadMaddie]

19. Best wishes Redstone!

Madmaddie

[merh]

20. Healing energies and vibes

and gentle hugs for you :pals: :hug:

if you don't mind, I'll say some prayers too.

please take good care of you :loveya:

[Redstone]

25. I'm not religious, but not closed-minded either; prayers would be well-appreciated.

Redstone

[merh]

32. you've got 'em

:hug:

[nuxvomica]

21. I thought you had changed your screen name or something

I am so glad you are doing ok, at least I hope you are. Stay safe.

[Redstone]

27. No, I'll always be Redstone. Thanks for thinking of me.

Reedstone

[Xipe Totec]

26. Never Surrender...

Do not surrender even when defeated,
and do not be a slave even in bondage,
trembling with fear advance bravely,
and attack with fury, though badly wounded.

Be as stubborn as a rusting nail,
that refuses to yield though old and ruined,
and do not envy the peacock's plumage,
that drops in fear at the first noise.

Be as a god that never cries,
or as a devil that never prays,
or as the oak whose mighty canopy,
needs of water but does not beg it.

Even when it rolls to the dust,
let your head scowl and bite,
and scream for vengeance.

- Pedro Palacios Almafuerte
Argentinian poet 1854-1917

Believe it or not, this is my mother's favorite poem.
She is my guiding light.
God bless her and keep her.

[Redstone]

31. Thank you so much for that. I'm going to print it and tape it to

the wall of my office. It goes well with one of my other favorites:

"L'Adauce,
Et encore L'Adauce,
Et toujours L'Audace."

Redstone

[Jamastiene]

33. Best wishes and best of luck to you.

My aunt has the progressive form of MS too. It does that to you. It teaches you to be more cautious in time. It teaches your family to watch you more closely. It's a terrible disease. I wish neither you nor my aunt had it. I wish no one had to have it.

:hug:

[Redstone]

37. It's been recurring / remitting since 1978, which meant (believe it or not), is actually

the "good" kind to have, because you have the episodes, then they go away until next time.

Not sure if it's turning into progressive, but let's all hope not.

My best wishes and hopes for your aunt.

Redstone

[abq e streeter]

34. My very best wishes and prayers for you Redstone

especially for that "bit of luck" that'll improve your health situation. I wish I had something more deep and profound than this to say.....waiting.... nope, not a goddam thing, except hang in there brother..... abq e streeter

[Swede]

35. Hang in there,my friend.

You are one tough dude.

[denbot]

36. Wow, dude, Take care.

Peace to you.

[struggle4progress]

38. Good t'see ya agin!

[mwdem]

39. You'd better take care of your bad ol' self.

Keep us posted on how everything works out.

[Ptah]

40. The jury is still out on all of us.

I hope you get a reprieve.

[Redstone]

41. I just wish the jury wasn't equipped with so many scalpels;

I'm a bit skittish about those thing.

How do your gardens grow this year, my friend? We've had to wait to plant because of the cold weather, but the tomatoes and cukes go in this weekend no matter what.

Redstone

[Ptah]

42. I should post some pictures.

I have some sunflowers that are about a foot tall, containers of lettuce and radishes and onions are green and full.

Several gourds that are about six inches tall, and some peas that are about two feet tall.

We had some unusual rain this week, it almost never rains in May.

The clouds and moisture were a welcome change to the normal desert precipitation.

[Kali]

43. sounds like the jury needs rigging

in your favor
feel better, Redstone

[emilyg]

44. Hugs to you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. My dear Redstone...

I'm so glad to see you posting, and sorry to hear about your tumble!

Please continue to bedevil your doctors and get better, for crying out loud!

I'm sorry I didn't get to call before we left...


Just got to London last night, and today we're off to Germany, and Switzerland tomorrow...

We're doing it in segments, since that helps us recover from the damned jet lag.


Hang in there, and keep us informed!

:hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

46. Considered yourself covered

with hugs from your pals here at DU :grouphug:

Hang in there, Redstone :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

47. I'm so glad you stopped by, Redstone.

I think of you now and then, and wonder how you're doing.

Best to you in the coming weeks.

BTW, I'm with Mrs R; use that damn cane!

:pals:

[bettyellen]

48. *hug*

[Redstone]

55. Hey, BE, good hear from you. You're one of my DU favorites, as you know.

Redstone

[Flaxbee]

49. Hi there, Redstone, so glad to see you 'round here.

Wishing you didn't have to go through all this crap, and really hope the next few weeks do result in that improvement you hope for. It's nice to see your face, so to speak, on DU. Thanks for checking in and letting your DU family know you're still hanging tough.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

50. Cane? I have you in water wings and a helmet. Consider yourself lucky!

:hug:

[Redstone]

57. Ha! The church where Mrs R volunteers at the soup kitchen lent her a wheelchair; I was thinking

of having my younger son roll me into the CVS down the street, buy a candy bar while checking out, take a bite, and jump up out of the wheelchair and shout: "THANK YOU, LORD SNICKERS, YOU'VE ANSWERED MY PRAYERS AND HEALED ME!!!

That'd be fun, yes?

Redstone

[Rhythm]

51. Thank goodness for quick-reacting and large-and-strong older sons....

:hug: Good vibes from West Virginia....

[sammythecat]

52. Good to see your name on the page again

Considering your situation, the long absences are worrisome.

I'm not religious either, but I do sincerely hope for success in your treatment, and all the strength and resolve you need to face this relentless assault.

[Blue Diadem]

53. Um Redstone? That's a heckuva way to have a soft landing.

I'm glad you weren't injured and glad you landed face up for gosh sakes and glad you have that older son too.

Sending good vibes and prayers that after the next few weeks, you'll see a big improvement. :hug:

[Redstone]

59. That's why we don't charge him rent...he's kind of our live-in EMT.

Redstone

[cwydro]

54. Good vibes to you!

[Shine]

56. Glad you're OK, Redstone.

I'm not around much these days, either, but know that I'm sending you good vibes of Safety, Healing, and Protection.

:hug:

[Redstone]

58. Ah, my red-headed sweetheart, I knew you'd be here for me. You're one of the special ones.

Redstone

[applegrove]

60. Be bold and brave Redstone!! Vibes to you.

[In_The_Wind]

61. Oh Redstone!

I wish you all of the good luck in the world!


The DUer formerly known as Joan_Alpern AKA Freebird.

[Redstone]

62. Joanie! I saw a trike on the road today, and thought of you. I want one someday.

Redstone

[In_The_Wind]

64. You'll Love It !!!

If you can afford to buy a new one straight from the factory ~ I suggest that's the way to go. It'll be easier to keep it repaired, tweaked and riding smooth.

I still enjoy my Goldwing but it isn't stable at high speeds ... anything over 75 mph makes the front end lift and wobble. I've purchased 3 new front tires since 2004. If I get any time off the road this year I'm taking it into the Harley dealer up in Mass to see if it needs shims. Last fall my front forks started leaking after I rode it home from P A Rally on the River. I was on Routes 81, 80 and 87. My trike couldn't hold up to the long ride so something needs tweaking.

I don't know when I'll see my home again; http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8794535


:hug: :loveya:

[dgibby]

63. My best to you, Redstone,

and just remember, It isn't the fall, it's the landing that'll kill you. Good thing it was a soft swamp and not bedrock! And listen to Mrs. R-use the cane-if you don't need it for balance, you can always use it to beat off your adoring DU fans!

:hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

65. Gotcher 6, Lad

:hug:

[graywarrior]

66. I think about you all the time, Redstone

I wish the fuck I could do something for you.

[CTyankee]

67. Redstone, I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know aboutyour condition.

I haven't been keeping up with the Lounge, which is really a great place to be with DU friends. Well, that'll teach me. I'm going to pay more attention to the peeps...

Stay safe and keep on keeping in touch when you can...:hug:

[havocmom]

68. Hmm, just did a search on for posts by you as I haven't seen you in ages

Hope you get on the mend pronto