from husband Bill, May 6, 2026
I created and uploaded onto my YouTube channel a (very short) taste-test video for Bloom Pop prebiotic soda, flavor: Shirley Temple (cherry, lemon, lime). (57 seconds)
Taste Test: Prebiotic Soda (created: May 2, 2026; uploaded: May 6, 2026)
https://youtube.com/shorts/WvhRMvKYT_U?si=6TH0K46ET1Nw1Pao
from husband Bill, May 6, 2026
Here we go again. I require yet another medical/surgical procedure (probably outpatient) within the next several days. Here's the deal.
In November 2025, I had artery-bypass surgery due to a three-foot-long blockage in the main artery within my left leg. The surgeons removed a three-foot-long vein in my right leg and inserted it into my left leg to bypass the blockage.
Yesterday, I had a follow-up ultrasound done of my left leg. Today, I consulted with my vascular surgeon at his office about the results. (bad news)
The artery in my left leg that feeds blood into the vein graft/bypass and to the rest of my left leg has narrowed since my bypass surgery, which means not enough blood is flowing. The procedure needs to be done as soon as possible, or I could lose the bypass.
I require an angiogram to see what's going on, with the possibility of inflating a balloon within the narrow artery and/or installing a stent. A camera will be inserted in my groin area and pushed down my leg to the location of the problem. At that time, the surgeon will determine what needs to be done. (I had this procedure done several years ago, before my heart surgery.)
My medical "fun" just doesn't stop. Between March 2022 and November 2025, I endured eight surgeries.
*March 2022: quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery ... removal of a vein in my left thigh to be used in my open-heart surgery; broken sternum (breastbone)
*May 2022: first chest surgery to remove loose screws/sternal plate holding my broken breastbone together, and to clean out a staph infection within my chest
*May 2022: second chest surgery to close a 14-inch-long incision in my chest after it remained open for about a week.
*September 2023: first spine surgery to remove an abscess within an infected disk
*October 2023: second spine surgery to affix titanium metal rods to my "collapsing" spine due to a bone infection
*April 2024: right ankle surgery due to two fractures and a bone infection
*November 4, 2025: artery bypass surgery ... three-foot-long blockage in the main artery in my left leg ... three-foot-long vein in my right leg removed and inserted within my left leg
*November 8, 2025: amputation of the third and fourth toes of my left foot due to my artery blockage.
Before all this, I had three other surgeries on my left foot to removed decayed bone and scar tissue, plus I had nasal/sinus surgery to remove eight polyps and to clean out and expand all eight of my sinuses. (Don't forget having my tonsils removed in 1966, when I was five years old.)
***
Here we go again. I require yet another medical/surgical procedure (probably outpatient) within the next several days. Here's the deal.
In November 2025, I had artery-bypass surgery due to a three-foot-long blockage in the main artery within my left leg. The surgeons removed a three-foot-long vein in my right leg and inserted it into my left leg to bypass the blockage.
Yesterday, I had a follow-up ultrasound done of my left leg. Today, I consulted with my vascular surgeon at his office about the results. (bad news)
The artery in my left leg that feeds blood into the vein graft/bypass and to the rest of my left leg has narrowed since my bypass surgery, which means not enough blood is flowing. The procedure needs to be done as soon as possible, or I could lose the bypass.
I require an angiogram to see what's going on, with the possibility of inflating a balloon within the narrow artery and/or installing a stent. A camera will be inserted in my groin area and pushed down my leg to the location of the problem. At that time, the surgeon will determine what needs to be done. (I had this procedure done several years ago, before my heart surgery.)
My medical "fun" just doesn't stop. Between March 2022 and November 2025, I endured eight surgeries.
*March 2022: quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery ... removal of a vein in my left thigh to be used for my heart
*May 2022: first chest surgery to remove loose screws/sternal plate holding my broken breastbone together, and to clean out a staph infection within my chest
*May 2022: second chest surgery to close a 14-inch-long incision in my chest after it remained open for about a week.
*September 2023: first spine surgery to remove an abscess within an infected disk
*October 2023: second spine surgery to affix titanium metal rods to my "collapsing" spine due to a bone infection
*April 2024: right ankle surgery due to two fractures and a bone infection
*November 4, 2025: artery bypass surgery (explained above)
*November 8, 2025: amputation of the third and fourth toes of my left foot due to my artery blockage.
I also had three other surgeries on my left foot, and nasal/sinus surgery.
May 6, 2026
from husband Bill, May 6, 2026
This may sound strange, but I like drinking ice-cold water while sucking on a Pep O Mint Lifesavers mint. The peppermint flavor makes the water more refreshing. I have tried peppermint-flavored bottled water, but the flavor was much less intense.
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
This late morning, I had another ultrasound done of my left leg. In November 2025, I had surgery regarding a blocked main artery in my left leg. The surgeons took out a vein in my right leg and put it into my left leg. I have an appointment tomorrow with one of my surgeons to discuss the results. This short video shows a section of the ride my wife and I took home. (1 minute, 11 seconds) ... Between March 2022 and November 2025, I endured eight surgeries: 1 heart, 2 chest, 2 spine, 1 right ankle, 1 (both) legs, and 1 left foot.
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. May 4 to May 8, 2026, is National Teacher Appreciation Week. (It's the first full week in May.) I was a teacher twice in my life. 1. While working as an "all-purpose" journalist (reporter, writer, editor, photographer, page designer) for a daily newspaper in upstate New York in 1989 and 1990, my boss asked me to be a guest speaker for one journalism class at a nearby high school. I declined, but my boss then told me that I'm doing it, so I did it. I had a good time talking about journalism with those kids. 2. In July 1981, when I was 20 years old, I was a golf instructor/counselor-in-training at a famous golf school in North Carolina for three weeks. I taught golf to adults for one week and then children for two weeks. I attended the school/camp almost every summer from age 11 in 1972 to age 19 in 1980. The ages for the kids camp is 10 (formerly 8) to 18. I was given special permission to attend as a "camper" when I was 19 years old.
Teaching is one of the highest-paid professions. There are more millionaire teachers than millionaire lawyers. It's true.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dave-ramsey-more-millionaire-teachers-145901564.html
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
My favorite hoagie is turkey, preferably smoked, and provolone cheese with mustard and mayonnaise with a dusting of ground black pepper. I will sometimes add pickled jalapeño peppers or pickled banana peppers.
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
My paternal grandfather grew up in Porto, Portugal, and came to the United States when he was a teenager. He had forgotten how to speak Portuguese. In his older age, he had a stroke and then was able to speak Portuguese again. At this moment, I question whether he really forgot or if he just never spoke it throughout his life. I remember him speaking it once. Maybe there was never an opportunity for him to speak it. Hmm.
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
From 2002 to 2011, I was an editor and page designer for the supermarket tabloids, specifically Star, Globe, National Examiner, and National Enquirer magazines, in Boca Raton, Florida. I became friends with a gent there who was an editor with the British version of Globe magazine. He told me that he was a cartoonist. He drew the comic "Bizarro." I don't think he wrote the text. (I checked online to discover two "Bizarro" comics; I don't know which one he drew.)
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
A chipotle is a smoked and usually dried jalapeño pepper.
from husband Bill, May 5, 2026
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
One of my favorite candies is chocolate-covered orange peels. (I also like chocolate-covered marzipan.) I typically order Orange Tofu from Chinese restaurants; I love eating the small pieces of orange peel in it.
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
My favorite alcoholic beverage is orange juice with Campari over ice. Back in the 1980s, I used to drink Harvey Wallbangers (orange juice and vodka, with Galliano floated on top).
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
Since I was quite young, my favorite bird has been the puffin, although I have never seen any in person. I also like "Chippies," many of which I have seen. My paternal grandfather called them that when I was very young. The regular name for them is Chipping Sparrows, and by coincidence, they are shown in the photo below.
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
Kudos go to my friend Tim, who was/is a firefighter for many years in upstate New York. He participated in New York City after the 9/11 attack.
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
I try to renew myself every day. Some days are easier than other days.
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
To and from school in the 1970s, I either took the bus or I walked with Andy Flower, the neighbor kid who constantly talked about the weather in semi-technical terms. He was so proud to have been born in the 1950s, but just barely: December 31, 1959.
from husband Bill, May 4, 2026
from husband Bill, May 6, 2026 I created and uploaded onto my YouTube channel a (very short) taste-test video for Bloom Pop prebiotic soda, ...
