Last Day Of Hurricane Season

November 30, 2023, at home

Today is the last day of Hurricane Season.

Mousse & Mason Jars

November 30, 2023, home

Does Infection Linger?

November 30, 2023, home

I returned home from an appointment with my infectious-disease doctor this late afternoon. I was expecting to have removed the PICC line in my upper left arm near my shoulder, but that was NOT to happen.

I still have a deep hole in my back that goes all the way to my spinal bone due to two recent spinal surgeries. This wound, shown in the photo below, is part of the almost 14-inch-long incision from my second spinal surgery.

(To see this photo, which really isn't graphic, tap/click on "Learn more," then tap/click on "See photo." My home nurse took this photo.)

Because I still have this serious wound in my back, my infectious-disease doctor took a culture. If the result is negative for infection, he will prescribe for my home nurse to remove my PICC line. If positive, I will require two, four, or even six more weeks of daily intravenous antibiotic.

I completed thirteen weeks of daily intravenous infusions of various antibiotics yesterday: first for a blood infection and possible osteomyelitis (bone infection) in one of two fractures in my right ankle (six weeks); second for osteomyelitis in my spine (six weeks with one week overlap); and third for the wound in my back (two weeks). I received these infusions at a hospital, at a physical rehabilitation facility, and at home.

For the past two weeks, my home nurse administered the infusions and changed the bandage on my back every day at home. She administered my last infusion yesterday; she was here this morning to just change my bandage. She will continue to change my bandage every day and possibly restart administering my intravenous antibiotic infusions, if required.

My first spinal surgery was on September 2, 2023, when I had an infection (an abscess) removed/cleaned out in one of my spinal disks in the lumbar (lower) region of my spine. It was discovered at that time that I had osteomyelitis in that area of my spine.

My second spinal surgery, which was on October 6, 2023, took six hours to complete: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It involved the placement of a titanium rod affixed to my spine with screws by my spinal surgeon due to osteomyelitis in three lumbar (lower) sections of my spinal bone. My surgeon told me that my spine was "collapsing" and that I required this serious surgery immediately.

The 34-centimeters-long/13.3858-inches-long incision in my back was then closed by my plastic surgeon so that the metal pieces do NOT form bumps from pushing against my back from the inside.

Doctor's Appointment

November 30, 2023

3:45 p.m. appointment: After thirteen weeks of daily intravenous antibiotics in the hospital, in a physical rehabilitation facility, and at home, I am finally getting removed the PICC line in my left upper arm near my left shoulder. That is unless my infectious-disease doctor has a different plan for me.

Getting Better ... Maybe

November 29, 2023, home

This morning, I engaged in leg exercises in bed under the tutelage of my physical-occupational therapist.

This early afternoon, my home nurse administered my FINAL daily intravenous (IV) antibiotic (photo) and changed the bandage on the incision in my back. She came here at home every day for the last two weeks to administer the IV. She will continue to come here every day to rebandage my back. Every several days, she has also been changing the dressing on my dual-port PICC line in my left upper arm near my left shoulder. She also extracts blood from my PICC line for testing.

On Thursday, November 16, 2023, I finished eleven weeks of daily IV antibiotic for a blood infection and possible osteomyelitis (bone infection) in one of two fractures in my right ankle from two falls in April 2023, and then for osteomyelitis in my lower spine: six weeks for each with an overlap of one week. Therefore, today, with the added two weeks for the infection in the incision in my back, I have finally finished thirteen weeks of daily intravenous antibiotic infusions. I received these infusions of various types of antibiotics, either by drip or by push methods, at the hospital, at the physical rehabilitation facility, and at home.

I have done these six-week-long daily intravenous antibiotic regimens at least ten times in recent years, with one time (January 2021) leading to failure of both of my kidneys. I required six weeks, seven days per week of daily dialysis (four straight hours every day). Fortunately, both of my kidneys regained functionality.

Tomorrow, I have a mid-afternoon appointment with my infectious-disease doctor for a follow-up examination and (hopefully) the removal of my PICC line. I will wear my all-encompassing back brace and be seated in a transport chair (wheelchair) for my visit.

My first spinal surgery was on September 2, 2023, when I had an infection (an abscess) removed/cleaned out in one of my spinal disks in the lumbar (lower) region of my spine. It was discovered at that time that I had osteomyelitis in that area of my spine.

My second spinal surgery, which was on October 6, 2023, took six hours to complete: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It involved the placement of a titanium rod affixed to my spine with screws by my spinal surgeon due to osteomyelitis in three lumbar (lower) sections of my spinal bone. My surgeon told me that my spine was "collapsing" and that I required this serious surgery immediately.

The 34-centimeters-long/13.3858-inches-long incision in my back was then closed by my plastic surgeon so that the metal pieces do NOT form bumps from pushing against my back from the inside.

I currently have two electrodes stuck on my back that are attached to a "bone growth stimulator" device. I must have it turned on for several hours every day.

I need to make a follow-up appointment with my spinal surgeon to check on my incision. It is still emitting discharge in one area.

This late afternoon, my podiatrist made a house call to tend to my feet in regard to potential diabetic ulcers. At this moment in time, both of my feet are healed.

I have been dealing with these ulcers in both of my feet for at least ten years. I wear medical shoes to prevent a recurrence. Luckily, my podiatrist only used a battery-powered rotary tool with sandpaper on my feet. For years, he would carve both of my feet with a scalpel every two weeks. In recent years, he performed four surgeries on my left foot: three to remove bones that were decayed from osteomyelitis and one to remove a tumor that was growing within a diabetic ulcer.

As long as I am spewing my medical issues, last year, I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in March 2022 and then two reconstructive chest surgeries in May 2022. For my second surgery, the screws on my sternal plates became loose, and I had to have them removed, plus I had an infection within my chest. My chest was left open with a wound vacuum attached for about a week. My third surgery was to close my chest with the surgeon reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

Also recently, I had a thoracentesis procedure performed; 22 ounces surrounding my right lung was drained through a thin catheter stuck through my back and into my chest cavity. I had the same procedure done on my left lung with less fluid a year or two before my right-lung procedure.

Oh, yeah. I also fairly recently had nasal-sinus surgery to remove eight polyps and to clean out and expand all eight of my sinuses.

Greetings !!!

November 29, 2023, home

George Left His Body

November 29, 2023, home

George Harrison, my favorite Beatle (February 25, 1943 - November 29, 2001), left his body (passed away) 22 years ago today. Hare Krishna !!!

Today Is ...

November 28, 2023, home

Yesterday Was ...

November 27, 2023, home

Cake Day

November 26, 2023, home

I don't really like cake. Just give me a tub of frozen chocolate frosting and a teaspoon, and I will be happy.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Sunday, November 26, 2023, home

It's 8 a.m. here at home in southeastern Florida, and I am watching a live broadcast of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 (on ESPN ).

This is the 22nd race of the 23-race Formula 1 auto racing season for 2023, but it is the last race of the season due to a cancellation of a previous race. Today's circuit (track) is the Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The first 21 races were in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Miami, Monaco, Spain, Canada, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Beligium, The Netherlands, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Qatar, Austin, Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas.

This season, there are two races, actually one, in Italy and three races in the United States (Miami, Austin, and an inaugural race in Las Vegas). The Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, earlier this season was canceled due to poor weather conditions: rain and flooding.

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. There are 20 drivers on 10 teams (constructors). Only one driver is from the United States.

The Red Bull team won the Constructors Championship after the Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands won the Championship, after he won the Qatar Grand Prix.

Tree Decorating Photos

November 25, 2023, home

Happy Christmas !!! Here I am this mid-afternoon, getting ready to attempt to place ornaments on our Christmas tree. I am still weak from medications in regard to my two spinal surgeries this year (September 2, 2023, and October 6, 2023), so it was best for me to use my transport chair to roll around our tree. My wonderful wife assembled our tree and put the large balls on it.

Tree Decorating Video

November 25, 2023, home

I just uploaded the 190th video to my personal YouTube channel titled "Bill Santos: Piano & More."

"Decorating Our Christmas Tree" (Nov. 25, 2023)

Happy Christmas !!! Here is a video of myself attempting to decorate our Christmas tree this mid-afternoon. My wonderful wife assembled our tree and put the large balls on it. I attempted to place ornaments on our tree. I am still weak from medications in regard to my two spinal surgeries this year (September 2, 2023, and October 6, 2023), so it was best for me to use my transport chair to roll around our tree.

https://youtu.be/8cClNO_6f1Y?si=08U_fzCCuLF6iqJN

Today Is ...

November 25, 2023, home

Blasé is my natural state of mind.

November 25, 2023, home

I prefer a straight chocolate parfait.

November 25, 2023, home

a vital day

Happy Birthday, Aunt Laura

November 24, 2023, home

Happy 102nd Birthday to my Great-Aunt Laura. She was married to my (Italian) maternal grandmother's brother.

Here is a photo of her from last year with a few holy men from her church.

Today Is ...

November 24, 2023, home

Pecan Pie & Ambrosia

November 23, 2023, home, Thanksgiving Day

Here I am getting ready to enjoy a big piece of pecan pie and ambrosia salad. (The piece of pie was too large for me to finish.) 

Why pecan pie and not pumpkin pie? I'll tell you why.

My decades-long, personal tradition forbids me from eating pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day. Also included in my tradition is that I must eat pumpkin pie on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Actually, I allow myself to eat pumpkin pie on any date throughout the year, except on Thanksgiving Day. Why? Because pumpkin pie is mentioned in the song "Sleigh Ride," which I considered to be a Christmas song when my age was in single digits in the 1960s. As an adult, I realized, I think in the mentally foggy 1990s, that in reality, this song technically isn't a Christmas song. Now at age 62, I am once again following my childhood tradition today (November 23, 2023) on Thanksgiving Day, as I have done every holiday season since the late 1960s. Of course, I will continue to follow my tradition during every future holiday season. (My mother often makes a pumpkin cake around Thanksgiving or Christmas, which is like pumpkin bread but with chocolate chips and on top chopped walnuts and a sugar glaze.)

Cousins Indulge

 November 23, 2023, home, Thanksgiving Day

I won't say who these two gents are, but assuredly, they were and still are close cousins. However, this deed occurred inside a nearby parked car in the 1980s or maybe it was in the 1990s, and it was definitely AFTER dinner. It could have been after dinner on Christmas Day. Then, while indulging, someone's dad startled them by jumping in front of the parked car and yelling "AHHH !!!" Did he know what these gents were doing? Probably. The dad never mentioned it.

Thanksgiving Day, 1963

November 23, 2023, home, Thanksgiving Day, Throwback Thursday

Here I am at the age of two-and-three-quarter years old with my mother outside of my paternal grandparents' house in Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York, on Thanksgiving Day (November 28) in 1963.

End Of A Tradition

November 23, 2023, home, Thanksgiving Day

Several years ago, I decided to write a detailed story about one of our familial Thanksgiving days in the 1970s and how difficult it was to get to Grandma's house for dinner that year. It's a rather long account of our struggle that day, so I am not sure how many people will read it. I just wanted to share it with you, so enjoy.

"The End of a Thanksgiving Tradition"

5 a.m., Thanksgiving Day, mid-1970s, West Islip, Long Island, New York

The alarm clock cried out that it was the morning of Thanksgiving Day, even though it still seemed like nighttime. I awoke with a start, the adrenaline coursing through my teenaged arteries, much faster than on any other day, because I knew that in about an hour, I would board my dad's 30-foot fishing boat and experience yet another nautical adventure. As was our tradition, we were getting ready to embark on our annual Thanksgiving Day fishing trip. The codfish were out there just waiting to be caught.

Dad and I loaded up the boat with our fishing gear, food, soda and beer, and impatiently waited for our usual group of fishing buddies to arrive. All aboard, Dad cranked up Engine No. 1 (port side), then Engine No. 2 (starboard side), unhooked the lines from the dock a few feet from our house, and we were on our way.

Dad piloted the boat out of the short river where we lived, across the bay, out the inlet and into the ocean. Then he gave it the gun, and we sped, cutting through the waves, the sea spray blasting in our faces and the bounce of the boat agitating the recently eaten, and traditional, tuna fish sandwich on white bread within my stomach. Dad had eaten his traditional Western omelette sandwich.

Back on dry land, grandma -- I called her Nana -- was preparing the Thanksgiving feast in anticipation of our arrival around 1 p.m.

Dad slowed the boat to check the depth finder. When the ocean, at a cool 57 degrees, hit 200 feet deep, we knew that it was only a short matter of time. We would just have to continue until it rose back to around 100 feet deep, and we would be set to drop our lines into that mirrored, undulating, somewhat-sullen water and start pulling out some fish.

There it is: 200 feet deep. Now for the agonizing anticipation: 197, 184, 175, 163, 159, 144, 137 ... hurry up ... 123 ... I can't wait ... 118, 103 ... Dad clicked off the port engine, then stopped the starboard engine, relative silence, and the boat continued to rock back and forth, up and down, on yet another cold, pristine Thanksgiving morning.

We had finally arrived, about two miles from land, just like we had done on this day every year for many years. We had everything we needed: rugged camaraderie, lots of fish just waiting to be caught, and, of course, tradition.

We fished for several hours, pulling rather large codfish out of the brine. OK, they weren't all that large, but it is my fish story, right?

Then came the inevitable. It was time to head back. We had to get to Nana's by 1 p.m., just as we had done, like clockwork, in all those prior years. Oh, well. I never wanted to go back, that is until I remembered that there, waiting for us, was turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and apple pie and...OK, let's go back.

Dad cranked up the port engine. Success. Then Dad cranked up the starboard engine. Click, Click, Click. Dad tried again to crank up the starboard engine. Click, Click, Click. Dad then opened the hatch to that starboard engine and, to our horror, we all saw what we really didn't want to see or even need to see: Both inboard engines were waist-deep in three feet of water. The electric bilge pump had failed, and we were sinking in rather cold water, 100 feet deep, and two miles from land.

Needless to say, a contagious shock of panic pierced us all, well, all except for Dad. Being a Commander in the Navy, who spent many years aboard ship in the North Atlantic, and, at one time, the youngest Eagle Scout in the United States, I suppose Dad was able to keep a level head about such things. He said, "We have to call the Coast Guard. Where's the radio?" He slid open the black-tinted plastic door of the cabinet under the steering wheel where we usually kept the radio. Empty. Where was the radio?

Dad went down below, into the cabin, found the radio (phew) in a wooden cabinet, plugged it in, and spoke in calm tones for the Coast Guard to save us. The life jackets were a little easier to find than the radio.

In short order, and to their amazing credit, two brave souls clad in diver's wet suits aboard a Coast Guard cutter arrived beside our boat. One guard, rather young and with a somewhat-unsure look on his face, flew through the air, jumping several feet from his rocking boat to our rocking boat. Then, the other guard dropped a four-foot-high, rather wide, orange-and-white barrel into the drink, and we pulled it to our boat with a rope.

We all then pulled the barrel aboard and, to our surprise, it contained a gasoline-powered water pump with two four-inch-wide black hoses. With one pull of the starter cord, the pump rumbled like a lawnmower, and soon water was spewing out of our bilge and over the side.

Simultaneously, a Coast Guard helicopter was hovering overhead. My immediate thought was: "Wow, we're going to be airlifted back to land. Cool." But, it was not to be.

We were escorted a long two miles back to land, at a snail's pace, making sure that our one working engine wouldn't overheat. When we reached land, Dad just about had enough excitement for one day, rather for one boating season. He threw up his hands and said, "Just put it in dry dock," and walked away disheartened. I was not to see that boat until the following spring.

Needless to say, we were late for Thanksgiving dinner. Dad and I arrived at Nana's at 5 p.m., yes, four hours late. There were no smiles, just worry, on the faces of our family members, who had already finished dinner. I'm not sure how the other members of our crew fared with their families.

We told everyone our rather implausible story as we ate the Thanksgiving feast that Nana had kept warm for us.

We never again went fishing on Thanksgiving Day, and while a tradition ended rather abruptly, the memory of that fateful day, and of my dad, who passed away in 1997, will forever fondly linger.

Oh, I forgot to tell you why our boat was sinking. We found out the next day that the vibration of the boat had loosened a quarter-inch-wide screw on a metal plate that secured one of the propellers to the back of the boat. Sea water was slowly seeping into the bottom of the boat during our carefree hours of fishing.

No Pumpkin Pie Today

November 23, 2023, home, Thanksgiving Day

My decades-long, personal tradition forbids me from eating pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day. Also included in my tradition is that I must eat pumpkin pie on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Actually, I allow myself to eat pumpkin pie on any date throughout the year, except on Thanksgiving Day. Why? Because pumpkin pie is mentioned in the song "Sleigh Ride," which I considered to be a Christmas song when my age was in single digits in the 1960s. As an adult, I realized, I think in the mentally foggy 1990s, that in reality, this song technically isn't a Christmas song. Now at age 62, I am once again following my childhood tradition today (November 23, 2023) on Thanksgiving Day, as I have done every holiday season since the late 1960s. Of course, I will continue to follow my tradition during every future holiday season. (My mother often makes a pumpkin cake around Thanksgiving or Christmas, which is like pumpkin bread but with chocolate chips and on top chopped walnuts and a sugar glaze.)

Today Is ...

November 23, 2023, home

I love an espresso, but my coffee of choice is a ristretto, which is a "short shot" of a more highly concentrated espresso. It is often enjoyed in Italy as a quick pick-me-up in the middle of a busy day.

November 23, 2023, home

Cashew is one of my favorite nuts, along with filbert (hazelnut) and Maroni (roasted chestnut).

November 23, 2023, home

I do like sweetened, dried cranberries.

November 23, 2023

Every November 23rd, Fibonacci Day honors Leonardo Bonacci, one of the most influential mathematicians of the Middle Ages. The date corresponds to the first numbers of the Fibonacci sequence: 1 1 2 3. I remember attempting to understand the Fibonacci sequence when I was a reporter/writer/analyst of commodities trading for an international wire service in 1990 into 1991. My bureau was based in New York City. I covered futures and options trading of the coffee, sugar, cocoa, cotton, and orange juice markets in real time, plus the weekly money-supply meetings at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York every three weeks.

Cranberry Relish Day

November 22, 2023, home

I like it with the whole berries.

Happy Birthday, Tweety

November 21, 2023

Happy 81st Birthday to Tweety Pie !!!

Today Is ...

November 21, 2023, home

I like chestnut stuffing.

November 21, 2023, home

Gingerbread cookies are OK, but mostly too plain for me.

November 21, 2023, home

Wear red mittens today in support of Canadian athletes.

Nurse At Home

November 20, 2023, home

This mid-afternoon, my home nurse administered my daily intravenous (IV) antibiotic (first dose at home) and changed the bandage on the incision in my back. She will come here every day for the next two weeks for the IV and possibly longer for the daily bandage changes. Today, she also changed the dressing on my PICC line (photo). She is also arranging for an occupational therapist to come here.

Last Thursday (November 16, 2023), I finished eleven weeks of daily IV antibiotic for a blood infection and possible osteomyelitis (bone infection) in one of two fractures in my right ankle, and then for osteomyelitis in my lower spine: six weeks for each with an overlap of one week.

My first spinal surgery was on September 2, 2023, when I had an infection (an abscess) removed/cleaned out in one of my spinal disks in my lower back. It was discovered at that time that I had osteomyelitis in that area of my spine.

My second spinal surgery, which was on October 6, 2023, took six (6) hours to complete: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It involved the placement of a titanium rod affixed to my spine with screws by my spinal surgeon due to osteomyelitis (bone infection) in three lumbar (lower) sections of my spinal bone. My surgeon told me that my spine was "collapsing" and that I required this serious surgery immediately.

The 34-centimeters-long/13.3858-inches-long incision in my back was then closed by my plastic surgeon so that the metal pieces do NOT form bumps from pushing against my back from the inside.

Healing Of Spinal Bone

November 20, 2023, home

A representative from Biomet arrived at 2 p.m. today to hook me up to a SpinalPak device to cellularly stimulate bone growth in my spine. (Obviously), the electrodes are attached to my back with wires attached to the rechargeable battery-powered device. The longer the device is attached, the faster the healing.

My second spinal surgery, which was on October 6, 2023, took six (6) hours to complete: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It involved the placement of a titanium rod affixed to my spine with screws by my spinal surgeon due to osteomyelitis (bone infection) in three lumbar (lower) sections of my spinal bone. My surgeon told me that my spine was "collapsing" and that I required this serious surgery immediately.

The 34-centimeters-long/13.3858-inches-long incision in my back was then closed by my plastic surgeon so that the metal pieces do NOT form bumps from pushing against my back from the inside.

My first spinal surgery was on September 2, 2023, when I had an infection (an abscess) removed/cleaned out in one of my spinal disks in my lower back. It was discovered at that time that I had osteomyelitis in that area of my spine.

Fudge & Absurdity

November 20, 2023, home

I prefer plain chocolate fudge.

November 20, 2023, home

I love absurdity, which is why I enjoy discussing politics with liberals.

Poor Health With Hope

November 20, 2023, home

I am struggling with my health, but I have hope that I will get better, hopefully sooner than later. I suppose it takes time and patience.

1. The 34-centimeters-long/13.3858-inches-long incision in my back (photo) from the second of two spinal surgeries still hurts but is healing. (Dates of my surgeries: September 2, 2023, and October 6, 2023)
2. Both of my thighs are numb from my spinal surgeries.
3. Both of my feet are numb and hurt from the surgeries and from peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes.
4. I am going "crazy" from opioid withdrawal; due to the severe pain from my surgeries, I required Percocet pills and Fentanyl patches.

Nightmare On Men's Day

November 19, 2023, home: "An Odd Story on International Men’s Day"

Today (November 19, 2023) is one of my most favorite days of the entire year: International Men's Day !!! I have celebrated this special, celebratory day every year since the early 1990s, when I officially became a Men's Rights Activist, when I was in my early 30s. I still fight the good fight for men's rights and father's rights, although these days, in a mostly mellow manner.

One particular Men's Day found me in a rather awkward, unnerving situation. Twelve years ago today on a Saturday (November 19, 2011), I attended a strange Eggplant Parmesan-making "party" in southeastern Florida. I thought that it may have been an actual sleep-induced nightmare, but it was real because here is a photo I took outside of the house where this rather bizarre, annual event took place.

Basically, I was the ONLY man in a house filled with seventeen (17) women, and my wife was the ONLY woman there who was NOT a lesbian. (no joke) ... So, there I am, a Men's Rights Activist on International Men's Day surrounded by a whole bunch of lesbians wielding sharp knives. Uh, yeah.

Seriously, I had fun, and everyone was nice, but I will admit that my stress level was through the roof, especially during a rather uncomfortable, seemingly condescending interrogation by one particular lesbian with an icy stare who asked me in a slow, calculating voice: "So, you play the piano," as she cuddled with her girlfriend. I simply replied, "Yes," which was followed by endless silence and continued staring.

Is there a lesson here? Maybe: Step out of your comfort zone. It may be, well, uncomfortable, but ... uh ... I don't know ... something about creating empathy or not ever doing that again, which I never did. LOL

Six Pillars

November 19, 2023, home, International Men's Day

Today is International Men's Day !!! It is my second-favorite holiday celebration after Diwali.

Here are the Six Pillars of International Men's Day:

Men's Statistics

November 19, 2023, home, International Men's Day

Today is International Men's Day !!! It is my second-favorite holiday celebration after Diwali.

Here are several important statistics:

Today Is ...

November 19, 2023, home, also International Men's Day

In the 1990s, my friend Tom and I used to play games of Speed Monopoly, meaning we played the game of Monopoly as fast as we could. One afternoon in my dad's living room, we played FIVE games in three-and-a-half hours. I lost all five games.

I also have a French version of the Monopoly game (using French Francs) that I purchased in Paris, when I was taking two university courses in Massy, France: "French Conversation and Composition I and II" (six credits in three weeks). That was in 1984, when I was 23 years old. I graduated from Villanova University in December 1984 with a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in the French language. (I took 18 credits/six courses of French.) I would later graduate from the University of Missouri in Columbia in May 1988 with a master's degree in journalism.

November 19, 2023, home, also International Men's Day

Las Vegas Grand Prix

Sunday, November 19, 2023, home

It's 1 a.m. here at home in southeastern Florida, and I am watching a live broadcast of the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 (on ESPN ).

This is the 21st race of the 23-race Formula 1 auto racing season for 2023. Today's circuit (track) is the Las Vegas Street Circuit in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

The first 20 races were in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Miami, Monaco, Spain, Canada, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Beligium, The Netherlands, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Qatar, Austin, Mexico, and Brazil.

This season, there are two races in Italy and three races in the United States (Miami, Austin, and an inaugural race in Las Vegas). The Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, earlier this season was postponed due to poor weather conditions: rain and flooding. I am fairly sure it has been canceled, so the final race of the season will be in Abu Dhabi on November 26, 2023.

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. There are 20 drivers on 10 teams (constructors). Only one driver is from the United States.

The Red Bull team won the Constructors Championship after the Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands won the Championship, after he won the Qatar Grand Prix.

Happy Birthday, Mickey

November 18, 2023, home

Happy 95th Birthday to Mickey Mouse !!!

Vichyssoise Day

November 18, 2023, home

I am fairly sure that I have eaten Vichyssoise. It was most likely when I was a young kid in the later 1960s, maybe early 1970s.