"I'm Cured" - Kind of Sorta ....

From Tranquilla II on the Back of Eddy Creek - Lake Barkley -- Have you ever met a fellow and just knew from the outset you would be good friends? Such was the case when I met my buddy Matt Figert. It has been a while since I had a hunting, running, drinking and shooting buddy and certainly a while since I had a friend with as weird a sense of humor as I have.

My old pal Doug, as many of you will recall, got killed in a car accident a few years ago. One of the toughest eulogies I have ever delivered was at his services attended by law enforcement officers from across Tennessee and a most humbling experience to hear Amazing Grace played on the bag pipes followed by the lonely words that "Doug Bailey has gone 10-7." Doug was like a brother to me. He actually got me out of my shell from the loss of my dear old friend Bert Ballard and had me enjoying shooting and hanging out again.

When Doug died I kind of went back into the shell I am known to occupy from time to time in my life. I kept on "chopping wood and hauling water" but with little joy.

Then along came John - er I mean Matt.

A retired CPO and now a resident expert on an offshore oil rig, Matt and his wife Janette became fast friends. Matt liked good food and a variety of books, wine, beer, hard liquor, dogs and guns. He enjoyed deer hunting and breakfast at Miss Peggy's! Who was I to question the Universe? What more could you ask for in a good buddy?

So, when Matt sent me this cartoon it resonated.

This week I had a sonogram of one of those male body parts we don't speak of and having gone to a urologist now for four years I have come to appreciate the humiliation of stirrups and probes that women have long gone through.

The sonogram was fine. The blood tests are fine. The exam went as usual - it sucked. However, I have once again come through another year cancer free.

Am I "cured"? Well that is still to be determined but then I just couldn't resist sharing this cartoon with you as it so aptly sums up my feelings.

Kay and I will be off to work in Florida next week, I will be home for a day and then head to Iowa and Arizona. However, I will stay in touch as best I can.

Enjoy my friends. Simper Fi, De Oppresso Liber, God Bless America and yes Nancy, BHO and Harry those "Tea Parties" are for real and we are serious!

Love peace and grace,

Dr. D

Happy Easter - 2009

From Tranquilla II on the Back of Eddy Creek - Lake Barkley -- When God created dogs and bunny rabbits she must have had a smile on her face. Sending you our blessings and best wishes that on this special holy day for Christians that you find the time to enjoy all of God's creations and smile just a little.

Love, peace and grace,

Dr. D, Kay and "The Boys" - Max and Little Bit

Life on Lake Barkley After The Ice Storm of the Decade

Here is what our front yard looks like from the hot tub area of the cabin

From Tranquilla II on the Back of Eddy Creek - Lake Barkley -- We are so grateful that life at Lake Barkley is slowly getting back to some resemblance of normality yet it will never be the same here. Our lot down to the lake has about 41 piles of brush to be burned or hauled off and we have another 30 plus trees that will have to be removed.

It is as if some giant's kid got mad and went through the neighborhood just snapping the tops out of every tree. None came through unharmed and yet the redbuds and dogwoods are slowly blooming now.

Today, we had severe storms. A tornado touched down in the northern part of the county. Two injured and a mobile home destroyed. This my friends is spring time in Kentucky. Stay around long enough up here and you get any kind of weather you could want.

Since today is Good Friday we send all our friends and colleagues best wishes for Easter. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend with all your families.

Love, peace and grace, Dr. D