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Today, (Thursday) is Jack's early day. We have to have him at school by 8:00. That actually works best for me because I get to greet the morning by being at the helm of The Salve Lucrum Portfolio as the markets open. Today, I was patiently waiting for the market to open and get my daily dose of Tim T./UBS market updates.
The dogs were still asleep, and I heard Jack's alarm blaring once so I knew he would be up soon. I remembered that Devin had woken me up about 2:10 as she thought she heard something in the back yard. Apparently she wanted to share this blessed event with me, so I stepped out of my Darth Vader mask and went into the office to see or hear what this noise could have been.
As I rested my head against the cool window and drifted into slumber, I realized Devin was standing next to me waiting anxiously for me to identify the source of the strange noise she heard. I said wait one more minute, put my head against the glass and enjoyed the cool air and peacefulness of no noise in our back yard.
I returned to bed after explain to Devin, I did not hear anything.
After getting Jack to school, I had to get home as Devin had an MRI scheduled. She does not like "Shooting the tube.", as she is a bit claustrophobic. Of late she has had some back and neck issues.
The pain and discomfort has interfered with her ability to throw a 125 pound bails of hay, or load her heavy western saddle, or safely roll off of her horse when need be, or lift 70 pound Christmas Trees, or move chairs, sectional couches, beds, and tables with her decorating whims, so she wants to know WHY. (We all know there is no escaping that evil word.)
The initial x-rays only showed us that Devin's back and neck look quite normal, if you were looking at a map of Lombardi Street in San Francisco. Actually I think Lombardi only has 8 hairpin turns. She has some bone on bone and mashed up stuff, but other than that, the X-rays were fine.
Anyway Devin took a Xanax before we left for the procedure. It was a mellow Devin all morning and most of the afternoon. I liked that person. The procedure itself was about 45 minutes.
My job was to hold her ankle, I guess so she would not get sucked into the $500,000 General Electric Vortex of the MRI machine. I did my job and held her foot while the machine banged and boinked, and rattled and what ever those other noises were. I kinda think that those noises are made up.
Think about it. It is a magnet spinning around you creating a contrast image in digital film. Why is it so noisy. I am thinking that if it were quiet, you would actually start thinking, "Why is this procedure costing 1,800 dollars? You just lay on this table and there is a soft hum and you are done. Why does this cost so much?"
But with ear deafening noises and induced claustrophobia, it has to be a bargain at $1,800.00, Funny how my mind works.
Take today(Friday), I took Jack for a walk. (His behind was growing Velcro hooks and it was hard to pry him off his couch.) I took him on a two mile hike in the wilderness park area behind Dove Canyon. Not far, not strenuous, but we got out of the house.
I spotted several road runners.
It got me thinking. Who does their hair? They all have these well coiffed Mohawks. They all look the same. It is amazing. Funny how my mind works.
As we strolled, I did my best to keep Jack's interest by pointing out the cactus buds that would be blooming in about 12 weeks. I also spotted a lark, and several road runners and shared the diet of the common road runner.
Then, I heard Jack say, "Dad! Look!" As he pointed down on the trail at his feet. My attention piqued and I walked toward, hoping he had found some fossilized relic of the Triassic-Jurassic Bedford Canyon collection.
As I came closer he just kept pointing and looking down. I finally said, "What son?" He bent and picked up a small significant specimen. I was all excited and said, "Jack, what is it?"
He held it out to me and said, "A rock."
His battered body can be found at mile marker 1.9 on the Bell View trail.
My plan was to tell you how the market wrapped up this week, but we enjoyed the company of some good friends and it late. I will post sans economic and investing insight.
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Since 12/31/2012
