My name is Wil, but most just call me "Old Dog". I'm well past the half century mark. One foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel at the rim of the abyss and the view from here is disconcerting.
I am a former student, pearl diver, cook, truck driver, firefighter, EMT, CEO, Town Fire Warden, mechanic, oiler, marine engineer and computer whiz bang. I'm a Bypass X3 survivor with a zipper chest. Just like Bill Clinton, but with more hair and conservative-libertarian leanings.
While we call Maine our home, mostly I sleep these days in an aluminum tube. And So It Goes ... I waste my time reading blogs and kvetching about the weather, playing with our Schipperke sidekick, Ignatz McGraw and waiting hand by foot upon my wife, the Queen of our Hovel, She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO). I have hazel eyes, gray hair and there is way more of me to love than any two people should have. Everything else is subject to change.
Spirit of 76 said
05:44 AM Apr 18, 2010
LOL, nice entrance.
Welcome aboard!
Jim01 said
01:40 PM Apr 18, 2010
Welcome to the forum, Good to have you aboard.
Jim
Terry and Jo said
03:20 PM Apr 18, 2010
Welcome, Wil. Between the two of us and a campfire, we might very well scare the h*ll out of some of the younger ones around here. Either that we would show ourselves to be two old fools, or, if no less, two fiercesome old codgers with DEFINITE opinions. (I'm not opinionated.....I'm just ALWAYS right.)
Based on the "silver tube" reference, I am presuming that you are already full-timing, while many of us are still in the "dreams" stage. If so, feel free to impart your experiences and knowledge so the majority can be educated on the past learning experience that you have obtained.
As for the zippered chest, time does do that to all of us. (Not me personally, but at least 4 close relatives have had their heart issues, one of which is my youngest son. I and three of them walked around a lot at Mesa Verde last year. Fortunately, I didn't have to carry even one of them out.) Point is, one of those three still made the hike, including on some somewhat steep sloping pathways. And he is one that felt that he was going to die at age 65. Keep the correct attitude and just tell God he'll have to wait. You ain't ready yet.
Good to have you with us now, and for a long time to come.
Terry
Mike and Terri said
07:06 PM Apr 18, 2010
Hello "Old Dog" and welcome to the fourm!
I would be willing to guess that you have some VERY interesting stories to tell. Maybe some time we all can sit around the campfire and hear some of them.
--mike
jagco said
06:57 PM Apr 19, 2010
Welcome aboard and glad to hear your story! This is a great place to learn and share. I got close to having the zippered chest, but the docs decided my other health problems were such that they didn't want to cut on my legs, so they just used multple stents and I will probably have to go back in the future for more work. Among other things, I have a kidney transplant too. I've not reached the half century mark, but can relate to the "one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel" comment. I need to get on the road sooner rather than later
janieD said
03:04 PM Apr 20, 2010
Welcome aboard Old Dog. Reading your post made me smile. You and my DH would have fun as I can tell you could match him story for story. I love your background as it points out how many different views of life you have had. I'm betting we could all learn a thing or two from you so I hope you stick around.
GENECOP said
03:47 PM Apr 20, 2010
Welcome Old Dog, good to have you, G
Kerri said
05:04 PM Apr 21, 2010
Welcome, and thanks for making me laugh!
Kerri in AL
heyduke said
06:37 PM Apr 21, 2010
welcome a board... maybe we should call you salty olddog229... :)
Happytrails said
09:19 AM Apr 22, 2010
Welcome to the forum! Love your introduction and look forward to hearing more of your stories and comments. :)
I am a former student, pearl diver, cook, truck driver, firefighter, EMT, CEO, Town Fire Warden, mechanic, oiler, marine engineer and computer whiz bang. I'm a Bypass X3 survivor with a zipper chest. Just like Bill Clinton, but with more hair and conservative-libertarian leanings.
While we call Maine our home, mostly I sleep these days in an aluminum tube. And So It Goes ... I waste my time reading blogs and kvetching about the weather, playing with our Schipperke sidekick, Ignatz McGraw and waiting hand by foot upon my wife, the Queen of our Hovel, She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO). I have hazel eyes, gray hair and there is way more of me to love than any two people should have. Everything else is subject to change.
Jim
Based on the "silver tube" reference, I am presuming that you are already full-timing, while many of us are still in the "dreams" stage. If so, feel free to impart your experiences and knowledge so the majority can be educated on the past learning experience that you have obtained.
As for the zippered chest, time does do that to all of us. (Not me personally, but at least 4 close relatives have had their heart issues, one of which is my youngest son. I and three of them walked around a lot at Mesa Verde last year. Fortunately, I didn't have to carry even one of them out.) Point is, one of those three still made the hike, including on some somewhat steep sloping pathways. And he is one that felt that he was going to die at age 65. Keep the correct attitude and just tell God he'll have to wait. You ain't ready yet.
Good to have you with us now, and for a long time to come.
Terry
Hello "Old Dog" and welcome to the fourm!
I would be willing to guess that you have some VERY interesting stories to tell. Maybe some time we all can sit around the campfire and hear some of them.
--mike
Kerri in AL