Vera Lee Baker (1919 - 2008)

Wednesday, May 14, my grandmother passed away in Orange Park, FL, at the age of 88. Her friends called her Vera, her children called her Momma...my sister and I called her Grandma Bill. The story behind that? Her father called her Bill, and her sister Till (actual name was Luatha). Why he did that? I'm not sure, but I'll check on that one and update when I find out.

She was your standard southern grandmother...loved to cook. Had a house outside Orlando, FL, in a small town called Ocoee. It would get intensely hot, especially back in the kitchen when the cooking was going on (which was pretty much at all times). The only air conditioning to be had in the place was in her bedroom, so that's where I would hide out between meals when I was visiting.

She and my grandfather were separated when my father was a teenager. Times were tough back then...my dad was able to get away from it and go on to develop the life he has led since (he was the good one, it seems).

Regrettably, I was not able to see Grandma Bill prior to her passing. I was going to go visit with her while I was in town last fall, but, of course, I was unable to make that trip.

In recent years, her health had begun to deteriorate. She and my great aunt were moved from Ocoee to a nursing home in Orange Park (on the outskirts of Jacksonville), almost a decade ago. This was a good move, as it moved her closer to family (my aunt and much of her family lives in Orange Park), and it also provided assistance in areas where it was needed for everyday living. It was not a popular move to some, but it was the proper one. She never was able to get used to the food that they served there, but, after eating like she had all her life, you can't blame her.

On the subject of food, she always hated cheese...I thought that was the oddest thing. Seems she had cottage cheese once, absolutely hated it, and figured all cheese tasted like that. You couldn't get her to eat cheese at all...go figure.

In her waning years, she suffered from memory problems. She would forget people's names and whatnot. She never seemed to forget mine though...somehow she would know who I was when I walked in (well, I do think she thought I was my dad once, but other then that...). I was her only grandson, so that probably helped...

So, we all met up down in Florida this past weekend to pay our last respects. She lived a long life, and made it through various health problems in her life to get to 88. I can probably only hope to make it that long...

Goodbye, Grandma Bill...we'll miss you.

Achy Breaky Back: Reprise

So, I knew I couldn't go too long without medical problems. It had been far too long since I had some pain somewhere, so here we go.

As I said in my last post, I've screwed my back up again. The theory (well, not so much theory as fact) is that it got screwed up, this time, in helping my parents move into their new place. Now, I had been able to deal with it until last weekend, when I did a good deal more walking around then I normally do. That also got my girlfriend's attention, and she convinced me to get an appointment with my doctor. So, I got in there last Monday.

In the end, the doc said we would try medicating it to begin with. She poked and prodded and tried very hard to make it hurt very badly...and was only mildly successful. Poking and prodding did not hurt, but when she had me lay back and lift my left leg, my nerves told me, in no uncertain terms, "Do not do that again."

Anyway, it's likely a pinched nerve or muscle issue or something...the doc gave me a muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammatory, some Vicodin, and to top it all off, blood pressure medicine. I'm a walking medicine cabinet these days...The good news is, the meds seem to be working. I'm actually able to sleep through the night now, whereas before I was woken up pretty much anytime I tried to move. Progress...

In other news, my Marlins are looking good so far this season. 1st place in the NL East at the almost quarter-season mark. People continue to want to write them off, and it's true that they haven't played the hardest schedule so far, but ya gotsta have faith, babeh!!

That's really all I got for now, I guess...so, until next time, screw Flanders.

RE: The Life of Bryan

Time for my apparently monthly update...

My girlfriend and I went to Constitution Hall Friday night to check out Eddie Izzard. Yeah, he's a funny guy. Well worth the search for tickets. I'm real happy I was able to go with my favorite girl, as we're both fans of his.

The standup act was just part of the day we spent together. We also went and checked out Potomac Mills for a bit. It was really nice to be able to spend that time with her, as it was the first extended chunk of time we've been able to be together. I really enjoyed it, and I hope for more of that in the near future.

So, on to some not as good news...my back has started giving me issues again. After some urging from my girlfriend, I've got an appointment for this morning with my doc. Hopefully it's just a case of needing rest and whatever.

I'm in the process of packing for my move next month. Luckily, most of my stuff is already in ready-to-move bins and boxes, so there won't be much to it. So that's nice. I've never had a roommate, or a pet in my place...so that will be a new experience for me.

I guess that's all I've got for now...until next time, screw Flanders.