Mike.

LOL!!!!

I have an affinity to water. I think it is in my centuries old gene-pool, being Irish. My dad's dad was born in county Galway, in view of Galway Bay on the Atlantic coast. The family home is still there, (built by my grandfather I was recently told by my dad), with second and third cousins living in it. Other grandparents are of older Irish decent, (both paternal and maternal), who settled in Prince Edward Island. On the Canadian side of the Atlantic. One of them, my maternal grandfather left as a young man, to live on the other side of Canada, 4 blocks from the Pacific ocean. I have lived there, within walking distance of a fisherman's wharf, where we used to go to, to buy the catch of the day, in the early afternoons, when the boats came in and the men, sold what they had from their boats. I still have children and grandchildren that live there, and one brother and family. I now live on the prairies but, am aware of my pleasure of water, none the less. I have read books like Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea", a novelette, and "Islands in the Stream". A favorite that comes to mind is, "Two Years Before the Mast", (I'm sorry, I forget the author's name). A true account of his middle 1800's story of sailing from the Altantic coast of America, around Cape Horn, to the Pacific Coast in Southern California. That is a "classic". I have also, helped myself to movies on the internet, when that was still legal, of stories of water. Two nights ago, I watched again, the 1960's portrayal of "The Old Man and the Sea". Starred in by Spencer Tracey. The visuals, are not that good, due to the earlier cinematic production but, the narrative reading of Hemmingway's words, is a pleasure to listen to. Last night, I watched, "Message in a Bottle". A chick-flick, of my wife's that I saw has stunning visuals of sailing on the Atlantic, in a schooner, supposedly, by the "Outer Banks", off the coast of North Carolina. I haven't been there but, anyone blessed enough to live there, must really enjoy their home. Do I have a non-smoking moral to this post. Not really. Just my thoughts of possibly living by the water again. I'm thinking again, it would be something I might look to do when, "the dust settles". I almost, bought a house on Prince Edward Island, to rent until I am ready to retire. My dad was coaching me on what things I needed to look into, before a revenue home is purchased, as he has owned many properties. In the end, I thought 2500 miles was a little too far to be owning a rental property. A co-worker who goes home, every summer there, and whom lives along the coast next to her cousin's home that was for sale, now tells me it has quadrupled in price, in the last 10 years. Oh well, C'est la Vie. I am now thinking of heading west again, possibly to Vancouver Island, to semi-retire. "I am haunted by water". I should provide a link to the movie, of which my title of this story, is quoted from. Here it is ... A River Runs Through It. Yes, I am hoping the quitting smoking, can be an impetus, to other things. It's nice to start seeing possibilities, again.

Congrats on your quit. May all continue to work out well for you. m/

I will not smoke today!

Yep. Booze always lowered my inhibitions. Then the shit started to happen. It's nice to not have to worry about that smoking trigger!

^^^ lol, cpk!

I have admired, the others who have posted how quitting smoking was a "touch stone" and such, to other endeavors for them. I'm having flashes of seeing new possibilities now, instead of "always", just dreading what's coming. Nice to feel. I hope it happens more. You guys lead the way. I'll follow!

I don't have that courage to do that yet "-". But, you pave the way. I need to address lots.

Oh! I got it "-" Thank you, for this post ...

Quickly, I haven't again. I was reading a thread, in which El Bandito had stated in it, as he has to me too, "Quits fall down for all sorts of reasons, and I will not judge anyone. If someone wants to quit - I will do everything in my power to help and support, but I do believe that the person needs to have a very close look at why they failed - rather than keep on the same old cycle". Reading that bolded statement again, outside of it being queried to me, made me think a little more about it. I don't have answers that can encompass the true nature of all of it, yet. But, I know a couple of things now. 1) Complacency with the quit. 2) Looking for solace. 3) Decision to destroy myself or another way to put that, "ruin myself", (remember this is me, not anyone else). That's all I have now. That's enough for me actually. Now to address these, and guard against it happening again ... * El Bandito: I'll send you a link for the thread's quote in a PM. No need to respond.

I love that one too!

I will not smoke today.

Oh! I miss John. Talking earlier about, "spinning yarns", he told the best ones. I liked the one about putting another nicotine patch on each day. He had people believing that one. lol!!!

I will not smoke today.

4

Is there a partner you trust?

Too late there! 5

Stop with the animated stuff, would you? Good messages but, they bother my eyes. This little you have done is only annoying to me. I worry others are gonna start following you with Flying Pigs spreading sparklies out it's rear! Oh well. 6

Now her ^^^ I like. 'cept maybe a little too anorexic.

Thanks, for the thoughts.

I saw a recent post of cpk's that I liked on change. I'm pretty sure right now I "liked" it. I'll try to check. I was talking with doc#3 yesterday, the psychologist. He made the comment, that purposeful change is gradual, (my paraphrase). I'm galloping into a bunch. Not really recommended by doc#4, the psychiatrist but, sometimes life dictates things, and I'm trying to take them on "my terms" instead of sitting-back and letting life dictate them to me. Clear as mud? Well, I'm just stressed/worried/scared with it all. just venting here, in the comfort and privacy of our site Edit. I need to pull a load out of the dryer. I'm back. After a search, it was cpk's.

Good point, ^^^ (the allergies). Mine is worse now, with the snow-mold and the dust now, that hasn't been washed away yet.

0 Hey Colleen!

I second that, ^^^. Share any tid-bits, for we newbies, that you feel might help.

Ya. My final intake paper-work with the Physiotherapist, at my COPD Rehab, indoor track, weight training and exercise rooms are next week. He said he is going to get me started with it all. I'm not looking forward to the aches and pains after. Funny thing, the pain and stiffness, usually is more pronounced after days 2 and 3 now. I remember when I was younger, it was the next day, and usually full-recovery by day 2. Getting old f*cking sucks, in some ways.