OK to hike the Appalachian "Trials"

As I've mentioned before, quite a while back.... I've hiked the ENTIRE width of the Appalachian Trail! :)

Well, today (October 19, 2019) I was given the OK by my cancer recovering hiking partner to go for my dream.  Hike the Appalachian Trail in 3 (three) 700+ mile sections called the Cool Breeze.
She will support me from home, where ever that happens to be when I attempt my goal.
It comes to reason, the radiation has had it's toll on her hip and until it is replaced, hiking is out of the question especially when walking is sometimes an issue.  Especially down hill.

So, starting from here with nothing but knowledge, skill and a few books to re-read, I begin.
To the Trail lives.  I trust that soon it will become: On the Trail and then After the Trail for a bit.

After I was given the verbal support I needed from Penny Grateful, I opened up two books:
my Author Autographed version of "Living a Dream" by Paralee Dawson and "Appalachian Trials" by Zach Davis.
Paralee reminded me that she too has a bad spine and started at an older age (I'm 59 in a few days) and Zach reminded me that I needed a "WHY" for the times I might (and most likely will) want to quit.

So, I got on the treadmill this Saturday to think of my "WHY" and I walked for and hour.  Flat, slight incline with numb arms and legs from my very restless night sleeping.  Yee Haw!   Just another "New Normal" day.  :)

I started out with performing Zach's request on page 29: Commit responses to writing. Do it NOW!
He was serious.  No Bullshit and not kidding.  So I obliged.  Eye opening for sure.

I'm also being encouraged by Zach to blog every day.  Since I have started this blog for the reason, it's time I add to it monthly, weekly or daily..... (not every six months to a year) we shall see.

What did I come up with for reasons to hike the AT?  Of the 24 I wrote down while walking, here are a few that shine for me.....

• I want to (not have to)
• The dream "seed" was planted while I was stationed on the USS KittyHawk in overhaul in Philly by the 1st Class Electrician I was replacing - Scott's dream to forget the Shitty Kitty.  I too desire to forget not only the Kitty but also many other 11 yr, 2 month and 4 days of my USN service to our country,  (1978-1990)  Wow, 32 years goes by quick when life takes over.
• I desire the challenges even with my disabled body.
• Accomplishing this goal will be something to smile about.
• My Body's Aching and My time is at hand.....walk on down a country road like my childhood.
• Hot Air for a Cool Breeze......did you exchange a walk on part in a war for a lead roll in a cage?
• The Journey.

Thank you A.W.O.L. for selling me the PDF that I desired to create (back in @ 2003) for this journey. Your work will make mine so much easier now.

As time had it, I gave away most ALL of my gear to a young teen who needed time with his Mom in the woods to break from the craziness called life in Kentucky.  His Mom, former Army, enjoyed the equipment as well.  3 hammocks, tarps, packs and odds and ends to make their weekend trips enjoyable and safer in the Daniel Boone National Forest which surrounds us here.

The power of NOW is that I begin with MAJOR changes in technology and gear that is lighter for my saunter in the woods.   I'm 208# as of yesterday.... still 50+ pounds over what I desire to be and that encourages me to know I will loose my pack weight.  I "SHOULD" never be this heavy with a full pack EVER.   But if I am, my frame can get me along if need be.  I am sure of it.

GOAL:  

Starting on April 15th 2020 and finishing before Election Day 2020: Thru-Hike the AT in 3 sections.
I'll begin sorting out my itinerary soon.....If possible, I will finish on my 60th Birthday.

Writing it down sure adds a little pressure I was not expecting.  I should do it before life takes me to the West Coast to retire on a weed farm, not a farm of weeds. lol

Let's see what tomorrow brings.  

Keep it simple, keep it positive and keep moving forward, always forward.

~ Kindle

Long overdue thanks

I've begun the process of getting my affairs in order.  The long story short of it is that "I" need to deal with my shit before someone else is forced to toss it all away.
Many dreams have materialized and now only a few that I care to hold onto remain.

I understand that those in Norway and Sweden have it as a life time task, when age 50 or so, get your affairs in order.  Seems logical and common sense.

It started with a humorous book entitled: "I'M DEAD. NOW WHAT?  Important information about My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes."

Accounts are updated, machines are updated, phones are updated.....brain, not so much. :)

Now as life is flowing easier from time to time, (2 forward, 1 back kind of frequency), Penny Grateful and I are finding what we love to do together and we go for it.  Her giggles and smiles are priceless.  I get to witness them daily.

So on to the gist of this post:
Thank you, everyone who has helped me along the way.
I trust that I did not burden anyone with my odd ways.

And the best part of getting my affairs in order, you might ask?
By the end of it, a new corporation is in the seed stages.
Travel the world and spread joy and smiles.
Seeing where the trons I trade become the cash that carries us around the world.

Sweet Dreams for sure. :)

So..the month begins like any other... except

Ah, October.
Buddy Orion is in the sky.

....
Well, the above was set in October 2018.  Seems I've been vacant.

Today was a new normal.
Shingles head, ear and jaw pain.
Sores on my arms from either the Shingles or Poison Oak.
Twisted my right knee somehow in my tossing and turning sleep.
A mess but enjoying the day.

It's been a year plus since my neck plunked in place.
Some days it misses that and will give me fitz but all in all, it is what it is.
Much has stayed the same, much has changed as change is the only constant.

Newest dream rocket cast to the universe....travel.
The vehicle to fuel the travel has been created.
Now it's time to heal the body more, get a few more pounds off and get it ready for the rigors of our future adventures! 
Route 66 for a month is the next planning. 
Chicago to L.A. and finishing it off with going to a live show of the Price is Right.
Come back home via Denver and K.C. 
That long of a drive requires a better muscle tone from my frame. 
I've tested it recently and it failed. 
1500 miles and I'm still feeling it 2 weeks later.

Lord knows, my body needs a rest and rebuild.  :)

I'll catch up soon.
Kindle.

Friday the 13th (July 2018)...My favorite Day! Turned out to be TRUE!!!

It has been awhile and a lot has transpired since Dec 2016 to July 2018.
18 short months of FUN!  Well, mostly fun.

I needed to let go and HOPE.
Best decision ever.

End result was:
22 year neck displacement (C7--T1 area of spine) allowed for me to instrumentally change careers using the principles I taught to many individuals and groups that society or class label as mishaps but I choose to help the army labeled by me as "Light Bulbs".

Let me back up a bit.
I'm a professional light bulb changer.  Got paid to do it for way too many years to display those facts and figures right now. Aircraft warning lights on the yard arms and mast to the bilge rats night lights.
Sewers have lights.  So do vent shafts and of course elevators.  I did enjoy that career. 
It had it's UPs and DOWNs....yuk, yuk.

Granted, those are the physical type of light bulbs but HEY, bulbs were made from mans thinking so mans thinking must be in the bulbs....(trust me for a bit here, please).

Edison...what a putz.   Tessla was the man.  Crazy fucker and a joy to now study.

I had to be introduced to Nicoli Tessla while attending Radford University as a mindless worker bee under an Oak Tree.  A brilliant banking, data and attorney technician befriended me and helped me guide my son to better pastures and his A.I. career on the bleeding edge with lots of Consumer capital to assist in his increase of his "VALUE" in the marketplace.

Trons to Cash....what a perfect business.....I wonder if I can still write off my losses once incorporated?   Guess my CPA and Esq. will guide my steps that I learned by "TRYING SOMETHING" lol. 
Sure beats owing a bank for a degree...does a degree pay back 2% a day on average? 
I'll find out if my A.I. MMM will.
Named after a True Kentucky Wildcat, Milo:
M.I.L.O.  Multiple Indicators Logically Ordering
is my next venture. 
Eventually, all the markets until I get to the point of my initial Dream.

Trading the markets while having breakfast:
The markets being:  Lumber, Silver, Gold, Pork Bellies, Orange Juice, Sugar, Cattle, etc.

Starting from Vapor.....a machine, an account, a pathway to the broker, some time and study,
VIOLA.
Oh, it takes money to continue past the base.....that has arrived.
I'm prepared to handle it for I have grown into the person that I needed to be first, then the rest follows. 
Applied Knowledge IS Powerful.  Tester not the Testy. Tests suck and are easily predictable.

Books have misprints,
From the borrowed ones in Catholic School to the ones required for Regents and beyond.
everything should be questioned.
I read the Britannica and the yearly updates before High School....why did teachers lie?
Did the teaching schools fail to teach the Britannica?


Every class I attended seemed to mis facts.
Not updated.
Could not be trusted.

Service and Installation Manuals.....same.

Government documents and up....same.

So they taught me Technical Writing.....no one is to blame for mis information.  Schitt Happens.

Now I share my view.


The journey continues with God's Guidance.
Source Energy: I know you well. 
Nimitz, Carter, Einstein,
Thank you.

2016 Ends - Hope Continues.......

May passed by (so did the whole Summer, Fall and Christmas).

Update: 
This past September, one word rocked our worlds: "Cancer".

Damn!  Didn't plan for that one and I realize, who could?

As we finish up Penny's last couple scheduled treatments, which will go into the new year, I've been reflecting upon my life's existence and drive.  You see, a "Narrative Medicine" adventure has me opening up to my self through writing.

We both have been spending a lot of time together at the American Cancer Society - Hope Lodge in Lexington, KY.
We are both grateful for the reprieve of cost for the amount of automobile travel we would have been forced into for her 5 days a week treatment.   Each night we can rest soundly knowing that appointments will not be missed due to weather, vehicle breakdown or lack of petrol. 

We truly are blessed.  Dreams continue to manifest. Our requests asked for, "oddly" are granted.  By "oddly" I mean to say that we ask via our methods and by odd twists happening within the day, our requests appear.  Never late, always on time and most always, NOT as we expected!  The Hope Lodge being one of those fears turned into blessing.  
We did not know "how" it was all going to work out, we just knew it would and looked forward to seeing "how" it would happen.
We have not been disappointed at all.  Our joy is overflowing at a place that is not used to seeing a lot of joy.

Living with cancer patients, care givers and volunteers was not on my radar as something I needed to experience first hand.  All I can share at this time is that it has been humbling and enlightening.

We managed to catch the "Tri-fecta" as I've been calling it.
Why not?  We do live in the Horse Racing capitol of the U.S. lol :)
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  
Three main stream celebratory events while dealing with a life altering experience. 
Not only our personal experience but the experience of all the others walking a similar path on their journeys. 

Since Penny and I firmly believe that Happiness is a choice,
(you either are or are not by choice), it is choice that we desire for our lives in spite of the minutia that is going on around us.

So, moving forward, changes are being made in our lives.
Many are going to be permanent and welcome.
Some not so welcome but we will work with those.  ;)

Hiking is on the radar but far off on the horizon for a time.
Things that are important are exposing themselves to us as we saunter along this journey.

Hope continues and we are smiling.  :)

May Day! (not mayday) ;)

May 1st, 2016
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii'!

So much happens when one gets busy creating their life.
This first 1/3 of the year brought with it much anticipation for my future hiking exploits.

Updates:

• Through a series of odd events, chance encounters and conversations, it was decided that the PCT will be the first major hike to be planned for Kindle McGuinness and Penny Grateful.
• Rehab still has me walking vs. swimming laps and it is visa versa for Penny.  
• May 1st brought with it a eating lifestyle change as we are incorporating the "Reboot" juice to our lives again utilizing the Nutribullet.
• I'm on task to create the financial robot employee that will fund our excursions.  Proof of concept was very favorable, accounts are being set up in a timely manner to my deadlines (with no stress), and I'm at peace.
• "To The Trail" timeline has begun with no set start date but both of us are in agreement that it will happen.
• Recipe tests have begun as to what can be created for our gourmet segments.
• Local trails of the Red River Gorge are calling us.
• Progress has been made on going up the mountain behind the home....creating my hiking training ground.

What can I say, I'm living my new dream!
Health is our first priority and soon to follow will be vitality.

Updates to follow.....
~ Kindle

And Life Continues.....

As of October 27th, 2015
It is official: I have been declared disabled.
SS Disability begins in May 2016 for the rest of my existence.


This does make life interesting and a bit more challenging.
I'm very undecided as to where this blog should end up.
Trash or Hope.


I'm going to side with hope.


Life continues....