This is my first entry in the new Captain’s Log and I’m excited about having a forum to post what I’m thinking about and what’s going on.
I guess the first big news is the book. Captain Paul’s Contemporary Guide to Lake George was a fun and necessary project. Fun because I wanted any excuse to get out on the lake, although since I’m now recently retired, I suppose I don’t really need one, and necessary because I was confusing a lot of the information I had internalized through my years of boating and researching.
It was time to write it all down. By doing so, I felt compelled to create a better tour book. One that gave a summary of the interesting locations and information along with color photos and maps. My thought was if it inspired a reader to know more, that would be great residual effect.
So for me writing is about passion and I have that for both the art and the lake. I hope you will find the manuscript a useful addition to your Lake George library
collection…even if this is the first book in it.
What else was recently on my mind is my dad’s birthday on August 7th . He will be 90 years old. The oldest male member of his family…ever! Now that’s not really that remarkable as many people live to be 90 or beyond given all the medical assistance available. What struck me is how mobile he still is at that age.
Every Wednesday my dad, my brother, my uncle, who's younger than me but that’s a story for another time, and myself get together for dinner. This past Wednesday my dad asked me to pick him up, although he is more than capable of driving himself. I think he just likes the attention, and if you tell him 6 o’clock he’ll be on the phone at 5:30 asking where you are.
This day I had a different car, a low riding sports model that I had swapped out with my friend Tony as he needed a bigger vehicle to go on vacation. My thought was when I get to the house we could just take his car. I told him this, when yes he called me at 5:30 to ask where I was, and he deferred, saying that car was fine.
Now I’m 23 years younger and I have a bit of trouble getting in and out, but when I pulled up he easily made his way into the seat and followed suit when we got to dinner and went home. It was something of a landmark moment as I was a bit taken back by his agility at that age.
Now to put it in context, my dad was not an athlete, he liked to smoke back in the day, and probably enjoyed a few too many beers at one time, although he no longer drinks or smokes. He’s had eight stints, nine if you count the kidney one and at least one heart attack, although described as mild at the time, some 35 years ago. I really don’t know if there is such a thing, but whatever the case he moves like a man 15 years younger.
Mobility is a hot topic for me as in the past two years I’ve had both hips replaced. Unlike my dad, I work out regularly and was an athlete in my youth. I went to London last November with my youngest son for 10 days before my second hip replacement. London is a walking town and I was “Sam Struggling” after an hour on the street, so I really appreciate the ability to get around without pain or compromise.
In March of 2022 I had my second hip done and really for the first time in over 2 years, I can honestly say my mobility is excellent again. I’m back to playing tennis, walking my dogs and moving limp and pain free. My message would be that if you need a hip or knee or anything that can make your life more enjoyable, do it sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to get in and out of a sports car as easily as my 90 year old dad.
Till next time.
Cheers!