Time is Precious

26 September 2009

When Betty and I first found out about my health problem, we were told that I had no immune system. I needed to stay away from any infection, even the common cold. Because of this, we decided the best place to be was The Glen. At first we traveled to Redding on a weekly basis for blood tests. Right now we are up to three weeks - a good thing I hope!?! I had my fourth transfusion yesterday, and all went well. They do make me feel better but it is a two day process, with the transfusion itself taking about 7 hours. It goes a whole lot faster when there's golf on TV!

Unfortunately, we can't spend all our time at the cabin. There is not enough sun in the sky to dry our clothes in a day, or enough wood on the mountain to keep us warm through the winter. Our next line of retreat was to the ranch in Hayfork. If you did not know, we have 40 acres on Hayfork Creek, on the west side of the valley. It is a wonderful piece of land with an early ranch style house, that was the original Drinkwater homestead. We currently rent the pasture to a lady for her 30 horses. It is basically a place where old horses can come, when other options are no longer available. It's always great to see the ranch with animals in the fields.

Anyway, most everything at the ranch needed some cleaning, repairing, and/or re-plumbing. So for the past 2 months Betty and I have used our mornings building and installing new wood-framed window screens, spring cleaning, repairing fences, and collecting trash. It has kept us busy and our minds off of other things. We both agreed it was almost like when we were first married.

We've had lots of help too. Every time we turned around it seemed like someone showed up with a piece of furniture or equipment that we could use. Now we even have a pump to put in the creek that will provide irrigation water!

Bob Warren (our new ranch foreman!?!) and his truck driver friend, have been a great help with the heavy work. Bob understands leukemia as he has been challenged with chronic leukemia for the past 8 years. Although different from mine, which is acute, our battles are similar. I thank him for his help and support.

So we're off to Jay and Laure's to spend a few days with them and make our first visit to AT&T Park - GO GIANTS!!!

I do want to remind everyone, that even if you're not working on your bucket list just yet, time is precious. The future is unknown, and the present is just that - a gift. Spend as much of it as you can, doing things you love, with the ones you love.

All Our Love,
Mr. & Mrs. Tinker
DrinkWater Gulch USA

P.S. So, does anyone have information on growing grapes, or starting a vineyard? No kidding - you know it's never too late to learn something new!

P.S.S. We have been asked about donating blood. Here's the scoop. The old way of donating blood to a specific person doesn't happen anymore. When you give blood it goes to whoever needs it. There is no charge for blood. I use 2 units every month - so please keep giving. I'm not the only one who needs it :) !

Head line news
June 10, 1956
Bud Felch Wins Wife Lottery

This story comes from a book I started reading during my third transfusion.
The book, “The Last Lecture”, was given to Betty by our son Jay.
Inside the book is a note from Jay saying “Thank you mom for
being here and for a wonderful week in Philly with my family.
Congratulations on winning the pinochle tournament.
I definitely won the Mom lottery.”
In one of the chapters the professor talks about his parents.
The chapter ends with the comment
“He had definitely won the parent lottery..”

I have definitely won the wife lottery!
Bud