What is Test For Echo?

In the Canadian Arctic there are sign posts of a sort, inukshuit, or inukshuk (singular), used to point the way, indicate a particular location, or align the viewer to a certain important landmark or destination. Used here it is the idea that we are all looking for answers and wisdom. Not just the obvious ones, who am I and why am I here? But the less obvious and very personal ones that only you can ask. Test For Echo expresses that searching, asking, discussing, and, hopefully, finding. Test for echo means to call out to the wilderness and listen for what comes back. Does anyone have the answers? I don't know. This is the place to explore that particular question. Welcome to Test For Echo.

1966 US Navy Aviator's G-1 Leather Jacket

 Or, to be more specific, a Naval Aviator's leather flight jacket given to my dad, as a gift from the flight crew, when he served on the USS Columbus, CG-12...the ship I was Baptized on.

This coat's journey holds mystery. The last time I remember seeing it, prior to just a few years ago, was in the early 1980s. After that it seemed to vanish.

Halloween a few years ago two of my little sister's sons stopped by. Th older nephew was wearing a leather jacket I instantly recognized. "Jack, where did you get that?" "It's been laying around the house as long as I can remember." After I explained its significance and that I'd been looking for it for over 30 years, he took it off and said, "You should have it!"

I had bought, years earlier, a new, genuine, G1 jacket. As much as I loved it, I seldom wore it. I offered it in trade to Jack. Done deal. Both of us happy, as I had my dad's jacket, and Jack had the same style with intact cuffs and waistband.

Ah, the cuffs. They were long gone. In such disrepair, my nephew had cut them entirely off. The leather was dry, tired and wrinkled. Some of it missing its outer layer. For a few years I debated to repair it or allow it its story.

Finally, I decided to replace the cuffs, waist band, and leather zipper pull. I made the right decision. Now I am investigating getting the leather repaired.

Must have been meant to be, the jacket fits me perfectly...

Shoulder Recovery Update

 I have been attending physical therapy twice a week since just before Christmas. Progress has been excellent, and seldom more than uncomfortable. As of two weeks ago all the surgery has healed, and the focus has shifted to strengthening. I can see and feel progress each week. Tomorrow (March 1) will be my return to playing bass on Sundays.

At the end of this coming week we head to Panama City, Panama, for a much deserved reset for both of us.

I had my initial PT evaluation a few days ago. The therapist referred to my shoulder as "supple," which he said is very good. Yesterday I had my first post-op surgeon visit. He was very happy with my early progress, as well as with the outcome of the surgery. One caveat: There was significantly more damage than we realized, which required additional work on his part...which translates into I get to spend a possible 8 weeks in a sling (I was anticipating 4 at the most).

Now, I'm not going to start complaining. At the end of it all my shoulder will be in great shape (the Kansas City Chiefs have called asking if I can be a fill-in QB), and I know of friends with far more significant health concerns.

Off we go on the healing road!
 

Post Op Day 3

Surgery went well. In addition to expected repairs the surgeon took care of some bone spurs and bursitis. A nerve block has provided incredible pain management. Started physical therapy today with range of motion evaluation and two very light weight exercises. The physiotherapist described my shoulder as supple...a very good situation. ROM was also pretty good.

I've received excellent care at Maynard Rehab and Recovery! They provide a special weighted blanket to speed recovery!

Surgeon Post Op appointment on Monday.

Third Shoulder Surgery

In a few hours I will have a third shoulder surgery. The first was in 2008 to repair a right side ruptured bicep tendon and, discovered once the surgery started, a torn and floating rotator cuff. All fixed up very nicely...until 2020, when the right shoulder repair re-tore. Again, all fixed up nicely (was not under warranty). After several years of off and on PT, the left shoulder tore. An MRI showed a torn cuff, torn labrum, and torn bicep tendon. Prognosis for full repair and recovery is very good.

Interestingly I get asked how I managed to have two damaged shoulders. Throwing too many overweight Americans into the backs of ambulances in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

Tropical Storm Erin

Tropical Storm Erin formed over night from an organized storm to a tropical storm, virtually skipping tropical depression. Its track is typical of those that approach the US east coast. I'm not a meteorologist, just an amateur observer.

Edit: Thankfully, Tropical Storm, and later category 5 Hurricane Erin, stayed out to sea, equally distanced between Bermuda and the Outer Banks. Although storm surges were significant, no major damage occurred.