rob n donna

It Seems To Me That Life's Journey Is Not To Arrive At Your Grave Site Safely,

In A Perfect, Well Preserved Body,

But Rather To Come Skidding In Sideways,

Totally Burned Out,

Screaming,

" Holy Shit " " What A Ride "

Oh wow.

Nice to see you again.

Small world isn't it.

travel n party
hsb svc
icu worldwide
hsb town services
brewsters only hotel
horseshoes only hotel

CLICK

these, our other web sites

We just updated This Page On 22 November, 2009

I'm fellin so good n doing great,,, (see bottom)

OH NO , NOT YOU AGAIN ! ! !

NEWS n INFO n UPDATES

hay ya-all:

my ole friend klause flew in from frankfurt germany to give me a x6 pack of good german beer n some cookies he made. he flew into orlando, showed up in horseshoe around 7am, had x5 cups of coffee n a tour of the shoe, and in 4 hours was headed right back to germany. thats twice he has done that.

we were up in montana for donna’s five oh, click on the yellow travel n party button for more.

its been over x5 months since the explosion and well, its unbelievable what the human body can endure and recover from. from a bit of a distance you can’t even tell it happened to me. anyway ive 60 years with only one bad day, and that was a holiday. that’s more than most can say. the details are at the very bottom of this page.

as well, you can click on the yellow buttons for all our other sites including the travel page.

keep in the loop at ( www.robanddonna.com ).

rob n donna

Question:

Where The Heck Were You / Now Where Ya Going

Answer:

jan 2008 / rob n donna / easter island / play

feb 2008 rob n donna / antarctica / play

may 2008 / rob n donna / kansas / work

may 2008 / donna / brewster kansas / work

jun 2008 / donna / new york city / guiding tours

jul 2008 / rob n donna / kansas / running combines

aug 2008 / donna / colorado / birthday party

sep 2008 / rob n donna / new england n quebec / wedding

oct 2008 / rob n donna / colorado n kansas / birthday party

dec 2008 / rob n donna / munich germany / xmas spirit party

jan 2009 / donna / kansas / family

feb 2009 / rob n donna / dubai & bangkok & hong kong / bizniz

mar 2009 / rob n donna / arnold palmer invitational golf classic / work

may 2009 / donna / kansas / dads bday n mothers day lunch / family

may 2009 / donna / coco beach / tour guide

may 2009 / rob / montezuma colorado / remembering dan dantes

jun 2009 / donna / wyoming / for lisa jones book signing ( broken - a love story ) read it / visit

jun 2009 / donna / kansas / wheat harvest / work

jul 2009 / rob / hospital n home / recouping

sep 2009 / rob n donna / kansas / trial travel run / family

oct 2009 / rob n donna / montana at the lonesome spur cattle ranch / / donnas five oh birthday

dec 2009 / rob n donna / ( www.asavanant.com ) / dentist

jan 2010 / rob n donna / belize / work

feb 2012 / rob n donna / round the world via tibet

sep 2015 / rob n donna / 1500 moons (2152sun27sep15)

THE REST OF THE TIME WE ARE IN BEAUTIFUL HORSESHOE BEACH FLORIDA USA

Just Say You Are Coming Along And Then Don’t Make A Liar Out Of Yourself.

AT PRESENT WE ARE :

rob & donna ilves

box 111 at 111 11th ave roundhouse

horseshoe beach, florida

32648-0111 u.s.a.

( 29 26’16.10”n, 83 17’10.90”w ) or ( 29.437806, -83.286361 )

home phone ( 001.352.498.6067 )

primary mobile phone ( 001.352.895.2599 ) or secondary mobile phone ( 001.352.870.3788 )

(only connects when we are away from horseshoe beach, or overseas, so it’s better to try the home number first)

rob’s e-mail is icuworldwide111@aol.com

donna’s e-mail is donnailves@bellsouth.net

OUR OTHER WEB SITES :

our personal web site:

( www.robanddonna.com )

our horseshoe beach business web site:

( www.hsbsvc.com )

our international business web site:

( www.icuworldwide111.com )

our brewster kansas hotel web site:

( www.brewstersonlyhotel.com )

our horseshoe beach florida hotel web site:

( www.horseshoesonlyhotel.com )

our town of horseshoe beach florida town (info) web site:

( www.horseshoebeachfloridausa.com )

our travel n party website:

( www.robanddonna.com ) then on top, click on ( travel n party )

NOTE FOR FRIENDS N NEIGHBORS:

just a quick note to give you a heads up that we have made our home (the grain bins) available for purchase. we are planning ahead just to do a lot more traveling and it would be easier without all the responsibilities. we have actually put everything we own up and available including the business, equipment, and properties. we suspect it might take a couple of years to be in position to do so, but we have to start, so we did. anyway culmination of ownership is desired, expressions of interest are invited.

HORSESHOE BEACH, LOCATION, DIRECTIONS, STATISTICS, HISTORY, & RECREATION

Horseshoe Beach is an isolated, laid back, friendly fishing village located on the Gulf of Mexico west of Gainesville. We are a small town in the country yet at the water’s edge. Our town sign at the cattle-gap reads – “Welcome To "Florida’s Last Frontier". We are 20 miles to the closest major highway, and 20 miles west of Cross City, 70 miles west of Gainesville and 115 miles south of Tallahassee. Yes we have both "Seminoles and Gators".

We have approximately 99 full time residents and on weekends and holidays our population can swell to 300-400. Horseshoe Beach has a great sense of community and friendliness.

The Horseshoe Beach area was settled in the early 1800s. The land was owned by lumber interests until 1935, when C.C. Douglas and Burton Butler purchased the land (for $324), since the lumber company was pressuring the residents to "move on". The Butler/Douglas union made it possible for the settlers to own their occupied property. They offered each resident the lot he was living on for $10. Even then some would not buy, but at least now there was a town where residents could stay and own the land. Burton was the postmaster and later the first mayor.

The name was changed from Horseshoe to Horseshoe Beach in 1948. The town eventually incorporated in 1963. In March 1993, during a high tide and a full moon, the “Storm of the Century” hit and devastated Horseshoe Beach. It ripped most of the towns homes from there foundations and left many of the buildings that remained, floating in the canals and in the gulf. Then to top it all off, it snowed.

Now rebuilt, mostly up on poles, it is a changed face from the past. There is now a small, but successful, fishing fleet. The waters have an abundance of fish such as Sea Trout, Red Fish, Sheep Head, Cobia, Mackerel, Grouper And Flounder. Our Shell-Fish Are Stone Crab, Blue Crab, Oysters, Scallops, and Clams. Scallops when in season, bring many families to our coast for the annual scallop round up. Basically we have the best darn fishin hole in this part of the world.

For those that like to canoe, rowers and other watercraft users we have off-shore islands to explore. You might just find your "Private Beach". With so little traffic our roads are great for bicycle touring, while the back-woods' roads are great for mountain bikes. Hiking along our rural roads is a great way to share our last of Florida’s wilderness coast... You might just see an American eagle, an alligator or maybe even a panther.

Come on down to the coast and enjoy Florida’s last frontier.

Come on down and have a visit.

JUST DIRECTIONS TO HSB:

Horseshoe Beach is located on the Gulf of Mexico, in the north of Florida in an area called the Big Bend. It is where the curvature of the state is located on the North West side. It is 179 miles north of Tampa airport, 100 miles north west of Ocala, 179 miles northwest of Orlando airport, 77 miles west of Gainesville airport, 100 miles south east of Tallahassee, 130 miles southwest of Jacksonville and about 400 miles north of Miami,. To give you a little idea about Florida, it is approximately the size of the main island of Japan. If you were to drive from Pensacola in the North West, to Key West in the south of Florida it could take you over 12 hours thru 2 time zones.

Get on US19 & US98 to Cross City, turn left or right (depending on which way you are coming) in front of the Ace Hardware store, go 19 miles to the Gulf of Mexico and downtown Horseshoe Beach.

TO HSB FROM ORLANDO (MCO) AIRPORT:

Exit the Orlando airport toward Orlando.

Just out of the airport take the exit route #528, . . Bee Line Expressway. . , toward Florida Turnpike.

After the second toll booth (approx. 5 miles) (keep lots of quarters / 25cents handy) exit to the Florida Turnpike (another toll).

Follow signs Turnpike north, Wildwood, toward Ocala.

Approx. 50 miles north on Turnpike, merge right onto I-75 north

Approx. 20 miles north, in Ocala, take exit route #27 toward Williston (left under bridge).

Stay direction straight (the route number changes to alt#27) on that road 20 miles to Williston, 10 more miles to Bronson, 10 more miles to Chiefland.

In Chiefland turn right north at the . . T. . traffic light onto us route #19, 10 miles to fanning springs, 5 miles more to old town, 10 miles more to Cross City.

In Cross City turn left at the ace hardware store.

Go 19 miles to Horseshoe Beach.

TO HSB FROM TAMPA (TPA) AIRPORT:

Exit airport and follow signs to . . veteran’s expressway. . #589 toll, north.

Take #589, toll road (sometimes called suncoast parkway) north approx 55 miles till it ends.

Turn left (toward Homosassa and crystal river) for approx 4 miles.

Turn right on hwy us#19.

Go thru Homosassa and Crystal River and continue on us#19 approx 75 miles thru towns of Chiefland, Fanning Springs, Old Town and into Cross City.

In Cross City turn left at the . . Ace Hardware Store. . .

Go 19 miles to Horseshoe Beach.

TO HSB FROM JACKSONVILLE:

Take I-10 west to US 41 (second Lake City exit) toward Lake City (south). In the center of town turn right (west) on US 90 , then turn left on 247 South toward Branford (turn is just past the 84 Lumber place at the Walgreen Drug store).

Take 247 south to Branford.

When road dead ends on 129 turn left and go 2 blocks. Turn right on US 27 North.

Go 1.3 miles north on US 27 over the Suwanee River then turn left (south) on FL 349 (flashing yellow light, road says Old Town).

Go 14.1 miles on FL 349 then turn right on CR 351 which is the 2nd flashing yellow light you will encounter.

Go 12.3 miles on CR 351 to Cross City. Turn right at light onto Main Street (US 27). Go 2 blocks and turn left (onto CR 351 again) in front of the Ace Hardware.

Go 19 miles to Horseshoe Beach.

THEN, AND ONLY THEN . . WHEN YOU GET TO HORSESHOE BEACH

About 6 blocks after the . . Cattle Guard . . Turn left over the canal bridge at the . . Signs . . (where the road curves rightish. . ), then straight to the water, put your front wheels in the water, then back up 10 feet, then left, (that is 11th avenue east) and right up the ramp onto our deck, the white n grey grain bin / round house.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:

Average Horseshoe Beach Temperature Fahrenheit During The Day In:

39/60 January

42/66 February

45/71 March

47/72 April

52/77 May

61/83 June

75/89 July

77/88 August

75/83 September

68/79 October

56/76 November

39/61 December

Nights in the winter rarely (but can) drop below 33, yet in the summer don’t get much below 74. Ask us about the typical weather around the time you plan to come and visit

THREE PERFECT DAYS IN HORSESHOE BEACH:

We are looking forward to a visit from you. As we mentioned, Horseshoe Beach is located on the Gulf of Mexico, in the north/central of Florida, in an area called the big bend. It is where the curvature of the state is located on the North West side. It is 179 miles north of Tampa, 100 miles north west of Ocala, 179 miles northwest of Orlando, 77 miles west of Gainesville, 100 miles south east of Tallahassee, 130 miles southwest of Jacksonville, 400 miles north of Miami, and about 450 miles north of Havana. To give you a little idea about Florida, it is approximately the size of the main island of Japan, or 4 times the size of Estonia. If you were to drive from Pensacola in the North West, to Key West in the south of Florida it could take you well over 12 hours.

Day One:

When you hit the Florida border, by air, land or sea, phone us, we would like to know you arrived safe. On the way in, don’t be afraid to stop at any of Florida’s world class attractions, or take a Scenic route to Horseshoe Beach. We can suggest many sights to see along the way and some great places to have a bite to eat with typical local southern dinning. Arrive in Horseshoe Beach safely. But be here by evening cuz we wana visit awhile, party hearty, and you will need a good nights rest so that you are ready to enjoy Horseshoe Beach, and beautiful Dixie County (that’s right, you are in DIXIE) come daybreak.

All the things we are fixin to show ya (and most things in Florida) is/are very casual, so dress comfortable (shorts, blue jeans, t-shirts and flip flops or soft shoes). Your guest room has a small kitchenette with refer, sink, small stove, coffee maker, and toaster. There is also a cloths washer and dryer, so you don’t need to pack too much clothing.

We will gossip and tell stories (true or not) late into the night.

Day Two:

Sleep in a bit, but don’t miss anything. You will be treated to a good hearty breakfast while overlooking enchanting Horseshoe Cove. Watch fisherman heading out for the morning catch, and some great sunshine that Horseshoe mornings are noted for (weather permitting).

After breakfast, get ready. Depending on your style, walking, biking, by boat or pick-up truck, you will be treated to a “Guided” tour of Horseshoe Beach and maybe some of the surrounding area. See Captain Clark’s old fishing boat, Horseshoe Beach Marina, Will Lawler’s Realty Office, the town shrimp fleet, the ball park and more. There ain’t no place, like this place, anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.

We may head out to Fishbone Creek and Shred Island to go camera hunting. Pursue alligators, heron, snakes (we supply the snake pants), vultures, coons, osprey, armadillos, possum, turkeys, deer, owls, wild hogs, eagles or any number of other critters. You may even pass one of the old Indian burial grounds.

Or if you wish, go shopping at Cedar Key. With a small main street and a few quaint little water oriented shops it is a great place to have a bite or sip suds by the water. A side trip way down upon the Suwannee River and the manatee springs state park might even put you in contact with a real manatee.

You may even wind up in a neighboring town for lunch, or a cool afternoon beverage, but be sure to be back to h2o2 in time for the sunset, it is a tradition to watch it at “the point”, nice to see it on the boat with a nice glass of wine / cool beer or even cool to be up on the roof top.

For the evening meal get ready to enjoy a seafood feast with some of Horseshoe’s freshest and best seafood still wiggling, right out of the Gulf or maybe Dinner tonight will be just a short walk from the house at the Horseshoe Beach Café.

Then spend the rest of the evening relaxing and visiting around the house, take the canoe out for a paddle, take a short bike ride, drink a cool one in the lounge chair or just do your own thing.

Day Three:

Enjoy a nice leisurely breakfast, we will be shown ya what ya may have missed and oh but we are so sad, it is time for you to go. However, we encourage you, and you are welcome, to stay on “un-escorted” for as long as your little heart desires.

Some other ideas for you to experience are:

By referring to a map the references below. Each of these 40 attractions is either free or accessible at such a low fee as to represent a colossal bargain in Florida outdoor recreation. Most of the places are natural phenomena (rivers, refuges, etc.) But a few are man-made or enhanced (man, too, is natural, after all) and of such merit as to justify inclusion on our list - places like historic Perry and quaint Cedar Key. So, expect the unexpected and have a great time!

01- The Aucilla River is a beautiful, spring-fed stream you'll want to canoe. Inquire locally.

02- The lush Econfina River is an official Florida canoe trail with good access from U.S. 98. Make local inquiries, log a float plan.

03- About 15 mi. NW of Perry, Hickory Mound is a top waterfowl site also affording very good fishing, crabbing and wildlife viewing complete with observation tower. Rough road - best for pick-ups and sport utility vehicles.

04- Adams Beach is a short drive off of 361, a place where you can look into the past. This is the way it was. Cows sometimes wade here.

05- Keaton Beach offers a swim able, public beach (not quite like Daytona) and excellent fishing for sea trout, redfish, cobia, and more.

06- Blue Springs Lake, near Keaton, offers good freshwater fishing and an interesting, watery environment to explore by small boat or canoe.

07- The Forest Capital Museum and Cracker Homestead are worth your time. On the south side of Perry off U.S. 19.

08- Perry, the state's timber capital, is one of Florida's most "authentic" towns with very little pretense. Rich in history, downtown has been renovated with emphasis on heritage. Do a wailing tour. There's a drug store here that still serves old fashioned milk shakes and floats.

09- Hagens Cove is one of the best scalloping sites in Florida and also great for bird watching. An observation tower provides super photo ops.

10- Dallus Creek is a remote, canoe able tidal stream where you can catch fish and probably see herons, osprey and a gator or two.

11- Bradley Spring is the site of a tiny, ancient springhead where you can dip your toes.

12- Steinhatchee is the real thing. A fishing village, both commercial and sport, with charm to spare. Seafood superb. It is Pronounced: Steen-hatch-ee. There is a Boat ramp across river at Jena.

13- The Steinhatchee River can be explored by small boat or canoe, upstream and down. Good fossil hunting.

14- Steinhatchee Falls, won't compete with Niagara but still, something to see! Boat ramp.

15- The Road to Nowhere goes straight as county road 358 bends into Jena. See the Gulf's rocky marsh. Canoe put-ins are at Rocky and Cow Creeks.

16- Horseshoe Beach is a sleepy little seaside fishing port still living in the 50's.

17- Horseshoe Beach's once had a Aerostat (air force radar blimp) that could be seen from Blimp Road just outside of the town. (or in the sky.)

18- Shired Island is a fun-to-explore, uninhabited island easily reached by car. Primitive camping at the county park. Boat ramp. Fishing.

19- Bicycling and hiking are features of the new Nature Coast Greenway to follow old railroad bed from Cross City to Chiefland and Trenton. Also the Dixie Mainline to/from Horseshoe Beach / Suwanee / Steinhatchee.

20- The town named for the river is Suwannee, where you will find houseboat rentals, fishing guides, camping, seafood and more. Ramps.

21- The Salt Creek look-out is a boardwalk and pier on the exquisitely scenic headwaters of an unspoiled stream. Bring your camera, fishing pole or canoe. Just north of town.

22- The Suwannee River is the most famous river in Florida and one of the most famous in the world. Excellent boating, fishing and water sports. Tributaries near the mouth offer super canoeing possibilities. Manatees often seen.

23- The City of Hawkinsville is not a city, it is a sunken river steamer and an underwater state park favored by scuba divers. Between Fanning Springs and Old Town.

24- Fanning Springs, a "wide place in the road" is famous for the cool springs themselves, swimming, snorkeling, picnicking at the state park. You may sometimes see Manatees here.

25- Guaranto Springs (spelled many different ways) is an ole time "family spring" on the banks the Suwannee. County park ramp.

26- Hart Springs is a pretty swimming park with many amenities including camping.

27- More springs are up the road and up the river near Branford. Several of these are rated tops by swimmers, snorkelers and SCUBA fans.

28- Andrews Wildlife Area features wonderful forest land, champion trees, lots of watch able wildlife, highly rated birding. Nature trails.

29- Manatee Springs is a popular state park with a beautiful spring run, boardwalk, great shady camping, trails. Manatees sometimes visit the spring run. Nearby boat ramps.

30- Blue Grotto and Devil's Den are between Bronson and Williston, both popular SCUBA sites.

31- Beck Park on the Wekiva River is near the junction of 326 and 343. Swimming, fishing, canoeing, clear flowing stream. Picnic sites.

32- The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge embraces thousands of acres in both Dixie and Levy counties. Great bicycling on rustic trails, fabulous birding and wildlife viewing, fishing, canoeing, hiking. Boardwalk. Ramp on the Suwannee at Fowler Bluff.

33- Shell Mound archaeological site is between Fowler Bluff and Cedar Key. There is an Old Indian mound made of oyster shells. Trails, Boardwalk, pier, excellent fishing, birding, canoeing, kayaking. Nearby camping, boat ramp.

34- Cedar Key Scrub is just east of Cedar Key on SR24.You may see endangered scrub jays. There are Trails with many interesting plants. Picnicking.

35- Cedar Key is a unique history drenched town with both grace and funk. Two museums, Rock& roll on weekends, Come with camera and an appetite. Pier. Guides. Fishing. Sunsets.

36- ceder Key National Wildlife Refuge offers some of the best island birding in the state. Pelicans abound. Guides and tour boats.

37- The Waccasassa River (Preserve) delivers wild Florida scenery by small boat or canoe. Great fresh and saltwater fishing. Boat ramp.

38- Goethe State Forest is where you will find a rare, old stand of Longleaf pine and you may see endangered Red Cockaded Woodpeckers.

39- Yankeetown with it is Gulf park mix history with superb sport fishing. Great food, scenery and Floridiana. Boat ramp on the Gulf.

40- The Silo House, in Horseshoe Beach is constructed out of actual Nebraska corn bin silos. An architecture wonder, best seen by water.

And/or just do Biking or Boat Rides or Canoeing or Cape Canaveral or Coco Beach or Disney World or Drive On Daytona Beach or Explore Islands Of Horseshoe or Fishing or Food Cedar Key or Food Crumps or Food Fiddlers or Food Home or Food Horseshoe Beach Café or Food Huckleberry’s BBQ or Food Sally’s Galley or Food Salt Creek or Food Salt Creek or Food Shrimp At Home or Food Southern Backyard BBQ or Food Stumpknockers or Gainesville or High Springs or Horse Farms or Food Issac Walton Inn or Kennedy Space Center or Key West or Lunch On The Boat Up One Of The Creeks or Manatee State Park or MGM Studios or Miami Beach or Museums or Oaks Mall or Ocala or Okefenokee Swamp or Orlando Attractions or Play Cards or Scalloping or Sea World or Shred Island or Silver Springs or St Augustine or Steinhatchie or Sunset Somewhere or Suwannee River or Swimming or Tampa Attractions or The Everglades or Viewpoint Salt Creek or Winery Dakota or Winery Highsmith or ZZZ - or see ( www.HorseshoeBeachservices.com ) for other Horseshoe businesses, interests, or services.

We are looking forward to seeing you.

…Rob n Donna…

P.S.

If you are coming down, please fill out (one each per person) the questionnaire below and get it to us at soon as possible so we know more about your preferences and so we can help you to enjoy your visit to our home.

Name _______________________________________ Date of Birth _________________

rate the following on a basis of 1 – 10 (1 being worst & 10 being best)

( ) = do you like/eat seafood?

( ) = do you like/eat meat?

( ) = do you like/eat vegetables?

( ) = do you enjoy fishing?

( ) = do you enjoy shopping?

( ) = do you enjoy sightseeing?

( ) = do you like animals?

( ) = do you like to get up early in the morning?

( ) = do you like to stay up late at night?

( ) = do you like time alone to relax?

( ) = do you ride bicycles?

( ) = do you run for exercise?

( ) = do you enjoy boating?

( ) = do you like water sports?

( ) = do you like to just hang out and do whatever or nothing or just relax?

What is your favorite non alcohol beverage?

What is your favorite alcohol beverage?

What is your favorite morning beverage?

Do you eat breakfast?

Is there a food you don’t particularly like?

Is there a food you really like?

What is your favorite food?

What do you really hate to do on your holiday/vacation?

What do you really love to do on your holiday/vacation?

Are you allergic to any plants or food?

Are you allergic to cats, dogs, birds, fish, animals?

Do you know how to swim?

What fun home games (cards, board games, poker) do you like?

What is the one thing that you always wanted to do in Florida?

Do you like sex? Only kidding, Donna wanted me to take that out so I told her I did.

See YA-ALL

WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED

dear friends n neighbors n family

sat04jul09at9:09pm

just to fill you in, i was out on the gulf of mexico on an island that sits about 1000 feet away from our town shore. its where we do our town independence / 4th of july fireworks display of which i was doing the display this year for the town. there was an accident with an explosion and as you can imagine, i was right next to it. (fyi: thank god, absolutely no alcohol or play was involved, and just like any accident, no one meant for it to happen). i was airlifted to university of florida shands hospital. they spent a good part of the night operating on my left eye, the ligaments on my left hand, burns and my right hand and fingers. i spent the next 2 days in the burn unit and then the trauma unit. i had gotten a good part of the front side of me spot burned and, well, they could not save my eye or one of my fingers, my left hand is messed up a bit, not to mention my ears are shot and ringing quite a tune. the good news is that my buttocks are without a scratch. funny how things workout. anyway, here is what is going on to date.

i’m really healing up fast and planning to continue just that.

left eye:

what happened:

along with some cheek, it was literally blown out during the explosion.

and now:

after waiting for the stitches on the eye lid to dissolve i had my first fitting for a new (glass eye) prosthesis. it took 3 hours. they took my temp eye lens out and poured a rubberized compound in the socket. after it dried, they remove it and they then made a mold. from the mold they started (in n out n in n out) fitting it, shaping the front and back, and curving the same as my right/good eye. a week later, in a three and a half hour session they hand painted the prosthesis, (they actually hand painted the eye for that long, even the “hangover” red part). next will be a glaze over it and the painted one will match my good eye. But wait, time went by, AND, NOW, I HAVE IT, it looks much the same, septin when i check out a hottie at the mall, i keep donna on my left,,, but it quivers,,, and wow im busted. that’s good.

right eye:

what happened:

my right eye received shrapnel.

and now:

they did the last mini surgery to remove fragments and it seems ok although i did lose a bit of vision. my left eye was my strong eye but i’m doing quite well adjusting. i now have new prescription glasses (what, no 50% discount offered) and they are much better. i now can legally drive in florida. that’s good.

left cheek bone:

what happened:

the explosion crushed the left cheekbone and sinus area.

and now:

there isn’t much that can be done as the bone was too fragmented, however if it hasn’t been a problem to now. the sinus should seal itself off and not cause any problems. if it does they can try some options. the plastic surgery makes everything look fine, im left with a little bump n thats even beginning to tan. that’s good.

teeth:

what happened:

as the cheek bone and jaw bone are related the left upper teeth were effected.

and now:

since the numbness is wearing down i find that my top left side teeth are feeling real strange in relation to my upper jaw, that would be connected with the crushed cheek bone. after all the dental work i did last year i’m hoping it doesn’t mean more, however i have been going to a really good dentist in bangkok and they are oh so cheep. that’s good.

burns:

what happened:

burns to my right hand and lots of spot burns and shrapnel burns, mostly on inside of my right arm and right chest and some on my legs.

and now:

all burns have by now stopped dripping and sealed. my right hand was hit the hardest. thanks to donna’s constant efforts with the anti bacteria med and coco butter etc, some of them are even getting their pigment color back already. the fingers on my right hand got it, as well the thumb and middle finger lost a tiny bit on the end of each. they feel much better and they don’t look so bad. lucky i had a tan (or as the doctor said, 10 layers of old dead skin). that’s good.

right index finger:

what happened:

burned and actually the end was blown away

and now:

its a knuckle shorter than it use to be, its a bit touchy as far as hurt goes, its still swollen, but it too was released from bandages for duty. my good friends out in montezuma offered their own skin, should i need more for grafting, i’m just afraid of where they might get it. i declined. that’s good.

left hand/fingers:

what happened:

ligaments were cut.

and now:

in surgery that night, they had sewn the ligaments back on my x4 fingers. they are stronger already. that’s good.

ears:

what happened:

blew both eardrums out and most of the sensor tissue.

and now:

i have lost almost all hearing in my right ear, a bit less in the left. i use a pair of earphones (hunters use them to hear deer talk) with microphones and they work great. after 4-6 months they will evaluate and they may be able to install new ear drums, (in the mean time there are deer everywhere). that’s good.

shrapnel:

what happened:

shrapnel happens in explosions, and did, mostly on inside of my right arm.

and now:

although donnas efforts in her morning treasure hunt to find and remove any small pieces that were working their way out, i did have a mini surgery to remove the bigger shrapnel, (a dozen locations), however after the first piece (they had to tear the meat away to get it out) it was recommended to just leave it alone. they think it was so hot when it went in that it sterilized itself. if it becomes infected (and its not) they told me to circle all of them with a magic marker, go in, lay on the table, get gassed, and they will do the rest. the doctor recommended no mri’s till then. that’s good.

work:

what happened:

our bizniz didn’t miss a beat.

and now:

in addition to all the other things she did, donna, with the help of my associates, fully covered for me quite well. at first i was doing just the lighter (management) stuff, but i am attempting to do some of my share and get my end of it back to normal, so as far as business goes, its business as usual, full bore. that’s good.

horseshoe beach, the town:

what happened:

folks have been unbelievable and oh so nice, so helpful and so giving, we just cant thank everyone enough. from neighbors bringing daily food, the offers and follow ups of needed requests and the town businesses planned and held a fishing tournament fund raiser for our benefit on labor day saturday. called the horseshoe beach fishing and scalloping shootout, the competition pinned the east side of main street against the west side of main street against the rest of the world. “the east vs. the west vs. all the rest”. we were just overwhelmed. there were 83 boats entered (in a town of 99 people). there were t-shirt sales, donated prizes, super support, and along with so many wonderful contributions, raised a substantial amount, which will all be used to offset what our insurance does not cover and the bundles of unforeseen expenses. as well, joe and ramona at the horseshoe beach cafe held a fund raising spaghetti dinner for over 50 people, all proceeds donated.

and now:

we have received over two hundred emails from six continents, over a hundred get well cards, gifts, phone calls, help, goodies, contributions and support. donna and i appreciate everything so much. we are so grateful to all our family n friends n neighbors n folks we didn’t even know. that’s very good

and as for donna:

now and always:

she is the most dedicated, focused, cheerful, helpful, kind, supportive, positive, tireless, loving woman in the world. she never missed a beat taking on everything. i cant hear too well, but i think she even turned the volume down on elvis, so i could rest a little better. she is just a wonderful person. she has increased my healing rate by ten fold, and my life by a million. she is good.

AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED

left: buddhist shrine in thailand, center: spices in the arab souk in dubai, right: bamboo construction scaffolding on a high rise in hong kong