Tag: setup (Page 1 of 45)

Pondering The Lint In My Navel

April 2, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

I was sitting on our back patio, being thankful for my day, even though I had dialysis labs (no problems). I thought back to some of the situations I’ve encountered in life and decided that being on dialysis isn’t all that bad.

Let me explain a little bit. When I was sent to Vietnam by the US Navy as a third tour there, initially, I was to be an electronics advisor mainly out of Nah Bay, which is Nha Trang Bay. As things work in the Navy, this lasted for about three weeks, and a more pressing need developed – that of updating the Mk 19 Mod 0 Grenade Machine Guns to the new Mk 19 Mod 1 configuration. This update was found to be beyond the capability of Vietnamese boat crews, so a Mobile Ordnance Team was formed, and I was in charge. The team consisted of myself, a lieutenant at the time, a Master Chief Gunner’s Mate, a Chief Gunner, and two civilian tech reps from Navy Ordance Station Louisville, KY. Get this: we were in charge of all the ordance on some 1250 Brown Water Navy craft that had been turned over to the Vietnamese Navy. To further complicate matters, no one on the US side had firm data on where said craft were located.

This tracking required me and my team to travel extensively in III-and IV-Corps by whatever means we could beg, borrow, or steal to accomplish our mission. Keep in mind that conflicts were going on in which we were involved as THE ordinance Team.

And that, my friends, leads me to the conclusion that dialysis is not all that bad; at least no one is shooting at you, have clean sheets and a bed at night, and most of the time have digestible food to eat. What’s not to like?

Cycler Crapping Out

March 31, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 1 Comment

Saturday evening, during my usual setup of my Fresenius-provided Cycler, it froze up for the third time in less than two weeks. Knowing how the game is played with Fresenius support, I once again phoned “Support.” Although on the second call, we went through calibrating the screen with a promise that should it happen again, the Cycler would be replaced, The third support person told me that “they” had to run a screen calibration again and should that fail, the Cycler would be replaced. This is obviously not in sync with what I had been previously informed, but is not out of the ordinary for Fresenius. It appears that they can and do make up rules on the fly.

After the second screen calibration, the system, as it has in the past, came up and got me through the night. Now, I can expect a call from Fresenius Corporate inquiring if I was able to complete my dialysis treatment.

I thought readers should know about this and be forwarned should it happen to you.

“See It Through” by Edgar Albert Guest:

March 28, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

Apply the following to facing dialysis challenges:

When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Guess What?

March 27, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 1 Comment

Spent about an hour on my replacement computer and pretty much made it mine. The computer is a decent mini-PC with 16 gigs of memory, Windows 11 Pro, and a half a gig drive. It was NOT loaded with bloatware, and setup was straightforward. I loaded PCMATIC up on it and ran a scan, which came out OK. I subscribe to Office 365 so that was also not a challenge. I loaded up CCleaner, aka CrapCleaner, and had to update 5 drivers. So far, so good, and now I have audio!

On the second front, I also worked on transferring settings, et,c from my wife’s former iPhone SE second generation to her new Google Pixel 8a, which also went along easily. I had to bother her for her fingerprint and facial regonition, but other than that, her new phone is up and running.

Tomorrow, Thursday, I have scheduled another go with the dermatologist at 1000. I’ m there with a modest truck load of “stuff” for out son up in Palo Pinto. Friday, we should be back to something normal for us.

BTW, the thornless roses are in full bloom and look nice!

Backyard Walkaround

March 24, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

As promised Friday, here is the video taken on 3/20/2025, of recent work, plantings, and growth in our backyard. Enjoy!

Backyard video

Seven Otten: Let’s Dance A Bit

March 9, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 1 Comment

Back in the day, when I was in high school, I attended frequent weekly dances where we either slow danced or did some form of what was then (1954-1956) the boogie woogie. All of us had our moves, some better than others. I was at the lower end of the dance spectrum due to lack of practice. For don’t you see, my mother was an avid Seventh Day Adventist and their faith, frowned on such activities especially those held between sundown on Friday and sundown on Saturday. Since the biggest open dance was held on Friday night at the YMCA, I was by default deprived of this form of enjoyment. So this leads me to today’s story, a dance called “Walk of Life” that is really neat by Sven Otten.

Sven Otten, born in 1988, is a German dancer and web video producer who gained international recognition through his YouTube channel1. He became famous for his unique dance style, which he calls “Neoswing,” a combination of swing elements and modern dance moves1 2.

Otten’s journey to fame began in December 2012 when he published his first YouTube video1. His second video, featuring him dancing to Parov Stelar’s “All Night,” became his breakthrough hit, amassing around 50 million views14. What makes Otten’s story remarkable is that he learned to dance by watching YouTube tutorials in his room.34

Otten made his first TV appearance on “Got to Dance” in 2015 and has since been featured in several TV commercials1. He has become particularly popular in Italy, where he is known as “il ballerino de la TIM” for his role as a brand ambassador3.

Otten’s YouTube channel, where he is known as JustSomeMotion (JSM), has continued to grow. He created a Dance-Academy on his channel to teach his style to others3 5.

Beyond his success in Germany and Italy, Otten has also gained popularity in Brazil as an ambassador for Telecom Brasil and has been making waves in the United States3.

Sven Otten’s unique blend of dance styles, combining elements of UK House Shuffle, Electro Dance (Tektonik), and Charleston, has inspired many imitators worldwide2 3. His success story serves as an inspiring example of how passion, combined with the power of social media, can lead to a successful career in dance and entertainment.

Catch his moves in the video below – and enjoy!

All’s Well

February 24, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

I’ve been busy working on the trellis in our backyard. See below for what it looks like in a finished form. Yes, 86-year-old dialysis patients can achieve goals involving work.

Dogs, Dialysis, and Me

February 21, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

As I have previously blogged about, we now have a two-year-old, 86-pound Golden Retriever as a central part of our household. He is worth his weight in gold as a pal and companion to both of us in this time of heart and dialysis perturbations. My wife tells me that when I leave, he (Dickens), lays down by the back door where I exited until my return. At breakfast, he lies on the floor beside me, ever so gently touching, until I finish breakfast. When I’m setting up the Liberty Cycler for my night’s dialysis treatment, he sits by the bed across from the machine until I have completed the setup. At night when we are watching TV, he often places himself equal distance between my wife and I while stretched out to his almost six-foot length. As I write this he initially supervised my setting up to write the blog and often ensconces himself in the footwell of our antique roll-top desk behind me. He is physically and emotionally supportive for both me and my wife – and anyone entering our home. He has no enemies, human or animal.

I recently ran across the poem below, which is applicable to how Dickens behaves:

Alone I sit by the door,

Ears perked up, eyes on the floor.

The day drifts slowly, passing by,

I watch the shadows, hear a sigh.

The house is quiet, still and bare,

But I can sense you in the air.

Each creak and rustle makes me leap,

In hopes your footsteps break my sleep.

The sun sinks low, the light grows dim,

Yet still I wait, my patience slim.

For when you come, the world’s made right,

In your embrace, the dark turns bright.

So here I’ll stay, with wagging tail,

And dreams of you in every trail.

For in your love, my heart finds home,

No longer do I wait alone.

Waiting Weather Out

February 20, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

When I went to bed last night, it was 18F; when I got up, rather late, it was 12F. There were a few snow flurries, but from what I can see and read about, there are not many icy roads. The power is staying up, so we’re cosy in our home.

While being weather-shut in, so to speak, my wife and I are planning what vines we are going to plant to take advantage of our new trellis system in the backyard. We’ve decided to plant some purple wisteria and vining roses as a starting point. We’re trying to source such plants now.

I inserted the weather forecast for the near future for where we live so you can see that starting next Monday, I will be moving the few tomatoes and zucks plants that I started indoors to their summer resting places. Starting Saturday and probably into Sunday I will be working on finishing the trellis system. Yesterday when it was brisk outside I heated our single garage where my saws are set up and made as many 45 angle cuts in the lattice strips for the trellis so I’m ready to buggie when the weather breaks.

Stay warm if you’re in a temperature warp like we are here in North Texas.

Finding Hope in Bloom: A Veteran’s Reflection

February 19, 2025 / Henry Feeser / 0 Comments

As I sit here in Pecan Plantation on this crisp February morning, I can’t help but feel a sense of renewal wash over me. The Daffodils, those bright harbingers of spring, have begun to bloom. Their cheerful yellow petals push through the earth, a vibrant reminder that life continues to unfold, even in the most challenging times.

Having served in Vietnam, I carry memories that are both heavy and profound. The experiences I lived through, particularly my exposure to Agent Orange, have shaped my journey in ways I never anticipated. Today, I find myself on peritoneal dialysis, navigating the complexities that come with it. Yet, each morning, I wake to the promise of a new day, much like those Daffodils awakening from their winter slumber.

Seeing these flowers bloom inspires me to reflect on resilience and hope. Just as the Daffodils bravely emerge despite the cold and dark months, we too have the strength to rise above our circumstances. Each blossom is a testament to the power of nature to heal and rejuvenate. It reminds me that beauty can flourish even in the face of adversity.

In my journey, I find parallels with the Daffodils. They remind me that, much like our lives, growth often follows struggle. The process of blooming is not instantaneous; it requires patience and perseverance. There are days when I feel weighed down by my health struggles, but then I step outside and see those flowers, and I am reminded that life is a cycle of challenges and triumphs.

As we move into spring, I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the small joys around us. Whether it’s the first bloom of your garden or a simple moment of connection with a loved one, these are the things that lift our spirits. Let’s draw inspiration from nature’s resilience and allow it to motivate us in our own lives.

Today, as I watch the Daffodils sway gently in the breeze, I am filled with gratitude for the moments of beauty that punctuate our lives. They serve as a reminder that hope is always within reach, and with it, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.

So, let us embrace the blooms, both in nature and in our hearts, and carry that spirit of renewal forward into our lives. Together, we can cultivate a garden of resilience and hope, one bloom at a time. God knows in the times I have been facing, I certainly needed to see the first blooms of Spring today. I hope that readers of this blog are so lucky!

I was aided and abetted in writing the above by Poe in response to the following Prompt: “I am a Vietnam vet on peritoneal dialysis as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. Today is Feb 18, 2025. We live in Pecan Plantation and this morning I noticed our Daffodils are starting to bloom. Write a blog along the lines of drawing inspiration from this.”