The long look back...

Somehow months have passed since I last ventured here.

This year's Christmas story was never completed. I barely got started on it. Although I finally got a new computer with a huge screen, I am still challenged by double vision that seems to be getting worse and is not correctable. It is both horizontal and vertical now.

I'm really sorry if I've let anyone down by my absence-it wasn't intended.

I've also been undergoing additional head trauma treatment at the U of W. Medical issues resulting from the head trauma I received in 2002 remain a continued frustration. I underwent an Independent Medical Evaluation that was requested by the state. As a result of that examination and subsequent new head injury diagnosis, I've been undergoing numerous visits to the U of W Neuro Rehab Center at the U of W Medical Center.

Although my home is sold, I remain a resident of Pend Oreille County. I also continue to hold several parcels of land there- so the ranch, in one context or another, still exists. The land I still own is adjacent to my former home and boasts the same breathtaking view. But the huge RV park I've written about is now under contruction and one corner of this project is within a hundred feet of the land I still own. With very small RV lots selling for $125000 each, the price pressure and property tax issues I face are troubling. I don't really know what I am going to do and in the next several months I have some decisions to make. During this transition, I've moved into Newport where I am not as reliant on people to give me rides and I can walk most of the places I need to go.

I've also been somewhat transient in the last several months. As I consider what the future holds, I continue to say the serenity prayer- a lot.

Here are some of the highlights of the last several months:

~Celebrating my mom's !st year anniversary as she enjoys remission from Ovarian Cancer. The entire family traveled to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Sea World and Oceanside for a week. We are so grateful that my mom is still with us and my family thanks everyone for their prayers.

~My boyfriend Kevin moved to Newport last fall. We were able to spend Christmas together with my family in the Seattle area. and it was one of the best holidays I can remember. I was worried because my Grandmother's passing last spring was really hard on everyone. She defined Christmas and as all the ornaments and stockings were unpacked, it was as if she was still with us. Actually I believe Billie presence remained with us as we gathered around the Christmas Tree and Kelcy tore through her presents.

~Washington State passed a landmark gay civil rights bill. Already religious extremists are hoping to overturn this legislation, yet Washington is the least churched state in the nation and continues to be quite progressive- bucking the conservative swings handicapping the rest of the naiton. While many Washingtonians are deeply faithful, cherishing their religious beliefs, organized religion does not hold the stranglehold here that it boasts in other regions. Here faith based thinking strengthens intellectual progress rather than threatening it.

Anyway, now that I have the means to log on and blog, I will as my vision allows. A belated Happy New Year to everyone...

Tim

PS~ Oh yeah, I am grateful to everyone who sent birthday wishes my way last month. So far Fortywonderful ain't all that bad.