Jake's Got 8 Left

Jake on Monday

My senior cat Jake (14 plus years old) has eight lives left after he fell off my fifth floor balcony Tuesday night.

I spent all Tuesday night thinking he was dead. When I called the animal control people I found out he was not. I went Wednesday to get him out of jail.

He is not doing well. He is breathing funny, real short breaths with a noise like it's hard to breathe. I think he is in pain and not in shock (his gums are pink and his paws warm).

I'm not sure what to do today, I am just leaving him alone to relax and heal for now. Usually I tell him to quiet down because he wails at me. This is one time I wish he'd complain. Then I'd know he was all right.

Back From The Brink!

Jake Domino likes the smell of my Crocs

Message of Gratitude

Bikestation Grand Opening, Long Beach, CA

My Trikke, black Birdie

For almost four months I have been a client of the Bikestation in downtown Long Beach. I love the convenience and helpfulness of its employees. When I recently needed some minor wrenching done on my Trikke, it was done for free.

And so I went to the grand opening, September 15, with the politicians and citizens of Long Beach. Door prizes were given out including two free one-year memberships and a basket of bike goodies as well.

Mayor Foster at Ribbon Cutting 

The Bikestation in Long Beach was the first in a chain across the USA. It is centrally located next to the blue line, the metro and the LB Transit systems. The organization was founded to make it easier to bike not only in Long Beach, but to also help those who commute using bikes.

Their mission is to make biking an integral part of the transportation mix, because with more bike usage we get cleaner air, safer streets and healthier living.

The Bikestation offers repairs, accessories, rental bikes, lockers, restrooms, changing rooms, showers, bike tours, free air and water if needed. For members they offer convenient 24/7 access to bikes stored away from home.

The Ramp

The Bikestation is Trikke friendly and is willing to work with all kinds of vehicles that are human or electric powered (no detailed repairs on Trikkes or Pon-es. For those repairs see SouthBay Trikke). Some locations have charging stations for electrics.

I guess you could say I'm a fan. While there is only one elevator working in my building of many motorized wheel-chairs, it's the only convenient option for me. Plus, I get an extra workout walking to and from the Bikestation. Thank you Long Beach for being so bike and Trikke friendly!

Girl Power

Trikke Tri-bred Pon-es

Photo by SouthBay Trikke's, Sean Tice

Just Because I can...

 

Thanks, Sonya Tayeh!

Happy Day!

Another Update...

Update! Weight Loss Challenge

I started a weight loss challenge in April in TrikkeWorld Magazine. I lost a total of 16 pounds in the process and finally fell off the plateau that I was on for a year! Even though the official date for the weigh-in is Saturday, I couldn't wait.

As far as pant sizes, I’ve gone down at least two. For the inches, I mostly lost ½ -1 inch, except off the waist and hips where I lost a total of 5 ½ inches, with the grand total of 10 inches overall! Since April, 2011!! Since I first started with the Trikke in September of 2009, I have lost 18 ½ inches and 46 pounds.

I have recently hit the ten-year mark with diabetes. So far I have been lucky with the disease because I only take one pill a day, no shots. I also keep my blood sugar levels low. I accomplish that with my Trikke.

When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I measured my blood sugar levels four times a day. I ate a good diet and I avoided all the things that I loved. I was scared and I was careful.

My A1C levels were high, 7.4 (the A1C blood test measures my average blood sugar level over the previous three months). My cholesterol levels were high as well, more than 200. I admitted to smoking. My weight was almost 300 pounds.

Then a friend showed me his new toy, the Trikke. I moved heaven and earth not only to buy a Trikke, but to get fit enough to ride it.

It wasn’t long before my A1C numbers dropped to healthy levels, to a 6.1. My cholesterol number dropped to 126. My weight dropped to 251 pounds, now 240. My Body by Trikke has gifted me with some really good results.

My T8, Black Birdie and me (age 55), we’re going to be carving the streets in Long Beach, CA for a long time!

In Another Life

In another life I was the editor of TrikkeWorld Magazine. In this life I had a weight loss challenge. I wanted to lose 55 pounds by my 55th birthday which is Saturday. Even though I didn't lose the 55 pounds, I think the challenge was a huge success.

Not only did I finally fall off the plateau that I was on for a year (!) but I did lose another 11 pounds in the process. Even though the official date for the weigh-in is Saturday, I couldn't wait. I don't think I can lose much more in that time anyway!

As far as loss in inches, which is really the big tell in this, I will wait for Saturday. I will be measuring today though, before my b-day cake arrives!

I bleed

He injected himself
into my veins like heroin.
He warmed my soul
he made me smile.

Now glass shards
have formed and
have nicked
my heart.

The things he said to me
the things he said
echo in my ears
and I bleed
and bleed.

My Affair with Long Beach Continues On

No matter what happiness or sadness I experience, I like to share it with my fair city, Long Beach, CA. I put on my comfy shoes and walk.

I walk down Pine with all the stores and restaurants buzzing with activity and people going on about their tasks. I walk down Ocean Blvd with its traffic and lights and I continue on. Past the Convention Center and the Center Theatre. Past the protected bike lanes and cycle tracks. Past the hotels and motels. Past where I used to live on Lime Ave. Past the food stores and the WalMart.

I walk past the fountains and the water falls. I walk through high rent areas and low. I just walk. I just walk. I just...

The Last Time I...

My whole life I have gone through a sort of ritual after a loss. Such as "the last time I brushed my teeth..." or "the last time I wore this shirt..." I was at my grandmother's house or I was still with so and so.

And so it goes, again. The last time I answered the phone with a smile, or the last time I saw another Trikker on the path or the last time I painted my nails this color... My life was so much better.

Loss is so hard. Change sucks. Things that were said cannot be taken back. The last time I didn't cry every day you were still my friend.

Penance

After the T-bone accident two weeks ago, my life has changed quite a bit. I lost a friend, a job and quite a bit of self esteem. Since that time I have decided to forgive myself.

Life hands us so many lessons. Sometimes we need to be slapped to learn them. I guess I was punched in the stomach with this one. Maybe I was on the wrong path, going in the wrong direction. Maybe bigger things are around the corner. Maybe...

I am scabbed over and when the scars fade I will be reborn. I have learned my lessons and am choosing to recreate myself and move on. Only sunny days ahead of me.