I will probably never return to Blackwater or Bombay Hook. There are too many memories of Amy in those places.

I have loved Assateague since the first time I visited this place as a boy. The woods and waters wild speak to me here like no other place on earth.

This morning my father and I practically had the entire park to ourselves, and while the ponies were scarce, I spotted things I have never seen before. Ospreys carrying huge rockfish, a kingfisher hovering and diving into the cold waters, great flocks of birds swirling in the sky far out to sea . . . it was glorious.

So tomorrow is my birthday.

I was pretty upbeat about turning 49, but last Monday I had an absolutely terrifying return of my old nemesis epilepsy.

As I was shaking off the seizure – and the lingering effects of Suboxone withdrawal – another health issue I had thought was long behind me came roaring back. Peripheral neuropathy. It’s like my feet are being frozen, stung by bees, punctured by scorching hot nails and clawed by a lion all at once every second twenty-four hours a day.

So for a few days I indulged myself and threw a pity-party. A stupid and foolish thing to do because it solves nothing, but no point in beating myself up over it. I am human, and like any human I have the illusion that there are limits to the amount of physical pain, fear and loss that a person can take. I say illusion because limits are always illusory. What I have been through over the last twelve months has been hard, but there are people working through greater pain than I have ever borne.

I am not much of a Bible-thumper, but there is a verse that I have gone to ever since I was a kid trying not to scream from the pain of the ear infections that destroyed my hearing.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 9:23

I think that, as we get older, our crosses get heavier. Life and love and loss take their toll and we stumble from time to time. The burdens we carry differ from person to person, but the challenge to live in spite of the weight is the same for each of us. It would be easy to give up, but that would mean missing out on the rewards of living in this beautiful world.

While I may bitch and moan now and then (I am Irish, after all) I am still willing to pick up my cross and follow wherever I am led.

So tomorrow my best and wisest friend will drive me to Assateague early in the morning so I can visit with the wild ponies. When we get home I will shoulder my cross again an set myself back to work. Doing what I love. Following.

Instead of wishing me a happy birthday tomorrow, instead help somebody else carry their cross for a few steps. You will help another human being and gain valuable perspective for yourself. – and actions speak more to an old artist like me more than any holiday greeting ever could.

God bless,
-Patrick
March 24, 2019

When I was going through the worst of the Suboxone withdrawa, Pooka never left my side.

We got home from Johns Hopkins. Going back soon to start the process of updating and upgrading my BAHA implants.

A fresh look at the basics of old-time frailing banjo.

https://www.patreon.com/Dobro33H

Feeling better today I decided to treat myself to one of my favorite vegetarian snacks, Garden Salsa Sun Chips.

Unfortunately, Pooka has a weird affinity for these chips.

So tonight my cat and I reenacted the scene from Gladiator where the Spanish Roman character with an Australian accent fights tigers. It was a bloody and drawn-out battle with no clear victor until Pooka cheated and climbed down my shirt.

Now the two of us are sprawled out watching Jimmy Stewart talk to his Pooka in the classic 1950 film, Harvey. Life is good.