I don't have any more solutions for problems at the moment, just waiting for some of my previous ideas to be implemented. I did receive a most uplifting letter a few days ago.

During my investigation of Saeboflex as a treatment after my stroke, I contacted a referral they gave me. He stroked about four years ago. He spoke highly of the Saeboflex. During our ensuing conversations, I recommended Active Release Therapy (ART) to him. I just got a letter telling me in much detail how much ART had helped him, and thanking me for telling him about it. He told me he had given up ever getting better as he had seen no improvement in the past year. Since starting ART he has gained significant range of motion, strength, ability to walk better, and now even drives their motor home.

It turns out he lives close to where ART was developed and has had seven sessions to date. He has been able to rejoin a health club and now uses it regularly, all thanks to ART! He sounded like a kid with a new toy, he was so excited. I wrote back to him and shared the joy. Never give up and don't be afraid to try new things.

On another front, the basement finishing goes on. The stairwell is done except for the carpet. A large storeroom has been completed and paneled, complete with lights. It has been a lot of fun doing it, I work anywhere from 0 to 6 hours a day, depending how I feel, and quit when I become tired or am no longer having fun. Next week I will be starting the bedroom you folks will sleep in should you come our way. I have already done most of the wiring in that room and built the walls, now for the finishing. A plumber is coming to install the bathroom fixtures next week as well. In years past I would have done it myself, now I only do the things I really enjoy. Plumbing is not my thing. I have decided to farm out the finishing of the garage as well, putting panels on the ceiling is just a bit past me now.

Lesley continues to prepare for her trip to New Zealand next month, putting meals in the freezer for me and lining up friends to make sure I do not starve while she is gone. I plan to make much progress in the basement while she is gone, and will hopefully surprise her when she returns. When she returns it will only be a week until fishing season opens, then work on the basement stops until next fall.

Still winter here, we are seeing overnight lows around zero still, but are getting into the thirty's some days. We have had some snow a week ago, I got to use the ATV and clear it from our driveway and did the neighbors as well. Looking forward to fishing soon, should be able to carry the canoe better this year. I have been working out all winter to make myself stronger and have more endurance, we'll soon see if it pays off.