My Favourite Regret

I remember the last time I quit smoking: December 18, 2006 -- Madurai, South India. It lasted until March 2009 when I bought a pack of Players Ultra Lites, Bowen Island, BC. Typical of me. I know it's bad but I keep going back.

This time I've set my sights on quitting for a year -- until my next birthday. Do-able, I think.

And I have a "quitting partner", someone who also wants to shed this filthy, stupid habit. I won't mention her name but her initials are Valerie H. Oops! Anyway, Val and I have promised: no cheating and no lying. Meaning, if you do fall off the wagon, at least admit it.

I also admit...I have had a lot of great and memorable "smoking" moments. And I don't totally regret taking it up. But it sure will be a bummer if these "f*cking things end up killing me. I would join the long line of idiots who allowed this addiction to take hold!

It's been nearly 24 hours and I'm still clean. Honest! (Comments welcome)

Photo: Wyndham House barn. June 30, 2009.

Not One Cake Lost!

Over the years it became the drill: Merrill has a birthday...he spins his birthday cake upside down like a freakin' ferris wheel. It could, arguably, be the thing I am remembered for most in the coming years -- after I'm dead, of course. Well, here's the 2009 version! On a video clip.

It was my sister Leona's fault...we were about to cut the cake....

"Aren't you going to spin it?" she said.

Honestly, I hadn't done it for years and had almost forgotten about it. But, in true Merrill fashion, maverick-lunatic style. I went for it. And...YAY...my record stands. Not one cake lost!!!

Photo: I'm somewhere in my late 50's. Who gives a shit? So stop asking!

Patient Doing Well

General anaesthetic is a bitch.

Recovery after surgery can be nauseating and lengthy.

But, Martha had a "spinal" for her foot surgery. Which means no post-operative grogginess. No nausea. No pain. And best of all, as soon as you're back in your hospital room, you can eat immediately.

As soon as Martha had been wheeled into her room after the procedure I was there to check on her.

"How are you doing, Honey?" I said.

"I'm great," she replied, "But do you think you could go downstairs and get me a chocolate donut and a coffee?"

After "textbook successful" surgery, the patient is doing well. Very well! (Comments welcome)

Photo: The cast is huge. And needs to stay on for two weeks. It will be replaced by a smaller one which will remain on for another month after that.