Day 2, and more…

By Joe Berk

A group I used to hang out with at Brown’s BMW met every Saturday at the dealership before going to lunch.  There were some cool characters there and the conversation was always lively.  One guy was constant talk (let’s call him Mr. NeverShutUp), and he just went on and on, on any topic.  Motorcycles.  Politics (mostly politics, actually).  Guns.  Cars.  It didn’t matter.  Another guy was mostly quiet (let’s call him Mr. Quiet), and he mostly sat through the pre-lunch gathering without saying a word.  One day Mr. NeverShutUp finally did (shut up, that is), concluding his endless-soliloquy-du-jour with “I don’t what else to say.”  Mr. Quiet’s response was immediate.  He looked up and said, “Keep talking…you’ll think of something…”

So, why that little story?  Because it’s kind of like writing a blog.  Over the last few years of grinding out stories (although it wasn’t really grinding; for me and I expect for the others it was fun).  It just seemed like I would keep writing and the next story would pop into my mind, or Gresh’s mind, or Huber’s mind, or Surber’s mind, or some of our earlier contributors’ minds (Armenta, Lewis, Welker, Berkuta, Benjamins, Miner, Morgan, and maybe a few others I can’t remember).  I/we just kept writing, knowing we’d think of something.  Then things slowed.  I had run out of topics, and apparently so had most of the other folks.  Then my physical condition deteriorated, and it really took a nosedive a few months ago (and maybe that’s why the ideas slowed).  For the last few weeks, I couldn’t walk more than a few feet, and I couldn’t stand for more than a minute or two.  That mandated the back surgery I wrote about in the last blog.

The surgery was yesterday.  I walked out of the hospital. and although I’m armed with a bottle of opioid pills, I’ve not needed them (and no, I’m not interested in selling them).  Tylenol is doing the trick for me, and I’m feeling good.  I’m going for a walk after I post this blog.

So that’s it for now. I have a few more ideas percolating.  The blogs may be at a reduced frequency.  Or they may not.  We’ll see.  And that Pepsi Rolex you see in the above photo?  It’s the topic of the next blog.  Stay tuned.

18 thoughts on “Day 2, and more…”

  1. Continued healing Joe and take care of #1………….and she’ll take care of you! I thoroughly enjoy your blogs and your books, but as the old bull said to the young bull, let’s walk down and eventually we’ll write all the blogs.

    1. I know those bulls, George, and I don’t think that was the conversation’s focus. But I get the idea.

      Thanks for commenting.

  2. I wish I knew more about this out patient surgery. I have had emergency surgery in the past as my spinal cord was was in jeopardy from deteriorated disc. It took some time to recover.
    But recently it’s been proposed to have my back extensively gone thru which would mean a year to recover.
    I am fighting thru some pains daily. Much helped by a variety of injections.
    However I have read some on some technique that is out patient where the slip something in between a bone or two and you are on your way. This make any sense?

    1. Hack, mine involved relieving the bone around my spinal column and several of the nerves that emanated from it in my L4, L5, and S1 vertebrae. I’ve heard of the procedure you mentioned but I am not knowledgeable about it. It makes sense to me, but I’m no expert. I know how annoying and debilitating this kind of pain can be; I wish you a speedy recovery and relief from it.

  3. Hey Joe,
    Sure do miss you when you’re out, Joe.
    Back in the day, my back surgery went well enough, but it never lets me forget.
    Those opiods might trigger some new lines of thought though…😉
    Looking forward to your next post; and the next, and the next…

    1. Thanks, Lloyd. I hallucinate badly on opioids, so I’ve learned to avoid them.

      More blogs in work, so stand by and stay tuned.

  4. Oh Joe!
    I believe I’m at liberty in saying we’ve all been thinking of you, and willing a speedy recovery- mine being all the way from down under.
    I’ve been tried too Joe with my health only to make me stronger in faith and determination, I know with out knowing you too would be the same

    God speed dear comrade, hide the drugs, Huber and his circus will be there soon.

    With respect and admiration 🙏
    Lena Lahood

  5. So wonderful to hear that the outcome went so well. Great to know that you’re feeling better, Joe!

    1. Thanks, Greg. I feel like I could maybe do another Century ride. Or at least the Rosarita-Ensenada run…

    1. Yep, I’m doing fine. Feeling way better. May rent a Vespa and ride down to Cabo.

  7. Get better soon Joe and remember to fill your doctor’s prescription for Yoo-Hoo.

  8. Hey Joe, back in the States and driving home, just read your post. So glad the surgery went well, and walking out of the hospital is wonderful news.
    Nothing nearly as serious on my end, but I took a tumble on the sailboat, dislocated my knee and tore my meniscus. On crutches now, though I still managed to finish the trip.
    So happy for you. Go slow. Heal up well.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    1. Welcome home, Bobbie, and thanks for you kind words. You heal up quickly, too!

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