Out and About – Week of November 16th

Once a year we take a ride over to Ann Arbor for my annual appointment with a neurosurgeon. The doctor, along with another neurosurgeon, spends time discussing the MRI CD that I took along. I have a small tumor on my pituitary gland, and with the prescribed medication, the tumor is shrinking. This is what the two doctors and I discuss. My first visit, which was about three years ago, was not a pleasant one. The one doctor told me that I was obese, lethargic, and just plain lazy. I left his office not feeling very good about myself. Since that time, I have lost some weight and my feelings about the doctor have changed. I’d really enjoy having a beer with him.
The doctor is one of many who make up the staff at the University of Michigan Hospital. One of those places you’d really want to go for a second opinion. I don’t know if any of you have ever had the opportunity to visit this facility, but if you haven’t, it’s worth the two-hour ride to Ann Arbor. If you think that Kalamazoo has the spirit for the Western Michigan Broncos, you’d be totally blown away at how Ann Arbor feels about those Wolverines. I doubt seriously that Jim Harbaugh has ever had to pay for a cup of coffee since taking over as head coach at Michigan.
There was one thing that caught my eye as I was waiting to be called into the doctor’s examination room. One fellow walked past the office door wearing a green and white sweatshirt from Michigan State University. I mentioned this to the doctor and he mentioned that this happens every so often. I thought it best not to ask what becomes of those daredevils who walk the halls wearing the enemy’s colors. I’d like to think that the fellow was one of the psychology professors on staff at Michigan.
I don’t want to write too much about the “Holy land”, but I must mention briefly about a fantastic place to stop on the way to or from Ann Arbor. In Spring Arbor there is an eatery called “The Spring Arbor Cafe”. Just a normal little restaurant that serves up a fantastic breakfast, but on their lunch menu they have a fried bologna sandwich. We tried this sandwich last year and were extremely happy with it. We would advise one thing and that would be to ask the cook to not put too much extra on the sandwich. It’s worth stopping by for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The chef even finds time to come out and visit with the patrons. This little excursion is just another example of how much fun it can be to get Out and About as often as possible.
We are well into the flu season now, and if you haven’t received a flu shot yet, you might seriously want to consider getting one. Think about it for a moment. Would you rather get the shot or take the chance of coming down with the flu and losing time off from work and spending a day or two in bed feeling lousy?
Neurologists claim that every time you resist acting on your anger, you’re actually requiring your brain to be calmer and more loving.
See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman