This is going to be very short today. Please forgive me as I am a bit emotional right now. I just looked at my quit clock and realized that in just under 8 hours from now I will have been smoke free for 70 days. I will NEVER AGAIN allow a sickorette near my face.

I can only say that all of us can, and will, beat the nicodemon and his sickorettes. I know we can all beat this monster that we have allowed to run our lives.

I'm going to stay at the oasis for a while longer until I feel a little more steady. I found a large wolf lying over by the pool of water. He stood and came over to me and just watched for a few minutes. I guess he decided I was friendly since he laid down beside my tent. I think we just gained another travling companion.

Just say NOPE ( Not One Puff Ever ) every day.

One day at a time.

One step and then another gets you to where you are going.

Hugs and love to all.

Larry

thank you family for coming to my rescue. crisis is over now. my roomie is home now also. an hour of gospel music, (yes, the little red man listens to gospel) helped a lot. i appreciate all the thoughts and prayers.

I'm at another oasis now, I'm going to rest for a while before I continue on. the figs and dates are dripping with their sweet juices. the water is cold and sweet.

I have set out containers of water for my animal guides and companions. may they find this water as refreshing as I do. the spot on the horizon is larger now. it looks like the trail leads that way.

Hugs and Love to each and every one of you.

One step at a time gets you where you are going.

Larry

Wow .. 65 days already. It hasn't been real easy, but day 65 is here. It really is a great holiday gift that I could give my "family" as well as myself. I just realized how close I was to the next world and it really scared the s*t out of me.

Meanwhile, I have noticed something on the horizon. A very small black spot hes appeared. I can see that the tracks I follow tend in that direction. Is this the mountain I have been told of? I will keep my eye on it and see if this is the case. I'm watching for the next oasis so I can refill waterskins. I still have plenty, but want to be sure I don't miss any opportunity to refill the skins that are empty.

Looking behind me, I want to send everyone traveling behind me the will to resist the temptations of the sick-o-rettes that have bound us. May you travel true to the other side of the desert of NML. Just follow the tracks of the Camel, Old Goat, GNU, and, it seems, Buffalo. I see that Buffalo Spirit has been pushing me along the trail when I have needed the extra push to get over a really difficult dune. May it always be so. I'm going to be waiting for you over there, as I know there are those waiting for me.

I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays according to your background and teachings.

Great Spirit be with you all.

One step at a time gets you there.  Hugs and Love to all.

Larry

Day 58 and feeling almost great. I think I'll rest one more day and hit the trail tomorrow. I'm getting my strength back slowly, but surely.

It's kind of hard to believe that I'm at day 58. This is the longest time in 42 years that I have gone without smoking something. Pipe, cigar, cigarette, home-roll. Always something to smoke. I'm trying not to break my arm giving myself a pat on the back here. LOL

I am so glad for each and everyone here that has supported and encouraged me in this journey. Please accept all the hugs and love I can possibly send to each and every one of you. This quit has been such an emotional rollercoaster for me since I also had to deal with the ups and downs of cardiac surgery at the same time.

To those ahead of me on this journey, I'm coming to join you. To those following me, I'll mark the trail clearly. Just follow the Gnu, Camel, Old goat track that I'm following. Rest at the oasis along the way if you need to.

One step at a time gets you to the finish.

Larry

Day 56. This will be real short today as I really don't feel good. Went to the ER last night. They basically said it was flu. Gave me something to stop the vomiting and sent me home after I a few hours. They shut the lights out and told me to sleep if I could. They did a lot of labwork and x-rays to make sure it wasn't complications to my bypasses. I feel some better today anyway. Please know that I cherish all the love and prayers showered on me during the night.

I will rest here and drink cool water and eat from the trees and vines till I feel up to going on in my journey.

Hugs and love to all.

Larry

Day 55 and still going strong. Had rehab today and got very short of breath. When I called the cardiologist and he found out I gained 6 pounds in 2 days, he started the water pill and Pot. CL. again. I'm not really happy at the moment. I thought I was through with those. I'm not sure if my health is getting better or worse now. I think I'll just stay here at the oasis for a while. 

Larry

OK, day 53. I found camel tracks this morning and am following them. I will continue until I know if they are leading me out of the desert. I follow dear traveler where you have gone before. The Oasis is ahead where rest and water can be found. The journey continues when we are refreshed.I hope that if you are in the desert of NML or are about to enter it that you might find this trail and follow it till you come out behind me. I will wait for you on the other side and welcome you with open arms. Great Spirit be with you.      Larry

Day 52 and stiill going strong. I can only get online every so often since I have to go find a connection now. Sending strength and encouragement to all.      Larry