DFL Runner: Blog

So ... yeah, not a fun week for me. The latest attempt to manage my back pain was a radiofrequency ablation procedure. In layman's terms, they stuck a probe into my back in the areas where I have been experiencing pain, found the closest nerve, and burned off the nerve ending. Repeat four times total. On one side of the spinal column ... having the other side done in two weeks.

If you would like a little light reading on the subject, here is more information: https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-rf_ablation.htm

Unfortunately, I have been in a fair amount of post-procedure pain; I've spent the past couple of days basically plastered to a chair with an ice pack on my lower back. Translation: no new chapter. At least not today. Stay tuned, though, as I may see if I can get one posted before leaving for the holiday.

Thanks!
-- DFLR

Thanksgiving. (Why, what did you think I was going to say?)

I had a fun experience last weekend. Owing to some residual pain from another medical procedure on my back, meaning racing was not an option, I volunteered as part of the crew for a race to raise money for ALS research. I was the guy standing at the finish line to hand everyone their finisher medal and point them toward the water station ... and to give a hugs to a couple of finishers, one of whom had just run her first 5K ever and one who had not run a 5K in two years due to injury. Both of them broke down sobbing at the finish line.

It was a blast. 10/10 would do again if I weren't able to actually be on the course.

A relatively short Chapter 21 is in the queue. Chapter 22 will be sent off to jetson63 early next week for editing and then it will be posted next Saturday morning. No new chapter during Thanksgiving week as I will be traveling for the holiday.

Have a good week, everyone!

-- DFLR

Hi everyone! First of all, major apologies for the unintended hiatus. I didn't think about the fact that I would be spending half of October entertaining a family member who is a little hazy on the concept of boundaries - as in, she would feel perfectly entitled to read over my shoulder as I was writing.

Second, as atonement for my disappearance, I am giving you a bonus - a story I had written several years ago when I was asked to consider traveling for work to a town a short drive from where an ex-girlfriend lived. The trip never took place, but the story came forth from a bit of wishful thinking.

Some patience will be requested over the coming weeks as I am traveling out of town for Thanksgiving, and also, I've been hired on a per-diem basis as ... what else? ... an elf working with Santa as he goes to various Christmas parties over the next several weeks.

This will actually be the first time I have done something like this. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not sure how much time it will leave for writing. I will try to maintain at least something of a regular posting schedule, though, and to try to be more communicative if that will not be possible.

Enjoy Chapter 20, enjoy "The Return of Honeybear", and have a great week!

-- DFLR

Chapter 19 is in queue and should be posted shortly. It even features a small shout-out for fellow fans from Harry Chapin's "cheap seats."

Also, for those of you who may be curious, yes, the "elf" scene is 100% taken from real life. And yes, it happens every December. I often use this power for good and not evil, usually toward young kids who are acting like total hellions in the store. I tell them I'm an elf on a scouting mission to help Santa prepare the "naughty or nice" list. More often than not, it even works.

Finally, two notes ...

First, posting schedule alert: I have a 5K next Saturday so posting of Chapter 20 may be delayed until at least later in the day next Saturday. (I will be racing with "Kim"; I knew she would be okay when she agreed to sign up for it when she was still in rehab.) As well, there will be no posting at all on October 19 as I am going out of town for a few days.

Second, the answer to last week's blog post is Don Lockwood's "The Ghosts of Christmas Past."

(And the title for this post is from a sweet, if utterly predictable, 1991 movie called "All I Want for Christmas.")

Have a great week, everyone!

--DFLR

I've previously mentioned that Don Lockwood is one of the authors I admire and aspire to emulate. Some of you who are also his fans may recognize where I borrowed and modified one brief scene from one of his stories for Chapter 18. (For those of you who don't recognize it, spend the next few days checking out his stories and see if you can figure it out before I post the answer next week.)

And Don, if you happen to read this, I hope you'll forgive the minor theft. :-)

I have a race today (Saturday 9/28). The event includes a 5K and a one-mile fun run. Several members of my running group are doing the 5K. I'm doing the one-miler since I'm not completely recovered from the spinal injection on Monday, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

Have a great week, everyone!

-- DFLR