Allan has been gone almost sixteen months now. I sure do miss him. I wish we'd spent more time together over the years. But we lived in different states. Contact was infrequent. There are so many things I wish we had done together: camping, playing D&D, hiking the Appalachian Trail, whitewater rafting — to name just a few. I worry about the state of his mind, attitude, and spirit at the time of his death. There isn't really anything I can do about that except pray for him. I think that prayer can be effective even across temporal boundaries. In other words, in my mind there is the possibility that after-the-event prayers may possible impact the event itself, even though it occurred already in the past.

Here's a picture of me and my brother after my niece's wedding several years ago. I honestly can't remember what year (I'm getting old), so I'm going to send the link to my niece. Her memory will be better than mine.

Allan and I sure did enjoy our card games. We were both big fans of Magic: The Gathering. I have a lot of fond memories of afternoons and evenings whiling away the time playing, and just enjoying each other's company. What I wouldn't give to reclaim some of that time now. We never realize just how precious someone is to us until they're gone.

For this trip, I rode/drove with Bobo to Toledo with two other nieces, Katy and Lauren. We had a good time and a safe trip.

The trip home with Bobo, Lauren, and Katie seemed shorter than the trip to Toledo. We stopped at a McDonald's once for something to eat. I felt it was thoughtful and kind of mother to invite my two nieces on the trip. Those are the kind of events that make good memories, and I'm glad they had the opportunity. Now, in the tail end of 2023, I look back and those kids are grown up, and I'm past middle age.

My brother died at 11:35 am EST today. His heart stopped. He'd abused his body with alcohol for many years. Such a shame. My niece is making arrangements and at this point, it's looking like an Ohio ceremony will likely take place on Sunday, August 4th.

Rest in peace, Big 'Al. Love, Big Brother

Things with my brother have worsened. He's now on a ventilator and a form of dialysis called CRRT: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy. His kidneys aren't working efficiently. In short, he's taken a turn for the worse. He is sedated, so hopefully not suffering. I think S and I are going to go up to Dayton Saturday to see him. I fear it will be this last time I see him alive. I just pray to God he's ready for eternity.

I wrote about my introductory experimentation with the Git version control system. I've been reading more about it today, and I added a C# console program that demonstrates calculating prime numbers in a desired range of numbers.

I got an update on my brother. He remains confused, and this is caused by toxins in his system. The nurse told me his ammonia levels were notably lower this morning, so that's good. He said this sort of encephalopathy often clears up in time, once these toxins are eliminated. So, my prayers go up to God that my brother will regain his faculties. Unfortunately, his cirrhotic liver isn't likely to improve, so he'll be dealing with ammonia and abdominal fluid buildup from now on.

I've made reengagement attempts with patients that needed it. I run a group with Dr. J in a bit less than an hour, and until then I'm going to read about solo roleplaying using the Tiny Dungeon 2e rules set.

Yesterday, I posted an update on my brother's condition. He continues to fight, but his ammonia level remains high. It was 72 when the hospital staff checked it this morning. He had an EEG which confirmed encephalopathy. The nurse I spoke with said he remains agitated and confused. They will perform a paracentesis today to draw fluid off his belly.

I sure do hate what he's suffering through. A lot of people look down on those who have a drug addiction. Some view it as a moral failure or a deficit of personal character. In reality, it's a disease. Not only is it a disease, it also doubly effects those who had adverse childhood experiences.

Emma is now a freshman at the University of Kentucky, and has changed her major from Engineering to Architecture.

She's in this weekend for a visit, but heads back to Lexington tonight.

Last night I went to the community Fall church musicfest/picnic at the Polly Barn with my brother Allan. He's leaving this morning to head back to Dayton. I enjoyed spending time with him the last few days. We played a lot of MTG games. I'd say he won about 60% of them. My prayers go up for him because he's struggling in his marriage and is unhappy. And I worry about his continuing alcohol use.

Spare drives (from left to right): a 320 GB SATA 7200rpm WD 3.5" drive in the blue case; a 750 GB SATA 7200rpm Seagate 3.5" drive in the green case; a 40 GB Hitachi Deskstar IDE (not eSATA) 7200rpm drive made in 2003 in the frosty case; a 500 GB 5400rpm 2.5" Seagate notebook drive in the orange case; and, right-most, a 250 GB 5400rpm 2.5" Seagate Momentus Thin notebook 2.5" drive.

We did an earthquake drill at work this morning, and I did groups with supporting psychoeducational videos on panic attacks, school shootings, and what constitutes adequate consent with regard to sexual relations.

I took a nap after getting home from work, then Susan and I went to Crocus and had barbecue, hot dogs, scalloped potatoes, cowboy beans, and tossed salad at Bobo's with Alan and the Jones' clan. Afterward, Allan I played maybe eight or nine games of MTG. I won more than I lost.

It's late now -- 11:18 am, and I fixing to go to bed. A's got a lot on his mind about marital troubles and we talked some about it. I'd love to see him move back down here.

He says he's planning on being at the church shindig at the Polly Barn at 6pm tomorrow. I told him maybe we can get together and plan some more MTG during the day. I really need to either run or else do a strident stationary bike workout. Then, Allan plans on leaving sometime Sunday morning. They're anniversary is coming up in March, I think. I believe he will hold off on separation plans until April, 2020.

My brother, Allan, is in from Dayton, Ohio, having arrived yesterday around 3:00 pm local time. Last night I ate supper with him and Bobo, then he and I played six games of MTG, each winning three. I used the same red/white deck each time, the only one I had with me. But today I will take all my decks (about a dozen), for the sake of variety.

I posted a brag/thankfulness on Facebook today from my cell regarding my 11th wedding anniversary with Susan Miller on 10/25/2019. I am indeed a lucky, blessed man. Susan got me a cute little silvery keychain trinket that says "I still do" and has the date 10.25.08 inscribed. I've got it on my keychain (note: need picture).

I've ordered her a gift but it hasn't arrived yet.

Friday we're supposed to congregate in Crocus to burn a brush pile and have a weenie-roast supper. They're calling for rain but not until after dark.

I suppose tomorrow after work that I'll go on over and play cards with Allan. I'd like to get home by 9:00 pm tomorrow night. I do enjoy our games, though. I think right now it's about 8 games to 5, his lead. But I'm not sure.

He's built about another eighteen decks since he was down last time for a visit.