Song lyrics, The Coasters, 'Charlie Brown', (1959 #2 on the chart), "Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown He's a clown, that Charlie Brown He's gonna get caught Just you wait and see (Why's everybody always pickin' on me)."

My new nightly companion and just so you know, it doesn't play train sounds.

Welcome back. Today is Monday, April 13, 2020, and I showed up this morning and reported myself as present. Last Thursday I received my CPAP machine to help deal with my diagnosed sleep apnea and related issues. I am currently in the get acquainted phase in using the system each night. I may be close to moving to the get adjusted phase but it has taken some time. According to the technician who brought the machine out to me, once the benefits of using the system kick in, I will not believe the great improvements experienced. That, my friend, at this point and time is still a coming attraction. I will say this. The early numbers showing up on the machine are certainly much better than those that came out of the sleep study. (Example: The sleep study showed an off the chart high number of negative sleep events per hour and the new machine is already showing 6 or less which puts it close to the normal category ((5 or less)).)  I will not enumerate all the things that will be better, but, to show you how comprehensive the list is, my blogs should be better since my brain will be functioning at a higher level. That will give us all something to look forward to. And, while my blog was not specifically mentioned, the processes involved in producing it were, therefore, we will see. At this early juncture, I am still waiting. I may be waiting a little faster with more clarity, but, I'm still waiting. Let me know if you see anything to indicate results and I'll do the same. Thanks.

I did hear about the fellow that poured Red Bull into his CPAP machine. He got all the sleep he could handle in 45 minutes. The technician who briefed me on using the machine was a long-term user himself, therefore, it made the information seem more reliable. Unfortunately, others have examined the claims and they have reported their updated understanding based on the results they have experienced. Here are some of the terms reinterpreted: Comfortable: Annoying; Easy to use: Very Complicated; Flexible fit: You can flex all you want but it still will not fit; Elite: Expensive; Easy to disassemble and clean: No matter what you do, don't take it apart because you will never get it back together again; and finally, Simplicity: Instructions that are totally confusing. Then the proverbial, 'Why did the CPAP-er stop when the machine quit? He only works under pressure.' I suppose for me, the kids' joke I heard growing up has become a reality, 'Up your nose with a rubber hose.' They do get worse. Don't believe me? Why couldn't the CPAP'er cross the road? His hose wasn't long enough. I found these out on the internet but I'm fairly certain I will have my own coming soon.

Have you ever felt like you have a target on your back? This virus seems to really enjoy killing off older people. And men too. One of the medical professionals being interviewed said based on our own data accumulated in the USA, men are succumbing to this disease at about twice the rate of women. Why doesn't that surprise me? Also, the fatality records continue to say 65 and older are at the greatest risk. I am a man. Check. I am nearly 9 years past the 65-year-old threshold. Check. Why do men always have to be on the top of the endangered list? We cannot dodge the numbers. Women live on average to be 81 years old here in our country. Men, on average, check out at age 76. Here's more or less the boilerplate response as to why this is the case: "Men are more likely to smoke, drink excessively and be overweight. They are also less likely to seek medical help early, and, if diagnosed with a disease, they are more likely to be non-adherent to treatment." It goes on: "Men are more likely to take life-threatening risks and to die in car accidents, brawls or gunfights." I've been reading those explanations for a long time. Other studies indicate the hormones that actually make us men can work against us as we age. The evolutionists theorize that once we sire children we become disposable. Thank you very much. On April 2, a press article said a 104-year-old man from Portland, Oregon had recovered from the Coronavirus. Before you get too happy, a few days later, it was announced a 107-year-old Dutch woman had also beat the disease. See what I mean? I would wring my hands, but, my life is in the hands of our Creator God and I trust Him to always do right as reflected in His character. Amen. .....More later.