Once again I'm blown away by the amazing wooden wonderland that I live in. I could be 1/2 mile away and be seeing Peter Rowan playing in a friends backyard. I'd rather be here in the serenity of the place many kind people call home.
 I have musicians come to my home and ask if they could play for me....what an honor!! I'm invited to attend a taping of an Austin City Limits later this month, so when the Jimmy Vaughan/ Omar and the Howlers w/ Louann Barton are on PBS, I'll be in the audience. The next day the local NPR station has a "Live in the Studio" segment which airs on KUT  8/23/07. (There's a link to KUT in the music side of this page I think.)
 My injuries are slowly healing, but I think that it will be a long time and lots of rehabilitation to get close to walking w/out pain. The feet of a diabetic are slow to heal I'm finding out......still, I'm a truly blessed man to be alive in this wonderful community and still be able to walk at all.
 Each and every day and night I'm aware of the "vibe" of the Grove.  Music all around, gentle people as neighbors, and everything from fine dining to natural burgers are within walking distance.
 If you get a chance to see the Rolling Stones Live in Zilker Park DVD, the show was 2 blocks from the Grove. I had to attend, but could have heard it from my deck.
 My neighbor, the Professor, is on a sabattical to the desert, and my roving drum slinger/ friend/neighbor has "retuned" from Europe w/ stories of the sordid underbelly. In other words, the Grove is still the best place to be in Austin, or for that matter, the world.
Peace, harmony, and Love.
 

I learned to make a balloon star today. Appropriate for Independence day I believe. Wish I could make a star for every poor, displaced, hungry, child in This, the richest country in the world.
Each star I make from now on will hold that wish. We can each only do what we can, but if we hold the elected officials responsible for American children, I feel it's a start.

Ok, now I'm ashamed of my whining about my "injuries". Here's my Bro. Mark's zipper.
Just installed with great expertise at the V.A. facilities in Cheyeenne Wy.
He'll have no navel so I guess that makes him para-normal. LOL
Much light, love, prayers, etc..... to Mark for a speedy and painless recovery.
Peace, compassion, and serenity
Balloonagimp

This injury has caused me to finally realize that I'm 3 days older than dirt, and will not be healed in the time I thought I would.
I'm reminded each AM that I've injured my feet, legs, knees, hips, neck, back, and both shoulders. My left thumb is extremely tender when moved or pressured from certain angles.
Headaches are back almost daily, so the impact w/pavement wasn't a good thing. It's also a great excuse for forgetting things that I should remember because of their importance. LOL
Unfortunately it's happening much too frequently since the accident.
I'd like to say that I'm still a very lucky man. My Bro. Mark, had surgery yesterday. His incision goes from navel to mid chest. 
My prayers and thoughts go to him for a quick recovery. Please join me in this.
Peace, Love, recovery, compassion, and serenity,
Balloonagimp

In a previous blog entry, I mentioned my wonderful neighbors who came to my aid after the accident.
Now I'll try to give a brief account of the reaction by my neighbors when they found out I'd been injured.
The neighbor/friend who came to my aid at the scene of the accident, and consequently took me to the VA cinic and then the ER at Austin S., is nothing less than a hereo to me.
You have no doubt noticed that I'm not naming anyone. I feel that they know who that they are.
I know I'll never forget any of the kindness shown and by whom.
Within an hour of my arrival home the door was revolving. Each person offerd to do whatever they could do to help me. I was overwhelmed! A wheelchair was provided by one couple, a hot meal by another. Lucy was walked each morning , for at least 10 days by a neighbor who dosen't have any pets. Friends/Neighbors took me wherever I needed to go. ER, ER, VA, groceries, etc......, and that was just the first day. LOL!!
What about the kindness, compassion, and caring of my neighbors here in the "Grove?" I just can't say enough.
My friends here in Austin, all came by to offer help, and those who live elsewhere called and offered to come to Austin if needed. The outpouring of love and compassion was overwhelming.
I have tried to express my thanks to each and every one of them indivually, and would like to take the opportunity to do it here.
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!!
I'm so fortunate to live in real neighborhood where we know and help each other. A small town neighborhood in the heart of the increasingly cold city.
A precious jewel that deserves to be admired, appreciated, and preserved at all costs. In my humble opinion.
Peace, Love, Compassion, and awarness,
Da Balloonagimp.