October 30, 2017 HAVEN'T GOT TIME FOR THE PAIN

BWAK BWAK. Spending so much time on the heating pad--I've had to check to make sure I  haven't laid an egg. SERIOUSLY! This piriformis muscle is SLOWLY getting better. A good friend  recommended a foam roller so I've added that to the regimen.  A lot of stretching too--trying to work the hamstrings--strengthen them so this doesn't happen again. When the piriformis muscle is inflamed it hits the sciatica--hence--PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK--BUTT--LEG. A DULL THROBBING PAIN--much like the beat of heart when enveloped in cotton. Sorry couldn't resist the Poe line. Trying to curtail the running as much as possible. For me that means 2-3 runs a week-- shorter--and much slower. The whole affair--although VERY frustrating-- is just a HICCUP in the big scheme of things. Since tomorrow is Halloween--it seems fitting that I recommend the Master of Macabre himself--Edgar Allen Poe.

Poe was an American writer, critic and poet. He had a sad life that ended too early under suspicious circumstances--which only adds to his allure. He's the Father of Gothic literature and is credited with writing the first detective story way back in 1841--The Murders In the Rue Morgue. I love his short stories and poetry and highly recommend them; especially, this time of year. His writing is powerful, descriptive and frightening. It disturbs the senses and messes with the mind. A few of my favorites include--The Tell-Tale Hearts, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, The Purloined Letter, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Premature Burial and The Descent into the Maelstrom. His poetry is also wonderful and fun to read--The Raven and Annabel Lee are two that stick out in my mind.  They are not a huge commitment either as Poe believed a short story should be read in one sitting. So, if you haven't read Poe since high school--do yourself a favor and pick up an anthology or read one of his short stories online. They are great fun. BOO!