Featured My Final Post

Has checked in a time or 2 over the past few months, notwithstanding the drama recently on the table a few threads down I really don't have anything to add.
On June 19, I came down with Covid, sick as a dog for a week & then recovered.
A few days after had a relapse, thought it might be post covid pneumonia.
Continued being ill until admitted to the emergency room on July 8 where they determined it was a cardiac event, not lung related.
Was in surgery within an hour where they installed 2 stents on 2 closed arteries.
On the post-op exam, it was found I had further issues, the wall between the 2 lower heart chambers had a hole in it. They wanted to prep me for open heart surgery but I decided no.
Would rather go home & get my affairs in order with family than go with a very high-risk operation. If 45-55 perhaps I would have fought on but, I will be 75 in a couple of months.
I had a GREAT RUN! NO COMPLAINTS!

 

This is very sad news, James. I hope for the best possible outcome for you. Take care and keep up that positive attitude. Will be thinking about you...

 

James,

Will pray for you, very difficult decision to make.

 

I am so sad to hear about your heart issues. My husband had open heart surgery (Beth Israel, Boston, age 73) during the pandemic and it changed his life and he is very healthy today. It was a tough week while he recovered but he had the best medical care. I truly hope the doctors will treat you and you will go on to live another couple of decades with a healed heart. I am sending my very best wishes and thoughts in the hope that you recover and we will hear from you again. I always enjoy your posts and appreciate your knowledge!

 

Very sad to read this, James. Wishing you comfort peace.

 

Oh James, I'm so sorry to read this, and your video brought me to tears! You've made a very difficult decision.....but the hole in the heart isn't necessarily the end of the road....my mother in law lived with one until 95....so please don't give up your strength....you've fought such a hard battle with Covid and the stents!! My wish for you is longevity, strength, your wit, pain free and many Blessings!! There is nothing wrong with changing your mind if you want to pop in on occasion to blast us for mis-identifying something as well!! We've ALL benefited from your expertise - I only hope I can remember some of it!! BE STRONG, STAY WELL, WE LOVE YOU!

 

My mom has a murmur, she was born with it, and she's 92. I say get the danged hole fixed and stick around to be a problem for your grandkids! (or whoever gets stuck with the bill.)

 

We've had a long "e-relationship" brother, back to the Victorian furniture website and Mart's almost-defunct "stump page." It's been a privilege to share in your knowledge of 18th century furniture, even if its not as cool as Victorian stuff. Will respect your decision no matter what. Selah.

 

James I am so sad to read this. I wondered where you were. It's not the same without your posts, so full of knowledge and passion.
Wishing you the best,always. Am hoping for the best outcome xxx

 

I am very sorry to hear this, James. But I am glad that you are at peace with your decision, for you it is the right one.
Everyone is different, and everyone has to make the decisions that are right for them.
Getting things in order, spending quality time with your family, and living your life the way you want until the inevitable comes, is a gracious way to live and die.

As you may have noticed while you were lurking, you are mentioned a lot. The knowledge you shared, the fight you fought for the truth about furniture, and above all your love of early American furniture(!) will always be part of Antiquers.
I always think of you when I see Frisian woodcarving, a love we shared. And of course when I see riven oak. RIVEN!

So James, be well during the time left, may it be long, and may it be peaceful in the end.

 

Keeping it real and optimistic, that's a good course of action.
Smooth recovery!

 

I love your strong attitude. You will be missed. We all got it coming sometime.

 

Yes, end-of-life decisions are always complicated and very personal, there is no right/wrong way, and each situation is unique.
This points to the folly & incredible arrogance of politicians/govt people trying to "mandate" medical decisions for millions of people, a one size fits all kinda thing, BULLSHIT!
Americans, which have some of the best medical care in the world also have some of the WORST end-of-life care of all developed nations.
Generally speaking, Americans are WEIRD about death, we do not handle it well at all.
In the USA, your family dog or cat has much better end-of-life care than humans.
Why is this? in a word, MONEY!
The entire system is geared toward keeping you alive until the last possible dollar is squeezed from insurance carriers, social security, etc. NO MATTER the suffering this often causes.
This is changing, SLOWLY! There are now 10 States that now put end-of-life care decisions where it belongs, in the hands of the patient. Another 10 States have legislation pending.
There is a reason the owner of Studio 54, a rather famous nightclub in NYC recently traveled to Switzerland to receive his end-of-life care there. Most folks do not have the resources to do that.
In a word, end-of-life care in America, SUCKS!!!

 

Baroque or early 19 century ? or i am again on a wrong track ?

Yes, you are on the wrong track.
Your table is neither Baroque nor early 19th, more likely late 19th century & country built.
Furniture definitions/ descriptions/ styles will vary depending on where you are in the world but, I'd say almost everyone would agree most Baroque furniture has 2 key elements that your table lacks.
1. It has no "over-the-top decoration".
2. It is usually built with exotic/imported woods that are often "gilded"
Your table lacks both elements & is more a utilitarian/ country piece.

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!

 

@Irenka .

My thoughts exactly.

 

I think that is a general Western thing. We have to have control over everything, including our bodies, and life and death. We don't have true control, it is all in the mind.
We can control what we eat, whether we excercise or have an otherwise healthy lifestyle. But that is no guarantee of good health, and certainly not of eternal life.
Dying is part of life, so we might as well accept it.

It is always difficult for those left behind. I hope your loved ones can appreciate this time as a wonderful opportunity to build special memories which will help them when the inevitable comes.

 

Live Well James........... die on your own terms !

You were fun to have around...

 

Very sorry to hear about your poor health James.
I would just like to hope things go as well for you as they can and that while knowing very little about furniture (even less about American furniture) I always liked reading your posts.