It happened again last night.

I was watching the U.S. Open in the living room seated in a wing back. It was 10 o’clock and the tournament had ended for the day. I got up to go upstairs to bed. Took one step to my right and went down.

I got dizzy. Fell strangely. My feet went out from me and up. My head went down. I fell backwards!

The back of my head hit the tile floor first. Bounced twice. Somehow my knees must have been involved and my right hip.

Everything still hurts this morning. Especially the back of my head.

The falling problem occurred last week also. I was shaving and turned around to get a hand towel. Fortunately, the bathroom is narrow and I was able to bounce between the walls and stay up.

Dizziness occurs before I fall.

Dr. Norris says it is my blood pressure medication and perhaps some others. I take 11 pills a day. The key to not falling is to stand for a moment before taking a step. Problem is I don’t always remember to do so.

The alternative is to stop taking my blood pressure meds. A no no.

A major problem with falling is getting up. When your younger, your body is agile and you are able to immediately raise yourself up. At my age, it is next to impossible. Takes every bit of energy I have.

Last night, it took about 15 minutes before I was able to stand.

I started falling about 8 years ago. Did physiotherapy for 6 months to learn how to walk again. Good! The key is to watch where you are walking and hold on when going up and down stairs. The rehab people trained me to do so. Sounds easier than it really was. I was also taught how to get up. A big deal! It worked for a few years. Not so good now.

Physicians attribute old age falling to the side effects of drugs and medicines, a weaker sense of balance, declining eyesight, and a loss of flexibility in hips and ankles.

This blog generally deals with Key West and national politics. Perhaps I should add a third consideration. Senior citizen health. If you are there already, you will understand and appreciate. If not yet old enough, better to learn early and be prepared.

Sticking with health for a moment, a Mini Health Fair is going to be held in Key West on Saturday June 22. At the Gato Building on Simonton.

It is sponsored by the Florida State Department of Health and Monroe County.

The significance: All service and items provided are free. Those who are without insurance should definitely attend. Services to be provided include vaccines for hepatitis A and B, HPV, tetanus, pertussis, flu, and more.

There will also be blood glucose screenings, blood pressure screenings, HIV testing, WIC, family planing, and tobacco cessation information.

The U.S. Open. Every year I become more and more impressed with the play of the young professionals. Their abilities exceed those of the golf giants of yesteryear.

The younger pros putt better. Long puts. They chip better. They hit longer.

Yesterday, chips off the green were falling into the holes. Never saw anything like it. Putts of 20-40 feet dropping. Wow! Drives over 300 yards. Some as much as 350 yards.

Excellent golf. Thrilling.

Goodness prevails on occasion. Orange County, Florida, was recently a site demonstrating old fashioned good hearted charity. Involving thousands of people.

Sam Rodriguez is a young lady. Sam is her name. Twenty years old. She is one of 6 children.  The oldest.

In the past 5 years, both of the family’s parents died of cancer. Sam’s 5 brothers and sisters 5-17 years old.

Sam has taken charge of her brothers and sisters. She is caring for and supporting them.

Not an easy task. Parents left a large family, but no money.

Last week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reached out to certain persons and asked them to help buy Sam a new car. They did. A Nissan Versa. A big help!

Sam’s situation was put on GoFundMe. Money is coming in through that venue also. Contributors in the thousands.

On this day in 1858, Abraham Lincoln was Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He lost a close election. Mattered not. Two years later, he was elected President.

During the Senatorial campaign, Lincoln was debating his opponent in Springfield. The country was being torn by slavery and states’ rights. Lincoln in the debate paraphrased the New Testament’s Matthew 12:22-28: A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Prophetic words.

We are once again a house divided. The foundation is rotting. Maybe already gone. What lies ahead? Can we save our Nation?

Trump recently tweeted: “The failing New York Times did a story that the United States is substantially increasing cyber attacks on Russia…..a virtual attack.” Followed by: “Anything goes with our Corrupt News Media today. They will do, or say, whatever it takes, with not even the slightest thought of consequence!  These are true cowards and without doubt, The Enemy of the People!”

He also referred to the New York Times’ article as treasonous.

Trump must be defeated in 2020. For the good of the Nation, for the good of its people. He is a man who wants to be President/leader forever. A true despot. If he succeeds, the following probable consequences: (1) Jails overcrowded with political prisoners, (2) many of whom are charged with treason, and (3) executions will be up, in numbers neither experienced nor thought possible in the United States.

Enjoy your Sunday!