I just finished reading a book. Not just any book... here's the history.
Extremely Conservative Allrie enjoys her kids--pretty much no matter what. Liberal Erica enjoys The Colbert Report. Although Steven Colbert's show is more about entertainment than news, and he is generally pretty balanced, there is no doubt that it is a liberal show. But it is funny--and I absolutely love how he uses props--magnificently done in my humble, yet somewhat educated in the topic of props, opinion.
One night in August he had Bing West on talkingabout his newbook: The Strongest Tribe. It intrigued me so giving ita few weeks to reach the library shelves, I checked...not yet, but I put my name on the waitlist, so I was one of the first in our county library system to get it!
As I began I saw that the book broke down the War inIraq into years, and sections of years. At first, while interesting, I found that I could read only about 1/2 chapter at a time...then as I got into it, I could not put the book down! I think every voting American should read this book!
Since that will not happen, I want to share a little. the final chapter looks forward to 2009 and beyond, not just forIraq, but for the US as well. [The author took 14 trips toIraq for this book, and is a Vietnam Vet. This is his 3rd book on Iraq.] Appendix C is entitled Bing West's Counterinsurgency Lessons. It summarizes much of what he explains in the last chapter in great detail. [This may sound a little negative, but I promise that in context it is anything but! Bing West reports, analyzes and explains how the US made mistake--as in every war--but how leaders on the ground figured out bit by bit how to win not just the initial war--toppling Saddam, but the "peace" as well in unifying a fractured country]
"
1. Partner Always. Don't fight someone else's battles for him. The goal of US units and advisorteams is to nurture armed units--army and police. If a US unit is not combined with a local unit, it cannot succeed.
2. Fire Incompetents. Americans go in because the host nation failed. Insist on a mechanism to relieve those who fail. Sovereignty should not shield failure.
3. Act as Police. The key is identifying insurgents, not redressing their political grievances. Installing "good government" is not a US militart mission. The US militarty has neglected basic police metrics and methods. It is fooklish to fight an insurgency without conducting a census and employing biometric tools.
4. Be Agressive. UA unit or advisory team must set the example and spend most of its time outside the wire. Force protection is not a mission. The goal is a clearance rate [kill or capture] of over 50% for violent crimes--shootings, bomings, kidnappings, etc. The insurgent must know he will die or be captured.
5. Don't Catch and Release. Insist on a system of incarceration based on common sense rather than democratic ideals. It is crazy to catch insurgents and let them go a few months later.
6. Bribe. The US militarty has no competence to restructure an economy. Every platoon and advisory team should have a monthly allowance of several thousand dollars to dispence for goodwill and information.
7. Treat Everyone with Respect. First, do no harm. The task--that will take years--is to separate the people from the insurgants, not to act like a thug and recruit for the insurgants. If you wouldn't push someone around at home, don't do it anywhere else. NoBetter Friend comes before No Worse Enemy. If foot patrols by local police departments require more than four men, the area has not been cleared. If you don't have a confident, competent police chief, the area is not being held.
8. Barriers Work. "Gated Communities"--walls, concrete barriers, etc.--greatly impede commerce, but they impede the entrance and exit of assasins.
9. Fight the Top. In Iraq and Afghanistan, as in Vietnam, the high-level officials were the most resistant to change. Thwe top levels of the US government have failed to establish tough practices to force change, particularly n ripping out corruption at ministerial levels. If sovereignty guarantees massive corruption, sedition, and recalcitrance that undercut the war effort, then Amewrican soldiers should not be committed.
10. A divisive Society Will Not Remain the Strongest Tribe. As a society, America'[s martial values of patience, sacrifice, and unity have declined. Iraq was as much a symptom as a problem. We foiught in Iraq as a nation divided, with many of our elected leaders willing to lose. No nation can sustain its values by claiming to support the soldier while opposing his mission. If we are divided in the next war, we will not succeed."
Again, get the book. Read it. It will help any and everyone to understand things we must as we vote, as we write to our political leaders, and as we send our children forward in courage to be a part of the force for freedom in retaining ouselves as The Strongest Tribe.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I've just read a non-LDS sourced food storage article! It includes a clip from a news interview. We should all see this...even though it basically just underlines what the prophets have told us for ages about storing food! See it here: http://www.foodshortageusa.com/ I was surprised to learn that some rationing is already taking place. I am relieved to have as much food storage as I do, but would be happier with more! I keep working on it.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Ike
I ride a bike everywhere for both exercise and transportation. I like it, now that the temps are cooling down. I hop on my bike and out the drive I ride. Two doors down, Rebecca's house not only has the blue tarp stretched tightly across her roof still, but now what appears to be a work order written large on it. Hers will be a big job, I hope they're able to have it done soon.
Less that a block away the smell assails me. Mold. Decay. And I thought all that stuff was gone, but wait, no, there's another pile of wallboard and carpet ripped out. Hmm, now I really need to get that done, too--even though by comparison mine is only a small amount. Still, it needs doing.
Oh, a new pile of tree branches. It wasn't there yesterday--it must have come out of their back yard. I sneak a quick peek up into the trees and see that they, like us, still have plenty of dead branches broken and caught up there. When it was really windy the other day, I, like most of my neighbors, had a new batch of branches to haul out to the curb.
I stop and snap pictures. It is now two months since Ike came through, and the clean up goes on, and on, and on. . .
Comcast trucks are much in evidence [finally]. I hear they've lost about half their customer base in our community [including us] due to their incredibly slow responsse. In our case, once the line that was down in our back yard went up, service was restored. Too bad for them that they waited so long that we looked into, called, made an appointment, had the guy come out one eve, but since it was already getting dark at that point, he came back the next morning first thing--and we now have satellite [and he even pulled a heavy branch off the roof for me!] The next day Comcast finally came. . . they still had to take care of the downed wire. It was only reported a week and a half earlier!
The daily runs of the huge trucks picking up the big loads of branches and downed tree limbs are over. The guys who did our street were down from upper Wisconsin, and the heat here was terrible to them--and we thought was nice after Ike came through. Dry and unseasonably cool. What a blessing with the power out for most of us for at least a week or more! Still it was awfully hot for these men to whom I was able to give cold water [ten days after Ike and our power was restored.]
The sound of Ike in my mind is not the wind of the storm, but the buzz of the saws beginning the next morning and continuing still. In the first week when so many places of work were closed, men were everywhere: cutting, sawing, and getting rid of the carnage. Now its usually only in the evenings and weekends, and it's here a buzz, there a buzz, [everywhere a buzz, buzz--eventually!] Most of the major work has been done.
Some blocks do not smell of mold any longer, but of new wood as the old blown down fences are hauled away, and the new fences go up. I've a friend from church who lives on a farm and they lost all their fencing, and at last report, still have "miles of new fence to put in."
I feel for the early primary grades in Santa Fe [the next town over]. They lost the roof of their first & second grade building. As a result, the first grade classes are in the Jr. High for the rest of the year [and we'd only been in school a couple of weeks before Ike!] They've settled in nicely, I hear, but they are truely short on library books etc. The community has really pulled together to help them out.
As I write, we have another load of Contracters bags filled to the brim with branches and leaves. I still have to cut down the tropical plants in the backyard which were bent beyond their capacity to recover. As I ride around town, I see that most people have put that off as well--only a few have started work on this type of plant. I guess I'm not the only one who was hoping that they would recover eventually on their own--but it just does not seem to be.
I'll post pictures next week. This has been an interesting experience, and as my rides get braver and longer and reach new territory I see fresh evidences of the churned up landscape.
Less that a block away the smell assails me. Mold. Decay. And I thought all that stuff was gone, but wait, no, there's another pile of wallboard and carpet ripped out. Hmm, now I really need to get that done, too--even though by comparison mine is only a small amount. Still, it needs doing.
Oh, a new pile of tree branches. It wasn't there yesterday--it must have come out of their back yard. I sneak a quick peek up into the trees and see that they, like us, still have plenty of dead branches broken and caught up there. When it was really windy the other day, I, like most of my neighbors, had a new batch of branches to haul out to the curb.
I stop and snap pictures. It is now two months since Ike came through, and the clean up goes on, and on, and on. . .
Comcast trucks are much in evidence [finally]. I hear they've lost about half their customer base in our community [including us] due to their incredibly slow responsse. In our case, once the line that was down in our back yard went up, service was restored. Too bad for them that they waited so long that we looked into, called, made an appointment, had the guy come out one eve, but since it was already getting dark at that point, he came back the next morning first thing--and we now have satellite [and he even pulled a heavy branch off the roof for me!] The next day Comcast finally came. . . they still had to take care of the downed wire. It was only reported a week and a half earlier!
The daily runs of the huge trucks picking up the big loads of branches and downed tree limbs are over. The guys who did our street were down from upper Wisconsin, and the heat here was terrible to them--and we thought was nice after Ike came through. Dry and unseasonably cool. What a blessing with the power out for most of us for at least a week or more! Still it was awfully hot for these men to whom I was able to give cold water [ten days after Ike and our power was restored.]
The sound of Ike in my mind is not the wind of the storm, but the buzz of the saws beginning the next morning and continuing still. In the first week when so many places of work were closed, men were everywhere: cutting, sawing, and getting rid of the carnage. Now its usually only in the evenings and weekends, and it's here a buzz, there a buzz, [everywhere a buzz, buzz--eventually!] Most of the major work has been done.
Some blocks do not smell of mold any longer, but of new wood as the old blown down fences are hauled away, and the new fences go up. I've a friend from church who lives on a farm and they lost all their fencing, and at last report, still have "miles of new fence to put in."
I feel for the early primary grades in Santa Fe [the next town over]. They lost the roof of their first & second grade building. As a result, the first grade classes are in the Jr. High for the rest of the year [and we'd only been in school a couple of weeks before Ike!] They've settled in nicely, I hear, but they are truely short on library books etc. The community has really pulled together to help them out.
As I write, we have another load of Contracters bags filled to the brim with branches and leaves. I still have to cut down the tropical plants in the backyard which were bent beyond their capacity to recover. As I ride around town, I see that most people have put that off as well--only a few have started work on this type of plant. I guess I'm not the only one who was hoping that they would recover eventually on their own--but it just does not seem to be.
I'll post pictures next week. This has been an interesting experience, and as my rides get braver and longer and reach new territory I see fresh evidences of the churned up landscape.
Monday, August 25, 2008
A Great Invention
Sippy cups--what a great invention! I wish they'd been around when my kids were small. I don't have a clue when they appeared, just somewhere between my children and my grandchildren. I liked them when I first saw the kids with them.
Then, sitting with my friend and her kids, I began to get jealous. Every Sunday, right after the Sacrament, out come four sippys, four snacks and peace continues until appetites are fed. As an adult who is supposed to carry a bottle of water at all times and drink frequently [according to my "How to be a Good Diabetic Class"] I had trouble. Because of my left side of my mouth having no feeling, dribbling is a frequent hazard with a water bottle.
So, I did it! I bought my own sippy cup. No cartoon characters. No movie characters. No fancy designs. Just a nice plain blue sippy. No more dribbles--I take it to church, to choir, to bed, and it works! And no more spills because of being knocked over! No more overflows trying to open a water bottle and using too much pressure with my left hand holding [squeezing] the bottle as I attemp to open a new one. It is a win-win situation!
Sorry, kids, you should be used to my embarrassing you by now! The sippy cup stays--what a great invention :) Got to go refill my sippy and go to bed now. Good night.
Then, sitting with my friend and her kids, I began to get jealous. Every Sunday, right after the Sacrament, out come four sippys, four snacks and peace continues until appetites are fed. As an adult who is supposed to carry a bottle of water at all times and drink frequently [according to my "How to be a Good Diabetic Class"] I had trouble. Because of my left side of my mouth having no feeling, dribbling is a frequent hazard with a water bottle.
So, I did it! I bought my own sippy cup. No cartoon characters. No movie characters. No fancy designs. Just a nice plain blue sippy. No more dribbles--I take it to church, to choir, to bed, and it works! And no more spills because of being knocked over! No more overflows trying to open a water bottle and using too much pressure with my left hand holding [squeezing] the bottle as I attemp to open a new one. It is a win-win situation!
Sorry, kids, you should be used to my embarrassing you by now! The sippy cup stays--what a great invention :) Got to go refill my sippy and go to bed now. Good night.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thank you, Mrs Bissell
It seems like a year or two since last I blogged. It has been awhile, but not that long, it is just that so much has happened. I was not online for quite awhile, and I am not going to journal here, but some of this summer's activities will work into blogs--of that I am sure!
Today's blog:
A couple decades ago I ran into my old high school PE teacher in the grocery store. She had just retired and I had just finished my teaching credential as a divorced Mom of three. She was a single Mom all those years of teaching, so one might think it would be a comfortable conversation. One would be very, very, wrong! I HATED PE. I was a clutz even then, and thought it the greatest waste of time. My junior year I changed my schedule at least three times, and while required to choose from a variety of sports each 9 weeks, I managed to take basketball three times. It was the only sport in which I was even mildly competant. At the grocery store, Mrs B said that the girls she had of late weren't as creative as my group was! The nicest thing she ever said to me--even if referring to tricking her!
She always said that we had to experience a variety of sports as it would stay with us throughout our lives. We would find activities we enjoyed, and be able to participate in them always. Too bad bocce wasn't on her list, But I picked reading as my sport repeatedly--she wasn't amused.
Now, however, I say, thank you Mrs Bissell. No, not for the sports. For teaching us how to take fast and cold showers when covered in sweat. Now, this is a "sport" in which I am participating several times daily. Welcome to Gulfcoast Texas!
Today's blog:
A couple decades ago I ran into my old high school PE teacher in the grocery store. She had just retired and I had just finished my teaching credential as a divorced Mom of three. She was a single Mom all those years of teaching, so one might think it would be a comfortable conversation. One would be very, very, wrong! I HATED PE. I was a clutz even then, and thought it the greatest waste of time. My junior year I changed my schedule at least three times, and while required to choose from a variety of sports each 9 weeks, I managed to take basketball three times. It was the only sport in which I was even mildly competant. At the grocery store, Mrs B said that the girls she had of late weren't as creative as my group was! The nicest thing she ever said to me--even if referring to tricking her!
She always said that we had to experience a variety of sports as it would stay with us throughout our lives. We would find activities we enjoyed, and be able to participate in them always. Too bad bocce wasn't on her list, But I picked reading as my sport repeatedly--she wasn't amused.
Now, however, I say, thank you Mrs Bissell. No, not for the sports. For teaching us how to take fast and cold showers when covered in sweat. Now, this is a "sport" in which I am participating several times daily. Welcome to Gulfcoast Texas!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tears
Look at my tissue box. It has a map on it. As I open the box, I pull off most of North America. I've lived there, and there and there. I have lived in every section of the United States plus British Columbia, Canada. I have lived in some places as a child in my natal family, some with my first husband, some with my second, some with just children, and some as a single person. Generally speaking, even when moving away from a place I liked, there was some anticipation for the new adventures to come. This time, there are just tears.
Everyone said how awful it would be to move to New England. "They are so closed in their society--no one new is accepted. Period." That's what I was told, by not one person, but by many--some who'd even lived in New England. I was leaving the familiar town of my youth, my family, and everything familiar. Tears would have been reasonable, but there were none. Cold hands, warm heart is what I say. I loved New England, my children loved New England, my husband loved New England, heck, two of my kids were even born in New England!
Moving to the South [in August--from northern New England!] was an especially difficult move. I was scared of The South. When I saw my first KKK'ers up close [fortunately I was in my car I floored it!] I couldn't understand the people I lived among. Literally--the southern accent is very slow speech--especially so after the down east of northern Maine! Many times there were tears--of frustration, loneliness and despair, until I finally made a friend [of course, we couldn't talk over the phone, only in person, because I could not understand anyone over the phone for a full year!] and slowly I began to learn...it's the heat, everything moves more slowly, even the speech. But it doesn't mean people are stupid--just different. After four years I was finally pretty well adjusted, had my activities, loved my school, principal and other teachers...and we joked that 'Mom's feet left drag marks behind the U-Haul as we left!' But it was off to a new adventure--and that was just the journey.
Finally to the Mexican border...and the English was so fast I could barely understand it, let alone the Spanish! As time went by, I sped up, my ears sped up and soon I could keep up. My students never caught on that I could understand their Spanish, however...I had a bilingual aide, so it worked better that way. Lots of trouble was averted because they would talk openly in front of me--in Spanish, thinking I was too stupid for words! Ha! That's all I have to say. Within a few months, I again had my activities and friends and for me all went pretty well in that regard. I was sad to move away so soon, but looked forward to the southeast.
The East Coast has so much history to explore. Williamsburg, VA has been one of my all time favorite places to visit since the family trip in the mid 1960's. I still love it. Life there didn't fall into place so easily, however, and I never really had my own activities or friends. After eight years I'd personally seen as much as I wanted to see in that area of the country, and the kids and I were usually going far afield on our trips! So when we learned we were moving to North Dakota [where I have cousins] I was actualy quite excited. I've liked ND since my first trip there in '69. So I packed, then left to visit one of my kids elsewhere. The phone rang, my husband said, "We are not moving to ND after all," pregnant pause during which I screamed in my head--you mean I did all that packing for NOTHING?--he continued, "We're moving to Ohio instead."
As all who know me personally, or through blogging, are well aware...I love my village. I love my ward. I love my friends. Although I have no local family, I feel as if I do, for everyone has become family...friends, neighbors, villagers, I am involved! I have my activities etc. Life has been very good. I've really enjoyed my home...working on my house, making a home...
I am very grateful that my husband is once again gainfully employed. I just wish it could have been here! I know it is rather selfish of me, but I do NOT WANT to move. It is coming. I am leaving. For awhile I pretended it was just that I didn't look forward to the climate of the Gulf Coast. But the cold, hard, reality is that I do not want to leave my home and friends and active involvements here. But I am going to do it, and the time is coming quickly now...less than a month. So I cry. The emotions have to spill over somewhere! With me, they're spilling out. Tears, welling, overflowing, streaming, damped down and wiped off, only to start anew at the slightest reminder. Tears come during the very fine Sacrament talk given by one of the Elders on friendships. Tears come again after church when I attempt to tell him my opinion that he gave a good talk. And again when I'm asked when I'm leaving--and the choir director tries to schedule a performance before that time because I had mentioned that I've sorta sung that song in several wards--but always moved before it was performed. Tears--it's going to happen here again. Tears as I planted my flowers and a small garden, why? Because I just had to do it! This is my home and it was time to get the plants in the ground. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to complete. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to start. Tears to give up the SS calling I never wanted! Tears to leave the Family History Center--even though I am quite certain there is one where I am going! So many other tears that I cannot list them all, but they keep pouring.
I know that I can make a home basically anywhere. It might not be the same, but it will be fine in the long run. Right now, however, let me just emote. Excuse me, I need a new box of tissue.
Everyone said how awful it would be to move to New England. "They are so closed in their society--no one new is accepted. Period." That's what I was told, by not one person, but by many--some who'd even lived in New England. I was leaving the familiar town of my youth, my family, and everything familiar. Tears would have been reasonable, but there were none. Cold hands, warm heart is what I say. I loved New England, my children loved New England, my husband loved New England, heck, two of my kids were even born in New England!
Moving to the South [in August--from northern New England!] was an especially difficult move. I was scared of The South. When I saw my first KKK'ers up close [fortunately I was in my car I floored it!] I couldn't understand the people I lived among. Literally--the southern accent is very slow speech--especially so after the down east of northern Maine! Many times there were tears--of frustration, loneliness and despair, until I finally made a friend [of course, we couldn't talk over the phone, only in person, because I could not understand anyone over the phone for a full year!] and slowly I began to learn...it's the heat, everything moves more slowly, even the speech. But it doesn't mean people are stupid--just different. After four years I was finally pretty well adjusted, had my activities, loved my school, principal and other teachers...and we joked that 'Mom's feet left drag marks behind the U-Haul as we left!' But it was off to a new adventure--and that was just the journey.
Finally to the Mexican border...and the English was so fast I could barely understand it, let alone the Spanish! As time went by, I sped up, my ears sped up and soon I could keep up. My students never caught on that I could understand their Spanish, however...I had a bilingual aide, so it worked better that way. Lots of trouble was averted because they would talk openly in front of me--in Spanish, thinking I was too stupid for words! Ha! That's all I have to say. Within a few months, I again had my activities and friends and for me all went pretty well in that regard. I was sad to move away so soon, but looked forward to the southeast.
The East Coast has so much history to explore. Williamsburg, VA has been one of my all time favorite places to visit since the family trip in the mid 1960's. I still love it. Life there didn't fall into place so easily, however, and I never really had my own activities or friends. After eight years I'd personally seen as much as I wanted to see in that area of the country, and the kids and I were usually going far afield on our trips! So when we learned we were moving to North Dakota [where I have cousins] I was actualy quite excited. I've liked ND since my first trip there in '69. So I packed, then left to visit one of my kids elsewhere. The phone rang, my husband said, "We are not moving to ND after all," pregnant pause during which I screamed in my head--you mean I did all that packing for NOTHING?--he continued, "We're moving to Ohio instead."
As all who know me personally, or through blogging, are well aware...I love my village. I love my ward. I love my friends. Although I have no local family, I feel as if I do, for everyone has become family...friends, neighbors, villagers, I am involved! I have my activities etc. Life has been very good. I've really enjoyed my home...working on my house, making a home...
I am very grateful that my husband is once again gainfully employed. I just wish it could have been here! I know it is rather selfish of me, but I do NOT WANT to move. It is coming. I am leaving. For awhile I pretended it was just that I didn't look forward to the climate of the Gulf Coast. But the cold, hard, reality is that I do not want to leave my home and friends and active involvements here. But I am going to do it, and the time is coming quickly now...less than a month. So I cry. The emotions have to spill over somewhere! With me, they're spilling out. Tears, welling, overflowing, streaming, damped down and wiped off, only to start anew at the slightest reminder. Tears come during the very fine Sacrament talk given by one of the Elders on friendships. Tears come again after church when I attempt to tell him my opinion that he gave a good talk. And again when I'm asked when I'm leaving--and the choir director tries to schedule a performance before that time because I had mentioned that I've sorta sung that song in several wards--but always moved before it was performed. Tears--it's going to happen here again. Tears as I planted my flowers and a small garden, why? Because I just had to do it! This is my home and it was time to get the plants in the ground. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to complete. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to start. Tears to give up the SS calling I never wanted! Tears to leave the Family History Center--even though I am quite certain there is one where I am going! So many other tears that I cannot list them all, but they keep pouring.
I know that I can make a home basically anywhere. It might not be the same, but it will be fine in the long run. Right now, however, let me just emote. Excuse me, I need a new box of tissue.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Feeling Patriotic?
I don't really know how to post a link, so I'm putting it into a blog for now. GreatDanePro has made a bunch of patriotic mini-movies. I highly recommend them all. This will get you to one of my favorites, and you can go to others from there. This is for you, Lura...and all the others like you: http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Soldiers%20Wife/index.htm
Other sections are devoted to patriotic songs [See Battle Hymn!] branches of the service [I've watched only the AF so far...] and individuals. If you are feeling patriotic...or feel the lack thereof...this site will help. I promise.
Other sections are devoted to patriotic songs [See Battle Hymn!] branches of the service [I've watched only the AF so far...] and individuals. If you are feeling patriotic...or feel the lack thereof...this site will help. I promise.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Getting A Life
A good friend of mine recently told me that all she does is get up, go to work, go home, walk her dogs[unless she's too tired--then she just turns them out into the backyard to run awhile] go to bed and start all over. I said she could have some of my life. Yesterday and today are a typical slice. Yesterday we [the kids I tutor, their Mom and my son] went to downtown Columbus to see the Santa Maria. It was really interesting--quite different from the Jamestown ships actually 100+ years made a huge difference! Next we swung by the old deaf school to see the topiary gardens because I'd heard of it and wanted to see it. I was quite surprised, if you walk up to the rise not only do you see a relief of the painting [I forget its actual name...I only remember the play!] but it is all topiary, "Sunday in the Park with George"! The Paris park scene painted by George Surat: Isle de something. So I assigned the kids a paper on the Santa Maria. After dumping the kids, we mothers went for lunch and to the library for some time sans teens. whew! Just need that break sometimes!
Today, we started tutoring earlier than usual, this so that we could get a good two hours under our belts before another friend collected me. We went out to take pictures for the power point we're putting together for one of the songs for our ward's Patriotic Program [for Armed Services Day] 17 May. It goes along with the song the choir sings "To the Unsung Heroes". Lunch and many pictures later we whipped over to the missionaries apt, where one received a haircut from my friend outside while others and I loaded their unpacked moving boxes from last week into the van for drop off at my house. Finally reached home about 15 minutes late, grabbed my make-up shirt, boxes were unloaded, and Richard and I took off for his school production of Treasure Island. I'm ready for bed, but am giving Seth 'til midnight to e-mail his paper to me!
Oh, and before all that--both days--I've been working on a script for our book club skit at the Stake Enrichment Day. Unlike my friend...I have too much life! But I wouldn't have missed this time for anything, it has been some of the happiest time in my life. Tomorrow I am going to put new batteries in the camera. I will take tulip pictures--both in the yard, and ones Keith sent "before Mother's Day" .
If I didn't do the things I do already, I can see a half dozen other activities in which I could easily get involved in my community. How does anyone get to the point where they do not have a life? There is so much out there and available to do! Anyone need a few suggestions? I got tons! :)
Today, we started tutoring earlier than usual, this so that we could get a good two hours under our belts before another friend collected me. We went out to take pictures for the power point we're putting together for one of the songs for our ward's Patriotic Program [for Armed Services Day] 17 May. It goes along with the song the choir sings "To the Unsung Heroes". Lunch and many pictures later we whipped over to the missionaries apt, where one received a haircut from my friend outside while others and I loaded their unpacked moving boxes from last week into the van for drop off at my house. Finally reached home about 15 minutes late, grabbed my make-up shirt, boxes were unloaded, and Richard and I took off for his school production of Treasure Island. I'm ready for bed, but am giving Seth 'til midnight to e-mail his paper to me!
Oh, and before all that--both days--I've been working on a script for our book club skit at the Stake Enrichment Day. Unlike my friend...I have too much life! But I wouldn't have missed this time for anything, it has been some of the happiest time in my life. Tomorrow I am going to put new batteries in the camera. I will take tulip pictures--both in the yard, and ones Keith sent "before Mother's Day" .
If I didn't do the things I do already, I can see a half dozen other activities in which I could easily get involved in my community. How does anyone get to the point where they do not have a life? There is so much out there and available to do! Anyone need a few suggestions? I got tons! :)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Retired
Many years ago as a young mother living in a largely retirement aged community, I remember when a new couple moved into the Ward. He said that they were retired from their jobs--not from life, so please put them to work right away. And so it was done.
In my current ward, it is a standing joke about how many are in "the waiting room" for death, and after three [or was it four?] funerals within just a couple weeks, my then bishop declared a moratorium on dying until pageant was over that year. It must've worked, for while we've had any number of others enter "the waiting room" the first death was quite recently.
As a young "retired" [due to disability] I cannot understand what others have meant by retired, but have come up with my own definition after observation and participation. To be "retired" meant that you are tire again and again because of all there is to do.
In my own case, I volunteer for only a couple of things at the high school--working on the Madrigal, the spring play and working with the genealogy unit in sociology every semester.
At church: Sunday school teacher [currently Gospel Docrine/adult class] choir--including the Stage manager / scene designer / design executer for our May Patriotic Program. Book Club is held monthly in my home.
I tutor two home schooled kids in English daily.
I work at the Family History Center 2nd & 4th Tues and sometimes 5th Tues, and sometimes go in with an individual appointment[like last Mon afternoon--2 1/2 hrs] I work on my own genealogy and serve as a ward family history consultant. I try to do at least one page of indexing, daily.
I garden /can etc. I also flower garden. I often volunteer at the Bishop's Storehouse. Occasionally, I have the pleasure to babysit for a family with baby/ and or young children.
I continue to work on Pageant to get things in readiness for next year.
I'm a Visiting Teacher. Our book club has been asked to prresent a skit for the upcoming Stake Enrichment
I'm a community volunteer [tho am pulling back with the upcoming move]
Yep. I'm tired, and retired on a daily basis...but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Because of my mdedical history, I qualify as one in the waiting room, but I figure on being around for quite some time to com...just tired and daily retired!
In my current ward, it is a standing joke about how many are in "the waiting room" for death, and after three [or was it four?] funerals within just a couple weeks, my then bishop declared a moratorium on dying until pageant was over that year. It must've worked, for while we've had any number of others enter "the waiting room" the first death was quite recently.
As a young "retired" [due to disability] I cannot understand what others have meant by retired, but have come up with my own definition after observation and participation. To be "retired" meant that you are tire again and again because of all there is to do.
In my own case, I volunteer for only a couple of things at the high school--working on the Madrigal, the spring play and working with the genealogy unit in sociology every semester.
At church: Sunday school teacher [currently Gospel Docrine/adult class] choir--including the Stage manager / scene designer / design executer for our May Patriotic Program. Book Club is held monthly in my home.
I tutor two home schooled kids in English daily.
I work at the Family History Center 2nd & 4th Tues and sometimes 5th Tues, and sometimes go in with an individual appointment[like last Mon afternoon--2 1/2 hrs] I work on my own genealogy and serve as a ward family history consultant. I try to do at least one page of indexing, daily.
I garden /can etc. I also flower garden. I often volunteer at the Bishop's Storehouse. Occasionally, I have the pleasure to babysit for a family with baby/ and or young children.
I continue to work on Pageant to get things in readiness for next year.
I'm a Visiting Teacher. Our book club has been asked to prresent a skit for the upcoming Stake Enrichment
I'm a community volunteer [tho am pulling back with the upcoming move]
Yep. I'm tired, and retired on a daily basis...but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Because of my mdedical history, I qualify as one in the waiting room, but I figure on being around for quite some time to com...just tired and daily retired!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Steel Drum Music
Look--I found something to write about! All on my own!
I was blessed to receive quite a lot of musical training, it made up to a large extent for my total lack of talent. Then all my kids went through band, and I was always a very active Band Parent, so I thought my knowledge base was fairly high. I've spent my life going to a variety of types of concerts. While not terribly knowledgable about strings, I've been privilaged to have many close friends who were quite the virtuosos on their instruments, so over the years I learned quite a bit. One of my favorite sections in any large museum is the area with musical instruments from all over the world. I thought I'd been exposed to it all, but oh how not so!
Last Sat. I went to the local high school's Steel Drum Concert. I've wanted to go for the past three years, but it just never worked out. This time they had one of the top guys in the world in, along with a touring college band.
I had NO idea!!! It was so musical that originally I strained looking for an electric piano. I did not believe that much music could come from such "ordinary" objects used as instruments! By the end I realized that each one had not a plain flat top as I'd expected but they were concave and many had different concave pockets. Those with the largest drums had a grouping of up to six drums circling the drummer, who would whirl around from one to another. It was amazing. It was fun and invigorating! I'm so glad I finally went. All because the director is Richards PA [performing arts] instuctor and I promised him I would attend. Richard couldn't--he had work and church activity. I invited his drummer friend [who had the church activity, but I didn't know about it 'til then] and his mother, my good friend. So she and I went. Fun!
I'm looking forward to the end of year concert--band, steel drum company, two HS choirs, middle school choir and parent's band! That was a new one on me! It is probably a good thing that I didn't know about it before. I believe I could play some percussion still...but it is better not to find out, I'm sure!
I was blessed to receive quite a lot of musical training, it made up to a large extent for my total lack of talent. Then all my kids went through band, and I was always a very active Band Parent, so I thought my knowledge base was fairly high. I've spent my life going to a variety of types of concerts. While not terribly knowledgable about strings, I've been privilaged to have many close friends who were quite the virtuosos on their instruments, so over the years I learned quite a bit. One of my favorite sections in any large museum is the area with musical instruments from all over the world. I thought I'd been exposed to it all, but oh how not so!
Last Sat. I went to the local high school's Steel Drum Concert. I've wanted to go for the past three years, but it just never worked out. This time they had one of the top guys in the world in, along with a touring college band.
I had NO idea!!! It was so musical that originally I strained looking for an electric piano. I did not believe that much music could come from such "ordinary" objects used as instruments! By the end I realized that each one had not a plain flat top as I'd expected but they were concave and many had different concave pockets. Those with the largest drums had a grouping of up to six drums circling the drummer, who would whirl around from one to another. It was amazing. It was fun and invigorating! I'm so glad I finally went. All because the director is Richards PA [performing arts] instuctor and I promised him I would attend. Richard couldn't--he had work and church activity. I invited his drummer friend [who had the church activity, but I didn't know about it 'til then] and his mother, my good friend. So she and I went. Fun!
I'm looking forward to the end of year concert--band, steel drum company, two HS choirs, middle school choir and parent's band! That was a new one on me! It is probably a good thing that I didn't know about it before. I believe I could play some percussion still...but it is better not to find out, I'm sure!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Z, Zed, The End!
Finally, the end of the alphabet. And it isn't even a whole month since last I wrote--it must be THE END!
Everybody knows that Z is for Zebras well as the Zoo in which we see them. I began thinking about the zoos [and similar types of places]I have known, and there have been not a small number. I first remember the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from when I was a little girl in the '50's. We lived in the Chicago area--the city, it's suburbs or a bit further into northern Indiana until 1960. Even when we were no longer in Chicago, we had family there until the late '60's, and returned often to visit. This helped to keep early memories sharp. The Brookfield zoo was famous for its Petting Zoo. I remember most riding--yes, riding upon the back [shell] of giant turtles. Galapagos perhaps?
In California, the first animal place I recall is the snake farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. It was our excursion on our first Christmas away from family and friends. Besides we were building up on the hill, and Dad wanted us instructed properly about rattlesnakes. We were. And we never had a serious snake problem because of that trip.
Later we went to Jungleland [no longer in existence] where we drove through in our own car to see the wild jungle animals in their "sorta natural" environment. I don't think the place lasted too long, so it must not have worked very well. I don't think they did it right--not like the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Growing up in Southern CA, we were spoiled by the San Diego Zoo, and later the Wild Animal Park. In my experience [not vast in the field, I know] it has got to be the best Zoo going. I remember when animals were in smallish enclosures and cages. Today, the enclosures are huge, and rarely is there a cage involved!
When living in OKC, OK, we were excited to take the kids to the zoo. It was awful! Accustomed to San Diego, we adults felt sick to our stomachs at the cages and small enclosures they still employed [I believe it has changed since then.] The girls were not impressed either, except Erica, who was only two, and didn't know any better. Needless to say, we cut the day as short as we could!
As a kid, I remember Marineland in the LA area--a sort of water zoo. It was really interesting. Trips to Disneyland always educational back then, included the Jungle Cruise--with its so realistic animals that my grandmother visiting with us actually believed they were real--and my Dad could NOT convince her otherwise--ever. The Submarine ride took us under water to see the sea life--another type of "zoo."
As an adult, living in Arkansas, one of my great fears was alligators in the wild--especially when my son had the strange job of "throwing ducks" for a hunting dog trainer. As they worked around and in water I always worried about alligators. Daily he would assure me of no sightings and try to assuage my fears. Last summer, under the "ten year rule" [things that would have only worried Mom can now come out--its over and done with a decade ago...so too late to worry] the truth came out--he saw alligators every day! In any case, I took the "little" kids to an Alligator Farm and Deer Park. I actually held a 3 year old alligator on my lap and we all petted it! The owner said it was this 'gator's last year as a pet, by opening next season, he would be too big and no longer tame. We also enjoyed going into the deer enclosure and feeding them out of our hands and pockets--except for one child who was terrified of the deer! Alligators--OK, but deer, somehow frightening?!
In VA we had the actual Richmond City Zoo, which is no longer located in the city of Richmond, but quite a ways out, and is privately owned! However it is a very nice zoo. I especially like the giraffes there because of the way the enclosure is built with a fairly low bridge along one end. It is not only possible, but encouraged to feed the animals out of your hand! It is fun to be on eye level with them as well. We also had Maymont Park which includes a new Nature Center with all sorts of fish, turtles etc. including river otters. Then outside you can walk the trail to see a cougar [in a large multi-story cage] bear, buffalo and farm animal once you reach the children's farm. There are exotic birds and various monkeys on the trail as well. No zebras, however.
For zebras, my favorite "zoo" is the Hemet [CA]"Zoo". A wealthy family owned quite a lot of acreage and have collected a number of exotic plains animals. There is plenty of parking, and people go up there all the time just to look over the fences at these animals. My favorites are the zebras and a donkey which is almost zebra-looking [I've forgotten what it actually is]. On the other side of the hill, they also run a herd of buffalo.
The zoo here is pretty nice, and I understand improved from when I was there; I was quite disappointed in the small size of the lion enclosure. It was, however, undergoing renovation at that time, and the reason it was so small is because of moving animals around to build more space, while still keeping everyone safe. I look forward to seeing it updated.
Another "zoo" my family has loved is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is really not a zoo at all, but an animal shelter for native animals. Hurt animals are brought in and while they are still healing--not ready for re-release to the wild, they are able to be seen. So one never really knows ahead of time what they will see there--except for a few permanent residents whose injuries are such that they would not make it should they be released to the wild--like the one-legged road runner.
My favorite "zoo" though, is the one under my own roof. When my family is all together [rare because of distance and finances, or the lack thereof] it is a zoo--and I love it and all of them!
Everybody knows that Z is for Zebras well as the Zoo in which we see them. I began thinking about the zoos [and similar types of places]I have known, and there have been not a small number. I first remember the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from when I was a little girl in the '50's. We lived in the Chicago area--the city, it's suburbs or a bit further into northern Indiana until 1960. Even when we were no longer in Chicago, we had family there until the late '60's, and returned often to visit. This helped to keep early memories sharp. The Brookfield zoo was famous for its Petting Zoo. I remember most riding--yes, riding upon the back [shell] of giant turtles. Galapagos perhaps?
In California, the first animal place I recall is the snake farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. It was our excursion on our first Christmas away from family and friends. Besides we were building up on the hill, and Dad wanted us instructed properly about rattlesnakes. We were. And we never had a serious snake problem because of that trip.
Later we went to Jungleland [no longer in existence] where we drove through in our own car to see the wild jungle animals in their "sorta natural" environment. I don't think the place lasted too long, so it must not have worked very well. I don't think they did it right--not like the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Growing up in Southern CA, we were spoiled by the San Diego Zoo, and later the Wild Animal Park. In my experience [not vast in the field, I know] it has got to be the best Zoo going. I remember when animals were in smallish enclosures and cages. Today, the enclosures are huge, and rarely is there a cage involved!
When living in OKC, OK, we were excited to take the kids to the zoo. It was awful! Accustomed to San Diego, we adults felt sick to our stomachs at the cages and small enclosures they still employed [I believe it has changed since then.] The girls were not impressed either, except Erica, who was only two, and didn't know any better. Needless to say, we cut the day as short as we could!
As a kid, I remember Marineland in the LA area--a sort of water zoo. It was really interesting. Trips to Disneyland always educational back then, included the Jungle Cruise--with its so realistic animals that my grandmother visiting with us actually believed they were real--and my Dad could NOT convince her otherwise--ever. The Submarine ride took us under water to see the sea life--another type of "zoo."
As an adult, living in Arkansas, one of my great fears was alligators in the wild--especially when my son had the strange job of "throwing ducks" for a hunting dog trainer. As they worked around and in water I always worried about alligators. Daily he would assure me of no sightings and try to assuage my fears. Last summer, under the "ten year rule" [things that would have only worried Mom can now come out--its over and done with a decade ago...so too late to worry] the truth came out--he saw alligators every day! In any case, I took the "little" kids to an Alligator Farm and Deer Park. I actually held a 3 year old alligator on my lap and we all petted it! The owner said it was this 'gator's last year as a pet, by opening next season, he would be too big and no longer tame. We also enjoyed going into the deer enclosure and feeding them out of our hands and pockets--except for one child who was terrified of the deer! Alligators--OK, but deer, somehow frightening?!
In VA we had the actual Richmond City Zoo, which is no longer located in the city of Richmond, but quite a ways out, and is privately owned! However it is a very nice zoo. I especially like the giraffes there because of the way the enclosure is built with a fairly low bridge along one end. It is not only possible, but encouraged to feed the animals out of your hand! It is fun to be on eye level with them as well. We also had Maymont Park which includes a new Nature Center with all sorts of fish, turtles etc. including river otters. Then outside you can walk the trail to see a cougar [in a large multi-story cage] bear, buffalo and farm animal once you reach the children's farm. There are exotic birds and various monkeys on the trail as well. No zebras, however.
For zebras, my favorite "zoo" is the Hemet [CA]"Zoo". A wealthy family owned quite a lot of acreage and have collected a number of exotic plains animals. There is plenty of parking, and people go up there all the time just to look over the fences at these animals. My favorites are the zebras and a donkey which is almost zebra-looking [I've forgotten what it actually is]. On the other side of the hill, they also run a herd of buffalo.
The zoo here is pretty nice, and I understand improved from when I was there; I was quite disappointed in the small size of the lion enclosure. It was, however, undergoing renovation at that time, and the reason it was so small is because of moving animals around to build more space, while still keeping everyone safe. I look forward to seeing it updated.
Another "zoo" my family has loved is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is really not a zoo at all, but an animal shelter for native animals. Hurt animals are brought in and while they are still healing--not ready for re-release to the wild, they are able to be seen. So one never really knows ahead of time what they will see there--except for a few permanent residents whose injuries are such that they would not make it should they be released to the wild--like the one-legged road runner.
My favorite "zoo" though, is the one under my own roof. When my family is all together [rare because of distance and finances, or the lack thereof] it is a zoo--and I love it and all of them!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Y is for Years
Y is for all the Years I take to accomplish any project. Even when I finish a project, it sometimes takes me years to deliver it [like Lura's "Mugtoons" quilt]. However I am discovering that the years are paying off. I've worked for many years [decades even] on just one area of our genealogy. This week with the newFamilySearch [we are in one of the experimental areas] the brick wall came a tumbalin' down! And I've "met" a new relative! So again I urge all who can take even a half hour per week to do a page of indexing--so much of the information we seek is out there--and now we're getting it to be availible to everyone who needs it.
I'm beginning to really notice the rapid passage of the years as I contemplate my last child leaving home for college [oh, all right, so once again we are leaving and moving the home...still, no more kids at home] and grandchildren rapidly moving into the stage of life that so recently my youngest has left: ruled by school days and schedules, starting sports...the years, they go so fast.
I am so grateful for scrapbooking [thanks, Sariah--even if my style is quite different from yours] as I have found it a good and satisfying way to record family history. Making Vol I of Vinnie's Been There, Done That Book was truly pleasurable, it helped me as it brought back so many really good memories along with a way to ignore the not so good.
I notice with health changes and concerns that I am not as young as I used to be...the years are passing. But it is all good. I am able to do things now that I could not do when I was younger due to other responsibilities and concerns. It is part of life that the years go on by, hopefully we take full advantage of the experiences offered us, but realistically, we don't always succeed. In the coming years I hope to do better concentrating on what is really important.
Fill out one of those 12 generation family pedigree charts...and boy do the years whiz by! I am amazed that I can fill in all the way to the end of the chart in so many lines...and it seems like just a moment ago rather than almost forty years since my Grandpa and I began working together on our family tree. He always wanted to know the first names of his grandparents [Adam and Margaret] and now I know the names of his 10th Great grandparents, and more! Families, stretching back through the years of history...and families stretching on into the mists of the years to come.
I'm beginning to really notice the rapid passage of the years as I contemplate my last child leaving home for college [oh, all right, so once again we are leaving and moving the home...still, no more kids at home] and grandchildren rapidly moving into the stage of life that so recently my youngest has left: ruled by school days and schedules, starting sports...the years, they go so fast.
I am so grateful for scrapbooking [thanks, Sariah--even if my style is quite different from yours] as I have found it a good and satisfying way to record family history. Making Vol I of Vinnie's Been There, Done That Book was truly pleasurable, it helped me as it brought back so many really good memories along with a way to ignore the not so good.
I notice with health changes and concerns that I am not as young as I used to be...the years are passing. But it is all good. I am able to do things now that I could not do when I was younger due to other responsibilities and concerns. It is part of life that the years go on by, hopefully we take full advantage of the experiences offered us, but realistically, we don't always succeed. In the coming years I hope to do better concentrating on what is really important.
Fill out one of those 12 generation family pedigree charts...and boy do the years whiz by! I am amazed that I can fill in all the way to the end of the chart in so many lines...and it seems like just a moment ago rather than almost forty years since my Grandpa and I began working together on our family tree. He always wanted to know the first names of his grandparents [Adam and Margaret] and now I know the names of his 10th Great grandparents, and more! Families, stretching back through the years of history...and families stretching on into the mists of the years to come.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
X--I Know ItsTaken a Long Time!
X is a useful letter. It has really gotten me thinking...I had some great ideas...
X is For Ex-es, and I had lots of thoughts about writing about how after sveral decades exes and new spouses and families can get along! But the whole idea freaks ouit Sariah, after years of wanting us to be friends, but now it is just too late for her to comprehend!
X is for Crossing Things Out as in fixing errors--but woth the advent of the computer, we no longer really cross things out much. [The newFamilySearch does use a crossing, or at least lining things out!]
X is for X-ray. Very important for diagnosing all sorts of medical problems. And there are a batch of different types of X-Rays now, as well!
X is for Xylophone. We all know that from kids' ABC's books--and from all the xylophone toys kids have.
X is for Christ. Learning as I did this year, that X-mas is not a modern invention, but the the X represented Christ on the cross, made that "abbreviation" much more palatable.
X Marks the Spot. It can be a fine game for FHE or whatever.
So X is for all sorts of things...what should I write about? What can I wax eloquent upon?
Obviously, not much--either the topic was too deep, or it was too shallow. I am having a really hard time. I don't write as well as some, like terrierchica, Sariah or Julia. But I do know that X is Not what ? I want to see in my genealogy--X's equaling blanks, and I am desperately working away. T new FS is great, but a lot of work. It will be great as it gets up and working well. I really want to do this. So X is getting to work as am I. The more I work at it, the more ignorant I feel. The more I need to work. And I encourage any and everyone to work on your Family History so yours will not be filled with X's but with real people!
X is For Ex-es, and I had lots of thoughts about writing about how after sveral decades exes and new spouses and families can get along! But the whole idea freaks ouit Sariah, after years of wanting us to be friends, but now it is just too late for her to comprehend!
X is for Crossing Things Out as in fixing errors--but woth the advent of the computer, we no longer really cross things out much. [The newFamilySearch does use a crossing, or at least lining things out!]
X is for X-ray. Very important for diagnosing all sorts of medical problems. And there are a batch of different types of X-Rays now, as well!
X is for Xylophone. We all know that from kids' ABC's books--and from all the xylophone toys kids have.
X is for Christ. Learning as I did this year, that X-mas is not a modern invention, but the the X represented Christ on the cross, made that "abbreviation" much more palatable.
X Marks the Spot. It can be a fine game for FHE or whatever.
So X is for all sorts of things...what should I write about? What can I wax eloquent upon?
Obviously, not much--either the topic was too deep, or it was too shallow. I am having a really hard time. I don't write as well as some, like terrierchica, Sariah or Julia. But I do know that X is Not what ? I want to see in my genealogy--X's equaling blanks, and I am desperately working away. T new FS is great, but a lot of work. It will be great as it gets up and working well. I really want to do this. So X is getting to work as am I. The more I work at it, the more ignorant I feel. The more I need to work. And I encourage any and everyone to work on your Family History so yours will not be filled with X's but with real people!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
W is for Wimpy Woman in a Wheelchair
W is for me--a wimpy woman in a wheelchair.
I was paralized at age 19. After brain surgeries, recovery came slowly, but finally, I reached the Wheelchair stage. I was also moved to a rehab hospital at that point. I cheerfully put in my hours of PT [physical therapy] calling it Physical Torture because it was! But I could get around by myself in my wheelchair. [Very good for chariot races in the hallway.] Then the quad cane--a funny looking cane that goes down to a base with four--"quad"--feet. Then just 10 days after getting the chair, I graduated to the straight cane. [Great for swordplay in the hallways.] I held te record in speed going from wheelchair to straight cane. I really hated the wheelchair. As I was a left hemi [paralized on the left side of my body] I had to roll with my right hand and steer with my right foot. Yuk! I swore I'd NEVER use a wheelchair again!
However...most hospitals share the policy of taking their discharging patients to the door in a wheelchair--like after having a baby, etc. Well each time [and they were all different hospitals] I was able to talk the nurses into letting me walk--but the chair had to follow alongside. At least I was not IN it.
The years ticked by--and I was able to avoid using a wheelchair on other hospital stays as well. Then I was struck down with sciatica. This is a glorified "pinched nerve". Extremely painful. Because of the plethora of health conditions I have, it took extra long to diagnose the problem, so it got bigger and bigger until I was living on cortisone shots received at the huge hospital where I had to walk a long ways, and really could not walk. I caved, I folded, I used the chair. Then as I recovered--no more wheelchairs for me.
Time continued to roll on, and I had other problems which often leave me confused in crowds or unfamiliar places--like strange airports. Add long walking distances when changing planes. Add the fact that I once dropped my familys' tickets on the floor at the airport [I'm thinking it was O'Hare!!] and while they were quickly located, panic mode had set in.
So now when I fly--especially by myself, I ask for and gratefully use the wheelchair. So there you will see me--a Wimpy Woman being pushed along in a Wheelchair. I still don't like it, but am ever so grateful to be able to receive such a service.
I was paralized at age 19. After brain surgeries, recovery came slowly, but finally, I reached the Wheelchair stage. I was also moved to a rehab hospital at that point. I cheerfully put in my hours of PT [physical therapy] calling it Physical Torture because it was! But I could get around by myself in my wheelchair. [Very good for chariot races in the hallway.] Then the quad cane--a funny looking cane that goes down to a base with four--"quad"--feet. Then just 10 days after getting the chair, I graduated to the straight cane. [Great for swordplay in the hallways.] I held te record in speed going from wheelchair to straight cane. I really hated the wheelchair. As I was a left hemi [paralized on the left side of my body] I had to roll with my right hand and steer with my right foot. Yuk! I swore I'd NEVER use a wheelchair again!
However...most hospitals share the policy of taking their discharging patients to the door in a wheelchair--like after having a baby, etc. Well each time [and they were all different hospitals] I was able to talk the nurses into letting me walk--but the chair had to follow alongside. At least I was not IN it.
The years ticked by--and I was able to avoid using a wheelchair on other hospital stays as well. Then I was struck down with sciatica. This is a glorified "pinched nerve". Extremely painful. Because of the plethora of health conditions I have, it took extra long to diagnose the problem, so it got bigger and bigger until I was living on cortisone shots received at the huge hospital where I had to walk a long ways, and really could not walk. I caved, I folded, I used the chair. Then as I recovered--no more wheelchairs for me.
Time continued to roll on, and I had other problems which often leave me confused in crowds or unfamiliar places--like strange airports. Add long walking distances when changing planes. Add the fact that I once dropped my familys' tickets on the floor at the airport [I'm thinking it was O'Hare!!] and while they were quickly located, panic mode had set in.
So now when I fly--especially by myself, I ask for and gratefully use the wheelchair. So there you will see me--a Wimpy Woman being pushed along in a Wheelchair. I still don't like it, but am ever so grateful to be able to receive such a service.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
V is for Victory!
Ahhh, we have been Victorious in pulling of the Nativity and enjoying our family Christmas celebrations this year! We're finalizing the costume cleaning and bagging tonight. All is well in this little corner of my mountain. Daughter's have come to the "top" to seek advice on a variety of subjects, and generally I've been victorious in being able to help.
I disagree with Big Bird. There are lots of words that start with V. There's vegetables [yum--and they're healthy!] and victory [always good when its your side--right?] and vim and vigor [returning after the stresses of Pageant and holidays--trying to do everything just so] and vacant [the vacant historic house I pass regularly is looking very happy and no longer vacant--and no longer looks like a haunted house.]] and village [I love mine] and villains [not too many here in our small village!] and vices [thats what New Year's resolutions are for--to help us conquer our own vices, no matter the size.] Violins and Viola playing vivatiously. [All right, I admit to preferring band!]Viscious vixens are not in the area, and that's a good thing. So I'm Very very happy for the many blessing we do enjoy!
[And I could come up with lots more V words, too--just in family names! Valerie, Val, Vincent, Vince, Vin, Vincenzo, Vincente, Vic, Vittore, Victor, and Veronica; plus Vicky and Victoria; also Vinceanna, Velma, Vern, Verna, and many many more!]
I disagree with Big Bird. There are lots of words that start with V. There's vegetables [yum--and they're healthy!] and victory [always good when its your side--right?] and vim and vigor [returning after the stresses of Pageant and holidays--trying to do everything just so] and vacant [the vacant historic house I pass regularly is looking very happy and no longer vacant--and no longer looks like a haunted house.]] and village [I love mine] and villains [not too many here in our small village!] and vices [thats what New Year's resolutions are for--to help us conquer our own vices, no matter the size.] Violins and Viola playing vivatiously. [All right, I admit to preferring band!]Viscious vixens are not in the area, and that's a good thing. So I'm Very very happy for the many blessing we do enjoy!
[And I could come up with lots more V words, too--just in family names! Valerie, Val, Vincent, Vince, Vin, Vincenzo, Vincente, Vic, Vittore, Victor, and Veronica; plus Vicky and Victoria; also Vinceanna, Velma, Vern, Verna, and many many more!]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)