When I looked at the page for my daily calendar this week end

the quote it showed gave me pause.

A friend gave me a calendar for Christmas titled 'That's What She Said." Each page is a quote from a woman, some of whom are famous and some not so much. This week end the quote was from Marilyn Monroe: "A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left."

Sounds like lines from a script, dialogue for a screen character. But it makes me sad thinking about Marilyn, an underrated actress and very troubled soul.

Funny how you don't realize the time that's passing

until you look at a frame of reference. For instance, I've not posted anything here for well over a month. That's not so unusual, but I kept thinking there was a more recent entry.

Well, while my fingers have not danced on this page for a while, I've not been idle. All that yard work (tree trimming, weeding, planting, lifting, toting, bending, twisting) resulted in back problems that kept me restrained and miserable. The ol' back has suffered a lot through the years from careless working methods (who don't I kneel and not bend?) and carrying too heavy a load. And the load is less about what I pick up to move than what I move around with me all the time.

That's pretty depressing; though I try to ignore the problem it isn't going away without work. So I have begun work on myself. It's been interesting, needless to say challenging and has brought some reward.

I am working with a nutritionist and am learning how to eat properly. Yes, Virginia there are reasons we have health issues and it's not all about how much we eat. While I've enjoyed eating delicious and comforting foods, I've been poisoning myself. Sounds like a dramatic exaggeration, but it's not really.

Our food is the result of manufacturing processes that produce large quantities that have been stripped of nutritious values and may actually be dangerous because of the effects on us.

The sad thing is, these processes were touted as means of overcoming food shortages and reducing hunger around the globe. The result of the work has actually been profits to huge agri-businesses and continuing hunger in our own country.

If I sound like a recent convert shouting the gospel, it's because that's what I am. In support of my newly embraced belief system, I recommend these films: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, King Corn and The Future of Food. They are available on DVD from Netflix and Amazon.com sells them.

The other film I've watched came to my attention when I stumbled onto (in the sense that I rarely watch this show and paused over it unexpectedly) a Bill Moyers Journal episode specifically about A Place at the Table. This video was produced by folk involved in trying to overcome hunger IN THIS COUNTRY through educating people about their food and influencing law makers to look at how laws and regulations contribute to the very problem they were intended to fix. At least the justifications offered for the rules was reducing hunger; the results have been big profits to agribusinesses who greatly influence laws through their financial contributions. If you want to understand what's taken place and how we could make things better, I recommend this film.

I have more such videos on my 'to view' list and will probably report on those when I've seen them.  This is truly scary stuff.  But it's not hopeless.

Meanwhile, my own program for personal improvement and wellness is progressing nicely. My nutritionist says I'm doing fine although I wanted to read some stuff, use some supplements and then wake up one day thinner, healthier, not to mention much wiser.

Doesn't seem to work that way. Nothing seems to work that way. And, as we all understand, I didn't get into this shape overnight. Yeah, the same old same old. BUT as a wise person once said, the best place to start is here and the best time to start is now (that is, since I didn't start 25 years ago in a different place).

And it really is a journey, a process, to change what you eat and how you eat. All the attention and bother I spent on 'low fat', 'lo cal', 'lite' was pretty much useless. All that stuff may have had less fat and less sugar and fewer calories, but it also had lousy nutrition and contained things people shouldn't eat. As one author describes those things and much other stuff we eat, 'food-like edible substances'.

I don't know where the journey is headed exactly, since I'm learning as I go. But somewhere down the road I expect to be healthier, weigh less (as a result of being healthier INSTEAD of being healthier because I weigh less) and have a much better life.

I engaged a nutritionist because for more than 50 years I had failed at fixing the problem(s) myself. I was working with faulty information, had a lack of reliable tools, and couldn't even begin.

Some folk, no doubt, could do personal research, devise a plan and set off to becoming healthier. More power to them. I needed help. And, thankfully, I could get that help.

And, I'm convinced now that you will pay for health at some point, either up front to be healthy and have a better life, or to regain health or manage disease to safe your life. I'm fortunate that I found a means to begin before I was sick and dying.

I set out to trim some branches

and that's how I started. It's a funny thing about ugly trees with gangly, uneven and dragging limbs. You cut one and the next looks even worse, so you cut it. Then there's another one that looks bad and you trim it, but it doesn't look better so you cut it off ... well by now the tree's not in good shape. It's not surprising that an hour or so later there's a pile of limbs and pieces of limbs in the yard. Thirty minutes or so after that (OK, I'm not real strong and I am pretty slow) the limbs are at the curb. Now I have in my yard this beautiful sculpture I call 'Tree in Yard with Saw'. 

 





Oliver suggested I re-read the chapter on pruning. Hmphf! Little appreciation for artistic expression.

 

Anyway, it's my yard and my ugly little stump, uh, yard decoration. Besides, everything changes and nothing's forever.

 

I also learned in this experience that it was a lot of tree to cut manually. As stubborn as I am (make that determined), I'd like to minimize the sore muscles in my arms, hips and backs. Maybe a power saw suitable for cutting tree limbs is in my future.

 

The joy of home ownership can be hidden in the chores and tasks that surround you.

How very nice it is to see the

result of your labor. I claim no talent for gardening, but if you put some effort into preparing the earth and creating environment in which plants can grow, voila, you get green growing things and flowers.

These pics are from the beds in front of the house. Yeah, guess I'm bragging, but I should admit here that I've failed at these efforts sometimes.  So maybe it's okay to show my success.

 

I will look at these each day and admire their beauty and the miracle of their coming up from the earth.  They will not be around a long time, but they may return next year.

 

Now, if I only had something planted that would bloom in the summer. Gee, I'm still not finished.



 

 

There are days I hang at home

and have no interest in going anywhere. Nothing like I was for years, running the roads, or at work and at various events, rarely found at home.

The good part is I have a level of satisfaction and comfort in my surroundings and can spend time working on stuff at home, reading, viewing movies, TV, etc. AND I have interaction via phone, email and in person with friends. I don't feel isolated.

The bad part is, I'm pretty sure, that satisfaction could actually be complacency and inertia. I don't have to go anywhere with a few exceptions, and it sure is easier to just stay home.

As someone else said, I need to find reasons to leave the house because I'm starting to stack newspapers and save string. Yeah, that's an exaggeration at this point; but I can see the risk here.

Being a troglodyte of sorts is not my preference. So I guess I need to stand up and go out the door, which is sorta the reverse of my view of retirement: there's life past the elevator, so leave the office.  Well, there's life outside the house and I need to still participate.

If you haven't looked outside recently,

let me assure you it's a fine, lovely spring. True, there have been fluctuating temperatures with quite cool days; but other days have been sunny, breezy, very pleasant.

I've been observing and enjoying the weather from my deck. A few times it has been too uncomfortable to remain long, but I've spent hours on other days. During this time I've listened to the plethora of avian company, rich and lovely songs, accompanied by flights from tree to tree.

As a matter of fact, one of the pleasures I've received while deck-sitting is the discovery of a robin's nest in a tree (which was supposed to be a bush) next to the deck. I can look down into the nest, although I'm trying to observe from a distance since the parents don't seem to want me hovering.

I've attempted to capture it with my camera, but have no skill in seeing around the foliage or focusing well enough to get a clear image. No matter, I still enjoy observing the adult birds tending and watching and sitting. Sitting for very long periods.

I am also aware of a bird nest in the end of a gutter on the front of the house. When the babies emerge and they are not using that nest, I will have the gutters cleaned out and capped (again!l).

And, at the end of summer when the nest in the tree beside the deck is abandoned, I may cut back that tree. I need to exert some control over the yard. Rest assured, it is a yard with some decorative plantings, not a lawn and garden.

Front and back are plain and pretty simple, except for couple of bushes that are going their own way and flower beds finally renewed through weeding and replantings.

It was hard work, but now things look as if I actually like living here; and I'm not worried that neighbors and visitors are embarrased. It has been satisfying in the way only something you've strived for and achieved (or at least neared) can satisfy. I think now I will add couple of other beds in fall.

Retirement has been an adjustment. But it is nice, at least if you have a decent place to live, can pay your way, are physically and mentally able to particpate in and enjoy events. How fortunate I am. 

In a recent email to a few folk,

I gave an example of my memory loss, which could be seen as humorous if it stood alone. Problems with that theory are, (1) it involved forgetting my son's name, and (2) there are other examples.

I laugh about aging and the ensuing problems; you laugh or cry; you stay or go. I choose to hang around and laugh about it as much as I can. But I'm starting to think it's somewhat less amusing than I wish it to be.

The other morning, as I was making another pot of coffee, I ground the beans and poured them into the water tank of the coffee pot. I laughed at myself because it was just a silly problem, albeit annoying. I've made quite a few pots of coffee in my time and understand the coffee goes one place and the water another. But it was like I didn't remember this and just added the freshly-ground coffee to the water because it seemed like the thing to do.

After rinsing out the coffee pot multiple times (getting grounds completely rinsed out after they sank to the bottom) was even more annoying. And in this process I understood that my memory was betraying me in regard to simple, routine, mundane things.

This morning when I went out to get the paper and put the DVD I watched yesterday in the mailbox to return, I found my wallet laying in the street under the mailbox. Frankly, I'm amazed I even noticed it, given my tendency not to see details clearly. Thankfully, I did see it and knew immediately what had happened.

When I came in from short trip out yesterday afternoon, I went to the mailbox to check for mail. I had my car keys, my wallet and my jacket in hand. Clearly I dropped the wallet while retrieving mail; the kicker is I didn't realize I'd dropped the thing and it lay in the street the rest of the day and night.

I'm starting to think I actually need a list of names, addresses, phone numbers on my person whenever I'm away from the house; and perhaps I need things I have to keep secured to my person by belts or hooks.

That's an interesting picture, maybe a notebook tied to my waist, or hanging from a rope around my neck. OR, with my phone secured in a pocket and all needed info loaded into it. THEN I can pin the wallet in a pocket, or underwear, or on a belt.

I've joked before that I'm impervious to stuff, varying dependant on the situation. Evidently, I'm impervious to things I do. As I said in that email about my memory, maybe I'd better reserve a rocking chair at the home, a place where someone else keeps up with me and the things I need.

I won't take credit and I don't

want blame: I have a new deck ready to use; it's March 4 and the temperature this morning was 23 degrees. SO we're having an actual winter.

As noted in earlier posts, I prefer cold weather to hot weather. But it's about time days were getting warmer and nights milder. As someone once said, everyone talks about the weather but no one does anything about it.  And what could we do about it?  Personally, I'm hunkering inside and watching the rain, snow, clouds, wind and wrapping up to overcome the cold. So I ain't gonna complain any more. Really.
 
I've fulfilled a wish and it's a peculiar sensation. I had hung on my frig at home and on my computer at the office this pic

 

and that's pretty much how things are. I've been sitting on my fanny watching guys gut the kitchen, patch the walls (after removing one and adding a beam at the top) and put in a new tile floor.

There's quite a bit of work remaining, such as repainting the walls, installing new cabinets, putting appliances back in .... THEN I can unpack boxes and put things back in cabinets.

It's peculiar to me because I've not been in the position much to have work done. But this job was way more than I could do. The new deck was an example of this and it's a good thing to be able to have the deck added and kitchen re-done; and, not trying to be a pollyanna, I'm most grateful that I can.

Well that was two weeks ago and the kitchen project is nearly complete and I'm excited, waiting for new counter top to be completed and installed. New cabinets, new tile floor, new dishwasher (the old one had leaked and the door broke again and I was over it) and a totally new look.

The changes are quite notable (even with same stove and frig) but the really big one is the missing wall. When this thing started I was asking for a half wall. BUT once the original wall was down (I had erroneously thought the wall would be brought half-way down but you have to re-build to a half wall), I loved the open space. Living room, dining area and kitchen are one space now; in a 1970's split foyer this space is not large, but looks spacious opened up.

It's been interesting living without a kitchen since it had been gutted (well not the walls) and kitchen items were in four places. The only thing I was using was the coffee pot--I mean, you gotta have a coffee pot. And, I must say, eating out has become monotonous and I'm pretty sure I've blown some $$ on it.  With a stove finally back in place, I can cook a few things.

Of course, without a kitchen sink I'm still limited; washing dishes in the bathroom sink is less than ideal. But that should change soon; we're expecting the counter to be here this week. That will be a good day.

Now I've got to settle into the changes and figure out using it effectively. One of the guys renovating the kitchen told me to stop watching home improvement shows, probably because I kept asking questions about the work and about options that could be used, or even ones that had not been used. Evidently, he thought I was getting too much outside info. Maybe, but since I'm paying for the kitchen, I continue to ask questions.

Nevertheless, I'll wait a while on new projects. Haven't written the final check for this and may need to recover from shock. Some day, if I can work it out, I'd like to finish the basement; that is, I'd like to have the basement finished. I'm sure it would be a good improvement, but not a requirement. Gotta sort out the info from those shows; that is a requirement.

When the job is completely done, I must set about finding something productive that I can personally do.

The Wild Bunch, a film about criminals in the

west in the early 20th century, was released in 1969. I managed not to see it for 43 years and then I watched it this week end. I should've waited longer. It is the most violent film I've ever seen; that was Peckinpah's intent and he achieved what he set out to do.

It is violent; it is ugly; it is shocking. There are no heroes and it ends in a bloody massacre. I deal with this by looking away from the TV frequently. I watched it because I knew I'd missed an important piece of film making; it was about a culture I don't understand, but accept as having been what it appeared to be. It was worth watching, even if it was difficult. I'll never see it again.

A large part of my excessive TV viewing is home improvement shows. A caveat about watching these DIY, fix it up, make it look and feel better, increase the value of your home shows: inspiration can get you in over your head with projects. I watch shows and get wonderful ideas about things to do to my place and that translates into $$.

The deck is complete and quite wonderful. The next project is already discussed, estimated and planned. Not started, but coming soon. IF I had any skill I would do more myself, at least I comfort myself with this notion. Truth be told, I did several projects with the able help of a friend and from Big Bro several years ago. Following divorce from husband two I was motivated to change up things. So I threw out the carpeting, put in tile and laminate floors and painted everything. It was all fine for several years; the kitchen floor once again needs improvement and I'm going to jump into the deep end and make big improvements.

This is what happens, you see. The earlier projects grew out of ripping out carpeting. Once you fix one thing you see how other things don't look so good. Like dominoes, one things causes the next.

OF course, since I cannot do these projects myself (because I'm old, lazy and have no skill), I can continue while there's some money for it. Which means this kitchen thing will be the last. But it'll be good when it's done and worth the expense because it should increase value of the house. AND I will be living in a more pleasant place.

Probably time to cut back on home improvement shows.

As a fan of Downton Abbey,

I am sorry to say that some of this season's shows have been a little irritating. Matthew's inheritance saved Downton since the Earl had lost his wife's fortune through poor investments; a daughter died as result of childbirth (it is 1920's England and childbirth is dangerous), leaving an infant daughter and an Irish-born, ex-chauffeur widower, the bane of the Earl and the Dowager. That was very sad, and I was actually shocked.

AND now, I'm betting that the Irish son-in-law will become part of the on-going solutions to the Earl's poor management of the estate by the son-in-law he actually likes, but is growing wary of. There just ain't no heroes any more. 

If you don't follow the show, then this stuff doesn't make sense and doesn't interest you. I like the show because it is written well, performed well and tells interesting stories. Even if I am irritated by some twists and some characters.

Another example of how well done is British TV is Doc Martin. This character is not very sympathetic since he's short-tempered, has poor people skills, and very little patience for other people, including the sick people he tends. But he's very interesting and most of the show's characters are also engaging.

If I'm going to wile away hours and hours in front of the idiot box, it's really nice that some of that time is not idiotically spent.  With PBS and BBC, I get entertaining and intelligent viewing.

AND I'm catching up on movies not seen for years, or not seen yet at all.  I'm quite fortunate to have the time and means for these pastimes. Some day, I'm sure, I'll go back to reading books and I'll look for things to do outside the house.  No, seriously.

We know history is the record of what has

gone before and revisionist history is another version of what has gone before. And since the victors write the history, maybe most history we see and hear is revisionist. I've encountered another type recently: fantasy history. I suppose it's another way of being revisionist, but since this was an old TV series and made for the mass market many years ago, I think it's just fantasy.

I watched the entire Backstairs at the White House TV mini-series over a period of weeks with DVD's from Netflix. While I was and still am interested in learning about the experiences of elected officials and staff in the White House, I do not believe that the depiction in this series is really accurate. Admittedly, I have not read the book on which the series is based and cannot address what the author actually experienced or what she spoke of.

I'm just wondering if the mostly black staff working in the attic, kitchen, basement, tending to the needs and demands of elected officials were all so pleased to be there. The story begins with the Taft administration and continues up to the Kennedy administration; that's many years of public service and our history.

The political and economic variations affected everyone working and living in the executive mansion; the benefit of regular employment should not be diminished and being a witness to history from inside was no doubt a significant experience. But life in domestic service was not easy; and these hard-working folk had to keep at it, keep their mouths shut and hope each administration would keep them employed.

THEN I watched the first part of a two-part about Sally Hemmings, the black woman who was a slave to Thomas Jefferson and became his mistress. Mr. Jefferson was intelligent, skillful, creative, ingenious, patriotic and conflicted. He spoke of ending slavery in this country, yet would not, or could not, give up his own slaves. It was a hideous part of our history, and whether this version is inaccurate, fair or not, we have much to be ashamed of and regretful for.

I was born and raised in Virginia, as Mr. Jefferson was. He was landed gentry and a critical part of our earliest history as a nation. I was just a not-yet-middle class native. I am proud of many things about my home state, but not about our part in and continuation of the practice of enslaving human beings.

I had family members I loved very much who held throughout their lifetimes the view that blacks are inferior and should not be treated equally. I do not understand that; I was taught differently by parents who were tolerant and had a sense of fairness.

Frankly, I wish we were no longer having conversations about equality and fairness; I wish it was settled. Why should someone who doesn't look like me, who doesn't have the orientation I do, or doesn't believe as I do be treated with disdain?  I'm not a good-two-shoes; I just don't get it.

I know it's repetitive, but I believe it's going to rain forever

and there's nothing I can do about it. Monday was fine; Tuesday was even better. I sat on the deck a brief period each day.

Today, I'm hunkered down in the house with dogs and television. The adjustment I'm having to make in being retired is the realization repeatedly that I don't have to do anything and I don't have to go anywhere. I find myself wondering what should I be doing, where should I go? 

SO I am retraining, learning to select activities based on my interest, or my personal need, but not based on obligation. Very nice situation I think, this personal freedom.

I have watched a lot of television, including movies. The pleasure is waning as the time goes on, so I look forward to improved weather so I can spend some effort in the flower beds and, OF COURSE, sit on the deck.

I have an image of sitting on the deck with cold drink, good book, maybe the dogs and enjoying a warm breeze and fresh air.  Aaaah.

SO if the weather relents, the rain abates, the air warms I will be quite pleased. Yes, I'm spoiled. But I'm also mighty grateful.

When you add a deck to the house,

you probably don't picture it in the snow.  At least I didn't. And now that I have a deck (and I'm very grateful for that) we finally have a winter snow. I could say, we finally have a winter. At least some winter, for a while.

I took pics so I can remember that we had some cold weather and what it looked like. I figure that the image of the wet snow hanging off the trees and stuck on the screen could fade.

Understand, please, that I prefer cold weather and am not complaining about this event (although I wish folks didn't have to travel in it); I wish for more cold weather.

Probably not a popular point of view; guess most folks prefer warm, mild weather. Truth be told, I'm moving in that direction and can appreciate a fine spring day. Do not appreciate hot summer days, but I can work around those somewhat.

But back to today. Neighbor slid off a nearby road as she attempted to get home with kids; ended up leaving van and walking home, kids, groceries, backpacks in hand.

I'm quite glad they got home and the only thing at risk was the vehicle. Now that's home as well since hubby dug it out and drove it home.

This snow will not last long as the ground is warm and the air will not be cold very long. I was able, however, to convince girl child to stay at work since her drive home from BFE (probably someone could translate that) would have been treacherous on the country roads. It takes about 30 minutes to drive there on dry roads on a clear day.

Sometimes you have to act like a mother even if it isn't well received. So I did my duty; and I am more comfortable than I would've been if she drove home in the mess.

AND, this not having to go anywhere because I'm retired, works out quite nicely when the weather is rotten. Staying home, watching a few movies, reading my book, cuddling with the dogs---all very nice.

It's going to rain forever.

And who can say how long that will be? Yes, December 21 came and went and still we abide. Doesn't mean there isn't a blow awaiting us. Not that I'm feeling morose at all.

Actually, I've moved to a state of not counting time. Coincidentally, 12/21 was my last day as an gainfully employed person. I stayed as long as I could bear; and it seemed it was just as well to move on.

Folks at office gave me a lovely send off with a low-key reception and a wonderful parting gift of an electric fireplace. Seems a co-worker listened to my discussion of the deck being added to my house and how I was thinking of having a fire pit and made the type decision that proves her invaluable in her professional role: she suggested the fireplace to prevent my burning down my house.

There is a chance I may have reached similar decision on my own; there is a chance I may not have. But that's not an issue now.

The deck is complete with only a couple of tweaks needed; but since holidays ensued during and after the completion process and I went away for several days and then the weather has been interminably wet--the very fine addition has not been used much. Due to the cold and damp weather Christmas week I initiated the fireplace in the living room. It reduced the chill considerably and provided pleasant experiences for my holiday guest and me.

Meanwhile, I'm considering collaborating with the folk who built the deck to see if they'd be interested in constructing a large boat. It could prove useful as the rains continue and the levels increase; we may need a means of water transport and I'd like to take along people I care about.

The rain has contributed, no doubt, to my attitude of recalcitrance. It's strange indeed not to have a job to go to and not have to tell someone I won't be there. And housework holds no charm for me, so I do only what I must. I hope to get to more of those things I should do; time will tell. But, as I said, I'm not watching the clocks.

I have watched quite a few films recorded from television as well as couple from Netflix. Now with the Oscars and Golden Globes active again, I feel drawn to the newer ones about which we currently hear so much. I'm always behind and almost never see them before the awards; but eventually I will see them.

So there are some things to do and I'm not exactly twiddling my thumbs in frustration. But some sunshine could certainly improve my outlook as well as my ambition I think.

We still need some truly cold weather and I can stay at home if it's extreme. But I am truly looking forward to spring this year. Now if there are heavy spring rains .....

Just when I thought I could not tolerate

more news coverage of the school shooting in Connecticut, I tuned into The Rachel Maddow Show and learned stuff I think we all need to understand.

Apparently, it is possible for someone who wishes to have a semi-automatic weapon to make one at home if they have a 3-D printer. I'm not sure I fully understand what I'm talking about, but the person prints the part otherwise controlled by legislative bans and adds this item to parts of other guns.  This is possibly incorrect, and if I get clarification, I'll correct this statement. But the fact that it does happen and will continue to happen is pretty damn important.

Yes, the shooter in Ct had guns available in his home and didn't have to go looking for guns. And lots of people have guns in their homes and can use them at will. But sometimes persons who wish to do harm, wreak havoc and destruction will seek guns from sellers.

If they don't have to buy the gun, it may be much to simple for them to acquire powerful and dangerous weapons outside legal purview. 

I am for gun control. I don't want all guns banned; I think people who use guns for legitimate sport should be able to have legally acquired guns. I hope they use them appropriately. The few folk I know who own and use guns are sane, reliable and responsible. They don't want to harm others; they want to be able to shoot in safe environments and they wish to be able to defend themselves if justified.

I think the 'if justified' may be in question in shootings such as the young Florida man who was killed by the person claiming a neighborhood watch purpose of pursuing the young man walking down the street.

I think the right for one person to shoot a weapon should not mean that the next person's life is at risk. Written law cannot compensate for all crazy acts people may commit; but laws that control weapons unnecessary and out of place on our streets and in our neighborhoods might help reduce the killings.

I don't understand why someone who wishes to hunt during legal periods, or shoot in appropriate settings for sport need to have assault weapons. Why will controlling assault weapons negatively impact anyone's second amendment rights?

It's just too terrible, too serious to allow any single private interest to override the need to protect life. There isn't any argument for gun rights that can justify the loss of life in Ct last week. Or in any setting in which innocent people who were going about their lives in reasonable ways but were killed by gun-wielding persons who set out to harm others.

It is not okay; it has to change.

Love clever little sayings,

or quotations, I garner from various places. Today it was this plaque in the veterinary services office, where the doggy dentist and acupuncturist are.

Acupuncturists get to the point.

 

MacKenzie has healed and is well, thank goodness. OF course, there are places to watch in her mouth and follow up visits are required. This is just how I wanted to spend my retirement time and income. I'm trying to reduce my own expenses, including dental and now I get to worry about dog teeth.

 

Well, I took on the responsibility so that's what I'll do.

 

You meet nice people in veterinary offices; seems people who care for animals, personally or professionally, are pleasant, kind, friendly.

 

And speaking of nice people, Oliver has started a video production company and has contracts with Ask.com and Reader's Digest. I'm impressed, but he seems to be taking it in his stride. I suppose if you've worked with folks in the publishing business, as he has, less stuff awes you.

 

Rosey is establishing herself in private practice as a therapist. She does this as she functions in a full-time job (you gotta have the salary and benefits until things are set up) and is a highly-functioning community member.

 

Again, I am amazed at how talented and capable my kids are. They have skills and abilities that amaze me and I'm proud beyond my capacity to express. Having children that thrive and excel in areas they choose may be the most wonderful blessing one could get.

 

So why worry about dog teeth and money. I am rich in many ways. 

IF you want to have a good time, while

having a toe shot full of a numbing solution and then cut on, by all means go to Dr. Ritchey. I pretty much knew what to expect, as my PCP had explained it and then the podiatrist explained it as well. But I can't say that four needles in your big toe is very good entertainment.

After the shots, the rest of the stuff was nothing. I sat in the big chair with my foot up as required, and killed pigs with angry birds on my phone. I didn't watch because we don't like to see ourselves 'operated on'. Actually, the toe nail was cut, not the toe. That's the fix for a chronic in-grown toe nail so this problem should be all taken care of now.

I did tell him prior to his starting the procedure that I wished we could clear it up without needles and knives. So he brought out his magic wand. No, seriously. A big, pink wand with a big star at the end that sparkled and made a few 'whshing' sounds as he waved it around. It didn't work.

I blame the fact that he didn't speak any magical incantations over my toe, but he said the wand either works or it doesn't. Of course, he seems to like needles and knives, and I'd have been mightly surprised if it had worked.

I pretty much gave up on fairy tales a few years back and science and medicine do pretty well by us, anyway. So, again I've had pieces/parts repaired and things seem to be fine.

You know how you laughed at your elderly kin for discussing the war, the surgeries, the difficulties and showing the scars . . . well, that's what it's come to. I'm one of those old kin now and the stories of wars and surgeries and scars are mounting. Guess that's a good part of what my old buddies and I will discuss on the front porch as we rock away the days.

A sentence I never thought I’d use,

‘my dog had oral surgery this week’.  Monday dear MacKenzie and I took a trip several miles from home (not a very long drive, but longer than she had taken) to the doggy dentist. If you have a dog with oral and dental issues, I recommend Dr. Startup.

After an exam, the dentist recommended full set of x-rays and removal of a mass of tissue behind Kenzie’s upper front teeth.  Plus due to some bone loss in rear, both sides of her mouth, we figured she’d lose some teeth.

Turns out, due to the bone loss and the excision of tissue in the front, Kenzie lost three teeth.  After a day at the dentist (instead of sitting there twiddling my thumbs I went to the office and then to my own med appt in afternoon) she was none too pleased with me when I showed up around 3:30.

She is still not completely pleased with me since I am giving her meds twice daily. She is, however, pleased to be getting delicious canned dog food now (because she has stitches from surgery and can’t chew the dry stuff).

My experience is folk who work with animals are very kind and gentle, and extremely good-natured because they understand the helplessness of the animals and the stupidity of the people. 

Thank goodness these folk are so very nice. The treatment cost some $$, and though I’m not complaining because good care is not cheap, I probably didn’t spend that much money on both my kids’ teeth during their entire childhoods. Maybe it’s the times we live in.

Now with a few teeth cleanings and significant intervention for dental problems in my experience, I intend to brush dog teeth each day. And I thought I was doing okay to get my own teeth brushed. Parenting is not easy, no matter who the recipient is nor who the provider is. And some of us have to work harder at it.

I’ve gotten to the place that I’m ready to

write in a candidate for president.  I recommend Jon Huntsman for President of the United States. I am not anti-Obama; I am anti-Romney. And, instead of wrangling about why I cannot support either of those, I have decided for a third option.

I considered Ron Paul and believe there is much to recommend him, but I think he’s not the one for me.  I guess it’s Huntsman’s reasonableness, probably the reason he’s no longer pursuing election.

The country’s in a ‘mell of a hess’ to quote an old acquaintance and no one seems willing or able to do what needs to be done. I think there’s a lot of trouble ahead and none of us want to make the changes necessary although we’ll all pay the price for not acting appropriately.

I am not making predictions and, clearly, I do not have the answers. But I hope to God we can figure out the mess and avoid hell.

It's embarrasing and maddening

that a smart dog is smarter than me. But there it is; MacKenzie once again out-did me by going outside and avoiding being leashed for a medical visit.

That dog can read my mind. I probably looked at her funny, or paused too long in the room with her, or didn't follow my normal process to the tee.

When I phoned the doggy dentist, the receptionist said it's happened before; that was somewhat comforting. So we rescheduled and I'll try again on that date.

Of course, I can't wait to find out what a doggy dentist costs. I'll be sure to take my anti-depressant that day. AND I may need a Valium.

Have a new favorite show (not that it replaces any) that I indulged in this week end.  I find Leverage, a TNT series shown in re-runs on ION, an entertaining show. It's not complicated; it's old-fashioned style good watching.  Cast is good; stories are good; production values are high. It's a somewhat up-dated Mission Impossible, what with talented and smart folk performing extraordinary feats to solve problems. Not much about it's realistic, but it's fun.

And, I noticed in one episode the good guys sat down to view video and they were eating popcorn and drinking beer.  So there, Wanda. Some people think it's OK. 

This question arose before the last Beer Bd meeting as we discussed how maybe the Board should serve beer and provide noshes. I think it's a good idea, but I have three (3!) board meetings remaining in my public service career. Beginning in January I can watch the meetings from home (if I'm really that bored) with popcorn and beer and never mind what anyone else wants.

Looking for crafty and craft project ideas. Mandy and I are beginning to start to think about starting (it's almost that iffy) some things. Looking for simple ideas that don't require expensive materials. There must be a million of them, so perhaps just picking some will be the big issue.

But this is the shape of things to come; I will create gifts for friends and family, but I will no longer buy gifts. I'm letting everyone know this is my last year of sending gift cards, or carrying store-bought gifts to folk. It'll be homemade bread, maybe some jams, bath salts for personal care and other things that I learn to do.

That's the way it is.