Yes, a darling cartoon and true, true, true. A beautiful, warm day after days of rain and snow. To appreciate and enjoy each day as we can. As a friend of mine told me on the phone to bring love to the world is what we can do.
Thoughts your way, Puddle. You will do what's best, I have faith.
best wishes as you work this out puddle, I know you will find the best way for you. thanks for the new thread!
happy that you are having warmer weather Pat! we had our first cold night last night, I think it went down into the 40s. I know that the house got chilly because my cat did something that he's never done before - early this morning he crawled in under my blankets and curled up near my feet!
We need leaders like Howard Dean and Zephyr Teachout. It is so frustrating when the talented good people don't garner enough votes to unseat people who lie and cheat and only pretend to serve We the People. Do you think awareness is on the rise or do we need to look to other means of governance? And if the latter, what might those look like?
puddle, the new thread makes me think of Nurse Teri, who has a long-standing love of all things Peanuts. :-)
Jo, you had a One Cat Night! It's only September, so you may need to get more cats. ;-) It got to 35F here, but we have two cats.
My husband thinks (tongue-in-cheek) that we should give Florida and Texas to Mexico, to right things in the USA. Barring that, we could give Vermont to Canada. ;-)
Perhaps change takes time, Listener. We would not have President Obama if it were not for Howard's work--and Zephyr's. I have no doubt Zephyr will be back. She got 40 percent of that vote starting with $8,000!
Chilly nights here also--turned on my small electronic heaters in bedroom and living room to get the chill off and put off turning on the furnace just yet.
YUP, I'm back. The Geek Squad found a bad memory chip, lots of ad-on type viruses, and some trojans.
I've been outside painting our deck chairs, mulching the aspens, and filling some of the rain furrows in our gravel driveway with wood chips. I'm out breath and perspiring.
I agree, Listener, about the corrupt and irresponsible representatives. On Bill Maher on Friday night where he did a double show, he gave statistics that 50% of the American people don't know that we have November elections coming up. I'm very discouraged and think that an ignorant and non participating citenzry disserves what it gets. I'm also more than tired of the constant drumbeat for money. I wrote the Democratic Party saying that they had nerve to ask constituents to outraise the Koch Brothers, that it's not about money and by doing what they are doing, they are in collusion with people and pacs who are changing our system to a bought system.
So, I will vote, maybe write letters to the editor, make contributions to local candidates, and probably not phone bank because again, the money folks and political pacs and charities have co-opted our phones.
Have a good day, friends. I'm off to relax with a cup of coffee.
Nope, no reversion to 25 hours, lol! I do seem to get more sleep without a clock: nothing to tell me that I really *ought* to get up now. New clock's arriving with my new set of supplements. Should be on my birthday, grin.
Last night, upper 30s--terrific sleeping weather! And I did!
listener, we don't change anything until we, as a people, get over the Kardashians, and dancing with the stars, etc. Until we understand on some level that the luck we have been born into will not hold unless we, daily, take some responsibility for what happens politically.
I agree about the calls and the candidates. I wouldn't have been surprised if people missed when their primary is, as that's a "moveable feast," but I am shocked that half the people don't know there's an election in November!!
So, is this part of the fallout of No Child Left Behind? Has civics been watered down to create an uninformed citizenry, so that the Republicans can ride roughshod over them?
About 16,000,000 results (0.24 seconds) -- That's what I got when I googled Kardashian. . . . A family that does nothing but BE famous. . . . Dancing with the Stars? Spending time watching other people do something because they're famous. . . .
Maybe Teaching to the Test rather than teaching to think. . . .
I'm coming up on 20 years sans TV (cept with Edwin, which hardly counts, lol!) But there is talk around me, places I blog, friends' convos. And both of those just amaze me.
Ah, welcomed new thread. Good to see everyone and to see that all seems to be well.
Had a major attack of A-Fib Saturday (206 bpm) and it did not want to convert. took 5.5 hrs so spent a lot of time in the hospital with an iv which they put into the crook of your elbow (right one, of course) which hurts when you try to bend it. Which, of course, is what you do when you want to drink, or eat, or go to the bathroom, or turn over in bed. I have got to get better about insisting they put it in the back of my hand so I can function.
It's been an exciting time for me this past month medically. nothing real serious, just annoying. The upside is that Burt is finally realizing that we really do need to get to bed earlier. This last bout scared the bejeezus out of him.
We all need to watch out for one another as we gracefully age.
Anyway, all is ok now and we will proceed with a bit more sleep.
Barb, that's scary. But, you seem to have things in hand, know what you need to do. Yes, aging is full of the unexpected and the knowledge that we are more frail and vulnerable. Not easy, and it takes courage, which you have.
About TV. I watch occasionally: the local news, MSNBC sometimes with Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow. Bill Maher seems to be right on target with his remarks. I mentioned the two shows in a row on Friday. He spent a lot of time talking about racism in this country, said that no President had been treated as disrespectfully as Congress treated Obama. He reminded us of the shout, "You lie" on his address to Congress and a remark that one Congress person couldn't stand to be in the same room with him, and so on.
We watched Cosmos with Neil DeGrasse Tyson and loved it and The Years of Living Dangerously on the environment.
Mostly ordinary TV drives me nuts: constant commercials: 5 minutes of commercials with 8 minutes of program. It's an insult to the actors, writers, producers, and the public.
I don't think the problem is so much with No Child Left Behind as the constant commercial distractions and pace of life. I remember being busy, but my children have far more to cope with in that respect than I did.
I can't help but feel we are at a tipping point with respect to the environment, stability, loss of community.
But, a beautiful day here and I hope your day is beautiful too.
How re-assuring it is to come here. We all seem to be dealing with a variety of problems which come with aging. So-- the next time I have a night like last night dealing with a problem related to RA I am going to remember we are all dealing with something! LOTR expected to arrive at 216 this week! Take Good Care, all--and Enjoy as much as possible!
Barb, I do know that A-Fib is a scary situation from my time as chaplain on the cardiac units. I've seen what you spoke of in action and I've seen the expression on spouses' faces when it happens. Is there someone at the hospital who can talk with Burt and offer a bit of support if that would help him?
Ask that it be put in the front of your chart that the IV is to be in your HAND not ELBOW! (Then, even if they do it wrong in the course of an important flurry of activity, you can make them switch it.)
Long day. Left the house at 9:00am for meetings in NH and didn't get home until 8:30pm. But it was good: met with my spiritual guides peer group and we articulated our commitment for the year, and I presented for the group's reflection. Then I met with my spiritual guide. After that I got a bite to eat, took a 20 minute power nap, stopped for gas and drove home. Tired but content.
My biggest malady lately was my first-ever skin-fold yeast infection. It was probably brewing since the end of July. Apparently my dedication to sung the elliptical even in hot weather was a bad idear. I want to say to the docs: You can't have it both ways! Ha!
As I drove home today I heard a clip on NPR about children and corporeal punishment. We all know that when we were kids spankings and use of "the belt" was commonplace in American society. But what I did not know is that when I was raising my children it was still used by 90% of parents, and that it is even now used by 75% of parents in the USA! This despite it being OUTLAWED in about 38 countries. And did you know that there are only two countries left who have not ratified the UN's stand that spanking is child abuse: The USA, and Somalia…! I had no idear it was this bad still. Here where we live it has been out of "style" since the early 70's…at least among our friends. Hurrah for La Leche League which taught me that "Ideally, discipline is based on loving guidance."
US: Boulder, Colorado's first bee-safe neighbourhood struts its stuff 15 September 2014 - On 9 September, Bee Safe Boulder, an organization dedicated to curbing the use of certain pesticides, hosted a walkabout in the Melody-Catalpa neighbourhood, in conjunction with Go Boulder. Melody-Catalpa has won certification as a 'bee safe' neighbourhood, meaning that at least 75 residents on contiguous properties have agreed to stop using pesticides that harm bees. More: http://www.globalgoodnews.com/environmental-news-a.html?art=141075462841963432
YAY for Bee Safe neighborhoods. Now to work on cities and states and countries...
Good idea to put my choices in my chart. Burt does know how to deal with his anxieties over my health. Mostly, he just has to be better about us getting to bed earlier. He is a night owl and it is difficult for him while I still have to get up early and work.
Pat, hope your infection goes away quickly. they are a PITA, but can, at least, be overcome with the proper medications.
Yes, my mother did more than SPANK me. I did not inflict as much on my children but I didn't know much better. At least I only spanked them with my hand and not with belts or extension cords as my mother did me. I mostly used my hand, flat, as hard as I could on the dining room table to make a small explosion of sound that quickly got their attention and let them know I meant business. Hurt my hand, and not their bottoms.
Evolution of parenting? My mother was abandoned at the age of five by a mother who remarried a guy who would only accept one of her nine living children. She took the two year old with her. My mother was raised by her brothers and sister, who was ten years older.
My father's mother washed and ironed her boys' shirts, and it was first come, first served. No attempt at equal distribution. On the other hand, she was left, at 12, at a hotel in Trondheim as a maid while her mother came to America to search for her father, and whom she never heard of again.
My parents qua parents became learners--they searched and read and took classes in a well repaid attempt to fill in the blanks on how to be good parents. Both of them were pretty terrified of messing up. Dr. Spock was a savior.
There was some spanking, but seldom, and much discussed, and brief. Funnier was the "Go get a switch." In which the worst of it was getting the switch. I recall distinctly preferring to get getting spanked or switched to the discussions. The discussions really hurt. . . . because they didn't end until you understood.
My kids got "spatted" very infrequently, and I always saw those occasions as a failure of imagination on my part, and mostly apologized for.
I'm seeing no evidence that my grands get spanked ever.
Thank You Puddle for giving us your family experiences. With five young'uns I found the more I had the less I had to discipline. Think the older ones clued the younger ones-- "don't do that or Mommy will be really mad!"
Off to Winston-Salem today for a three month check with the very kind surgeon who did the job on my tongue and neck. Unusual to find a surgeon who is kind and sympathetic.
Yes Puddle, it is an evolution. My kids disciplined their kids better than I did. And, liking the make a loud noise to get attention.
Glad you have a great surgeon, Shirlee. They are rare. On my visit to Dr. Buckler (my cardiologist)yesterday, he recommended that I have a cryo-ablation. And then said, "I imagine that you won't want to go back to Dr. Wells." (the dr that did the last RF ablation when I wound up with that burn on my back) and I said, "Oh! I LOVE Dr. Wells! It's not his fault the equipment failed." Dr. Buckler was much relieved. Dr. Wells is a marvelous doctor. One of the best in the country. I trust him completely to do the cryo. Dr. Buckler said that the improvements in the cryo have been fantastic so I'm looking forward to finally being done with A-Fib.
YAY for great docs!! I LOVE my new doctor, she is happy, funny but no nonsense re: my diabetes. she has me on a good plan and I have total faith in her, she is one of the main go-to nurse practitioners for diabetes and nutrition at our teaching hospital/network of docs. she has a doctorate in teaching medicine so is a great teacher and communicator, everything that my old doc wasn't. and the office is less than a 1/2 mile from my home! I am feeling better already! I am doing pt, one day/week each for massage and stim on my neck and in the pool for my neck and lower back. AND I will be getting cortisone in my lower back next week by the doc I have been seeing for that for 7 years now, the Spine Institute thinks I have a 50/500 chance of it helping with the pain but if anyone can do it well, he can. whew! so happy for all of us, puddle you're next, I think that this is the season for all of us to be feeling better than we have in a while!!
Bodies are weird: when I was starving and the immediate aftermath, my numbers were all marvelous! After recovery (in my body's view), things began to fall apart. One of the things it's done is lock me into weight conservation. . . . Which seems to mean that short of starving again, it's not going to let me drop a pound. And the "new normal" weight is screwing with my numbers. Big time.
He hit that child 10 or 15 times. My mother, at her most angry, twice. Mind boggles that someone that big could even try to justify hurting someone that little that way. . . .
Tonight we watched a movie which I brought home from the Library. It seemed appropriate viewing for the night before the Scotland vote: Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen starring Cate Blanchett. Those were the bad old days!!
Never ever is it okay to harm a child. Beatings and whippings should be criminal acts and that man should be in jail! That poor little child!!! There really ought to be an exam before one is permitted to be a parent. Heartbreaking.
Good news, mostly,, from my surgeon. All looks good. Yes, I may resume going to the dentist -- cleaning needed. Yes, the nerves on the skin in the chin area will rebuild--maybe two years, No, the tip of my burning tongue probably not. There is a med that might help, but could interfere with my stable seizure condition. And could take five years--no, thanks! Love and Best wishes to all as we make our way through health problems.
I find most college and professional sports abominable. As a student at MSU I saw football players routinely excused from class or assignments if they were biggies on the basketball or football teams. Professional teams in football especially foster nothing but brutality. This one needs to be separated from children forever. Rant over!!!
Shirlee, am glad that turned out as well as it did. Wish it were better.
Barb, heart's with your heart today! My friend Nancy had a year's bout with afib. They were talking some kind of electronic ablation, and it just went away just before the cancer became a reality. Cryo sounds like it might be a good deal! Keeping heart-fingers crossed.
All kinds of fussing and mussing going on here: It's early bear hunting season (which only happens when the bear population is on the rise). So I have dogs and hunters in biggol trucks up and down the road and Mr. Beau protesting mightily at the outrage. Squirrel season opened last weekend, but didn't hear so much as a pop. Luckily, it's just three days. Today, tomorrow, and the one after that.
Edwin was fond of suspenders, and had some interesting ones. One of the things I gave him for his birthday that first year was a pair of truly outlandish ones: bright headed parrots on a jungle background. He immediately donned them and we went out to see the world. On the subway, he got into a convo with a lady who lavishly praised his 'spenders, and he joyously pointed me out as the giver. I may have blushed.
After, I sent them with Thankful and Donna to Phil, where they live now in poetry.
What a lovely story about Phil, Edwin, Puddle and suspenders! I chuckle just at the combination!
I wasn't expecting much more than an OK to the dentist, was glad to hear the skin may get better, I have lived with this troubled tongue for 18 years--and as John Hartford sang. "I'm Still Here!" after one of his bouts with cancer. Just hoping all here can get problems under control.!!! Love you All. !!!!!!
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . ♥. .♥ . ♥ . ♥ . ♥. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .||...||…||...||...||...||. . . . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~♥ H A P P Y ♥~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~♥ B I R T H D A Y ♥~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~♥ P U D D L E !!!! ♥~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (______________________________)
Dates and orange juice sounds like it'd do a number on blood glucose. . . . brownies weren't too good, but better than nothing, lol! Practice makes perfect, eh?
Happy Birthday yesterday, Puddle. May your year be enjoyable, peaceful, and happy. I appreciated reading about the suspenders, could picture them, and thanks again for publishing Phil's poetry. Always a delight.
Shirlee, I'm glad that you are doing well and I admire your forebearance in dealing with long term pain. That's hard.
Today, I'm going to join neighbors in hiking up Storm Mountain. I'm driving to our meeting place, so if I don't have the stamina, I can return home. It's 2.5 miles up, 1300 foot gain, but I'm curious to do it since it's where I live.
Happy Post-Birthday Puddle!!!!! A healthy year coming up! Thank You, Pat--takes practice and wearing colorful Vermont SockLady socks to deal with it:).
Ah, maybe. I was thinking that Dates and a little Juice would be lots better than refined sugars and even honey or maple syrup. But, if you are only allowed artificial sweetener, best skip it.
It's the carbs that do it. Any carb: bread, potatoes, rice, sugar, fruits. . . . Was reading old blog entries from a friend who was diagnosed in 07. She was doing wonderfully well, doing glucose readings 20 times a day, figuring out what spiked her sugars, and had a meeting with a diabetes dietician who she respected who told her she should be eating more carbs. So she did, and her glucose soured!! Jebus: if even the people who are *supposed* to know don't. . . . Very discouraging.
puddle my old doc had me see a nutritionist to work on my #s a few weeks ago. she said don't bother to look at sugar, look at overall carbs and that I should have 3 meals/day of 45 grams of carbs and 2 snacks of 15g. said I could eat ice cream, oj, etc just keep to the carb count. I was excited! I LOVE oj and usually avoid it. well, when I met with my new doc who specializes in diabetes and nutrition said NO! that's for people with MUCH lower A1C levels - you can do that when we et a real handle on things. NO refined sugar, VERY LITTLE honey, NO juice, NO dried fruit NO grapes - my favorite!! 1 pc toast w/bkfst w/sugar free peanut butter and 2 - 4 oz of protein, no more than 2 eggs per week, coffee with NO sugar. lunch 4 oz protein, 2 cups veggies, 1 cup fruit. midday snack a smoothie with 10 chopped almonds, low fat yogurt with no sugar and fruit. dinner 4 - 6 oz protein, 2 cups veggies, 1 cup fruit and a starch = 1/4 rice or small potato or 1 bread or 1/2 pasta. LOTS of green salads whenever. after dinner snack 1/2 cup fruit.
I love hummus so she said that I could substitute one of the snacks for 6 whole wheat crackers with 1-2 tblspn of hummus.
how's that for specific? I have to write down everything in a journal and will see her again in a month. I LOVE her! ;-)
forgot to mention I can only eat 1/2 banana as 1 fruit, even the small ones!! and can have 1/2 cup Cheerios 2 times/week. I think I can do this, that's quite a bit of food so maybe I can do even better. my daily sugar levels are coming down.
It's a big BIG community. . . . I'm going to stick with Davis--who I started watching/reading for heart health, seven years ago. Voices one believes, lol!
He'd basically give you 15 carbs every six hours, peaking at 50 for the day. This is way too high for me; I'm very carb adverse. But he'd wouldn't give you carbs, any, that cause peaks, and wheat does, big time.
Glad about your downward heading sugar levels, Jo! If it's working, goferit!!
I watched Rick play with his in ways that were really scary. (Piece of cake--extra insulin. . . .) My mom used to, too. I didn't know as much then as I do now, and I was used to her knowing how to do things, but she messed up on that one. . . .
Jo, may you use Splenda in your coffee? What about (perhaps later on) ice cream that has no sugar? (Edy's makes some.) What about those sugar free fudgsicles? Just wondering what those of us who love ice cream are allowed, at least after things are under control. I am half expecting to learn my glucose has crossed the line when I see my doc next month. I like what your nutritionist suggested, except I'd skip the peanut butter (totally the wrong kind of fats! Horrible for cholesterol!) and use almond butter instead. Please keep us posted!
thanks listener, but no more sugar in my coffee - just a little milk, I hate it black. the fudgsicles that we got that time are not sugar free so I am nixing those. I really hate most artificial sweeteners, the aftertaste is awful so I just rather go with no sweetener. I'm sure I get a bit of carbs in bottled salad dressings so most of the time I just make my own vinagarette. once I have my levels at a better place I can cheat a little.
puddle I would never up my insulin so that I could cheat a bit! that is crazy! I'm sticking with my docs orders on that, she was real specific as to when/if to increase it.
thank you all for your thoughts and concern, I know I can do this! I got in trouble because I reduced my diabetes meds when I started having to pay co-pays at the beginning of the year - I tried reducing my pain meds and couldn't function so I cut my diabetes meds in half instead. now I am able to pay for the co-pays so I'm good. ;-)
In a genetics class in college, the professor passed around a tiny pill. On cue, we put it in our mouth and reported how it tasted. Don't remember the exact figures but most tasted it as say sweet, then bitter, sour. a few percent tasted nothing. That was me! Evidently the no-tasters were recessive genes. But I've expected that it's likely made my life easier, lol!
For years I collected my recessive traits, grin: blue eyes, blond hair, attached earlobes, hair on the middle joint of the index finger. . . This was a good 'un, I thought.
Can't do saccharine at all, but do fine with Splenda. Can NOT do Stevia--leaves an "old wet canvas" taste in my mouth for hours!
Just was talking to Nancy--about bears, and hunters. Turns out that that picture of the hurt bear wasn't. It was berry juice on the camera lens--pic taken by a neighbor's fixed camera. He told her a couple of weeks later, when she was worrying about it to him.
Splenda is not so good. I've read many reports on it's affects. After a quick look (since we're off to ACT Theater) I found this link. You should all probably do more research:
I haven't been convinced by the Splenda fear train. Watched the sugar industry kill off cyclamates in the sixties.
If you want to worry, worry about how toxic diabetes meds are. . . .
*This* is exactly the kind of sh*t that got cyclamates banned:
In fact, one study found that sucralose at levels of 500 mg/kg was hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic--it accumulated in amounts sufficient enough to cause lesions in the liver and the kidneys.
It's important to note that 500 mg/kg is far more sucralose than a human would consume in a day, about 34g for a 150 pound adult (or 680 packets of Splenda), but if sucralose accumulates in the liver and kidneys, as this study demonstrates, then a similar effect could build from years of habitual use as opposed to occurring in one month, as happened in the study.
Thanks for all the sugar and non-sugar news and idears!
Jo, I'm picking up on "no sugar added" is not the same as "no sugar", eh? Bummer!
How I deal with my 5 packets of Splenda a week is to soak oats over night in water, then squeeze in half a lemon. Lemon water helps detoxify the liver.
I have a kind of a situation at work. A few days ago I was told that a procedure most of us find unnecessary must be done in an even more odious way. When I began to express my opinion about it, the head clerk (the person who almost left and didn't) cut me off saying curtly, "I don't know why this push back when it's been decided." I was shocked! I responded, "Well, excuse me!" and walked off. I was so angry at her disrespect that I went off to shelve some books, to be apart from her to cool down. But she came and found me and said she wanted to talk with me in the back room, if I were willing. Knowing that not being willing would be touted as "unwillingness to work it out, " I took a few deep breaths and prayers a little desperate prayer and off we went. Mainly she wanted to expand on why she is right and I am wrong. But she did finally listen to my reasons for being opposed to the procedure, at least.
I would take this to the Director, but she was out at the time, as her mother-in-law just died. I fully expect that the head clerk will get to her first with a version in which I am the bad person.
She tried to paint me as being "defensive" (a buzz word in psychology that suggests whomever is defensive is the one who is the problem.) I told her that actually I'm trying not be offensive!
I am really annoyed as the thing we are supposed to do has a negative connotation for some on staff and it's a remedial, shaming kind of thing. And unnecessary! There is a much better solution, and I was willing to explain as much, but my opinion was not in great demand! Ha!
My ace is that I already had my annual review with the Director, the week before her M-I-L died, and it was a glowing review. No one else on staff has done theirs and no one knows I've done mine. The head clerk probably thinks she can negatively affect it at this point. But I had told the Director that I sometimes feel my opinion is not desired, and she said that any time I want to talk, to just come see her. I may yet.
I really like the job itself. Too bad the head clerk didn't leave.
ah, listener, sorry for the rough time at work. it sounds like you handled it well. I would talk to the Director, she needs to know your opinion before implementing something that might be considered shaming to someone.
I'm glad to read that most of you are knowledgeable about diet and careful about intake. It makes a difference.
We made it up Storm Mountain at 9000 plus feet above sea level without calling in the Rocky Mountain Rescue, though I have to say that last third made me wonder if I could do it. The Forest Service has done grading for about 2/3 of the road, and that helped.
The views are amazing: you can see for over a hundred miles: Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs, Estes Park and Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Continental Divide.
The Aspens are turning fast: the contrast of deep blue green of Colorado Spruce, Douglas Fir, and brilliant gold of Aspens are more than beautiful, spiritual in their beauty.
Eight of us hiked. I was the second oldest at 72. Most were in their 60s. We had lunch, took photographs, shared knowledge of the forest and wildflowers. It was a poignant and satisfying hike.
Listener, just from the language, "push back" tells me you are dealing with an authoritarian personality, a my-way-or-the-highway type. Try not to react to her if you can. She seems to fear you and try to punish you by making it a confrontation. I've dealt with similar situations, and my thought after those experiences is to be cool always, logical, and maintain my own power without feeling threatened. That's something such personalities don't know how to deal with. And, probably I'd go to the director if I thought a procedure was damaging to others, but I wouldn't try to deal with the head clerk in any way other than logical and conversational. Such personalities seem to use confrontation and insult as methods of control.
Good luck. Trust your instincts, and maintain your calm and rationality. It makes such personalities nuts,and that's not a bad thing. Just my two cents.
Along with the clock came the supplements, including the cinnamon. Been opening/unsealing bottles throughout the day. One thing they've made clear to me/made register with me, is that this is permanent. I may be able to control it with diet/supplements/lifestyle, but it's not going to go away. This is IT for the rest of my breaths. . . .
That was added upon by a birthday bag which included my favorite chocolate (dark special and white Bliss). Checking out the carb load, I think I manage to *slowly* make my way through it, but sob. . . . I don't think I'll volunteer again any time soon.
Thank you all so much for the gentling words. I appreciate the wisdom of your experience, too, Pat.
Perspective: The head clerk is currently my "thorn in the flesh." But, in all the rest of my life I have so much to be grateful for. Of the 14 hours I spend at the Library, I spend only 7 hours, half the time, working with her. She has now done what both bishops did before her…which is to act badly toward me. And in so doing, she has lost my fear if not my respect. She no longer has any important power over me. She can decree what I have to do for a small part of my time, but she has no power over anything I care about. I feel free within, and I thank God for this perspective.
How shall I then live? With gratitude. And with as much grace as I can open to in the moment, day to day. Speaking the truth in love. Speaking truth to power if necessary, as I did this last week. I was honest and not belligerent. I was also not chatty and friendly. It may take time to find balance.
Since the thing we all dislike is already a requirement, I think at this point I will not go to the Director with my concerns, unless something more comes of it. If I ever see the head clerk treat another coworker that way, I will go to the trustees. Meanwhile, I will continue to document what I am seeing and experiencing, incase the information becomes needed. Doing so has helped me reach a little clarity.
YAY! Computers finally all working correctly with correct keyboards and mousies and tablets. WHEEEEEEEWWWWWWW
YAY for Alarm clocks and goodies, Puddle. And yes, I've seen the article on how Conservatives and Liberals smell different. And why they tend to be attracted to like people. Very interesting.
Excellent advice to Listener, Pat. I appreciate your logic.
well done, listener! I know it's not always easy to 'turn the other cheek' but your insight and wisdom have shown you how insignificant this little thorn really is. what a miserable person she must be. much love to you!
52.8º--high for the day projected to be 58º. . . . Don't think we'll make it. 34º for the low tonight. Think we will, and maybe more: definite hint of winter on the wind that's blowing now.
listener--think you're handling it so well! Imagine what it must feel like to see a thorn in the mirror every morning! I think the thorns create their own trubble, and never quite understand.
A friend gave me a book, The Barn at the End of the World: The apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd by Mary Rose O'Reilley. When a friend thinks of you and knows just the right book and sends it, that's special. My friend is like that.
I've been reading it, and I thought of you, puddle, and you, Listener. The author taught English at a university, was born a Quaker, raised a Catholic, entered the order of nuns as a novice, left, married, divorced, and then decided to learn how to take care of sheep. She then went to Plum Village and spent a month with the Vietnamese Monastics and Thich Nhat Hanh.
This book is so real, so genuine and honest, so thoughtful and knowledgeable about self, that I became immersed. She talks about a roommate at Plum Village who sleeps with the light on. For her, the light keeps her awake. She's rude and angry. So is the roommate.
She goes beyond anger, sees from her roommate's point of view as does the roommate, and they compromise.
I thought of my advice to keep cool, not react, and to recognize the techniques of control, but she goes further. She sees that they are at an impasse, and understands the other's point of view while not conceding her own, and they find a compromise.
To be able to see where the other person is coming from and not to engage in a negative way seems to me the better method. I, as I suspect you, are sensitive to words, to interactions. Then I become my own victim and make it worse. But, to somehow, draw back, observe, try to understand while not relinquishing my own powers, is a deeper way of acting.
I went to Alibris to see if they carried the book. They do. You can get it for 99 cents plus shipping if you are interested. I think it's just wonderful.
A busy day ahead. I have to smile: at a conference years ago, a presenter said that she believes somewhere there's a book that has all the answers to life. I guess I'm in that category as well. I hope my enthusiasm has not caused offense.
The writer Mary Rose O'Reilley coins the phrase, "the we of me". That resonates with me also. Anyway, we English Majors: teachers, librarians, editors, poets, will always be energized by good writing, I guess.
Cause Offense??? No Way. Good reviews of good books always welcome. Your review reminds mr that Greensboro was originally a Quaker settlement. We still have a large Quaker community in the county, and a Quaker college. In Winston-Salem 25 miles west there it a wonderful restored Moravian village. One in a while Brenda and I drive over and drive through the village admiring the architecture and the simple layout of it. If one has good knees and stamina there are some buildings open. There is a also a college on the grounds. The Moravians were well educated and very musical with classical music training. There are some CDs available and are just lovely.
I juat want to pop in to say thank you all for being here. The wisdom and kindness and caring shown here is good for one's soul. You are an amazing bunch and I love you all!
All that I serve will die, my delights, the flesh kindled from my flesh, garden and field, the silent lilies standing in the woods, the woods, the hill, the whole earth, all will burn in man's evil, or dwindle in its own age. Let the world bring on me the sleep of darkness without stars, so I may know my little light taken from me into the seed of the beginning and the end, so I may bow to mystery, and take my stand on the earth like a tree in a field, passing without haste or regret toward what will be, my life a patient willing descent into the grass.
Beautiful poem from Wendell Berry, Puddle. I'll copy it to reread. Jo, yes, and thank you for this blog, and you also Puddle, for your input. Thank you Shirlee, for your affirmation.
Here are some quotes from Mary Rose O'Reilley. I just finished the book and will reread it. I was mistaken in my description of her background. She was raised Catholic and became a Quaker. She has a ministry and brings in both as well as Buddhism and other religions. Here's the URL if interested.
I join those who LOVE good book reviews and recommendations!! ANY time!!!
Yes, Jo, I hear you. This is such a kind and wise group of souls. I look forward to coming here and seeing what folks are up to, what you've all been thinking about an experiencing, and seeing how everyone is faring. It's a true community.
Thank you all so much for your encouragement as I make my way through the mire at work. Today was … weird. Nothing was mentioned at all about last week. The head clerk showed me some things in a knitting book she likes. She is trying to move forward as if nothing happened. I don't think that would be healthy at this point, because in two weeks we are taking on a whole new computer system, and it's going to be very intense. We will not make it through the first week if the tension is this high.
So, I am thinking of going to sit with the Director on Monday (the day the Library is closed). I need some clarity around what the intended style is for staff relations. Is it trying an authoritarian model, or is collaboration and cooperation more often desired? I think I will need to tell her about what happened, or my query won't make sense.
But I will NOT mention that the head clerk nearly left. That's a whole separate issue, and a confidence.
Turns out regular cinnamon has more blood thinner in it than Ceylon cinnamon--so if you want to use cinnamon for it's sugar control properties, Ceylon is safer to use than Cassia. Stuff I never knew I'd need to know, lol!
The lady this is in response to has just explained she is diabetic, and out of control. . . .
Posted on Jul 29, 2014 10:59:47 PM PDT Lady LiberTEA says: Good for you! But have you read about the harms of Splenda? You could enjoy even better health w/o it. I use the healthy sugar substitute, pure Stevia (not with corn dextrose). Sometimes w/ a little real maple syrup for strawberries shortcake, French toast, steelcut oats, cran-apple conserve, etc. ~ Blessings :) Reply to this post
99 comments:
Yes, a darling cartoon and true, true, true. A beautiful, warm day after days of rain and snow. To appreciate and enjoy each day as we can. As a friend of mine told me on the phone to bring love to the world is what we can do.
Thoughts your way, Puddle. You will do what's best, I have faith.
Howard would approve of that!
best wishes as you work this out puddle, I know you will find the best way for you. thanks for the new thread!
happy that you are having warmer weather Pat! we had our first cold night last night, I think it went down into the 40s. I know that the house got chilly because my cat did something that he's never done before - early this morning he crawled in under my blankets and curled up near my feet!
Thanks for the new thread! Puddle. I am always amazed and grateful for the wise and interesting images and quotes you give us.
We need leaders like Howard Dean and Zephyr Teachout. It is so frustrating when the talented good people don't garner enough votes to unseat people who lie and cheat and only pretend to serve We the People. Do you think awareness is on the rise or do we need to look to other means of governance? And if the latter, what might those look like?
puddle, the new thread makes me think of Nurse Teri, who has a long-standing love of all things Peanuts. :-)
Jo, you had a One Cat Night! It's only September, so you may need to get more cats. ;-) It got to 35F here, but we have two cats.
My husband thinks (tongue-in-cheek) that we should give Florida and Texas to Mexico, to right things in the USA. Barring that, we could give Vermont to Canada. ;-)
Pat, are you back on, or just popping by?
Perhaps change takes time, Listener. We would not have President Obama if it were not for Howard's work--and Zephyr's. I have no doubt Zephyr will be back. She got
40 percent of that vote starting with $8,000!
Chilly nights here also--turned on my small electronic
heaters in bedroom and living room to get the chill off
and put off turning on the furnace just yet.
Happy Day All!!!!
Hi Listener,
YUP, I'm back. The Geek Squad found a bad memory chip, lots of ad-on type viruses, and some trojans.
I've been outside painting our deck chairs, mulching the aspens, and filling some of the rain furrows in our gravel driveway with wood chips. I'm out breath and perspiring.
I agree, Listener, about the corrupt and irresponsible representatives. On Bill Maher on Friday night where he did a double show, he gave statistics that 50% of the American people don't know that we have November elections coming up. I'm very discouraged and think that an ignorant and non participating citenzry disserves what it gets. I'm also more than tired of the constant drumbeat for money. I wrote the Democratic Party saying that they had nerve to ask constituents to outraise the Koch Brothers, that it's not about money and by doing what they are doing, they are in collusion with people and pacs who are changing our system to a bought system.
So, I will vote, maybe write letters to the editor, make contributions to local candidates, and probably not phone bank because again, the money folks and political pacs and charities have co-opted our phones.
Have a good day, friends. I'm off to relax with a cup of coffee.
Nope, no reversion to 25 hours, lol! I do seem to get more sleep without a clock: nothing to tell me that I really *ought* to get up now. New clock's arriving with my new set of supplements. Should be on my birthday, grin.
Last night, upper 30s--terrific sleeping weather! And I did!
listener, we don't change anything until we, as a people, get over the Kardashians, and dancing with the stars, etc. Until we understand on some level that the luck we have been born into will not hold unless we, daily, take some responsibility for what happens politically.
puddle, I don't know what "the Kardashians, and dancing with the stars" means. Can you explain?
Welcome back, Pat! :-)
I agree about the calls and the candidates. I wouldn't have been surprised if people missed when their primary is, as that's a "moveable feast," but I am shocked that half the people don't know there's an election in November!!
So, is this part of the fallout of No Child Left Behind? Has civics been watered down to create an uninformed citizenry, so that the Republicans can ride roughshod over them?
About 16,000,000 results (0.24 seconds) -- That's what I got when I googled Kardashian. . . . A family that does nothing but BE famous. . . . Dancing with the Stars? Spending time watching other people do something because they're famous. . . .
Maybe Teaching to the Test rather than teaching to think. . . .
Ah, I see.
I looked it up and discovered you were referring to TV shows that have remained off my radar. :-)
I'm coming up on 20 years sans TV (cept with Edwin, which hardly counts, lol!) But there is talk around me, places I blog, friends' convos. And both of those just amaze me.
Ah, welcomed new thread. Good to see everyone and to see that all seems to be well.
Had a major attack of A-Fib Saturday (206 bpm) and it did not want to convert. took 5.5 hrs so spent a lot of time in the hospital with an iv which they put into the crook of your elbow (right one, of course) which hurts when you try to bend it. Which, of course, is what you do when you want to drink, or eat, or go to the bathroom, or turn over in bed. I have got to get better about insisting they put it in the back of my hand so I can function.
It's been an exciting time for me this past month medically. nothing real serious, just annoying. The upside is that Burt is finally realizing that we really do need to get to bed earlier. This last bout scared the bejeezus out of him.
We all need to watch out for one another as we gracefully age.
Anyway, all is ok now and we will proceed with a bit more sleep.
Much love to all XOXOXO
Good Morning,
Barb, that's scary. But, you seem to have things in hand, know what you need to do. Yes, aging is full of the unexpected and the knowledge that we are more frail and vulnerable. Not easy, and it takes courage, which you have.
About TV. I watch occasionally: the local news, MSNBC sometimes with Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow. Bill Maher seems to be right on target with his remarks. I mentioned the two shows in a row on Friday. He spent a lot of time talking about racism in this country, said that no President had been treated as disrespectfully as Congress treated Obama. He reminded us of the shout, "You lie" on his address to Congress and a remark that one Congress person couldn't stand to be in the same room with him, and so on.
We watched Cosmos with Neil DeGrasse Tyson and loved it and The Years of Living Dangerously on the environment.
Mostly ordinary TV drives me nuts: constant commercials: 5 minutes of commercials with 8 minutes of program. It's an insult to the actors, writers, producers, and the public.
I don't think the problem is so much with No Child Left Behind as the constant commercial distractions and pace of life. I remember being busy, but my children have far more to cope with in that respect than I did.
I can't help but feel we are at a tipping point with respect to the environment, stability, loss of community.
But, a beautiful day here and I hope your day is beautiful too.
How re-assuring it is to come here. We all seem to be
dealing with a variety of problems which come with aging.
So-- the next time I have a night like last night dealing with
a problem related to RA I am going to remember we are
all dealing with something! LOTR expected to arrive at
216 this week! Take Good Care, all--and Enjoy as much
as possible!
Bette had it about right: Getting old is not for sissies. . . .
Yep, sure agree!
Barb, I do know that A-Fib is a scary situation from my time as chaplain on the cardiac units. I've seen what you spoke of in action and I've seen the expression on spouses' faces when it happens. Is there someone at the hospital who can talk with Burt and offer a bit of support if that would help him?
Ask that it be put in the front of your chart that the IV is to be in your HAND not ELBOW! (Then, even if they do it wrong in the course of an important flurry of activity, you can make them switch it.)
Long day. Left the house at 9:00am for meetings in NH and didn't get home until 8:30pm. But it was good: met with my spiritual guides peer group and we articulated our commitment for the year, and I presented for the group's reflection. Then I met with my spiritual guide. After that I got a bite to eat, took a 20 minute power nap, stopped for gas and drove home. Tired but content.
My biggest malady lately was my first-ever skin-fold yeast infection. It was probably brewing since the end of July. Apparently my dedication to sung the elliptical even in hot weather was a bad idear. I want to say to the docs: You can't have it both ways! Ha!
Um, "my dedication to sung the elliptical" = "my dedication to *doing* the elliptical"
I have not been singing on it too! Ha!
As I drove home today I heard a clip on NPR about children and corporeal punishment. We all know that when we were kids spankings and use of "the belt" was commonplace in American society. But what I did not know is that when I was raising my children it was still used by 90% of parents, and that it is even now used by 75% of parents in the USA! This despite it being OUTLAWED in about 38 countries. And did you know that there are only two countries left who have not ratified the UN's stand that spanking is child abuse: The USA, and Somalia…! I had no idear it was this bad still. Here where we live it has been out of "style" since the early 70's…at least among our friends. Hurrah for La Leche League which taught me that "Ideally, discipline is based on loving guidance."
Nicely done!
US: Boulder, Colorado's first bee-safe neighbourhood struts its stuff
15 September 2014 - On 9 September, Bee Safe Boulder, an organization dedicated to curbing the use of certain pesticides, hosted a walkabout in the Melody-Catalpa neighbourhood, in conjunction with Go Boulder. Melody-Catalpa has won certification as a 'bee safe' neighbourhood, meaning that at least 75 residents on contiguous properties have agreed to stop using pesticides that harm bees.
More: http://www.globalgoodnews.com/environmental-news-a.html?art=141075462841963432
YAY for Bee Safe neighborhoods. Now to work on cities and states and countries...
Good idea to put my choices in my chart. Burt does know how to deal with his anxieties over my health. Mostly, he just has to be better about us getting to bed earlier. He is a night owl and it is difficult for him while I still have to get up early and work.
Pat, hope your infection goes away quickly. they are a PITA, but can, at least, be overcome with the proper medications.
Yes, my mother did more than SPANK me. I did not inflict as much on my children but I didn't know much better. At least I only spanked them with my hand and not with belts or extension cords as my mother did me. I mostly used my hand, flat, as hard as I could on the dining room table to make a small explosion of sound that quickly got their attention and let them know I meant business. Hurt my hand, and not their bottoms.
I'd better get off and get ready for work.
Hugs to all...
Evolution of parenting? My mother was abandoned at the age of five by a mother who remarried a guy who would only accept one of her nine living children. She took the two year old with her. My mother was raised by her brothers and sister, who was ten years older.
My father's mother washed and ironed her boys' shirts, and it was first come, first served. No attempt at equal distribution. On the other hand, she was left, at 12, at a hotel in Trondheim as a maid while her mother came to America to search for her father, and whom she never heard of again.
My parents qua parents became learners--they searched and read and took classes in a well repaid attempt to fill in the blanks on how to be good parents. Both of them were pretty terrified of messing up. Dr. Spock was a savior.
There was some spanking, but seldom, and much discussed, and brief. Funnier was the "Go get a switch." In which the worst of it was getting the switch. I recall distinctly preferring to get getting spanked or switched to the discussions. The discussions really hurt. . . . because they didn't end until you understood.
My kids got "spatted" very infrequently, and I always saw those occasions as a failure of imagination on my part, and mostly apologized for.
I'm seeing no evidence that my grands get spanked ever.
Progress. Slow. But present.
Am just finishing up on the first year of The West Wing (for the eighth time!). Not remotely bored yet, lol!
Thank You Puddle for giving us your family experiences.
With five young'uns I found the more I had the less I had to discipline. Think the older ones clued the younger ones-- "don't do that or Mommy will be really mad!"
Off to Winston-Salem today for a three month check with
the very kind surgeon who did the job on my tongue and neck. Unusual to find a surgeon who is kind and sympathetic.
Have a good day, all.
Yes Puddle, it is an evolution. My kids disciplined their kids better than I did. And, liking the make a loud noise to get attention.
Glad you have a great surgeon, Shirlee. They are rare. On my visit to Dr. Buckler (my cardiologist)yesterday, he recommended that I have a cryo-ablation. And then said, "I imagine that you won't want to go back to Dr. Wells." (the dr that did the last RF ablation when I wound up with that burn on my back) and I said, "Oh! I LOVE Dr. Wells! It's not his fault the equipment failed." Dr. Buckler was much relieved. Dr. Wells is a marvelous doctor. One of the best in the country. I trust him completely to do the cryo. Dr. Buckler said that the improvements in the cryo have been fantastic so I'm looking forward to finally being done with A-Fib.
Good to see one and all here. XOXO
YAY for great docs!! I LOVE my new doctor, she is happy, funny but no nonsense re: my diabetes. she has me on a good plan and I have total faith in her, she is one of the main go-to nurse practitioners for diabetes and nutrition at our teaching hospital/network of docs. she has a doctorate in teaching medicine so is a great teacher and communicator, everything that my old doc wasn't. and the office is less than a 1/2 mile from my home! I am feeling better already! I am doing pt, one day/week each for massage and stim on my neck and in the pool for my neck and lower back. AND I will be getting cortisone in my lower back next week by the doc I have been seeing for that for 7 years now, the Spine Institute thinks I have a 50/500 chance of it helping with the pain but if anyone can do it well, he can. whew! so happy for all of us, puddle you're next, I think that this is the season for all of us to be feeling better than we have in a while!!
that should be 50/50!!
Bodies are weird: when I was starving and the immediate aftermath, my numbers were all marvelous! After recovery (in my body's view), things began to fall apart. One of the things it's done is lock me into weight conservation. . . . Which seems to mean that short of starving again, it's not going to let me drop a pound. And the "new normal" weight is screwing with my numbers. Big time.
Speaking of beating children. . . .
http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/adrian-petersons-intent
He hit that child 10 or 15 times. My mother, at her most angry, twice. Mind boggles that someone that big could even try to justify hurting someone that little that way. . . .
Tonight we watched a movie which I brought home from the Library. It seemed appropriate viewing for the night before the Scotland vote: Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen starring Cate Blanchett. Those were the bad old days!!
Never ever is it okay to harm a child. Beatings and whippings should be criminal acts and that man should be in jail! That poor little child!!! There really ought to be an exam before one is permitted to be a parent. Heartbreaking.
Good news, mostly,, from my surgeon. All looks good. Yes, I may resume going to the dentist -- cleaning needed. Yes, the nerves on the skin in the chin area will rebuild--maybe two years, No, the tip of my burning tongue probably not. There is a med that might help, but could interfere with my stable seizure condition. And could take five years--no, thanks! Love and Best wishes to all as we make our way through health problems.
I find most college and professional sports abominable.
As a student at MSU I saw football players routinely excused from class or assignments if they were biggies
on the basketball or football teams. Professional teams in football especially foster nothing but brutality. This one needs to be separated from children forever. Rant over!!!
Echo cardiogram this morning. dr will call with results.
will be back later for more comments.
XOXO
Shirlee, am glad that turned out as well as it did. Wish it were better.
Barb, heart's with your heart today! My friend Nancy had a year's bout with afib. They were talking some kind of electronic ablation, and it just went away just before the cancer became a reality. Cryo sounds like it might be a good deal! Keeping heart-fingers crossed.
All kinds of fussing and mussing going on here: It's early bear hunting season (which only happens when the bear population is on the rise). So I have dogs and hunters in biggol trucks up and down the road and Mr. Beau protesting mightily at the outrage. Squirrel season opened last weekend, but didn't hear so much as a pop. Luckily, it's just three days. Today, tomorrow, and the one after that.
From Phil, just now:
Phil Specht
The Stage (making it real)
We all walk on a stage
shared off Broadway
for the most part
actors often, all.
Those with the title
Actor most real when in part
natural to the lights
now here, in suspenders.
So too a poet
by a quiet river
making words real
as seasons change.
that's beautiful puddle - thanks for sharing!
as written by Zephyr:
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/09/democrats-need-a-kick-from-the-left-110979.html#.VBs9DpB0xCE
Edwin was fond of suspenders, and had some interesting ones. One of the things I gave him for his birthday that first year was a pair of truly outlandish ones: bright headed parrots on a jungle background. He immediately donned them and we went out to see the world. On the subway, he got into a convo with a lady who lavishly praised his 'spenders, and he joyously pointed me out as the giver. I may have blushed.
After, I sent them with Thankful and Donna to Phil, where they live now in poetry.
you know how to make me cry. good tears, I wish I had known him.
lots of tears this week for my Mom, more than most times and I'm not sure why. her 1 year anniversary is in October.
xo
What a lovely story about Phil, Edwin, Puddle and suspenders! I chuckle just at the combination!
I wasn't expecting much more than an OK to the dentist,
was glad to hear the skin may get better, I have lived with this troubled tongue for 18 years--and as John Hartford
sang. "I'm Still Here!" after one of his bouts with cancer.
Just hoping all here can get problems under control.!!!
Love you All. !!!!!!
Shirlee, good news!! ♥
Making me birthday brownies! (legal--almond flour, fake sugar, eggs, sour cream, unsweetened cocoa)
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~~~~~~~~~~♥ H A P P Y ♥~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~♥ B I R T H D A Y ♥~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~♥ P U D D L E !!!! ♥~~~~~~~~
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puddle, try using dates soaked in orange juice instead of fake sugar, sometime. :-)
Dates and orange juice sounds like it'd do a number on blood glucose. . . . brownies weren't too good, but better than nothing, lol! Practice makes perfect, eh?
Been a lovely day altogether, thanks for the wishes!! xox
Good Morning,
Happy Birthday yesterday, Puddle. May your year be enjoyable, peaceful, and happy. I appreciated reading about the suspenders, could picture them, and thanks again for publishing Phil's poetry. Always a delight.
Shirlee, I'm glad that you are doing well and I admire your forebearance in dealing with long term pain. That's hard.
Today, I'm going to join neighbors in hiking up Storm Mountain. I'm driving to our meeting place, so if I don't have the stamina, I can return home. It's 2.5 miles up, 1300 foot gain, but I'm curious to do it since it's where I live.
Have a good day, friends.
Happy Post-Birthday Puddle!!!!! A healthy year coming up! Thank You, Pat--takes practice and wearing colorful
Vermont SockLady socks to deal with it:).
Have a Happy Friday all!!!
Awwww Puddle, you made me cry with your story of the suspenders. How sweet that Phil now has them. And keeping them in our memories with a poem.
Ahhhhhhh. I love my Dean Family. Such kind, thoughtful, loving people.
Ok, now to go dry my eyes since I'm at work and don't want to appear to be doing something other than work. :o)
Much love and many hugs to you all.
Ah, maybe. I was thinking that Dates and a little Juice would be lots better than refined sugars and even honey or maple syrup. But, if you are only allowed artificial sweetener, best skip it.
It's the carbs that do it. Any carb: bread, potatoes, rice, sugar, fruits. . . . Was reading old blog entries from a friend who was diagnosed in 07. She was doing wonderfully well, doing glucose readings 20 times a day, figuring out what spiked her sugars, and had a meeting with a diabetes dietician who she respected who told her she should be eating more carbs. So she did, and her glucose soured!! Jebus: if even the people who are *supposed* to know don't. . . . Very discouraging.
soared. . . .
puddle my old doc had me see a nutritionist to work on my #s a few weeks ago. she said don't bother to look at sugar, look at overall carbs and that I should have 3 meals/day of 45 grams of carbs and 2 snacks of 15g. said I could eat ice cream, oj, etc just keep to the carb count. I was excited! I LOVE oj and usually avoid it. well, when I met with my new doc who specializes in diabetes and nutrition said NO! that's for people with MUCH lower A1C levels - you can do that when we et a real handle on things. NO refined sugar, VERY LITTLE honey, NO juice, NO dried fruit NO grapes - my favorite!! 1 pc toast w/bkfst w/sugar free peanut butter and 2 - 4 oz of protein, no more than 2 eggs per week, coffee with NO sugar. lunch 4 oz protein, 2 cups veggies, 1 cup fruit. midday snack a smoothie with 10 chopped almonds, low fat yogurt with no sugar and fruit. dinner 4 - 6 oz protein, 2 cups veggies, 1 cup fruit and a starch = 1/4 rice or small potato or 1 bread or 1/2 pasta. LOTS of green salads whenever. after dinner snack 1/2 cup fruit.
I love hummus so she said that I could substitute one of the snacks for 6 whole wheat crackers with 1-2 tblspn of hummus.
how's that for specific? I have to write down everything in a journal and will see her again in a month. I LOVE her! ;-)
1/4 CUP rice or 1/2 CUP pasta. ;-)
BTW, the brownies are MUCH better today!
YAY for healthy brownies!!
forgot to mention I can only eat 1/2 banana as 1 fruit, even the small ones!! and can have 1/2 cup Cheerios 2 times/week. I think I can do this, that's quite a bit of food so maybe I can do even better. my daily sugar levels are coming down.
It's a big BIG community. . . . I'm going to stick with Davis--who I started watching/reading for heart health, seven years ago. Voices one believes, lol!
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/09/diabetes-cured-by-wheat-belly/
He'd basically give you 15 carbs every six hours, peaking at 50 for the day. This is way too high for me; I'm very carb adverse. But he'd wouldn't give you carbs, any, that cause peaks, and wheat does, big time.
Glad about your downward heading sugar levels, Jo! If it's working, goferit!!
I watched Rick play with his in ways that were really scary. (Piece of cake--extra insulin. . . .) My mom used to, too. I didn't know as much then as I do now, and I was used to her knowing how to do things, but she messed up on that one. . . .
Jo, may you use Splenda in your coffee? What about (perhaps later on) ice cream that has no sugar? (Edy's makes some.) What about those sugar free fudgsicles? Just wondering what those of us who love ice cream are allowed, at least after things are under control. I am half expecting to learn my glucose has crossed the line when I see my doc next month. I like what your nutritionist suggested, except I'd skip the peanut butter (totally the wrong kind of fats! Horrible for cholesterol!) and use almond butter instead. Please keep us posted!
thanks listener, but no more sugar in my coffee - just a little milk, I hate it black. the fudgsicles that we got that time are not sugar free so I am nixing those. I really hate most artificial sweeteners, the aftertaste is awful so I just rather go with no sweetener. I'm sure I get a bit of carbs in bottled salad dressings so most of the time I just make my own vinagarette. once I have my levels at a better place I can cheat a little.
puddle I would never up my insulin so that I could cheat a bit! that is crazy! I'm sticking with my docs orders on that, she was real specific as to when/if to increase it.
thank you all for your thoughts and concern, I know I can do this! I got in trouble because I reduced my diabetes meds when I started having to pay co-pays at the beginning of the year - I tried reducing my pain meds and couldn't function so I cut my diabetes meds in half instead. now I am able to pay for the co-pays so I'm good. ;-)
oh and we had the peanut butter conversation, I don't eat a lot of it so it won't mess with my lipids too much and I adore it so it's on the menu!
In a genetics class in college, the professor passed around a tiny pill. On cue, we put it in our mouth and reported how it tasted. Don't remember the exact figures but most tasted it as say sweet, then bitter, sour. a few percent tasted nothing. That was me! Evidently the no-tasters were recessive genes. But I've expected that it's likely made my life easier, lol!
For years I collected my recessive traits, grin: blue eyes, blond hair, attached earlobes, hair on the middle joint of the index finger. . . This was a good 'un, I thought.
Can't do saccharine at all, but do fine with Splenda. Can NOT do Stevia--leaves an "old wet canvas" taste in my mouth for hours!
Make merry, campers!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/18/what-could-go-wrong-photos_n_5793336.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000022&ir=Weird+News
And BTW, the brownies taste almost perfect on day three. . . . (or I'm getting used to them, lol!)
Just was talking to Nancy--about bears, and hunters. Turns out that that picture of the hurt bear wasn't. It was berry juice on the camera lens--pic taken by a neighbor's fixed camera. He told her a couple of weeks later, when she was worrying about it to him.
Splenda is not so good. I've read many reports on it's affects. After a quick look (since we're off to ACT Theater) I found this link. You should all probably do more research:
http://www.peertrainer.com/health/complete-guide-to-sweeteners.aspx
I haven't been convinced by the Splenda fear train. Watched the sugar industry kill off cyclamates in the sixties.
If you want to worry, worry about how toxic diabetes meds are. . . .
*This* is exactly the kind of sh*t that got cyclamates banned:
In fact, one study found that sucralose at levels of 500 mg/kg was hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic--it accumulated in amounts sufficient enough to cause lesions in the liver and the kidneys.
It's important to note that 500 mg/kg is far more sucralose than a human would consume in a day, about 34g for a 150 pound adult (or 680 packets of Splenda), but if sucralose accumulates in the liver and kidneys, as this study demonstrates, then a similar effect could build from years of habitual use as opposed to occurring in one month, as happened in the study.
By those standards, water will kill ya. . . .
Newly published research . . . finds that, to a relatively small but observable degree, people are attracted to the body odor of others who share their political ideology.
Thanks for all the sugar and non-sugar news and idears!
Jo, I'm picking up on "no sugar added" is not the same as "no sugar", eh? Bummer!
How I deal with my 5 packets of Splenda a week is to soak oats over night in water, then squeeze in half a lemon. Lemon water helps detoxify the liver.
I have a kind of a situation at work. A few days ago I was told that a procedure most of us find unnecessary must be done in an even more odious way. When I began to express my opinion about it, the head clerk (the person who almost left and didn't) cut me off saying curtly, "I don't know why this push back when it's been decided." I was shocked! I responded, "Well, excuse me!" and walked off. I was so angry at her disrespect that I went off to shelve some books, to be apart from her to cool down. But she came and found me and said she wanted to talk with me in the back room, if I were willing. Knowing that not being willing would be touted as "unwillingness to work it out, " I took a few deep breaths and prayers a little desperate prayer and off we went. Mainly she wanted to expand on why she is right and I am wrong. But she did finally listen to my reasons for being opposed to the procedure, at least.
I would take this to the Director, but she was out at the time, as her mother-in-law just died. I fully expect that the head clerk will get to her first with a version in which I am the bad person.
She tried to paint me as being "defensive" (a buzz word in psychology that suggests whomever is defensive is the one who is the problem.) I told her that actually I'm trying not be offensive!
I am really annoyed as the thing we are supposed to do has a negative connotation for some on staff and it's a remedial, shaming kind of thing. And unnecessary! There is a much better solution, and I was willing to explain as much, but my opinion was not in great demand! Ha!
My ace is that I already had my annual review with the Director, the week before her M-I-L died, and it was a glowing review. No one else on staff has done theirs and no one knows I've done mine. The head clerk probably thinks she can negatively affect it at this point. But I had told the Director that I sometimes feel my opinion is not desired, and she said that any time I want to talk, to just come see her. I may yet.
I really like the job itself. Too bad the head clerk didn't leave.
ah, listener, sorry for the rough time at work. it sounds like you handled it well. I would talk to the Director, she needs to know your opinion before implementing something that might be considered shaming to someone.
I drink a lot of lemon water too!
It does sound like you handled it well. Too bad for the need to do so!!
Good Morning,
I'm glad to read that most of you are knowledgeable about diet and careful about intake. It makes a difference.
We made it up Storm Mountain at 9000 plus feet above sea level without calling in the Rocky Mountain Rescue, though I have to say that last third made me wonder if I could do it. The Forest Service has done grading for about 2/3 of the road, and that helped.
The views are amazing: you can see for over a hundred miles: Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs, Estes Park and Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Continental Divide.
The Aspens are turning fast: the contrast of deep blue green of Colorado Spruce, Douglas Fir, and brilliant gold of Aspens are more than beautiful, spiritual in their beauty.
Eight of us hiked. I was the second oldest at 72. Most were in their 60s. We had lunch, took photographs, shared knowledge of the forest and wildflowers. It was a poignant and satisfying hike.
Listener, just from the language, "push back" tells me you are dealing with an authoritarian personality, a my-way-or-the-highway type. Try not to react to her if you can. She seems to fear you and try to punish you by making it a confrontation. I've dealt with similar situations, and my thought after those experiences is to be cool always, logical, and maintain my own power without feeling threatened. That's something such personalities don't know how to deal with. And, probably I'd go to the director if I thought a procedure was damaging to others, but I wouldn't try to deal with the head clerk in any way other than logical and conversational. Such personalities seem to use confrontation and insult as methods of control.
Good luck. Trust your instincts, and maintain your calm and rationality. It makes such personalities nuts,and that's not a bad thing. Just my two cents.
Have a nice fall day, friends.
I HAVE A CLOCK!! AND IT WORKS!!! SANITY RETURNS!!!!
Along with the clock came the supplements, including the cinnamon. Been opening/unsealing bottles throughout the day. One thing they've made clear to me/made register with me, is that this is permanent. I may be able to control it with diet/supplements/lifestyle, but it's not going to go away. This is IT for the rest of my breaths. . . .
That was added upon by a birthday bag which included my favorite chocolate (dark special and white Bliss). Checking out the carb load, I think I manage to *slowly* make my way through it, but sob. . . . I don't think I'll volunteer again any time soon.
Thank you all so much for the gentling words. I appreciate the wisdom of your experience, too, Pat.
Perspective:
The head clerk is currently my "thorn in the flesh." But, in all the rest of my life I have so much to be grateful for. Of the 14 hours I spend at the Library, I spend only 7 hours, half the time, working with her. She has now done what both bishops did before her…which is to act badly toward me. And in so doing, she has lost my fear if not my respect. She no longer has any important power over me. She can decree what I have to do for a small part of my time, but she has no power over anything I care about. I feel free within, and I thank God for this perspective.
How shall I then live?
With gratitude. And with as much grace as I can open to in the moment, day to day. Speaking the truth in love. Speaking truth to power if necessary, as I did this last week. I was honest and not belligerent. I was also not chatty and friendly. It may take time to find balance.
Since the thing we all dislike is already a requirement, I think at this point I will not go to the Director with my concerns, unless something more comes of it. If I ever see the head clerk treat another coworker that way, I will go to the trustees. Meanwhile, I will continue to document what I am seeing and experiencing, incase the information becomes needed. Doing so has helped me reach a little clarity.
YAY! Computers finally all working correctly with correct keyboards and mousies and tablets. WHEEEEEEEWWWWWWW
YAY for Alarm clocks and goodies, Puddle. And yes, I've seen the article on how Conservatives and Liberals smell different. And why they tend to be attracted to like people. Very interesting.
Excellent advice to Listener, Pat. I appreciate your logic.
Much love and hugs to all. I'm off for tonight.
well done, listener! I know it's not always easy to 'turn the other cheek' but your insight and wisdom have shown you how insignificant this little thorn really is. what a miserable person she must be. much love to you!
52.8º--high for the day projected to be 58º. . . . Don't think we'll make it. 34º for the low tonight. Think we will, and maybe more: definite hint of winter on the wind that's blowing now.
SO nice to have a clock!
listener--think you're handling it so well! Imagine what it must feel like to see a thorn in the mirror every morning! I think the thorns create their own trubble, and never quite understand.
We now have a frost advisory. . . .
Hi,
A friend gave me a book, The Barn at the End of the World: The apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd by Mary Rose O'Reilley. When a friend thinks of you and knows just the right book and sends it, that's special. My friend is like that.
I've been reading it, and I thought of you, puddle, and you, Listener. The author taught English at a university, was born a Quaker, raised a Catholic, entered the order of nuns as a novice, left, married, divorced, and then decided to learn how to take care of sheep. She then went to Plum Village and spent a month with the Vietnamese Monastics and Thich Nhat Hanh.
This book is so real, so genuine and honest, so thoughtful and knowledgeable about self, that I became immersed. She talks about a roommate at Plum Village who sleeps with the light on. For her, the light keeps her awake. She's rude and angry. So is the roommate.
She goes beyond anger, sees from her roommate's point of view as does the roommate, and they compromise.
I thought of my advice to keep cool, not react, and to recognize the techniques of control, but she goes further. She sees that they are at an impasse, and understands the other's point of view while not conceding her own, and they find a compromise.
To be able to see where the other person is coming from and not to engage in a negative way seems to me the better method. I, as I suspect you, are sensitive to words, to interactions. Then I become my own victim and make it worse. But, to somehow, draw back, observe, try to understand while not relinquishing my own powers, is a deeper way of acting.
I went to Alibris to see if they carried the book. They do. You can get it for 99 cents plus shipping if you are interested. I think it's just wonderful.
Good Morning,
A busy day ahead. I have to smile: at a conference years ago, a presenter said that she believes somewhere there's a book that has all the answers to life. I guess I'm in that category as well. I hope my enthusiasm has not caused offense.
The writer Mary Rose O'Reilley coins the phrase, "the we of me". That resonates with me also.
Anyway, we English Majors: teachers, librarians, editors, poets, will always be energized by good writing, I guess.
Have a nice fall day today.
Cause Offense??? No Way. Good reviews of good books always welcome. Your review reminds mr that Greensboro was originally a Quaker settlement. We still have a large Quaker community in the county, and a Quaker college. In Winston-Salem 25 miles west there
it a wonderful restored Moravian village. One in a while
Brenda and I drive over and drive through the village
admiring the architecture and the simple layout of it.
If one has good knees and stamina there are some buildings open. There is a also a college on the grounds. The Moravians were well educated and
very musical with classical music training. There are some CDs available and are just lovely.
Have a happy day all!
I juat want to pop in to say thank you all for being here. The wisdom and kindness and caring shown here is good for one's soul. You are an amazing bunch and I love you all!
Enjoy your day! xoxoxo
Day started cold as kin be; now moderating to cool and bright. Put my bedroom window in last night, lol! And slept very well indeed.
Also, may be getting a cold. Hike up the vitamin C!!!
And I agree with Jo about the spesheeality of this group of bright, caring, concerned women!!
All that I serve will die, my delights,
the flesh kindled from my flesh, garden and field,
the silent lilies standing in the woods,
the woods, the hill, the whole earth, all
will burn in man's evil, or dwindle
in its own age. Let the world bring on me
the sleep of darkness without stars, so I may know
my little light taken from me into the seed
of the beginning and the end, so I may bow
to mystery, and take my stand on the earth
like a tree in a field, passing without haste
or regret toward what will be, my life
a patient willing descent into the grass.
– Wendell Berry
Beautiful poem from Wendell Berry, Puddle. I'll copy it to reread.
Jo, yes, and thank you for this blog, and you also Puddle, for your input. Thank you Shirlee, for your affirmation.
Here are some quotes from Mary Rose O'Reilley. I just finished the book and will reread it. I was mistaken in my description of her background. She was raised Catholic and became a Quaker. She has a ministry and brings in both as well as Buddhism and other religions. Here's the URL if interested.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/61799.Mary_Rose_O_Reilley
I join those who LOVE good book reviews and recommendations!! ANY time!!!
Yes, Jo, I hear you. This is such a kind and wise group of souls. I look forward to coming here and seeing what folks are up to, what you've all been thinking about an experiencing, and seeing how everyone is faring. It's a true community.
Thank you all so much for your encouragement as I make my way through the mire at work. Today was … weird. Nothing was mentioned at all about last week. The head clerk showed me some things in a knitting book she likes. She is trying to move forward as if nothing happened. I don't think that would be healthy at this point, because in two weeks we are taking on a whole new computer system, and it's going to be very intense. We will not make it through the first week if the tension is this high.
So, I am thinking of going to sit with the Director on Monday (the day the Library is closed). I need some clarity around what the intended style is for staff relations. Is it trying an authoritarian model, or is collaboration and cooperation more often desired? I think I will need to tell her about what happened, or my query won't make sense.
But I will NOT mention that the head clerk nearly left. That's a whole separate issue, and a confidence.
Hmmm, "is it trying" should have read "is it truly".
First cuppa cinnamon coffee. Ceylon cinnamon is NOT the cinnamon you know and love, lol! But it may work better in a meat loaf. . . .
Looks like I'm going to have about a quart, maybe a bit more.
Sleeping wonderfully well with the cold nights. The birch almost finished shedding their blight gold coins. Maple just beginning to turn.
Turns out regular cinnamon has more blood thinner in it than Ceylon cinnamon--so if you want to use cinnamon for it's sugar control properties, Ceylon is safer to use than Cassia. Stuff I never knew I'd need to know, lol!
The lady this is in response to has just explained she is diabetic, and out of control. . . .
Posted on Jul 29, 2014 10:59:47 PM PDT
Lady LiberTEA says:
Good for you! But have you read about the harms of Splenda? You could enjoy even better health w/o it. I use the healthy sugar substitute, pure Stevia (not with corn dextrose). Sometimes w/ a little real maple syrup for strawberries shortcake, French toast, steelcut oats, cran-apple conserve, etc. ~ Blessings :)
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Shirlee...
Feb 27, 2004 - Poem: "The Wish to Be Generous" by Wendell Berry
what did I miss?
New thread!
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