My Alibi

When reading other blogs, I've noticed that some writers often offer reasons for not posting everyday and oddly enough, I've enjoyed reading their excuses. You have probably noticed that my entries will be regular for a while and then, suddenly, there's a lapse in posting. No, I didn't fall into a black hole and I will use this past week as an example to explain what can happen that can result in my failure to post...........

Sometimes I get behind doing the laundry and have to measure the task awaiting in cubic yards. So Monday and Tuesday I worked on housekeeping, including the laundry. Wednesday we had a morning appointment with our attorney. I parked in front of his office. Lee had trouble getting out of the car, so I had to help him. Once he was out, he leaned back in to get his cane, lost his balance, fell back into the car, and lay wedged between the passenger seat and whatever.........

Our lawyer and a friend of his saw this happening. They called the ambulance and joined us out by the car. Pedestrians and vehicles stopped, offering assistance. Then the ambulance arrived, followed by a police car and a fire truck! My husband at first refused to go to the hospital but after hearing his blood sugar was down and his blood pressure was up, he agreed to be checked out. The rest of the day was spent in the emergency room. Our legal eagle said he would come to the house the next time we had to meet.........

I am very strong during each of these mini-calamities. Then when the crisis has passed, I collapse. So I spent Thursday recovering from my husband's latest fall.......

On Friday I drove to a nearby village to attend a truck sale. No, I didn't buy a truck. Periodically, we get a flyer advertising that a truck will be nearby and items will be sold from it. The lastest advertising included a red wagon with wooden sides at a good price. Why would an old lady buy a red wagon? Like some other old ladies, walking and carrying heavy items like groceries can be difficult for me. I will load the groceries from the car into my red wagon and pull it up the ramp to the house. My wagon is a beauty, with 10" pneumatic tires that are very impressive. I expect there will be some jealousy on the part of some neighboring kids and old ladies.....

Friday night (Saturday morning) I got a call at 3:30 a. m. The nursing home was transferring my mother to the hospital. So up and off to the emergency room again. I spent the rest of the night and the next morning with my mother while the hospital did tests and admitted her for treatment for pneumonia and extreme anemia. Fortunately, she was still behaving fairly well. Recently a doctor asked her how she was feeling and she answered, "None of your damn business." Yesterday afternoon I slept, then back to the hospital for much of today........

So that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

"The Partner" Thoughts

I recently read John Grisham's "The Partner" and find my thoughts returning to the book often. The book has all the elements of a great novel and is probably my favorite of Grisham's books. Few of us could equal the scale of Lanigan's "profit", but I wonder if we set ourselves up as Patrick did; we share our knowledge, insights and skills with loved ones, only to find that they betray us and make off with that which we "earned."

Uhm...........

New Blog - Sir Ryder of Cupp

My new blog for animal lovers (cats in particular) is up and running and has even had a few visitors. The subject of that blog, Ryder is sitting on my lap and the arm of the chair while I try to juggle the laptop on the space that's left. I think he's telling me to remind you to tell anyone you know who would be interested about his blog. The address is www.sirryder.blogspot.com.

Sir Ryder of Cupp

I am in the process of setting up a new blog devoted to feline fanciers everywhere. If anyone out there has anything to share on the new blog, get in touch.

More about the new blog later.

What I Learned Today

I learned something new today. I try to learn something new every day but today's tidbit dropped into my lap without me even trying. What I learned is this: Follow directions. If super glue says to use a single drop, then use a single drop, even if they include a brush that makes it handy to spread it all over...................

Mad Mama

Talk about overly-protective mothers! I found this picture at a neat site called Pet Humor.

Wife or Wif?

After years of observing marriage, and also participating in it, I have decided the female plays one of two roles---wife or wif. What's the difference? It is obviously more than a missing letter.

I see a wife as an equal partner in the relationship and someone who sometimes gives and sometimes takes. She has opinions and preferences just like her husband does. He respects her and she respects him.

On the other hand, a wif (and no coincidence that it sounds similar to wimp) plays a completely subordinate role. She always gives and never takes. If she has opinions and preferences, she would not dare to reveal them, especially to her husband. He dominates her and she fears him.

If you are a wif, here's a news flash. The female in a marriage is no longer chattel, owned by the male. You have rights and there are plenty of people out there who will help you to claim them.

Loose Ends

This week has tied up a couple of loose ends for us. I don't mean to imply that it is the end of these stories because I'm sure it is not. Nevertheless, they have been pretty big steps forward.

Yesterday, Lee faced the operating room again; his injured (fractured and dislocated) shoulder was manipulated to increase his range of motion. He'll start another course of physical therapy Monday morning. (Look at the June 18th post in Archives for the details.)

And I started treatment for severe sleep apnea. Treatment includes my spanking new CPAP----a REMstar pro 2 with C-Flex. I also have Breeze SleepGear. If this equipment is unfamiliar to you, a CPAP is really a tiny air compressor to which you attach head gear with a hose. This forces air into your nose and/or mouth under enough pressure to keep your airways open and to prevent you from apneas. Apneas are episodes in which one stops breathing for at least ten seconds. I was having 65 apneas per hour; those figures don't allow much sleeping and can lead to a host of other problems. I'm thrilled that I was finally diagnosed and am receiving treatment.

I encourage anyone with the major symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep (ask your sleeping partner about that because you may not even be aware of it) to learn more about sleep apnea and discuss it with your doctor. The life you save may be your own.

Heart Vs. Brain

I just got home from a three hour stop at the emergency room. My husband and I were just returning from dinner when I saw my neighbor's dog attack a little dog walking on a leash with her owner. After the dogs were separated, I was feeling so badly for the little dog that I reached out to console her. She bit me on the finger. It was totally my fault. I know better than to try to touch an upset animal.

My injury is minimal but because of my diabetes and chronic renal failure, infections have to be avoided. Plus I needed a tetnus shot.

So what happened? Once again, I listened to my heart and not my brain. My heart said to console that poor little dog and my brain said to never to reach for an upset animal. When I told my neighbors that, they assured me that listening to the heart instead of the brain is what makes us human.

Funny. It just makes me feel stupid.

The World's Ugliest Cat?

While surfing the internet, I found this picture. I have tried to explain to my cats why they should never sit like this. Maybe this picture will help..........