Friday.........and my ‘good’ week is almost over. Monday I get to start my 4th Chemo week. Only two more after that......the day after Xmas and 3 weeks later........THE LAST ONE.........
Had some really good news yesterday.....my friend, Mollie Burke Phillips, got a new liver......and a new open-ended lease on life.....it’ll be several months before she’s out of the woods but at least it’s the right direction. I left her a message that I’d see her in the Spring and we could watch each others hair grow back.....Maybe, since it’s going to be Spring, it’ll grow back green...........that’d be a change....politically correct hair.....
“It ain’t easy being green.”.......Kermit the Frog
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A little fall in the air..........
So Tuesday morning the alarm went off at the usual time and Millyrose hit the snooze alrarm.....twice.....can’t blame her, 5:30 in the AM is, well.....5:30 in the AM, same for everybody....anyway, third time is generally the charm and, as usual, when it went off again, she shut it off and rolled out of bed.........and fell down. She didn’t believe it so she pulled herself up......and fell down again. That “I’ve fallen and can’t get up” button won’t work if ya’ don’t have one, so she emitted a high-pitched distress signal (translation: scream) for Super Baldguy to come to her rescue.
Reacting immediately, as any superbly conditioned 70 year old Super Baldguy would, I fumbled for my specs and staggered to her rescue where I executed a perfect ‘Fireman’s Carry’ ......Thence, to the kitchen, I flew like a flash, tore open the pill drawer and searched thru the stash......then with aspirin and water in hand......well, it happened more or less like that........
Not to worry, gentlefolk.....she had a touch of vertigo.....flying too high in her dreams, I s’poze.....Kellye transported her to the ER where, a hunnerd bux and a couple hours later, she returned to spend the day on the sofa, sleeping peacefully thru the daily junk.
Cary Heather came to commiserate, ate lunch and departed for a dental date. After some period of time, Millyrose opened her eyes, said “Which kid was here? Cary or Kellye?” and dozed off once again. Ah, the miracle of modern medicine. Better napping thru chemistry.
So Ma, in her kerchief, and I in my cap, with a dog at her feet and one in my lap, spent the day dozing ‘til it was time for bed......I wonder what adventures the morrow will bring............Justin Other Smith
Reacting immediately, as any superbly conditioned 70 year old Super Baldguy would, I fumbled for my specs and staggered to her rescue where I executed a perfect ‘Fireman’s Carry’ ......Thence, to the kitchen, I flew like a flash, tore open the pill drawer and searched thru the stash......then with aspirin and water in hand......well, it happened more or less like that........
Not to worry, gentlefolk.....she had a touch of vertigo.....flying too high in her dreams, I s’poze.....Kellye transported her to the ER where, a hunnerd bux and a couple hours later, she returned to spend the day on the sofa, sleeping peacefully thru the daily junk.
Cary Heather came to commiserate, ate lunch and departed for a dental date. After some period of time, Millyrose opened her eyes, said “Which kid was here? Cary or Kellye?” and dozed off once again. Ah, the miracle of modern medicine. Better napping thru chemistry.
So Ma, in her kerchief, and I in my cap, with a dog at her feet and one in my lap, spent the day dozing ‘til it was time for bed......I wonder what adventures the morrow will bring............Justin Other Smith
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
aka...'Thanksgiving'.......
The day before ‘Turkey’ day.......aka, Thanksgiving....
The sun is shining here in Northern California tho’ the air is cool.......they’re making snow in the mountains becuz Mama Nature isn’t providing any and what’s a ski weekend without white stuff?
I’m already tired of all the ads for ‘Black Friday’...I feel sorry for all the people who work for the stores that will be open at 4am....I’m not sure what that sez about our society but there is a major difference between people who actually get up in the middle of the nite to go spend money and those people who are forced by their employers to be there to serve them. Of course, they’ll have to let those people go home by noon or pay the overtime.
Now you’d think that the Big Shots wouldn’t begrudge overtime pay but it’s surprising how many of them think their employees should just be grateful to have a job without going into overtime and benefits, etc. I have a feeling that the big shots who tho’t up the idea of opening their stores earlier and earlier are all going to be home in bed. Which is where I intend to be.....sleeping in on the day after the multi-caloric intake of Turkey Day.
Millyrose sez she’s gonna make me a nite-cap.....Nah! Not booze. No alcohol during Chemo. No, a real cap to wear to keep my shiny pate warm during my long winter nap.......’Course, I’m not gonna hold my breath. She’s multi-tasking like crazy and stressed to the max about me. She’s driving here, she’s driving there, that Millyrose is driving everywhere....... driving, working, shopping......helping kids and friends and coming home to walk the dogs and reminding me to hydrate.....’gotta flush those chems’.......She's a driven Millyrose!
Anyhoo!......Looking forward to Turkey Day at Gina’s Manse......hate to leave the dogs at home but I s’poze it won’t hurt ‘em.......Trudy prob'ly won't mind but Rusty'll be heartbroken.....and mad....at least until we return.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL...........Justin Other Smith
The sun is shining here in Northern California tho’ the air is cool.......they’re making snow in the mountains becuz Mama Nature isn’t providing any and what’s a ski weekend without white stuff?
I’m already tired of all the ads for ‘Black Friday’...I feel sorry for all the people who work for the stores that will be open at 4am....I’m not sure what that sez about our society but there is a major difference between people who actually get up in the middle of the nite to go spend money and those people who are forced by their employers to be there to serve them. Of course, they’ll have to let those people go home by noon or pay the overtime.
Now you’d think that the Big Shots wouldn’t begrudge overtime pay but it’s surprising how many of them think their employees should just be grateful to have a job without going into overtime and benefits, etc. I have a feeling that the big shots who tho’t up the idea of opening their stores earlier and earlier are all going to be home in bed. Which is where I intend to be.....sleeping in on the day after the multi-caloric intake of Turkey Day.
Millyrose sez she’s gonna make me a nite-cap.....Nah! Not booze. No alcohol during Chemo. No, a real cap to wear to keep my shiny pate warm during my long winter nap.......’Course, I’m not gonna hold my breath. She’s multi-tasking like crazy and stressed to the max about me. She’s driving here, she’s driving there, that Millyrose is driving everywhere....... driving, working, shopping......helping kids and friends and coming home to walk the dogs and reminding me to hydrate.....’gotta flush those chems’.......She's a driven Millyrose!
Anyhoo!......Looking forward to Turkey Day at Gina’s Manse......hate to leave the dogs at home but I s’poze it won’t hurt ‘em.......Trudy prob'ly won't mind but Rusty'll be heartbroken.....and mad....at least until we return.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL...........Justin Other Smith
Friday, November 16, 2007
And the illegals come and go, talking of Michaelangelo......
Just one of the more stupid items that take up space not only in the media but in the minds of the various and sundry ‘Wabbits’ who appear to be leading our parades is any mention of what we taxpaying citizens should be doing for illegal immigrants.
It’s popular to say, “What part of illegal don’t these people get?” And I must confess that I don’t understand when otherwise seemingly normal people don’t get that ‘illegal’ and ‘criminal’ behavior are one and the same. That being said, if you're a 'legal' citizen of this country and you do something illegal, ie. criminal, you're s'pozed to pay the two dollars or go directly to jail. Unless you're a celebrity, of course, or a superstar athlete where somewhat different rules apply. Otherwise, Justice is blind.
Unless you're (shudder) colored. Can we still say that? Blacks and Hispanics go to prison twice as much as 'whites' unless they're illegal aliens and protected under the so-called 'Sanctuary Laws' of the various and sundry Superior Liberals who need nannies and maids and gardeners, etc. The Super Libs say we need more compassion for our down-trodden compatriots. Of course, they make their pronouncements from the top of Mt. Olympus, their gated and protected sanctuaries for the rich and famous where the more equal than other animals reside.
And the problem like the bulk of taxes paid still resides with the middle class who still seem confused by what is meant by the word, 'is'........but who know that even combining compassion with Justice, something needs to be done.
For example, if they’ve brought an illness into our country, we need to quarantine them and attempt to cure them before sending them home.
Pretty much ‘ditto’ if they have an accident and become incapacitated while here.
If they commit a crime here, they need to be arrested and detained until they can be deported.
If they commit a violent crime here, they need to go to one of our overcrowded prisons before they are deported.
If they have been ‘under the radar’ for a period of time; have American-born children or an American spouse, their particular case should be given as much individual, comprehensive and compassionate attention as possible.
And we need to understand that not every citizen of the world that makes their way to our country is seeking a better life but that’s all that most of them want. Just like our ancestors.
B.C. said, when asked if he’d had sexual relations with ‘that girl’.....”It all depends on what you mean by the word ‘is’.......Taking a page from that tired old grammar book, Hilary, in response to a question about illegal aliens and drivers licenses, said “Did’ja ever have de feelin’ dat’cha wanted ta go and still have de feelin’ dat’cha wanted to stay.......” Wait a minnit.....Dat was Da Schnozz hisownself what sed dat..............What Hilary said was that she was ‘fer an’ agin it’.....depending what you mean by the word ‘it’.....
What the ‘Wabbits’ of the world want is to have their cake and ours too. And what a pack of Wabbits we have pushing and shoving to head up the parade.
We have the ‘Hydra’ Wabbit in Hilary & Bill, quite possibly the most conspicuous double-headed Wabbit in our short history. We have the ‘Eyetie’ Wabbit from NYC and the Mormon Wabbit from Mass Achooey...We have the tired ol’ Wabbit from Arizoney and the actor from Tennessee. We have Mr. Poof, the blowdry guy and we got a token black. Obama’s Barak and he’s black. Or is he black and barack? And that rhymes with pack, which is all the rest of ‘em jus’ tryin’ to hold on ‘case the front-runners stumble.
“Just like Humpty Dumpty when he made his great fall,
I’m sitting on top of the world, just rolling along, singing my song....” Brenda Lee
It’s popular to say, “What part of illegal don’t these people get?” And I must confess that I don’t understand when otherwise seemingly normal people don’t get that ‘illegal’ and ‘criminal’ behavior are one and the same. That being said, if you're a 'legal' citizen of this country and you do something illegal, ie. criminal, you're s'pozed to pay the two dollars or go directly to jail. Unless you're a celebrity, of course, or a superstar athlete where somewhat different rules apply. Otherwise, Justice is blind.
Unless you're (shudder) colored. Can we still say that? Blacks and Hispanics go to prison twice as much as 'whites' unless they're illegal aliens and protected under the so-called 'Sanctuary Laws' of the various and sundry Superior Liberals who need nannies and maids and gardeners, etc. The Super Libs say we need more compassion for our down-trodden compatriots. Of course, they make their pronouncements from the top of Mt. Olympus, their gated and protected sanctuaries for the rich and famous where the more equal than other animals reside.
And the problem like the bulk of taxes paid still resides with the middle class who still seem confused by what is meant by the word, 'is'........but who know that even combining compassion with Justice, something needs to be done.
For example, if they’ve brought an illness into our country, we need to quarantine them and attempt to cure them before sending them home.
Pretty much ‘ditto’ if they have an accident and become incapacitated while here.
If they commit a crime here, they need to be arrested and detained until they can be deported.
If they commit a violent crime here, they need to go to one of our overcrowded prisons before they are deported.
If they have been ‘under the radar’ for a period of time; have American-born children or an American spouse, their particular case should be given as much individual, comprehensive and compassionate attention as possible.
And we need to understand that not every citizen of the world that makes their way to our country is seeking a better life but that’s all that most of them want. Just like our ancestors.
B.C. said, when asked if he’d had sexual relations with ‘that girl’.....”It all depends on what you mean by the word ‘is’.......Taking a page from that tired old grammar book, Hilary, in response to a question about illegal aliens and drivers licenses, said “Did’ja ever have de feelin’ dat’cha wanted ta go and still have de feelin’ dat’cha wanted to stay.......” Wait a minnit.....Dat was Da Schnozz hisownself what sed dat..............What Hilary said was that she was ‘fer an’ agin it’.....depending what you mean by the word ‘it’.....
What the ‘Wabbits’ of the world want is to have their cake and ours too. And what a pack of Wabbits we have pushing and shoving to head up the parade.
We have the ‘Hydra’ Wabbit in Hilary & Bill, quite possibly the most conspicuous double-headed Wabbit in our short history. We have the ‘Eyetie’ Wabbit from NYC and the Mormon Wabbit from Mass Achooey...We have the tired ol’ Wabbit from Arizoney and the actor from Tennessee. We have Mr. Poof, the blowdry guy and we got a token black. Obama’s Barak and he’s black. Or is he black and barack? And that rhymes with pack, which is all the rest of ‘em jus’ tryin’ to hold on ‘case the front-runners stumble.
“Just like Humpty Dumpty when he made his great fall,
I’m sitting on top of the world, just rolling along, singing my song....” Brenda Lee
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Fight or flight ...........
Ambivalence in humanity is a normal response to most non-threatening situations that do not require fight or flight; whereas extremism in thought and action in all but extreme situations is illogical.
The logical response when faced with a problem, ie, a non-life threatening situation, is to weigh the pros and cons, make a reasoned assessment and deal with it to the best of your ability.
The non-logical response, either attack and destroy or take to your heels and run away is therefore, by extension, abnormal.
So take heart all you ambivalent fence-sitters; whiling away a lazy afternoon pondering both sides of the fence is a perfectly normal avocation. Of course, should it rain, it’s logical that you should seek shelter. Therein lies the question; should one be conservative and head for the nearest shelter or broaden one’s horizon and search for a more comprehensive umbrella?
Huddling by oneself ‘neath a bush or tree might be enough if t’is but a Spring shower but suppose one is faced with an epic storm. That might require a sturdy shelter and like-minded folk with which to share. Life is full of such decisions. To go it alone or travel with the herd? To gain it all or settle for a piece of the pie? Not easy questions but ones that we are faced with each and every day and if we don’t choose then the choice will be made for us.
“Where I’m going, I don’t know. When I’ll get there, it won’t matter. All I know is I am on my way.......”Ben Rumsen
Amen......Justin Other Smith
The logical response when faced with a problem, ie, a non-life threatening situation, is to weigh the pros and cons, make a reasoned assessment and deal with it to the best of your ability.
The non-logical response, either attack and destroy or take to your heels and run away is therefore, by extension, abnormal.
So take heart all you ambivalent fence-sitters; whiling away a lazy afternoon pondering both sides of the fence is a perfectly normal avocation. Of course, should it rain, it’s logical that you should seek shelter. Therein lies the question; should one be conservative and head for the nearest shelter or broaden one’s horizon and search for a more comprehensive umbrella?
Huddling by oneself ‘neath a bush or tree might be enough if t’is but a Spring shower but suppose one is faced with an epic storm. That might require a sturdy shelter and like-minded folk with which to share. Life is full of such decisions. To go it alone or travel with the herd? To gain it all or settle for a piece of the pie? Not easy questions but ones that we are faced with each and every day and if we don’t choose then the choice will be made for us.
“Where I’m going, I don’t know. When I’ll get there, it won’t matter. All I know is I am on my way.......”Ben Rumsen
Amen......Justin Other Smith
Monday, November 12, 2007
Onramp to.......
The Yellow Brick Expressway......
I’m off to see the Wizard.........well, it’s only 7:30 here and I won’t leave for an hour.....it’s a holiday so there shouldn’t be any ‘real’ traffic which ought'a cut the 30 minute or so drive down to 20 min’s or thereabouts.........it ain't Kansas, y'know...
Kellye offered to bring me lunch, sez she and Gina are coming to visit me (party in the Chemo Lounge) I told her, it ain't like 'Desperate Housewives'....I don't have a private room and there's not much room for multiple visitors and they don't encourage dining and dancing.....don’t really get hungry during Chemo. ‘Course, you don’t move around much, the occasional trip to the BR is a big deal.....unplug the platform (switches auto to battery power), gather up the assorted cords, tubes, etc. and drag everything with you...sort’a like travelling in a motorhome 'cept without the dogs.......
The first Chemo took 9 hours...the second only took about 5.....we’ll soon find out what t’day will bring.....
Dave’s out of ‘Showbiz’.......starts his new job t’day.....gets his badge and uniform, etc......first ‘tour of duty’ on Tuesday....he do get some innarestin’ jobs tho’....from showbiz to homeland security in one swell foop.....ah well, in t’day’s brave new world, diversity is everything.......
later y ‘all............
I’m off to see the Wizard.........well, it’s only 7:30 here and I won’t leave for an hour.....it’s a holiday so there shouldn’t be any ‘real’ traffic which ought'a cut the 30 minute or so drive down to 20 min’s or thereabouts.........it ain't Kansas, y'know...
Kellye offered to bring me lunch, sez she and Gina are coming to visit me (party in the Chemo Lounge) I told her, it ain't like 'Desperate Housewives'....I don't have a private room and there's not much room for multiple visitors and they don't encourage dining and dancing.....don’t really get hungry during Chemo. ‘Course, you don’t move around much, the occasional trip to the BR is a big deal.....unplug the platform (switches auto to battery power), gather up the assorted cords, tubes, etc. and drag everything with you...sort’a like travelling in a motorhome 'cept without the dogs.......
The first Chemo took 9 hours...the second only took about 5.....we’ll soon find out what t’day will bring.....
Dave’s out of ‘Showbiz’.......starts his new job t’day.....gets his badge and uniform, etc......first ‘tour of duty’ on Tuesday....he do get some innarestin’ jobs tho’....from showbiz to homeland security in one swell foop.....ah well, in t’day’s brave new world, diversity is everything.......
later y ‘all............
Saturday, November 10, 2007
I love a rainy nite............
There’s just something about a rainy nite, especially a rainy Saturday night......a quietude, if you will, of what is normally a boisterous eve. No sirens, no screaming tires, no street racing at all......not even much traffic on Sunrise which of itself makes for a special evening.
It rained all afternoon, a quiet California rain, a soaker that squelched the multitude of the feral fowl of Fair Oaks and that in and of itself is a blessing and gives you something else to do on a rainy afternoon. Did I mention that it rained all afternoon and is still raining? I did. Oh well, reiteration may be boring but it helps all those who didn’t pay attention the first go ‘round.
Gotta get up in the early morn ‘n go to Kaiser for a blood draw. There’s a little Country Waffle place on Sunrise...think I’ll stop ‘n buy sum breakfast for Millyrose and me.....diabetes or no, everybody needs a waffle now ‘n then........
Rusty is behind me, talking to my back.....dunno if he wants me to go to bed or to open the door for him.....ok...door it is.......
g’nite all.........
It rained all afternoon, a quiet California rain, a soaker that squelched the multitude of the feral fowl of Fair Oaks and that in and of itself is a blessing and gives you something else to do on a rainy afternoon. Did I mention that it rained all afternoon and is still raining? I did. Oh well, reiteration may be boring but it helps all those who didn’t pay attention the first go ‘round.
Gotta get up in the early morn ‘n go to Kaiser for a blood draw. There’s a little Country Waffle place on Sunrise...think I’ll stop ‘n buy sum breakfast for Millyrose and me.....diabetes or no, everybody needs a waffle now ‘n then........
Rusty is behind me, talking to my back.....dunno if he wants me to go to bed or to open the door for him.....ok...door it is.......
g’nite all.........
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