Yesterday, we had gusts up to 60 mph. It shook the trees and almost broke the branches on the fir tree across from our balcony. The house and purple finches huddled on our balcony, eating sunflower seeds.
However, the wind was too strong for the little hawks on the center of our apartment complex. One of the chicks fell from the tree. It was found by one of the boys in our neighborhood. The last I heard the chick was taken to a veterinarian who takes care of wildlife. I hope so. If not, that is the end of that chick.
I went to see if I could see the chicks. The hawks were guarding the nest and watching the folks in the area. I could see one chick working its wings. I don't know if that is the only survival or if there are two up there.
So I am snarly and unhappy. I have growled at a few people today.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
W.H. Stark House: A Victorian Landmark
One of my favorite activities is to tour Victorian homes like the W.H. Stark House. This gracious home was built in 1894 by W.H. Stark and his wife, Miriam Lutcher Stark. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.
W.H. and Miriam occupied the house until their deaths in 1936. The house was closed until 1971 when it was restored. According to the information on the house, W.H., Miriam, and their son were the only family to live in the house.
The W.H. Stark House is typical of the gracious living found in the Victorian era. Unfortunately, my husband and I are too far away to visit this home. But, if we had the chance, we would wander the gardens, enjoying the spring flowers. We would ooh and aah at the collections showcased in the home. Both W.H. and Miriam were avid collectors. We would definitely enjoy the tour of the house and gardens.
Here is some tour information that you can also find on the website:
Open: Tuesday - Saturday
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed: New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
Admission: $5.00 per adult (18-64 years)
$2.00 per senior (65 years and older) and per youth (ages 10 to 17 years)
Admission can change without prior notice.
After the tour, we would probably go into Orange, Texas and enjoy the beauty of the small city. Orange, Texas is a Preserve America City, which means that they have several restored buildings from the Victorian era. Plus the gardens. From what I can tell of the pictures, it looks very much like the small German towns we would walk through.
Definitely bring your camera.
I encourage you to check out the website and view the grounds, home, and collection. Then plan that family or couple vacation to Orange, Texas. If you live near the town, I am envious. You can see this beautiful house and grounds any time you want.
Human Powered Cause Discovery
Dan Rua started a spark to discover causes that help the human condition. You can read his post Human Powered Cause Discovery.
We can be involved in many types of causes without spending money. For instance, we have a real problem lately in our food banks. Or there is the boys and girls clubs that need volunteers in the "brother/sister programs."
Recently, I heard of a program where children with autism are taught how to ride. This physical activity has helped many of these children to become more involved with the people and environment around them.
Or send money. Many of these organizations need money to provide research for cures or money for programs.
Once again, I have deep appreciation for the Vasculitis Foundation. Through their efforts, many folks who would have died are being diagnosed instead. Thanks.
We can be involved in many types of causes without spending money. For instance, we have a real problem lately in our food banks. Or there is the boys and girls clubs that need volunteers in the "brother/sister programs."
Recently, I heard of a program where children with autism are taught how to ride. This physical activity has helped many of these children to become more involved with the people and environment around them.
Or send money. Many of these organizations need money to provide research for cures or money for programs.
Once again, I have deep appreciation for the Vasculitis Foundation. Through their efforts, many folks who would have died are being diagnosed instead. Thanks.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tyler's Hope
Having to deal with a chronic illness myself, it is very hard for me to see a child like Tyler start his life with such pain and suffering. Tyler is in second grade and has been diagnosed with Dystonia.
"Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The disorder may be inherited or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma, infection, poisoning (eg. Lead poisoning) or reaction to drugs." From Wikipedia.
This blog post Hope for Tyler tells the whole story of Tyler's diagnosis. Unfortunately for the family Tyler's little sister has also been diagnosed with this same disease.
This next link Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure is a non-profit organization to help other children and possibly find a cure for this disease.
Check it out. Help if you can.
"Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The disorder may be inherited or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma, infection, poisoning (eg. Lead poisoning) or reaction to drugs." From Wikipedia.
This blog post Hope for Tyler tells the whole story of Tyler's diagnosis. Unfortunately for the family Tyler's little sister has also been diagnosed with this same disease.
This next link Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure is a non-profit organization to help other children and possibly find a cure for this disease.
Check it out. Help if you can.
More Earthquakes
Last night the Mogul/Verdi area had two more earthquakes at 3.0 (or 3.1). The total for this earthquake swarm at this moment is 300. The swarm according to the Seismological laboratory started after the Wells earthquake.
Unfortunately, we are sure (as positive as we can be) that this swarm will eventually get to a 6.0. However, the problem is... no one knows when. It could be tomorrow, it could be next year, or it could be in two hundred years.
So everyone up here is stocking food and first aid kits. The T.V. stations are trying to prepare the folks for worse by talking about "duck and cover" and earthquake kits.
At this time, we are fine. Unfortunately after 300 3.0 and less earthquakes, many of the homes in the Reno area are starting to crack. Some of the unreinforced masonry around the chimneys will soon cause these objects to fall down.
So what is worse, one 6.0 or 300 3.0 earthquakes. We will soon find out.
Unfortunately, we are sure (as positive as we can be) that this swarm will eventually get to a 6.0. However, the problem is... no one knows when. It could be tomorrow, it could be next year, or it could be in two hundred years.
So everyone up here is stocking food and first aid kits. The T.V. stations are trying to prepare the folks for worse by talking about "duck and cover" and earthquake kits.
At this time, we are fine. Unfortunately after 300 3.0 and less earthquakes, many of the homes in the Reno area are starting to crack. Some of the unreinforced masonry around the chimneys will soon cause these objects to fall down.
So what is worse, one 6.0 or 300 3.0 earthquakes. We will soon find out.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Select Vision: Caring For MS
Although Select Vision is dealing with her daughter's MS, she had enough time to post about The Vasculitis Foundation, which has helped me in many ways in the last five years.
After watching the emotions that my husband has gone through when dealing with my imminent death and then dealing with my treatment, I know how important it is for us (patients) to have a caretaker on our side. Caretakers can remember for us. They can love us. They can look into important specific problems for our illness such as Vitamin D insufficiency.
So check out this blog. It has the caring love of a mother mixed with the hard realities of a chronic disease.
After watching the emotions that my husband has gone through when dealing with my imminent death and then dealing with my treatment, I know how important it is for us (patients) to have a caretaker on our side. Caretakers can remember for us. They can love us. They can look into important specific problems for our illness such as Vitamin D insufficiency.
So check out this blog. It has the caring love of a mother mixed with the hard realities of a chronic disease.
Earthquake Swarm
Just a note to those who have an interest in the current Nevada Earthquakes, you can get your info at the Nevada Seismological Laboratory.
There was a 4.7 rocked northern Reno on April 26, 2008. Last night, the 4.1 (I think) was in the Ely area. Udate: I was wrong because it was in the same Mogul/Verdi area.
Unfortunately, we don't know when the shaking is going to stop. It seems to be going up the north/south corridor near the I80 interchange.
Those of us in Carson City have not felt any shakes, but others from South Tahoe to Fallon have felt the bigger quakes.
The only comparison we can make is to the earthquakes in Alaska. These quakes in Nevada have been shallow, causing more side-to-side movement, and a lot of cracks in homes and business.
We are the third active earthquake state in the U.S.
There was a 4.7 rocked northern Reno on April 26, 2008. Last night, the 4.1 (I think) was in the Ely area. Udate: I was wrong because it was in the same Mogul/Verdi area.
Unfortunately, we don't know when the shaking is going to stop. It seems to be going up the north/south corridor near the I80 interchange.
Those of us in Carson City have not felt any shakes, but others from South Tahoe to Fallon have felt the bigger quakes.
The only comparison we can make is to the earthquakes in Alaska. These quakes in Nevada have been shallow, causing more side-to-side movement, and a lot of cracks in homes and business.
We are the third active earthquake state in the U.S.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Holsters and other items
If you look at my posts on guns, you will soon realize that I like guns. I have a few rules about handling these tools:
1. Safety first. I believe that everyone should go through a gun safety course.
2. Never pull a pistol if you are not going to shoot.
3. Guns are not toys.
I really like this site: LA Police Gear, Inc. They have such a wide variety of holsters and clothing for police and military. This firm was started by LA police officers who took security seriously.
A line of Galco holsters can be found on their site. My husband and I like to look at holsters for guns.
And, in parting from George Orwell on a BBC broadcast, April 4, 1942:
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
Sponsored by LA Police Gear, Inc.
1. Safety first. I believe that everyone should go through a gun safety course.
2. Never pull a pistol if you are not going to shoot.
3. Guns are not toys.
I really like this site: LA Police Gear, Inc. They have such a wide variety of holsters and clothing for police and military. This firm was started by LA police officers who took security seriously.
A line of Galco holsters can be found on their site. My husband and I like to look at holsters for guns.
And, in parting from George Orwell on a BBC broadcast, April 4, 1942:
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
Sponsored by LA Police Gear, Inc.
Drug Safety Relies on YOU, the Healthcare Professional, to Find and Report New Serious Adverse Reactions
A single vigilant healthcare practitioner (HCP) can make a major contribution to public health by participating in the Food and Drug Administration' s (FDA's) Spontaneous Reporting System. This means you!
How can we help ensure a drug is safe once approved by FDA? An adverse drug reaction begins as a clinical problem in a single person or group of individuals. Until that problem is reported to the sponsor and/or to the FDA, it is hidden and likely unknown to the medical community.
All potential problems with a drug cannot be found in the small number of clinical trial patients prior to approval. Only after it is marketed, when the drug is used by diverse patients with a wide spectrum of healthcare concerns, do unforeseen and rarer adverse events show themselves. There are numerous cases when a single, alert HCP reported a previously unknown serious event that resulted in critical new information and actions on the safety of the drug.[1,2]
FDA and sponsors cannot examine problems they do not know exist. Timely reporting of adverse events is fundamental to the success of the FDA's postmarketing surveillance program, especially in the case of newly marketed drugs. It is vitally important that HCPs communicate suspected serious, new drug-associated events to the FDA and/or the pharmaceutical sponsor.
You healthcare practitioners are on the front line and your reports truly make a difference. New safety issues can be discovered, reported and alerts can go out to the entire medical community. It is a simple and obvious way to save many lives! It is not done regularly. We need to change that.
Report adverse events to the FDA via phone (1-800-FDA-1088) , fax (1-800-FDA-1078) , or online at https://www. accessdata. fda.gov/scripts/ medwatch/ and/or to the sponsor at the phone number in the product label. See also recent guidelines for publishing reports of suspected reactions.[3]
That's my opinion. I'm Dr. Judith K. Jones, President and CEO of The Degge Group, Ltd.
My Analysis: I totally agree with Dr. Judith K. Jones. Since we are given some strong drugs to keep our disease under control. We also need to report adverse reactions to our doctors... are possibly the FDA. I only had an adverse reaction to lisinopril and cytoxan. My reactions had already been reported to the FDA so that helped me to find out that the drug was causing my reaction.
In the first case (lisinopril), I was taken off the drug. In the second case (cytoxan), I was changed to a different drug. So yes, if you suspect problems as a patient, you do have things that you can do...
When I had an adverse reaction to covaar and my doctor didn't listen to me, I changed doctors. As a patient, you do have the responsibility to take charge of your treatments. Get the full facts.
How can we help ensure a drug is safe once approved by FDA? An adverse drug reaction begins as a clinical problem in a single person or group of individuals. Until that problem is reported to the sponsor and/or to the FDA, it is hidden and likely unknown to the medical community.
All potential problems with a drug cannot be found in the small number of clinical trial patients prior to approval. Only after it is marketed, when the drug is used by diverse patients with a wide spectrum of healthcare concerns, do unforeseen and rarer adverse events show themselves. There are numerous cases when a single, alert HCP reported a previously unknown serious event that resulted in critical new information and actions on the safety of the drug.[1,2]
FDA and sponsors cannot examine problems they do not know exist. Timely reporting of adverse events is fundamental to the success of the FDA's postmarketing surveillance program, especially in the case of newly marketed drugs. It is vitally important that HCPs communicate suspected serious, new drug-associated events to the FDA and/or the pharmaceutical sponsor.
You healthcare practitioners are on the front line and your reports truly make a difference. New safety issues can be discovered, reported and alerts can go out to the entire medical community. It is a simple and obvious way to save many lives! It is not done regularly. We need to change that.
Report adverse events to the FDA via phone (1-800-FDA-1088) , fax (1-800-FDA-1078) , or online at https://www. accessdata. fda.gov/scripts/ medwatch/ and/or to the sponsor at the phone number in the product label. See also recent guidelines for publishing reports of suspected reactions.[3]
That's my opinion. I'm Dr. Judith K. Jones, President and CEO of The Degge Group, Ltd.
My Analysis: I totally agree with Dr. Judith K. Jones. Since we are given some strong drugs to keep our disease under control. We also need to report adverse reactions to our doctors... are possibly the FDA. I only had an adverse reaction to lisinopril and cytoxan. My reactions had already been reported to the FDA so that helped me to find out that the drug was causing my reaction.
In the first case (lisinopril), I was taken off the drug. In the second case (cytoxan), I was changed to a different drug. So yes, if you suspect problems as a patient, you do have things that you can do...
When I had an adverse reaction to covaar and my doctor didn't listen to me, I changed doctors. As a patient, you do have the responsibility to take charge of your treatments. Get the full facts.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sparking: The Vasculitis Foundation
Vasculitis research is very close to my heart because I have a very rare vasculitis disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG). Yea, I am selfish because I want to see others including myself with a vasculitis disease cured. The problem? We are a very rare group. For WG, there are only 1 in 100,000 diagnosed in the general population.
The problem with having a rare disease is that it doesn't get funded. Who gets the research funding dollars? Those with diseases like diabetes, heart attack, cancer. In short, diseases that can affect everyone. Just a note: we can get cancer too...but mainly from the treatments we are given to keep our disease in check.
I am very proud of an organization that I joined when I became ill. The Vasculitis Foundation This organization has funded a lot of research for vasculitis diseases. It has funded research through a lot of fund-raisers and effort by the volunteers in the organization.
This organization's mission is to advocate for early diagnosis, leading edge treatment and ultimately a cure for all types of vasculitis. They provide members and even non-members who cannot afford the fees newsletters, consultants, and advice. Many volunteers including myself answer questions to newly diagnosed members. We have a discussion group where we help each other with medical questions about this potentially deadly disease.
Every year I get several calls from newly diagnosed patients who are scared about treatments or the disease. I have talked to them for hours, trying to give them perspective about the treatments.
Thankfully more and more patients are being diagnosed and treated. They are surviving when they used to die. But, I want more than just to survive... I want a cure. Wouldn't it be loverly.
I appreciate this chance to spark. If you'd like to be involved with a chance to write about your favorite cause, you can join social spark and check out this spark. Human Powered Cause Discovery
The problem with having a rare disease is that it doesn't get funded. Who gets the research funding dollars? Those with diseases like diabetes, heart attack, cancer. In short, diseases that can affect everyone. Just a note: we can get cancer too...but mainly from the treatments we are given to keep our disease in check.
I am very proud of an organization that I joined when I became ill. The Vasculitis Foundation This organization has funded a lot of research for vasculitis diseases. It has funded research through a lot of fund-raisers and effort by the volunteers in the organization.
This organization's mission is to advocate for early diagnosis, leading edge treatment and ultimately a cure for all types of vasculitis. They provide members and even non-members who cannot afford the fees newsletters, consultants, and advice. Many volunteers including myself answer questions to newly diagnosed members. We have a discussion group where we help each other with medical questions about this potentially deadly disease.
Every year I get several calls from newly diagnosed patients who are scared about treatments or the disease. I have talked to them for hours, trying to give them perspective about the treatments.
Thankfully more and more patients are being diagnosed and treated. They are surviving when they used to die. But, I want more than just to survive... I want a cure. Wouldn't it be loverly.
I appreciate this chance to spark. If you'd like to be involved with a chance to write about your favorite cause, you can join social spark and check out this spark. Human Powered Cause Discovery
Working While Chronically Ill
By Marci Alboher
In researching my column on how small business owners deal with health insurance, I talked to Rosalind Joffe, an executive
coach who specializes in helping people who have chronic illnesses. Ms. Joffe has suffered from multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, both of which have stabilized with treatment — the removal of her colon for the colitis, and the medication, Avonex, for her MS. Prior to getting sick, Ms. Joffe had two successful careers, first as a multimedia producer and then as a professor of communications at Boston University. She became a coach because she wanted a job that she could do from home and that would be flexible enough to allow her to modify her schedule whenever she had a bad day. She credits her ability to make that career change to the fact that her husband had a good health insurance policy that could cover her as well — yet another example of health insurance affecting a career choice.
The rest of this article is here.
My Analysis: A quick recap: Marci Alboher realizes that the business woman she is interviewing has a chronic disease. She finds out that only thirty-two percent of people with disabilities including auto-immune diseases can work. Many of the rest would like to work. Ms. Joffe in the article encourages folks with chronic disease to become self-employed.
I found this encouraging for all of us with disabilities. I don't make much money myself, but I am trying to make a name for myself as a writer. Hopefully this will pay dividends for me and my family someday. But, even if I don't make much money, I do feel like I am working i.e. I am not sitting on the couch watching soap operas. My life has meaning. It is important for people with chronic illnesses to believe that they are not just surviving...
In researching my column on how small business owners deal with health insurance, I talked to Rosalind Joffe, an executive
coach who specializes in helping people who have chronic illnesses. Ms. Joffe has suffered from multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, both of which have stabilized with treatment — the removal of her colon for the colitis, and the medication, Avonex, for her MS. Prior to getting sick, Ms. Joffe had two successful careers, first as a multimedia producer and then as a professor of communications at Boston University. She became a coach because she wanted a job that she could do from home and that would be flexible enough to allow her to modify her schedule whenever she had a bad day. She credits her ability to make that career change to the fact that her husband had a good health insurance policy that could cover her as well — yet another example of health insurance affecting a career choice.
The rest of this article is here.
My Analysis: A quick recap: Marci Alboher realizes that the business woman she is interviewing has a chronic disease. She finds out that only thirty-two percent of people with disabilities including auto-immune diseases can work. Many of the rest would like to work. Ms. Joffe in the article encourages folks with chronic disease to become self-employed.
I found this encouraging for all of us with disabilities. I don't make much money myself, but I am trying to make a name for myself as a writer. Hopefully this will pay dividends for me and my family someday. But, even if I don't make much money, I do feel like I am working i.e. I am not sitting on the couch watching soap operas. My life has meaning. It is important for people with chronic illnesses to believe that they are not just surviving...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I'll take my news with a twist, please
Some days I am hard-pressed to come up with a subject that is delightful. However, I was minding my own business, surfing the net, when I came upon an elephant named Budi on this site Everything and Less.
In the process of being swept into this post I learned that "Budi is suprahuman, spiritual entity which mediates between God's being and human's being. It is a purely spiritual substance originated from God."
Okay, I was intrigued. I looked at the other posts on this blog. You can read about Dublin being smushed, a lost mouse, and other delights. Now this is my kind of news site.
I'll be back.
In the process of being swept into this post I learned that "Budi is suprahuman, spiritual entity which mediates between God's being and human's being. It is a purely spiritual substance originated from God."
Okay, I was intrigued. I looked at the other posts on this blog. You can read about Dublin being smushed, a lost mouse, and other delights. Now this is my kind of news site.
I'll be back.
Use of imaging studies in the diagnosis of vasculitis
Wolfgang A. Schmidt1
(1) Medical Center for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Karower Strasse 11, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
Abstract Imaging studies are necessary to determine disease extension and disease activity in the small-vessel vasculitides. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increase the number of pathologic findings compared with conventional radiography.
MRI delineates mucosal inflammation and granulomas in the paranasal sinuses, whereas CT provides information about osseous lesions. CT is superior to MRI for the detection of pulmonary lesions.
Radiograph angiography has been the gold standard for medium- and large-vessel vasculitides for decades. Echocardiography and MRI correspond well with conventional angiography to assess cardiac involvement in Kawasaki disease. MRI, CT, and CT angiography are alternative noninvasive techniques to delineate vasculitic lesions in polyarteritis nodosa, Takayasu’s arteritis, and large-vessel giant cell arteritis.
Duplex ultrasonography has the greatest resolution. It delineates typical artery wall swelling in temporal arteritis and Takayasu’s arteritis. Positron emission tomography can assess inflammatory activity of large arteries.
Abstract can be found here.
My Analysis: This information helps the vasculitis patient understand why they are being given imaging tests. Sometimes when we are in the hospital, we are given one test after another and the health professionals do not take the time to tell us what is going on... We need to know.
(1) Medical Center for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Karower Strasse 11, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
Abstract Imaging studies are necessary to determine disease extension and disease activity in the small-vessel vasculitides. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increase the number of pathologic findings compared with conventional radiography.
MRI delineates mucosal inflammation and granulomas in the paranasal sinuses, whereas CT provides information about osseous lesions. CT is superior to MRI for the detection of pulmonary lesions.
Radiograph angiography has been the gold standard for medium- and large-vessel vasculitides for decades. Echocardiography and MRI correspond well with conventional angiography to assess cardiac involvement in Kawasaki disease. MRI, CT, and CT angiography are alternative noninvasive techniques to delineate vasculitic lesions in polyarteritis nodosa, Takayasu’s arteritis, and large-vessel giant cell arteritis.
Duplex ultrasonography has the greatest resolution. It delineates typical artery wall swelling in temporal arteritis and Takayasu’s arteritis. Positron emission tomography can assess inflammatory activity of large arteries.
Abstract can be found here.
My Analysis: This information helps the vasculitis patient understand why they are being given imaging tests. Sometimes when we are in the hospital, we are given one test after another and the health professionals do not take the time to tell us what is going on... We need to know.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Haunted, by Kelley Armstrong
Quote from Karen Slaughter "Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite writers."
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite writers, too. She has great characters, plot, and her settings keep you in the story. I never get thrown out of her stories. In this women of the otherworld series, you are introduced to Eve Levine.
Eve Levine, a powerful dead witch, has been pulled in front of the Fates to pay a debt she incurred when she saved Paige so that Paige could take raise her daughter, Savannah. The debt is to track down a demi-demon called a Nix. The Nix possesses willing females. In the prossessing of human females, the Nix has become female in her tastes and slightly human.
The Nix does not want to be imprisoned by the Fates. Part of her fun as a demi-demon/human is her serial killer ways. Her willing bodies allow her to kill and taste blood lust, and then she allows her body to get caught. She leaps to a new victim/willing body just before the body is executed.
Read the rest of this article here.
Just a note: I have read this three times already. If you like strong female characters, you will like this book.
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite writers, too. She has great characters, plot, and her settings keep you in the story. I never get thrown out of her stories. In this women of the otherworld series, you are introduced to Eve Levine.
Eve Levine, a powerful dead witch, has been pulled in front of the Fates to pay a debt she incurred when she saved Paige so that Paige could take raise her daughter, Savannah. The debt is to track down a demi-demon called a Nix. The Nix possesses willing females. In the prossessing of human females, the Nix has become female in her tastes and slightly human.
The Nix does not want to be imprisoned by the Fates. Part of her fun as a demi-demon/human is her serial killer ways. Her willing bodies allow her to kill and taste blood lust, and then she allows her body to get caught. She leaps to a new victim/willing body just before the body is executed.
Read the rest of this article here.
Just a note: I have read this three times already. If you like strong female characters, you will like this book.
Rank Spanked-- yea, baby
Ummm... I feel like Austin Powers in a surreal comic movie cause I was rank spanked about two weeks ago. Yep, I had a PR3 and dropped to a PR0. At the same time I was getting about 35 to 40 visitors a day. Unfortunately, I saw my paid posts drop to zero.
I found this very unfair, you see I have a chronic disease that keeps me out of the workplace. Being able to make a little money on the side has a helped us to pay for the little things...(soap, etc.) I haven't been able to work for about five years now.
But, IZEA has given me something to smile about with this Rank Spank video. I did more than smile, I laughed.
If you want to see your real status compared to other blogs, IZEA has developed a fair ranking system. Yea, baby.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Cyn's Doodles
Just a notice to my readers who enjoy my creative writing.
I am moving my creative writings to Cyn's Doodles. This blog, Sierra Sage, will continue to display information on Wegener's Granulomatosis, medication, and treatments.
So I am not gone, just not going to be as active in creative writing on this site.
I am moving my creative writings to Cyn's Doodles. This blog, Sierra Sage, will continue to display information on Wegener's Granulomatosis, medication, and treatments.
So I am not gone, just not going to be as active in creative writing on this site.
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Day in the Life of Cyn
At about 6 a.m., I hear the alarm clock. My hubby is usually out of bed, dressed, and news-watching. I can hear the sounds of KREN TV. I turn over to continue my dreams, but it becomes apparent that my lovely dreams of owls and woodpeckers has dissipated in the morning air.
I stumble out of bed and rush to the toilet. After relieving myself, I walk into the kitchenette, grab a cup of water and pills. I down them to the grunts of my husband and the incomprehensible noise from the T.V.
About thirty minutes later, waiting to see if I have successfully digested the first pills, I get a cup of coffee. This is the bright part of my day. I start to wake up. I see the birds rush to the balcony, looking for seeds and waters.
After that morning kiss at 7:30 as the hubby rushes to work, I look through my emails, check opportunities for reviews, and make it to the Helium site. Sometimes I throw some beans for dinner on the stove. I do it the oldfashioned way. I have sailors in the family: my dad and my now-dead grandpa.
Soak my beans overnight and then throw them in the pot in the morning. It usually takes all day to cook to an edible soupy stew. I use a ham bone, cooking wine, carrots, and chicken broth. I have a couple more seasoning secrets like pepper and onion, but really it is as simple as that.
It try to get some writing in by eleven. Then I pack up the laundry, see below post. By that time I am dang it tired. I try to get my supplements in during the day. By the time my hubby gets home for work, I usually have my house smelling like food. These smells are very important to a Cancer. It makes him smile as he walks in the door.
Some days, I write two hours and some days I write six hours. When I don't feel good, like the time I caught the crud, I don't write at all.
So if you thought my life was about debauchery and the occult, wrong. ;-)
Okay, maybe the occult. (waggle eyebrows)
I close my day with a pill that causes dizziness and fainting if taken while walking. So I go to sleep grateful for another day. Living by legal chemical means... this was not what I was expecting when I hit middle-age.
I stumble out of bed and rush to the toilet. After relieving myself, I walk into the kitchenette, grab a cup of water and pills. I down them to the grunts of my husband and the incomprehensible noise from the T.V.
About thirty minutes later, waiting to see if I have successfully digested the first pills, I get a cup of coffee. This is the bright part of my day. I start to wake up. I see the birds rush to the balcony, looking for seeds and waters.
After that morning kiss at 7:30 as the hubby rushes to work, I look through my emails, check opportunities for reviews, and make it to the Helium site. Sometimes I throw some beans for dinner on the stove. I do it the oldfashioned way. I have sailors in the family: my dad and my now-dead grandpa.
Soak my beans overnight and then throw them in the pot in the morning. It usually takes all day to cook to an edible soupy stew. I use a ham bone, cooking wine, carrots, and chicken broth. I have a couple more seasoning secrets like pepper and onion, but really it is as simple as that.
It try to get some writing in by eleven. Then I pack up the laundry, see below post. By that time I am dang it tired. I try to get my supplements in during the day. By the time my hubby gets home for work, I usually have my house smelling like food. These smells are very important to a Cancer. It makes him smile as he walks in the door.
Some days, I write two hours and some days I write six hours. When I don't feel good, like the time I caught the crud, I don't write at all.
So if you thought my life was about debauchery and the occult, wrong. ;-)
Okay, maybe the occult. (waggle eyebrows)
I close my day with a pill that causes dizziness and fainting if taken while walking. So I go to sleep grateful for another day. Living by legal chemical means... this was not what I was expecting when I hit middle-age.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Laundry
After about two and a half weeks of the creeping crud and a cough that wouldn't quit, I had a pile of clothes to the ceiling. I started some wash last week... and it has taken me at least another week to get to the bottom of the pile. There are only two of us using the clothes. You would think that the piles would be smaller.
I carry a laundry basket filled two or three batches of clothes. I carefully walk down the stairs from our apartment. Left toe, foot, then right foot on same stair. I do this all the way down. I am unbalanced and deathly afraid that one day I will bounce, just once, and fall down those stairs.
When I reach the car, I pop the trunk and throw the basket into the back. I drive the car the the front of the apartment complex where the laundry room is then I drag the clothes in and start the wash.
By this time, I am so tired that I sit on a green plastic chair and listen to the sound of washing machines and bouncing clothes. After about 1 1/2 hours, I fold the clothes and start the trek back to the apartment.
It is exhausting.
I carry a laundry basket filled two or three batches of clothes. I carefully walk down the stairs from our apartment. Left toe, foot, then right foot on same stair. I do this all the way down. I am unbalanced and deathly afraid that one day I will bounce, just once, and fall down those stairs.
When I reach the car, I pop the trunk and throw the basket into the back. I drive the car the the front of the apartment complex where the laundry room is then I drag the clothes in and start the wash.
By this time, I am so tired that I sit on a green plastic chair and listen to the sound of washing machines and bouncing clothes. After about 1 1/2 hours, I fold the clothes and start the trek back to the apartment.
It is exhausting.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
No Honey, I have a Headache
Geez, I was rubbing and nodding my head, when I realized that I had a headache. Not a migraine. Not a sinus headache. Just a low-grade headache pressing against my forehead.
The reason I didn't realize that I had a headache is because I am used to the dramatic feel of migraine symptoms: spots, pain, and vomitting. I get a few of those. Not as much as I did before my diagnosis of vasculitis disease, but I still get a few.
So I am going to lie down and take a nap. I am not too sick. Just a slight headache.
The reason I didn't realize that I had a headache is because I am used to the dramatic feel of migraine symptoms: spots, pain, and vomitting. I get a few of those. Not as much as I did before my diagnosis of vasculitis disease, but I still get a few.
So I am going to lie down and take a nap. I am not too sick. Just a slight headache.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Safariland Holsters
The first time I was successful at shooting a pistol was in bootcamp. We were showed all the parts of a military pistol, probably a 9mm. We were taught how to look through the sites, how to hold the gun, and what kind of stance we needed with a pistol. We were taught how to hold the gun with both hands.
This instruction lasted a few hours, and then we went to the range and shot. I did well. It was the first time I had ever shot a pistol.
Now my hubby decided that I should learn how to shoot better. You didn't get good by just shooting once. So he got an air pistol and we would go into the small woods near the swamps and practiced shooting. He taught me stance. How to move and shoot and other neat things. Once we moved to Nevada, we bought a mini 14 and took it shooting in the desert.
My only problem was that I had a small problem with astigmatism in both my eyes. My hubby would spot and I would shoot. I got pretty good at it.
So to my surprise, yes, I was thinking of guns recently, I found a spot that had safariland holsters. It brought back memories of shooting pistols.
It even brought back the time that I was at a small German Fest Shutzen booth. It was a small BB rifle booth. For a small price, I had ten shots. So I began to shoot. My hubby was doing a little spotting on the side. The German booth keeper looked on indulgently. Then he looked closer at the flags I was shooting. Instead of shooting the bottom part so that the flags would fall, I shot the sticks connected to the flags. Most of them were cracked. I hit one of them twice and broke it clean through. Several of the guys saw me shoot and couldn't believe it. They came in droves to prove that they could shoot better than I could. Well, the boothkeeper gave me a nice pristine US flag and told me not to come back.
My husband waved the flag through the whole fest. He was amused. I was just competing.
This instruction lasted a few hours, and then we went to the range and shot. I did well. It was the first time I had ever shot a pistol.
Now my hubby decided that I should learn how to shoot better. You didn't get good by just shooting once. So he got an air pistol and we would go into the small woods near the swamps and practiced shooting. He taught me stance. How to move and shoot and other neat things. Once we moved to Nevada, we bought a mini 14 and took it shooting in the desert.
My only problem was that I had a small problem with astigmatism in both my eyes. My hubby would spot and I would shoot. I got pretty good at it.
So to my surprise, yes, I was thinking of guns recently, I found a spot that had safariland holsters. It brought back memories of shooting pistols.
It even brought back the time that I was at a small German Fest Shutzen booth. It was a small BB rifle booth. For a small price, I had ten shots. So I began to shoot. My hubby was doing a little spotting on the side. The German booth keeper looked on indulgently. Then he looked closer at the flags I was shooting. Instead of shooting the bottom part so that the flags would fall, I shot the sticks connected to the flags. Most of them were cracked. I hit one of them twice and broke it clean through. Several of the guys saw me shoot and couldn't believe it. They came in droves to prove that they could shoot better than I could. Well, the boothkeeper gave me a nice pristine US flag and told me not to come back.
My husband waved the flag through the whole fest. He was amused. I was just competing.
Alligator in the House
I found S. J. Tucker "Skinny White Chick" in one of my daily blogs. I particularly love the idea of an alligator in the house sung to a Tango.
Enjoy.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday Scribblings: Fearless
I can't claim to be fearless. When I am scared, I try to think rationally of all the things that could happen to hurt or kill me, and then I do it anyway. This is not fearless because when I go ahead I am scared silly. It is my way of negating the risks.
When I was in the U.S. Navy, I had a crazy friend named Kelley. We would get into the car and drive to our favorite spots in the Northern Honshue (Japan) island. Sometimes it would be fairly safe. Other times we would try to go to our favorite places in the winter. Once we froze and decided that it was just not a good time to go exploring.
One day was clear in my mind. Kelley was a risk taker. I was the "voice of reason." We came to a spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a rocky beach. There were two ways to get down to the beach--a sandy path, and a small cliff. We did not have any climbing gear.
Kelley went down the small cliff using small cracks and pressure from her hands. She was about five foot two so she had no problems with weight. I was at the top watching, when she told me it was my turn. I was petrified. I have always been fearful of heights and the six feet looked like one hundred feet to me.
I don't know how she did it, but she had me climb down the cliff using the same cracks and pressure points. I was stiff and scared. I wanted to scream. It took thirty minutes or more to get me to the bottom whereas Kelley took about ten minutes or less.
When we finally got to the bottom, Kelley asked me if I didn't feel better. I had faced a fear. No, I said. I will never do it again. Ever.
Kelley just laughed.
When I was in the U.S. Navy, I had a crazy friend named Kelley. We would get into the car and drive to our favorite spots in the Northern Honshue (Japan) island. Sometimes it would be fairly safe. Other times we would try to go to our favorite places in the winter. Once we froze and decided that it was just not a good time to go exploring.
One day was clear in my mind. Kelley was a risk taker. I was the "voice of reason." We came to a spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a rocky beach. There were two ways to get down to the beach--a sandy path, and a small cliff. We did not have any climbing gear.
Kelley went down the small cliff using small cracks and pressure from her hands. She was about five foot two so she had no problems with weight. I was at the top watching, when she told me it was my turn. I was petrified. I have always been fearful of heights and the six feet looked like one hundred feet to me.
I don't know how she did it, but she had me climb down the cliff using the same cracks and pressure points. I was stiff and scared. I wanted to scream. It took thirty minutes or more to get me to the bottom whereas Kelley took about ten minutes or less.
When we finally got to the bottom, Kelley asked me if I didn't feel better. I had faced a fear. No, I said. I will never do it again. Ever.
Kelley just laughed.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Surviving Prednisone
When I had my first crisis with an autoimmune diseaase called Wegener's Granulomatosis (name may be changed to ANCA-Associated Granulomatosis Vasculitis), prednisone and cytoxan where the two medications used to suppress my inflammatory response.
The reason predisone and cytoxan were used together is because prednisone could treat the inflammation immediately, while cytoxan (cychlophosphamide) treated the underlying problem. This combination treatment was discovered by research doctors in the 1970s. Before this treatment combination was used, WG patients died in about six months.
Read the rest of this article here.
The reason predisone and cytoxan were used together is because prednisone could treat the inflammation immediately, while cytoxan (cychlophosphamide) treated the underlying problem. This combination treatment was discovered by research doctors in the 1970s. Before this treatment combination was used, WG patients died in about six months.
Read the rest of this article here.
RIP Carol Hesse
It is with deep regret that I let you know that Carol Hesse who is a member of this group passed away last week from respiratory failure. I rang her today and got her nephew who gave me the bad news. I asked to speak to her husband Neil. He confirmed that this was correct. I visited Carol when I was in South Australia three years ago after attending the Melbourne symposium. She was on permanent 24 hour oxygen then and from what he said she has battled with lung problems from first contracting WG.
Regards from Margaret downunder in Perth Australia
Thanks Margaret for this information. I remember Carol as a kind member of the WG discussion group. Rest in Peace Carol
Regards from Margaret downunder in Perth Australia
Thanks Margaret for this information. I remember Carol as a kind member of the WG discussion group. Rest in Peace Carol
Friday, April 11, 2008
Great-Horned Owls
With all the publicity that these large owls are getting lately, I want to cash in and tell my story. Just a couple of years ago we were coming out of an Amateur Radio meeting in Gardnerville when something hooted at us.
Who. who. Who.
Next to the church was a stand of trees. We wandered over the the trees and I hooted back. It wasn't one bird, hooting at us . . . it was three birds. Who hooted one tree. Who hooted the next tree. Who hooted the third tree. I, of course, hooted back.
My husband walked into the trees. He could see the white faces of the owls. They are really big he told me. The snow crunched at our feet. In about fifteen minutes, one of the owls got tired of hooting and flew over our heads. His wingspan was about 4-5 feet. He disappeared over the church's roof.
The spell was broken. We went back to the car, smiling at our experience.
No, we were not attacked. The owls did not feel threatened. We were just chatting in owlspeak under the moon on a winter's night.
Great Horned Owls living in Denver, Colorado
Denver Owl Cam
Who. who. Who.
Next to the church was a stand of trees. We wandered over the the trees and I hooted back. It wasn't one bird, hooting at us . . . it was three birds. Who hooted one tree. Who hooted the next tree. Who hooted the third tree. I, of course, hooted back.
My husband walked into the trees. He could see the white faces of the owls. They are really big he told me. The snow crunched at our feet. In about fifteen minutes, one of the owls got tired of hooting and flew over our heads. His wingspan was about 4-5 feet. He disappeared over the church's roof.
The spell was broken. We went back to the car, smiling at our experience.
No, we were not attacked. The owls did not feel threatened. We were just chatting in owlspeak under the moon on a winter's night.
Great Horned Owls living in Denver, Colorado
Denver Owl Cam
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Half-Naked in the Doctor's Office
As you probably realize from reading some of my posts, I have an auto-immune disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis. What you probably don't realize is that I take chemo-drugs and prednisone to keep my immune system in check. Because my immune system is lowered, I have to get checked for growths on my skin (derma).
So two years ago, I was at the dermatologist in a pair of bra and panties covered with a paper sheet. The doctor was lifting the paper sheet checking my back, stomach, arms, and legs for unsightly growths, any of which could turn into cancer.
I felt sorry for the doctor. By this time, I had had three years of prednisone. My body had turned from the slim body that I was used to wearing to the overweight stretch-marked model that I had become. It was all due to prednisone, disease, and insufficient exercise. And then it got worse (for the doctor).
"The growth is here," I said and pointed to my crotch. The crotch of course was covered by my white granny panties. I was wearing my newest pair.
"What," he said with surprise. "I'll go get a nurse."
So it wasn't the doctor who took a look at the growth in my nether regions. It was the nurse. "So what do you want us to do?" She asked.
I thought it was obvious. I had come to have my growths checked and then cut off. Right?
So I said it in slow tones so that she would understand completely. "The growth bothers me. Please cut it off."
It should have been simple. It turned out that I had to touch the growth. I had to hold my panties to the side so that the doctor (it seemed he was keeping his eyes closed) could cut it off. Finally it was done. The nurse gave me instructions on how to care for the wound. It was in my nether regions. I did mention that...
After I was dressed, I noticed that the doctor couldn't look me in the eye. He explained that they would test the growth to see if it was cancerous. According to him, it did not have any other significance except that it grew.
I hoped that I hadn't completely traumatized the doctor.
A good note: it wasn't cancerous.
So why am I telling you this story? Well, I have another growth. Thankfully not in the crotch, but it is on the upper right thigh. I called for an appointment. Yes, with the same doctor. I wonder what his reaction will be?
So two years ago, I was at the dermatologist in a pair of bra and panties covered with a paper sheet. The doctor was lifting the paper sheet checking my back, stomach, arms, and legs for unsightly growths, any of which could turn into cancer.
I felt sorry for the doctor. By this time, I had had three years of prednisone. My body had turned from the slim body that I was used to wearing to the overweight stretch-marked model that I had become. It was all due to prednisone, disease, and insufficient exercise. And then it got worse (for the doctor).
"The growth is here," I said and pointed to my crotch. The crotch of course was covered by my white granny panties. I was wearing my newest pair.
"What," he said with surprise. "I'll go get a nurse."
So it wasn't the doctor who took a look at the growth in my nether regions. It was the nurse. "So what do you want us to do?" She asked.
I thought it was obvious. I had come to have my growths checked and then cut off. Right?
So I said it in slow tones so that she would understand completely. "The growth bothers me. Please cut it off."
It should have been simple. It turned out that I had to touch the growth. I had to hold my panties to the side so that the doctor (it seemed he was keeping his eyes closed) could cut it off. Finally it was done. The nurse gave me instructions on how to care for the wound. It was in my nether regions. I did mention that...
After I was dressed, I noticed that the doctor couldn't look me in the eye. He explained that they would test the growth to see if it was cancerous. According to him, it did not have any other significance except that it grew.
I hoped that I hadn't completely traumatized the doctor.
A good note: it wasn't cancerous.
So why am I telling you this story? Well, I have another growth. Thankfully not in the crotch, but it is on the upper right thigh. I called for an appointment. Yes, with the same doctor. I wonder what his reaction will be?
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
unshapely things
by Mark del Franco
ISBN 13: 978-0-441-01477-4
I really like the dark fantasy/detective genre. A few years ago, when LKHamilton showed up with her necromancer, I was delighted with this story. But, at the time, it was hard to find many people writing in this new subgenre. So I am happy to say that del Franco has found a comfortable spot here.
Conner Grey, a former hotshot Guild investigator and now a broken down druid, lends his expertise to the Boston city police in murders and crimes involving supernatural victims, etc. Most of these crimes are found in the Weird--a place very similar to the drugged - crimed neighborhoods of today. Grey's disability was caused by a case, while working for the Guild. Because he lost his power, the Guild retired him so there is no love lost between Grey and his former employers.
del Franco did a great job in pulling the reader into his fabulously detailed world. I liked this book so much that I was on Amazon the same day looking for the sequel. Great job.
I give this one 4/5 stars.
ISBN 13: 978-0-441-01477-4
I really like the dark fantasy/detective genre. A few years ago, when LKHamilton showed up with her necromancer, I was delighted with this story. But, at the time, it was hard to find many people writing in this new subgenre. So I am happy to say that del Franco has found a comfortable spot here.
Conner Grey, a former hotshot Guild investigator and now a broken down druid, lends his expertise to the Boston city police in murders and crimes involving supernatural victims, etc. Most of these crimes are found in the Weird--a place very similar to the drugged - crimed neighborhoods of today. Grey's disability was caused by a case, while working for the Guild. Because he lost his power, the Guild retired him so there is no love lost between Grey and his former employers.
del Franco did a great job in pulling the reader into his fabulously detailed world. I liked this book so much that I was on Amazon the same day looking for the sequel. Great job.
I give this one 4/5 stars.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sizzle! Sizzle! Hot, hot, hot.
Lynn's winning chapter is on I Heart Presents blog. If I wasn't married, I would be in LUV with Alejandro.
You can give her a shout-out at Romancing Paradise. She really deserves the win.
Lynn has been a good friend to me since I lived in Germany. We were friends and rivals for the "A" in many English Literature classes. The competition really helped me to write better in the academic venue.
So I can't wait to see the published version of the SPANISH MAGNATE'S REVENGE.
You can give her a shout-out at Romancing Paradise. She really deserves the win.
Lynn has been a good friend to me since I lived in Germany. We were friends and rivals for the "A" in many English Literature classes. The competition really helped me to write better in the academic venue.
So I can't wait to see the published version of the SPANISH MAGNATE'S REVENGE.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Back on the Writing Steam Engine
Well thanks to Lynn at Romancing Paradise, I am starting the edits on Erika T. Red, the Nanowrimo novel. I am polishing up the prologue and two chapters. Start small. One chapter at a time.
Give Lynn a shout-out. She sure deserves it.
Give Lynn a shout-out. She sure deserves it.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
My New Website
I finally have put together a website to feature my memoirs, short stories, and poetry. I am pretty excited because it has taken me a full two days of playing with the HTML to finally get what I want.
So check it out. Let me know what you think. Cyn
So check it out. Let me know what you think. Cyn
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Black Magic Woman
By Justin Gustainis
ISBN-13: 978-1-84416-541-4
It has been awhile since I did a book review so here it goes. Gustainis has written one of the best Dark Urban Fantasys that I have read in a long time. It is new and fresh.
Quincy Morris, a consultant, is helping a family get rid of a curse that has followed them since the 1690's Salem witch trials. As he is helping this family with his partner, Libby Chaistain, they come across several different styles of black witches such as Queen Ester from Baton Rouge and Cecelia Mbwato from South Africa.
I was in South Africa in the 80's during apartheid. There were a lot of witch doctors and other types of black magic practiced in the black areas when I was there. One time I was invited to a South African home in a township near Jo'burg. We were treated very well. But, when it was near dark they rushed us out of the township. Our hosts were afraid for our lives. Don't go into a township they told us after dark. We were too white.
So I was very delighted that Gustainis wrote my South African experience accurately. I am eagerly awaiting his next book. This book is going into my private library for a reread.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars. Great job, Justin.
ISBN-13: 978-1-84416-541-4
It has been awhile since I did a book review so here it goes. Gustainis has written one of the best Dark Urban Fantasys that I have read in a long time. It is new and fresh.
Quincy Morris, a consultant, is helping a family get rid of a curse that has followed them since the 1690's Salem witch trials. As he is helping this family with his partner, Libby Chaistain, they come across several different styles of black witches such as Queen Ester from Baton Rouge and Cecelia Mbwato from South Africa.
I was in South Africa in the 80's during apartheid. There were a lot of witch doctors and other types of black magic practiced in the black areas when I was there. One time I was invited to a South African home in a township near Jo'burg. We were treated very well. But, when it was near dark they rushed us out of the township. Our hosts were afraid for our lives. Don't go into a township they told us after dark. We were too white.
So I was very delighted that Gustainis wrote my South African experience accurately. I am eagerly awaiting his next book. This book is going into my private library for a reread.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars. Great job, Justin.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
My Grandfather's Clock
As a young girl, I remember a grandfather clock in my grandparent's home. My grandpa Bagley had a desk where he would put his letters and pay his bills. The sun would shine through the window. Sometimes he would do his tax work there. He was an accountant.
To his left was the kitchen door. My grandmother would be busy cooking cookies or cleaning up the kitchen. My aunts would sit at the table and they would talk fashion. Grandma Bagley would brush her hair back with her hand. She would look sad and then for a moment her eyes would brighten up and she would tell the most outrageous jokes.
Next to the kitchen door was the grandfather clock. It was taller than me. I would listen to the murmur of my grandma. Or hear the sighs of my grandpa as he tried to work out the tax papers on the desk. I would listen to the soft heartbeats of the clock.
Sometimes my grandfather would pull out the big winding key. I would stand on my tiptoes and watch him put the key in a hole and then wind the clock. He did it once a month or so. I never knew what happened to that clock when he died. A lot of things were lost when my aunts and uncles sold the house.
The picture in this post looks the closest to how I remember that clock. I think of that clock when I am fall asleep at night. I hear that soft bong as the hours go by.
This blog post Clocks: Back to Tradition also talks about how important traditional clocks are for the senses. It is through sound, touch, and taste that we remember family. I still remember standing around the cuckoo clock in our living room. The family would laugh and play to the sound of the bird. The cellphones of today do not have the same nostagia, the same meaning as a grandfather clock.
So if you are looking for a gift for someone who has everything or maybe a housewarming gift, this website has some beautiful grandfather clocks. Check out the Howard Miller style clocks.
Maybe one day, I will have my own grandfather clock. I will sit on the couch and listen to the soft tick tick. I will hear the hours pass--
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Creeping Crud
To all my friends, relatives, and others...
I am currently dealing with the creeping crud. It has significantly sapped my energy and my creativity. Gotta tell ya, you don't want this one. I had my flu shot. I had my pnemonia shot, but I am still miserable.
Hopefully I will be back in business in a week or so. I am feeling much better, but I am still coughing up... yep the crud.
Cyn
I am currently dealing with the creeping crud. It has significantly sapped my energy and my creativity. Gotta tell ya, you don't want this one. I had my flu shot. I had my pnemonia shot, but I am still miserable.
Hopefully I will be back in business in a week or so. I am feeling much better, but I am still coughing up... yep the crud.
Cyn
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