Sometimes, we all need some extra thoughts and prayers...

A very dear couple who have become close friends indeed are facing some tough times.  He had a heart attack Monday and today had by-pass surgery.  It went as smoothly as to be expected.  She is coping very well and has positive outlooks.  He may be moved into a regular room on Saturday and hopefully will not need quite so many tubes and hoses and bells and whistles.  Maybe next week, he can come home.

The thing is, even in the best circumstances we all need some extra love.  Please show yours.  Drop by for a gander, leave an encouraging comment, if you would.  Bring some cheese and tea!

Spaying Stella

Stella is a little over six months old now, so it was time to spay her, especially since it's spring and love seems to be in the very air we breathe.  Or that could be the mold and pollen and other frisky frolicking microbes.  That could be a problem, thinking along the lines that love can grow on ya like mold.

So, yesterday we went back to the vet to have her staple (?!?) removed.  Yeah, when I first saw the staple sticking out of her belly, I was somewhat alarmed.  I asked the vet tech and of course googled it cuz I gotta read up on these things, ya know?

Stella is rather sweet and docile and cuddly and she is a great lap-kitty.  My mom thought she was just so soft and gentle and sweet.  Stella received lots of loving over the weekend, because she was constantly being pet and held by one or the other of us!

However, Mom also gave lots of attention to Ziggee.  She isn't a little dog kinda person.  Well, she isn't a dog sorta person at all, although she does like certain individual dogs.  She's kinda like that about people too.

Ziggee squiggled up into mom's lap a few times and she would scritch all his spots too.  He was his usual charming wriggling lil self and made mom laugh every time she saw his lil body just wiggling away, even as he walks and sits and jumps.  If he is breathing, he is wagging his entire body.  That's the charm of Ziggee.  He makes ya giggle.

Shaddow was not left out.  However she was left out of the yard a few times, with all the comings and goings of friends, strangers, and family.  So she went swimming.  Several times.  In the swampy pond.  Oh, joy!  Other than short stints in the house to eat, she spent much of her muddy fragrant time outside.

But mom pet her too and gave her treats and told her how pretty she was (albeit a bit messy at the moment).  My furrbees said, "yea!!!  gra'ma's coming to visit!!"

Furbee Frolix

I was cradling Stella, my six month old kitten, and loving on her.  Ziggee was trying to muscle in on the love and Stella was tolerant for a little bit.  Ziggee reeks, and Stella was turning her face away, then she extended her paw and pushed against his shoulder.  But Ziggee was intent on getting right in her space, so Stella bit his ear!  Ziggee yelped in surprise and pulled back fast and decided to wait for his turn.

That'll learn ya.

Grow Old with Me

...the best is yet to be...

I was listening to the song earlier, while driving home.  It made me think of my sweetie.  Mary Chapin Carpenter sings a wonderful version of this song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, based on a Robert Browning poem.

Rabbi ben Ezra
Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be...

where oh where...

Until now, I've been posting pretty much the same entries across several formats (AIM journal, MySpace, and Blogger/Blogspot).  But, I think I will post certain sorts of things in one or the other, instead of all three.  So, this is a heads up to let you know that you might want to check myspace and/or blogger for different entries of mine.  I realize that some will not choose to access the other locations, and that is fine.  I also know that many do not have myspace accnts and cannot access my posts there, that's ok too.  If there is anything that I feel is very terribly important, I will most likely post it in all three.  In my repeated experience, blogger tends to load oh-so-much faster and give me oh-so-many fewer problems than AIM.  No surprise there.

From time to time, I will post reminders, just to let you know where and what I have posted.  I think it will help to foster more creativity on my part.  If it is too confusing or too much trouble on your part, that's okey, it's not like you have to visit any of em.  But, I'd appreciate it if you would!

Portitude

Paper Portitude is a recent stumbleupon.  There is quite a selection of classics linked there.  The short story is my current love of the literature world.
"Nevermind the musty smell; it's merely the scent of dusty books, waiting to be opened and read.

Presented to you here - in our humble library - are the classics. From the Grimm fairy tales, to the poems of Robert Frost, there's enough on our shelves to keep you occupied for long time.

You've been reading since you were a child, so this should be easy. Just pick an author, or a genre, and get started."

I've been reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmesian shorts.  This week, the volume is due back at the library.  In just a few moments, I plan to begin Paper Portitude's host of O Henry's "After Twenty Years".  I won't have to worry about returning that to the library, now will I?

In my life I'll love you more...

It's no secret to those who know me well that I don't think much favorably about the whole frantic activity with which we contemporarily associate Valentine's Day.  Briefly, I think it is rather pathetic that there are people who need to have a special day to remind them to be sweet to the ones they profess to love.  I suppose if Valentine's Day does serve as a time to reflect upon our own behaviour and attitudes toward the ones we love, then it may be a very good thing indeed.

Endeavor to love the ones you hold dear, every day, in all ways.  Show your appreciation, with acts of sincerity that need no obligatory Hallmark Holiday.  Startle them with a caring touch, a quick hug, a warm smile.  Enjoy the moments of peace you share, with your truly loved one.

...wha...?

Here it is, Friday!  Wednesday, I went to the new Barnes and Nobles, which is on campus.  It was the first time I'd been there.  I browsed around, briefly.  There was a table with some page-a-day calendars and boxes of holiday cards, for a buck per.  So I used my birthday gift card (given to me last November) and bought an assortment.

One of the page-a-days is devoted to Bushisms.  Today's Bushism is:

"In other words, I don't think people ought to be compelled to make the decision which they think is best for their family."

If I could, I'd show you how very ernestly I can say that.  Cuz I've the ability to say hilarious crap with a straight face.  Ya gotta, if you deal with Bush.

You've got questions, I've got answers. They might even be to those questions. We'll see

From time to time, I am asked some odd questions.  Usually, I feel they deserve equally odd answers.  Here are a few:

If I read to myself, will I go blind?
No. Unless you do it somewhere with really bad lighting.

Why should I believe in myself?
Unless you are in fact an imaginary character, you should at least suspect that you are a real person. If you manage to convince yourself that you actually exist, then you're well on the way to getting others to agree with you.  That opens the doors to all sorts of possibilities.

What do you do?

I don't do inanimate objects.  As far as people go, I'm very selective about whom I do.  I wasn't always this way.  But, I'm getting older and developing taste.

No, I meant, what do you do for money?

That depends.  Why, do you have a proposition for me?  No, forget I asked that.  I'm not going to start reverting to old habits.  That way lies yet another 12 step program.

Why won't you answer your phone when I call?

Well, the obvious answer would be, because I don't want to talk to you.  The truth is less obvious.  It's because I leave the ringer silenced, so I don't answer anyone's call. And in this case, I'm going with the obvious answer.

If you have any questions, that you'd like me to answer, feel free to ask in comments.  I may read them and laugh uproariously.  I may think, "pft".  I may even answer them, in a future blog.

Really BAD Dogs

   Meet Hal, Stella's Really BAD Dog, a refillable catnip toy.

...i was almost onto that thought, but it squirmed away...

Some days, this is how I feel...

It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.

I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.

Chaos, panic and disorder…my work here is done.

and so here i am at the end of the day

I've got Billy Joel lyrics looping in my mind at the moment.

Today I received a well-loved package.  In it were treats for all!  Stella loves her catnip toy and will cherish it for all time.  The pupsicles have their very own peanut butter flavored treats awaiting them.  And teas for me!!

I love tea!  sighing happily

Today, I am tired, but not that mind-numbing, drained, can't do a damned thing exhaustion that has been problematic all week.  I mean, I may even take a shower!  That's pretty damn energetic at this point!

February

Hello!

Whether it is Imbolc or Ground Hog Day for you, the beginning of February marks the midway of winter heading toward spring.  I am so ready for this winter to be over.  Mostly cuz I am immensely tired and the weather is adding to my hibernating tendancies.  But, as memom says, "don't be wishing your life away."

Hope everyone's February begins and ends nicely.

ghost busters

some thoughts regarding being ghosted...
http://blog.myspace.com/dkb1116
check it, ya know ya wanna!

awww, that's so swwweeeet

on the lighter side:

Many Weddings Set for Lucky 7-7-07

*gasp* shockingly, i am not surprised

This just in!!

"Cigarette manufacturers are increasing the level of nicotine in cigarettes..."

Cost of Depression, Global Issue

Well just in case you happen to have scads of money and are looking for something to do, there is something of interest that you can attend!

Soaring Economic Costs from Depression a Global Issue
What:	Dr. Thomas R. Insel, Director, NIMH, will present on the prevalence and global burden of depression, its enormous economic impact, and new advances in treatment at the World Economic Forum annual meeting. Depression is the leading cause of medical disability for people worldwide age 15-44 according to the World Health Organization’s World Health Report on the global burden of disease. Depression is common among the world’s population, resulting in significant economic costs. Dr. Insel will also participate in two additional sessions — one that focuses on funding for mental health research and innovation, and another that addresses urbanization from a public health perspective.
Why:	The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, “Shaping the Global Agenda — The Shifting Power Equation.” The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas (http://www.weforum.org/en/events/AnnualMeeting2007/index.htm). The annual meeting is the Forum’s flagship event that engages leaders from business, politics, religious groups and non-government organizations to shape the global, regional and industry agendas.
When:	January 24-28, 2007
Where:	Davos, Switzerland
More Info:	To arrange for an interview contact Mary Partlow, NIMH Press Office, 301-443-4536. Dr. Insel will be available for interview on-site or by phone.

lemme just say this...

do NOT ask me, "did i tell you about the last time i was feeling homocidal?"

Bringing tears to my eyes

I've been feeling out of sorts for awhile now.  There are many small reasons contribute to this off kilter sense of being.  Taken individually, or even in managable groupings, I might usually stride right along.  But taken as a rabid pack, the overwhelming image of flounding in their wake seems apt.

Just yesterday, I had eMailed a friend of mine, who is very familiar with all the goings-on at this time.  She has first hand knowledge of all the ins/outs of my particular positions and situations that occur within the realm of NAMI.  Plus, she embraces all the other oddities of being me.  I didn't have to say much about me, other than to say that 'here it is, this is how i am today' brief line or two.  In fact, I've probably written more in this post thus far about me than I did in yesterday's eMail!

The thing that choked me up, with emotional responses of relief, acceptance, and comfort was so simple.  It was a statement that I myself had made to her, awhile back.  When she was feeling similar doubts, weariness, exasperation, and smallness; I had told her something that I believe.  It is awesome that she calls my words to mind, and that they reassure her.  That means so much to me.  And, this is some of my own medicine that I'll gladly take.  Thanks for the reminder, sweeterpea.

Here it is:

To repeat what you said to me, which I often remember, with great encouragement "you are more than enough because you are mindful."  And you are.

Telling it like it is, preface

Each time that I have attempted to add an entry, I've failed.  It isn't some technical glitch of my dial-up, my service provider, nor AOL/AIM journals.  It's because of me.

It has been a long time, months, since I posted here (or anywhere) with regularity and frequency.  So now I have no idea where to start.  It is rather overwhelming, to pick up some threads that are in the midst of the weaving and try to follow things to the start or the finish.  I feel much like when I first began the whole blogging process.  That I would need to pluck and begin in the middle, and not worry overly much about explaining all the circumstances and the reasons and provide all the background and foreground.  It's enough to provide the middle ground.

Even that does not need to be complete.