DIALYSIS NEWS

LIFE WITH DIALYSIS

As I said previously, life is not easy with Dialysis.  You have really got to want to live!  I now have a buttonhole for my fistula.  It scabs up after treatment, so they have to be removed each time.  This can be painful, but suggest that the technician squirt saline water on it.  This helps it to soften.  The needle should not be too uncomfortable, if they can get it in the channel.  My veins roll a lot.  My physical loss of time is more of a problem.  If you are older, you may be tired, & need naps afterward.  Some others spring up & go to work afterwards.  I sleep a lot on my days off.  But then I have other problems, too.  I am still working on my diary with renal cookbook, EAT FOR LIFE!  It is a real challenge balancing sodium, potassium, phosphorus, etc.  BUT, YOU CAN DO IT!

I also found out that it appears that the more fluid you gain, especially weekend, is a problem.  The technician has to adjust the dialysis machine to a cooler temperature, so as your blood pressure does not drop too much.   That causes you to be physically colder.  The days that more fluid is removed, seems when the body temperature drops more.  Sometimes my teeth chatter for the four hours.  If you have have questions, contact me on this blog.

EAT FOR LIFE

EAT FOR LIFE

INTRODUCTION

It is funny how memories can be jolted in your mind, with no apparent for-thought or idea of what is coming next.  As I gazed at such beautiful stately deciduous trees such as elm, maples, oak, & other indigenous trees of NJ, I had previously rode in a car.  I never noticed such beauty.  But now my transport is an ambulance bringing me home from renal dialysis, as it had for almost two months. Now looking up into the sky, I saw various patterns of different leaves, as the sun & the movement of the ambulance, much in need of better shock absorbers, tossed me back & forth.  Oh, such loveliness!  I am alive!  Now, I am so appreciative & thankful for small things, not that I didn’t before dialysis, but with a deeper spiritual thankfulness.   God has been good to me. 

As I entered the dialysis unit, for the first time. I was aware of how pristine & sterile was the environment.  The antiseptic odor reached my nostrils.  Around the massive room were lounge chairs or hospital beds, all lined up around the perimeter of the building.  In each chair, an occupant receiving dialysis, with tubes coming in or out of fistula or permacath.  Two machine were between each receiver.  One was the dializer cleaning the blood.  The other kept track of vitals, input & output of minerals, medication, as needed.  The one tube was used for the arterial (pulling blood out to dialysis machine & the other was called a venus, which pulled the cleansed blood back into the body.  My blood was “sticky” , as it clotted outside the body. More Heparin had to be added to my blood to keep it flowing well. 

My Permacath was inserted surgically under the shoulder muscle. It had 2 ports for pulling blood in & out.  I could not shower until it was removed.  I would have to do a sponge bath.  Washing hair was a challenge, as I couldn’t get the Permacath wet.  So as suggested I covered with a plastic wrap or Saran Wrap & taped it all around.  I used packing tape, as that was all I had on hand. It worked & with much relief, I had a clean head.

My fistula was a few weeks later, inserted surgically in my upper arm, as I had a good blood flow there.  It needed time to ripen or appear bulging from arm.  A rubber kidney was given to me to squeeze daily, to help the process along.  A rubber ball as well, could be used!  It helped the fistula to develop. 

As my Permacath clogged early, I was switched to a 15 or 16 gauge needle to be inserted as the arterial vein of arm.  The first time, I used a numbing spray, but later did not, as some technicians were an ace in the art of cannulation of needle.  I would feel hardly anything or just a prick. 

I can’t say that my three days a week, for four hours a day, are the highlights of my life.  But it is my LIFE or the alternative- DEATH. That was & still is the hardest thing for me to adjust to even now.  I am a free spirit & hate time restrictions, but I will adjust, as there is no alternative for me.  I think of myself & others like me, as the LIVING DEAD!  So many unknowns for us, but all life contain the same. Those of us in DIALYSIS have chosen LIFE!  That is why I am sharing my renal friendly recipes with everyone.  If we choose LIFE, we need to eat as if we really mean it!  There is no turning back only looking to a pleasureable future!  We need to as we often say in weight loss programs ” to keep the grass green” !  Never forget the past emotional & physical problems before dialysis.  We all have our own personal memories of sleeping a life away, among other things!  This will help to keep us on track in our Race for Life!

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

 

Be sure to read the entire email.  ALL EUROPEAN LIFE DIED IN AUSCHWITZPlease take a few minutes to read this and pass it on.         The following is a copy of an article written by Spanish writer Sebastian Vilar Rodriguez and published in a Spanish newspaper on Jan. 15, 2008.It doesn’t take much imagination to extrapolate the message to the rest of Europe – and possibly to the rest of the world. REMEMBER AS YOU READ — IT WAS IN A SPANISH PAPER, Date: Tue. 15 January 2008 14:30 ALL EUROPEAN LIFE DIED IN AUSCHWITZ By Sebastian Vilar Rodrigez   I walked down the street in Barcelona , and suddenly discovered a terrible truth – Europe died in Auschwitz …. We killed six million Jews and replaced them with 20 million Muslims. In Auschwitz we burned a culture, thought, creativity, talent. We destroyed the chosen people, truly chosen, because they produced great and wonderful people who changed the world. The contribution of this people is felt in all areas of life: science, art, international trade, and above all, as the conscience of the world. These are the people we burned. And under the pretense of tolerance, and because we wanted to prove to ourselves that we were cured of the disease of racism, we opened our gates to 20 million Muslims, who brought us stupidity and ignorance, religious extremism and lack of tolerance, crime and poverty, due to an unwillingness to work and support their families with pride. They have blown up our trains and turned our beautiful Spanish cities into the third world, drowning in filth and crime. Shut up in the apartments they receive free from the government, they plan the murder and destruction of their naive hosts. And thus, in our misery, we have exchanged culture for fanatical hatred, creative skill for destructive skill, intelligence for backwardness and superstition. We have exchanged the pursuit of peace of the Jews of Europe and their talent for a better future for their children, their determined clinging to life because life is holy, for those who pursue death, for people consumed by the desire for death for themselves and others, for our children and theirs. What a terrible mistake was made by miserable Europe . *********************************** A lot of Americans have become so insulated from reality that they imagine America can suffer defeat without any inconvenience to themselves. Absolutely No Profiling! Pause a moment, reflect back, and take the following multiple choice test. These events are actual events from history. They really happened! Do you remember? HERE’S THE TEST 1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by:     a. Superman     b. Jay Leno     c. Harry Potter     d. A Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40 2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by:     a. Olga Corbett     b. Sitting Bull     c. Arnold Schwarzenegger     d. A Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40 3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by: a. Lost Norwegians b. Elvis c. A tour bus full of 80-year-old women d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 4. During the 1980’s a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:     a. John Dillinger     b. The King of Sweden     c. The Boy Scouts     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:     a. A pizza delivery boy     b. Pee Wee Herman     c. Geraldo Rivera     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by:     a. The Smurfs     b. Davey Jones     c. The Little Mermaid     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by:     a. Captain Kidd     b. Charles Lindberg     c. Mother Teresa     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:     a. Scooby Doo     b. The Tooth Fairy     c. The Sundance Kid     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by:     a. Richard Simmons     b. Grandma Moses     c. Michael Jordan     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:     a. Mr. Rogers     b. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill’s women problems     c. The World Wrestling Federation     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by:     a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd     b. The Supreme Court of Florida     c. Mr Bean     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:     a. Enron     b. The Lutheran Church     c. The NFL     d Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:     a. Bonnie and Clyde     b. Captain Kangaroo     c. Billy Graham     d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 14. And now we can add: In 2009, 31 people wounded and 13 American Soldiers murdered on base at Fort Hood by a Major that was known as…     a: You guessed it – A Muslim male extremist between the age of 17 and 40. No, I really don’t see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profile certain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President’s security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winner and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling. ________________________________ The Global Islamic population is approximately 1,200,000,000; that is ONE BILLION TWO HUNDRED MILLION or 20% of the world’s population. They have received the following Nobel Prizes: Literature: 1988 – Najib Mahfooz Peace: 1978 – Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat 1990 – Elias James Corey 1994 – Yaser Arafat: 1999 – Ahmed Zewai Economics: (zero) Physics: (zero) Medicine: 1960 – Peter Brian Medawar 1998 – Ferid Mourad TOTAL: 7 SEVEN The Global Jewish population is approximately 14,000,000; that is FOURTEEN MILLION or about 0.02% of the world’s population. They have received the following Nobel Prizes: Literature: 1910 – Paul Heyse 1927 – Henri Bergson 1958 – Boris Pasternak 1966 – Shmuel Yosef Agnon 1966 – Nelly Sachs 1976 – Saul Bellow 1978 – Isaac Bashevis Singer 1981 – Elias Canetti 1987 – Joseph Brodsky 1991 – Nadine Gordimer World Peace: 1911 – Alfred Fried 1911 – Tobias Michael Carel Asser 1968 – Rene Cassin 1973 – Henry Kissinger 1978 – Menachem Begin 1986 – Elie Wiesel 1994 – Shimon Peres 1994 – Yitzhak Rabin Physics: 1905 – Adolph Von Baeyer 1906 – Henri Moissan 1907 – Albert Abraham Michelson 1908 – Gabriel Lippmann 1910 – Otto Wallach 1915 – Richard Willstaetter 1918 – Fritz Haber 1921 – Albert Einstein 1922 – Niels Bohr 1925 – James Franck 1925 – Gustav Hertz 1943 – Gustav Stern 1943 – George Charles de Hevesy 1944 – Isidor Issac Rabi 1952 – Felix Bloch 1954 – Max Born 1958 – Igor Tamm 1959 – Emilio Segre 1960 – Donald A. Glaser 1961 – Robert Hofstadter 1961 – Melvin Calvin 1962 – Lev Davidovich Landau 1962 – Max Ferdinand Perutz 1965 – Richard Phillips Feynman 1965 – Julian Schwinger 1969 – Murray Gell-Mann 1971 – Dennis Gabor 1972 – William Howard Stein 1973 – Brian David Josephson 1975 – Benjamin Mottleson 1976 – Burton Richter 1977 – Ilya Prigogine 1978 – Arno Allan Penzias 1978 – Peter L Kapitza 1979 – Stephen Weinberg 1979 – Sheldon Glashow 1979 – Herbert Charles Brown 1980 – Paul Berg 1980 – Walter Gilbert 1981 – Roald Hoffmann 1982 – Aaron Klug 1985 – Albert A. Hauptman 1985 – Jerome Karle 1986 – Dudley R. Herschbach 1988 – Robert Huber 1988 – Leon Lederman 1988 – Melvin Schwartz 1988 – Jack Steinberger 1989 – Sidney Altman 1990 – Jerome Friedman 1992 – Rudolph Marcus 1995 – Martin Perl 2000 – Alan J. Heeger Economics: 1970 – Paul Anthony Samuelson 1971 – Simon Kuznets 1972 – Kenneth Joseph Arrow 1975 – Leonid Kantorovich 1976 – Milton Friedman 1978 – Herbert A. Simon 1980 – Lawrence Robert Klein 1985 – Franco Modigliani 1987 – Robert M. Solow 1990 – Harry Markowitz 1990 – Merton Miller 1992 – Gary Becker 1993 – Robert Fogel Medicine: 1908 – Elie Metchnikoff 1908 – Paul Erlich 1914 – Robert Barany 1922 – Otto Meyerhof 1930 – Karl Landsteiner 1931 – Otto Warburg 1936 – Otto Loewi 1944 – Joseph Erlanger 1944 – Herbert Spencer Gasser 1945 – Ernst Boris Chain 1946 – Hermann Joseph Muller 1950 – Tadeus Reichstein 1952 – Selman Abraham Waksman 1953 – Hans Krebs 1953 – Fritz Albert Lipmann 1958 – Joshua Lederberg 1959 – Arthur Kornberg 1964 – Konrad Bloch 1965 – Francois Jacob 1965 – Andre Lwoff 1967 – George Wald 1968 – Marshall W. Nirenberg 1969 – Salvador Luria 1970 – Julius Axelrod 1970 – Sir Bernard Katz 1972 – Gerald Maurice Edelman 1975 – Howard Martin Temin 1976 – Baruch S. Blumberg 1977 – Roselyn Sussman Yalow 1978 – Daniel Nathans 1980 – Baruj Benacerraf 1984 – Cesar Milstein 1985 – Michael Stuart Brown 1985 – Joseph L. Goldstein 1986 – Stanley Cohen [& Rita Levi-Montalcini] 1988 – Gertrude Elion 1989 – Harold Varmus 1991 – Erwin Neher 1991 – Bert Sakmann 1993 – Richard J. Roberts 1993 – Phillip Sharp 1994 – Alfred Gilman 1995 – Edward B. Lewis 1996- Lu RoseIacovino TOTAL: 129! The Jews are NOT promoting brain washing children in military training camps, teaching them how to blow themselves up and cause maximum deaths of Jews and other non Muslims. The Jews don’t hijack planes, nor kill athletes at the Olympics, or blow themselves up in German restaurants. There is NOT one single Jew who has destroyed a church. There is NOT a single Jew who protests by killing people. The Jews don’t traffic slaves, nor have leaders calling for Jihad and death to all the Infidels. Perhaps the world’s Muslims should consider investing more in standard education and less in blaming the Jews for all their problems. Muslims must ask ‘what can they do for humankind’ before they demand that humankind respects them. Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more culpability on Israel ‘s part, the following two sentences really say it all: ‘If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu General Eisenhower Warned Us It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said in words to this effect: ‘Get it all on record now – get the films – get the witnesses – because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened’ Recently, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it ‘offends’ the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as yet. However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it. It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the, 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians, and 1,900 Catholic priests who were ‘murdered, raped, burned, starved, beaten, experimented on and humiliated’ while the German people looked the other way. Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be ‘a myth,’ it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets. This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people. Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world. How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade Center ‘NEVER HAPPENED’ because it offends some Muslim in the United States ?

GHANIAN CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

      

                A GHANIAN CHRISTMAS SADNESS!

       While many of us are anxiously waiting or opening our Christmas gifts, in Ghana, a family anxiously awaits the tense news of a loved ones’ condition. My good friend, Kwame, sent money to his family for two chickens. One to be eaten on their Happy Christmas Day & the other on the next day, Boxing Day.  The chickens were costing $28.00 each in American money.  Meanwhile, his youngest daughter, Abena (Tuesday’s child), is taken to hospital with upper & lower GI complaints.  Luckily the Happy Christmas money has bought medical care, instead of annual chickens for these days.  The child would have died, without the medical attention, as she is already too weak.  In a poor part of the world children die all the time, due to unclean drinking water.  In these streams, clothes are washed, as well as their bodies, etc.  Kwame explained that they take their drinking water from the top of stream.  It is not boiled, as he explained, “As what good is it, as children are in school 8 hrs. a day.”  That water is not treated or boiled. It is hard to survive in Ghana. Staying alive in Africa is a “Miracle”, as Kwame says.! Being poor in Ghana, is a death sentence!  No money, no medical care!  Kwame’s three sisters died recently.  Money could not reach the one soon enough.  She died awaiting medical attention!  So sad! The other two sisters’ death may have been preventable, as well. We here in this country, do not always appreciate the simple necessities, that sustain life in each & everyone of us!  As Kwame is the tree of his tribe, everyone looks to him for help.  It is overwhelming, as he tries to save his family, singlehandedly!

So now, we wait.  We know that the Christ Child, will sustain & direct us, what ever the outcome.  We pray that this 6 year olds’ precious life will be spared.  So as we celebrate this joyous season, let us not forget the less fortunate among us!  Please offer prayers for little Abena & the many angels like her!

            MERRY CHRISTMAS!   AFE HYIAPAOO!

 A GHANIAN CHRISTMAS

Christmas in Ghana & other parts of Africa, are celebrated pretty much the same, as an American Christmas.  Names of things are changed as well as available products for the season. From the first week in Advent, churches & homes are decorated for Christmas! The day after Christmas is Boxing Day, as celebrated in other countries of English influence.  Their Santa Claus is called Father Christmas, who brings gifts to place under a fir tree in the corner of the home. He places other gifts in the childrens’ stockings. Decorations include pine branches, festive seasonal flowers on the tree with some bought decorations.  It is warm & sometimes rainy at this time of year. A prosperous cocoa harvest ensures extra money to spare.  All the farmers & miners come home to celebrate with family on Christmas Eve. School children are on holiday. On Christmas Eve, they walk down the streets singing carols & shouting “Christ is Coming!” In church, a pageant is prepared, for the evening. The church is decorated with pine & palm trees with lighted candles on the branches. Everyone dresses in native or Western dress. The Ghanians go to church bringing gifts or “love offerings to place on the altar, by communion table. Hymns are sung.  Then they visit families & friends after the service. On Christmas Day, everyone dresses as angels & sing Christmas Carols. They will also attend church again. The Ghanians are faithful worshippers & attend church every day! After the service, everyone returns home. A feast is served consisting of rice, meats, porridge, okra soup or stew & a yam paste called fufu. Fufu is eaten by placing hand in dough & dipping the fufu in the stew.   It is served outside the house. They also will visit friends, as we do.

Boxing Day, the celebration continues. A feast continues on this day. On New Years Eve, fireworks begin & end on New Year’s Day!

 

ADDING A PERSONAL NOTE!

Last year, I purchased clothing & other items for the family.  I asked Kwame’s wife for measurements. Little Kofi aged 7 years at that time, had a waist size of a 4 year old. No wonder they need a “Miracle”!  If starvation doesn’t kill them, the unclean water will. Now the hardship is that DADA has been gone for 6 years.  The children tell Kwame that they don’t remember him anymore. Such a sacrifice to leave loved ones & come to a new world to work, so they will have food. Now bringing them to America is blocked by the Embassy, as they were too poor to get legal documentation of their marriage. The church recognizes the marriage. We have come so far that a church’s word is not good enough!  Heaven help us!

  

           GHANIAN NAMING SYSTEM

Day of week child is born:

            FEMALE        MALE

SUNDAY-   Akosua         Kwasi

M0NDAY-   Adwoa          Kwadwa        

TUESDAY-  Abena          Kwabena  

WEDNESDAY- Akua       Kwaku

THURSDAY- Yaa           Yaw

FRIDAY- Afuah            Kofi

SATURDAY-Ama          Kwame

WORDS OF WISDOM

WORDS OF WISDOM- A letter to my children & to all that will be moved by these sage words!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we are all concentrating on the biggie!  At Christmastime, I know all of you will be where you want to be & will have enjoyable times with some family & friends.  Some will experience a less fulfilling time, as in the past, as alternative plans have been made. The alternative celebration includes myself & others in similar circumstances. In fact, an appearance of one individual, would be most welcome, especially for one, who has received little company since before August. Visitations are most important to shut-ins, to keep them in contact with daily life.  My husband was the biggest testimony of that, as he lay dying, he revived to live longer with each visit from someone.  Visits were sparse!  What a difference they would have made if oftener.

I cannot speak enough to the topic of giving yourself, your time, your talents!  It does make a difference!  Did it occur, that when will serve your abundance of food, to offer a platter to a lonely neighbor or someone in need?  Or during this holiday season, to reach out to a shut-in or lonely senior in need of stimulation?  So little is expected, but we live by example. Our children today are so used to entitlements that there needs to be opportunity to serve others. Receiving without the opportunity of giving back, erodes & corrupts the soul, a well known psychologist has noted! So it is my wish this holiday season, that you extend yourself & family to someone less fortunate. It is a season for giving, but giving your heart, yourself, is the most generous, loved gifts! You will not bankrupt your budget for a year either!  This has been my life, giving of self, to others. So I may have chosen a road less traveled sometimes, but it has made all the difference, as Robert Frost once wrote. 

Now is the time to stop looking back & looking to the future.  But most importantly the present, as that is all you have now,  Do not let it pass through your fingers unnoticed, for tomorrow you will weep, for what you had & lost!

Christmas is a time, where we all want to be home again. But no one can truly go home again.  As the song goes, “I’ll be home for Christmas, but only in my dreams!’  I don’t think I can realistically come home again.  It is too bittersweet.  My home is here.

So make merry, enjoy the holidays!  As times are ever changing, so is your life.  It is all ahead of you.  What are you going to REALLY DO WITH IT?

MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR A HAPPY JOYOUS NEW YEAR!

CARPE DIEM!  SEIZE THE DAY!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

THANKFULNESS FOR BLESSINGS IN THIS AMERICAN CELEBRATION, WHERE HOSTILITES, HUNGER & LONELINESS PERMEATS MUCH OF OUR WORLD! KEEP OUR TROOPS WHO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM SAFE. BRING THEM BACK HOME SAFELY! BRING LIGHT TO THOSE WHO ARE BLINDED BY INTOLERANCE. UNDERSTANDING TO THOSE WITH HATRED IN THEIR HEARTS! OUR MOST URGENT PRAYER IS TO BRING PEACE & PROSPERITY BACK TO A WORLD RENT ASUNDER BY SELF AGENDA! “LET PEACE BEGIN WITH ME!”

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every
conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary.
We know we take responsibility for all we have done and
do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to
point out that it was
NOT the senior citizens who took:          

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behavior,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement or
God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance
from personal relationships and interactions with others!!

And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism,
and remember those who have fought and
died for our country.

Does anyone under the age of 50 know the lyrics
to the Star Spangled Banner?

What about the last verse of My Country ’tis of Thee?

“Our father’s God to thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s Holy light.
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.”

Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and
pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with
their hand over their hearts!

YES, I’M A SENIOR CITIZEN!                      
I’m the life of the party……
even if it lasts until 8 p.m.
I’m very good at opening childproof caps….
with a hammer.
I’m awake many hours before my body
allows me to get up.
I’m smiling all the time because I can’t
hear a thing you’re saying.
I’m sure everything I can’t find
is in a safe secure place, somewhere.
I’m wrinkled, saggy, lumpy,
and that’s just my left leg.
I’m beginning to realize that
aging is not for wimps.
I’m a walking storeroom of facts…..
I’ve just lost the key to the storeroom door.

Yes, I’m a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am
having the time of my life!

TRANSITION

According to a Merriam Webster’s dictionary, transition is a passing of one condition to another, including a change in state of mind, or activity.  It can be caused by a role change, loss of job or relationship or just a mental change in perception of your world around you.  In any case it means change, for better or worse, depending on the transitional outcome.  Since August of 2009, I have gone through life’s most traumatic transitions, experiencing all of the above & none of them positive. But I have survived, even tho’ the body that I emotionally live in, is now at the brink of failure!  My diagnosis is unacceptable to someone who has cheated the death of her forefathers. My coffin has become the chair in which, I spend my life 24 hours a day. Dr visits make up my trips to the outside world. Few bother to stop by or call anymore.  I am now forgotten, despite my copious gifts, talents, & outreach to others in the community previously. Presently, after trying leg wrapping for lymphedema, I applied these space type leggings on my legs, 3 times a day.  A machine compresses & massages or pumps, my legs til fluid is squeezed back into the bladder.  If this fails, I will then have to resort to dialysis.  I would love to hear from some others in a similar state.
I have not had much energy, so many activities or pursuits remain undone.  I have exchanged creative, productive activity for computer games, that do not require much of me. Thus is the essence of my existence these days!
Only GOD knows where & when this will end.

A DEATH IN GHANA

A DEATH IN GHANA

Ghanians are well known universally as adoring the dead & paying for expensive, flamboyant funerals.  So much so that the living are often left without resources to carry on, as they take out loans to give the appearance of affluence & later left with nothing.  Often relatives & friends are expected to rebuild houses, provide for airfare for those commuting a distance,  or burial clothes with expensive funerary items for the deceased & the family.  Recently stated by the immediate past Director-General, of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, said that Ghanaians should pay attention to a healthy living and give priority to their health instead of spending all their resources on expensive funerals.

Funeral traditions in Ghana are indeed very interesting & have been adhered to for centuries!  The same practices that their ancestors did, they continue with today.  At some point money became a very important part of life & death in Ghana.  Maybe bartering was a mode to exchange services centuries ago.  Kwame has lost 2 sisters recently in Ghana, that I have written about in my blog.  One was his blood sibling, who died because surgery could not be performed until money was paid up front.  The other sister, referred to as Mum who had raised him with a grandmother, who had lived to be 101.  Imagine living to a ripe old age with the hardships, life brings to the people of that country.  His mother died in the process of breastfeeding him, & he lay there with a corpse, til all returned that day from the field. When a young child loses a parent, a new one is appointed to take care of the child.  Being a widow in Ghana, almost takes me back to biblical times.

Back to the topic!  After death is determined, the body will be taken to the mortuary.  It could be a long time before any funeral celebration can be planned.  Everyone that knew the person, must view the body.  When satisfaction is gained that all that need to view the body, have seen it, then preparation for funeral can begin. After the body has been viewed by all of the village, a funeral is planned which lasts a week.  This is a way of honoring all of the dead who have gone before them.  As Kwame says, “ It is like an American Memorial Day, where we go to honor the dead, who lost their lives in acquiring land for us.”  No body can be buried until the remembrance is done.  Ghanians pour alcohol over ground for remembrance, wanting the ghosts to know that they are remembering them. “We pray to God & worship the old memories.”  Then we slit the throats of sheep, pouring blood on the ground.  Then a feast begins & we eat for 2 days.”  Food gathered from the fields & the sheep that are slaughtered become our repast for our feasting.

Kwame is the tree of his extended family.  He tells me that everyone comes to him for shade. He meant relief from financial problems, wheither health needs, counseling, or just plain substance for daily living.”  Such pressure!  He is very torn right now, not only with pressure to alleviate the financial obligation of this rememberance, but physically feels a need to be in the presence of his past. “I am supposed to be like a son, who will stand there & bury her, but I can’t go.  She toiled for me, raised me , helped me get to America.  She deserves to have me stand at her graveside. It’s hard in Africa, Mummy.”

I have become his American Mummy, his family!  Such a beautiful heart!

Tomorrow, I will have to see about airfare.

YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN!

YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN!

Often you hear the expression, that you can’t go home again.  Going home is a state of mind, A PLACE WHERE YOU WERE SAFE, be it a location, a person, or in your mind & heart.  A friend of mine calls it Bittersweet. No one can really go home again, as it truly is never the same.  Ever try going back to a place where you previously lived & were very happy?  Things never are the same, as you remember them.  First, usually, when you reach that mental state of mind, people have either changed, moved or have died.  Landscaping has changed.  That tree that your child brought home from kindergarten that “ you just have to plant to put air back again.”  Now it has been cut down & taken away. The prize peonies & roses are replaced with concrete & a new garage.  The interior of the house is not quite as you remember it, or totally different.  Our family home was sold a number of times.  My son, went to go through it with his children, the last time it was for sale. He said, when he came home, “Mom!  I never realized that my bedroom was so small!  As a child, it was the biggest spot in the world.  It was his domain! I went back to take pictures of the old house recently.  Someone

completely remodeled it.  It was a ranch, with a garage & bomb shelter underneath, the

first half of the house.  The landscape sloped, making the back of the house a second floor. A full front porch replaced what was a half porch. Now it has an upstairs, with lovely offsets for windows.  We had four bedrooms in our house.  I have to wonder, if the family living there now is large or if they needed more space.  But for a very short sixteen years, it was our palace!  The few times Pop had to baby-sit, he left our precious boy climb a mulberry tree, getting his overalls caught, by the seat of his pants.  Now, it is gone, as well as those dirty mulberries.  Anyone that has ever hung wash out on a line, know what a mess, the birds & berries make on your laundry.  Then there was the day, I had a God awful fight with hubby, until he finally dug the trench for our 18×16 size patio. I’ll never forget the Schumacher- Omar Khayyam draperies & the wall paper, that cost me a fortune, or the painter that spilled a whole gallon of yellow-green paint on the rug in the hallway.  Lastly, I’ll never forget those Thanksgivings, Christmas’s, family picnics, birthday parties, wedding receptions that were held in those years at home.  All will only live in our memories & hearts forever.  Bittersweet & painful to say the least!!!

As the Christmas song says, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas, If Only In My Dreams”.

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

This is very interestingA History lesson for sure .. . .. LAUS DEO One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time.  I was not aware of this amazing historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.  No one can see these words.  In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn’t care less. Once you know Laus Deo ‘s history , you will want to share this with everyone you know.  These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America .. Laus Deo!  Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?  Very simply, they say ‘ Praise be to God!’ Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.  It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo ‘Praise be to God!’ From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments.  From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l’Enfant ..a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.  The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross you ask?  Why a cross?  What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.  So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God!  Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings.  As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God! When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God!  Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ‘One Nation, Under God.’  I am awed by Washington ‘s prayer for America  Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!   ‘ Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.  Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.’   Laus Deo !When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation’s capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of ‘ Laus Deo ‘, its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: ‘Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.’  (Psalm 127: 1)

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

 

A Fun Fact for Each State

ALABAMA ….  Was the first place to have 9-1-1, started in 1968.

ALASKA …  One out of every 64 people has a pilot’s license.

ARIZONA ….  Is the only state in the continental U.S.   that

doesn’t follow Daylight Savings Time.

ARKANSAS ….  Has the only active diamond mine in the U.S.

CALIFORNIA …  Its economy is so large that if it were a country,

it would rank seventh in the entire world.

COLORADO ….  In 1976 it became the only state to

turn down the Olympics.

CONNECTICUT …  The Frisbee was invented

here at Yale University .

DELAWARE ….  Has more scientists and engineers

than any other state.

FLORIDA ….  At 759 square miles, Jacksonville is

the U.S. ‘s largest city.

GEORGIA ….  It was here, in 1886, that pharmacist

John Pemberton made the first vat of Coca-Cola.

HAWAII ..  Hawaiians live, on average, five years longer

than residents in any other state.

IDAHO …  TV was invented in Rigby, Idaho, in 1922.

ILLINOIS ….  The Chicago River is dyed green every St.Patrick’s Day

INDIANA …..  Home to Santa Claus, Indiana,

which get a half million letters to Santa every year.

IOWA …  Winnebagos get their name from Winnebago County .

Also, it is the only state that begins with two vowels.

KANSAS …  Liberal, Kansas, has an exact replica of

the house in The Wizard of Oz.

KENTUCKY ….  Has more than $6 billion in gold

underneath Fort Knox .

LOUISIANA ….  Has parishes instead of counties

because they were originally Spanish church units.

MAINE …  It’s so big, it covers as many square miles

as the other five New England states combined.

MARYLAND ….  The Ouija board was created in Baltimore in 1892.

MASSACHUSETTS …  The Fig Newton is named after

Newton, Massachusetts.

MICHIGAN ….  Fremont, home to Gerber, is the

baby food capital of the world.

MINNESOTA ….  Bloomington ‘s Mall of America is so big, if you

spent 10 minutes in each store, you’d be there nearly four days.

MISSISSIPPI …  President Teddy Roosevelt refused to

shoot a bear here …  that’s how the teddy bear got its name.

MISSOURI ….  Is the birthplace of the ice cream cone.

MONTANA ….  A sapphire from Montana is in the

Crown Jewels of England .

NEBRASKA ….  More triplets are born here than in any other state.

NEW HAMPSHIRE …  Birthplace of Tupperware,

invented in 1938 by Earl Tupper.

NEW JERSEY …  Has the most shopping malls in one

area in the world.

NEW MEXICO …  Smokey the Bear was rescued from

a 1950 forest fire here.

NEW YORK ….  Is home to the nation’s oldest cattle ranch,

started in 1747 in Montauk.

NORTH CAROLINA …  Home of the first Krispy Kreme doughnut.

NORTH DAKOTA …  Rigby, North Dakota, is the exact

geographic center of North America .

OHIO …  The hot dog was invented here in 1900.  OH !!!!

OKLAHOMA ….  The grounds of the state capital are

covered by operating oil wells.

OREGON …  Has the most ghost towns in the country.

PENNSYLVANIA …  The smiley, 🙂 was first used in 1980

by computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University .

RHODE ISLAND …  The nation’s oldest bar, the

White Horse Tavern, opened here in 1673

SOUTH CAROLINA …  Sumter County is home to the

world’s largest gingko farm.

SOUTH DAKOTA …  Is the only state that’s never

had an earthquake.

TENNESSEE ….  Nashville ‘s Grand Ole Opry is the longest

running live radio show in the world.

TEXAS …  Dr.  Pepper was invented in Waco back in 1885.

UTAH …  The first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant

opened here in 1952.

VERMONT ….  Montpelier is the only state capital

without a McDonald’s.

VIRGINIA ….  Home of the world’s largest office building …. 

the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON …  Seattle has twice as many college graduates

as any other state.

WASHINGTON D.C.  …  Was the first planned capital in the world.

WEST VIRGINIA …  Had the world’s first brick paved street,

Summers Street, laid in Charleston in 1870.

WISCONSIN ….  The ice cream sundae was invented

here in 1881 to get around Blue Laws prohibiting

ice cream from being sold on Sundays.

WYOMING ….  Was the first state to allow women to vote.

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE’S DAY!

RV TRAVELWITH DISABILITIES/ DIALYSIS IN BUCKS CO., PA

DOYLESTOWN, BUCKS CO., PA 1) DIALYSIS CENTERS WITHIN A 30 MILE RADIUS FROM DOYLESTOWN Abington 3940a Commerce Ave Willow Grove PA 19090-1705 Fax: 215-830-8322 In-center Hemo,in-center PD Distance- 11.76 mi PLACEMENT SPECIALIST AVAILABLE Phone: 1-866-889-6019 Intl: +1 (610) 722-6019 Reference Number: 3016 Belmont Court Dialysis 255 Belmont Ave Doylestown PA 18901-4458 Fax: 215-348-0396 Phone: 215-348-7333 Reference Number: 104652 FMC – Doylestown Dialysis Center 708 N Shady Retreat Rd Ste 5 Doylestown PA 18901-2503 Fax: 267-880-0753 Phone: 215-348-9690 Reference Number: 102645 Liberty Dialysis – Doylestown 2800 Kelly Rd Ste 110 In Center Hemo, pd Warrington PA 18976-3626 Fax: 215-343-0483 Phone: 215-488-7220 Reference Number: 105277 FMC – Lansdale 100 Medical Campus Dr Lansdale PA 19446-1259 Fax: 215-853-8308 Phone: 215-853-8300 Reference Number: 102642 Belmont Court Dialysis 225 Newtown Rd 1st Floor Warminster PA 18974-5221 Fax: 215-957-7995 Phone: 215-957-7990 Reference Number: 102806 DSI – Sellersville 1112 Old Bethlehem Pike Sellersville PA 18960-1423 Fax: 215-257-0954 Phone: 215-257-0950 Reference Number: 105239 There are more dialysis centers available in this area. BUCKS COUNTY-ATTRACTIONS Doylestown is the county seat of Bucks County. There are many interesting & picturesque sites in this area. First of all, Doylestown itself is home to two wonderful museums built by philanthropist, Henry Chapman Mercer. Born 1856 in Doylestown, he was an American archeologist, artifact collector, tile maker & designer of three very unusual poured concrete structures in town. One being his home, FONTHILL, which is open to the public. Making up the 2nd building of the Mercer mile is THE MORAVIAN POTTERY & TILE WORKS. Here beautiful tiles were made that were being used on the floor of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in HARRISBURG, PA. These beautiful mosaics trace the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from prehistoric times. The tiles can be found as far as in Grauman’s Chinese Theater, to a simple household fireplace in some fortunate Bucks Countian’s fireplace. The third building in this Mercer Mile, I think is the most interesting. Mercer Museum has been built to look like a concrete poured castle, with narrow winding steps, up & down, eeiry, dark, mystic, housing early American tools & medical instruments! On each level, you will find other very old artifacts, even a very large boat, hanging in the middle of the ceiling. It also houses the Spruance Library where genealogy research can be done, Here the Bucks County Historical Society has a wealth of research materials, cemetery, church books, etc. from Bucks & surrounding counties. There is an elevator to get to certain parts of the museum. But limited use is available. Where an elevator will take you up to the library, you will have to be able to walk down some steps to get to the library itself. There is a fee for non members. Be prepared to park your belongings, before you go in to the room. I would suggest that you leave purse & valuables some where’s else where they are safe. The bathroom is not as easily accessible either. Children are fascinated by all the varied artifacts. If you are lucky, you might find a program in progress. These buildings are a must! Take your camera, pen & pad, do what you can navigate. The buildings in town are old, shops are quaint, courthouse contains many Bucks County files, too. Interesting place. You could easily spend two days here. There are lots of great cinemas in malls & great eating places outside town. http://www.tiles.org/pages/mptw/mercer.htm more info. http://www.discoverourtown.com/PA/Doylestown/Attractions-1072.html#Historic Homes & Buildings Peace Valley Park, New Britain Twp., is surrounded by Lake Galena. It is just a few miles north of town. There are lots of recreational activities there such as boating, ice skating, walking trails, boat launching area, nature center & many other things to do. This place consists of 1500 acres. There are many other similar places in the area. Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, New Hope/ Lambertville/ Washington Crossing area are all beautiful centers of artistic culture, quaint little shops that feature local craftsmen, & little out of the way eateries with the ambience of a time gone by. Washington’s Crossing is the site of historical nature, which explains itself. You will just simply follow #202 all the way to the Delaware River. Don’t forget to take that beautiful ride along the canals. WINERIES There are also some great wineries in Bucks County. Some of them are:Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Route 413, Buckingham; Chaddsford Winery Store in Peddler’s Village, Merchant’s Row, Lahaska; Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Wrightstown Rd., Washington Crossing. There are many more in the area. http://www.bucksviews.com/Destinations/Vineyards_and_Wineries/Vineyards_and_Wineries.htm COVERED BRIDGES Located in the more rural part of northwestern part of Bucks Co., are Erwinna Covered Bridge, Frankenfield Covered Bridge, & Uhlersville Covered Bridge. There are many others to seein the county, http://www.bucksviews.com/Scenes/Bridges/covered_bridges.htm Be sure to proceed with caution, if walking, as cars often speed through the bridge. Beautiful scenery with local color abound, so please bring your cameras. ANTIQUE SHOPS Antique shops/ auctions are abound in Bucks County, whether in Lahaska, New Hope, Lambertville or surrounding areas. The area around Doylestown is full of history & reminders of the past, whether in building or artifact! If you want to spend time in Bucks County, there are many more wonderful places & ideas for a perfect trip. http://www.discoverourtown.com/PA/Doylestown/Shopping-1072.html PLACES TO STAY- http://www.bucksviews.com/Accommodations.htm COLONIAL WOODS- Family Camping Resort- http://colonialwoods.com/ Upper Black Eddy,PA Toll-Free: (800) 887-CAMP (2267) Open Mid-April thru November 1 http://www.discoverourtown.com/PA/Doylestown/Lodging-1072.html DINING- http://www.discoverourtown.com/PA/Doylestown/Dining-1072.html RECREATION-http://www.discoverourtown.com/PA/Doylestown/Recreation-1072.html Golf

GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!

SUPPORT OUR MILITARY

SUPPORT OUR MILITARY 

 XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com  

You can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it

and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving

 in Iraq. You can’t pick out who gets it, but it will go

 to a member of the armed services.
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we
 know to send one!!!  It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of

these? Whether you are for or against the war,

our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.
This takes just 10 seconds and it’s a wonderful way

to say thank you. Please take the time and please take

the time to pass it on for others to do.  We can never

say enough  thank you’s. Thanks for taking

to time to support our military!

I AIN’T DEAD YET!

SO MANY PEOPLE LOOK FOR THE POEM- I AIN’T DEAD YET!  SO I DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT MY CONDITION IN LIFE!  BUT I AIN’T DEAD YET!

POEM- I AIN’T DEAD YET!

My mind alert to life

Frustrates my brain

My limbs are stiff

My back is fused

My kidneys in failure

Life yields no pleasure

Needs basic to life only

Nothing else brought to fruition

But – I AIN’T DEAD YET!

 Barely can I prepare the day

Which begins with one

Obstacle after another

I struggle to keep my body

Going for usual things

Messages sent, nothing moves.

I will it, but still I’m

Inaccessible to life outside

But- I AIN’T DEAD YET!

 

My heart yearns for change

Change to better the plight

Change to participate

Caught in this web

Of wasted tomorrows

Watching as the world

Greets me again each day,

Passing me by.

But- I AIN’T DEAD YET!

 

What has this fire ignited

To survive against all odds?

What is this throbbing desire,

To keep finding solutions?

A will to live in optismism,

Pushes my immobile body on.

I struggle, knowing tomorrow

Will be the same or worse!

But- I AIN’T DEAD YET!

TRAVELING WITH A DIALYSIS/ DISABILITY

I am about to embark on a new adventure.  As many of my followers know, I am a kidney patient in need of dialysis soon.  The number keeps coming up, that qualifies me for treatment, but other things negate the urgency for its use.  In plain language- if the water works (peeing) is still working & feet/ limbs are at a reasonable size, not swollen, then it can be held off for another month.  One begins to live from one blood test to another, but I am in kidney failure now which is the #15.  For those in this situation, my creatinine is between 3.2-3.5.  But my philosophy has always been that for every door that closes, there is another one just around the corner that has opened, beckoning me to keep going forward.  As this blog is titled- I AIN’T DEAD YET! Gives one my outlook on life!  Thus, I have begun a new brainstorm- Traveling With Dialysis.  This series can be found on my other blog-TRAVELS WITH AUNTIE NANA. The link to connect to it, is to the right on each page listed under LINKS. Our bodies may have given up long ago on us, but our brains are active & in need of stimulation.  So let’s fulfill our dreams to travel, pick up our marbles & live each day, as if it were our last.  Be adventuresome!  HIT THE ROAD!  I will be investigating dialysis centers, campgrounds, RV traveling, attractions, etc. & yes there are even cruise lines that will do hemodialysis/ peritoneal dialysis. .  Sooo……..stay tuned!  Your life as you know it could be changed forever!  CARPE DIEM!   SEIZE THE DAY!

NOVEMBER 15, 2009:  Look for  part of Bucks Co., PA  soon.  i have to check & double check, then will get it in here.  My energy is quickly ebbing!

RAMBLINGS

SORROW IN GHANA      

SORROW IN GHANA IS WHEN A CHILD OF GOD DIES, FOR LACK OF MONEY FOR TREATMENT.  MY BEAUTIFUL PRECIOUS KWAME, JUST LOST HIS SISTER BECAUSE SURGERY WOULD NOT BE DONE, UNTIL THE MONEY WAS PAID UP FRONT.  SHE DIED BEFORE HE COULD GET THE NECESSARY MONEY, SENT TO THE FAMILY BY WESTERN UNION.  IT AMOUNTED TO ABOUT $150 AMERICAN DOLLARS.  CAN YOU IMAGINE?  DO WE REALIZE, RICH OR POOR HOW LUCKY WE ARE IN THIS COUNTRY.  WHEN A SURGICAL PROCEDURE IS NEEDED, THE DRS. DO NOT HESITATE TO OPERATE. POVERTY IS A TERRIBLE THING.  WE SHOULD HUMBLE OURSELVES IN THIS POSITION FOR A FEW DAYS.  IN OUR COUNTRY OF PLENTY, WE HAVE ARROGANCE & GREED.  HEAVEN HELP US! THANK GOD THAT YOU WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH, TO BE BORN IN THIS COUNTRY.

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

DR. CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

DR. CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

Dr. Krauthammer is on Fox News. He is an M.D. and a lawyer and is paralyzed from the neck down.  A friend went to hear Charles Krauthammer. He listened with 25 others in a closed room. What he says here, is NOT 2nd-hand but 1st. The ramifications are staggering for us, our children and their children. Last Monday was a profound evening, hearing Dr. Charles Krauthammer spoke to the Center for the American Experiment. He is brilliant intellectual, seasoned & articulate. He is forthright and careful in his analysis, and never resorts to emotions or personal insults. He is NOT a fear monger nor an extremist in his comments and views. He is a fiscal conservative, and has received a Pulitzer Prize for writing. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News and writes weekly for the Washington Post.  The entire room was held spellbound during his talk. I have summarized his comments, as we are living in uncharted waters economically and internationally.  Even 2 Dems at my table agreed with everything he said! If you feel like forwarding this to those who are open minded and have not drunk the Kool-Aid, feel free.                                     Summary of his comments:                     1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn’t show his emotions. It’s very hard to know what’s behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty by a political neophyte was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time.                     2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he’s on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!                     3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can’t be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand, and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada .                     4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn’t care about the auto or financial services industries, but got them as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program, because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada. God forbid!                     5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries.  This obviously can’t work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he’s a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate, but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he does, not what he says.                     6. Obama doesn’t really see himself as President of the United States, but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America, as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!                     7. He is now handing out goodies. He hopes that the bill (and pain) will not come due until after he is reelected in 2012. He would like to blame all problems on Bush from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego, and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist.                     8… Republicans are in the wilderness for a while, but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan, but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant, but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent, but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and state’s rights.                     9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don’t have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn’t work, nor will the stimulus package.These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama’s allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.                     10. The election was over in mid-September when Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain, and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was.                     11. In 2012, if the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it’s under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it’s between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what’s happening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going  on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard, but we’re right on most issues and can reclaim our country, before it’s far too late.                      Do yourself a long term favor, send this to all who will listen to an intelligent assessment of the big picture. All our futures and children’s futures depend on our good understanding of what is really going on in DC, and our action pursuant to that understanding!!    It really IS up to each of us to take individual action!! Start with educating your friends and neighbors!!!

RAMBLINGS

THE DATING GAME!

You know that things never seem to change, on this subject, but maybe boldness!  I joined a site to find the love of my life, a partner with whom to share my life. I had a lot of responses, most not worth mentioning, but I was reminded about the same old story.  When we were young teenagers, frolicking in the back seat of a car, the game was the same.  The jocks as we called them, wanted to capture the girl’s virginity, then brag to the other jocks how good he was at lovemaking, which was really sex.  They had no concept of what lovemaking was or how to please a woman.  They mainly limited their escapades to the popular, pretty slim girls.  Anyone over a size 10 was verboten!  Most of the relationships were shallow & short lived.  Some married early, others just ended unhappily.  The boys physically became men, but still carried their macho ideas of the perfect woman.  I have news for you—–THERE IS NO SUCH FEMALE AS A PERFECT WOMAN!  SHE EXISTS ONLY IN YOUR IMAGINATION!  Today these very macho has beens’ are shopping for someone to fill the void in their life.  But they forget that just as worn as they have become, so has the woman of their dreams.  No one reaches 70, without some scars.  You know arthritis, which responds to drugs, that enable both to move until it’s over used & old.  A hysterectomy here, prostate there, we need not mention.  The scar hardly visible, until performance time!  Hair loss, wrinkles, flat feet, no feet, a breakdown of the body overly used!  But still they avoid the mirror, never finding their own flaws, only the perfection unfound, but highly sought after.  For both, it may be too late.  Time has taken its’ toll.  Let’s put away our childish ideas of happiness & take a good look in the mirror.  Then look for your dream girl.  She may be little, she may be fat, she may have parts wrong, or she may just be missing her teeth.  But the next time you really want a good woman, look at how she thinks, what she does, & how she reacts to people of all differences & similarities.  Most of all, is she capable of everlasting love no matter what befalls your relationship.  Time will tell, but time is not our friend.  Wake up!  She’s there!  Take your blinders off!  

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!

RAMBLINGS

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER! 

Once I was a librarian for many years, in my other life, & I used to become annoyed by how some wonderful books sat on the shelf!  Classics!  Then some newer versions were donated to the library.  They were used, but had nice shiny covers, so appealing! I realized that THAT was the problem, as the new ones moved quickly, & the old worn ones stayed on the shelf! Appearances were everything, no matter how special the inside of the volume presented itself.  Aren’t some of us, like that in life?  We see something or someone, but if the object or person is unappealing, we don’t even bother to seek or find the good in what is presented to us.       

 

 

 

The same with people we meet.  Our instant judgment on their capabilities, looks, are judged by what we see visually, not what is inside the heart & soul of the person.  I look at each individual as perhaps a gift!  It is more than the packaging!  You have to do more than admire the gift!  You have to unwrap it, to discover the treasures inside.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we could do that to all the people we meet?  Look. Admire, Learn, Unwrap the gift!  There would be less intolerance!

RECENTLY, finding myself a widow, I decided that I was unavailable too so many things for years, & didn’t want to waste another minute of life left to me! Being

somewhat immobile both by physical problem, & lack of someone to transport me, I decided to hook up with a dating site.  I was answering my e-mail & this Christian Singles, which I won’t mention any names, came across my screen.  Being lonely with only my computer for company, I thought of it as an omen! So I bravely & I mean bravely entered the cyber world.  To my surprise, I found instant Love, Marriage, etc.  But after a lot of sweet talk & espressions of love, poems, I guess I was ready for the KILL!  You remain anonymous, but if so green & smitten to the dating game after being married 50 years, as I was, WELL BEWARE!  THE ACTION FIRST INCLUDES GETTING A YAHOO ADDRESS, THEN YOU CAN DO IM, NEXT MAYBE PHONE NUMBER & REAL E-MAIL ADDRESS.  LASTLY, I’M STUCK IN NIGERIA WITHOUT MONEY FOR TOOLS, OR BEEN MUGGED.  THEN THE SUPPOSED 10 YR. OLD WRITES MISS ALICE FOR HELP FOR DAD.  Oh my, some of them, just switch their pictures.  Some include some bio, but different areas of domicle.  WOW!  What a game out there.  If it it not that, then be prepared,after a few very polite introductions, for it to lead very quickly to CYBER SEX.  Then try to get rid of them!  SCAMMERS!!!!  Who do you believe?  So girls if you are lonely & can get out on own speed. Do so!  Stay out of these places!

 

Getting back to my original supposition!  I put my own BBW picture on the net in my profile.  You guessed it!  Mostly sleeze balls! So I did a switch for an experiment!  I put an 1980 Drop Dead Gorgeous picture of me in space!  Wow!  In one day, I got more hits than I ever imagined, even the hunks, that passed me up the first time!  And this time they treated me like a lady! I got an honest relationship going with one gentleman, & that he was!  I asked why did theynot bother to read anything about me?  Only judged me by the picture.  He said that some men look at BBW as desperate women in need of more affection & love, & are easy & have  poor esteem.  BUT, he said the men have the same problem!  So I have taken the road less traveled so far & it has made all the difference in my life! 

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER!  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! 

 

DISABILITY

HANDICAPPED SHORT-CUTS TO REMAIN AUTONOMOUS!

It has become increasingly more difficult for me to lift or remove larger, heaver containers of food from the refrigerator or elsewhere.  My solution was small plastic bags, such as sandwich or snack bags for small portions of food.  I have an aide that comes a few hours a day.  One of his jobs is to downsize portions of food, so they can be easily removed from the refrigerator.  I can’t stand, so my rollator is placed by the frig.  I can open the door & easily remove my portion of food, such as a sandwich or bag of fresh fruit.  I recycled small old water bottles for tea, orange juice, etc.  I plan to do the same with dinner meals.  Into a qt. freezer bag, I will put a steak, hamburger, or breast of chicken, etc. with a portion of frozen vegetables & any starch that can be frozen.  This enables me to be self sufficient at dinnertime, if I am by myself.  There isn’t the dance of upsetting the freezer to find some thing on bottom, which can’t be accomplished by me.  Therefore, just pull bag out of the freezer & voila dinner is already to prepare!  Try to make simple meals that can be combined, when help is available.  I like to prepare chicken stock with the works for

Casserole, pie, dumplings or just plain soup.  I do this often, then I have homemade food ready to just microwave or heat up.  Or a crockpot of pork & sauerkraut!  Mashed potatoes can be thrown in bags & portions frozen.  Try to think ahead!  The more you can do yourself, the less sodium, fat, calories, you get from processed food.  I know!  It seems easier to depend on a frozen dinner!  But at our age the amount of sodium in them can kill us!  SO GET COOKING!

POLITICAL INTERNET TIDBITS

 LETTER TO OBAMA

This letter was sent to the NY Times but they never acknowledged it.  (Big surprise!)  Since it hit the internet, however, it has had over 500,000 hits.  Keep it going. 

Lou Pritchett is one of corporate America‘s true living legends- an acclaimed author, dynamic teacher and one of the world’s highest rated speakers. Successful corporate executives everywhere recognize him as the foremost leader in change management. Lou changed the way America does business by creating an audacious concept that came to be known as “partnering.” Pritchett rose from soap salesman to Vice-President, Sales and Customer Development for Procter and Gamble and over the course of 36 years, made corporate history.
 
 
 AN OPEN LETTER TO
 PRESIDENT OBAMA
 
 Dear President Obama:
 
 You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me. 
 You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.
 
 You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support. 

 You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.
 
 You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.
 
 You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don’t understand it at its core. 
 
 You scare me because you lack humility and ‘class’, always blaming others. 

 You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.
 
 You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the ‘blame America ‘ crowd and deliver this message abroad.
 
 You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

 You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.
 
 You scare me because you prefer ‘wind mills’ to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.
 
 You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.
 
 You scare me because you have begun to use ‘extortion’ tactics against certain banks and corporations.
 
 You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.
 
 You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.
 
 You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.
 
 You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.
 
 You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O’Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.
 
 You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.
 
 Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.
 
 Lou Pritchett
 TRUE – CHECK:  http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.  It’s happening right now.

MORE POLITICAL TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

           Social Security 2009

LET US SHOW OUR LEADERS IN WASHINGTON “PEOPLE POWER” AND THE POWER OF THE INTERNET. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS.
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT!
 KEEP IT GOING!!!!   

Propose this in 2009:

                  START A BILL TO PLACE ALL POLITICIANS ON SOCIAL SECURITY
                                 ———————————-
                               SOCIAL SECURITY:

                               (This is worth reading. It is short and to the point.)
 Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years.
Our Senators and Congresswomen do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.
You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society . They felt they    should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan.
In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.
For all practical purposes their plan works like this:

When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die.
             Except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments…

          For example, Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7, 800,000.00 (that’s Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275, 000..00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for each of those two Dignitaries. Younger Dignitaries who retire at an early age, will receive much more during the rest of their lives. Their cost for this excellent plan is $0.00. NADA!!! ZILCH!!!  This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab f or this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds;

                               “OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK”!

    From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into, every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer), We can expect to get an average of  $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley’s benefits!

Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. That change would be to Jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen.. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us. Then sit back…..  And see how fast they would fix it! STAND UP & BE COUNTED, AMERICANS!!!!-    

  How many people can YOU show this to?  Better yet…… How many people WILL you send this information.  

POLITICAL TIDBITS WITH COMMENTARY

THE SOFTENING OF AMERICA’S PEOPLE

This is a little gem that has come across the internet. As an older American, I have seen our values erode, as well, as common sense actions which seem to be obsolete. How can anyone object to the adhering to the TEN COMMANDMENTS! Most of the rules are for civilized living between any culture, whether Christian, Jewish, or Moslem, etc. Keeping the Sabbath, would certainly add more unity to family life. We live in such a rat race today. Forget the Sabbath day as Sunday, or Saturday, if non Christian/ Jew. Pick a day, & make it a quiet family day, or one for reflection. My health care which I have made hopefully good decisions about, I thank you is my business! As to my savings or neighbor’s wealth, forget it!!!! Let those who can earn a living, do so & not expect the government to keep them. The illegals have to realize, that we are not their keepers. Let’s care for our own first. For those in real need, I’m sure money could be found, eliminating some hair brain project, that only benefits a select few or some Senator wanting leverage for re-election. Let’s get back to basics! We will destroy ourselves from within, if we don’t change course! Beware Christians, etc. Christianity is fast becoming obsolete. It takes more than lip service to your beliefs. It takes actions! We are becoming a minority! As to the war, forget all the searching for mistakes, someone to persecute. It’s done! Get on with present, & try to do better. Why are we always looking for someone to blame, for everything! We elected these officials! The next time that you vote, do your homework on everyone! Don’t just push a button! Become informed! You’re making decisions for future generations, also. DON’T LET ALL THE MEN, THROUGH THE YEARS, WHO HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR YOUR FREEDOM, TO HAVE DIED IN VAIN! STAND UP & BE COUNTED! BE A PROUD AMERICAN!! BRING BACK CHRISTIAN VALUES, HONESTY. LET’S MAKE THE PAST PROUD OF THE PRESENT & IT’S FUTURE!

 

Subject: America

 

 

I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama. Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting behind Obama!I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it!!!   I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that He is a one-term President! Why am I doing this? It is because I do not share Obama’s vision or Value system for America; I do not share his Abortion beliefs; I do not share his radical Marxist’s concept of re-distributing wealth; I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August); I do not share his view that America is Arrogant; I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation; I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%; I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegal’s than American Citizens who need help; I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage; I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land; I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public); I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America; I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East, and certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such as Iran.   Bottom line, my America is vastly different from Obama’s, and I have a higher obligation to my Country and my God to do what is Right!   For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his spiritual beliefs! They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country! They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant! They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years; they have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country! They have made every effort to remove the name of God or Jesus Christ from our Society! They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code; they have attacked one of the most fundamental of all Freedoms, the right of free speech!   Unite behind Obama? Never! I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil!   PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure how history will judge him. However, I believe that he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!! Majority rules in America , and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and “his goals for America .” I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our Country!! Any more compromise is more defeat! I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-God crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America !   “Error of Opinion may be tolerated where Reason is left free to combat it.” (Thomas Jefferson) God bless you and God bless our Country!!!  (Please, please, please. Pass this on if you agree.) Thanks for your time, be safe.  “In God We Trust”   ‘If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.’ – Ronald Reagan   I WANT THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE BACK…..

                               

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TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

 

 MORE GREAT NEWS FROM THE ” OBAMA LAND OF  DREAMS”Washington
know that they could not get this passed on its own!!  Read below…

                                THOSE OF US THAT ARE OVER 70…ARE
NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM THIS …SOOO…  SEND
THIS TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE 45 AND OLDER

                                HEALTH RATIONING FOR SENIORS

                                To all of you seniors, and soon-to-be
seniors, this is a must read.  The stimulus bill is going to cut your
medical coverage, and your years of life.  It actually suggests
making medical decisions based on how long you will live by getting
the procedure/medicine.  So, if you’re 29, you get everything
medically approved because you have a long life ahead of you.  If
you’re 59…  well, hmmm, that’s another story .  Because of your age
and life expectancy, your medical coverage will be curtailed.  That’s
right!  If you are a senior and you get cancer or some other
catastrophic illness, you may not get medical attention simply
because you’re “too old.”  Sounds like euthanasia to me!!!

                                By the way, what does this have to do
with the “Stimulus Bill”?  The scum bag politicians in

                                HEALTH CARE FOR SENIORS

                                Most of you know by now that the
Senate version (at least) of the “stimulus” bill includes provisions
for extensive rationing of health care for senior citizens…

                                The author of this part of the bill,
former tax delinquent senator, Tom Daschle was credited today by
Bloomberg with the following statement:

                                Bloomberg: “Daschle says health-care
reform ‘will not be pain free.’ “Seniors should be more accepting of
the conditions that come with age instead of treating them.”   Go
here to read the article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs

                                If this does not sufficiently raise
your ire, just remember that Senators and Congressmen have their own
healthcare plan that is first dollar or very low co-pay which they
are guaranteed the remainder of their lives and are not subject to
this new law if it passes.

                                Please use the power of the Internet
to get this message out.  Talk it up at the grassroots level..  Won’t
be long until we have a mid-term election coming up..  We have the
ability to address and reverse the dangerous direction the Obama
administration and it allies have begun.

POETRY

A GHANAIAN BOY’S VISION STALLED

 This Ghanian boy’s invitation to America,

Took a life’s span of 18 years,

Waiting, Hoping, Longing for the invitation-

Oh, so near, He’s yearning for the chance,

To make a better life-“Only in America-

You can work if you want to!” “AMERICA!”

A steady job, money to feed & clothe his family,

Yet, he must leave all of that behind-

His homeland of Ghana with familiar sights,

Flora of African Mahogany, Giant Cotton, & Sapele trees,

Disappearing with slash & burn practices,

A family, a baby so small to remember-

Her Da-Da at all.

His sisters, brothers, all rely on him!

Now, migration to America at last,

But still FIVE years later, emptiness & loneliness,

His constant companion-

Where Home has become New Jersey, USA,

Established, working, assimilating into the culture,

But still, Dreams of his homeland, his family,

Haunt his every waking hour,

Like ghosts trampling on his chest.

His mind wanders to the days gone-by.

To verdant lush fields, savannahs, & streams,

Too poor sometimes to eat, but yet

He longs to be home again,

To see all the familiar places.

Feels loss of family, surroundings,

Worry, “Did my baby eat today?”

Separation devours & consumes him,

Til’ eating & sleeping become less,

I’m in a better place, but are THEY?

“LORD ABOVE, I pray-

Bring my loved ones to me!

Ease the restrictions to let them pass! ”

Too many years have passed by,

I age, as I wait for yet another invitation-

For my family, Please let it happen!

Or I’ll wither & die,

My family once again hungry,

No money for medical attention,

My deprivation & loss will have been in vain.

I have only bought time, time, time!

For nature’s inevitable outcome!

POETRY

 

MY LITTLE TINICUM BOY

Oh, my little Tinicum boy.

Romped thru the woods & stream. 

Carefree days of yore,

Jumping from rock to rock,

Hunting nature’s copious bounty,

No hint of future changing events,

Only joy for his childhood dream.

 

Where has my little boy gone?

His memory in final days,

Turns to the carefree, playful times,

Gone but soon lingering in the heavenly stream,

Where little boys play, contentment abound,

He is home again, his legacy secured.

A never changing scenery, his at last!

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

Tips for Handling Telemarketers

Three Little Words That Work !!

(1)The three little words are: ‘Hold On, Please…’

Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt.

Then when you eventually hear the phone company’s ‘beep-beep-beep’ tone, you know it’s time to go back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently completed its task.

These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting.

(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end?

This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone.

This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a ‘real’ sales person to call back and get someone at home.

What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible This confuses the machine that dialed the call and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer !!!
When you get ‘ads’ enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these ‘ads’ with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away.

(3) Junk Mail Help:

When you get those ‘pre-approved’ letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope.

Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right? It costs them more than the regular 41 cents postage ‘IF’ and when they receive them back.

It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was around 50 cents before the last increase and it is according to the weight. In that case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-paid return envelopes.
Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express. Send a pizza coupon to Citibank. If you didn’t get anything else that day, then just send them their blank application back!
If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name isn’t on anything you send them.

One of Andy Rooney’s (60 minutes) ideas.

You can even send the envelope back empty if you want to just to keep them guessing! It still costs them 41 cents.

The banks and credit card companies are currently getting a lot of their own junk back in the mail, but folks, we need to OVERWHELM them. Let’s let them know what it’s like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they’re paying for it…Twice!

Let’s help keep our postal service busy since they are saying that e-mail is cutting into their business profits, and that’s why they need to increase postage costs again You get the idea !

If enough people follow these tips, it will work —- I have been doing this for years, and I get very little junk mail anymore.

Do Not DIAL AREA CODE

 809, 284, or 876

  This is very important information provided to us by AT&T.

   This one is being distributed all over the US . This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.

 They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.

  In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away…. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.

 If you call from the U.S., you will apparently be charged

 $2425 per-minute!!!

 Or, you’ll get a long recorded message. The point is, they20will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.

 WHY IT WORKS:

 The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic .. The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That’s because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You’ll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.

 AT&T VERIFIES IT’S TRUE :

 http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045

 SNOPES VERIFIES IT’S TRUE:

 http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

RAMBLINGS

TIDBITS FROM THE INTERNET

I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well.. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children’s swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don’t leave home without it…..Pass it on.

 

OUR FRIEND’S COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors.

It works – in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it

cost me $1.89. It really doesn’t take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not

as expensive to use as the can of Bug-spray you buy that doesn’t last 30 minutes.

So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don’t spray directly on a wood

door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window

frames, and even inside the dog house.

Now these are Good Mosquitos!!!

SNOPES.COM DENYS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PROCESS!  CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/ mosquitoes.esp

TICK REMOVAL 

Spring will be here soon and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets. Give it a try.

Please forward to anyone with children… or hunters or dogs, or anyone who even steps outside in summer!!

A School Nurse has written the info below — good enough to share — And it really works!!

I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it’s some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.  This technique has worked every time I’ve used it (and that was frequently), and it’s much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me.

Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can’t see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor’s wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn’t reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, “It worked!”

Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.   

ICE CREAM

 

ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

Don’t you every so often, wonder how somethings you take for granted ever got started?  Well, I often think, how did the concept of frozen cream come into existence.  Having a frozen treat in the wintertime, was no big deal.  Things automatically froze, if left outside.  Later ice blocks could be removed from frozen ponds & kept in shelters, covered with sawdust.  But how did the taste for an utterly indescribable dessert begin? In this article, I will explore some of the data available to us.

The origins of ice cream can be traced back to at least the 2^nd-4^th Century B.C.

CHINA

This country in 518-97AD, first ate an ice cream like food made from buffalo milk, flour & camphor.  Phew! Another kind of ice cream was later made in 200BC, when milk & rice were frozen together by packing it into snow.

ROME

The Emperor Nero often sent slaves to Apennine mountain tops, to bring fresh snow back & flavored it.  Very much like our water ices today, although I’m sure the flavors were a bit outlandish! Some say juices, fruits, honey & nuts.

OLD TESTAMENT

Bible references to King Solomon enjoying iced drinks during harvesting.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East. He brought with him, a recipe that is now very much like our sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe developed into ice cream sometime in the 16^th century. England seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps even earlier than the Italians. “Cream Ice,” as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17^th century. He paid his chef handsomely, some say a lifetime pension, to keep the recipe a secret. France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry II of France. It was in 1660 that ice cream was introduced to the general public. The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris.

AMERICA

Quaker Colonists were credited to bringing their ice cream concoctions to America. Confectioner’s sold their homemade ice cream in New York & other colonial colonies.  Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, & Thomas Jefferson enjoyed this frozen treat.  Jefferson was especially fond of vanilla. Dolly Madison served it at her husband, President James Madison’s Inaugural Ball of 1813. Her name continued to be associated to the ice cream.  Dolly Madison was a name brand of ice cream in not too long ago era.

 

Ice cream recipes first appear in 18th century England and America. A recipe for ice cream was published in Mrs. Mary Eales’s Receipts in 1718.

To ice CREAM. Take Tin Ice-Pots, fill them with any Sort of Cream you like, either plain or sweeten’d, or Fruit in it; shut your Pots very close; to six Pots you must allow eighteen or twenty Pound of Ice, breaking the Ice very small; there will be some great Pieces, which lay at the Bottom and Top: You must have a Pail, and lay some Straw at the Bottom; then lay in your Ice, and put in amongst it a Pound of Bay-Salt; set in your Pots of Cream, and lay Ice and Salt between every Pot, that they may not touch; but the Ice must lie round them on every Side; lay a good deal of Ice on the Top, cover the Pail with Straw, set it in a Cellar where no Sun or Light comes, it will be froze in four Hours, but it may stand longer; than take it out just as you use it; hold it in your Hand and it will slip out. When you wou’d freeze any Sort of Fruit, either Cherries, Rasberries, Currants, or Strawberries, fill your Tin-Pots with the Fruit, but as hollow as you can; put to them Lemmonade, made with Spring-Water and Lemmon-Juice sweeten’d; put enough in the Pots to make the Fruit hang together, and put them in Ice as you do Cream.

FOLLOWING RECIPES FOR THE DELECTABLE DESSERT!

        COFFEE CAN ICE CREAM

Great treat for the kids to participate in doing!

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Whipping Cream
• 1 Cup Half and Half
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• Crushed Ice
• Table Salt or Rock Salt

You’ll also need a one pound and three pound coffee can.  Make sure to use metal cans with lids. .

Mix the whipping cream, half and half, sugar and vanilla together in the 1 pound coffee can.  Put the lid on the can and place it inside the 3 pound coffee can.  Start putting crushed ice around the small can, which is inside the three pound can.  Every inch or two of depth sprinkle in a generous amount of table salt or rock salt.  Continue to do this until you have the one pound can enshrouded in ice.  Place the lid on the three pound can. 

Now you’re ready to go.  Place the can on a flat surface such as a table top or sidewalk.  Roll the can back and forth for ten or fifteen minutes.  Open the large can, wipe off the excess ice and salt on and around the lid of the small can.  Without removing the small can from the larger can, open the lid of the small can and check on the ice cream.  At this point you’ll probably need to take a spatula, stir the ingredients, replace the lids on the cans and roll again for another ten or fifteen minutes.  At that point it should be about done.  Dig it out and enjoy.  Makes a very simple, yet tasty vanilla ice cream.

TOPPING FOR ALICE’S FRENCH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Crush 1 pt. of fresh strawberries, leaving a few for diced pieces. Great for sundae toppings!

 

HOT CHOCOLATE TOPPING

1/4 cake chocolate

1/2 cup hot water

3/4 cup powdered sugar

Melt chocolate, add water,  & then sugar.  Cook in a double boiler.

 

ALICE’S FRENCH VANILLA ICE CREAM

1/4 cup cornstarch 

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teas. salt

2 cups milk

4 eggs

1 teas. vanilla

Bring to a boil.  Add eggs. Return to heat, then cook slowly for 2 min. stirring constantly.  Add vanilla, then 1 cup evaporated milk.

Add to freezer.  When finished, put in freezer to ripen. 

I USUALLY MAKE A RECIPE 4X FOR STANDARD FREEZER.

To the above recipe, many variations can be made for different flavors.  I add fresh peaches with a little rum flavoring; strawberries; shaved chocolate with drops of mint flavoring & green food coloring.

MOM’S MILK SHERBERT

MIX:  1 ½ cup sugar; 1 whole qt. milk; juice of 2-3 lemons; grated rind of 2 lemons.

Wisk together & turn into a freezer.  I used to use ice cube trays, then when icy slush, put into blender & refreeze.

Makes 1 qt.  Here again, can use skim milk & Splenda.  Low cal choice.  I’ve always made it with skim milk

MOM’S GRAPE SHERBERT

TO FOLLOW! 

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON’S ICE CREAM

Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson enjoyed serving ice cream to their special guests.   If, like them, you’re already an ice cream enthusiast and are in possession of a  little more sophisticated equipment, you might want to try Thomas Jefferson’s Vanilla Ice Cream recipe this Memorial Day.  Here it is in his own words….. You better have your cholesterol checked after you eat it!

• 1 Quart Heavy Cream
• 6 Egg Yolks
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla or Grated Vanilla Bean

Scald the cream, and then gradually add to it the egg yolks, which have been beaten until creamy and then beaten some more while gradually adding the sugar and salt. Leave on stove, stirring constantly until the mixture is thick. Remove from stove and strain. Now stir in the vanilla, and pour the mixture into a hand-crank ice-cream freezer, around which ice and salt have been packed in a ratio of 1 part salt to 3 parts ice. Crank freezer until ice cream is thick. Pour out the ice cream into a mold which is surrounded with salt and ice in a ratio of 1 part salt to 4 parts ice. Place in a cold spot until it sets and serve immediately. Makes 3 pints.

 

 

Pecan Ice Cream Roll

• 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 6 chocolate cookies, crushed
• caramel or hot fudge topping
• whipped cream
• 6 maraschino cherries, chopped

Divide ice cream into 6 equal amounts and spread into an 8″x8″ square on plastic wrap. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cookie crumbs down center of ice cream. Roll up ice cream to form log shape. Freeze 1/2 hour. Pull back from plastic wrap and sprinkle each log with pecan pieces. Rewrap in plastic and freeze for two hours or overnight. Remove plastic wrap and place on serving dish. Drizzle with topping. Garnish with whipped cream and cherries. Option: one large roll can be made in lieu of 6 small rolls.

Apple n’ Oatmeal Cookie Crisp ala Mode

• your favorite apple crisp recipe that makes at least 3 cups of crisp
• 8 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• hot caramel topping
• whipped cream
• 8 maraschino cherries

Spoon 1/3 cup apple crisp on each serving dish. Place a scoop of ice cream on crisp. Drizzle with caramel topping. Top with whipped cream and a cherry. Makes 8 servings.

Waffle Berry ala Mode

• 1/2 cup strawberry topping
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 4 frozen waffles, toasted
• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream   
• whipped cream
• 4 whole strawberries for garnish

Gently toss 1/4 cup strawberry topping with berries; set aside. Place waffle on serving plate. Spoon 1/2 cup berry mixture on waffle. Top with a scoop of ice cream, 1 tablespoon topping and whipped cream. Garnish with additional strawberry. Makes 4 servings.

Seven Layer Sundae

• 1 frozen waffle, toasted
• 1 scoop chocolate ice cream
• 1 peanut butter cookie, cut in half
• chocolate topping
• candy sprinkles
• whipped cream
• maraschino cherry
• chocolate topping

Place toasted waffle on serving dish. Scoop ice cream onto center of toasted waffle. Insert cookie halves at an angle into ice cream. Top with chocolate topping, sprinkles and whipped cream. Garnish with cherry. Makes 1 serving.

Triple Chocolate Crunch Shake

• 2 chocolate cookies broken into pieces
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 2 scoops chocolate ice cream, softened
• 1/3 cup of milk

Garnishes:

• Whipped cream
• candy sprinkles

Place all ingredients except garnishes in blender. Cover and blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Garnish blended mixture with whipped cream and sprinkles. Makes 1 serving

AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY

 

DARRELL SCOTT, RACHEL SCOTT’S FATHER’S COMMENTS ON THE TRAGEDY AT COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL.

Guess our national leaders didn’t expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out f or answers.”The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart.

“In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA – because I don’t believe that they are responsible for my daughter’s death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel’s murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness.. The following is a portion of the transcript:

”

 

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You’ve stripped away our heritage,
You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question “Why?”
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational
systems for most of our nation’s history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine’s tragedy occurs — politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. “As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in

America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA — I give to you a sincere challenge.. Dare to examine your
own heart before casting the first stone!My daughter’s death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!”

”

 

 

Do what the media did not – – let the nation hear this man’s speech.. Please send this out to everyone you can.

God Bless

In GOD We Trust!  

GRIEF & DYING

   Grief takes many forms.  First there is the numbness & disbelief that the situation exists.  When reality sets in, the pain of physical, emotional, financial loss takes over.  People may either

         come around to assist you & comfort you or they choose to stay away for some reason.  Who knows the reason?  Either way, your loss becomes intense & painful, as time progresses.  The waiting, many revivals as the roller coaster ride begins each day!  Life has now changed for you forever!  God is in charge.  Only HE knows the day that death will come to release the pain.

         We decided to stay in familiar surroundings of our home, with family around surrounding us with love.  But because of my disability, I needed some home care added to Hospice services. The most

         economic way, is to have a live-in.  Average costs may be around $125 a day.  Average hourly rates may be around $14.50-$16.50 per hour. Besides caring for the patient, they also do light housekeeping, cooking, & care for my needs.  One downfall is that you must be able to provide a room for them.  If you are short on bedrooms, then it becomes a problem for the family to visit you.  You may or may not have to supply their meals.  The other drawback is that while the live-in is sleeping, someone else must take a shift, to help patient at night.  So either you will also need an hourly caregiver or you yourself, will have to help him.

         I had excellent caregivers, but since there were so many different people, at first it bothered me.  I felt a loss of privacy & space.  My people tried to keep me focused with time for myself.  But at a time like this, it is never a good situation, but they do their best to make you & the patient comfortable. I forgot that they were here to help me.  Instead, I wanted to be the perfect hostess & make everyone feel at home.  It was also hard to find time for myself, as I wanted to be with my husband.

         You may find that this stressful time brings out the worse in some of your family.  Old wounds & issues seem to crop up.  Try to not let them involve you in their squabbles.  You have enough on your plate.

         As Wayne deteriorated, it was suggested that I contact an undertaker.  I was told that giving notice of an upcoming death, eases things at the end.

         So now we wait for the decline again, which may result in another revival.  Such is life!  We do not know the time of our going in & coming out.  It is in God’s hands!

 

RE     REST IN PEACE, MY LOVE!

 

 

 

IT WONDERS ME!

 I can’t quote the source for these gems, but enjoy!  Probably a product of the Internet!

WELCOME TO SPRING

 

QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Can you cry under water?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

 

 

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

 

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?

 

They’re going to see you naked anyway.

 

 

RELIGION

 

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR LEFT-OVERS?  Do we chuck them, save for another meal, or do we ever think about a stewardship to the lonely, hungry less fortunate, or confined less mobile shut-in?  Often times a small portion of mashed potatoes or vegetable, will be thrown out, as it is not enough or wanted for another meal.  What if all of your left-over meals were to be placed into a frozen meal for someone in need? It could be kept for distribution or taken to a central place to be stored until needed.  What if ALL of our leftover spaghetti, chilli, chicken pot pie or peanut butter & jelly sandwiches were frozen for this purpose.  Think of all the wonderful home-cooked meals that could be enjoyed, nourishing the hungry for food, as well, as an example of God at work in our lives everyday! THINK ABOUT IT!  LET GOD USE YOU AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR HIS PURPOSE! Attending church is just the beginning of your faith journey to the kingdom of Christ.  You have to live your faith in all you do everyday.  When God calls to you to attend to the least of these, you MUST answer, “Here I Am, Lord.  Use Me!”

POETRY

 

CAN DEATH BE FAR AWAY?

 

Upon the bed, he lays,

Yet so very still,

His body rigid, limp,

Moves not, against his will.

Days pass, unbeknownst to him,

Loneliness, he accepts.

As the days progress.

The weeks pass readily,

He quietly accepts his fate,

Questions, “Why can’t I move?”

His life ebbs ever so slowly,

But never realizes,

That soon- too soon-

Death is beyond the door,

How beautiful the ending be-

A mind frozen in time,

Not aware of what waits for him,

And thee!

Only, Alice are you there?

“Come down & see me,”

He calls endlessly, for the love,

His bride of fifty years.

Her heart heavy with grief

Bears the pain with dignity,

And sets his heart & mind

At rest, for the long sleep-

Where the angels await,

His body with no imperfections,

Heavenly gates open to free

His imprisoned body, at last!

 

Footnote:

My husband is now being cared for by Hospice.

He is deteriorating quickly.

But there is time to prepare, for what no one knows

The day of resolution!

THE CHILDREN’S CORNER

MASTER WEAVER FROM GHANA

 

 

by Authors  Gilbert Ahiagble, Louise Meyer , Illustrator Nestor Hernandez

This book won the 1999 Best Book for Young Children by African Studies Association

Bobbo is a traditional weaver from Ghana, where his ancestors have been weavers for generations. His young son, Kweku, learns from him, just as Bobbo learned from his father. Through Kweku’s eyes, we see family and community life in the small fishing village of Denu. Kweku learns that in life, just as in weaving, “one thread is weak, while threads woven together are strong.” Magnificent full color photographs.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-A first-rate look at an art form that has been a livelihood in this African nation for hundreds of years. Information on Ahiagble and his family, featured in the book, with details about their lifestyle and the history and technique of strip weaving by the Ewe people, are clearly presented through text and full-color photographs. The authors convey a marvelous feeling for the life and culture of these Ghanaians. Useful suggestions for further reading and a glossary conclude the volume.
Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

One quote from this story is, “Their lives are woven together like threads, on a loom.”  Their cloth of strip weaving are called wrappers.  This cloth is never cut, but are used as a whole piece of clothing on special occasions.  Sometimes used as a skirt, or to lay over shoulders.  Other times to drape around mother to carry baby.  Wonderful photographs, illustrations, etc.  Asamoah’s children will enjoy the book.

RAMBLINGS

 

  

 KWAME

 For many years, there was a young man from Ghana, that dreamed of coming to America.  His name was KWAME.  He lived in the seacoast city of Accra.  He wanted a better life for his family, which included extended family members.  As we spoke, he talked about the poverty in his country.  He was the one that everyone depended on, to make a good living in America.  “If I don’t work, they don’t eat.”  “In America, he says, You want work, you find work!” Kwame sends a good portion of his income to his family.  He had left a wife with three children, four years ago. “The little one was on her mother’s breast, when I left”, he explained.  It occurred to me that it was a beautiful way to describe the age of the child.  He tells me that it took 20 years to get a Visa. Now, his wife is waiting for an invitation, to seek a Visa for the family, to come here.  They have not seen each other, since he left his home.  The little one tells him on the phone, “Da-Da come home.  We miss you!” 

 I have never seen such a hard working man, who is now about 46 years old.  He is rarely idle, has a beautiful smile, always appears happy.  I have to wonder about our culture of plenty, compared to this man, without the presence of his family, deprivation, very poor, thankful for litterly crumbs, to be alive, to be in America.  Kwame loves to use the expression “AMERICA”! for every mechanical device, portions of food, our “PLENTY!”

  It is blustery winter now & is very cold.  Kwame peddles his bicycle to my house in all kinds of weather.  He was wearing a thin windbreaker/vest, oversized pants & sneakers.  I gave him my husband’s heavy overcoat & other items for he & his family.  He was so thrilled to get everything.  Somethings, I was going to throw out.  He has a humongous barrel, filled with clothes, food, that he will send to his family in Ghana.  It will cost $50.00 to send across the ocean. 

The QUESTION?   How did I come to meet this beautiful Christian man from Africa?  He knows his bible, as he quotes from it, in reference to his life.  “Anything is possible” with God!  He believes it, too.  This child of God, is a Presbyterian, but I want to change that, so we can go to church & choir practice together.  First, he has to get a driver’s license.  We are working on that!

Not to digress anymore, I contacted an agency to send a male home aide, to help me with my terminally ill husband, who is now in Hospice Care. God does answer prayer!  He sent me this wonderful angel, who not only takes good care of my husband, but also looks after me.  He is with me for a few hours in the morning & at night.  He cares for someone else, also, that provided housing for him.  After a snowstorm hit us at the beach, he called in afternoon & said, “Mama, You alright?  Do you need anything?”  I assured him that I was fine. He now worries about Mama.

Kwame hopes to get naturalized soon. He wants to be a citizen!  I think that this country’s people will be proud to add Kwame’s name to the citizenship list, who still believes the American dream (only in America), & will be an asset to citizenry.

I am trying to find a way to bring this family together soon.!  THIS ONE IS A KEEPER!

RAMBLINGS

AWAY FROM HER

 

As most of my readers know by now, I am a caregiver to my husband, who is afflicted with Alzheimers/Parkinsonism Disease.  What is means is that he will eventually not remember his past or his family.  He has Parkinson’s symptoms with it.  It includes motor skill deterioration with increasing rigidity of body movements.  Swallowing becomes a problem, as well as getting signals to the body for all functions needed to survive.  His brain has atrophied, as brain cells are dying.  It is difficult to watch as well as care for a loved one in this state.

Recently, I watched a movie called, “AWAY FROM HER”.  It is about a couple, Julie Christie & Gordon Pinsent, experiencing the very trials & tribulations, that all families are facing in this situation.  Fiona & Grant have been married almost 50 yrs.  Her forgetfulness has become a problem, to the extent that she wanders away one day & cannot find her way home.  She has forgotten where the frying pan goes, etc.  I relate to this, as my husband had put things away in the most unusual places, with no memory of ever doing it.  Cold stuff often ended up in the cupboard, only to find it days later, spoiled! 

The decision is made by both to institutionalize her.  The separation is painful, especially for Grant, who must wait a month to visit Fiona.  Those were the rules for patient to acclimate themselves to their surroundings.  When he finally returns, she does not recognize him & finds her involved with a fellow patient.  I will not indulge anymore of the story.  It is a powerful, profound story with Oscar winning performances.

The movie was adapted from the story,”THE BEAR CAME OVER THE MOUNTAIN”, by Alice Munro.

“IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BECOME WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN,” has been one of the most memorable lines from the story.  It has particular meaning to everyone who has come to a glitch in the road of life!

GENEALOGY

    THOUGHTS FOR THE GENEALOGIST!

 

       ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD

                  By Thomas Gray (1716-1771)1

 

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea,
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight,
And all the air a solemn stillness holds,
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds:

Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as, wandering near her secret bower,
Molest her ancient solitary reign.

Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree’s shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
The rude Forefathers of the hamlet sleep.

The breezy call of incense-breathing morn,
The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed,
The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed.

For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her evening care:
No children run to lisp their sire’s return,
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share,

Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield,
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke;
How jocund did they drive their team afield!
How bow’d the woods beneath their sturdy stroke!

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the Poor.

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour:-
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Nor you, ye Proud, impute to these the fault
If Memory o’er their tomb no trophies raise,
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.

Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust,
Or Flattery soothe the dull cold ear of Death?

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands, that the rod of empire might have sway’d,
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre:

But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page,
Rich with the spoils of time, did ne’er unroll;
Chill Penury repress’d their noble rage,
And froze the genial current of the soul.

Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood,
Some mute inglorious Milton

here may rest,
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country’s blood.

Th’ applause of list’ning senates to command,
The threats of pain and ruin to despise,
To scatter plenty o’er a smiling land,
And read their history in a nation’s eyes,

Their lot forbad: nor circumscribed alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined;
Forbad to wade through slaughter to a throne,
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind,

The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide,
To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame,
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled at the Muse’s flame.

Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes never learn’d to stray;
Along the cool sequester’d vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenour of their way.

Yet e’en these bones from insult to protect
Some frail memorial still erected nigh,
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture deck’d,
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh.

Their name, their years, spelt by th’ unletter’d Muse,
The place of fame and elegy supply:
And many a holy text around she strews,
That teach the rustic moralist to die.

For who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey,
This pleasing anxious being e’er resign’d,
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day,
Nor cast one longing lingering look behind?

On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires;
E’en from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
E’en in our ashes live their wonted fires.

For thee, who, mindful of th’ unhonour’d dead,
Dost in these lines their artless tale relate;
If chance, by lonely contemplation led,
Some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate, —

Haply some hoary-headed swain may say,
“Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn
Brushing with hasty steps the dews away,
To meet the sun upon the upland lawn;

“There at the foot of yonder nodding beech
That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high.
His listless length at noontide would he stretch,
And pore upon the brook that babbles by.

“Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn,
Muttering his wayward fancies he would rove;
Now drooping, woeful wan, like one forlorn,
Or crazed with care, or cross’d in hopeless love.

“One morn I miss’d him on the custom’d hill,
Along the heath, and near his favourite tree;
Another came; nor yet beside the rill,
Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he;

“The next with dirges due in sad array
Slow through the church-way path we saw him borne,-
Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay
Graved on the stone beneath yon aged thorn.” 

 

An elegy is a somber poem or song that praises or laments the dead.  I was particularly drawn to some of its’ text, which does pertain to the purpose of the genealogists’.  It is our duty to give life & meaning to the families lives, that we embrace in memory.  I often called the idea, as giving a face to our ancestors or even getting on touch with our genes.  In everyone of us, we are a compilation of our past, their gifts, their intellect, & their sorrows.  As I would approach a cemetery plot & observe the dates on the tombstones, I can almost hear the mourning of pure grief over the loss of many children or one in their prime, like my uncle, Paul.  He was training for the Bobsled event in the Olympics.  The day before he was to be ordained as a minister, he was killed as he slid into a tree.

 

The 22^nd stanza:

For who to dumb Forgetfulness a prey, 
This pleasing anxious being e’er resign’d, 
 Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, 
Nor cast one longing, ling’ring look behind? 

 

These poor humble people were doomed to be forgotten. Perhaps, they looked back longing with regret, that they could not stay a little longer.

 

The 23rd stanza:

 

“On some fond breast the parting soul relies,

Some pious drops the closing eye requires;

Ev’n from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,

Ev’n in our Ashes live their wonted Fires”.

 

“These lines speak of the universal need on the part of the dead to be mourned and remembered. The dying rely on the living to keep their memory alive; the “closing eye” of the person at the point of death has a fundamental need for the “pious drops”, or tears, of those left behind who mourn their passing.  The longing of the dead to be remembered reaches from beyond the grave, “ev’n from the tomb”.  Some translators have interpreted the last line of the stanza to mean that the memory of the dead, along with their yearnings, actually live on in those of us who remain in tangible form on earth.”

 

 

The Epitaph

Here rests his head upon the lap of earth,
A youth, to fortune and to fame unknown;
Fair science frown’d not on his humble birth,
And melancholy mark’d him for her own.

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere;
Heav’n did a recompense as largely send:
He gave to mis’ry all he had, a tear,
He gain’d from heav’n (’twas all he wish’d) a friend.

No farther seek his merits to disclose,
Or draw his frailties from their dread abode,
(There they alike in trembling hope repose),
The bosom of his father, and his God.

So let’s begin the NOW with an awareness & purpose of who we are, And have a purposeful direction with a decent respect for our history.  Each day lived is another day in YOUR HISTORY.  HOW WILL YOU LIVE EACH CHAPTER?  Will your future revere your life?  What will your epitaph read?

 

Sources:

http://www.enotes.com/elegy-written/

http://www.enotes.com/elegy-written/summary#startofreplay

http://www.enotes.com/elegy-written/text-poem

SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE

Sonnet XLIII How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday’s Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, — I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

RAMBLINGS

 Humorous Retirement Story came thru the e-mail system.  I myself am going to forgo the nursing home & head for the nearest cruise line.  It will be a lot cheaper & stimulating!  Everything at my fingertips!  Service, entertainment, diversity of people, great food, & all the amenities of home with no clean-up!   Who knows WHAT ELSE may be beyond the horizon!

Retiring to Florida For those of you contemplating retirement, I would like to share my retirement experiences with you, which I hope will be helpful. Fifteen years ago my wife and I moved into a retirement development on Florida‘s Southeast coast. We are living in the Delray/Boca/Boynton Golf, Spa, Bath and Tennis Club on Lake Fake-a-hachee. There are 3000 lakes in Florida, only three are real. Our biggest retirement concern was time management. What were we going to do all day? Let me assure you, passing the time is not a problem. Your days will be eaten up by simple, daily activities.. Just getting out of your car takes 15 minutes. Trying to find where you parked takes 20 minutes. It takes 1/2 hour on the check-out line in Wal-Mart and 1 hour to return the item the next day.  Let me take you through a typical day. We get up at 5:00 AM, have a quick breakfast and join the early morning Walk and Talk Club. There are about 30 of us and rain or shine we walk around the streets, all talking at once. Every development has some late risers who stay in bed until 6 AM. After a nimble walk avoiding irate drivers out to make us road kill, we go back home, shower and change for the next activity. My wife goes directly to the pool for her under water Pilates class, followed by gasping for breath and CPR. I put on my ‘Ask me about my Grandchildren’ T-shirt, my plaid mid-calf shorts, my black socks and sandals and go to the club house lobby for a nice nap. Before you know it, it’s time for lunch. We go to Costco to partake of the many tasty samples dispensed by ladies in white hair nets. All free! After a filling lunch, if we don’t have any doctor appointments, we might go to the flea market to see if any new white belts have come in or to buy a Rolex watch for $2.00.. We’re usually back home by 2 PM to get ready for dinner. People start lining up for the early bird about 3 PM, but we get there by 3:45 because we’re late eaters. The dinners are very popular because of the large portions they serve. You can take home enough food for the next day’s lunch and dinner, including extra bread, crackers, packets of mustard, relish, ketchup and Sweet-and-Low along with mints. At 5:30 we’re home ready to watch the 6 o’clock news. By 6:30 we’re fast asleep. Then we get up and make 5 or 6 trips to the bathroom during the night and it’s time to get up and start a new day all over again. Doctor related activities eat up most of your retirement time. I enjoy reading old magazines in sub zero temperatures in the waiting room, so I don’t mind. Calling for test results also help the days fly by. It takes at least half an hour just getting through the doctor’s phone menu. Then there’s the hold time until you’re connected to the right party. Sometimes they forget you’re holding, and the whole office goes off to lunch. Should you find you still have time on your hands, volunteering provides a rewarding opportunity to help the less fortunate. Florida has the largest concentration of seniors under five feet and they need our help. I myself am a volunteer for ‘The Vertically Challenged Over 80.’ I coach their basketball team, The Arthritic Avengers. The hoop is only 4 1/2 feet from the floor. You should see the look of confidence on their faces when they make a slam dunk. Food shopping is a problem for short seniors or ‘bottom feeders’ as we call them because they can’t reach the items on the upper shelves. There are many foods they’ve never tasted. After shopping, most seniors can’t remember where they parked their cars and wander the parking lot for hours while their food defrosts. Lastly, it’s important to choose a development with an impressive name. Italian names are very popular in Florida . They convey world traveler, uppity sophistication and wealth. Where would you rather live… Murray‘s Condos or the Lakes Of Venice ? There’s no difference. They’re both owned by Murray who happens to be a cheap bastard. I hope this material has been of help to you future retirees. If I can be of any further assistance, please look me up when you’re in Florida . I live in The Leaning Condos of Pisa in Boynton Beach

GROUNDHOG DAY!

GROUNDHOG DAY 2009 

  GROUNDHOG DAY 2009

February 2 is Groundhog Day. 

Punxsutawney Phil, our resident

 & only authentic groundhog has been

making predictions for over 120 years. 

 A lot of hoop-la goes on, but the long

 & short is that if the groundhog sees his

 shadow, there will be six more

 weeks of bad weather, and if he doesn’t,

that spring will be here

 soon. I think the weather may be iffy

where Phil lives in Gobbler’s Knob,

somewhere in Punxsutawney, Berks Co., PA.

Well, shadow or no shadow, I have a feeling

that we are in for a long winter yet!

But enjoy the fun!

 INCIDENTALLY,  groundhog is

also called a woodchuck or a

 whistle pig.

 

RAMBLINGS

POLITICS- THE SUPREME COURT

One thing that should drive an election, is hardly ever mentioned.  That is the effect that a particular party has on the election of Supreme Court Justices!  One by one the intention of our Founding Fathers had made in the Constitution, have eroded. Without freedom what good does wealth or station in life mean to anyone?  Those free thinkers which the Constitution protects too, want all semblance of God & reference to God erased in our culture.  Without God we are nothing but a cesspool of ideas, as in Ancient Greece, etc.  Just as they have their rights, they should tolerate ours as well.  Tolerance is at an all time low in this country.  But what does that have to do with the court system?  Well, they will decide if a religious thought will prevail, as in the past or be obliterated.  I understand some new dollar coins now have the motto,”In God We Trust” removed.  The Ten Commandment tablet, was removed from a court building, awhile back.  How could that be offensive to anyone?  The commandments whether religious based or not, are rules for living in a civilized world.  Ex.  Thou shall not kill, steal, covet, licentious behavior, etc.  Don’t we condemn this behavior?  Well, some of us, anyhow.  I think that Christianity is slowly becoming a minority choice.  We are soon becoming a persecuted group, as in the old days. Today’s liberated peoples want freedom from everything!  No constraints!!!!  Abortion has become the biggest Holocaust in this country in the last century.  It’s INFANTICIDE!  Don’t want to practice Contraception- Abortion!  Don’t like the sex of child-Abortion!  Inconvenient time to have a baby- Abortion!  God help us it comes with flaws- Abortion!  What kind of peoples have some of become, that the unborn have no protection from the one who would nurture them.  I do believe that sometimes the practice crosses a fuzzy line, such as rapes or incest, or possible death of mother.  It’s a heck of a situation!  But that’s why, if the courts must be involved, we must have those in office who do not have an individual agenda or liberal in their thinking, decide for us law!  Figuratively speaking, the baby is made probably in the bedroom, so the issue should stay there, between the couple & their conscience.  But let’s not make it so easy to abort an innocent!  And partial birth abortions should be outlawed, at any time of pregnancy. So choose your presidents wisely, Ultimately, they may be be making life & death decisions that will directly effect you, in regards to law.

Incidentally, I was teaching in Abington, when the issue of Bible reading came up in schools.  As part of their reverence for the day, it set the tone.  There was respect for the values our country was founded on, many years ago.  I saw the erosion of respect for God & Country disappear, one by one. First the Bible reading disappeared, then just a silent prayer was said by those so inspired.  Can you imagine a silent prayer being considered by a 6 or 7 year old in a public place with peers? Then, if your parents objected to that, you could leave room, especially when the issue of the flag salute came up.  How can we teach respect for our country & not salute the flag?  I know, ye naysayers, it’s just a SYMBOL!   But suddenly all semblance of respect was gone.  The calming agenda, that set the tone of the day, was gone. Opening exercises became generic, uninvolved procedure such as an attendance, collecting notes from home, or a story that didn’t need telling.  And I hate to tell you there’s nothing being taught in many homes on any of the above.

So where was I?  When everything else fails:

ABORT

ERASE PAST

DO WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD

TAKE ALL REMNANTS OF GOD & COUNTRY FROM EVERY        

         PUBLIC BUILDING, MONEY, MEETINGS, WORD OF

         MOUTH, ETC.

ELECT ALL OFFICIALS & JUDGES WHO AGREE WITH OUR

          WARPED VIEWS

RESULTS:  CHAOS, CHAOS, CHAOS!!! CIVILIZED NO MORE!

And some will wonder why God doesn’t seem to be on our side or pay attention to our plight.  Well, if I were THE ALMIGHTY, I’d wash my hands of the whole lot of you!  Those of us who have a direct line with him, know otherwise.

 

 

TRAVELS WITH AUNTIE NANA

TRAVELS WITH AUNTIE NANA

I have decided to phase out my 2^nd blog, “MY DADDY IS NO MORE!”

My new blog is called, “TRAVELS WITH AUNTIE NANA!”  I felt that the topic might appeal to more people, as the other one was more of the same.   Please call soon—-It is still under construction!

 

http://alicehahn2a.wordpress.com/

VIRUS ALERT!

 

 

CARRYING THE SNAIL MAIL

 

 

HERE WE GO AGAIN! ALERT! VIRUS 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

As luck would have it, I downloaded what I thought was a Microsoft Alert! It was called Antivirus 2010. It had the Microsoft emblem at top of page. Alerts came flashing across my screen, as I was working last Tuesday.  The list contained 46 viruses that my computer was infected with at that time.  I couldn’t get to my credit card fast enough & even as I tried to order the updated virus scan to eliminate my problems, the computer kept shutting down & restarting on me! Wow!  I nearly died! I had 2 good security programs on my computer, so I couldn’t figure out how it got to my computer.  MEANWHILE- IF THIS VIRUS 2O1O COMES ACROSS YOUR SCREEN & TRIES TO SHUT YOUR COMPUTER DOWN, DON’T DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM!!!!  Long & short is that I just got my computer back from shop. But all my passwords etc. are gone, as they were deleted when the computer was cleaned & so finally here I am, back on line!  What withdrawal I suffered in the interim! 

POETRY

 

 

  LOVE POEMS REFLECTING A TUMULTOUS SOUL

 

MY LIGHT IS FADING!

 

In the bleakness of the night,

My very soul cries out to fight-

Long past ghosts that haunted me,

Yesterdays passions gone unfulfilled.

Tomorrows LOVE that cannot be-

Leaves an exhausted, weary me,

In the lonely abyss of my mind.

 

My love, he knows not me,

Silence separates our lives

No words of encouragement,

Glimpses of what will never be,

Alone, shared pleasures, my desire,

No one to hold me in the darkness,

Evening shadows surround my life.

Urgency hastens my day of freedom.

Haunts me daily of my undying love!

 

 So tired, so needy, I hold no mystery,

Bare I stand with little substance-

To clothe me in the winter chill

No illusions, my world contained,

Holding the old unrestrained lifeless ways,   

Stifles me, as I gasp for morning air,

An ebbing will- no more imagined ecstasy.

The exhilaration of life, no longer mine to boast-

That bright shining light, that heaven brings,

Shines for me- lighting my pathway home.

———–ALFIE    2009

 

 

SLEEP, BLESSED SLEEP

 

Sleep. Blessed Sleep

My body aches for rest,

A sleep undisturbed

By restless patter,

Groans of helplessness,

Unanswerable questions,

Chair glider running

With ceaseless trips,

To check on me!

The child searching

For signs of life

In a body almost dead

From years of abuse

Endless demands required!

 

Sleep, blessed sleep

Uninterrupted by worldly affairs

But unattainable

Like all the rest

Of my sought after

Life needs!

Relentless it continues,

The clinging, sobbing child

Separation anxiety

Demands my every minute

Release never

Life’s journey to the end

Final sleep at last!

Sleep, blessed sleep!

——–ALFIE    2009

 

 

LIFE’S DIRECTION

 

My beating compass,

Giving direction to life,

Lost in the mire,

No longer my comfort-guide,

Impeded thinking

Confusion in role=playing,

My anchor lacks stability,

Floating in tidal swells,

My true north

Unable to right itself!

———ALFIE    2009

 

GLIMPSES OF A FORMER SELF

 

At last, the gates of HELL,

Escapes my restless mind  

A renaissance of thoughts,

Unfettered by the doubts, fears,

My prison shackled by time,

I’m free, I’m free!

If only for awhile

It seems to be!

The prison still my abode,

Where none has entered,

Until now- release

So short a span

Of time- my freedom lasts!

A taste to stir my soul,

But permanently unattainable,

Like everything else

Held precious to me!

Fly, fly away with me!

 

A mind warped

By human condition

Destroyed by self

Or entities surrounds

Me still

Negativity with passivity.

Anger contained 

Life or survival

Knows no kindness

Flaws always ready

For exposure!

Fly, fly away with me!

 

Sublime adventures,

Unrelenting passions,

Youth’s desires,

Undying love,

Our daily goal.

Intellectual displays

Knowledge abound,

Exploration beyond horizons,

Come search with me!

Escape my prison bounds,

Where all the yesterdays-

Are but distant memories,

Sunrises meet us daily,

Fly, fly away with me!

———-ALFIE    2009

 

 

 

 

 

 IMAGES OF A SNOWY NIGHT

Last night, the snow fell-

On rooftops & such.

Beautiful glistening white snow,

Virgin as it dropped on sidewalks,

Boats & on cold sandy beaches!

An image pristine, as it built

A denseness of pure magical flakes

Unaffected by man’s interference,

It blows, it piles, it creates-

Pleasure for tomorrow’s play.

Bring on the sleds, the forts,

Children dance with glee!

Lovers look to moonlight-

For a clandestine sleigh ride,

Then home to a blazing fire!

Warm memories created by all.

Nature being the strongest

Aphrodisiac!

 

 

 

 

 

NIGHT SOUNDS AFAR

Asleep, I awakened to the moanful wail,

Of a late night express,

Signaling it’s night sound-

Do you hear me?

Out of the way!

As the seasoned wheels clank

Along a well run track of years!

Where could it be going?

What is the purpose of its’ journey?

Night after night its’ wailing calls-

Awaken thoughts of yesterday,

Transportation long since gone, for most-

Do you hear me?

Out of the way!

Its’ routine unchanged, in the history

Of a once popular- SEASHORE LINE!

RAMBLINGS

Dear Reader.

Today, someone had a query about a recipe. All I could see in the query was +ham +”string beans” +potatoes +vinegar  Now what I need to figure out,  was the reader looking for a German Potato Salad recipe or something else. The other day was a search for rivel soup- eggs+milk+sugar.  As I read it, I thought, now that is a combination!  But I know that was not what the reader intended in the query.  If you do not find what you are looking for, please send me e-mail.   

I am going to add more recipes soon, but time or rather lack of time, is my problem.  My recipe section is located in both this blog & my other blog, “MY DADDY IS NO MORE!” You can locate all my work, by clicking the correct Link on my sidebar.  I will probably being moving the recipe section, to the other blog permanently, when my readers become aware of my writings in 2 parts or blogs.  As you can see, I have many varied interests, waiting to be developed in some matter.  My creative ideas are abundant!  As a disabled caregiver to an Alzheimer’s husband, my computer has become my outlet & window to the world!  This technology & the education of its’ use, should be a priority for every disabled person.

ladyhahn@comcast.net

 

HEALTHY EATING

Recipes for a Long, Happy, Healthy Life!  Hopefully, your genes will compliment the new exposure!

 

For those that are unfamiliar with this vegetable, I will give you some information.  The origin of rhubarb was that it was grown in the wild in the mountains of the Western and North-western provinces of China and in the adjoining Tibetan territory and in cultivation in much of Europe and the United States. Rhubarb has a unique taste that makes it a favorite in many pies and desserts. It originated in Asia over 2,000 years ago. It was initially cultivated for its medicinal qualities. In China, the dried rhizomes & roots of some varieties were used as a purgative & for stomach ache.  It was not until the 18th century that rhubarb was grown for culinary purposes in Britain and America. Rhubarb is often commonly mistaken to be a fruit but rhubarb is actually a close relative of garden sorrel, and is therefore a member of the vegetable family. Rhubarb is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.

WHAT IS RHUBARB?

 

 

 

Rhubarb is a perennial plant, which means it continues to come back to your garden every year. It formed large fleshy rhizomes and large leaves with long, thick (and tasty) petioles (stalks). Rhubarb stalks are commonly found in supermarkets, fresh rhubarb is prized by gourmet cooks. Some folks say the finest quality rhubarb is grown in Michigan, Ontario, Canada, and other northern states in the United States. Fresh rhubarb is available from early winter through early summer. Winter rhubarb is commercially produced hot houses in Michigan and Ontario. Rhubarb does not do well in my sandy soil of NJ.  Remember to eat the dark red stalk only.  The leaves should be discarded, as they are poisonous! They contain high levels of concentrations of oxalic acid crystals. The edible petioles or red stalks are up to 18 inches long, 1 to 2 inches in diameter. These petioles or stalks  are cut and

and used in pies, jams, jellies, sauces and juice.

 

 

 

SUGAR FREE RHUBARB

Take a package of frozen rhubarb, or if you are fortunate enough to grow the vegetable or find it in a store.  Use like quantity.  To a boiling cup of water add 1 sm. package of    

SUGAR FREE STRAWBERRY GELATIN.  Stir until dissolved.  Then add your rhubarb, bring to boil, then simmer, stirring frequently until thickened.  Cool.  Eat as is, or put in a graham cracker crust, topping with Free Whipped Topping.  When almost done, you could add strawberries, but they tend to water down.  You can be creative & add nuts, etc. when finished.  This is a personal favorite of mine, as it is a freebee in most weight programs.  Sooo Good, if you crave rhubarb.  The correct way of making regular rhubarb, was in adding lots of sugar!  I also added a slice of lemon to that recipe too, but, not the sugar free one.