Monday Musings

 

Good morning good folks! 

I hope everyone had a delightful, easy weekend?! Mine was uneventful. We had a dear friend over on Friday evening to break bread together. Saturday was my day of rest. Then Sunday it was Sunday School and Church. 

Today, I have an appointment at the Urologist for the cystoscopy. I have to have one of these performed about every 10 years because if I don't I'll begin having urology difficulties. 🤣 No biggy just an owie for a little while. God always supplies the doctors or whatever I need when I need it. And since the procedure can be quite painful, especially at first, I always opt for the drugging before the procedure. Steve will have to drive me around today. He doesn't mind. I get another day of rest!

The Hummingbirds are here! First it was only the males to stake out their territory. Sunday a female has arrived. I love it when they are here. Hopefully the Great-crested Flycatchers will soon be nesting in the big gourd homes out front. Their songs fill the air all of Spring. Then they leave us to our Summer heat but it's nice while they are here. 😄

That's it for now. Gotta "go". I pray your day is sweet and full of the grace of God that flows from His Holy Throne. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Tuesday Tidbits

Drabble by Kevin Fagan

😇 It really is like that! Maggie the rescue dog follows me down the hallway to that room almost every time lately. I don't know what's up with that. It's like she doesn't want me out of her sight for one moment. Funny, really, but it is cute and very touching. Maggie is my almost constant companion. I'm OK with that. 

😇 The temperatures of the evening have been in the mid-20s with the wind howling here in Southeast Georgia. The heater never quits running at night. 🏂 That's cold for us but not all that unusual. The only draw back is the severe weather has put a cramp in my morning walks. I like to walk a circle around the whole 6 acres when possible concentrating on prayer. Gives me time to focus on God and His goodness. The news is so dark these days that I try to hold onto the hem of His garment as much as possible. He is my only comfort. 

😇 We took time to watch the Trump Rally in New Hampshire this weekend on YouTube. Anyone else watch it? I thought the speech was very encouraging, don't you? He's gonna hit the ground running when back in office. I make sure to pray for him, his family and his sponsors every day. Sometimes more than once a day. He's going to need it. 

😇 Today our brother-in-law (husband to Steve's sister) has an important appointment with the Veterans Administration concerning possible compensation for his long-term exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam. Please pray for him to be treated fairly? If he can receive proper compensation for all the health problems caused by his time in service, he and family should be able to move up here even faster! Wouldn't that be an extra special blessing?! We'll be on pins and needles until we receive word one way or another. It's appalling how terrible our Vet's are being treated. It's shameful. 

😇 Also today is my 6 week follow-up with the Orthopedics doctor concerning my "Weaver's Bottom" (Ischial Bursitis) situation. (Cute name for a pain in the butt.) 😉😂 That first super hydrocortisone shot worked for the right side but now I can feel it worsening on my left side. 😐 Guess I need another one. It is not a pleasant prospect. It is what it is. 

😇 After the doctor's, if I can walk after the shot, my plans are to stop at the Hobby Lobby. The new sofa slip covers look super! They're so light and cheerful. But now the original dark green plaid felt pillows I made ages ago look out of place. So, now I want to recover them. Again. 😁 Steve just laughed. Well, it keeps me off the streets. 😂

😇 Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is blessed with lots of sunshine, happy thoughts and good memories. Keep looking up! 

Ride Safe,

Sunday Stealing: 2023

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves. Original post here. 

1. What did you do this year that you had not done before?  Nothing really springs to mind. When motorcycling was still in vogue here in America Steve and I used to travel around to different towns to test drive new models. It's hard to find any motorcycle related businesses anymore. Sad, that.  

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for the year and will you make/set more for next year?  What are they? What are your new ones?  I don't make New Year's Resolutions or set goals. 

3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or get pregnant? I'm old. Most all my friends are old. There are no Sarai's (Abraham's Sarah) amoungst us. So, that's a "No". 

4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness?  It seems we've lost a lot of friends this year. There was one that succumbed to the devasting illness of pancreatic cancer last January. His passing still hurts. I think of his kindness often. I'll miss his phone calls about photography, birding, traveling and of the world events in general. He was a great guy. A true friend.

5. What places did you visit?  Mostly grocery shopping, doctors, Church events, and other miscellaneous errands these days. There's no extra funds for anything else of consequence at the moment. Some of the homebody contentment is age related, I'm sure. There's a sereneness about not being on the "go" all the time. We generally hang around the house performing necessary chores, reading and enjoying each other's company.

6. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year (doesn't have to be a physical thing)?  A real President and a real Vice President would be nice. I'm praying the next one will defund all these illegal alphabet agencies as well. We are being governed by unelected citizens. Thugs running the Government is no laughing matter folks.

7. What date from this year will remain etched in your memory and why?  November 25th stands out. I was walking the perimenter of the property, praying in the Spirit about many troubling matters, especially what many innocent children are having to endure, when this happened ... 

Looks ordinary in a photo, doesn't it? It wasn't at the moment! That mid-morning I had been looking down, watching my step, deep in prayer like I said, then suddenly I felt compelled to look up because I felt Someone near. First I was struck by the beauty of the moment. I quit moving. Well, I couldn't move. It was like my knees were buggling. Then I heard inside me the Lord speaking gently through His Spirit, "Be of good cheer, I'm coming back soon." Then, the moment passed but I could still feel His presence. I snapped this photo to remember the moment of encouragment. It's my memorial stone. [kinda like in Joshua 4] I do feel encouraged! So, apparently my marching orders are to keep sharing His Gospel (the Good News) in the effort to reach as many as possible that will heed His Word. I don't want to fail in this task. For us Saints it's clear we are to not give up hope, keep sharing, witnessing, helping others and praying because when the time is right He will be removing us from the Big Trouble that's coming soon. For the lost this bespokes to get saved now because you do NOT want to be left behind! The window is rapidly closing on this Age of Grace [read a letter from Rev. Billy Graham]. Like our Pastor once said in a sermon, there won't be any nice people left behind after the Rapture. It's going to be really, really, REALLY awful here. I won't put into words what's going to happen.  Besides, eternity is but a breath away. Don't leave Earth without Him.  

8. What was your biggest achievement this year? Really, nothing earth shattering comes to mind. Oh, wait, check that, I did learn of a stretching exercise I could do at home to ease the neck/shoulder pain I've had for years that was caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. There's a link to it here on YouTube. The exercises really worked for me. The pain, the constant crackling, the discomfort seems to be all gone. [knock on wood] I sleep better and can now work painfree. To God be the glory! 🙏💖🙏 

9. Did you get sick or injured? Anyone you know? No, I seldom get sick anymore since giving up sugar/carb's. I no longer suffer from the non-ending bi-annual infections (UTI's, Vaginitis, sore throats, etc.). I also don't seem to be suspectible to head colds, coronaviruses, etc. because I've been exposed often from friends and from shopping and, so far, no illness. Must be related? Steve is enjoying the same benefits since going Keto. Even the Plantar fasciitis is healed. I'm glad of that. I do love to walk. 

10. What was the best thing you bought?  Can't think of anything specifically. 

11. Where did most of your disposable income go (money leftover after you pay for food, transporation and shelter)?  Disposable? What's that, right?! Bidenomics (really Nazism because our Government is actually Big Business running everything behind the scenes) is killin' the Poor and Middle Class so they can control us, which, of course, is their goal. I never knew the film The Matrix was actually a warning about Big Government.

12.  What song will always remind you of this year?  I don't know about "always" but this one seems fitting for our current situation: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. 

Like everyone else that is trusting in the blood of Jesus for salvation, I'm also hanging onto the hem of His garment! I think we'd all go crackers if it wasn't for Him. Jesus is our only Hope. 💞

13.  What do you wish you could have done more of?  Travel on my motorbike, of course. 🏍 I miss being able to travel long distances. Steve and I have had a lot of interesting journey's on two wheels. 

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?  Sitting. Because of arthritis in my hands and wrist (can't seem to shake that affirmity) I've had to give up a lot of treasured crafts. My heart yearns to go back to painting, sewing, weaving, making plastic canvas items and so forth. It hurts too much which lead to me surfing the 'net also which caused a medical condition called "Tailor''s Bottom". (Yeah, I giggled too.) It's a type of hip burstis. Well, my new Doc ordered a hyrdocordisone shot. It worked! That pain is now eased. Thank you Lord. If it returns, he recommended another one. Surgery is too dangerous in that area.

15. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie? Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to? Not much has changed except we've been buying a lot of DVD's of old films. We stream everything else. I'm really into movies that center around India during the Victorian Age. India does have a fascinating history. It's really ancient. It's a shame they're so trapped in the worship of demons. They're also killin' Christians when they should be heeding their warnings and follow Jesus. Their lives would be so much better.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day! Ride safe. 

An Update

I feel like the above photo captures my recent diet efforts. It seems as though as soon as I get serious about losing weight, a flat tire puts me on the side lines leaving me with carrying all those extra "tires" a little longer. *sigh* I don't know why I keep gaining weight. I'm don't eat "anything".

(excuse me ... dropped my candy bar ...)

Oh, the hip pain has improved but if I walk more than I should BLAM the burning pain returns.

So ... here I sit on the comfy sofa with an ice pack under the posterior (TMI?!), moping around, hoping that Victor, or anyone, will saunter by and regale me with a few jokes. Laughing out loud burns calories ... riiiigggght?!

The weather has been unseasonably warm and humid but very pleasant. If my body cooperates, I'd like to get started on the Spring garden. Time ta plant 'dem 'taters, as we are want to say here in the South.

By the way, Blogger is messing with my head again. I send a post out into cyber space and it may take up to a full day to show up in some feeds. Stupid Google programmers. Give me someone to fire! *lol*

Have a blessed day.

A Joke And A Prayer Request

Tomorrow, the Iowa Caucasus begins casting votes, or they start, anyway. Thus, the political joke: Trump VS Trump. I know I don't have to ask for prayers concerning this serious event. There's so much riding on these elections. Many of our God given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may be lost forever if the wrong people keep getting elected. May the LORD Jesus guide and protect us.

And a prayer request. I've injured my right hip again and the pain is pretty intense. I can barely walk, and riding is definitely a no-no. Prayers for relief will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

I hope everyone has a very happy, safe, blessed week.

Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Duavee?

One of my 'feet of clay' is impatience. Second is dealing with medical issues. Put them together, and it's a ticking time bomb waiting to explode on the nearest innocent bystander.

I hope you're at least wearing a bib.

Today was the much anticipated Big Appointment with the chosen Physician's Assistant concerning my hormone issues. After much discussion back and forth with the Nurse, I became encouraged. However, the chat with the P.A. left me feeling deflated and discouraged. She didn't go for my Progesterone suggestion. She wants me to try Duavee for one week. Blood was drawn (enough to donate to any local vampire, in my opinion), the next appointment made, and we're going from there. Personally, I still want to try the Progesterone. I made the mistake of googling what to expect from this Duavee, and now I'm scared! It got very bad reviews. Are things going to get worse? Or better? Or no change?

Being medically challenged, I am sooooo out of my depth here. There's a lot of trepidation about this course floating around in my mind.

With each new drug, there goes my last hopes of living on a deserted island.

I'd rather be riding the Tail Of The Dragon in the North Carolina / Tennessee mountains with life and limb in danger at every turn than going thorough this.

Since the desert island dream is fading away, I'm going to watch Downton Abbey reruns, sip a bottle glass of chilled wine, and get lost in a more pleasant subject.

An AppleCare A Day To Keep Deductibles At Bay

Found at: kahdesigns.wordpress.com

I know that's a ridiculous title but my brain is too foggy to think of anything clever.

Almost one week ago, I related how I began experiencing unrecognizable painful symptoms after a routine visit to the Orthodontist.

Last Wednesday morning, I had routine dental work performed at the Orthodontist. By 4 pm that evening, my lips where tingling especially the top lip which turned blood red on the left side. By the next day I was in agony! I called the Ortho and the front desk lady said, "Come back in!" I did. He was puzzled but he asked me more than once, "Have you ever had a cold sore?" "No", I said. He kept repeating it looks like a cold sore but couldn't help. So, I went home thinking, no big deal, it'll pass. Alas, untreated, it went from bad to worse. 

On Friday Hubby insisted I get professional medical attention and took me to a new doctor (I lost my usual doctor because of high deductibles). Fortunately, it was a brief wait even with the 10,000 forms I had to fill out. The New Doc diagnosed my symptoms as cold sores. He prescribed Acyclovir Tab 800mg 5 times a day and Cephalexin Cap 500mg twice a day all for 7 days. Sounds innocuous, doesn't it? Cold Sores. They're not. This past week has been sheer he--. The left side of my face was completely numb from my left eye to the upper jaw, including the teeth. My head has ached continuously. The upper lip swelled up to unbelievable proportions. It was lined with fever blisters that are unreal in the pain department. They finally commenced with the draining last night. I started feeling a little improved this afternoon. For days I couldn't eat anything hot or spicy or chewy. I've been subsisting on frozen Almond Milk shakes, buttered bread and any soft food. Today the feeling in my face is slowly returning. I still have numbness in the sinus cavity. With good fortune these all should subside soon. 

I thought cold sores where just, you know, a little sore bump on the lip that pass after a day or two. BOY, was I WRONG! These things are the spawn from he--! And, yeah, it was caused by the dental work. But I read at WebMD that it's just a fluke. Apparently no one knows why dental procedures can cause flareups thus it's not the Ortho's fault. I'm glad to hear that. I'm very fond of my Ortho and his whole staff. They're good people. And these minions of pain are highly contagious. I've had to be extra careful and disinfect everything in my path.

At WebMD I learned that if I have the symptoms again, I need to have Lysine on hand. At the first tingling feeling, use the Lysine and ice packs. You can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to have that close by!

Something positive did happen from all this. I found a new doctor. That's very comforting in case of a real life threatening emergency. Please excuse the following plug. *smile* Southeast Georgia offers a nice new feature in that arena. They call themselves AppleCare LLC. It's a collective of doctors who agree to work for a flat rate to keep costs down. It's not necessary to join, but in order for the patient/client to save money, it's more advantageous to join the collective. For the patient the cost is minimal ($39 a month with a 12 month obligation). Each and every visit after that is only $25. My now former MD was well over $200 per visit! I received excellent care from a competent physician and there are currently 12 locations available. It's so convenient not having to make an appointment. There's no insurance to file. Good deal. Everybody's happy. For those who live in other parts of the country, and now also have expensive deductibles and/or no insurance thanks to Chum Lord Barry, I recommend looking into finding a similar deal in your area.

Until I heal, riding is way down the road. That's OK though. It looks like more rain anyway. Lord willing, and the creek don't rise, at least I don't have to busy myself with writing my obituary anymore. *lol*

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

It's A Bore For The Throat To Be Sore

Actually, my throat is not sore. Not yet. It is sensitive and the whole left side of my face, including the gland, is swollen and beet red. First my upper lip on the left side  I thought I had burned the lip somehow. Then it turned blood red. Today it's swollen and sore. I have chills, aches and a headache that would make a preacher cuss. Other than that, I feel pretty good. I'm not ready to write my Last Will & Testament or add my memorial to FindAGrave. *smile*

Yesterday morning, I visited the Orthodontist and had a routine procedure performed. I had my permanently glued in bottom retainer removed. It's been driving me crazy(er). After I made the second visit to same Orotho to pick up a new removable plastic retainer, my lip turned blood red, then the swelling and chills began. I thought, something happened in the Ortho's chair? A normal thought, yes? I returned this morning to see if anything can be diagnosed or done and they are at a loss too. Now I think that somehow I either came into contact with something that I'm either highly allergic of or have an regular run-of-the-mill infection that would started three or so days ago.

So, here I sit. Still in my jammies, bored out of my skull and wishing whatever this is, would take a powder. Little Sparky wants to go out and play on the motorcycle. I would also like to toil in the garden. The vegetables are looking really good. I hope the approaching 55 degree weather won't damage them in any way.

I hope everyone else is having a good day. I'm having a good one, just down for the count.

~ Ride Safe~

Sparky

Status Update

Jack and Sam

The Jack Russell Terrorist Brothers

I have been under-the-weather this week with a rip snortin' head cold. I haven't had one lay me this low since about 1993. I hope to be back and in snarky ... eh ... sparky form soon.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Lucy And The Sky With Diamonds

Lucy, our beloved boxer, was very ill at the start of this week.

Last Saturday, a holiday weekend, she and I began our daily walk around the property. I try to always walk about two miles each and every day. Helps clear the cobwebs. By the time I approached the workshop a few feet from the house, she went into convulsions, salivating uncontrollably. I thought maybe she was having a heart attack or a stroke. Scared me good! Even though it was the weekend Hubby immediately tried calling the Vet. Living so far out in the country, with no large towns close by, Vet had previously told us to always try calling him in an emergency. (Good man!) Unfortunately, Vet and family where out of town all that day. I tried comforting Lucy as best I could. Got her back inside in the air conditioning. She seemed to improve a bit that afternoon. Vet finally could call late that evening. To make a short story long -smile- she ended up suffering all weekend long. Monday, Hubby and Vet coordinated a time to meet at his closed office late in the evening. Hundreds of dollars worth of tests -groan- later, she was diagnosed with a severe intestinal bacterial infection! My baby! Vet gave us a list of what the culprits could have been from dirty water dishes (nope, bleached them anyway), to a tick (nope), some other things.

Finally, he asked are there any mushrooms in the yard?

“With all this rain we’ve had this summer?”, said I, “Well, yeah.”

Vet laughed, then said “Aw ha!” We found the culprit.

Apparently, Lucy had picked up a mushroom somewhere along the line, chewed on it, and ended up with a life-threatening, budget busting intestinal bacterial infection. Thanks to all the blood work she was saved just in the nic of time. From the blood work, Vet also determined that Lucy is having a bit of liver trouble. (Hope that’s temporary.) She’s 10 ½ years old, and I know that big dogs don't live as long as little dogs, but I’m hoping she’ll be around awhile longer.

So, nursing her back to health has been our goal this week. She is on four separate twice daily medications. It seems she is on the mend as I “pen” these words.

Hey, did you hear the latest? Scientists claim they can tell from recent studies that the planets Saturn and Jupiter may be raining diamonds?!

Holy Cow! I need a spaceship! NOW! -ha ha-

Another situation I‘ve had to deal with this week is The Boys, Jack and Sam. Thanks for asking, they are coming along nicely. At now 13 weeks of age, I “think” they are finally housebroken. (Now that I've said that ...) They’re using the pet door, playing in the yard unsupervised and returning to the house, all without my reminding them what to do. I'm so weary of having to get up at 3 am and take them outside for a pee break. So rather than pin them in their little sleeping box last night, I decided to leave them “loose”. Happily they took themselves out all without reminding them to do so! -yay- They’ve also already figured out the automatic feeders and the many peculiarities of living in our home. They love Lucy. I think she takes them with a grain of salt but everyone seems to be getting along swimmingly.

I can relax a little now.

To celebrate Hubby said he’s going to fix one of my favorite Bad For My Diet meals tonight. -smile- No, it’s not the Mac ‘N Cheese by Kraft and all beef hotdogs. -drool- It’s homemade hamburgers on whole wheat buns with everything but the kitchen sink on them. I go all out dressing my ‘burgers too with ketchup, mayo, mustard and so forth. Want fries with that? No, but I will have a beer. I think I deserve one.

Hope everyone has a very nice weekend.


~ Ride Safe ~


Sparky

Sticking My Neck Out (Again)

Herman For some time now I've been suffering from mysterious right shoulder and neck pain. I'm also suffering from unexplained temporary vision loss. Needless to say, I've been to doctor after doctor seeking treatment.

Some doctors have recommended therapy [Ehhhh, wrong answer! Just made it worse!]. Others recommended mind bending drugs [DEFINITELY a wrong answer!]. One even said, "Well, you have a trigger muscle. Learn to live with it."

Today, I gave yet one more doctor a try, a vascular surgeon. Well, let me back up, I gave one more Neurologist a try one month ago. After multiple tests, lots of hmmmm's and ah haw's, he suggested that I might have Subclavian Steal Syndrome.

"Oh Boy!" I thought, "Someone who takes me seriously and has a legitimate suggestion." He had even called his vascular surgeon friend and over the phone they came up with this diagnosis.

I was absolutely giddy with joy! FINALLY, someone had a diagnosis for my pain.

Today, after more on-hands, visual tests with the vascular surgeon, he shot my balloon right out of the air. Now it seems I may have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

OK.

Back to square one. [very heavy sigh] Now I need to have yet more tests to be performed at a local hospital. More precious time spent running back and to. Spending more money we should be saving during this economic Depression. And I still hurt. This seems to be dragging on and on and on and on. I have wept all afternoon. I felt so discouraged and abandoned.

Then, I happened upon this in our local paper:

Billy Graham - My Answer

Q: I have terrible pain all the time from a bad back, and the doctors can’t seem to do anything about it (except to prescribe strong drugs, which I don’t want to get hooked on). What good is God to me, if He won’t relieve my pain? Is it wrong for me to ask Him to take it away? — J. McS.

A: No, it isn’t wrong for you to ask God to bring healing to your body and take away your pain. Chronic pain is a terrible burden, and the Bible encourages us to bring all our burdens to God in prayer. But if your pain stays with you, I urge you not to get angry with God or turn away from Him in bitterness or disappointment.

Instead, I pray that your pain will cause you to turn toward God and draw closer to Him, so you can discover His strength and presence. In spite of your present feelings about Him, God has not abandoned you; He loves you and wants to encourage you. The Bible’s promise is true: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

Think of it this way. In your letter, you mentioned that you are married, and although your wife can’t take away your pain, her presence has been a source of great comfort and encouragement to you. In a similar way, knowing that God cares for you and is constantly with you will bring you great comfort and encouragement.

Bring your burdens — including your pain — to Jesus, and ask Him to encourage you and help you keep your eyes on eternity.

The Bible says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22).

I sure needed to hear that today! Plus, I made mental notes of all my blessings instead of focusing in on the failures and the seemingly endless medical adventures I've been on these past years. I have a lot to be thankful for. Now I feel better. God sure works in mysterious ways, doesn't he?! :)

I hope this encourages others to not give up too. Remember, you are LOVED!

Besides, it reminds me of that old saying, "Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."

I just hope I don't get it chopped off.

[tee hee]

Looks Like We've Gotta Bug And Other Things

Our household has been inundated with a rhino virus this week. I've been so out-of-sorts, I felt like ...

"Edgar Suit" in Men In Black
... yeah, like "we've gotta bug" and I got stuck with the Edgar Suit. But time, and enough drugs, heals all wounds. Hubby had a mild version and my knock-me-to-my-knees-and-cry-Uncle is quickly dispelling.

Onwards and upwards.

I've had time to think and that's not always a good thing. I start reminiscing when I'm not distracted by modern life. I miss having a waist. I miss old friends. I miss having energy. And I miss my little dog Sammy. My dad's miniature schnauzer suffered from congestive heart failure for many months and then finally succumbed to renal failure. He passed on June 10th. Poor little guy. Sam could be a pain in the behind but I miss him. He had so much personality.

Now my other little mini, Maxie, has suddenly taken sick. After a trip outside to take care of "busines", she was attacked by mysterious forces and had a terrible reaction to something. Poor thing was sick! We have yet to find the culprit. From that she contracted a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and needed antibiotics. Then even with treatment, she kept wetting at inopportune times. Now it seems she has a hormone deficiency (welcome to my world kid!) and is on medicine for that. Good grief! So much for saving money this month ... NOT!

In the “has anybody else tried this“ catagory: Hubby and I have pretty much given up carbo's. We’re losing weight like crazy and not having any trouble with hunger pains. Yesterday, he made lasagna. For the recipe, he substituted zucchini for the noodles. IT IS SCRUMPTIOUS!! And totally quilt free. One cuts up about 10 zucchini length-wise, pre-bake them in the oven, then use that instead of noodles. Oh, be sure to add a little fennell seed or it won't taste Italian. I wonder what wonderful creation he’ll come up with next.

I’m praying that Hurricane Irene will drop some of that lovely rain on us. Or, better still, maybe the Lord will send a Tropical Storm or two to the Texas Hill Country. They need it desperately!

Well, I’m tired again. This thing is kickin’ my backside. Hope y’all are having a good week and not thinking too much. :)

News: Toxic Seafood Warning

Being from coastal Florida, my husband and I tend to eat a lot seafood. After watching the report below, we're gonna quit eating anything we don't know is harvested here in America.

Buying American has a dual purpose anyway:
Protects our economy.
Protects our health.



I hope this report helps others to avoid a very dangerous health risk.

H1N1 Must Be Science Talk For Hog Droppings

Well, the Obama Administration, those kooky clowns living on the American tax dollars in The Big House, are at it again.

The "Swine Flu Epidemic" ... isn't. The strain is mostly harmless. So, there's no crisis folks. The flu isn't fun, and just like in years past, can pose a danger for those with weakened immunities, the very young, the very old, yada yada yada If contracted one will probably wish one was dead but more than likely you'll live to see another day. What can be and is dangerous is the vaccine. It has proved to be toxic to many.

This "epidemic" is just something else that the phony "Science Czar" [John Holdren - the same dude that believes in forced abortions, sterilizations, etc.] made up so as to not "waste a good crisis" in order to take over something or other. Yeah, another communist Obama power grab.

Gates Of Vienna's blog put this whole charade into better words here: The Flu Vaccine “Story” Mutates into a Deadly Strain

Move along ... there's nothing to see here ...

Like, He's So Stoned, Man

Sweetie in Dahlonega, GA
My husband is scheduled to have minor surgery tomorrow (Wednesday) at a local hospital, time unknown at the present. The surgery goes by the wordy title of "Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)". That's a mouthful, ain't it? He is pre-registering for the procedure this afternoon.

Put simply, he has kidney stones on both sides and they will be "pounded" with shock waves, then two stints left in for one week to allow the stone remains to flush safely. Poor guy. This is the second time he's had to have this done.

In his case, the stones are caused by consuming too many 'dark fluids' (i.e. coke, coffee, etc.). Some stones are caused by eating too much red meat. I think that's how it works. Anyway, this last motorcycle trip jarred the stones lose and upon our return he had terrible back pain on both sides. The real clue was when he started passing a little blood. OK, time to see a doctor! He was fortunate that the Urologist could see him so quickly. After the proper CT scan and exam, Doc said "Yep, you've got stones again." So, there we are.

I'll be sure to let y'all know when he's back home and resting comfortably. And I'm throwing out all the cola NOW! :o)

The Stink in Farts Controls Blood Pressure

Honest to God y'all, this is an actual article that I read this morning:

The Stink in Farts Controls Blood Pressure
by Amelia Thomas
LiveScience Staff - Thu Oct 23, 3:21 pm ET

A smelly rotten-egg gas in farts controls blood pressure in mice, a new study finds. The unpleasant aroma of the gas, called hydrogen sulfide (H2S), can be a little too familiar, as it is expelled by bacteria living in the human colon and eventually makes its way, well, out.

The new research found that cells lining mice's blood vessels naturally make the gas and this action can help keep the rodents' blood pressure low by relaxing the blood vessels to prevent hypertension (high blood pressure). This gas is "no doubt" produced in cells lining human blood vessels too, the researchers said.

"Now that we know hydrogen sulfide's role in regulating blood pressure, it may be possible to design drug therapies that enhance its formation as an alternative to the current methods of treatment for hypertension," said Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Solomon H. Snyder, M.D., a co-author of the study detailed in the Oct. 24th issue of the journal Science.

Snyder and his colleagues compared normal mice to mice that were missing a gene for an enzyme known as CSE, long suspected as being responsible for making hydrogen sulfide. As they measured hydrogen sulfide levels taken from tissues of the CSE-deficient mice, the scientists found that the gas was depleted in the cardiovascular systems of the altered mice. By contrast, normal mice had higher levels of the gas, thereby showing that hydrogen sulfide is naturally made by mammalian tissues using CSE.

Next, the mice were subjected to higher blood pressures comparable to serious hypertension in humans. Scientists had them respond to a chemical called methacholine that relaxes normal blood vessels. The blood vessels of the CSE-lacking mice hardly relaxed, indicating that hydrogen sulfide is a huge contender for regulating blood pressure.

Hydrogen sulfide is the most recently discovered member of a family of gasotransmitters, small molecules inside our bodies with important physiological functions.

This study is the first to reveal that the CSE enzyme that triggers hydrogen sulfide is activated itself in the same way as other enzymes when they trigger their respective gasotransmitter, such as a nitric oxide-forming enzyme that also regulates blood pressure, Dr. Snyder said.

Because gasotransmitters are common in mammals all over the evolutionary tree, these findings on the importance of hydrogen sulfide are thought to have broad applications to human diseases, such as diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.

The research was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as well as a Research Scientist Award.

My husband said that this explains why he has High Blood Pressure and I don't ... his don't stink! [I've got news for him, his could knock a buzzard off a poo wagon!!]

Well, I'll get him back. Quick ... someone, pull my finger! [giggle] ♥ ∞

More About Tropical Storm Fay

Seems that after all the hoopla, most of the fun will stay south of us. Check out the projections now. Oh well. At least we've got plenty of beer and food. [smile] Check out the joke below. Hubby and I laughed so hard I just had to share it. The joke was e-mailed to me this afternoon by a friend down in Florida.

Also, Hubby is improving every day. His shoulder and under his armpit is still all purple and yellow but the actual surgery cut is healing nicely. He's still quite sore and is completely immobile on his left side. I know he's anxious to get back on 2 wheels again, as I am also. I keep going out in the carport and cranking the bikes. His Triumph needs to be run every so many days to keep the battery from running down because of it's on-board computer. It draws a lot of current and can be difficult to crank. You ought to hear that thing power down: whirl, pop, wheeze, ping, boop, pop. [lol] It's really humourous. The bike makes sounds like one of those 1980's Sci-Fi robots. Mine is quiet as a japanese mouse.

TTFN ~ Sparky ♥ ∞