tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76394322318628742172024-03-05T09:25:43.864-05:00Some disagree with Momwho said nobody cares what I think.PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.comBlogger1201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-12339927425026592962018-01-20T07:10:00.000-05:002018-01-20T07:10:17.305-05:00Who cares if the government shuts down?<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHIP and DACA should have been put to a vote long ago. The Republicans want to use issues everyone actually supports to goad the Democrats into voting for issues the Dems don't support. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the Republicans it is their way period. There is no negotiation, no input from others at all, even the citizenry. They are determined to impose their ideology on the US whether we want it or not. Their supporters are not the majority but they are loud. They have their own media which their supporters sincerely believe is factual. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Republicans have established a cult of people who believe our government has no business helping those who for one reason or another can't help themselves adequately. They would starve the government to the point where there are no health or safety regulations to protect people from greed and prejudice, environmental disasters or judicial malfeasance. They refuse to accept the fact that diversity is critical for future viability. They believe their religion is the way to peace and security even tho they refuse to acknowledge let alone follow the teachings of their alleged leader Jesus Christ. They have divided the US by fear of others they consider different and therefore wrong. They have established monetary profit as the only worthwhile goal. They believe every enterprise will function better if there is a profit motive even tho history shows that private prisons encourage injustice, drug companies charge obscene amounts in the US while giving other countries deep discounts, for profit schools for which success is not measured by any standard procedure and the military/industrial complex has no accountability. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In short Republicans are self-serving to the detriment of society. They have no interest in community or in anyone who can't do something for them. And they believe that attitude is good and right.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-85283484551140930292017-10-03T11:44:00.002-04:002017-10-03T11:47:46.800-04:00Rants on politics - 3 October 2017<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A high school classmate's comment on Facebook:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;">What has happened to the political Left?!!! I have followed politics and Party differences for as long as I can remember and have never seen such a deep animosity towards Heartland America as we see today from the Left! I can't believe this is just fro</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">m getting their feelings hurt over the election upset!! There has been a growing deep hatred towards the Right that began at with the last administration! And sadly our own Democratic "leaders" and mainstream media keep throwing fuel on to this raging fire!!! No matter what President Trump does to help America to become great again, the Left turns against him! He is helping all Americans to get on their feet and live in a secure and prosperous Homeland!! He wants to eliminate the enhanced racial tensions that began over eight years ago! He wants to provide jobs for every able bodied American, and provide aid for those who truly need it! Why does the Left want to keep everything suppressed, including the people????!!!!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We must get our Nation back as one America, we must stop the identification of American's by the color of skin or origin!!! We must stop this deep political divide so full of hate!!! We have to have differences of opinion of course, but not total obstructionism! And we must have an honest media to inform America, and the World what is really happening, not this continued twisting of the truth!! </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One Nation Under God!!!!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, I got on that soap box before my second cup of coffee! But, these things need to be said and said loudly!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">My response:</span></div>
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<span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOP are crybabies. Mean old Democrats in Congress are doing what the Republicans did to Obama. No mind that they are trying to protect the population from the Wall Street greed that wants to make the US a third world country and is being quite successful thanks to purchased politicians. What has Trump done for unity? He tweets bitter criticism for all but white male citizens and even takes some of them on when they disagree with him. He has appointed and supported known racists. Where are the jobs? The stability generated during the Obama administration is carrying us on. The GOP in Congress wants to eliminate all support for those unable to support themselves via Medicaid and evil welfare. They just let lapse the CHIP program for kids. Has Trump spoken against this? No. What does Trump do when there is a crisis? He goes golfing at his own resort illegally at taxpayers' expense. Did Obama create racial tension? He can't help it that his father was black and he couldn't erase the fear white folks have of losing control. Trump has exploited that division of races even farther with his travel bans and his appointees. If you really want to get back to an America that works together you need to get rid of Fox Entertainment and minimize the efforts of Limbaugh, Breitbart and Infowars among others who constantly flame the fires. Yes there are radicals on the left. The ones I know well are radical for people not against them like the radical Republicans who are unwilling to share any responsibility if it costs them a dollar. And by the way, the Christianists who want to impose their form of sharia law on the rest of us need to read the red words in their KJVs not just listen to their prejudiced pastors. I'm all for civil society where we can agree to disagree and fight for what we believe will help all. But the idea that one tv entertainment station has all the answers and everyone else is wrong is the worst thing that even happened to the USA. And to think that it does is intentional ignorance which doesn't help anyone. Get out there and fight for health care, equal education, a living wage, freedom from religion, equal justice for all people, welcoming talent from other countries, preservation of sacred and unique lands, a healthy environment, development of renewable energy sources, and all the other issues that the Trump administration has decided don't provide enough profit for the super wealthy. Fight to get money out of elections or make Congress wear Nascar-like patches saying who owns them. Make Trump and his administration honor the Constitution. Include Democrats and especially women in policy making. Then I will have some respect for the majority of the GOP. Then maybe we can discuss what to do about health care, taxes, jobs, etc.. I'm not holding my breath. Now I need to make another pot of coffee.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His response:</span></div>
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<span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning Shel! Have missed our disagreements!</span></span></div>
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<span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My response:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;">So have I. </span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;">It's always good to see what the other is thinking. Have a great day.</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129;"> </span></span><br />
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-74236243807608213402017-01-11T04:55:00.003-05:002017-02-01T20:14:16.325-05:00And yet another Facebook account<div style="text-align: center;">
If you don't know my name, ask in the comments. I deleted Tim's account. Too crazy to try to keep up with two with the same Friends. This is her photo.<br />
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-40294518601872534472017-01-06T16:55:00.000-05:002017-01-06T17:27:35.668-05:00Life without Facebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Somebody apparently told Facebook that I'm not the person who has been posting as me. I was told I had to send a photo id with my name and birthdate to Facebook. They received it and said they would check into it then let me know their decision. </div>
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How frustrating!!!!!</div>
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I can't report on the Infinity.</div>
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I can't post a Tim photo.</div>
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I can't boast about helping a friend buy a backup device and a new printer then installing those plus the new modem.</div>
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I feel lost and alone.</div>
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And I need Facebook when I travel.<br />
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Meanwhile this is what I see on Google Chrome whenever a photo of Trump appears. LOL.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-5062961312929363092016-12-19T19:11:00.003-05:002016-12-19T19:15:20.827-05:00Tim visits her old abode on a cold December day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today Tim decided to go out into the 24°F cold icy reality she used to have to endure. She looked for the open garage door that she and her "friends" used to get shelter. She looked a little confused when she found it closed. I donned my boots, opened the people door for her and turned the lights on. </div>
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She carefully explored everywhere. The kayak belongs to a neighbor. When Tim lived in the barn this was a large open space. In cold weather there would be boxes with blankets, heated water, a tent to keep the heat in and a heater if it was bitterly cold. The cats were fed twice a day.</div>
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I was surprised she went everywhere carefully checking with eyes and nose.</div>
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She was able to do a little climbing which was also unusual. She has been willing to eat food with Cosequin in it. Her arthritis seems to be lessening a bit as a result.</div>
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After sniffing all the blankets and foam Tim checked out the box.</div>
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She seemed to be saying, "This is how it used to be."</div>
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She started to leave then got distracted by something she smelled.</div>
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Finally she just sat and looked at me for a bit.</div>
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She looked around and told me something important then lay down as if she planned to stay. I turned the lights out and left the door open. Eventually she returned to the house and retreated to her cave in the bedroom where she stayed all afternoon.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-9376936061623010592016-10-23T04:49:00.001-04:002016-10-23T05:09:25.951-04:00Clinton/Kaine Rally, Pittsburgh, PA, Saturday 22 October 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This rally was quite different from the Trump rally in Erie. The venue was much smaller so the crowd was crowded and the auditorium was opened for the overflow. Around 3000 apparently. My friend Peg with her guide dog Reggie got us around the line and into a seated area. Yea.</div>
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Waiting</div>
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I liked the Planned Parenthood posters. </div>
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Arkansas Travelers</div>
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I don't know who the ladies in front of us were but they got lots of attention from others including selfies with them.</div>
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She sang the National Anthem a cappella and did an excellent job of it</div>
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I don't remember if they said she was the head of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County Dem Party.</div>
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Signers alternated.</div>
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I voted for this guy.</div>
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Pittsburgh's mayor</div>
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No clue who he is.</div>
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The 96 year old next to us. He stood and watched Clinton for a little while. His daughter was friendly.</div>
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There were quite a few youngsters.</div>
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Love her shirt.</div>
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And her leggings.</div>
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With the Rooneys. Couldn't get a decent photo.</div>
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Kaine</div>
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Lots of Secret Service whose facial expressions never changed.</div>
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Proving I was there.</div>
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Taking photos around this fellow while trying to avoid an extremely bright spotlight was a challenge. Many of the photos look washed out thanks to the extremely brightly lit auditorium.</div>
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Reggie didn't care. He was mostly well-behaved.</div>
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I was one person too far to get to shake hands with her. She walked along in front of us listening to what people had to say. Note the Secret Service guy with the never changing expression.</div>
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-3212208308302445912016-10-13T08:04:00.001-04:002016-10-13T08:04:08.490-04:00Memories...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was the poster from my senior voice recital at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ in 1994. It appeared on Facebook on 13 October 2016 thanks to my cherished friend Maritza Caceres Harth-Bedoya. The large letters in 'CHORiSTer" are on my car license plate.</div>
PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-5391006554340675142016-01-09T17:37:00.000-05:002016-01-09T17:37:21.553-05:00900 million"Large" amounts of money don't confuse me. Ever since the lotteries began I've carefully considered what I would do if I ever won. I have a plan which involves setting up a fund for grants and endowments. With relatives in the banking, financial planning and development businesses, that would not be that large a problem. Any multiple of a million would be easy to take care of. Well, maybe. The concept of winning 900 million is mind-boggling to say the least.<br />
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Just think. You could build a new house for each of your relatives and pay for college for all your kids and grandkids and not make a dent in the total. Even if all your relatives got million dollar houses.<br />
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So what would be fun to do?<br />
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Buy local property and set up houses for all homeless willing to move in. Provide adequate endowment to pay for all the services needed to get them back into the economy for the next ten years.<br />
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Provide several million or endowments to each of your favorite charities as needed. Food pantries, churches, animal rescues, schools, choruses, bands, orchestras, operas, children's organizations, etc.<br />
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Donate millions to your favorite medical researchers.<br />
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Travel the world.<br />
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And you would probably have millions left.<br />
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Could I spend all 900 million productively? No. But I would love to be able do a few things close to my heart.<br />
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I would pay off several mortgages friends owe. I would provide an adequate income for several friends and for me.<br />
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My favorite vacation is singing with Berkshire Choral International. Unfortunately it is getting beyond my budget without serious control of expenses. I would endow them with enough income to insure tuition, room and board never exceeded 1000, if possible.<br />
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A local college took a chance and hired a vision impaired friend to work with their radio station. There is a new building that was not designed by people who know anything about radio. I doubt any money was given for maintenance either. Too many people want a building with their name but don't want to support it year to year. The station borrows their broadcasting equipment. I'd buy them the equipment they really need and provide maintenance for all of it for years to come.<br />
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Another alma mater would receive scholarship and maintenance money. And a chorus I sing with would have new folders plus money to hire instruments when wanted.<br />
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Medical research relies on grants which can be fickle. One certain genetics lab would get what is needed via endowment.<br />
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The Erie Chamber Orchestra would be another recipient. Their concerts are free.<br />
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I spent the Fourth of July 2015 with friends on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. I would endow another clergy person to share the work. I'm sure my friends' work, especially the need for youth activities, could absorb all the rest of the winnings but finding people to spend it wisely could be a problem.<br />
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You may be wondering why all the endowments. Well, greed seems to be a human condition. By endowing a person or organization, conditions and limitations can be imposed. The idea is to provide ongoing income rather than a large one time gift. Wealthy people seem eager to give millions to put their name on something but that's all. They can leave the organization with a heavy burden in the future.<br />
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The lottery has ruined lots of people. "Friends" no longer care if they don't get what they want. The phone rings constantly with requests for money. Stupid decisions about money that affect not only relationships but taxes can cause permanent grief. I'm perfectly happy to buy a losing ticket when the winnings get astronomical for the fun of thinking about it. Not sure I would want to win 900 million but I'm somewhat prepared to deal with it if it were to happen. Hahahahahaha!<br />
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-61645348006314635752015-12-18T12:57:00.003-05:002015-12-18T12:57:43.124-05:00More cat photos<div style="text-align: center;">
It's raining. I'm not going out.
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And you woke me to take yet another photo?</div>
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Waiting to lick the cereal bowl.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-86014817103346904502015-11-25T21:57:00.005-05:002015-11-25T21:57:32.962-05:00Cat photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-91228827658677107072015-10-30T22:35:00.003-04:002015-10-30T22:35:41.341-04:0030 October 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
No comment.</div>
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-38436832727502786362015-10-23T17:11:00.001-04:002015-10-23T17:13:45.938-04:0023 October 2015 - part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Several people have told me I have the best view in the hospital. Only the night crew got to see the Halloween snow live. It was fun. Today has been gorgeous with a cloudless blue sky. The sun filtering thru the changing trees has been especially lovely. </div>
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The chaplain stopped by today. She's sweet. </div>
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Another woman visited this morning with, for me, odd questions. Among other stuff she said three words which I had to repeat. The words were sock, blue, and bed. I didn't say anything, just pulled my feet out from under the blanket. It took her several seconds to catch on.</div>
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I think the woman was evaluating my mental condition.</div>
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Once again I was in agony with gas pains. I skipped the morning therapy. Eventually I got a pill for gas which helped a little. Meanwhile I figured out that I could upend myself without hurting the new knee. That got everything moving. TBTG. I could power several days of the new <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/britains-first-bio-bus-running-on-human-waste-set-to-go-into-service-10109179.html" target="_blank">London bus</a>.</div>
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Bronnie stopped to deliver my laundry.</div>
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I still can't get my leg flat. Still 6°. Bend was 118° tho. We walked down to the chapel so she could see how well I handle carpet and single steps with the walker. I have permission to take 2 strolls per day without an escort. Yea. </div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-38676263977021100912015-10-23T05:56:00.003-04:002015-10-23T07:45:15.348-04:0023 October 2015No, I didn't vanish or move to the other side or croak. Tuesday was a zoo. Among phone calls, visitors, therapy, nurses, aides, meals, meds, the machine, etc. I was tugged in all directions. And I'm not sure what happened when so I'll leave this as it is, a compilation.<br />
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The highlight of the day, or night, was my elimination problem. Not. Monday night I was in absolute agony. A case of almost but not quite had me extremely uncomfortable - actually in great pain for several hours. Sitting or even lying was a literal p.i.t.a. Warm prune juice, some bubbly stuff from the doc on duty and lots of effort eventually remedied the situation resulting in a plugged toilet and flooding the next day. Wow. I'll spare the details but it was spectacular.<br />
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Trying to get my Percocet settled was a nuisance. I was arriving at therapy already in pain. Nurses were arguing with me and everyone else about the dosage and times. Lying about the pain level didn't work because it panicked the nurses. It and I were a mess. Finally the therapy people got together with the nurses and got it settled. Percocet certainly doesn't make life painless. Sometimes I wondered if it is helping at all. I'm unwilling to try without it. For now. I might be crazy but I don't think I'm stupid.<br />
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Meanwhile the therapy people decided I would go downstairs at 9, 11 and 1:30. So when could I do the hellbender for two hours? I settled that. 5 1/2 hours out of 24 wasn't that big a dent. Of course the machine doesn't bother me. I go to sleep.<br />
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Thursday was relatively quiet. After therapy they decided I should stay a few days longer. I still can't get my leg to lie flat without intense pain. Not surprising to me since I have been babying it for a year or more, especially since July. I will go directly to Dr Anderson to get the staples removed then, assuming all is well, home. I can't say I was disappointed. I would rather be in their care as long as necessary. Besides the food is good and friends visit.<br />
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Bronnie was here when I got the news and took my laundry home. Jim B visited for awhile. Jim D brought me some cider in the evening. I kept falling asleep on my visitors. They really aren't boring. I just can't stay awake very long. When I wake up for meds at 3 am I have no trouble going back to sleep.<br />
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Meanwhile I've modified my eating. I don't need a full meal three times a day when I'm mostly just lying around. The choices are tempting but cereal for breakfast and soup for lunch are more than adequate.<br />
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And then there is the toilet paper. Just getting a new roll started takes enough for a couple of wipes. Strings of tp really don't do the job. If you don't get enough, you might poke a finger thru the wet paper. Icky! Apparently everyone complains. I can't see the economy in cheap toilet paper. What should take a half dozen or so sheets often requires many times that. Is cheap paper really 60-80% less than good paper?<br />
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So on to the day. Apparently Friday is team spirit day. Lots of Steeler stuff.<br />
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-38968513782105189422015-10-19T13:17:00.000-04:002015-10-19T13:17:14.683-04:0019 October 2015 #2<div style="text-align: center;">
Lunch is yummy today. Fruit and cottage cheese. I'll munch away on the salad all afternoon. They forgot the coffee tho.</div>
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The importance of keeping a regular regimen for meds is obvious today. My Percocet was an hour late. At least they gave me two. The attempt at therapy may have made it worse. I don't think there is much less pain two hours later than there was before. Frustrating for me and for the therapist. I seem to have at least as much pain now as I did several days ago. That is discouraging. Yet yesterday morning I had far less than now. I don't understand.<br />
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It doesn't matter if I'm trying to press the leg down or not. Lying with it extended hurts. The muscles on the back of my leg are being stretched and they hurt - both up and down. The muscles at the outside of the knee hurt. Everything about the knee hurts and makes me cry involuntarily eventually.<br />
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I did three steps today. No problem except whatever pain.<br />
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Jim is coming this afternoon and will take my laundry home with him. I think I'll ask for a gown to sleep in tonight. I don't expect him to walk it back this evening.<br />
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A dietitian came in earlier wondering why I was on a low carb, low fat diet. I explained that the diabetic diet had too many carbs. They will let me choose what I want to eat as my choices are at least as healthy as the prescribed.<br />
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-41777739139686786742015-10-19T05:59:00.000-04:002015-10-19T07:26:01.335-04:0019 October 2015Happy Birthday, Ginny in North East.<br />
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Up and on the machine a little after 5 am. I wish I slept this well at home. But then, maybe I would if I could shut my head off. Getting meds with the midnight gang is easy. They know what they are doing. And with the exception of Jenn who is off today, they are my favorites so far.<br />
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100° on the machine. 20 to go. One of the night gals said I'm to up it 5° every day. I'm doing it every session because that's what I understood from Edgewood. At my rate, the max will be reached tomorrow. From here I think the swelling is keeping me from much improvement. There now are outlines of a knee visible. The colors don't seem to be in any hurry to disappear however. It's hard to keep ice on it.<br />
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I have to call and cancel one of my two Anderson appointments today. I'll find out about the new knee. I'm curious to know what it is and how heavy it is.</div>
<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-89955437229428384152015-10-18T22:16:00.001-04:002015-10-18T22:16:14.010-04:0018 October 2015 eveningI have so much to learn! After the machine my calf was sore - muscle soreness - and tense. So when the nurse asked my pain level and I said 4 or 5 she got all worried about a blood clot and went to get help. Fortunately in the 15 or so minutes it took for someone to come and look, the knot in my calf went away. Apparently it was a cramp which is quite ordinary for my legs and feet. It seems I have to be in serious trouble before they will give me 2 pills as the therapists think I should have. Another thing to mention when I call the doc tomorrow. I was warned by Edgewood to call them if I have anything unusual happen because MMC will throw me in the ER and we'll have all sorts of other problems.<br />
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So I finished my lettuce salad bit by bit while on auto-exercise. I had saved graham crackers from lunch and milk from supper too so I've been munching all evening. I also have some ginger ale from this afternoon. Come tomorrow I suppose everything will change as we go on a "normal" schedule. I'm enjoying the vacation from dishes and choosing what to nuke from the large selection of stuff in the freezer. I just circle what appeals to me and it appears the next day as if by magic.<br />
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BUT I don't enjoy the politics. The therapists don't want me to have any pain that will interfere with their work. One pill every four or five hours wasn't adequate so they told me to take two. Getting the nursing staff to give me two is almost impossible obviously. If I say I have enough pain to warrant two they get all frantic. For the life of me I don't understand what is so great about Percocet or plain Oxycodone. They dull the physical pain but they certainly don't seem to affect my mood. Why anyone would jeopardize life and/or freedom to get the drug escapes me.<br />
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Meanwhile sad that the Cubbies lost. Tonight doesn't look any better. Baseball should be over by 1 October at the latest. Having football, baseball and hockey going at the same time is financially wise? Actually having separate facilities for football and baseball is a massive boondoggle usually at the taxpayers' expense. The leagues are playthings for their owners. Taxpayers shouldn't be buying toys for the people who can afford them otherwise.<br />
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There is a man on the corridor who has been coughing loudly for 15 minutes. First patient I've heard. Hope they can take care of him. I haven't gotten a roomie yet. The bed runs regularly even tho there doesn't seem to be anyone in it. Haven't noticed a ghost either. Doesn't bother me but seems a waste.<br />
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I miss Tim snuggling next to me on the couch.<br />
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-39630016585623087112015-10-18T12:07:00.000-04:002015-10-18T15:16:05.527-04:0018 October 2015Grea-at day! So far. Big goal met so I'm a bit lighter. And my leg bent to 102 and straightened to 7 which was so much better than the 15 last night. So 18° and 7° to go. Hopefully swelling is part of that. There are finally the outlines of a knee. There is still much muscular pain. And according to the therapist a lot of blood to be eliminated. The extensive bruising reminds me of my encounter with the bird feeder years back. I can probably find that photo if anyone is really curious. My entire lower leg and part of the upper are covered with "bruises" which are actually just leaked blood. Pretty impressive.<br />
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The sun has revealed itself again. Pretty trees outside my window. Weatherpeople say the temperature Tuesday will be 20°F warmer than today. Northwestern Pennsylvania fall. Means nothing to me I guess. All night there were huge snowflakes illuminated orange by the streetlight just in time for Halloween. At one point I really wanted another photo and had the nurse close the door which was reflected in the window. Of course it quit snowing then and for the rest of the night when I was awake. I didn't look to see or ask if the white stuff had accumulated at all here in town.<br />
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Breakfast included a bagel on which I could put real butter thanks to Shirley. Bronnie brought some too so now I'm set. I don't eat the phony stuff. And there was a real serving of eggs this morning. I wish there were some sort of breakfast meat on the menu but there isn't. The meals are good.<br />
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I rarely order anything with gravy out because the stuff is usually very salty and sometimes full of MSG. I suspect the kitchen got complaints about this meal. I wrote them a note saying how pleased I was. The gravy was tasty and the pork was fork tender. The asparagus was just right and so were the potatoes. The taste is good to me but probably not to others who prefer the taste of seasonings to the taste of the real food. I wrote a note to the kitchen people. Then just now the dietician came to collect the menu and it is a gal who used to sing in my kids choir. I've been thinking about her but I was under the impression that she had moved away. I had supper with her cousins in San Antonio in June.<br />
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The local priest visited and brought me communion even tho she isn't my priest. She witnessed a disagreement with a nurse and taught me what I need to do to get around that. We don't know if there is a communications problem or a staff problem but I had to ask three times and wait half an hour to get the pain pill. Then she only gave me one. I now know how to work around her. She just introduced me to the next nurse. </div>
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A therapist came around about 1:30, suggested I go on the machine at 2 and said she would come back. She reappeared at 2:40 but I had done what we had agreed to. She seemed surprised and pleased. I'm learning to not wait for these people. I wish I didn't have to be escorted to the bathroom. </div>
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-73480678858557544322015-10-17T21:10:00.000-04:002015-10-18T00:32:41.896-04:0017 October 2015 continued<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes it snowed today.
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Still snowing under the lights.
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Now the outdoor lights are off so I have no idea what is going on outside and I'm not getting up to look as the machine has another 35 or so minutes to go.
The hellbender, as Cheryl Wild in Grove City, PA calls it, exercises the leg and knee. I have to increase the angle by 5° every use and use it for two hours three times a day. The goal is 120°. I'm at 80° at the moment. When I step it up to 85 I may have trouble with it pulling on the staples. More swelling may go down overnight tho. One of the nurses tonight said she's surprised how little swelling remains.</div>
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I've been surprised at the variety of knee replacement therapies friends have had. One in Austin, TX got right out of bed and was out and about two days later. She's a better man than I with pain apparently. The staff here is very defensive about their orthopedist Frndak. They believe he's the best in the nation. All I know about him is it takes three months to get an appointment just to see him and he's going away for several months soon. This would have happened well into 2016 had I waited.</div>
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I went down the hall to eat with a couple of older men tonight. They are from Linesville. Both suffered falls. One of them had an eye like mine a few weeks back.</div>
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Randal visited earlier today and Shirley visited this afternoon. I'm surprised I'm not bored.</div>
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I've had trouble getting my Percocet on time so the therapist said I should take two for the time being. I can't get my leg to lie as flat as it did at Edgewood. The bed doesn't help. I got an extra pillow to put under my foot forcing the knee down farther. Hopefully that and stronger meds will remedy that situation soon. Everyone is surprised how well I walk.</div>
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Hope I can remember that pill time is near 12, 4 and 8. Trying to figure out how to set an alarm to remind me.</div>
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Meanwhile my A1c is 6.0 which I think is down a bit. My triglycerides are slightly too high but the rest are good. Being able to walk should help. My glucose has been just nuts as has my blood pressure. Nobody seems worried.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-47556630311364238642015-10-17T08:33:00.002-04:002015-10-17T08:33:19.956-04:0017 October 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
Here we go again. I need to learn how to deal with the hospital staff. My pain med is now two hours overdue even tho I asked for it. I know what to do in the evening but not during the daytime. I hate to really borrow the nurses but I don't want them to get in the way of my recovery. Once I figure out their schedules I can fit in. The night staff has already done that. Here she comes with an apology. I understand that hospital nurses are overworked and often unappreciated.</div>
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The egg situation is similar. A tiny portion. It's the only meat option for breakfast. At least I have cream cheese for the English muffin. And a large dish of unripe melon. the decaf coffee is drinkable. I wish I had my fiber stuff to put in it. Lots of stuff to work out here.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-5827961510015051282015-10-16T23:12:00.001-04:002015-10-16T23:12:22.722-04:00Grove Street for rehab, 16 October 2015Just met my new doctor, Dr. Nam. A very quiet, sweet guy who asked me all sorts of weird questions about my background and family. He is an American of Korean descent.<br />
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And I got the next pain pill. The pain is slowly going back to tolerable. I'll go to the head and see if I can walk again.<br />
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I think I need to do a Rod and take selfies. I'll be here long enough.<br />
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The sandwich I got really stinks. I can't tell what it is supposed to be. I think it has very strong onions. A couple of graham crackers would be best.<br />
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The TV is fixed fortunately. It's nice to be back to Erie TV. Looks like there is snow on the weathermap. Exciting. But I don't have to be out in it.<br />
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It is weird to be in a nightgown for a change. Nice.<br />
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<br />PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-4180222330354151832015-10-15T23:27:00.000-04:002015-10-16T06:42:05.040-04:00Knee surgery 13 October 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
The surgery was on 13 October. These photos were taken on Thursday, 15 October. The physician was Dr. Stuart Anderson and was done at <a href="http://www.edgewoodsurgical.com/" target="_blank">Edgewood Surgical Hospital</a> in Transfer, PA, south of Greenville.</div>
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One thing I do not want in my house is more stuff. But I'll be going home with more stuff for which there is no place. sigh. My temperature is all over the lot. Last night it was 101. I would have known if I had a fever like that. The night nurse measured 98.8 so she and I think the ear thermometer is nuts. Something to check out this morning. I have this little blue plastic breathing thing I'm supposed to use regularly. It supposedly keeps my temp regulated. I like it. I think it is actually improving my breathing. I can use it any time. That is one stuff I will be happy to have. I don't want the toilet and I won't need it. I never use the supports on the regular one here. The walker is all I need. My pot at home is tall and my kiddie size walker will fit in my bathroom.</div>
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I have some pain today. I may have to go back to two pills. It takes much effort to lift my leg and my body doesn't want to do it but I lift anyhow. I wish there were a scale here but there isn't in the hospital. Maybe I can talk the trainer into going to the other part on my walk this morning. </div>
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I've laughed at the meals here for good reason. Tiny portions of foods which don't raise glucose level yet a largish bag of potato chips? At least I'm getting plenty of veggies and fruit. The decaf coffee is drinkable and available whenever I want it tho I only drink it in the morning beginning at 5 am. I'm amused that I can have regular ginger ale with my meals - a tiny can of it but that's all I need.</div>
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The nurses know what they are doing. They have five patients each and, due to the nature of the hospital, have plenty of experience with everything. Makes me feel even sorrier for regular hospital nurses. </div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-25316250282608875692015-07-28T22:15:00.002-04:002015-07-28T22:15:38.043-04:00Tim is home<div style="text-align: center;">
She got to go outside for the first time since May. She sniffed all around the neighborhood then came back in.
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She found comfort in her nook again.</div>
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She's finally willing to lie on the couch with me.</div>
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A favorite perch.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-46072304585649792332015-07-17T21:52:00.001-04:002015-07-17T21:52:40.824-04:00Rant #2, Food - 17 July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you donate food or money for food to a cause what do you expect from the donation? Do you believe it will be packaged up and delivered to the intended recipient within a reasonable amount of time? Or do you think it will be stored for months, perhaps years before being given? </div>
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This spring M witnessed the delivery of a shipment of donated food. If I remember correctly, she said the delivery date was supposed to be in November but it was delivered many months later. Many of the items were well past their expiration dates. The semi-perishables had not been packed securely and were infested with maggots and rat feces, among other vermin. Much of the food was not usable. Was the woman unpacking it angry? No. She was grateful for whatever they could use. Was M angry? Very.</div>
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Where was the snafu? Who knows? Who cares? Obviously the shipper didn't. And people have been known to donate food long past the dates on the packages. Why? What is charitable about giving something that is useless and perhaps harmful? When your local food bank or the post office collects food, do you go thru your pantry and pull all the old cans to donate? Or do you check to see what is needed and pick up those items on your next shopping trip? Think about it. </div>
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Whether the food was individually collected or purchased with donated money or part of a government program, it was not properly handled. Somebody didn't care. That somebody was probably wasicu. Makes me embarrassed, angry, sick.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-1414499746722197562015-07-16T18:54:00.000-04:002015-07-16T21:21:23.008-04:00An Episcopal Rant - 16 July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It’s nice that some of our young people are headed to the <a href="http://dionwpanews.org/2015/03/25/update-on-the-mission-to-the-dominican-republic/" target="_blank">Dominican Republic to host Vacation Bible School</a>. It’s good to get a sense of other cultures. I contributed to the expenses for one of them. But.</div>
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<span class="s1">In June and early July, I drove to Portland, OR to sing a week with Berkshire Choral International then headed home. I stayed with friends including many I had known only online. The one person I wanted to meet and visit more than all the others was Rev. Margaret Watson, Episcopal priest on the Cheyenne River Mission in South Dakota. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Margaret is a hero for all of us who know of her work - carefully documented on her blog <a href="http://leaveitlay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It</a> and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheyenne-River-Episcopal-Mission/237977609651918" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. First of all, there are 9 active parishes under Margaret’s charge. She and her husband Joel, also ordained, live next to St. John’s in Eagle Butte, SD. I don’t know how far some of the churches are from Eagle Butte but I know that Cherry Creek is at least an hour and the road I saw isn’t paved. Dupree is close. Promise looks to be an hour and a half. Getting the eucharist to all of them once a month is probably the easy part of her ministry unless the weather doesn’t cooperate. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Life on the reservation is unlike anything any of us can imagine. It is not a different lifestyle. It is a different world with different rules and expectations that are somewhat rigid and knowingly prejudiced against wasicu - us - for good reason. The Lakota were migratory but they were forced onto reservations where they could not travel. They did not have the advantage of staying on familiar land like the Navajo and Hopi. On Cheyenne River four tribes were forced together. They have not adapted as well as the Cherokee and other groups. Their history is a sordid example of US government mistreatment, theft and lies. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Alcohol, drugs and suicide provide a steady stream of trauma and funerals for Margaret. One recent weekend she had a wedding plus three funerals with wakes. She attends tribal events and is heavily involved in the lives of the Lakota in her charge. When I was there over the 4th of July she was called to the tribal hospital twice, once for an infant who survived then again for a teenager who hanged herself and didn’t. At the powwow she baptized two then buried five or six people the following week. Many of the children are alone and basically feral. There are gangs of course. Even the young ones wonder if it will ever stop. How can the children be inspired, led, corralled, educated to see that there can be a future? I left with lots to ponder. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Margaret deals with all this herself. She has immersed herself in Lakota culture and endeared herself to the people. She is only one person however and the work is immense and intense. She needs another priest. Desperately. Her husband Joel is not well enough to help except as support. She needs our prayers and far more.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Fortunately she has a most wonderful bishop, John Tarrant. He appeared on Easter a couple of years ago to help visit the many parishes. He is totally supportive and much appreciated.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Meanwhile our Episcopal young people go out of the country. Why can’t they help Margaret and others like her try to deal with our own people? While Sudan and other places need help, why can’t an Episcopal diocese or two fund Native American seminarians? Or help rehab homes, schools and churches? Or work with the youth? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Why can’t the sister city of the <a href="http://www.dionwpa.org/" target="_blank">Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania</a> be Eagle Butte or Promise or On The Tree??? They are certainly easier to get to and at least as needy and deserving.</span></div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-54851060879364259812015-06-04T21:07:00.004-04:002015-06-04T21:07:35.042-04:00On to Portland<div style="text-align: center;">
The Portland journey blog is <a href="http://toportlandandback.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.com0