MDs' Opinions of the Financial Bailout Package

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.

Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, grow up!'

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.

The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the assholes in Washington.

New Years Resolution

I rarely make New Years resolutions but I made one this year. I am determined to do something productive before noon - other than blogging, email, Facebook, etc.

As most who know me personally are aware, I have never been domesticated. Every once in awhile I do something domestic. This morning I made applesauce and spaghetti sauce. This is how I simmer spaghetti sauce. Keeps the red off the stove and everything surrounding it. I think there were 55 meatballs but I've eaten 5. The sauce needs a bit more garlic and considerably more simmering. I used a different brand of Italian flavored bread crumbs which is noticeable but tolerable. When the sauce is suitably thick, it will be frozen in single portions to be enjoyed a dozen more times.

This is the third day in a row that I've been productive. This may work. Maybe I will eventually get the livingroom cleaned up. Don't hold your breath.

Two patients

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a knee replacement.
The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.
The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week and finally has his surgery scheduled for a month from then.
Why the different treatment for the two patients?





The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.
Next time take me to a vet!

A rude awakening

Quoting Susan Russell+:

At 10:00 a.m. Pacific time, the California Supreme Court released its long awaited decision on the property disputes between the Diocese of Los Angeles and former Episcopalians attempting to take diocesan property with them when they left the Episcopal Church. You can read the whole decision here... but if you want to "cut to the chase," here's the bottom line:

"Applying the neutral principles of law approach, we conclude that the general church, not the local church, owns the property in question."

and from another source:

"As stated in one of the out-of-state cases involving the same Episcopal Church, "[t]he individual defendants are free to disassociate themselves from [the parish and the Episcopal Church] and to affiliate themselves with another religious denomination. No court can interfere with or control such an exercise of conscience. The problem lies in defendants' efforts to take the church property with them. This they may not do."

More at Episcopal Cafe.

Forgive me, God, for I am grinning at someone's loss which is not good behavior for a follower of Jesus. I wonder what this will do to the folks like Duncan and Iker and all the others who think they have the only true knowledge of God and can violate the canons they vowed to respect and obey.

Perhaps this is the decision which will allow TEC to avoid further costly lawsuits and get on with doing God's work as described in the Gospels.

Things

Adam seems to be improving and is off the oxygen bed. Still praying. And for my sil who will drive on Tuesday and Wednesday from Ohio to New York state to be with him. Weather could be nasty.

Meanwhile I'm sick. Wonder if it might been the organic flavored coffee at coffee hour that upset my tummy mightily. A bit better now but sinuses are mimicking Niagara Falls. Ugh.

Thanks for all the support from my blog buddies. Those Brits need to get a life. We are a community.

On Gaza

The Israelis invaded Gaza to force change. Hamas rockets must be stopped. Invasion, bombing and killing is the only way to stop them.

Starving people, preventing them from going to work, keeping medical supplies away and otherwise maintaining an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness is a great way to make peace.

Perhaps killing most of the Palestinians will stop the violence?

Ugh.

By the way, I have no sympathy for Hamas. But I have little for Israel either.

Controversial wonderments

The Episcopal parish I attend, (yes, I'm still Lutheran until our bishop comes to visit whenever) is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. According to the diocesan website we have 23 parishes and 11 organized missions. Several of those including ours are without clergy.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh, immediately to our south, has 22 parishes so far. I know there are clergy who have decided to stay with TEC who might be able to help NWPA with the clergy shortage. From Pittsburgh to Meadville is about 2 hours, far less than distances in the Dio of Wyoming, for example. We need supply priests. I wonder if Pittsburgh has any available?

We have a bishop who is working hard to try to get control of the many issues which plague our diocese. The Dio of Pgh has a provisional bishop. Once upon a time we were together. I wonder if there are benefits to be one again?

PS The Dio of NWPA banner is one of 10 that members of the parish have donated.

The latest on Adam

Continuing from here:

"Today started out a little rocky but he is stable now. He had an infection from his abdomen but they found no internal injury. It is common to have higher white count after an accident. His oxygen was very low and so they put him on a board that rotates. When he lies on his back mucous fills up. They turn him all the way from back to front slowly and then back on the back. His oxygen levels came up. They are going to do this for 3 days. So, he is still critical but stable again."

Thanks for your continuing prayers.

Friday cat blogging

Tim was looking for a scritch while PuddyTat watched from her box.

The CoE furor

I assume most of you are unaware of the holy war going on in the Church of England. It is ok in certain parts for women to be priests/vicars/deacons/whatevers. It is impossible for some men to even imagine women as bishops. In my experience online, most of those who consider themselves "conservative" or "orthodox" have little or no sense of humor or irony. "Libruls" and atheists on the other hand seem far more worldly, literate and funny perhaps because of living in the real world rather than some "approved" ivory tower of right belief and practice. Anyhow, there is a great article in The Guardian's Comment is Free column by Judith Maltby. "Women bishops: Get over it" is worth reading. The best part for me, however, is the following from one of the comments:

The churches had indeed better get over it, unless Xtianity is to become no more than a few old men in frocks playing with their testaments.

Friday shuffle

1. Mendelssohn: Symphony 4 - London Symphony
2. Mitä kaikatat, kivonen? - Rajaton
3. Michael Brown - Capitol Steps
4. From the Beginning - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
5. Dawson: Soon-ah Will Be Done - Bach Choir Pittsburgh
6. Bach: B minor mass, Dona nobis pacem - Rilling, Gächinger Kantorei
7. Walton: King Herod and the Cock - Trinity Choir
8. Strauss: Drei Männerchöre, Vor Den Türen - Chanticleer
9. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
10. Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone

PT and me

PuddyTat was in her box watching me wash dishes so I grabbed the camera.

The Year-End Roundup Meme

From Padre Mickey:

For this meme, you take the first sentence of the first post of each month and line 'em up.

Mine is short because I accidently deleted my old blog. This is August thru September. Kinda interesting. Makes me wonder what I blogged the rest of the year.

Dear Archbishop Orombi: You chose to boycott Lambeth. Why don't hotels located near airports put parking information on their websites? For those of you who have followed my adventures all year, there is exceptionally good news. The ordinations yesterday were at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie, PA. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has released a message about World AIDS Day urging Episcopalians to get involved in the effort to reduce the tragedy that AIDS brings daily everywhere in the world.

Prayer request

My sister-in-law's nephew was in a serious automobile accident on Tuesday. They do not know whether Adam will live or die because of serious swelling from head injuries. The possibility of permanent disability is almost certain. They can't learn the full extent of his injuries because they don't want to move him. The trooper who was on duty was in his wedding and delivered the news personally to Adam's mother. The circumstances of the accident are not clear yet. He is married but I don't believe they have children yet. He does not have health insurance and he has no durable power of attorney or any other legal document for his family. Not a fun way to start the new year. Prayers for Adam and his family appreciated even tho none of them are "church people". God doesn't discriminate.

Anticipations

There are several adventures I hope happen in 2009.

A few high school classmates have planned a get together in Florida the end of February. I'm planning to be there and hope to visit a number of friends on the way.

Sometime soon I hope the bishop of our TEC diocese will visit Christ Church and receive me. I'm praying it isn't 1 March as I will be in Florida. If he chooses that date, I'll be unchurched for a long time. Not that God cares.

In late June I've registered to go to Montreal to sing Mendelssohn's Paulus with the Berkshire Choral Festival. I've also applied to sing in Sheffield in July but don't know if I'll get accepted. Or if I can afford both.

There are concerts to sing, people to meet, blogs to read, miles to go and much, much more.

Hope you have people to hug and hug you back.

What are your plans, hopes and prayers for 2009?

2009

begins. 2008 is history. May it stay there!

Hugs to all.

Windy, snowy morning

It is a grey morning here in NWPA as you can see. Or not see in the case of the birds on the feeders. The hungry birds didn't care that I was close. I don't think I have ever had as many birds as I have this winter. Most are what a neighbor used to call "spotsies" - goldfinches, house finches, pine siskins and several varieties of sparrows tho few house sparrows. I haven't used the glasses to identify them as there are too many and they don't keep still long enough to see the markings. There are also many chickadees, juncoes, tits, downies, cardinals, mourning doves, blue jays, crows and the occasional flocks of starlings and other blackbirds.

Can't resist one more...

HT to Padre Mickey via Friends of Jake

Uncle Jay explains 2008

HT to Grandmère Mimi.

December sunset