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Showing posts from August, 2014

Thoughts on the ALS Ice Water Challenge

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I don't like to think of myself as a spoil sport. Or a poopoo head. But I'm having second thoughts about the whole ALS Ice Water Challenge. They are not original thoughts. It's just that they seeped in between all the challenge videos and kind of turned things around for me in my head. Don't get me wrong. I've watched every one of the ice dumping videos put up on Facebook. My particular favorite is Laura Bush dousing George W.  I think the people who have stepped up to the plate - or bucket as the case may be - are good sports. I'll be honest. I don't think I could have withstood the cold unless I'd been standing out in the Jacksonville heat for a few hours. I'll use my surgery as an excuse if I'm ever challenged. It makes a lot more sense to me to send the money and stay dry as send the money and get drenched like a polar bear. I'm sure the ad campaign has raised several buckets full of dollars for research to cure ALS. Whoever thought

My Two Cents on Depression, Suicide and Robin Williams

(Note: This is kind of long. You might want to grab a cup of tea.) One of the things about social media that I've never understood is why complete strangers feel obliged to voice their opinions, both good and bad. I guess when you post something and ask for comments, you open yourself up to various thoughts and opinions. It seems weird to me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE getting comments. I'm grateful the comments I've received on FB and this blog have been complimentary. My feelings would be hurt if someone said, "this stinks."  It's one of those concepts I wrestle with. Inviting people into my world but not wanting to be hurt.  In the wake of Robin Williams death I've been amazed by the number of people who have posted  sadness at his passing, thoughts  about why he killed himself and, though I haven't read them, maybe a few that say good riddance.    I don't feel knowledable enough to make any kind of statement about his passing.  I

Food Memories

My recovery has been steady. I can feel my toes and just a tiny soreness in my back. However, 8 days without leaving the house was driving my crazy. By yesterday I had a raging case of cabin fever. Remembering I had a gift card to Tinseltown, Sweetie and I went to see The Hundred Foot Journey .  It's been awhile since we've been to a movie.  Early matinee, buttered popcorn, holding hands with my husband, and a sweet movie all took my mind of my back. The Hundred Foot Journey proved to be my kind of movie. If you've seen the trailers you know it's about an Indian family opening a restaurant right across the street (100 feet) from a local French restaurant with a 1 star Michelin rating. Predictably there is a conflict of cultures and cuisines. It is all held together with some cooking, flirting, dancing, bike riding, prejudices, a smattering of French sauces sprinkled with the soul of the Indian kitchen  - spices like turmeric, cardamon, cumin, and cinnamon. "

Recovery and Gratitude

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I'm writing today from my bedroom which is my post-surgery communication desk. An icepack is my new best friend. The site of my incision is beginning to itch, which I assume means the healing is well underway. I have a tad of improvement in my toes, but they still don't work quite the way they are supposed to. I still stumble a bit. (Think Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!) But the good news is, this morning I found myself scurrying around. I know it sounds weird. I mean how often does on e scurry? One of the things I noticed about my drop foot situation was not only my inability to walk, but to walk with any kind of speed. Forget running. As in running into the store to pick up one item in the back corner while your Sweetie waits in the car when it's 116 degrees outside. I just couldn't do it. I had to amble along while Sweetie sat in the slow cooker. I can't say I "ran" around the house today, but I believe I moved faster than a normal wal