It Was August 17, 2007 **

** I am repeating this post on the anniversary of mr. kenju's stroke, in the hopes that it will convince someone to go to a doctor and avoid having to go through what we did.

*****

I was furious. Fearful. Uncertain. Sad. Enraged. Worried. Stressed beyond belief. Emotions warred within me for top billing; it is a miracle I didn't collapse. Mr. kenju had suffered a stroke and he was in denial. He thought he had an inner ear infection, and it was making him dizzy. That was ludicrous.

On the Friday it happened, he went to a movie matinee with a friend. It was a fast-paced film, one with strobe-like action that could make anyone's head spin with a constant barrage of images in rapid-fire progression. He noticed the dizziness upon leaving the theater, but he drove home and went to bed. I was working, doing flowers for a big wedding, and I didn't get home until after 7pm. Finding him in the bed then was a bit odd, but I accepted his excuse - not feeling well. The following morning, as I left for work, he was still in bed. And when I returned that evening, he was there again. He didn't tell me about falling, or how he was having trouble moving or using his right leg. He didn't walk where I could see what was happening. He was hiding it from me.

On Sunday morning, when he didn't get ready to go to Mass, I knew something must be drastically wrong. Mr. kenju did not miss Mass except for very good reasons. I questioned him, but I got very little response about what was really happening to him. Over the next few days, I could do nothing but watch as his condition went downhill at a rapid pace. His arm and hand weren't working well; his attempt to pick up a piece of paper from a table ended with him sliding the paper to the edge so he could get a grip on it. I knew then for certain he'd had a stroke. About that time his speech was showing signs. Slurring nearly every word, he yelled at me when I couldn't understand - and blamed it on my growing deafness.

Every time I suggested calling a doctor or taking him to the ER, he got madder by the minute. His face turned red and he seemed to puff up with anger, and at the time I said it looked like steam was exploding from his ears. I knew that the more uncontrolled he was, the more chance there would be for another stroke, a massive one from which he might never recover. In spite of my raging emotions, I tried very hard to keep him as calm as possible. It was the most difficult thing I've ever done, and I wasn't very successful.

On Monday, he began to talk about going to the hospital, only after he had written the checks due at the end of the month and set our affairs in order. I begged him to go right then, saying that bills could wait; his health was more important. It only made him madder. Finally, on Wednesday, he packed a small bag and I took him to the closest hospital. As soon as they had gathered some information, the testing started. His BP was 245/117, and the ER doc who checked us in said he had never seen anyone with pressure that high.

In the first paragraph, I used the words furious and enraged. Do you know why? Because this was preventable. Mr. kenju had only been to a few doctors over the course of the last 30 years. Dentist, opthalmologist, dermatologist - fine. Internist? No. GP? No. His blood pressure, which we had known was elevated for at least 20 years, was untreated. It is entirely probable that had he been under a doctor's care for all that time, and on medication, he would never have had a stroke - or it would have been a much milder one. Knowing this made me so mad I could have screamed. How dare he put us in this position?! I believe one has a duty to keep his or her health at close to peak, insofar as it is attainable through one's own choices.

He was admitted to the hospital, where he stayed for a total of three weeks (one in the main hospital and two in the rehabilitation section). The doctors had a hard time getting his blood pressure stable. It would seem to level off in a good range, and then spike upward again. That has continued over the course of the entire year, until a short time ago. His doctor has finally hit upon the right combination of medications to keep his pressure at an acceptable, lower level. We pray it stays there. He will have to remain on medications for the rest of his life. The number and type of medicines may change, but there will always be a need for them. That is another point of contention; along with proper diet and exercise, and the need for prudence and moderation in all things. Just recently a doctor told him...."If I had had a stroke like yours, and recovered as well as you have, I'd take 50 pills a day, if I had to." (and not complain, he meant)

The changes are noticeable: a cane, a "heavy" foot, halting steps. But there are other changes not immediately evident, and they are mental and emotional. Anger, impatience, intolerance, memory loss and seeing humor where none exists. It seems that whatever personality traits are most evident in a person will be magnified (for good or bad) afterward. They were most evident in the first few months, and have abated a bit recently. There is a tendency to say whatever pops into his head, no matter if it is tactful or not; he seems able to curb that in public, to some extent, but not at home.

My advice is this; do whatever you can to improve your health so that you don't put your family and loved ones in the position of having to deal with the aftermath of a stroke. It's very unpleasant, and it's expensive (even with insurance); and once you have one - you are always at risk for another.

Digital Conversion Stinks!*

*but it's getting better.

Having written a full page on my saga with digital converter boxes, I clicked publish - and lost every word! I don't know if I have it in me to repeat it....losing a post just saps all my energy! But I'll try.

After I wrote about my problems with it before, I got the email below from a nice man in Ohio . Trying some of his suggestions, I can now get four channels on my office TV; not the ones I would prefer, but something other than wrestling and courtroom shows.....which is what it was before. I can now see the local CBS affiliate and FOX. I suppose I can make do with those two, even though I prefer ABC.

Here's what I did: I hooked up a newer rabbit ears antenna that I stole from a bedroom TV here, and I moved the antenna to sit on my desk in front of a window. I did another scan for channels and picked up three more, in addition to the one I found before. The reception is perfect = remember - this TV is over 35 years old. I think the antenna almost HAS to sit by a window. Mine is not in the most convenient spot, but I'll get used to it, I guess.

Just in case something in Dennis' email can help you, here it is:

Hi:

Ended up on your blog site through Google searches I have set up for many subjects of interest to me.
I am curious. What brand are your boxes?
A problem I had initially with my 2 Magnavox converters was the tv channel.
In my area channel 3 is a regular station and channel 4 is dead.
Every converter I have seen so far defaults to channel 3. You can change this on setup or in a very few cases, on the back of the box (switch 3 or 4). If you have no switch, then put your tv on 3 before plugging the converter in. Plug converter in and go from there. Now that analog is dead, you might as well use the default and leave your tv on 3.
Based on what I read, you said you and your grandson actually got through the set up process. You must scan for the box to find any live channels.

I know that in mountainous areas signals are hard to get at times. Digital signals are 25% weaker than our old reliable analog signals. Even in my area of Ohio where it is relatively flat, I get some signals half of the time, others not at all now. Many stations are in the process of adding signal boosters to some antennae towers and actually building new towers to regain old coverage areas. I figure late fall before all the kinks are ironed out.

You also need a good antennae with both vhf/uhf capabilities. Digital signals are sent via both. If you received good reception before you should have some reception now. Rescan at different times to see if you can find any channels at all.

And know that every communication avenue is filled with the complaints of those who find themselves in your same situation.

Good luck.
Dennis

Dennis also sent me the link to this article, where you may find help, or commiseration!


In my quest to get ABC on this TV, I have 2 more options. I can attempt to hook up this tv to the antenna in our attic, and I can use a cable splitter to hook it to the cable. The last time I tried that, it made me lose my connection on the computer often, so I don't want to try that again unless it is my only hope. Apparently, you can only split a cable signal just so many ways before service starts to degrade. I hope this helps some of you who are struggling to get your TVs going again.

It might be wise to carry a penny in your pocket

while working in the yard.......... BEE STINGS !

A couple of weeks

ago, I was stung by

both a bee and hornet

while working in the garden.

My arm swelled up,

so I went to the doctor.

The clinic gave me

cream and an antihistamine. The next

day the swelling was

getting progressively

worse, so I went to

my regular doctor. The

arm was infected and needed an

antibiotic.

The doctor told me -

" The next

time you get stung,

put a penny on the

bite for 15 minutes".

That night, my niece

was stung by two bees.

I looked at the bite and

it had already started

to swell. So, I taped a

penny to her arm for

15 minutes.

The next morning,

there was no

sign of a bite. We

decided that she just

wasn't

allergic to the sting.

Soon, I was gardening outside. I got stung

again, twice by a

hornet on my left hand.

I thought, here I go

again to the doctor for another antibiotic.

I promptly got my

money out and taped

two pennies to my bites, then sat and sulked

for 15 minutes. The

penny took the sting

out of the bite

immediately.

In the meantime the

hornets were attacking,

and my friend was stung

on the thumb. Again the penny. The next morning

I could only see the spot where the hornet had

stung me. No redness,

no swelling. My friend's sting was the same;

couldn't even tell

where she had been

stung.

She got stung again

a few days later on

her back---cutting

the grass! And the

penny worked once

again.

Wanted to share

this information in

case you experience the same problem.

We need to keep a stock of pennies on hand.

The doctor said

that the copper in

the penny counter-

acts the bite.

It definitely works!

EDIT: I had to re-do this post, so it could all be seen - and that made me lose the comments that were here. Sorry!

Beware of Flip-Flops from China!

Wal-Mart Sandals from China can cause blistered feet!

A friend sent these photos and the link to Snopes, above. Check it out!




And after that bit of ugliness, go HERE to see some gorgeous photography!

Links and Quotes and a Question

If you have any interest at all in the future of computer technology and where we are headed, see this.

It is mind-boggling! (and you don't have to be a genius to understand it!)

[[]][[]][[]]

It seems like the less a statesman amounts to the more he adores the flag.

Kin Hubbard, humorist (1868-1930)

**^^**^^**

So, tell me: do you think Michelle Obama should or should not wear sleeveless dresses? I just heard on TV that some people are making a big stink about her choice of clothing. Since her arms are nicely toned, I don't see what the uproar is about. Do you? Some woman from Chicago emailed a TV show and said something like this: Mrs. Obama needs to realize that the events she attends are serious and she should dress in a more befitting fashion. I'd like to know why she thinks that sleeveless dresses are a poor choice and not formal enough.

I have thought most of her choices were nice, and I am enjoying watching our President's wife in pretty dresses; not wearing pants suits all the time. What do you think?

Fuel-Saving Tips from A Gas Station Owner

The owner of the gas station where I get my car serviced sends email occasionally, and this one came yesterday:

With gasoline (again) approaching $2.00+ per gallon we thought that we might pass on a few gas saving tips to help you reduce the cost of driving.

1. Drive with your windows and sunroof closed, this will make your vehicle more aerodynamic.

2. Remove any unnecessary items from your vehicle, tool kits, golf clubs, etc.- anything that adds weight to the vehicle.

3. If your car has a roof rack and you don't use it, remove it.

4. If you drive a manual transmission vehicle, change gears around 2000rpm to put less strain on your engine.

5. Avoid letting the engine warm up for several minutes, just drive gently for the first few minutes until the engine warms up.

6. No "jackrabbit" starts and stops, start gently and smoothly. Take your foot off of the accelerator well in advance of a stop, let the car slow itself down (when practical).

7. Check your tire pressure monthly, properly inflated tires will give you better mileage, however, do not over inflate as this will wear the tires out prematurely.

8. Avoid checking your mirrors, going thru the glove box, or any other actions after starting the vehicle. Only crank the engine when you are ready to drive.

9. Avoid as many short trips as possible, plan trips so several things can be accomplished while you are out.

10. This may sound crazy coming from a gas station, but keep between 1/4 and 3/4 tank of fuel, by doing this you will be reducing the amount of weight in the vehicle, remember gas weighs around 10 pounds per gallon.

11. Avoid extended times when the engine is at idle, turn the engine off and then restart it.

12. Determine if it is practical to car-pool.

13. Driving over 60 mph greatly increases fuel consumption.

14. Change the oil every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. Dirty oil increases friction and reduces fuel mileage.

15. Follow your service manual for correct service intervals.

16. Use cruise control whenever practical.

Do you do these? Is there anything else that you do to save on car expense?

Into the Wild

This book is engrossing!

Written by Jon Krakauer, and now made into a movie, directed by Sean Penn, it is the story of 24 year old Christopher McCandless, who in 1992 went into the wilds of Alaska and perished after 16 weeks of living on his own. The book recounts his travels and eventual death.

It should be required reading for anyone who fancies himself a lone wolf and wants to go on an odyssey into a forbidding land, and it is a cautionary tale for those who have no use for maps and tools, for planning and careful readiness.

We saw the movie recently; both that and the book are well done (check the link for comparisons) and I recommend them.

You know how once you see/hear about something you notice it more often? On Saturday I was with someone who was car shopping. I sat in the dealership waiting room and read old magazines, one of which was a 2007 issue of National Geographic Traveler. In that magazine was a story about McCandless, the book by Krakauer and the movie.

Snow + Quotes of Note + A Book Recommendation

This is what we woke up to yesterday morning. 3" and still falling. Bah. We got about 4 " altogether.

My back yard.

***^^^***^^^***

I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has.

Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the U.S. (1809-1865)

++==++==+++==++==++

We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it -- and stop there -- lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again, and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one any more.

Mark Twain, author and humorist (1835-1910)

<<<>>><<<>>>

The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

Marcel Proust, novelist (1871-1922)

>>><<<>>><<<

I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty.

Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (1879-1955)

***///***\\\***

The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mold. The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor creates a war betwixt princes.

Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)

-||*||*||*||-

The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.


John Kenneth Galbraith, economist (1908-2006)

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Until yesterday, I had 45 "followers" and now I have 44. Who broke up with me? Was it something I said?

??<>??<>??

I've just read "The Year of Fog", by Michelle Richmond, and I recommend this page-turner! The book jacket reads....."Here is the truth, this is what I know: I was walking on the beach with Emma. It was cold and very foggy. She let go of my hand. I stopped to photograph a baby seal, then glanced up toward the great Highway. When I looked back, Emma was gone."

This book is a mystery, and it is educational and thought-provoking too. Here are some quotes from the book:

"A painting can last for centuries, even millennia. The Sistine Chapel, the Mona Lisa, and the Mayan cave drawings are proof of this. But a photograph is, by its nature, a transient work of art. The moment a photograph is transferred to paper, the slow process of erasure begins. The purpose of photography is to stop time, but time inevitably erodes........Photographs represent our endless battle against time, our determination to preserve a moment: the sweet baby girl before she become a difficult teenager; the handsome young man before his body is won over by baldness and fat; the honeymoon trip to Hawaii, before the happy couple becomes two strangers, living angrily under the same roof. I have a hunch that our obsession with photography arises from an unspoken pessimism: it is in our nature to believe that the good things will not last."

There is a lot in the book about memory; how it functions and how it serves us.

"Memory is not unlike a photograph with multiple exposures. One event is layered on top of another, so that it is impossible to distinguish between the details of the two. The older we get, the more multiple-exposure memories we have. Temporal relationships become elastic. As the years progress and we experience more and more, the mini-narratives that make up our lives are distorted, corrupted, so that every one of us is left with a false history, a self-created fiction about the lives we have had."

I found it very engaging and I hope you will enjoy it too. Admittedly, it will probably interest women more than men.

Doctors and the Bailout

Please, before you read the humor below - go and see something wonderful and watch a glorious video. I am proud and honored to introduce you to Maithri. He is a special person.

<<<>>>

The Allergists voted to scratch it, and

The Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, and

The Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve, but

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted;

And the Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body!'

While the Pediatricians said, 'Lets grow up, OK?'

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness;

The Radiologists could see right through it; and

The 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".

But, in the end, the Proctologists knew that the decision was up to the @$holes in Washington.

(I got this in email, of course.)

No Fear + A Movie Recommendation

Is there anything cuter than this??? My caption: "You mus be dis tall to ride dis!"


It appears that neither the bird nor the kitten know they are supposed to be afraid of each other.

\\\///

Movie Recommendation:

AUGUST RUSH is playing on HBO. I loved this movie and you might too, especially if you are a music lover.

///\\\

Hooray! Whatever was keeping me from getting in here has self-corrected!

Mr. Kenju's Family Wedding, Part 1

In addition to attending the wedding (which I will tell you about later), we did some sight-seeing from the car. We had seen most of it before, but not in a few years, and it is always good to have a refresher. The building above is the Library of Congress. That shows about 1/3 of it.

Here's a more central view. I was hoping to catch the fountain statuary, as they/it(?) are/is really well done. Perhaps if you click to embiggen, you can see them better.

This is the Lincoln Memorial, at dusk.

And here is where we ate brunch on Saturday, before the wedding. There are Silver Diner's in many parts of the DC area. This one was in Arlington, VA. I heartily recommend it, especially for breakfast (which is all I have ever eaten there.) Below is the comment card I swiped. The only reason I marked the service down a notch was that we had to find the server to get our bill when we were done. Other than that, his service was terrific!

Project Black + A History Lesson

There is nothing blacker than my cat, Storm! Not even my rubber shoes. Go to Anna's for more Project Black.

The statue is that of Nathanael Greene, a war hero, and it stands in Greensboro, NC. We saw it when we went there recently for a family get-together. I am ever vigilant for a possible blog post, so out came the camera.

This is the menu from the restaurant that bears his name. If you ever go to Greensboro, I recommend this place. I had fish and chips, and it was soooooo good. My son was sorry that he didn't order it too! Fish is the best thing to order when mr. kenju's present, if you are not in a mood to share. He doesn't eat anything that swims in the sea - except shrimp and lobster - so your fish is safe from his wandering fork.

I'll tell you how bad it can be. Some years ago, mr. kenju was leaving a company with which he had been district manager for 7-8 years. His co-workers decided to throw a party and they reserved a room at a local steak place. As we were being served dinner that night.... just as mr. kenju's meal was set in front of him, 12-14 men came at him with their forks raised, and all of them took a bite from his plate. All of the wives (me included) were laughing so hard! I learned that he had been filching food from their plates for years and this was their way of getting back. It was SO funny (but embarrassing, too!) Wouldn't you think it taught him a lesson? Noooooo, it didn't. So if you are ever sharing a meal in a restaurant with us - order fish!

*********

Thanks to the magic of pre-posting, you'll get new posts for the next few days. I may not get to visit or comment, but I'll be thinking about you!

Four Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

If you are looking for a good place to take your vacation, celebrate a special occasion or just lay about on the beach for a few days - this is THE place! Marriott's Grande Dunes Hotel and Spa (on the left) and the Grand Dunes Marriott Vacation Club (on the right and below), on the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, SC. (DO click to enlarge!)

All that is accompanied by miles of flat, white, sandy beach, sunshine and blue/green ocean ~ what more could you ask?

Two outdoor pools: a salt-water pool in the front and a fresh-water pool in the rear, with dozens of tables, umbrellas, lounge chairs and waitstaff always at the ready with drinks or munchies. I almost forgot to mention the outdoor hot-tub!

The corner of the building you can see on the right above houses the indoor pool and hot tub, and behind that - a spa with services to rival those of the best ones (not that I know first-hand....LOL.....we didn't get any massages or facials, etc., on this trip.)

Our bed, replete with mattresses to die for and feather duvets and lush pillows!

Our bathroom, with every convenience necessary, and some that are not necessary, but enjoyed.

We are extremely fortunate to have a family member who is a Marriott employee, otherwise, we might not be able to experience such a wonderful place. We arrived on Sunday, with our older grandson, our son, his wife and their girls and our daughter, Miss Kenju.

I didn't take photos of it, but I can highly recommend the breakfast buffet! Anything you might ever want for breakfast is there (even for Europeans) and it is delicious!

More photos tomorrow. I am tired, as you might imagine.

The Wonders of Vodka

Who Knew??? (I can't vouch for any of these, but some may be worth a try, although I'd use a cheaper brand!)

1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The stuff dissolves adhesive. (Only a baby would need this, right? Or a man.....lol)

2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew. (Why wouldn't rubbing alcohol work?)

3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs. (window cleaner is cheaper!)

4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

5. Spray vodka on wine stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.

6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.

7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair. (If you put it on your hair and face, wouldn't you smell like a drunk?)

8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle with vodka and spray bees or wasps to kill them. (Please don't kill bees.....but wasps......yes!)

9. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water into a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshing ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.

10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.

11. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.

12. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka. (I wish I had known this when mr. kenju and our son were younger!)

13. Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting. (Knowing that would have come in very handy!)

14. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin. (This too!)

15. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.

And silly me! I've only been drinking the stuff. (well, not really....LOL. I got this in email)

It's a Red-Letter Day!!

How do you feel when you haven't been able to hear very much for years and then you get hearing aids? You feel fabulous/wonderful/grateful/happy!!

My new aids were "installed" around noon today and so far, I haven't had any problems adjusting to them at all! I was told that I might experience itching, things sounding too loud, my own voice being too loud, etc., and none of that has happened!

I mentioned before that I had gone to C*stco to be tested. I also had testing at a Mir*cle Ear franchise. The cost difference was over double at Mir*cle Ear, compared to what it was at C*stco. According to the guy at C*stco, the aids at both places are made by the same company. He used to work for Mir*cle Ear (in a franchise), so he should know. The only difference (I was told) between those and the ones I bought is that the Mir*cle Ear aids (op*n-fit, 950-C) have 16 channels of amplification and the others have 14 channels. They deleted the lowest and highest channels, which make no difference most of the time anyway, or so they say. There is a 3 year warranty on them, and a 60 day trial period. If at any time during that 60 days I am not satisfied, I will receive a full refund. I have no qualms at all about recommending C*stco; however, you should remember that the way the aids are programmed for you (after testing) is of the utmost importance. My guy seems to have hit the nail on the head for me, and I suppose it is possible that you could find someone who isn't as knowledgeable as this man. That's the only disclaimer I feel I need to make.

*********

Back in 2005, I wrote about having bees in the house. Guess what? They're baaaaaaaccck. Rats!

Why can't they go find a nice tree to build a hive in? I've called a bee removal expert, so stay tuned!

One very good way to upgrade your brain is to read Ronni Bennett's Time Goes By. Ronni is the go-to person for information and interesting articles regarding elders/seniors (whatever you wish to call us). You may not be an elder at present, but someday you might be - and Ronni's blog will keep you informed of all the issues concerning life in the golden years. You will also enjoy her other site: The Elder Storytelling Place.

Ronni is having a birthday (Monday), she's finally reached MY age!! and I hope you will go and wish her the best birthday ever. I hope to see you there!

Do Yourselves a Favor......

I discovered this link at Ronni Bennett's Time Goes By yesterday morning. I have sent it to several people - and I want everyone to have a chance to see this remarkable video. Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist, who details the symptoms she analyzed while she was having a hemorraghic stroke. It is much more than a recital of physical symptoms, and I urge you to view the entire 18 minutes. It is well worth the time.

*********

Tiff invited mr. kenju and me to lunch yesterday; a chilly, dreary, rainy Saturday - which instantly became a warm and sunny (if only in attitude) day - once we arrived at her comfy abode (The Tiny House), some 15 miles from casa kenju. Would you believe that even though I had already been there once, I got lost (this time) twice? *Shut up!*

The Tiny House has been at the mercy of some renovations and redecorating here of late, and it is looking good! Luncheon was served from the grill and every morsel was delicious - from the wine to the brownies and ice cream. I recommend it (they should open a B&B!) It's really nice to tuck into an overstuffed sofa on a rainy day, with a small black and white cat curled against your leg (one who seldoms warms up to anyone, I was told), and have good conversation with a couple of stimulating people!!

Plus, we met Things 1 and 2, who proved to be amazingly well behaved, handsome young men. I'm gonna see if I can farm out my grandsons to Tiff for a while. They need some behavior lessons....LOL

Would you believe that we are about to meet more bloggers? The estimable Farrago is coming to RDU this week, and meeting up with Tiff, mr. kenju, me, and Claire. I can't wait. I love meeting other bloggers!

Odds and Ends

I just HAD to show you the tickets for Sunday's NCAA games in Raleigh. I suppose they are going to be more of the ephemera I can't seem to part with.....LOL

Go here to read about the arena. It's a great place to watch a ballgame, since there are no interior supports, there's not a bad seat in the house. It seats about 20,000. I saw Dancing with the Stars last year in this place and the acoustics were great, which is not always the case with arenas.

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70%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Go on.......take the test. I'll wait.

Geneaology Pays Off

I have been reading a post in three parts by Farrago, who tells of taking his father back to Italy to visit relatives and friends he had not seen since WW2. It is a wonderful story for anyone who loves family and relishes the connections of friendship that outlive the tests of time. I recommend that you go and read all three parts. It starts on march 19th, and continues on the 20th and 21st.

It reminds me of a story I may have written about before, but I can't locate the post. Mr. kenju has been doing research into his family geneaology for many years. At one point, a search led him to learn of a family with our surname who were living in NC only about 2 hours away. He questioned whether he ought to contact them and ask about their family history - and he waffled back and forth for almost 2 years before he finally got the courage to call them. As it turned out, the man was his cousin from a branch of the family tree that had "broken off" due to an argument between brothers (Mr. kenju's grandfather and the other man's brother.) Shortly thereafter, mr. kenju travelled to their home to meet and talk and found not only a cousin, but a man with whom he knew he could forge a deep friendship. Unfortunately, after only 2 visits, the other man was diagnosed with cancer and he succumbed quickly. That was four years ago. We attended the funeral and I met his wife and son, as well as other members of the family - all of us marvelling at the fate that brought us together so long after the brothers quarreled and split forever.

Fast forward to Friday, when we saw the wife and son (and his fiancee) again for the first time in four years. We picked up just where we left off four years ago, as if there had been little passage of time since we saw them last. I am sorry that it was so long between the first meeting and this one, and we hope to keep that from happening again.

Now for a really heartwarming story, go and read Farrago's tales of travelling to Italy with his aging father, to meet family and old friends.

Leg Cramps ~ Again

Back in January of 2007, I wrote about having leg cramps and some of the accepted remedies for them. Today I received a comment on that post, and the suggested remedy was so interesting that I decided you should know about it. If you try it - and it works for you - let me know.

http://justaskjudy.blogspot.com/2007/01/leg-cramps.html

I wonder if the corks have to be new or if you can use old ones. I have a whole jar full of old corks, so I may try those.