Tea and Stones

Long ago and far away in a land not all that far from here a woman stood in the laundry room of her home touching her belly gently with palm resting against the still flat muscular surface and asked God not to take the child growing within away from her. Just two weeks before she had miscarried a tiny little 12 week old fetus, and wept. Then as the doctor examined her before sending her to the O.R. for the D & C, he paused and sent her to Ultrasound instead. There she saw another baby, still very much alive, with a tiny little undeveloped fist up to his face. The technician asked the mother-to-be, who was in awe of what she was seeing on the screen beside her, if the baby was a boy or girl. Oh, he's a boy...all I have is boys. The technician smiled and finished the ultrasound by allowing the mother to listen to the heartbeat of the fetus. ...what a miracle... she thought, still in awe of what had happened in the last 24 hours. The doctor cautioned her to be very careful, no stairs, no lifting, no driving her car because it was manual shift, and NO stress. The lost baby's water was still draining, and the placenta of the baby that remained rested over the cervix, not yet completely closed. Another miscarraige could happen.

I l-o-v-e-y-o-u you're all of my dreams come true, from your cute little nose, to the tips of your toes, I l-o-v-e-y-o-u...

It was a very long pregnancy, but the mother enjoyed every moment. She put a headset to her belly and introduced the growing baby to Pachelbel's Canon in D, Bach, Hendel, Wagner, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Yanni, and Disney. She would pour warm, and cold water over her belly and name it, and read stories aloud by Dickens, Moore, Howatch, and Caldwell, Disney, and the Bible. She would massage her belly gently to calm herself, and her growing baby.

At 20 weeks there was another ultra sound, but the technician volunteered nothing about the sex of the baby except to again ask the mother what she thought the baby's gender was. The mother maintained that the baby was a boy. She bought a bassinet with a soft white liner, a pastel green quilt, and a little blue sweatshirt hooded jacket. The newborn's clothing was kept very generic. Having three grown sons allowed her to be reasonable, so the nursery was stocked well with diapers, gowns, baby booties in white, pastel blue, and green, newborn snapside undershirts, towels, washcloths, oil, cornstarch powder, baby bath, comb and brush. Receiving blankets, crib sheets, pads, and quilts were on a shelf just inside the door over the dresser.

At 35 weeks the last ultra sound was done, and the technician again smiled and asked the mother about the baby's gender. "It's still a boy" she said with a smile. To which the technician replied, "Well, if it's a boy, it's going to be an awful shameful little boy", and pointed out the obvious on the ultra sound. The mother's hand went to her mouth, which at this point formed a perfect "O", and she started weeping.

October 31st, her due date, came and went. She continued talking to her baby, massaging her belly gently, frequently, and when asked if the baby was late she would patiently reply, "God is putting the curls in her hair". Dr. Liang saw the delay a bit differently and told the mother that he would be inducing labor the tuesday following her weekly examination (Friday). She didn't sleep a week that Monday night, and reported to the L&D room at 0700 tuesday morning. They set up the i.v., started the drip, and she settled in, asked for a cup of coffee, which they gave her, and turned on the news. The contractions started immediately.

Ann, the nurse that had led the Lamaze class, was her delivery nurse. Ann came in around 1300 with a long plastic tube that resembled a very long crochet hook. "We have to break your water", she announced while assisting the mother to reposition. As Ann inserted the tube the mother groaned in pain and eased back against the headboard of the bed while gripping the side rails tightly. Between deep breaths she said in a low serious tone, "This better not hurt my baby, Ann". Ann responded with reassurances that the mother, quite frankly, did not hear.

At 1530 Ann announced that the baby was crowning and it would only be a matter of minutes. The mother was exhausted at this point and asked for water. They offered her sprite, which she immediately spat out into an emesis basin. She wasn't thirsty, her mouth was dry and she wanted to wet it. The contractions were back to back with no time to rest or recover between them. She put her hand to her belly and massaged it gently. "I am right here with you baby, be strong" she whispered. At 1613 her 9 lb. 3 oz. baby girl was born. Dr. Liang lay the baby on the mother's belly, and the mother immediately took her baby up into her arms, wrapping her in the blanket over her belly in the process, and put the little baby girl to breast. She took it eagerly, and when one of the assisting nurses rushed to the bedside to take the baby, Ann and Dr. Liang said in unison, "let them be".

Oh what a beauty the little girl was with her dark oh so dark blue eyes, and pretty olive skin. She seemed so alert, and so content to be in the world. The woman thanked God for this wonderful gift, and for hearing her prayer.

Tomorrow my baby girl, Wa, will be 21 years old. She wants an ipod, or a tattoo (a treble clef). I am baking her a strawberry cake. A landmark in time. I feel so blessed to be sharing this with her.

It looks like life might just back to normal around here...
I say this as I look over at Sweet Pea watching me type from his kennel in...my kitchen. I have to say, however, he's neat, he's polite, easy to care for, loves to get brushed, not demanding, and since I introduced him to the bunny in the mirror, he isn't quite as lonesome as he seemed to be before. He plays with that mirror bunny, but not too crazy about the prospect of sharing food with him. =)
Wa is focusing on career, and making plans for her "21". She's a pretty smart cookie, and through her trials and life lessons, she seems to have a pretty good handle on how to get through the rough spots with a minimum of trauma and anxiety. I was talking to her today and she put my mind at ease. Hey, I'm a mama, so I worry. *shrug*
Thank you for the Happy Birthday wishes, I had dinner with Wa, Danny, and his family. We played "Apples to Apples" and if you haven't played it, get about 4 or 5 of your friends together and do...it is a RIOT!!! Danny made his specialty (Ma's Calico Chicken), and it is delish...and a Cheerwine cake, which I understand is similar to an Orange Crush, or Coca Cola cake, but it has a distinctive cheerwine taste, very light, moist, and really good. Ma gave me two varigated African Violets...just beautiful!
Wa gave me one several years ago for Mother's day, and I had to look it up online to figure out how to take care of it. It is still beautiful and healthy, so I guess Ma decided I could be trusted with these two pretty babies. I have them in the same window with the one Wa got me, which blooms dark purple. These are pink and white (double flowers), and purple and white (single blooms). Wow!

I have to go to the SS office in the morning. Nothing bad, just have to do some paperwork, have to go to the dump, post office, and pick up some dog food for the big girls. Those kittens are getting big, all outside, and faring VERY well. Gooch stays out with them most of the time, but as the weather gets cold, he has to come in. He gets achey in cold weather. Do you believe he is six years old already???? It just doesn't seem like it's been that long. A lot has changed this year, and now we just have two months left of it.
I turned 58 today, and I'm okay with that (really), but it seems like time is going by awfully fast these days.

A couple of years ago Kel suggested that I consider becoming Catholic. I poo pooh'd that one, then. I started RCIA classes a little over a month ago. I enjoy the classes, really enjoy Mass, and I am thinking about applying for a teaching position in the catholic school. That is down the road a bit, though. Right now, I have a job lead at an Ingles sub-store that is opening up here in Greeneville, and they are taking applications at the store on the 2nd and 3rd of November. I will be in line early in the morning on the 2nd. =)

Life is better...

That means no heartburn for me. *whew* I breathe so much easier without the fire.

Thank you Sigga (for the gift), Danny for the chicken casserole (and recipe), the cake (it is wonderful) and making the day a happy one, thank you Wa for being such a bright light in my life, My mother (who called to sing me happy birthday, Judy (my sponsor) for including me in the double anniversary, and birthday cake and coffee before class last night, Susan, Seagulleagle, and Sylvia for sweet birthday wishes. Being 58 isn't bad at all...and truth be told, I hear that a little touch up with some Garnier Fructise, and 58 looks 40'ish. =) Okay...Garnier Fructise and walking 4 miles a day.

Goodnight, sweetheart...Goodnight

Moments like this make it all worthwhile... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrwtPmVwG8

Buddha left us peacefully, yesterday afternoon. Wa and I buried him on the sunny side of the shed and today I planted some yellow mums on his grave. He has been a member of our family since he arrived as a hatchling in July 1999. He's been a good friend, not just to Wa and me, but to Isobel (who some will remember gave him a black eye when she was still an itty bitty, and thought his tail was a teething toy), and Gooch, who shared the bean bag with him on many occasions. He crawled in bed with me on cold nights, and his favorite place to doze on a warm afternoon was on the "Classics" shelf of the bookcase in the livingroom. He was busted coming out of Wa's room wearing a black thigh high, and nearly drowned Gooch when he walked on his head on the way to his salad bowl, while Gooch was getting a drink at the water bowl. He knew his name and would come when called, had his own hibiscus tree, log, food dish in the kitchen, and liked to watch t.v., eat yogurt, and couldn't say no (ever!) to fresh canteloupe. It is so difficult to say goodbye...I am missing him so very much...

I was sitting on the side of my bed yesterday morning, Sophie woke me up jumping over my head after Bella, and as I stood to officially begin the day, I realized that a trip somewhere sounded awfully nice. I am not adjusting well to the two adult children living with me not paying rent but enjoying everything I have and demonstrating some inconsideration and disrespect experience. Or...maybe I could move...*sigh*

In conversations with Mike these days, since he graduated rehab, there is an easy exchange, he nods and responds intelligently and non defensively. I like that a lot. I think Jess needs to learn a few lessons too. His life is easy, in California, and here. Not as much here, as California, but it's still easy. My Wa...she is sooooo spoiled. "What are you makin me to eat?",she asks. At which point I should remind her that she is grown and I trust her to use the stove and sharp objects without negative incident. Yes I should have because grownups acting like children just doesn't wash.

Wa picked Jess up from work last night. I had given him $3 to pick up some Dawn dishwashing detergent. He said, "naw Mom, I've got it", but I gave him the $3 anyway. When Wa called me I reminded her to stop on the way home so Jess could run in the store and get some Dawn. Did they get it? Nope. Did they stop and rent movies? Yeah.

Buddha's prolapse is poking back out again. I've been giving him sprouts (alfalfa and bean), romaine, and northern beans. I am going to pick up a canteloupe today for him. I have the KY and gloves for easing it back in. At first it was awkward and wierd, but now, because it is in his best interest and keeps things moving normally, I do it without that ewwwww feeling. If he can't move things normally, then he would require surgery to tack the intestine to the inner wall. The surgery is very painful and the recovery rate is extremely low (Crestview vet). Doesn't sound good does it? Not to me either. Buddha and I have been friends for 10 years...it doesn't seem long enough, but I'm grateful for it.

Taking the break from school, just until October 13th, feels a little bit like freefalling. Wow...where did all this time come from? Stress has fallen away from me like heavy clothing. I sat on the sofa with Sophie and Isobel, sipping Numi Moroccan Mint tea steeped with Stash White tea and a dallop of honey, watching a movie...without guilt (e.g. thinking If I write the intro and address the first two points tonight then I can address the second two points, start and maybe finish the conclusion, and respond to at least two DQ posts tomorrow night...) through the entire movie, and checking the clock constantly. I didn't fall asleep. Therefore, now I wonder if falling asleep during movies, concerts, conversations, is a sign of stress. Someone will argue on behalf of boredom. I disagree. When I am bored I seek something that stimulates my interest. I am looking for something to do. It is not my nature to sit down with a sigh of exasperation and take a nap. When stressed, I think it is important to find a way to slough it off. I have some firm resolves in place for when I go back to school. At the top of the list is letting my two adult children that live with me know that school is a priority to me, and quiet study time is a must have, and will be expected during the time I have set aside for that, non-negotiable.

Sunday...I'm up at dark thirty, no Dawn to wash the dishes with *harrumph*, I think I'm gonna lay back down for an hour. Or at least until it's light outside. *stretttttttttch*

“Do not for a minute feel proud about doing someone a favor. In truth what you are doing is paying back an old debt to those who served as your mentors” (Levine, R., 2009).

Altruism

I think some are born with it (e.g. Mother Theresa, Ghandhi, the Dalai Lama, et al). Or perhaps we are all born with it, but like premonition, and communication that precedes human language, that altruism natural to us all is crowded out and ultimately surpressed by influence and human language development [in most cases]. After reading the quote at the top of this page I realized that I have thought in the past that I am altruistic capable and possible on more than one occasion. I was right and wrong. I am altruistic capable, but true altruism is possible as the result of an evolved state of realizing the power of that quote. I have some work to do.

This has been an interesting with painful moments kind of month so far. Today I lost a burden, and while not quite sure how I actually feel about it, the surface response is one of timorous relief. My intentions were not people oriented, they were animal rescue this is a life that deserves to keep living oriented. The dog wobbled into my yard, which is a reasonably long distance from his yard across and down the road and collapsed (covered in blood) at my feet, was obviously in big trouble, the depth or extent of which I was not authorized to determine, and I took him to my vet. I took the vet’s card to the owners of the dog that afternoon, July 31st, and they called today (for the first time) to check on the dog’s status. Wow.

I signed off as the responsible party during his first week there, and he was taken by a rescue. His back was riddled with holes, with a result of several layers of dermis and stuff coming off to the extent of an area from his neck line to within an inch or two of his tail and more than five inches wide. He also had an infection that was resistant to antibiotics. Did I do the right thing by taking him there? Should I have carried him across and down the road (he weighs in at 72#) so “he could have died in his own yard for free” (statement made by owner’s mother).

If I had brought him over and dumped his bloody body in their yard, back riddled with holes, his breathing labored, he would have died before they got up that morning and noticed him in the yard, and I regret that being the first sight the little children who reside there would see that morning. I also admit to being just a little bit afraid of those people. The woman reminds me of the “mother” in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the movie. The two sons, that I have seen, have a rather shiney stare when looking at me, that I suspect is always there. The blonde has lightning bolts tattood on his neck, probably jailhouse, and licks his lips a lot. The brownette is thin and sickly looking, and like his blonde brother, has very rotten teeth, green and black.

So they were upset because I took him to the vet, which I suppose may be an indication that a vet visit would not have been in his future had I not taken him myself. He would have died within 24 hours. When I got him to my vet Fred was very close to renal failure. He was toxic with infection, that had spread throughout his body.

So what kept him going? That boy is always just so happy to be alive! He just gets along with everyone, and he came to me for help. I had to honor that request. Twenty Two days later I am happy to report that his kidneys are functioning, but still under close watch, a new antibiotic has been introduced and the infection is responding, and he is currently being coo’d and cuddled by the staff of the rescue vet in another state, where he will be in treatment and after care for the better part of the next year. When I know that in my awareness, I then feel justified in my actions. When I think about the level of ignorance and not caring the people who owned that dog live on…I become a bit uneasy.

I am paying my karmic debts. Altruistic? Maybe not exactly, but we all have to start somewhere.

Took Buddha to Crestview Vet today. I don't like the man, I won't lie, and I'm not convinced that he knows as much as he wants one to think he does. He told me today that the reason iguanas don't live beyond a year is due to lack of proper care and improper diet, and that Buddha suffered his prolapse due to improper diet. What he didn't know is that Buddha is well over a year old, he is ten years old, and I have had Buddha since he was a two week hatchling. I've read Hatfield's Big Green Iguana Book (available at Amazon.com) and learned a few lessons along the way. He is big, beautiful, green, and he suffered a prolopse because he ate some purina healthy choice little bites. Yeah. I told him all of that during the preliminary conversation, and during the exam. THEN he told me I might need to feed Buddha a little MEAT sometimes. I'm thinking NO. He gets protein from vegetables, vitamin A, C, calcium, and he takes Calcium with Vitamin D. He gets lots of sunshine, with shade when he wants it, and in the winter he has a daylight and a nightlight. This boy eats lima beans, peaches, kale, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, arugula, northern beans, October peas, blueberries, romaine, butter lettuce, spring mix (which includes a mix of baby greens such as oak, radichio, and others, but no spinach. He eats green beans from the garden (raw), peas, carrots, red pears, apples, canteloupe, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, mango, papaya, and sometimes will steal a little bite or two of yogurt. He loves zucchini and yellow squash, softened sweet potatoes and butternut squash. I had some egg plant sliced the other day (for eggplant lasagna) and boy decided he would try a piece. He didn't like it. *wink*
Now that the prolapse is IN and looking very good (he passed gas), we celebrated with some dandelion greens, collard greens, and alfalfa (rabbit pellets). I am looking forward to the next ten years with my beautiful green boy.

Fred is doing well, although his back actually looks worse now than it did in the pictures, however, that is part of the process. The hydrobaths are cleaning all the yuck out, I guess. Here is a cool song someone sent me, that I thought I might share with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FV7aLCrgX0

I have to get some shuteye. Don't let the locusts keep you awake, eh?


]

I went to visit him Friday, and he wiggled, he waggled, and he peed on my white tennis shoe. He gave air kisses galore and plopped down on the floor for some chest scratches and ear rubs. He's been rescued by an organization that prefers to remain anonymous to protect him, and allows them to focus on him. I think that is awesome. He will be in treatment and aftercare for the better part of a year (at least). His hair may not grow back, but he won't care. He knows he's got it made now.
Further, supporters and friends of East Tennessee Pit Bull Rescue (http://www.etnpitbullrescue.org) have contributed to pay Dr. Woolsey's bill, to Dr. Woolsey, and to ETPBR via paypal, which will go to the balance of Dr. Woolsey's bill, and forwarded to the rescue for his ongoing treatment. He gets the chance to have a loving and forever home...and I think he knows it. He is just so happy to be alive!

Wow

I feel so honored to have been a little part of that.

So that's that...and now I have to get my tail in gear and focus on my studies. We're getting close, eh?

G'night sweetheart..........goooooooood night! *muah*

I got home this afternoon and he had prolapsed again. I worked with him for a little bit, but it was painful for him so I stopped. I have one of Isobel's diapers on him...the pad soaked with water to keep that area moist. I'll give him a cool sugar bath in the morning, then try again to encourage retraction. He didn't eat this morning, he just messed up his romaine/kale salad.

Something is wrong with this space...place...in my time somehow...maybe. I have to really pay attention to what I am thinking, how I am responding, the level of my sincerity, and what I am dreaming. I know that may sound a little bit whacky to some, but the truth is that dreams are the highway of communication from the subconscious to the conscious, and provide a continuous flow of information throughout our lives. So I am an effort to pay closer attention toward recognizing something I am doing wrong...so I can fix it. I want Buddha to be well. And I want great things for Fred...like a forever loving family to love back. He really is such a good boy and really deserves that experience. I want to be well. I want to be in a perpetual state of wellness. I am in a perpetual state of wellness.

In "The Secret" (Byrnes, R. 2006) the speakers promote imaging what one wants, as though one already possesses that want. I was fired up for that...sat down in a comfortable position...closed my eyes and took a deep cleansing breath...I saw my truck. It takes time and practice to get that imaging thing down so fine that when you open your eyes you are disoriented. I am almost there...oh yeah. So when I say that I am in a perpetual state of wellness, that is what I am imaging perpetually. Try it with something. Do something small. Image someone buying you a cup of coffee, see that someone's hands passing the coffee cup to you, feel the warmth of the cup on your hands, sigh with the feeling that accompanies the gratitude for another person's thoughtfulness and inspires one to smile sincerely. Image like that. My practice imaging was just what I recommended above, and two hours later one of the waitresses had her husband bring both of us a cuppaccino. I do the traffic signal thing too, and it works about 90% of the time. So what I'm gonna have to do is go and sit in a brand new black Ford Explorer and get the feel of the wheel, the view of the dashboard and through the window, over that bonnet...then work on imaging. Belle, my Ranger, will be the farm truck. I image being on my own farm allll the time. I have chickens, a beautiful herb garden and wonderful shade trees, flower beds here and there, a barn and a pond, and a veggie patch...oh that makes my heart go pitter pat a bunch of times. =)

Several things have been out of whack lately, not just Buddha and Fred. My money from school is screwed up because of schedule changes, these little kittens, that are adorable, playful, healthy, and each incredibly unique...that are wearing me out. They want to be outside, and I want them to be outside...but they have to get their shots first. I don't want them to get sick. I had an argument with Wa. *heavy sigh* I don't like it, but I don't accept disrespect. I can't seem to get any coordination and/or cooperation with getting the yard done, and that is getting on my nerves. So I must break this cycle of....less than positive experiences and get things back on track. Sheesh!

Do the imaging thing for something and get back to me on it. "The Secret" is a cool tool to get you introduced to some simple and highly effective exercises for life! I highly recommend it.

I've been up since 0200, and I am falling asleep here. G'night sweetheart...gooooood night!

With a little love, some serious effort on Buddha's part, and lots of vaseline and gentle massaging in the right direction on my part the prolapse has gone back in!!!!! HOOYAH!!!!


Buddha is back in his kennel on his log, and I am going to bed. 0200 comes early, yanno?


g'night sweetheart...GOOD night! =)

The prolapse is not going back in. I am keeping it moist, and put a little lubricant around the vent opening, and Buddha gets up on all fours and will work on pulling it back in from time to time. I'd say it isn't comfortable and the effort may be pretty exhausting to an old guy. Buddha is 10 years old (this July just past). He is sleeping now, on his hot water bottle...has worked his way out of the diaper (one of Isobel's for when she has that....time). She doesn't like them either.

I need to get some sleep. I have to write a paper tomorrow, and then Our Hostess/Waitress has to be at the restaurant at 0515 Monday morning...trudge...trudge...trudge...

The photos may be disturbing to some, and are not easy to look at even for those not faint of heart. He is doing well, the infected skin is sloughing off with the hydro baths, and he remains the loving boy I have known for the last year. His kidneys are holding up (after coming perilously close to shutting down), and he remembers his training. I gave the command to sit, down, and stay when I went to visit yesterday, and his reward was the "Awwwwww Fredddddyyyyy...", from the vet techs, with lots of hugs and smooches. The red skin in the photo is the healthy under skin that will heal. He may be scarred because his hair may not grow back on the area damaged by the infection. There is a resistant flap on his back (toward his rump) that is still a little pussy, but overall he is doing great. He is still on I.V. fluids and antibiotics. How long he will be in the hospital is unknown, but when it is time for his release, I am hoping there will be a loving and forever home waiting for him. Do I believe in miracles? You bet I do!

The photos ( here )

During all of this Buddha has suffered a prolapse. It is something similar to a hemmoroid coming out, but his stuff comes out with it. With cool sugar baths (recommended by Melissa Kaplan, herp expert) and keeping it moist, it has reduced in size dramatically, but hasn't gone back in yet. If it doesn't go in by Monday, it will be a visit to the herp vet in Johnson City.

.......ommmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

...unbreak my heart, say you love me again, undo this hurt you caused when you walked out the door and walked out of my life...

I think all of my dogs are incredible and wonderful...and their behavior is not always perfect. Pit Bulls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. One trait remains consistent, however, and that is their naturally humble nature. They are trained, in cases of aggressive or offensive behaviors, to be that way. That aggressive/offensive behavior is against their nature in the majority. There are a few cases, as in other breeds and/or breed combinations, where aggression is apparent within the first six weeks. Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer, works with dogs that are naturally aggressive and demonstrates very positive lifelong results. Unless the dogs are being trained as soldiers, why are they trained to attack, maim, or kill another dog, other animals (with the exception of large game hunting dogs), or human beings? Living free in nature, the more aggressive breeds live in communities, hunt for food, have an echelon of command in the community, and are expected to behave within certain community guidelines with punishment from the pack leader commensurate with the offense. Fred is not aggressive.

As I stated in previous posts, I have observed Fred's human boy grab him roughly by the ear and lead him away, but it was a neighbor who told me that both father and son beat Fred with a chain. I have seen welts across his back, wounds to one or the other of his ears, and bloody cuts on his rump, and other areas of his body. Is this an indication of beating? Or could it be a dog that shimmies under fences, wanders in cow pastures, through blackberry thickets (and these are in plenty around here)? I don't know. But when I told Shawn where Fred is and what the doctor said, he had tears in his eyes.

I clean a house on Wednesday's for $25. I took the job because I needed the money to make ends meet. I understand being behind on things, and having to sacrifice, but Fred is a good dog, and I think good dogs deserve a chance. I am going to give that $25 a week to Dr. Woolsey for Fred. I've been given chances, unconditonally, and helped through what seemed like impossibly difficult times, for a long time. Therefore,I am doing this so that when he is well again, he can return to his family. I will encourage them to value the life that almost slipped away from them. The blessing in that case will be on all of them with another chance to have a wonderful and lifelong relationship.
I thought about talking to Shawn about what I was told, and then decided not to because if it were not true he would distrust his neighbors, and I don't want to be responsible for that.

Our Waitress who then became Our Cook, then Our Dishwasher, will start a new position in the morning as Our Waitress/Hostess in charge of the register and tables 1 & 2. The new class starts Tuesday, and time gets scarce for anything but the restaurant and school for the next five weeks.

That's the thought and the news as of today. I'm going to study now.

G'night sweetheart...g'night

I'm afraid this isn't much, but what Dr. Woolsey has said so far is that Fred has an infection. He shaved Fred's back and there is a large blackened area that represents infection, and the puncture wounds occured in that area. He is a bloody mess. Dr. Woolsey is going to start hydro therapy to encourage the damaged skin off and get to the healthy pink tissue underneath it, with a course of antibiotics. He also said that he doesn't think this is a case involving abuse (beating). I was relieved to hear that, took one of Dr. Woolsey's cards and gave it to Shawn. As I told Shawn what Dr. Woolsey had said, he shared his thought that Fred had been in a fight with a pack of coyotes maybe. Shawn became somewhat emotional and said he doesn't have the money to have Fred treated. Unfortunately I am not in a position to help any more than I already have. The pink spots in Fred's ears are indicative of the infection, as is his collapse. I took a picture of Fred with a cell phone, but the phone used doesn't support sending "enhanced" media...I zoomed in to get a shot of his back, so I wasn't able to send it to my email. Considering that he is in so much pain, Fred has been nothing short of a gentleman through the whole ordeal, and when I leaned in to whisper that he is being such a good boy, he wagged his tail just a little, and kissed me.

Here is a photo of Fred and Sophie playing in the living room a few months ago.




and a close up with Jada and Charlie on the porch last year...




He is currently being kept in the hospital in his name "Fred" on my account (Lappas).
Dr. Woolsey, DVM, 247 Baileyton Rd
Greeneville, TN 37745-3303
(423) 639-1621

Fred is the red pit bull terrier than comes over frequently (as a rule) to say hello, grab a bite to eat, and romp with the big girls in the back yard. He has been absent for spells over the last few months. I found out from Angie (Billy's wife) across the road that Shawn has been keeping him chained up because Fred has been chasing someone's chickens or cows? Not sure when Fred would do that since when he isn't over there (when loose) he is most definitely over here lounging on the porch, in the back yard, or stretched out sleeping in the bed of my truck. When he gets loose he comes over to get his injuries treated. Angie also informed us that he hasn't been "fighting" but that the little boy, and Shawn beat him with the chain. That explained the welts on his back and legs, and the bruising on his ears. I spoke to Shawn about Fred's injuries (non-confrontational), and he said that Fred jumped out of his truck.

When Fred comes over here we love him, bathe him, put neo on his wounds, feed him, and let him rest. He respects the cats, the ever present and aggressive Sophie, and the house. He is a good boy. A big boy, and a boy boy, but a loving boy.

This morning when I took Isobel and Sophie out, Fred walked slowly and painfully up to me and collapsed in the yard. Obviously in a lot of pain, and bloody. His ears are badly bruised and speckled with trauma, his back is welted with open bleeding places. I brought him in, woke Wa, and we bathed him, put neo on the wounds (when we got the bleeding managed), cleaned and treated his ears with witch hazel, and fed him. He is a sad broken spirit right now. He ate a little bit, and is now resting on the floor beside the sofa (where my son Jesse is sleeping). I don't know what to do beyond this. I have been thinking about going to Shawn and asking him if Fred can live here. However, when I suggested once before that he is always welcome here, it bore the result of Fred being short chained under their front porch for awhile.

One fear that I have is that they will ultimately beat him crazy, and the result will involve injury to one of those children (who also beat him), and a torturous death for Fred. The Humane Society here is basically worthless. I called them hoping to get placement for Patches and Sam (the kittens that Wa rescued), and they told me "Nope, got no place for any more kittens, take them to animal control". Animal Control euthanizes after three days. Granted that is more humane than kittens being highway decorations, and there is plenty of that. Sooo...I will get them fixed and vaccinated and let them live out here. There is so much land with trees, shrubs, running and romping room, that they could live a long and healthy life out here. I would feed them, and the storage building provides cover and shelter from weather and predators, although...the big girls out back discourage the predator element. When I can connect with Robin Quillen, Representative for Feral Friends, I may be able to get the Feral Friends discount for the process.

Fred also needs to be altered and vaccinated. The backlash of me doing this without the owner's consent, and I did offer once before which drew a negative response, would be traumatic. These people are rednecks in the truest sense, and I would be afraid for my girls. When they saw Jada, they asked me about mating her with Fred. When I informed them that she is fixed, they asked why I went and done THAT. *sigh*

Fred is a pink nose, red brindle pit male. He has a beautiful disposition, good around children (which I would supervise to ensure the children handled and interacted with him properly), curious about cats, gets along with small dogs, and large dogs as well. He is loving, and while he demonstrates a preference for interaction with females, he is responsive to males as well (with some noted submission). He will sit, lay down, and come on command. He understands No, and loves to play.

I will be checking out possible pit bull rescue groups as well. Is it my business? I don't know. I do know, however, that if I were being abused...I would pray for a voice on my behalf. I am open to comments and suggestions.

I decided that it is time for a change. I've had the same style for several years, and thought this morning that it is rather like wearing the same outfit day after day. Time for something fresh, bold, and pleasant to the eye. I wanted to write but I have to give Jess a ride to work. I'll tell you about a statement I made on Facebook when I come back. =)

P.E.T.A. is asking that the public not support circuses that involve animal acts. This may be a good idea, however, unless P.E.T.A. proposes to place the animals in humane situations, then what becomes of them? So what do we do? We speak out in a united voice that circus officials hear, that says we will not support this type of treatment. The trainers involved in this video are cruel. Kinda makes me wonder how they interact in personal relationships. *sigh* These animals do not deserve that treatment. P.E.T.A. is their voice right now. We have a voice as well. Please do not support this treatment of circus animals. Thank you.

https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2359

p.s. I still have Patches and Sam, and they still need loving and forever homes. Anyone need a wonderful, dedicated companion? They are about 2 1/2 months old. Litter box trained, healthy, and have incredibly loving personalities.

I'm just sayin'

We are required (by law) to have auto insurance
We should all have renter's/homeowner's insurance
Health insurance is a big deal when we are sick
but wait...
I have health insurance, and medical care through the V.A. because I am a veteran. I went to the hospital today because of a migraine that started at about 0400. I took a Zomig, prescribed by my V.A. care provider (Judy East NP), and after an hour the migraine had progressed. At 0800 I took another Zomig. The migraine continued to progress, so I called my daughter and asked if she would meet me at the hospital. She wasn't happy about doing it, but she came.
At the hospital Dr. Shane Adams M.D. shined his very very bright light into my eyes and told me that the nurse would be in shortly with a shot. I told him I would prefer an Axert, which is migraine medicine and will work no matter what stage of progress the migraine is in. He explained that they didn't have Axert, but that he would send the nurse in to give me the shot and provide me with a prescription for Axert.
The nurse came in, gave me 60 mg of toradol (inj) and Reglan 10 mg (inj), then explained that it would be about 45 minutes before I would feel relief, but that I would begin to feel drowsy shortly. I went to the bathroom, then joined Wa (still obviously unhappy about the inconvenience) who would drive me home. As we drove to Walgreens I told her (expecting that I may get drowsy) that my insurance card is in my purse. She snapped, "the nurse said it wouldn't make you go to sleep and you could drive". Oh. Well then, I said, you can take me to my truck and I will take care of this. The pain was vivid, not unbearable, but distracting, and I was feeling the shot. Not dramatically, but combined with the pain, I didn't feel competent to drive, but didn't say that. She looked at me and I could see that her eyes were red in that might have been crying, or maybe severely hungover shade of red. She stated flatly that she didn't want to be responsible if I crash. okedokee.
We waited the better part of an hour for Walgreens to finally tell us that Axert is not in the Americhoice forumulary, but they would call the doctor and get him to write something else.
Well I already have something that doesn't work. No point in charging my insurance for something else that doesn't work.

Insurance *sigh*...it will pay for 36 of something that doesn't work as opposed to paying for 6 of something that does. If it was Lortab or oxycontin they would have filled it and had me out of there in five minutes. Axert won't get anyone high, isn't in demand on the street, but it sure will knock out a migraine and allows me to get back in the swing of things in short order. Do I understand? Nope.

Sarah is spending the night. I'm just gonna tell ya, this makes me a little bit nervous. She has changed for the better over the last couple of years, but there is still that little twinge of...moaning uncertainty. The last time I got pulled into one of Sarah's messes, for some reason I became the bad guy. I enjoyed that experience so much that I would be okay if it never happened again. *sigh*

Ol Jess came over with Wa this afternoon. It has been a day of surprising events, or at least puzzling events, and surprising news. Wa is so honest. If she were not so practical and this is this and that is that then I would be inclined to think that Steph joining the Navy had something to do with this. So Wa is moving in, and Steph will be staying with her mom. Maybe a little bit of time apart will refresh their perspective(s) and the relationship. I don't know...and it's not my business. I love them individually, and as a couple. If they are no longer a couple, I will still love Steph and consider her a member of my family. I have pictures of them together, everywhere...on three walls in the livingroom, two in the kitchen, and one on my desk. I wonder if this is going to be a problem?

When Scott and Gloria split up, he came over to my house one day, saw my copy of their wedding picture in a frame, took it out of the frame...and tore it up. He does not have the authority to tell me "love her, love her not" when it comes to those who are introduced into my life by him, or anyone else. If I like someone, then I become friends with him or her. My dad and Dorothy are like that...If I am mad at someone you have to be mad at them too, if I don't like someone, then you must dislike them too. That is just so unreasonable to me. I am happy for Scott and Megan, and believe that he may have finally met his match. I believe he walks the line these days. Megan is a strong communicator. Not a frequent communicator, but she is skilled in effective communication. We still maintain a close relationship with Gloria.

When I left Perry and went to Oklahoma with the intention of staying a week or two just to regroup and shakes the cobwebs off of my perspective, Brad went with us (me, Wa, and the dogs). My relationship with Brad was awful from beginning to end, with an okay part dotted in there now and then maybe, but mostly awful. His dad calls my Mom's house one day, I answer the phone, and he asks, "Are you and my son living together like man and wife". I laughed and said well...no, and perhaps you should have this type of conversation with Brad in the future. I wanted to get away from Perry for a week or so, let Wa get to know and spend a little time with my Mom, and I wanted to just hang out and think. No such luck. I got in a fist fight with the girl across the road, Brad met some people and got high, then he decided he wanted to pick a fight with me, in my mom's house. That ended with him taking his jar so seeds and setting out to hitch hike back to Tennessee. I went to bed. I woke up the next morning, took Wa to school (I enrolled her so she wouldn't miss, and so she could meet other children in the community just in case I decided to stay), stopped at the gas station to gas the jeep, and as I turned to go back to my mom's I thought, "what if he is still on the road or at a truckstop up there" and Oh no! What if he got stopped for that vagrancy law or something, and they found his mason jar of seeds". So I drove up the road a way, but didn't see him. I drove back to Mom's...and there he was standing in the driveway. gur rate

It's kind of like having roaches, it took me a long time to get rid of him. But I always wondered why Buddy felt like it was okay for him to ask me that question.

Seeing the chicks getting their beaks whacked off, and pigs getting their teeth pulled, a cow shocked, and then dragged off the truck by a chain because her hind legs were broken in the crowded cattle car during transit, and then she was left on the road with no water, or comforts of any kind. A humane society worker came to give her water and to inquire about their intentions for the downed cow. The stockyard worker moved the water away, and many hours later (a day maybe) the humane society worker called law enforcement whereby the stockyard worker was ordered to assist the cow. The vet shot the cow, and it was then processed into product for human consumption. I can't eat meat any more...at all. I cannot imagine living in conditions that are so crowded and badly kept that the product of waste would be literally burning the feathers from my skin, and because of what I was being fed by my captors/owners I would be so top heavy that my legs would not support me, and they would break and I would not be able to get around. The cow had eliminated, then attempted to pull herself from that area using her front legs. She cried out in pain as she did this.

I realize that you may all be tired of reading this here, but let me just say one more thing:

Hens cluck while sitting their nest to communicate with the developing chicks (in the eggs), and at a certain stage of development (still in the egg) the chicks will actually peep responses. They are so civilized.

I want to be more civilized.

So that's all I wanted to say really. Well that and...I am never a smartass by mistake.

Goodnight sweetheart...I hope God blesses you in a mighty way today...and tomorrow. =)

Seneca brought an injured bird into the house a little while ago.( Read more... )

So that's it and I am doing homework the rest of the evening. All's well that ends well, with an attitude of gratitude. =)

G'night, sweetheart, g'night. Stay cool, eh?