I was looking through "BLOGS of note" today and the one listed for today is about the economy. I guess I just don't get it. Oh, but I do, and this guy, along with Governor Patrick of Massachusetts, don't.
Here's the quote that has me so riled up:
Gov. Deval Patrick writes about the state's new energy law in today's Globe:
Our vision capitalizes on the Commonwealth's natural advantages in technology and entrepreneurship to combat rising energy costs and satisfy the need for new, clean, affordable ways to meet energy needs - creating a whole new industry along the way.
Can anyone interpret that for me. Even by dissecting the sentences, I have a difficult time understanding the babble. It's a convoluted way of saying nothing.
Vision -- what we dream about, wish for, want, see in the future
capitalizes -- profits or takes advantage of something
natural -- usual, normal ordinary
advantages -- compensation, reward, benefits
technology and entrepreneurship -- obvious what that means -- includes new businesses? those willing to take a chance?
combat -- battle
rising energy costs -- like the cost of gasoline and heating oil going through the roof?
satisfy -- please, assure, convince
need -- something one must have
new, clean, affordable -- read that -- don't drill for oil in our country or use nuclear energy, but go on with the FAILED search for uses for solar energy, corn fuel which if it weren't subsidized by the government would cost the uses twice as much as gasoline costs, etc.
meet energy needs -- without bankrupting the country
creating a whole new industry along the way -- no drilling for oil, no windmills, no nuclear power plants, etc. Just what we need, a whole new industry. The oil industry COULD be doing quite well if it were permitted by the US Government to drill off-shore, in ANWR, and even in states that already have a hefty oil production.
And, I don't buy the lie that we can't have a new oil supply if we start drilling today for another 20 years. For the past 20 years, we've tried all the non-fossil fuel things and they aren't doing the job. And, if we needed to, we could get those oil rigs producing oil within 2 years, I'd bet, or less, like we did in World War II. We had nothing -- no ship works, minimal rubber plants, minimal steel plants, minimal fossil fuel production -- and within ONE year we were up and running and battling for our lives with the greatest war machine ever. So don't tell me it can't be done. We have a crisis in this country, and depending on other countries for something we can produced and gather ourselves is utter nonsense.
Enough of my blathering for today. I just had to vent!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday, July 6
Can you believe it's already the 6th of July. In just two weeks I'm leaving for my sister's and cousin's -- not necessarily in that order. Boy is time going fast. June seemed to drag, though, but July is already almost 1/5 gone. Wasn't it just July 1?
Well, since this BLOG is supposed to be about my vertically challenged life and the things that don't make that height fun or that require more height, thus making my life miserable, I'll talk a little about height management.
What is height management? That's where you have everything you need and use often sitting in a cabinet or on a surface at a height that is convenient for you.
Problem: My husband is taller than I, not by much, but just enough that he can reach the second shelf without stretching. I have to get on my tippy, tippy toes to reach the second shelf (in our kitchen cabinets), and while I have put items like mugs and glasses and dishes on the first shelf which I can easily reach, my husband seems to enjoy grabbing things from the overflow shelves (second shelf), and of course, I'm the one who puts away the clean dishes and I have to stretch almost beyond my stretch-ability to put those items back.
I tried putting non-usable stuff on the second shelf, moving the overflow to the top shelf, which I need a step-stool to reach, and even then, Alan will grab what's on the top shelf rather than what's on the first shelf. What's with that, anyway? I know he can see the items on the first shelf, so why does he automatically pick the higher shelf to get things from? I just don't understand that.
I asked him once about that, and all I got was a shrug, so he doesn't know why he does that either.
I have to head back out to the doctor again this week -- seems to be a weekly event lately -- to just chat with her about my kidneys. The sweet nurse that called just told me my kidneys were losing function, but wouldn't expound on what that meant. Meanwhile, I'm imagining all the bad things that can happen if I have kidney failure -- one being death -- which is okay-- I know where I'm going. But if I become an invalid, there is no way Alan will be able to cope with the everyday things like cleaning the dishes, washing the floor in the bathroom, squeegie-ing the shower, etc.
So, my doctor and I will have a talk. And we'll go from there.
Until next time. TTFN
Well, since this BLOG is supposed to be about my vertically challenged life and the things that don't make that height fun or that require more height, thus making my life miserable, I'll talk a little about height management.
What is height management? That's where you have everything you need and use often sitting in a cabinet or on a surface at a height that is convenient for you.
Problem: My husband is taller than I, not by much, but just enough that he can reach the second shelf without stretching. I have to get on my tippy, tippy toes to reach the second shelf (in our kitchen cabinets), and while I have put items like mugs and glasses and dishes on the first shelf which I can easily reach, my husband seems to enjoy grabbing things from the overflow shelves (second shelf), and of course, I'm the one who puts away the clean dishes and I have to stretch almost beyond my stretch-ability to put those items back.
I tried putting non-usable stuff on the second shelf, moving the overflow to the top shelf, which I need a step-stool to reach, and even then, Alan will grab what's on the top shelf rather than what's on the first shelf. What's with that, anyway? I know he can see the items on the first shelf, so why does he automatically pick the higher shelf to get things from? I just don't understand that.
I asked him once about that, and all I got was a shrug, so he doesn't know why he does that either.
I have to head back out to the doctor again this week -- seems to be a weekly event lately -- to just chat with her about my kidneys. The sweet nurse that called just told me my kidneys were losing function, but wouldn't expound on what that meant. Meanwhile, I'm imagining all the bad things that can happen if I have kidney failure -- one being death -- which is okay-- I know where I'm going. But if I become an invalid, there is no way Alan will be able to cope with the everyday things like cleaning the dishes, washing the floor in the bathroom, squeegie-ing the shower, etc.
So, my doctor and I will have a talk. And we'll go from there.
Until next time. TTFN
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Family picnic for the 4th
Well, we finally had our family 4th of July picnic, 2008. No one got sick, so that tradition is broken, we hope for good.
We had a wonderful time. The weather was really good -- not too hot and not too cool. The children had a great time, I'm sure. Their faces were red most of the time from the exertion they were expending on the various monkey bar type apparatus that were available at the park we went to. We went to Lunken Playfield this time, instead of our usual Cold Spring Park. It was a very good choice. Lots of things for the children to do, and a bathroom right near the picnic grove.
I'm putting some of the pictures from today on this BLOG. The only note for this wonderful day on Runnemede Remembered will be a short sentence directing people to this BLOG.
Most of the group is in the group picture. The two girls are Rosie (blue shirt) and Grace (dimples).
I hope you all enjoy. We had a great day.
Friday, July 4, 2008
July 4th 2008
This is a copy of what I wrote in Runnemede Remembered for today, July 4, 2008.
Today is the fourth of July, 2008, and it wasn't a day like the Fourths of July that I remember. First, our picnic was cancelled because of rain, or should I say mud. We thought it would be better not to go to a park right after a half-inch or more fell in the morning, and the skies were still threatening to pour more moisture onto the already soggy ground. And sure enough, it did -- rain again, that is.
But tonight --
I was certain that any and all fireworks displays would be cancelled because of the weather. Well, it is foggy, but it's not raining and hasn't rained for at least two hours. So, I guess the surrounding communities decided to go ahead with their annual extravaganzas. From my deck I could see seven different displays (my deck is also known as the porch, sun porch, lanai, patio, outdoor room). What a show!
The trees are getting taller and the shows are getting less easy to observe. I can only see the high, blossoming explosions. When we first moved here, I could see some of the lower displays. But hey, I still get quite a view.
Then I noticed that there were a couple other displays going on in the front of the house and so I opened the blind in the library and was able to watch two other great displays.
I'm still hearing the boom, boom, boom of fireworks, so I know there are more people shooting them off. I live here in KY and a lot of people buy lots of fireworks and have their own little shows, so I also benefit from them -- they've been going on all week. It's been nice to see so many different displays. I especially like the light, airy, lacy, white-light ones. And I also like the ones that sort of implode upon themselves in a whole bunch of colors. You know what I mean?
I just love fireworks. They not only remind me of when I was young, but they do something that makes me just feel happy. And, once again, I told Alan how much I loved where we now live. I really, really love this place!
Today is the fourth of July, 2008, and it wasn't a day like the Fourths of July that I remember. First, our picnic was cancelled because of rain, or should I say mud. We thought it would be better not to go to a park right after a half-inch or more fell in the morning, and the skies were still threatening to pour more moisture onto the already soggy ground. And sure enough, it did -- rain again, that is.
But tonight --
I was certain that any and all fireworks displays would be cancelled because of the weather. Well, it is foggy, but it's not raining and hasn't rained for at least two hours. So, I guess the surrounding communities decided to go ahead with their annual extravaganzas. From my deck I could see seven different displays (my deck is also known as the porch, sun porch, lanai, patio, outdoor room). What a show!
The trees are getting taller and the shows are getting less easy to observe. I can only see the high, blossoming explosions. When we first moved here, I could see some of the lower displays. But hey, I still get quite a view.
Then I noticed that there were a couple other displays going on in the front of the house and so I opened the blind in the library and was able to watch two other great displays.
I'm still hearing the boom, boom, boom of fireworks, so I know there are more people shooting them off. I live here in KY and a lot of people buy lots of fireworks and have their own little shows, so I also benefit from them -- they've been going on all week. It's been nice to see so many different displays. I especially like the light, airy, lacy, white-light ones. And I also like the ones that sort of implode upon themselves in a whole bunch of colors. You know what I mean?
I just love fireworks. They not only remind me of when I was young, but they do something that makes me just feel happy. And, once again, I told Alan how much I loved where we now live. I really, really love this place!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Talk about being vertically challenged
Well, I'm definitely what you would call SHORT (vertically challenged) and it really gets to me when I have to get things out of my cabinets that are on the second or third shelf. I don't feel steady on a step stool, but if I have to I use one -- they actually make them so a FAT person like me can use them -- up to 350 pounds. Thank God I have a way to go to get to that weight. But yikes -- since I've been on Lyrica I've gained 25 pounds and I'm eating less than I used to, so what's up with that?
I got word today that I do NOT have lupus -- yeah! I am however losing kidney function. The first things that entered my head and what I said to Alan was, this is good because I'll be with Jesus sooner rather than later.
Probably not being read as a good thing, but for me it would be. Living with pain -- at about 8-10 on the pain chart everyday, while not killing me, is killing me. I mean, I don't know how the Apostle Paul kept going and going and going with his "thorn in the flesh", unless that "thorn" wasn't pain. But what thorn in the flesh isn't painful?
So, I rejoice that it's not lupus. I also am thankful that while I've been drowning myself by drinking more and more water, I will have to drink even more water. And, oh yes, no more anti-inflammatory meds -- which means no more Arthrotec (my best med to relieve the knee pain). I'm also not allowed to take Motrin, Advil, Alleve, Aspirin, Tylenol or any of those because they interact back with some other stuff I take to keep me going.
The best thing today was that I went over to deliver Adam's birthday present, and Cyndi asked me to stay and talk for a while. I wasn't prepared to do that, but I did. And I'm glad I did. I enjoy talking with my children. I only wish they'd open up more once in a while.
And then, Amy called and we had a great chat about things. Just things. Nothing specific. I enjoy talking to her and I enjoy her company. She's a sweet lady.
So, I'm psych-ing myself up for tomorrow's day in the park. If the Lord wills and clears up the weather, the event will happen. If the weather is as bad as today, we're going to have it on Saturday. We'll see what God has in store for us tomorrow or Saturday. Whatever He wants, I'll go along with it.
TTFN
I got word today that I do NOT have lupus -- yeah! I am however losing kidney function. The first things that entered my head and what I said to Alan was, this is good because I'll be with Jesus sooner rather than later.
Probably not being read as a good thing, but for me it would be. Living with pain -- at about 8-10 on the pain chart everyday, while not killing me, is killing me. I mean, I don't know how the Apostle Paul kept going and going and going with his "thorn in the flesh", unless that "thorn" wasn't pain. But what thorn in the flesh isn't painful?
So, I rejoice that it's not lupus. I also am thankful that while I've been drowning myself by drinking more and more water, I will have to drink even more water. And, oh yes, no more anti-inflammatory meds -- which means no more Arthrotec (my best med to relieve the knee pain). I'm also not allowed to take Motrin, Advil, Alleve, Aspirin, Tylenol or any of those because they interact back with some other stuff I take to keep me going.
The best thing today was that I went over to deliver Adam's birthday present, and Cyndi asked me to stay and talk for a while. I wasn't prepared to do that, but I did. And I'm glad I did. I enjoy talking with my children. I only wish they'd open up more once in a while.
And then, Amy called and we had a great chat about things. Just things. Nothing specific. I enjoy talking to her and I enjoy her company. She's a sweet lady.
So, I'm psych-ing myself up for tomorrow's day in the park. If the Lord wills and clears up the weather, the event will happen. If the weather is as bad as today, we're going to have it on Saturday. We'll see what God has in store for us tomorrow or Saturday. Whatever He wants, I'll go along with it.
TTFN
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
So, what's new?
Nothing much. Slow day. Not much movement. Not much thinking.
The bright spot was the porch. I was out bright and early and the temperature (on the porch) was 60 degrees. It went up very quickly, though, and a half hour after I starting sitting out there, the temperature was up to 70 degrees. It was breezy all day today and I enjoyed being out there for several hours. Reading. Doing puzzles. Not doing housework. Not cooking. Not cleaning. Not doing laundry. Just enjoying the sunshine and the breeze.
By late this afternoon it had only gone up to 82 and since there was still quite a breeze, it really was quite pleasant out there.
Tomorrow night, hopefully, Alan and I are heading down to the river to enjoy the hot-air balloon lift at dusk, and then fireworks at Old Coney. We're going to try to get a spot on this side of the river and watch, instead of fighting the crowd at the park.
Friday is set. We're meeting at the Cold Spring park at 2 and bringing snacks and then I'll leave when I feel I need to leave, if I go at all. Alan will go without me, I'm sure. Unless I'm like I was yesterday, he will leave, otherwise he may feel the need to stay home
Today is Adam's 8th birthday and there is no party for him. Bummer. I'll drop off his gift tomorrow on my rounds to the various stores, library, pharmacy, etc. I hope I don't have another flare up or I'm in deep you-know-what. I need to get burgers in for Friday's dinner. Beck's family will be staying for supper and watching the fireworks from the deck.
TTFN
The bright spot was the porch. I was out bright and early and the temperature (on the porch) was 60 degrees. It went up very quickly, though, and a half hour after I starting sitting out there, the temperature was up to 70 degrees. It was breezy all day today and I enjoyed being out there for several hours. Reading. Doing puzzles. Not doing housework. Not cooking. Not cleaning. Not doing laundry. Just enjoying the sunshine and the breeze.
By late this afternoon it had only gone up to 82 and since there was still quite a breeze, it really was quite pleasant out there.
Tomorrow night, hopefully, Alan and I are heading down to the river to enjoy the hot-air balloon lift at dusk, and then fireworks at Old Coney. We're going to try to get a spot on this side of the river and watch, instead of fighting the crowd at the park.
Friday is set. We're meeting at the Cold Spring park at 2 and bringing snacks and then I'll leave when I feel I need to leave, if I go at all. Alan will go without me, I'm sure. Unless I'm like I was yesterday, he will leave, otherwise he may feel the need to stay home
Today is Adam's 8th birthday and there is no party for him. Bummer. I'll drop off his gift tomorrow on my rounds to the various stores, library, pharmacy, etc. I hope I don't have another flare up or I'm in deep you-know-what. I need to get burgers in for Friday's dinner. Beck's family will be staying for supper and watching the fireworks from the deck.
TTFN
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Meltdown
Today we went for our tests for various NEW diseases -- Alan and I -- me for lupus, he for thyroid and something else. The nurse had to take more blood from me than from him -- that's a first. No problem though. I still have good veins. I wonder if I get really sick how long that will last.
But by the time we got home I was having a full-blown "flare up" of whatever is wrong with me. I'm in agony (again). I'm on fire, it feels like. Actually, it feels like a really, really bad, hot flash that won't quit, along with someone using a hammer on all my joints. There, how's that for a description.
Well, we'll wait and see what the tests say. For now, I'm going back to bed to try to get some sort of comfortable.
But by the time we got home I was having a full-blown "flare up" of whatever is wrong with me. I'm in agony (again). I'm on fire, it feels like. Actually, it feels like a really, really bad, hot flash that won't quit, along with someone using a hammer on all my joints. There, how's that for a description.
Well, we'll wait and see what the tests say. For now, I'm going back to bed to try to get some sort of comfortable.
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