Like Dorothy, when she was locked into the witch's castle and the hourglass was emptying of sand, I'm frightened -- oh, Auntie Em! I'm frightened!
My daughter-in-law called this afternoon with the news that my son was taken to the hospital after suffering a stroke. Not words any mother wants to hear, let me tell you! It turns out that they (in all thier innimitable wisdom) THINK he had a TIA (transient ischemic attack). They've run a battery of tests from a CAT scan to an MRI and other than a "shadow" they saw on the MRI, they cannot find a cause of this.
He had all the classic symptoms of a TIA -- disorientation, slight paralysis of his left arm, blurred vision, inability to process a thought chain, but no apparent cause. His blood pressure was (and is) normal, he's not overweight, he's in his mid-thirties, normal range of cholesterol and otherwise very healthy.
He did have an incident a few weeks ago with his knee which has since been bothering him and he was scheduled to have an MRI on that later this month. I'm wonderfing if he had a clot break loose, but surely "they" have covered that base.
No mother who loves her son could be more worried than I am right now. Do I go or wait? I'm waiting now to hear back from my daughter-in-law if they released him to go home.
They say no news is good news, but right now, no news is just leaving open space for the brain to conjure up all kinds of worst case scenarios. You know what those would be like?
Pray for him and his family.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
è¿é
Friday, September 14, 2007
Writing is addictive
Writing is an addiction. If you've ever written something that received someone elses' attention, you are hooked. The need to write something else that gets commented on, or read by someone else is your spur to write more.
It almost doesn't matter if the response is complimentary or uncomplimentary, it's the heady rush of "hey! someone READ what I wrote!". That's what gets you hooked.
Now that I think about it, I may be MORE excited about someone who disagrees with something I've written about than with someone who compliments me on what I've written. Reason being, when someone disagrees, you can pretty well bet they've read at least most of what you wrote. They usually quote you on a sentence or two and nearly always take your salient points to refute, all of which tells you they read on a more than cursory level, and with some degree of depth, your entire piece.
The complimenter on the other hand, can be pretty empty with their words. You often don't get that indication that they read past the opening paragraph or so of your composition. (reminder to self to include some points upon which I agree or note some particular turn of phrase used in writings I want to compliment).
So, disagree away with me. It serves to spur me on to greater literary (cough, cough) heights.
è¿é
It almost doesn't matter if the response is complimentary or uncomplimentary, it's the heady rush of "hey! someone READ what I wrote!". That's what gets you hooked.
Now that I think about it, I may be MORE excited about someone who disagrees with something I've written about than with someone who compliments me on what I've written. Reason being, when someone disagrees, you can pretty well bet they've read at least most of what you wrote. They usually quote you on a sentence or two and nearly always take your salient points to refute, all of which tells you they read on a more than cursory level, and with some degree of depth, your entire piece.
The complimenter on the other hand, can be pretty empty with their words. You often don't get that indication that they read past the opening paragraph or so of your composition. (reminder to self to include some points upon which I agree or note some particular turn of phrase used in writings I want to compliment).
So, disagree away with me. It serves to spur me on to greater literary (cough, cough) heights.
è¿é
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sloppy Blogger
Well, I see that I have woefully neglected this blog. I have blogged on the "family" blog and I have blogged for dollars on the blogging for dollars blog, but haven't posted anything here -- here where my most opinionated thoughts are recorded.
It's not that I haven't had any opinions lately. It's more like I forgot this one was here (at least temporarily). It was in the back of my mind.. honest!
So, to any readers I might have out there, my sincerest apologies! I will promise to try to do better. Lord knows there's plenty to talk about.
è¿é
It's not that I haven't had any opinions lately. It's more like I forgot this one was here (at least temporarily). It was in the back of my mind.. honest!
So, to any readers I might have out there, my sincerest apologies! I will promise to try to do better. Lord knows there's plenty to talk about.
è¿é
Monday, July 16, 2007
Habeas Corpus
Well, it's about time we came to our senses!
It seems that Democrat Majority Leader and Republican Judiciary Committee Leader, Arlen Specter are in agreement that even the foreign detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba should receive this basic right. It's been a blot on the reputation of the US that this one, basic right has not been given these people.
We expect our troops and our citizens to be afforded fair and reasonable treatment when in foreign countries, but deny those detained by our military and police agencies this same accord.
While there is a co-sponsored bill being sent to Congress for this item, and the Supreme Court has decided to rule on this issue that they had previously declined to rule on, the fate of detainees to get their day in court -- to be charged with a crime using reasonable proof is still up in the air. The bill must get a minimum 60 votes to avoid a fillibuster and the Supreme Court will not hear the case for months.
It seems that Democrat Majority Leader and Republican Judiciary Committee Leader, Arlen Specter are in agreement that even the foreign detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba should receive this basic right. It's been a blot on the reputation of the US that this one, basic right has not been given these people.
We expect our troops and our citizens to be afforded fair and reasonable treatment when in foreign countries, but deny those detained by our military and police agencies this same accord.
While there is a co-sponsored bill being sent to Congress for this item, and the Supreme Court has decided to rule on this issue that they had previously declined to rule on, the fate of detainees to get their day in court -- to be charged with a crime using reasonable proof is still up in the air. The bill must get a minimum 60 votes to avoid a fillibuster and the Supreme Court will not hear the case for months.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Amazing People
As is my habit, I was listening to NPR radio and an article they were airing about a contest in California for Braille readers. While the contest in and of itself is mildly remarkable, the woman who won it fired my imagination.
The winner, Claire Stanley, says she wants to major in law and eventually become a politician in Washington, DC. When asked how she became blind, she matter-of-factly reported the facts. Her complete acceptance of her condition (I will not call it a handicap as her blindness apparently has NOT handicapped her at all!) is not only inspiring to those of us who have no "condition", but her goals and clear-sighted advancement towards them is inspiring!
I only wish I had half her "gumption"! What an admirable lady and one whom I expect to be hearing about again in the future.
è¿é
The winner, Claire Stanley, says she wants to major in law and eventually become a politician in Washington, DC. When asked how she became blind, she matter-of-factly reported the facts. Her complete acceptance of her condition (I will not call it a handicap as her blindness apparently has NOT handicapped her at all!) is not only inspiring to those of us who have no "condition", but her goals and clear-sighted advancement towards them is inspiring!
I only wish I had half her "gumption"! What an admirable lady and one whom I expect to be hearing about again in the future.
è¿é
Friday, June 22, 2007
Two-faced hypocrite!
While I confess to being a registered Republican, I am more and more disenfranchised with the Republican Party as a whole and with President Bush in particular. Mr. Bush's latest veto has pushed me way over the edge.
Although he sent our troops to Iraq -- a clear act of "allow human life to be destroyed to save others" which he now decries as "immoral" when talking about stem cell research, Mr. Bush has revealed to all his hypocracy in his politics. He has long struck me as being egotistical and overbearing; now revelations that he holds himself exempt from the very laws he signs into being for this country exemplifies this very thing.
It's absolutely necessary for a President to be accountable to his constituency. Mr. Bush endeavors to play God with his. He will "strike down the sinners" while sinning himself.
The elections of 2008 will not occur soon enough to suit me. This man needs to be removed from power before he plunges our country into some turmoil we cannot extricate ourselves from. He's not only flirting with this plunge with his actions towards Iran, but also his dialog with Russia. In the 7 years he has been in power, our once fairly peaceful world has erupted into unceasing and unspeakable violence.
People have polarized into factions on extreme sides and there seems to be no compromise that will bring them together again.
Politicians take note -- my vote will go for the man who exhibits the ability to bring people TOGETHER. You have my challenge, Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Obama, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. McCain, Mr. Romney and all the rest of you -- make peace -- with each other, with the world and with your country.
è¿é
Although he sent our troops to Iraq -- a clear act of "allow human life to be destroyed to save others" which he now decries as "immoral" when talking about stem cell research, Mr. Bush has revealed to all his hypocracy in his politics. He has long struck me as being egotistical and overbearing; now revelations that he holds himself exempt from the very laws he signs into being for this country exemplifies this very thing.
It's absolutely necessary for a President to be accountable to his constituency. Mr. Bush endeavors to play God with his. He will "strike down the sinners" while sinning himself.
The elections of 2008 will not occur soon enough to suit me. This man needs to be removed from power before he plunges our country into some turmoil we cannot extricate ourselves from. He's not only flirting with this plunge with his actions towards Iran, but also his dialog with Russia. In the 7 years he has been in power, our once fairly peaceful world has erupted into unceasing and unspeakable violence.
People have polarized into factions on extreme sides and there seems to be no compromise that will bring them together again.
Politicians take note -- my vote will go for the man who exhibits the ability to bring people TOGETHER. You have my challenge, Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Obama, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. McCain, Mr. Romney and all the rest of you -- make peace -- with each other, with the world and with your country.
è¿é
Friday, May 4, 2007
Dissapointment
I am very dissapointed in my country.
It has gone from being an advocate of fair human rights for all to a country that is percieved as being two-faced and elitist. While we demand a certain level of treatment of our citizens out in the world, we do not afford foreigners the same treatment.
I'm not talking of illegal immigrants, either. The detainees at Guantanamo Bay, our treatment of Iraqui captives at Abu Grabe are just tips of the iceberg of the filth and horror the US dishes out with blessings by their commander-in-chief on a daily basis to peoples not of US citizenship.
I place the fault at the feet of the current administration. While much went on in years past, it's the current administration that is supporting and "justifying" the abominations by citing "we must take these steps in order to stop terrorisim". I don't believe that even terrorrists -- even someone who is dedicated to killing ME deserves to be shut away, tortured and kept from family and legal counsel.
How far the mighty have fallen from grace...
Sadly
è¿é
It has gone from being an advocate of fair human rights for all to a country that is percieved as being two-faced and elitist. While we demand a certain level of treatment of our citizens out in the world, we do not afford foreigners the same treatment.
I'm not talking of illegal immigrants, either. The detainees at Guantanamo Bay, our treatment of Iraqui captives at Abu Grabe are just tips of the iceberg of the filth and horror the US dishes out with blessings by their commander-in-chief on a daily basis to peoples not of US citizenship.
I place the fault at the feet of the current administration. While much went on in years past, it's the current administration that is supporting and "justifying" the abominations by citing "we must take these steps in order to stop terrorisim". I don't believe that even terrorrists -- even someone who is dedicated to killing ME deserves to be shut away, tortured and kept from family and legal counsel.
How far the mighty have fallen from grace...
Sadly
è¿é
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
