International Buy A Nun... (Updated x3)

...A Book Day!

 Update III:

Got this from the Sister to whom I'd written:

Thank you so much, Lee. I can identify some Sisters who will be thrilled to receive the books.

Sister Kathryn

 Update II:

My book club has notified me that two of the books I've requested have been mailed.  No word back from the convent, tho...

Update:

 Didn't hear back today, and since the day is next Tuesday, I went ahead and ordered books that I've enjoyed and though the good nuns might also.  Here's my e-mail:

Hello, Sister,

 

As the 'official' day is next Tuesday, I went ahead and picked out four book to be sent to directly you for distribution.  They will probably be arriving over the next week or two, which is a function of how the swap club works.  Each book will be coming from a different member, so arrival is a function of how soon each member gets to it, and how far it has to travel.

 

I wound up ordering three books that are favorites of mine, and one similar but different from a series I have read from.
 

They are:

 

A Letter of Mary, by Laurie R. King

The Dante Club, by Matthew Pearl

The Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tsu, translated by John C. H. Wu

The Best American Short Stories 1997, ed. by Kenison(?)

 

I hope you all will enjoy them!

I wondered what books to get, and who to give them to.  I suddenly realized/decided that I wanted to send them to the nuns (or the order, anyway) who taught me in grade school.  I've managed to track down the "Mother Ship" convent in California, and sent an e-mail off asking what books might be appreciated.

So, if you know (or knew) a nun, buy her a book!

(This seems to be a word of mouth/blog thing, so pass it on!)

9-11

Where are we today?  And what has happened to us?

Cheese Nazis....

...from Fox:

Florida official tells Christian charity to choose between Jesus and cheese

A Florida ministry that feeds the poor said a state agriculture department official told them they would not be allowed to receive USDA food unless they removed portraits of Christ, the Ten Commandments, a banner that read “Jesus is Lord” and stopping giving Bibles to the needy.
“They told us they could no longer allow us to have any religious information where the USDA food is going to be,” said Kay Daly, executive director of the Christian Service Center.

Florida is saying its the USDA's call.  The USDA is saying, according to the article, that basically as long as a religious organization is not discriminating against people of different faiths, religious display is OK

I didn't vote for him.

Demon's Nest of Sentiments...

Dru* on Syria:

Remember, kids, "When it comes to the law, what really matters is the name you succeed in imposing on the facts, not the facts themselves"!  (Harvard Law Professor Jerome Cohen, ca. 1971)

* I shall attribute these to Dru, since she is more of  a demon (a succubus) than Mr. McEldowney, and it's her picture at the bottom of each sentiment.  (I'm giving Mr. McEldowney the benefit of the doubt...)

Stolen From Gerard

Hatefacts

Things that are true but must never be spoken for fear of penalty: Some other hatefacts - things that are true but must never be spoken for fear of penalty:

• Native Americans were not living in peace and oneness with the environment before Europeans arrived in America.
• Men are raped more often than women in America - in prison; the Justice Department estimated that over 200,000 rapes of men happened in 2008 alone.
• Gun ownership has skyrocketed in America, but gun crimes dropped - and the tougher the gun laws, the more gun crime an area suffers.
• On average, men test 5 points higher on IQ than women.
• Groups of young black men are attacking whites due to racial hatred, and the incidents of this have exploded in frequency and number since Obama became president.
• For the last fifteen or more years, the average warming on the planet has been .05 degrees per decade... plus or minus .08 degrees.  As in no warming, or even cooling.
• On average men are better than women at mathematical skills.
• Homosexuals are much m ore likely to suffer from and transmit sexually transmitted diseases than normal people.

-- Word Around the Net: HATEFACTS AND HERESY

My log for the fire is this one: Asians have a higher average I.Q. than whites, who have a higher average I.Q. than blacks.  It's only a coupe of points either side of us whites, but, still.  Dunno about Hispanics.

I'm hoping to get a place next to Gerard in Hell.  You know it's where we're going for this.

My Take On...

...Syria:

Hamas and al Queida duking it out.  What in God's name is the UPSIDE of getting involved? For a line in the sand he denies he ever personally drew.

Unless by "involved" you mean nuking the entire area (excluding Israel) from orbit.

(Another one grabbed from Gerard.)

Feeling Gerard's Pain

When I got the "bad ware" alert from Firefox/Google about the comments section on one of the posts are Gerard's site, I sent him a e-mail by way of a heads up, and we had a little conversation  (bottom-up post order):

Condolences.

 

On September 1, 2013 at 11:37 PM Gerard Van der Leun wrote:

I'm working to fix it and eradicate the code the bastards snuck in.

On Sun, Sep 1, 2013 at 3:17 PM, leelu <lawebber@cwassociates.net> wrote:

Got this on my Firefox browser when I clicked the comments ;ink on the Michelle's shower curtain dress comment link:

 

https://www.stopbadware.org/firefox?hl=en-US&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.americandigest.org%2Fmt%2Fmt-comments.cgi

 

Maybe Bill got miffed about something?? 

But, when I saw this post this morning:

For those who have come through the deadly warning barrier!

My apologies. This is a very annoying time. Fixing this issue takes, I have found, lots of digging with the superb staff at Hosting Matters, a good deal of digging out of code that came in from Croatia, a resetting of all security params, a restore from a backup and then a review from Google.
It is indeed a royal pain.

I felt I should condole him some more.  (Read from the bottom up...)

...sorta sounds like my last divorce. 

On September 4, 2013 at 2:16 PM Gerard Van der Leun wrote:

It takes, I have found, lots of digging with the staff at Hosting Matters, a good deal of digging out of code that came in from Croatia, a resetting of all security params, a restore from a backup and then a review from Google.

 

It is indeed a royal pain.

 

Sigh.

On Wed, Sep 4, 2013 at 11:14 AM, leelu <lawebber@cwassociates.net> wrote:

STILL at it!?  Wow... that shit is nasty.

 

Have you tried re-generating the dilithium crystals??

 

"When is leelu not in trouble?"
Korben Dallas

 I suspect he would appreciate prayer in any denomination at this point.  It does sound as if he's getting good support at Hosting Matters, tho.  Big plus in his favor.

Racist Cookies

Oreos were my favorite cookie when I was growing up.  Being a touch OCD, I would eat them three at a time, so the three rows in the bag would always be even.

As I got older, I learned that "Oreo" had a connotation other that a tasty, creme filled cookie.  It also referred to a black person who was really "white" on the inside.  Dr. Benjamin Carson, Mayor Mia Love, Sen. Tim Scott, (C), S.C., and Allan West, to name just a few.  (I suspect  that Dr. Martin Luther King would be on the list, if he were alive a preaching what he preached in the 60s).  Don King, Karl Malone, Harriet Tubman,and the Rock are all mentioned in a HuffPo article as being Republicans (as was Dr. King.)

This, however, is not a label that would apply to our President.  Yes, he may be a half-and-half kind of guy, but is innermost self is definitely not white.  Which brings me to what I found in the local Giant on my last trip out:

Pink filled Oreos.  As you can see, there is a "plain vanilla" Oreo, for those of us who are white both on the inside and the outside.  There was also a double-decker - cookie, vanilla filling, cookie, chocolate filling, cookie.  A more appropriate symbol for our president's ethnicity, I suppose. But the pink filling hit the spot, in a way that the term "red diaper baby"was applied to children raised in the U.S. by Communists.  So, we have a pink Oreo president.

Is anyone surprised?

He's Back...

...with A Demon's Nest of Sentiments

I can see Obama doing the Hokey-Pokey with the Girl Scouts.  But not Michelle - she's be on the sidelines, rolling her eyes and giving him The Look.

Latest (and Greatest)...

...Unorganized Hancock:


Proud dad story at Sippican Cottage.

Not Counting Well..

For reasons not exactly well-known to me, I had it in my head the Brooke McEldowney had only posted a couple of his "Demon's Nest of Sentiments" Sunday offerings.  But when I clicked around the calendar over at gocomics.com, I discovered that he'd been at it for a couple of months.  So, today's post will allow you to get up to speed on this.

I swear, he sounds like all of the founding fathers rolled into one!

It's important (and below the fold).  Read 'em and laugh.  Or, read 'em and weep.

(Note:  none today...)

Ultimate Interweb Post

The BSBFB has won the prize for this one: (Caution... mildly NSFW)

I think we're done here.

A Demon's Nest of Sentiments

Brooke McEldowney has been on quite the roll off and on the past few Sundays.  I have taken it upon myself to share:

 

Whilst you're at it, visit his blog and store, too!

And don't forget 9 Chickweed Lane!

When I was in college, our chief engineer and some of us students had arrived at a similar sentiment.  We decided that anyone who received a "no confidence" vote could never, ever run for office again.  For anything, anywhere.

Conversation With A Friend Updated: Instructional Video

This started out as an email to some friends about this scale-model B-17 that's about the size of a Cessna 140.

As it happens, our exchange makes for an interesting post (reversed to chronological order:)

On August 9, 2013 at 10:58 AM rob  wrote:

Which leads me to a question, do you have any current hobbies? I guess the blog keeps you busy, but do you do any traditional hobbies (e.g., model building, stamp collecting, wood working, sewing, book club, etc.)? What are you in to these days?

To: rob
Subject: RE: Here is something you can do in your spare time....

My first answer would be "computers", but that is fading some.  Much less of a need to stay up with the curve these days.  Before the back detonated, I was teaching some basic computer classes at the library.  I'll probably e-start those in a month or so.  I've been gardening - just picked about 2 gallons of tomatoes yesterday.  And, I'm catching up on my fun reading.  Read a book called "Jack 1939" by Francine Mathews.  She re-works JFK's summer before senior year trip to Europe to research his senior thesis in to quite the spy/adventure novel.  Discovered she writes as mumble Barrett, doing a series of mysteries with Jane Austin as the detective.

 

I start PT 2 - 3X next week, so that should be a boost in getting me back to some sort of regular physical activity.  (Somehow, without trying, I've dropped 40 pounds since my melanoma removal!  275 => 235)

 

I read the internet a lot.  And yes, I'm a little B.F. stir crazy.  Need to explore the countryside some more.  Also want to get a shooting range membership.  Did I tell you that I now own a Springfield Armory Stainless Steel 1911 .45, and a Hi-Point .45 ACP carbine.  I have shooting to do!!  One can get a permit to use the target ranges at some of the state hunting grounds, but between the back and the weather ("mostly overcast, chance of showers and thunder storms"), that's not happening.  Doc doesn't want any sudden jarring on my spine, and .45 ACP has a habit of doing that.  Especially, I think, coming out of the carbine.  Sigh.

 

Oh... and I'm working on a plan to overthrow the government.  It involves lobotomies for just about all current office holders, reduction of the number of Cabinet positions, and a return to basic free market principles.  For starters.

   

How you two doing?? 

 On August 10, 2013 at 11:13 AM rob wrote:

It's really interesting to hear what you are up to. I'm still into programming and actually doing much more of it than I was at Boeing, where management is less about management and more about brown-nosing. Carole is still keeping her hand in real estate, but backing out slowly. Her daughter and her partner just had twins so Carole is getting more into that.
 
I admire your willingness to teach at the library. I just don't have the patience to teach, but I keep thinking that I should find something I could at least volunteer at.

After your PT is done we should talk. Your congressional lobotomy idea could fit into the killer robot idea that I'm working on. I was going to use a death ray in my robot but a lobotomy ray might be more humane after all.  (Let's see, we've mentioned death, killer, congress and guns. If the word "al-qaeda" shows up in this email it's bound to be picked up by the NSA.)

Deny everything.

My response this morning:

Dude, congress was just a start.

 

I think we could get by with a cabinet of DOD, DOJ, State, Transportation, and maybe Interior.  Make the idiots at TSA US Marshals, (real ones, with training and everything), put a couple on each flight originating in the US, one ICE agent every 1/4 mile along the Mexican border, w/ air and mechanized support.

 

Lots of training input from the Israelis.  In Costa Rica, *ALL* bags are searched, in front of you, before they can be checked in.

 

Oh, and listen when the Russians have something to say about potential terrorist activity, and follow up on it. 

Saw two Warthogs fly over this morning.  No big booms, so I guess everything was OK,

He responded:

Now you've done it. Expect to get audited next April.

And then, Mr Bingely takes the proverbial cake with this instructional video!

I Am Now Free To Roam About The Planet! Updated!

Update - moving this thread to the Window on Red Lion blog.  Too much crazy shit going on to mix my health issues in with 'em.

Well, that was fun...

I was released from the therapy hospital last Wednesday, and stopped off to see the surgeon on the way home.  He pulled some of the staples, and I have another appointment next Wednesday for the rest of them.  Healing well, take it easy, no strain, etc, etc, etc.

So, why 2 weeks instead of 2 - 3 days??  I'll tell ya.

Apparently, Oxycodone and I do not get along.  As you know, I went to college during the late 60s and early 70s.  The oxy took me to places that were a) weirder, b) not really fun, and c) where I have no wish to return.  It also (apparently) caused my bladder to go off line, so I got to get yet another catheter.  I slept most of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, sleeping and detoxing in a military-industrial Alice in Wonderland sort of world.  Seemingly very real, so when I awoke, I would have to remind myself that none of it could have happened, because I was in a hospital room, and had been for a few days.

I got transferred to a rehab hospital for physical and occupational therapies.  The night before I left (Monday) as I was taking my evening constitutional around the nurses' station, I saw two people in wheel chairs w/ IVs, and heard someone in the room next to me discussing how people are treated with dignity after death.  I then saw the two people in wheel chairs, and one in a hospital bed being moved out.  I have a feeling that there was some donor/transplant stuff going on.  Next morning, I awoke to a conversation amongst several women just outside my door.  It seemed to be about the three individuals, but it had the tone and quality of a Seal Team debriefing.  Someone said three words, someone else responded with three words, done.

I wondered a) if they had rappelled into the OR from a Black Hawk, b) if they knew I was in the next room hearing all of this, and c) what my current life expectancy was due to b.

Obviously, I hadn't completely dried out.

Rehab was mostly about making sure I could do things like manage stairs, do all of the things one needs to do in a bathroom, cook, do laundry, and some basic strength and stretch work, within the limited weight and motion restrictions I'm under.  And walking.  Lots of walking.

So.  I seem to be healing up nicely.  I've over done a bit here, since I left the house thinking I'd be back in 2 - 3 days, not two weeks.  Laundry is done, dishwasher emptied and partially re-loaded.  Not expecting company, so not worried about the rest of it.

I'm rejoicing in an almost complete lack of pain for the first time in almost 40 years!  The incision itches, the back muscles are sore and achy, but I can walk unaided (I use a cane for assist in balance when necessary, or going up and down stairs).  Took the dogs for a walk yesterday, first time in ages (don't ask).

I'm scheduled for out-patient PT starting next week.  I have a feeling that this will more about strength, endurance, and range of motion.  I tire easily, and that's a bit frustrating.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and good wishes and thoughts for me.  I know that has supported me through this "interesting" time.

I am comfortable, all news is good, and I'm figuring out how I want to live in a house with a basement and three stories.

Thank you all.  Blessings upon you and those you hold dear!

Live From Skowegan Riverfest...

...Unorganized Hancock!



Gerard makes the best comment so far: "It's comforting to know that we'll have a replacement for the Everly Brothers and the Beatles in one duo."

Hello, World!

I'm using Jen's emails as the basis for a short post.

Dad's doctor just called and said everything went A+.  Took care of the fact that everything was "horribly compressed" by drilling out everything they could while keeping the integrity of the joints intact. They also removed a cyst growing out of one of the joints.  Extremely minimal loss of blood, a teaspoon maybe, and no spinal fluid leakage. All in all it went well.  He's in recovery now.

Update:

My Dad is going to be in the hospital past Friday (yesterday's plan) due to the need for observation and physical therapy.  He's in pain understandably and trying to sleep as much as possible right now.  So, he will reach out to chat when he's ready. I will share more as I know more.

I will share more information but I expect my Dad will be making calls and sending emails directly as soon as he can.

Well, here it is, Thursday morning, un-godly early, and I thought I'd check in.  Jen actually knows more about it that I do, since I sort of wasn't there at the time.  I was doing OK thru Wednesday morning,  until the Oxycodone took a sharp turn South, with me along for the ride.   Sadly, it caused my bladder to think that it could go offline.  After about 24 hrs of futzing, I got a new catheter, and by Monday I was in low-earth orbit.   Tuesday, I was transferred to a physical therapy/rehab center.  Goal is to get me able to magnage both the Shibas and the stairs at the house.  Wound is healing well (photos below the fold, for the squeamish).  Did I mention he took a cyst out, as well??  Good times!

Thank you all for your encouragement, support and prayers!

Lee

John Galt, Call Your Office

Without comment:

Obama gives himself control of all communication systems in America

 Found at Rodge's

We Can Repair Him...

...we have the technology!

Had my consult with the neurosurgeon yesterday.  He did a bit of poking and pushing on his own, and confirmed what I was pretty sure of - surgery is indicated.  Both L1 - L2 and L4 - L5 are pretty well munged, and L2  -L3 is also degraded.  (My numbering may be off a bit - it's the whole lumbar part of the spine.)  I could get away with letting the L2 -L3 go, but on the other hand, we both agreed that going back in later was something neither of us wanted.  So the entire lumbar section of my spine will be "decompressed".  Basically, that means re-opening the foramen (the hole) that the nerves pass thru, to alleviate the pressure, and thus the pain and weakness.  (I did a quick look on spine-health.com. which goes into some detail and apparently has videos.  I only take umbrage at the comment "A condition that primarily afflicts elderly patients, spinal stenosis is caused by degenerative changes that result in enlargement of the facet joints."  Elderly my tuchus!)

He expects the procedure to last about 2 1/2 hours.  He's not sure if there's any interesting disk degeneration, but will tend to that if need be.  He doesn't want to do a fusion at this point.  Based on my recovery, I'll be in the hospital one to five days.  My personal goal is one day only.

I go in on the 16th of this month.

Prayer in any denomination is appreciated.

Happy 4th!!

Found these at Mme. Scherzo

a-mass-musing:

Long exposure firework photographs - David Johnson

(via ascenseurstory)