Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Overflow from last post.

Hurry guys and get something together.  Being over 200 comments is a drag.

Discussing God, death and dying  and God only knows what else. 

136 comments:

Unknown said...

Ooops, I was over talking to myself on the last thread.

Maybe you could pull you sunrise picture up out of the archives, Carol. Or would that work on the computer you're using?

Carol said...

No you weren't Chloe. I was listening.

Carol said...

Well, Jodi finally told her story of how the murder went down. Hmmmm. I can buy some of it. I'll tell you that those attorneys they hire to do the analysis must be there because they don't have anythinhg better to do. Not the sharpest tacs in the box. One male attorney was talking about the parasympathetic nervous system being in control during the murder. He should leave physiology to those who have a clue. The parasympathetic nervous system is in control during periods of rest/relaxation. Dummy. Now, if you can eat a sandwich and kill someone at the same time, maybe.

I'm curious about what the jurors are thinking.

Carol said...

The prosecutor has a rep for being an attack dog. He works alone.

IMO, Jodi had more provocation than Casey Anthony ever did. Her boyfriend was an adult and pushed her to the brink. He knew how obsessed she was with him and took advantage of it to get his nasty rocks off. There is evidence of that. No Coreen, she wasn't justified but when someone plays with dynamite, it often explodes and it did and blew up all over him.

Carol said...

She's smart enough to have lied much better than she attempted to. I could have done much better. She accepted a lot of responsibility throughout.

Carol said...

I'm not talking about some of the daytime regulars on HLN and Tru TV. They're pretty sharp except for the cop but I was talking about their guests.

Speaking of crime. I just got a call from the Sheriff's dept to investigate my lawnmower robbery...from last July. I told the guy that it was kinda late and that I didn't want to piss off some criminal who might not even be guilty at this point. Almost everyone who did work for me had a criminal record.

I've replaced the stuff now. It's not likely that the clues are still around.

Carol said...

I just ran to the house to pluck some salad greens from my little container lettuce garden and guess what? They're back. The kitties. Musta been on another adventure or couldn't find another neighbor who fed as good as I do. If they were a little tamer, I think that some of the neighbors would take at least one of two in. They are cute as a bug.

Carol said...

I'm still listening to that program from last night and sharing some of the highlights.

He said that what he has learned from his experience with the nde's

"Death is only a moment in the ongoing life of a person."

Carol said...

I've left this link here before but if anyone new is interested in reading some of these near death experiences, go to:

http://www.nderf.org/

Very interesting. It's information like this that has given me peace with death. I've shared some of this info with people who are dying and it has given them peace also.

About a year ago I bought this book written by Jeffery Long. I told y'all about it. I was introduced to him and heard him talk on C2C also. He's a radiation oncologist. He's involved with the NDERF also. I have read some of the book but not all of it. I'm not a big book reader. I have trouble staying awake to read. I have no problem on the Net because I'm not stuck reading for long periods and I can jump around. My ADD gives me problems.

It is interesting to hear some of the same stuff from a minister's point of view.

Carol said...

Something else interesting that the minister said. At one hospital they put something up high on a shelf, a shelf that you couldn't see what was on it except from high above. They interviewed people who were successfully resuscitated and a number of those people could report what was on the shelf.

I think I told y'all that when I was teaching, I worked on some weekends as the house supervisor at one of our hospitals. My job was to respond to a "code" and get things started. When all the other team responded, I stepped back and kept the records of what all went on.

When no one was watching, I sometimes waved up at the ceiling. They say that during the NDE's that the person leaves the body and watches from above. I never had the occasion to go talk with any of those people to follow up.

Carol said...

Just curious, does any of this info make anyone here nervous? You don't have to answer.

Carol said...

When mama was dying my big sis came down to visit. She and I share much of the same philosophy. She and I are probably the most compatible with our philosophies. Unfortunately we also share certain other family pathology that can screw up things.

Big sis is a book reading freak. She had bought this little book written by Elizabeth Kubler Ross later in her life. Kubler-Ross is the woman who did a lot of research on death and dying. The book was about what heaven was like. The book had a beautiful description of heaven. We wanted to share that with mama because she didn't seem to be making peace with her impending death. We sat in the room with her and my sister read aloud to me, hoping mom was listening. Mom didn't do much talking at that time. I think she was afraid she would say something that might piss me off and run me off. She certainly had a knack for pissing people off with her mouth. That wouldn't happen but I did appreciate the thought.

Not long after my sis started reading, mom, who had the TV remote in her hand, turned up the volume on the TV really loud to drown us out. I guess she wasn't ready to hear about heaven. My sister looked at me and we both smiled.

Carol said...

As long as mama could eat, she wasn't leaving. She loved to eat, like the rest of us. She developed secondary diabetes due to the type of cancer she had. We all did some fancy cooking to keep her happy. I checked her blood sugar multiple times a day and adjusted her insulin to it. She was going to enjoy her last days. I think one of the reasons for all my career experience was to make mama's passing more comfortable. I think she put in that order early in her life.

Carol said...

I guess I scared y'all off.

jan said...

Coreen, the classic domestic violence situation in my experience is that the perpetrator beats the woman over and over until she decides to leave. Then he comes after her with a gun. Several scenarios come to mind. He shoots her and then turns the gun on himself or there is a standoff with police. At least that is what often happens in the states I have lived in. It is seldom true that she hits him back.

jan said...

Sorry I didn't get home in time to put up a new post. Now am too tired.

Carol said...

Heard that Jesse Jackson Jr. spent about 750 thousand dollars of campaign money on personal stuff. I'd say he had a bit of a manic episode.

Unknown said...

Carol, I'm sorry I didn't get back over here today. I picked up Emma early and then there wasn't much time to think about much of anything except making it through the rest of the day.

I did stop in at TM for a few minutes, but that didn't last for long either.

Now she's asleep and I can take a deep breath.

Carol said...

I don't know how you do it Chloe. I know there are many rewards but what a challenge.

Unknown said...

I read your 3:14 asking if the things you're talking about are making anyone nervous.

I can only answer for myself, and no.... nothing you talk about makes me nervous. I'm always interested in what ever you have to say.

As for the news, I'm not following the same stories and therefore can't add much. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in what you have to say though. Like I mentioned earlier to Renee on the previous thread, I've immersed myself in many different ideas, beliefs, etc. throughout my life, but eventually go on to the next thing once I've gotten what I need from whatever lesson I was going through.

When you said you could sense hostility from me (toward you) a while back, I was left speechless. I can tell you right now that you were wrong. I've never felt any hostility toward you. Ever.

I think you've been through a lot, done a lot in your life, and now you've finally got the time to think about it, to work your way through it and to try to make sense of it all. We all do that, and I don't want to interfere with what your thinking right now.

I just want you to know I'm on your side, and certainly I would never judge you in any way. I truly am not looking for people who agree with what I think, and my opinions change over time and I am aware that no matter how strongly I believe something, that my opinions are no more credible than any one elses.

Like you, I don't feel threatened in any way by others who disagree with me. Doesn't stop me from talking about things from my own point of view, defending my ideas in certain situations, because how else can I be honest to myself if I don't.

And that's the same way I feel about everyone else. No subject is out of bounds. The sky's the limit. And everyone is right.

Unknown said...

You've had tougher challenges, Carol. I have a good partner that is always there for me. That's how I do it.

Carol said...

Big sis said parents only have kids so they can have grandkids...but that's because they can spoil um, enjoy um and then send them go home.

Unknown said...

... yep. In a perfect world.

But sending them home would mean having a safe place to send them. You'd be surprised how many people are raising their grand kids.

Carol said...

I know, many people around here.

Carol said...

Thank God for grandmas and grandpas but very often, just grandmas.

Carol said...

Now, I don't want an argument here but I think that being a parent is one of the most challenging jobs a person can have. I would have done it if given the opportunity but I haven't even done that well raising my dogs.

Unknown said...

Ha, Carol... life is challenge no matter what.

What a drag it would be if we all took the same route.

.. see you tomorrow.

Carol said...

Ya play the cards you were given, the best you can.

jan said...

Oh Crap! former senator from NM, Pete Domenici just announced he fathered a child with the daughter of another senator years ago. He and his wife have 8 children together. He has been a big name here. Donated a bunch to our university hospital and UNM. His name is on one of our newer buildings.

jan said...

Carol, I am responding to one of your earlier comments here about life after death experiences. I do think it is possible. I am also a little skeptic. My mother told me about an experience she had when my brother was born. I was 12 when she told me about it and so had never heard of anything like it. She hemorrhaged when she was pregnant and they finally did a C section. She said she saw herself while they were working on her and she went through the tunnel and everything. She talked about the amazing peace she felt and that she did not want to come back. But someone told her she had to come back. I think even as a 12 year old, I was skeptic.

jan said...

Having a bout of reflux tonight. I definitely ate too much. I love the food from Panda Express. They have some walnut chicken that is delicious. If anyone looks up the calories for it and shares it here, I may not return. I do not want to know. We each have to have at least one vice.

Carol said...

Yes Jan, that sounds like that is exactly what your mom had, a nde. And that is consistant with most people's experiences. I wish you could have heard that minister last night. These aren't off the wall kookie people who are talking about this stuff. Recently a neurosurgeon has written a book. The experience is too frequent and universal to be nothing. And they do have answers for some of the things you may question.

What about the people who were resuscitated who could tell the docs what was on the top shelf in the room? What explains that? I've read lots of books about this kind of stuff and most written by scientific people.

This minister was talking about people who were skeptical and those less likely to be. He said the cardiologists were less likely to be.

I absolutely love the concept. I feel, with all my heart and soul, that it is true. Do you think that it's just lights out and that's it? I feel sad if you do. Maybe it is part of my mission to convince you that there is a beautiful life beyond this one. We don't die, we have everlasting life. I accept the mission.



Carol said...

Enjoy the chicken Jan. Don't fret over it. It may be your guilt that is giving you the reflux.

Carol said...

Up early but I fell asleep pretty early last night. I wanted to nap yesterday but never did, there just wasn't a good time for it.

Carol said...

Jan, you know how much I need things in life, or after, to make sense. I just don't accept things with a grain of salt or a wing and a prayer. I study these phenomena. I try to put things together to make a sort of logical connection. It makes sense to me! The experiences I had after mom died made sense to me. They were presented to me in an interesting way and gently. I don't think that was any accident either. And it's all consistant with there being a higher power, a God if you want to use that term.

Carol said...

Is there a hell? No hell unless you want to call having to review your life and experience what you have put other's through, good or bad. That could be hell for some. Feeling that that is true helps keep me on the straight and narrow, not that I have ever wanted to inflict any pain on anyone else.

Carol said...

I'm still listening to the program from the other day. There's a call in after the initial interview. Quite a few nurses called in who had experiences with patients who had nde's.

Carol said...

You might wonder if I had any patients who had these experiences. I had that one patient who continued to call me, who had one. I was thinking that he's quit calling me but then I remembered that he used my home phone. I hadn't been at the house for years and then I terminated that phone so if he is still around, he wouldn't know how to contact me anymore.

Interesting enough is that I had an aunt who had one. She was the wife of my dad's brother. We were very close to that family growing up but after my dad and his dad died, we grew apart. That family had also been pretty mean to ours, took serious advantage of us. We never fought it because they were family. It did finally come to a confrontation after my uncle died and we had to deal with land we all shared. They had reaped most all the benefits of the land until that time. I finally stood up to them, got a lawyer and won.

Well, we didn't communicate for years. When I was supervising students up on the telemetry floor at the hospital, she was in as a patient. I heard she had something very serious and had been in ICU. Sorry to say, I didn't visit her and she had been transferred to the unit where I had students.

Well, I needed to go into one of my student's patients rooms. I headed to the room, knocked on the door, walked in and dang if I didn't make a mistake and go into her room. Oh poop, I thought.

I had to make like I did it on purpose. She was very nice and she told me about a nde she had. I didn't really care for the woman, always felt like she was a phony. She told me that when in ICU, and miserable she went through the tunnel, saw the light and when she arrived whereever, she was given the option of staying or coming back. It was so wonderful that she really didn't want to come back but she was taking care of her granddaughter and needed to continue to so she opted to return. She said she went from a state of wonderful to one of the misery of the state that she had left in ICU. She said she would never fear death again. Weird huh?

Carol said...

Do y'all remember one of the first stories I told after I started this blog? If not:

http://ct-carolssouthernspice.blogspot.com/2009/08/where-do-we-go-when-we-die.html

Carol said...

Good morning Chloe.

Carol said...

Morning Renee.

Carol said...

It's going to be a nasty day today. Not only do I see that on our weather forecast but my internal bad weather change sensor is yelling at me.

Carol said...

Today, the prosecution gets to go after Jodi Arias. That ought to be a blood bath. I wonder if they offer her any drugs at the jail where she is housed. That probably wouldn't be a good idea. We never did. They may have already been on some. We gave no controlled substances, nada.

RebelliousRenee said...

Morning Carol... yup... I be a morning person.

Death doesn't bother me at all. I've sat with both friends and family members as they've passed. Methinks it's an honor to be with them at the time.

I pondered all this stuff 20 yrs ago. Now I ponder about living and being in this world... hey, I chose to be here, so be here I will.

Another snow storm coming this weekend... gotta go do some errands this morning.

Carol said...

I'm playing this morning. I put out a fishing line, not a very strong one but we'll see. I'm hankering for a fish for dinner and figure I might be able to catch a fresh catfish. I put a chicken liver, that has been freeze drying in my freezer for almost a year. If I use them fresh, they just melt to pieces so I put them in the freezer, not wrapped up.

Carol said...

Renee, I don't frequently ponder the subject either. It's because I was listening to that C2C program the other night. Yes, I'd rather ponder LIFE.

Carol said...

Or the life before transition.

Carol said...

I'm actually pondering a fish dinner right now. Something took my last bait but I was gone for a short while. It's really pretty nasty for fishing but my appetite doesn't care.

Carol said...

I'll probably have to settle for a fillet of frozen spicy salmon I have in the freezer. That's good. Maggie even dances when she smells it cooking. She's a little Cajun dog. It's the only seafood she will eat.

Carol said...

No, we don't have salmon down here I'm sure you know. It's Alaskan salmon. None of that farm grown stuff with red food coloring for me

jan said...

Carol, yes my mother did have a nde and she never feared death. I think her last years she looked forward to it. She talked about meeting her dad who died when she was 2 years old. She talked about him all her life. She was pretty spiritual. She never found a church that fit her needs. She did send money to those TV evangelists. She sent money Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye. I never understood that but hey - somehow they gave her some comfort in her life.

jan said...

My mother died 29 years ago. It does not seem like it could be that long ago.

jan said...

I just read this (below) on FB. My husband's daughter just posted it. It makes a lot of sense to me.

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

Carol said...

That's why I talk about my stresses Jan. When I do, I can give them to the Universe to deal with. If I keep them inside, they work on my inards.

jan said...

Carol, I think we each have to grapple with what we believe about what happens to us after death. My mother was very sure that there was some kind of "life" after death. I would love to believe that. No matter how much you tell me that I need to believe it - I have to go with my own beliefs. I am sure hoping there is something out there after we die. None of us actually knows for sure. It has never been proven.

I bought that book by the neurosurgeon who had the nde experience. He did not actually die however, he was in a coma.

My skepticism about people who write books is that they are trying to sell their book. Everyone is trying to make a buck out of their stories.

I have more faith in what you have told me and my mother told me because these people you talk about and my mother's story - these people are telling what is real to them and not trying to SELL their stories.

Carol said...

Some people feel driven to write a book to share their story. Patsi, our friend from TM who passed a while back, wrote lots of books about country music stars. The way she talked, she was not affluent. She couldn't even afford health insurance. She once said that there wasn't alot of money in writing books. I guess people can make money, if they get on one of those cable channels to peddle it. Most of those books wouldn't be worth buying.

jan said...

My mother's and dad's deaths were so different. That is, how they faced death. Like I said before, my mom was spiritual and never feared death. My dad on the other hand was not spiritual. He was very materialistic. He thought about his money and property and what would happen to it after he died - all the time. He talked about it a lot the last few years of his life. His focus on this drove me to move away from him. It consumed him. He was essentially a very healthy person until he got this stomach cancer. He died about 6 wks after it was diagnosed. He seemed to be in a depression those last 6 wks. He hardly talked. The last week of his life, he withdrew into himself and did not talk much. I don't know what was going on with him. I think he was very unhappy about dying. I often wonder if he had regrets about his life. Many times he said he had a "good" life, but I wonder about that.

My mother, on the other hand, dealt with depression through some of her life. She had a crappy childhood and married my dad who was really unkind to her during some of their life together. Yet, she did not fear death.

I guess as I get older and think about my own death, it brings thoughts of my parents and how they faced death.

jan said...

I suppose the reason the dream work and writing my dreams and trying to figure out what they mean is a spiritual experience in itself. At least that is what Jung says. I love to walk by myself and swim laps. When I do this, I get in touch with a deep inner part of myself - and this too is a spiritual experience. I am introverted. I did not know this until I took the Myers Briggs years ago. I was surprised because I do need to be with people some. However, as I get older, I find myself enjoying my alone time more and more. I love sharing my life with John now, but I also crave time alone to get in touch with my own thoughts.

jan said...

I think we all get in touch with the spiritual parts of ourselves in unique ways.

Carol said...

Jan, I've learned more about you and your interests here at the Swamp than I knew when we were spending so much time together. Back then we were narrowly focused on our education and careers.

Carol said...

Hope this is not too controversial for y'all. Do you think that parents of a young teenager can insist that their teenager have an abortion? I really don't think that would be right.

Carol said...

Maybe insist that she give up the child for adoption unless she can find another place to live with the child.

jan said...

Right back atcha Carol on knowing more about you.

You have put up a topic of interest to me.

I do not believe a parent can force their daughter to have an abortion nor to have a baby adopted out.

This issue is quite a dilemma for parents of daughters. What are the rights of the daughter versus the rights of the parents.

jan said...

Most parents will not kick their daughter out of the house, however if they do other family members or friends will step forward and provide a place to live for the young woman. At 18 the young woman can get help with housing.

You would be surprised how many social services there are to help out when a girl gets pregnant. This is the population I work with.

jan said...

You seldom see people in lower income levels getting abortions or putting their babies up for adoption. I think we see this in middle and higher income families. If the pregnant girl wants to go to college, the parents may use this as leverage to get her to agree to abortion or adoption.

jan said...

There are faith-based programs that a pregnant girl can turn to if she does not want an abortion. They will often help her find a place to live if parents are pressuring her to get an abortion. I have never worked with these groups - only heard about them.

I believe a pregnant girl, above all, needs some good counseling about her options. However, few get that counseling.

Carol said...

That was in the news recently.

"Texas Teen Wins Right to Give Birth Over Parents’ Objections"

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/02/texas-teen-wins-right-to-give-birth-over-parents-objections/

Carol said...

There is more financial help for pregnant moms to go to college here than non-pregnant, I think.

Carol said...

There are young lower socioeconomic women/girls who find there are benefits to being pregnant. And young AA men who want to test out their sperm factories. I told y'all about the 18 year old man who came to see me when I worked at the prison. He was in distress because he hadn't gotten anyone pregnant yet. They consider it a sign of manhood. I went ballastic on him. Obama has tried very hard to change that idea in those young AA guys.

Carol said...

I very seldom ran across a young AA man who didn't already have a few, if not more, children. When I did, I went overboard to praise them for their maturity.

RebelliousRenee said...

Jan... AMEN! IMO, it's a good idea to be aware when someone is selling something.... nothing necessarily wrong with it.... but nothing wrong with awareness either.

Yup... some authors don't make much money. But if one's book is on the New York Times bestseller's list and one is invited to talk about said book on all the major talk shows.... well... as "they" say... that's a horse of a different color.

RebelliousRenee said...

Carol...
you asked over at TM if Bill Woerlee has mentioned where in Australia he lives... yes, he's mentioned it numerous times. He lives in that country's capital city of Canberra.

Carol said...

Hillary will be making speeches for money. That's what I recently heard. Does that take away from her credibility?

The minister worked as a hospital chaplain. He found that sharing the nde experiences that patients shared with him gave many of his dying patients peace. He spoke of that in his interview. He probably felt that a book would do the same for many more people. He said he was the only minister who's written a book on the subject. Many of the others were scientists or physicians. I've shared similar books with people who were facing death and it gave them peace.

I think another goal was to let people know that these experiences are consistant with the reality of God/Jesus. Some people are afraid to embrace these experience because they may feel that they are anti religious or may be of the Devil.

Carol said...

Thanks Renee. No over there responded. He mentioned Binalong this morning. Maybe he was headed there today.

Carol said...

Renee, did you get the impression that Patsi didn't make tons of money with her books? She did have many of them out there.

RebelliousRenee said...

Carol... Patsi acknowledged that she didn't make a lot of money off of her books. But for most of her books, she was what is called a ghost writer. She specialized in ghost writing for famous country and western stars memoirs and biographies. She was paid a fee and did get some royalties... but the bulk of royalties went to the stars. After all, it was their story, not hers.

Same thing happens in the music industry. Lots of famous musicians don't write their own songs. The songwriters get paid a fee, get some royalties , and are credited for writing the song.... but they get pennies compared to the musicians dollars.

Some think it's unfair... but that's the way it is.

Carol said...

I'm having fun trying to match wits with fish today. Playing. And watching this Jodi Arias trial which is suppose to be the climax. The prosecutor is finally up and he was supposed to be an attack dog. So far he's like a yippy chihuahua. The defendant is cool and the pros is frustrated, jumping all around. If I were a juror, I'd be irritated with him.

I put bait on my hook, attached to a jug line off my wharf. The little fish were chewing it off. I finally got a small old piece of panty hose to wrap the meat up in. That worked. I bet a guy wouldn't have come up with that idea.

Carol said...

I just thought of something exciting. It's dark chocolate Gold Brick Egg season. I don't think I saw Easter eggs in Walmart last time I was there. They were still getting rid of the Valentine candy. I bet there in by now.

jan said...

Watching Idol. This is the men's night. Some good and some not so good.

We watched the girls sing last night. John and I accurately picked every one that would stay in the competition.

It is harder tonight.

jan said...

Most of my choices in the men went through. I disagreed on one of the guys that did make it and one that did not. But onto next week. It will be 10 out of 20 guys and 10 out of 20 girls.

jan said...

I do think the girls definitely outshine the guys this week.

jan said...

I am so excited. I had a dream group today. There are 5 women I work with who were interested in doing a dream group so we chose today at 12 noon to have the group. Two women could not make it - one had a conf call that could not be helped and the other forgot, but 3 of us got together for an hour and shared our dreams. It was fun.

jan said...

Carol, I have seriously over-done the candy thingey lately. We found a 1/2 off candy sale at our grocery and went wild. I hate to throw food away although don't know if candy really qualifies as "food." I finally took it to work. I will be more cautious with it there and also can offer some to others. I especially like choc covered mints and malt balls and little dark choc covered thingees.

jan said...

very clever, wrapping panty hose around your bait. I hope the fish are not as clever.

jan said...

Tomorrow, I am going to a women's health conf. put on my UNM med school. Some of it is hosp stuff but some is relevant to what I am doing, like the stuff on drug use in pregnancy. It is all day tomorrow and 1/2 day on Sat.

jan said...

Have to rise and shine at 6 am.

Carol said...

Heard a little about that GEO group, that is the business of prisons, on the Ed Show. That's who is donating to that university in Florida stadium. Last count they had made over a billion in profit. Learned that they have lobbiests that give to local campaigns. They also lobby the politicians for harsher and longer sentences. Sure they do, more money. This does make some of what I've seen, in my experience, make more sense. I used to often ponder..is someone making money of this shit? They are. But guess who's paying that money...we are. And worse, many people are paying with the waste of their lives behind bars. Someone has found a way to profit on every bit of human misery.

Carol said...

Hope you enjoy your conference Jan.

We were talking about how clever fish are, I've found that all species can be pretty clever if I just take the time to observe. You know about my spider watching. They are much smarter than we give them credit for and they do interact with us humans. I've also studied other bugs and such.

I've also told you about those carpenter bees I have around here. They are big black bubble bees. They drill holes in any wood you have on your house to lay their eggs. When I go sit out on my porches, at certain times of the year, they are buzzing around, hovering up and down. They don't sting me but it's annoying besides being destructive.

I got my little electronic bug zapper to use on them. The zapper looks like a small tennis racket but the strings are metal. If I can smack them, it gives them a jolt. The problem is, they won't get within my reach. Trying to swat one sent my little racket flying and I lost the little button I have to push to make it electronic. I've gone through a couple rackets. What's weird is that if I go out empty handed, they come up real close but if I try to sneak one of those rackets out, they can see it and they keep their distance. What's weird is...they started the avoidance behavior before any of them ever got zapped. Now ponder that.

Carol said...

Jan, that is very cool about your dream group. You're gonna have fun with that.

Carol said...

So far it's fish 1, me nada. They have out-clevered me but now I'm prepared. I went to a friend's hardware store this morning. It's one of those ma and pa stores and it has everything you can think of and a lot more. It's a very cool store.

I got one of those catfish hoops. I will try to set it up tomorrow. I spent most of the energy I have for today. I had to do other stores, including Walmart. That's a chore by itself. I may need only a few things but they are usually in opposite ends of the store.

I needed the exercise but I have this corn and it's killing me. If I'm barefooted or have my flip flops on, no pain but any shoes, even those with plenty of toe room, hurt. I had to do all that walking, cripping. Yesterday I was feeling kinda proud that my ankle/feet don't hurt anymore. Remember, I broke those two bone and it took a year to get rid of the pain. Well, I had to put on shoes today...

Carol said...

I have an inner chill today. It's not cold here but my body thinks it is. I just cranked up the heat. I don't know why some days I get a chill. Does that ever happen to you? Turning up the heat and drinking a hot cup of coffee has helped.

jan said...

Pistorius got bail. Is this a hint of how this will go?

Unknown said...

Carol,
I get the same thing sometimes. Cold all the way down to my bones. I don't think you or me would ever make it up in one of the northern states.

I've picked up a cold the last couple of days, and when I have a cold I'm miserable. My sinuses are driving me crazy.

Hope that chill you're having isn't a cold coming on. Heard about something on line today about the flu shots not working well this year. Didn't read it myself yet, but apparently they missed a lot of things.

jan said...

I came home from the conference feeling chilled too. We woke up to 2-3 inches of snow on ground yesterday morning but it melted fast.

The conference was interesting. There was a good speaker from the East who talked about the use of oxytocin in labor and delivery. He was excellent. His wife is a nurse with a PhD and a Juris Doctorate. He said that in most of the bad outcomes of birth and in the lawsuits that oxytocin infusion is involved. Amen. He said there is a place for synthetic oxytocin in L&D but there needs to be standardization of the use. He also said that nurses need to be empowered in when to stop the infusion.

jan said...

Another speaker talked about cervical cancer in developing countries. He travels to Africa several times a year to work with other docs in delivering care to women to prevent cervical cancer. I learned a lot in this presentation. He is a doc/faculty at UNM and a very nice man too.

jan said...

I also enjoyed the presentation on opioids use in women and in pregnancy. We have several children whose mothers used opioids in pregnancy. He said most of the addictions to opioids in women are from prescription drugs rather than heroin.

jan said...

The most popular booth at the conference was a group with sex toys. That was a first. I stopped by to find out where they are located - LOL.

Unknown said...

Jan, I wasn't aware until Emma was born that so many labors are induced now. I don't remember that happening in the old days, but from what I've heard lately, it's become almost commonplace.

Carol said...

Chloe, there was more than one flu around this year. I think the vaccine covered the worst one.

No, mine is not a cold. I get this way often. I've warmed up now. I actually had just got up from a short nap and I didn't have on all my usual warm things. Now, I'm getting a little too warm.

No, I definitely wouldn't do well in a really cold climate but not real tolerant of hot either. I need about 69-80. I can go a little higher with shade and a nice breeze.

Jan, I'm pissed about Pistoris also. It's a money thing. If your white, rich and famous, you can get by with almost anything. Black also if your a famous athlete.

Unknown said...

I've often worried about what Amy did during her pregnancy. Emma had a really hard first year... cried all the time when she came home from the hospital. They had a hard time finding a formula she could keep down and she couldn't and would take her mothers milk. When we bottled it, she'd vomit it up.

She had a problem easily choking her first year or so, and wouldn't take many foods until she got older.

She's a happy, healthy little girl now, but does have more emotional outbursts than I think are normal (whatever normal is) and I am having to take her to speech therapy because kids her age are so much more literate than her. She communicates just fine now, but a lot of kids her age are talking almost like adults.

Carol said...

Like your new avatar Chloe.

Unknown said...

Carol, I've haven't been following the trial, but just read about the bail and am thinking it may be mostly because they don't think he's a flight risk. They took his passport, etc.

From what little I've read, I can't imagine he'll get off on this.

Unknown said...

Thanks, it didn't fix exactly right, but I just think it's so adorable.

It's about how I've felt today too. I also took a nap, and when I awaken I'm almost always chilled.

Unknown said...

fix = fit

Carol said...

But Chloe, their charging him with murder, likely premeditated. That's a tad serious to be able to stay out of jail no matter what his flight risk is.

Unknown said...

Believe me, Carol. I was far from approving of the bail. Just trying to figure out possible reasons.

I've pretty much given up on making sense of anything.

jan said...

Hope you get to feeling better Carol.

I have to get up early again tomorrow. The conf is only 1/2 day tomorrow. So glad.

Carol said...

Chloe, that Emma is happy and healthy now, is all that matters. Oh, and I've had a few emotional outbursts in my time also, how about you Ms Quirky? LOL.

Carol said...

Does your new avatar indicate that you are now a pussy cat Chloe? My dragonfly can go either way. I was certainly surprised that the guys at TM took to my dragonfly story so well. I'd a thought I would have scared them all with it. Ya just never know. I just love those peeps over there. I think that we are all connected, like we are here.

That's something else I believe. I believe that there are no accidents who we run into in this life. We found each other for a reason. We have a connection. Too bad if you don't like it girls, you are connected to me. Does that scare ya Coreen? You can't run, you can't hide, you are mine.

Carol said...

And Craig thought that my dragonfly was a skeeter. He needs to check his glasses prescription. Does it look anything like a skeeter to you guys? Really, do ya think I would have selected a skeeter, a blood sucker, as an avatar??? That should be reserved only for those so called Conservatives. We are bleeding hearts, not blood suckers, for goodness sakes!

Carol said...

I guess today I will try to set up my hoop net. Maybe. I've really never seen one in action. I went to my friend's store looking for a crab trap. I had bought a couple when I was hanging out on my friend's wharf those years back. Her camp was on a salt water lake. There were crabs out there, yum. I caught and ate quite a few of them.

I used one of those crab traps out here off the wharf to catch some fish. There's actually one off the end of my wharf. It's been down there so long, it's grown some sort of sea life, some kind of little shell fishy things are attached to it. It's so heavy that I can't pull it up now.

They told me at the store that they are no long legal. Don't understand that. I looked up some info/videos on my hoop net. It actually looks like it may be a little bit of a challenge to wrestle with. Mine is a smaller version of one but if it had a few catfish in it, it may get to be over my weight lifting limit. If you are interested in what it looks like, Google catfish hoop nets. Mine is likely to be smaller than what you see with most of them you find.

Another problem is that the area right off my wharf is not the best catfish habitat. I'm sure they occasionally pass by and I've caught a few out there. But I'm not ready to travel any distance from my wharf. I certainly wouldn't want to leave this thing where someone could come along and take it. That certainly happens. I gave my second crab trap to one of my buddies out here. He put it out where he couldn't see it and someone took it.

I've put out jug lines across the river where I could see them. I saw these kids from down the way, going over to mess with them. I went out and yelled, don't mess with those. They turned back. I'm sure their parents wouldn't have approved. At least I don't think so. It's an unwritten law that you don't screw with other peoples stuff out here, even if it's just a limb line or a jug line. If something got caught that's not supposed to be caught, it's OK. I've caught myself on a few. I had permission to let myself go.

Carol said...

Being out here is like having your kid card renewed.

Carol said...

Are y'all getting excited about the Academy Awards? Who do you think will win? I haven't seen many of the films up for the awards so I can't judge. You guys have. You could put your pics up here and see how close you come.

Carol said...

I'm not a Nascar fan but I want to watch the race with Danica Patrick racing. She's a woman making history.

RebelliousRenee said...

Chloe... hope your cold feels better soon. And I really like your new avatar too.

Carol... I'm the opposite... I usually run hot. I wouldn't do well living in southern states... as I like to say, I'm a true northern babe. I'm enjoying your fishing posts. I used to fish for bass.... I need to try to make time again, but summer is very busy for me.

Jan... so glad you had a good time at your conference.

As for Pistoris.... I'd like to wait until we know all the facts. I'm just very saddened by the death of his girlfriend.

Carol said...

Renee, I feel sad for Pistoris also. Mad and sad. It angers me when anyone loses it and destroys their life along with the life of someone else.

I don't understand it. I worked with so many who did that and they didn't understand it either. It sounds like they have some pretty strong evidence against him or I don't think they would have gone for premeditated murder so fast, not against a local and national celebrity. They usually get the benefit of the doubt.

Carol said...

Renee, it's sooo cool that you have decided to communicate with us. We are all proud and pleased that you have. I think I can speak for all of us. Coreen can now have a BB buddy even if a competitor. It will even make me more interested in the sport.

I know that your husband is a big skier. Do you ski? Did you ever? Jan and I have. I've probably only done it about 10 or so times but I enjoyed it. The last time was probably just over 10 years ago and it kicked my butt that time. I was still hyperthyroid and 30 years of that disease took it's toll on my large muscle strength. When I was skiing down from high on the mountain, I think it was in Aspen, close to where one of my niece's live, I prayed that if God would let me make it down, I'd turn in my lift ticket for a massage. I did. Phew.

Unknown said...

"I've had a few emotional outbursts in my time also, how about you Ms Quirky? LOL."

You know me too well, Carol. Changing my avatar unfortunately can't change me.

Everyone at Tm did take well to your avatar and the sentiment behind it. I think your sincerity has a good effect on everyone.

Unknown said...

Renee,
Thank you for your good wishes. It's really nice to see you here and I've enjoyed reading your posts.

I hope we hear from you soon, Coreen. I hear another snow storm is headed your way (or is it going to miss you?). Sending good thoughts your way.

... and Renee, haven't heard you're suffering from the weather, and yes.... I do think we all become acclimated and feel comfortable in the weather we live in, too.

RebelliousRenee said...

Carol & Chloe.... thanks for your sentiments on my being here... I'm glad I finally figured out how to re-access my google account.

Carol... my hubby learned to ski at the age of 5... I learned at the age of 35. After 14 yrs of marriage, he surprised me one Xmas with ski lessons at a local area for my present. I had no choice but to accept. I learned quickly and used to enjoy it. Always got a weekday pass at the local area.

Then I purchased a timeshare week on our public tv station's annual auction... across the street from one of the big mountains... the same one where we go to the Easter service. It was fun to ski the big mountain.

But about 12 yrs ago, I did something stupid. The conditions were icy... I had to ski over a huge patch of ice. But instead of relaxing and letting me body do what came natural, I froze and fell hard on the ice. I hurt my knee and had my last ride on a toboggan with the ski patrol. Luckily I didn't need surgery... but it affected my weaving for a few months. I've never gone skiing again.

I had a complete hysterectomy a few years later because of huge fibroids. I've gained a lot of weight ... which I hear is common after that surgery. I'm not in shape enough to ski now.

RebelliousRenee said...

BTW... we still go to that timeshare every year. It's what's called a floating week. We can go any week if a unit is available from the last week in Dec. up to the first week in April. We usually take the first week in March because it's the week after the school vacations and there's still plenty of snow. We will be leaving for our week next Saturday.

It's always fun. Rick has friends and sometimes family that will come up for the day to ski with him. I hang around the facility and do lots of reading. There's an Olympic size swimming pool and 2 huge hot tubs at the sports center on site. There's also an outdoor hot tub for adults only. We love being in the hot tub when it's snowing. Lots of shopping in the area. And of course there's restaurants.... I don't cook all week even though we have a full kitchen at the condo. It's just nice to be somewhere different from home.

RebelliousRenee said...

Oh.... and about that coming snowstorm... it now looks like the bulk of it is going out to sea. They're now saying we'll only get about 6 inches here in southern NH. I don't think Coreen will see any snow... just rain.

Geez... I'm chatty this morning... :)

Carol said...

Love it when you are RR.

Carol said...

I love a hot tub when it's icy out. When I went to visit family in Colorado we met in some town where there was an smaller ski resort. I think it was near Glenwood Springs. We stayed in a smaller, cheaper hotel. They had a hot tub outside. I was sooo warm on the inside but the wet ends of my hair were frozen. The colder it is outside, the more I enjoy the hot tub even though I also like hot showers and baths here at home.

RebelliousRenee said...

Carol... you mentioned Danica Patrick... I'm really happy to see a woman racing the Daytona 500 too... and no I'm not a Nascar fan either.

Two and a half years ago, we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary with a trip to Daytona Beach. We flew into Daytona airport. It's right across the street from the race track and you can look down into the track. I was surprised it seemed so small.

We were at some swanky resort Rick found on the internet and had a great time. The best part being that we got to meet up with Tony. He's even nicer in person than he is over on TM.

Carol said...

I was looking to see if Africa has the death penalty. It looks like south Africa does not but some parts of Africa do, some have not used it for years.

Just knowing that Pistoris shot through a closed door when he had company over at his house, screams that is doesn't look good for him. Under those circumstances, he shouldn't be able to live in his uncle's nice house. It could take years to get this case to trial. He might just decide to do himself in and whatever caused him to go off, might still be a problem and other could be in danger. Something is not right in his head, maybe steroids are involved. If he could go off on his lover, he could go off on anyone.

Carol said...

RR, I can tell that Tony is good through and through. I'd love to meet him too.

Carol said...

A few good things on the side of carrying a little extra weight. They say we should have a little when we get older. More fat, less wrinkles. More padding if we fall. I'm sure there are more reasons.

I have a digital scale here at the camp and I tried to weigh the other day. I know that I have gained weight. When I got on the scale, the battery was dead. I pondered whether I really wanted to know but decided that knowing may deter some of my overeating. I got a new battery yesterday at Walmart. I have gained 4-5 pounds but I had on lots of heavy clothes and some stuff in my pockets. I'll check again next time I'm naked.

I did buy more healthy food yesterday. Actually not necessarily low calorie but healthier stuff. I like healthy food. I didn't get any candy but I did get chips. I don't eat lots of them. I always get salad stuff but my salads are even high cal with green olives, avocado and feta. I just won't eat a boring salad.

jan said...

I want to put in a big welcome to you too Renee. It is great to have you here. I see some of your comments at TM too.

jan said...

We live around several ski areas here but never go skiing any longer. The last time I did some skiing was when I lived here in 80's. I didn't have anyone to ski with so wasn't as much fun.

My grandkids snowboard. That is the big kick for kids that live here.

jan said...

My sons and several grandkids play golf too.

jan said...

One of my favorite places to vacation is Pagosa Springs, CO. It is just up north across the NM state line. It is a small town and not too far from Wolf Creek, a popular ski resort. Pagosa has these natural hot springs everywhere. There is one hotel with 21 natural hot springs. A couple of years ago I posted some pictures of the place. A room in the hotel we like is pricey but worth it. They provide you with a white terry cloth robe and you can go out and spend the day and/or night just going from one hot spring tub to another. They all overlook the little town and the mountains. Each tub has a different temp water from about 89 to 112 degrees. I like about 92-94 degrees myself. Some have water falls. There are some great hiking areas in the town too and some great eating places.

jan said...

We have not been to Pagosa for almost 3 years now. The last time we went, when we returned our dog, Lobie, died 3 days later. We both grieved and felt some guilt for being away and thought she might have gotten sick while we were gone.

jan said...

So I guess it is time to make another trip back to Pagosa. May is a good time to go. Our anniversary is in May.

jan said...

Gee whiz, May is only 2 months away. Where did January go and Feb is almost gone.

We leave for our last dream intensive in NC on thurs. It is bittersweet. We are ready to finish flying there but will miss all our friends we have made there. They do have an annual dream conference every June. We will probably try and go next year.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.