Here I go again ...neglecting my Blog. It is almost Christmas Eve, and my last entry was Thanksgiving Eve. Even after all of these years, i still have not conquered the problem I have with self discipline. It's amazing that I could handle several business matters and school often at the same time and never miss a deadline. That's not to say, however, I met demands in advance. I am always the one crossing the finish line at the midnight hour.
I woke up this morning thinking about how nice it was to see my husband feeling so good yesterday. I was reminded of days past when he would supervise his "men," the seemingly never ending construction workers who passed through our lives almost on a daily basis at one of our properties and all too often in our personal home. Jerry met the outdoor crew that arrives here every Saturday, and he spent time with them pointing out some assignments first with the landscaping and then he offered to pay them a bonus in cash before they left if they would reload his big trailer with items that were situated in a couple of places on the property, so he can take it to the dump. They were happy, he was happy, and I was delighted. Saying I was delighted might be an understatement. He was always able to get so much out of his workers when he was available to them. I can remember a few times the carpenters would walk through my house and ask me "Where are the plans?" They were referring to Jerry. It meant they had come upon an issue that needed his consultation. I also recall two screw ups when he wasn't present, and he should have offered an opinion. I found one to be comical, since I knew that the next year the cabinet would be removed anyway, but they actually shortened (sawed) a cabinet in the wrong place to accommodate a temporary brace. The other one I have lived with for many years, and it still bugs me if I give it any of my attention. They installed a sliding glass door with a big beautiful view window above it. Instead of leaving some wall between the window and the sliding glass door, they placed the window at the immediate top of the sliding glass door. That caused the height of the top of the window to be slightly shorter (ceiling to window top) than the other huge windows in the room. I use drapery rods to correct the mistake, but if I were younger and had lots of years left, I would have it moved today. I saw it right away and pointed it out to the carpenters, but they told me it would be too difficult to change it. I know now that it would have been fairly easy to change it at that point, because drywalling had not been done or any finish work, but you know, you pick you battles in life and I always try to use my energies fighting off the ones that can't be avoided.
Thinking about Jerry and how well he always knew the people working for him cause my mind to wander to the reason the President of the United States knows the needs of the common man in spite of the fact he is a billionaire. Donald Trump has worked in construction most of his life. He grew up in the industry. When you read of his history, you find he always seemed to feel most comfortable with the average people ...the man on the street if you will. He was a leader in the property development and building industry. When you work side by side with the men digging the tranches, driving the heavy equipment, pouring the cement, hammering the nails, installing the drywall and painting the buildings, you get to know the reality of living the simple life. A good construction boss often will hang out while his workers are sharing their homemade lunches in the shade of a tree. My husband would usually have a couple of six packs with him on Friday evenings after work when he handed out the pay. Time to relax, discuss what had been done, talk about what would happen next week and laugh about the humorous experiences that inevitable happen on a job site during the week. That boss knows the hardships his workers face when a child is sick and someone needs an advance on his pay.
When you compare that experience to the average politician who grows up with an advantage in life, goes off to college to party and grab a bachelor's degree in political science or psychology while knowing when that is finished, he will spend three years in law school with a plan to go to work for a politician or in a law office for a few years before running for office, there doesn't seem to be much opportunity for that man (or woman) to really know or understand the common man who will never go to college, but will make the greatest contribution to keeping America safe and moving forward.
While some may wonder why the people would vote for a billionaire when on its face, it would look like they have nothing in common, I believe it is because the billionaire relates to them. While most of our politicians have spent the past several years guessing at which decisions to make, Donald Trump was out there working directly with the people ...in the trenches. He knows what they want and what they need to make this country great again. The answer lies ...not in creating a path for the people. The answer lies in government getting out of the way, so the people can create their own path to success. ~DrJ
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Thanksgiving Eve 2017
Sometimes you just stop ...and recognize your blessings. This is one of those moments. My life mate of 43 years is sitting in a chair across the room. Although I may not have always recognized his love and what he was doing for me at the time he was doing it throughout our long life together , I recognize it now. I see it in the Magnolia trees planted outside my personal bathroom window where they can be seen from my jacuzzi tub. I see it in the jacaranda trees when remembering when I told him I loved the purple trees growing throughout San Diego. I see it in the gifts that he has given me. I certainly see it when driving home from Alpine a few days ago, and he said, (out of the blue) "You know ...I would step in front of a train to push you out of the way to save you. You know that. Right? I would give my life without a second thought for you to live." Yes, I do know that. My first born, a son, called me today, and I so enjoyed our conversation. Thank you God for him and his integrity, intelligence and compassion. He is the glue today that holds it all together. I am so thankful for my daughter in law, Katherine. Finally...is all I can say. 
She is perfect for him. My adorable granddaughters ... ages 26 and 10, respectfully, are healthy and enjoying life, and I so thank God for the wonderful blessings of healthy grandchildren. I am thankful for my son in law, who may have the biggest heart in San Diego County. I am thankful for my daughters. I can't imagine life without them. Tomorrow is another day ...a day of Thanksgiving. I am thankful for that.~drj51
She is perfect for him. My adorable granddaughters ... ages 26 and 10, respectfully, are healthy and enjoying life, and I so thank God for the wonderful blessings of healthy grandchildren. I am thankful for my son in law, who may have the biggest heart in San Diego County. I am thankful for my daughters. I can't imagine life without them. Tomorrow is another day ...a day of Thanksgiving. I am thankful for that.~drj51
Monday, November 13, 2017
Water Heater Saga
November 13, 2017...
Our driveway is quite steep if walking up it from the lower security gate. The lower garage on the property sits under the guest house cottage but faces the lower driveway, of course, since the pool is in front of the cottage. Yesterday Husband went down to the lower garage to continue his efforts to hook up a new water heater (Day 7 or 8) ...but this time, he was gone seemingly forever. Somewhere on this property, I believe, we still have a golf cart, which probably needs a battery charged or something but be that as it may, I knew if I walked down to check on him, I would have to walk back. I would have two choices. I could walk up the stairs at the side of the garage and go through the rose garden pathway. That is probably the easiest way. However, my concern for the length of time he was down there coupled with knowing he was working on electrical caused me to make the trip.
I walk into the garage, and he is back in the corner with his hands over his head working on electrical wiring. I saw red wiring, green wiring, black wiring and blue wiring. He was telling me that Don had messed everything up with the wiring, and he was trying to straighten it out. I saw bare wires without clips on the ends, but most were clipped. I stepped far enough away from him that should he light up, I wouldn't join him. I kid you not.
Anyway, I encouraged him to give it a break and asked if he would reconsider calling our electrician. He said "No, I just need to rest." So up the hill we go together ...stopping half way on the corner to rest and then trekking on up the hill to the house. He said, "Oh, they finally took those trees out. I was hoping they would." I believe he was talking about the apple trees, which seem to have come up on the short end of our watering system. I was happy to see trimmed bushes and blooming plants in the old rose garden. The rose garden is empty of roses now, but we still call it the rose garden. It has a Magnolia tree in it and other plants with flowers. There may be a rose bush left but I didn't see one from the driveway side. It also has palm trees growing now along the edge of the driveway. I suspect Husband wants to replace the area where the apple trees once stood with palm trees too.
This morning, he (Husband) got up an hour earlier than he normally gets up ...so he got up at 10 AM, walked over to the telephone and called our electrician. You know ...Clint Eastwood says, 'Make my day." Well, that made my day to know the saga of the cottage's hot water heater would soon be over.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
A Technical Sorta Guy ...
My poor husband has so much trouble using his cell phone. He tried to call me yesterday while he was out and was unable to call. As I was typing this, I just realized I can probably set his phone up, so he can call home without difficulty. Anyway, he loves technology. If it were not for him, I would probably still be using an old fashioned dial phone. When car phones first came out, he had one installed in my 380 SL. You know, that little phone saved me one evening when I had a flat and was on my way home from an evening class. I called him, and he told me to drive it. I was trained never to drive on a flat, because it could ruin the rim. He said, "Drive it to the next exit with a service station, and I will met you there. I don't give a d**n about the rim on the car." Somewhere along the way, I found myself with a pager clipped to my hip and carrying a "heavy" cell phone around. I rebelled after a few years of wearing a pager and said, "If my staff have to call me when there is an emergency instead of taking care of it themselves, then I need to do a better job of training my personnel." A couple of government agency representatives didn't like that, but they had a hard time challenging my unwillingness to place my patients at risk. All of the above was replaced with a small cell phone a seemingly hundred years ago now ...and I seem to be stuck with this one. And you know ...since my technology man is struggling with technology these days, I have a feeling my equipment will become more and more outdated as the years go by.
He doesn't give up easily ...as evidenced by his asking me to look at something this morning. He led the way and then pointed at the wall where my thermostat was yesterday. Last night after I went upstairs, he obviously had installed a new thermostat, and he was proud. He said, "If you are in North Carolina, you can control this thermostat from there with your smart phone." I just can't leave my country roots behind, obviously, as I said, "Well, I am not in Noth Carolina. I am here, and actually, I would much prefer controlling the thermostat in North Carolina from San Diego. However, I AM impressed. Wow!" Now THAT is what he wanted to hear.
I once told him that I think what I found most attractive about him was the fact he is unpredictable. There have been times during our marriage that isn't so good, but for the most part, it goes a long way in preventing boredom and I get bored easily.~DrJ51
Friday, October 27, 2017
Another Doctor Visit ...
When going into Scripps yesterday, a young black athlete had injured his foot and was hopping on one foot until they grabbed a wheel chair for him. He was a good looking tall guy, and husband told him he would feel right at home in Australia. The kid laughed and said he hurt his foot on the field when he clashed ankles with another player.
When we were leaving Scripps, another tall slim healthy looking black man of similar size was walking around and sat down on a bench nearby. Husband said "That is quite a change. Did they have a magic cure for your foot?" That young man was equally pleasant with my husband and laughingly asked if something was supposed to be wrong with his foot. (I am thinking ... Good Lord ...why does he have to talk to everyone he passes by? Yes, he does do that.) Of course, husband continues on ...and asks him ..."aren't you the guy that was hopping around on your foot a little while ago?" So he finished with ... "you sure look like him" and we went on our way.
Just before we reached our car, there was a very heavy woman, who probably weighed literally 400 lbs walking in front of us. Husband said as she turned to go in one direction and we went another, "Man, I could park my truck in that ..." and before he finished I said, "Jerry! You have already told a black kid they all look alike and now you are going to insult a woman for her size?" He said, "I am not saying it to her." "But she can hear you ... Good Grief! Just think once in a while and don't speak what you are thinking."
Sometimes I think it would be easier to handle this role in life if the disease was further progressed, but I guess that remains to be seen. In other words, I am going to need running shoes trying to keep up with this man since he wants to be on the go all the time but his filter doesn't work and he acknowledged yesterday that he would never have found the clinic had he gone by himself. That's kinda interesting, because the first woman to evaluate him in Charlotte, N.C. told me the FTD could go down different paths ... a patient could become pretty much mute and become immobile ...or a patient could be just the opposite and always on the go creating a management challenge. She added, "I believe he is going to be on the go." In my memory, she said that with a smile. She suggested I order business cards with a message to slip to people which reads ..."My husband has dementia...... etc." I guess that would be nicer than cards that say "He is being an a**, so ignore him." The latter is tempting for right now.~DrJ51
The Disturbed Mind ...
October 3, 2017 welcomes in another beautiful fall day in San Diego. A sadness lingers in the air today ...a sad feeling that is accompanied by a lot of uncertainty and concern for the future of my children, their children and someday their children. I am most bothered by the fact the media and including the people on social media are starting to politicize this horrific act of evil committed by an old man with a psychopathic personality in Las Vegas Sunday evening when he killed at least 58 people.
I don't know when we stopped condemning the people who murder others, but a failure to hold this man personally accountable for his behavior fails society. When a person with a disturbed mind hears that the killer is the oldest man to commit a mass shooting in the United States, and he killed the largest number of people, that confused person can process the act as being heroic in nature. As we listen to people who are supposedly leaders in the community implying that the young people killed were probably Republicans anyway, as if it doesn't matter .... as if that makes it less of an evil act, it can actually encourage a person with mental illness to become a copy cat killer. We have already had one killer trying to kill our Republican representatives this year who were playing on a softball field. He even double checked with a person nearby to make sure they were Republicans before carrying out his attempted murderous act.
We have not just released our mentally ill citizens from the institutions in the United States. We have actually forced them out of the hospitals and locked the doors so they can't get back inside even when families are trying to get help because they recognize a beloved family member needs professional treatment inside a secure environment. The numbers of people today suffering with anxiety have significantly risen as people try to keep up in a fast paced world. Instant communication has had a major impact on stress levels. Most of us have days that we struggle with keeping up with the demands of daily living and especially if we are navigating a career outside the home. When people have children, they, too are forced to get on the fast train of life. With school, homework and after school activities which in many families are just as demanding as their education, the kids have no choice but to get on board. We see little children today who are already beginning to develop anxiety. There is not enough time in the day nor days of the week to meet all of the demands. Family time with nothing to do but decompress from the day is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
And now we have mentally ill people living amongst us who can easily end up living in a state of confusion day after day. They don't fit into the ever changing keep up or lose society. They lose. Too often, their mental illness is left untreated or is sporadically addressed by quick visits to a doctor's office where they leave with a prescription for medication, which may or may not be taken as prescribed. If there are other contributing health problems or psychological issues, it is ignored. People come and go inside the home and the people on the street pass by, and the mentally ill person soon realizes nobody sees him ... or her. When you read about Steven Paddock, look at what you are not seeing. His elderly mother lives in Florida. His brother lives in Florida. His nephews really don't know him. He isn't married. He has a girlfriend or roommate, but she is out there traveling the world all the time. If he has kids, they haven't mentioned it, so I am guessing if he does, he really doesn't have a relationship with them either. His father was on the FBI's most wanted list at one time and is being presented as a bank robber. We are told he is a millionaire, and is an accountant. It is not uncommon for accountants to work alone in offices unless they have additional management assignments. We are also told he is a high roller gambler. Not a lot of talking and interacting with others goes on in a poker game. His brother says they are shocked and never saw any signs that this could happen. Are we really surprised at that? I don't think they have seen much of him for many years now. He sure found a way to be seen and recognized. Didn't he?
Not to be taken with a totally literal meaning, but I have done a lot of training about ignoring the negative behavior and rewarding the positive whenever possible. Why? Well, when working with people with serious behavior disorders, you quickly realize that they will do anything for attention and if negative behavior gets attention, then that is what they will display. In order to change the behavior patterns, over a period of time you transition them into getting attention (rewards) for good behavior while giving bad behavior as little attention as possible. Within six months to a year, you can change a person's thinking which can most often counter years of inappropriate behavior displays.
If Steven Paddock is recognized even indirectly for representing a political position, a mentally ill person who feels isolated from society can look at all of the attention as a way to be noticed too. There are many discussions going on about guns right now, when we should be discussing what we are going to do about our dysfunctional mental health system. How are we going to help families get help when they want it and know a loved one needs it? Too often today, people are told "we can't do anything until he does something." Well, Steven Paddock did something. Now it is our turn to do something about failing the mentally ill citizens of our country.
I don't know when we stopped condemning the people who murder others, but a failure to hold this man personally accountable for his behavior fails society. When a person with a disturbed mind hears that the killer is the oldest man to commit a mass shooting in the United States, and he killed the largest number of people, that confused person can process the act as being heroic in nature. As we listen to people who are supposedly leaders in the community implying that the young people killed were probably Republicans anyway, as if it doesn't matter .... as if that makes it less of an evil act, it can actually encourage a person with mental illness to become a copy cat killer. We have already had one killer trying to kill our Republican representatives this year who were playing on a softball field. He even double checked with a person nearby to make sure they were Republicans before carrying out his attempted murderous act.
We have not just released our mentally ill citizens from the institutions in the United States. We have actually forced them out of the hospitals and locked the doors so they can't get back inside even when families are trying to get help because they recognize a beloved family member needs professional treatment inside a secure environment. The numbers of people today suffering with anxiety have significantly risen as people try to keep up in a fast paced world. Instant communication has had a major impact on stress levels. Most of us have days that we struggle with keeping up with the demands of daily living and especially if we are navigating a career outside the home. When people have children, they, too are forced to get on the fast train of life. With school, homework and after school activities which in many families are just as demanding as their education, the kids have no choice but to get on board. We see little children today who are already beginning to develop anxiety. There is not enough time in the day nor days of the week to meet all of the demands. Family time with nothing to do but decompress from the day is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
And now we have mentally ill people living amongst us who can easily end up living in a state of confusion day after day. They don't fit into the ever changing keep up or lose society. They lose. Too often, their mental illness is left untreated or is sporadically addressed by quick visits to a doctor's office where they leave with a prescription for medication, which may or may not be taken as prescribed. If there are other contributing health problems or psychological issues, it is ignored. People come and go inside the home and the people on the street pass by, and the mentally ill person soon realizes nobody sees him ... or her. When you read about Steven Paddock, look at what you are not seeing. His elderly mother lives in Florida. His brother lives in Florida. His nephews really don't know him. He isn't married. He has a girlfriend or roommate, but she is out there traveling the world all the time. If he has kids, they haven't mentioned it, so I am guessing if he does, he really doesn't have a relationship with them either. His father was on the FBI's most wanted list at one time and is being presented as a bank robber. We are told he is a millionaire, and is an accountant. It is not uncommon for accountants to work alone in offices unless they have additional management assignments. We are also told he is a high roller gambler. Not a lot of talking and interacting with others goes on in a poker game. His brother says they are shocked and never saw any signs that this could happen. Are we really surprised at that? I don't think they have seen much of him for many years now. He sure found a way to be seen and recognized. Didn't he?
Not to be taken with a totally literal meaning, but I have done a lot of training about ignoring the negative behavior and rewarding the positive whenever possible. Why? Well, when working with people with serious behavior disorders, you quickly realize that they will do anything for attention and if negative behavior gets attention, then that is what they will display. In order to change the behavior patterns, over a period of time you transition them into getting attention (rewards) for good behavior while giving bad behavior as little attention as possible. Within six months to a year, you can change a person's thinking which can most often counter years of inappropriate behavior displays.
If Steven Paddock is recognized even indirectly for representing a political position, a mentally ill person who feels isolated from society can look at all of the attention as a way to be noticed too. There are many discussions going on about guns right now, when we should be discussing what we are going to do about our dysfunctional mental health system. How are we going to help families get help when they want it and know a loved one needs it? Too often today, people are told "we can't do anything until he does something." Well, Steven Paddock did something. Now it is our turn to do something about failing the mentally ill citizens of our country.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
3 Life Partners ...
October 17, 2017
A man is here to bid the deck repair. He and husband had a "verbal" agreement, which legally would be called an oral contract. I was told by Jerry that this guy wants $2,000 per week plus materials, of course. The $2,000 included him and his helpers ... per Jerry. Jerry said, "He said we can stop at any time, if you find it is costing too much."
This little experience is just one example of what changes when you have brain deficits, no matter the intellectual level. Jerry met this guy in a bar where he had stopped for a hamburger. We know nothing about him. Jerry is likable and makes friends easily, so I want you to know the man may be one of the nicest guy in the world. I hope he lives up to Jerry' expectations. I hate being disappointed when people display a lack of integrity.
However, as Dr. Phil would say, "This ain't my first rodeo." I insisted that I want a written bid, which includes a total cost and the details of what is being done for that price. I have not a clue as to how fast he and his workers will complete a job. I do know my husband will spend two hours of their day talking to them if they will do it, and if being paid by the hour on our dollars, I can't see an incentive to doing otherwise. Can you imagine what they say? "He's nice but his wife is a b**ch."
I hate being in the position to have to make these decisions, and I am ...both legally and morally now ...in that spot. My husband handles it well. I was a little teary eyed today while he was out meeting with the guy. I try to not let Jerry know if I am stressed or feel bad, because it stresses him so much if he thinks I am suffering at all because of his needs. So ...while I was having my self pity party, I thought I miss my life business partner so much. And then ...the realization hit me. I still have my life business partner and He is God. In fact, He has always been a partner and has answered my business prayers so many times. I had two partners for 41 years of operating businesses ...not just one ...and the one I had temporarily forgotten was my partner too is fully functioning better than both of us. He can even see the future. I am not saying this lightly. I could tell you in detail of business challenges and simply day to day duties when I would ask God to guide my decisions. He was always there. When I was headed to a hospital to meet a new potential client, I would ask for my words to be what He would have me say. When a patient was suffering, I would ask God to help us make a difference in his or her life.
It is a beautiful day here in San Diego ... a little hot...but we have a promise of it cooling down during the weekend giving us a breakup before it heats up again next week.~DrJ51
Friday, October 13, 2017
Friday the 13th ...
October 1, 2017 ...
We have had a rather pleasant day. For the first time in weeks, Jerry felt like driving himself to Home Depot. While he was gone, I took care of a couple of business matters to include officially listing our condo at Charlotte Motor Speedway for sale. I believe we have found the perfect realtor to handle it. That has been a problem due to the uniqueness of it being at the speedway. Actually, our friend, Sid Waterman, recommended him. He is a very close friend of my husband. We have a high regard for Sid and his wife, Judy. Good people, and they are also California residents with a condo at the track in North Carolina. Sid has also had a business location in North Carolina, and he and Jerry have shared responsibilities on the the Condo Association Board of Directors. The realtor is a former race car driver, and apparently, is a successful realtor. That is the perfect combination for this assignment.
Actually had another couple of matters arise in North Carolina but due to the wonderful and very thoughtful Greg and Lisa Price, who are handling that problem, my assignment was to applaud what they have done already in the interest of protecting us from having to deal with it right now. I am very excited about selling the condo, so I hope the perfect buyer comes along that will enjoy it as much as we have for the past 12 years. When we sell something, I feel great if the buyer is happy with the purchase and that it becomes a blessing to them. We have had a few of those perfect sales. When we traded our boat for a 10,000 square foot house in New Mexico, which we converted to a nightly rental, it was hard to tell which one of us were the happiest buyer or seller.
The guy that bought our boat still has it here at the Marriott in San Diego. He loves it. We spent lots of hours ...summer and winter in the New Mexico house and family and friends enjoyed it too, as well as the tourists who rented it. The woman who bought it is from Texas, and she has taken it to the next level in life. She loves owning it too. When we bought the condo in North Carolina, we really didn't go to New Mexico for 5 years before we sold it. Marty would go up there skiing a lot, but we switched our second home time from New Mexico to North Carolina. Besides the New Mexico house was rented a lot, and we never turned away paying customers.
Our tax day is Monday, since we file for extensions every year, so I had a couple of emails to send to finish up. Our tax lady expert, of course, is filing those. Thankfully, our taxes for this year (2016) are considerably less than last year. Last year, we faced an almost $100,000.00 tax bill.
When husband returned, he had been to the grocery store, so that was fun seeing what he had purchased. Fresh vine tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches, bologna, salami, hotdogs, sweet rolls, pecan cookies, fig bars, and 3 gallons of milk. He also bought us two new hair brushes. I suspect our brushes were at least 3 decades old. Haha.
I had made pasta sauce this morning ...which had been cooking all day in the crockpot, so I cooked some spaghetti, and we had a yummy spaghetti dinner. It is sure nice to see his having a better health day.
Overall, our Friday the 13th hasn't been bad ... just a little bad luck but mostly good.~DrJ51
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Jerry's Challenge ...
October 7, 2017...
I gave Jerry a complicated math problem yesterday, and he solved it. Yet, last night he told me when he took the dogs out, he got confused for a few minutes as to where he was, so he was kind of walking in circles. He said he knew he was home, but he just felt totally confused and that he has had a lot more confusion lately. He said I need to prepare for when I can no longer "do this." I told him I am not going anywhere, and am here for the duration. He told me the time will come when I can no longer handle him and will need help. I asked him to wait for th outcome of all of his testing and medical consultations before giving up to a disease and reminded him there may be some of his symptoms which can be addressed and could help with the overall situation. He had told me this week, that he has concentrated a lot since he was originally diagnosed on mentally shifting assignments from an area of the brain that seemed to be affected to the other side of the brain. In other words, shifting what area of the brain we normally use (left brain ...for example) to the right brain. Research has shown when people develop certain brain diseases or suffer a brain injury, another area of the brain may try to compensate and become more dominant. That could cause us to believe that is partially how we end up with an idiot savant outcome in some people. I have personally met a half dozen savants in my career. It is pretty fascinating. Anyway... I would never second guess what anyone is telling me who is experiencing brain disorders of any type, but that would be quite an achievement if he could actually shift a task that is normally carried out by the left side of the brain to the right side. His neurologist told me that his entire brain is experiencing atrophy, but it is more concentrated in the frontal temporal lobe which explains why he can still perform exceptionally well in some areas and shows increasing incapability in other areas. Every professional that has seen him has recognized his superior intelligence. I am fairly convinced that he suffered a brain injury early in his life which gave the frontal temporal lobe a head start on atrophy whether it happened in service to his country or even prior to that. What I attributed to PTSD when I first met him, I know think may have been the beginning of FTD. Both PTSD and FTD can cause a lack of understanding of the behavior (symptoms) from other people resulting in alienation from people you love. I guess it doesn't really matter anymore. We are here now, the voting is done and we will live with the outcome.~drj51
I gave Jerry a complicated math problem yesterday, and he solved it. Yet, last night he told me when he took the dogs out, he got confused for a few minutes as to where he was, so he was kind of walking in circles. He said he knew he was home, but he just felt totally confused and that he has had a lot more confusion lately. He said I need to prepare for when I can no longer "do this." I told him I am not going anywhere, and am here for the duration. He told me the time will come when I can no longer handle him and will need help. I asked him to wait for th outcome of all of his testing and medical consultations before giving up to a disease and reminded him there may be some of his symptoms which can be addressed and could help with the overall situation. He had told me this week, that he has concentrated a lot since he was originally diagnosed on mentally shifting assignments from an area of the brain that seemed to be affected to the other side of the brain. In other words, shifting what area of the brain we normally use (left brain ...for example) to the right brain. Research has shown when people develop certain brain diseases or suffer a brain injury, another area of the brain may try to compensate and become more dominant. That could cause us to believe that is partially how we end up with an idiot savant outcome in some people. I have personally met a half dozen savants in my career. It is pretty fascinating. Anyway... I would never second guess what anyone is telling me who is experiencing brain disorders of any type, but that would be quite an achievement if he could actually shift a task that is normally carried out by the left side of the brain to the right side. His neurologist told me that his entire brain is experiencing atrophy, but it is more concentrated in the frontal temporal lobe which explains why he can still perform exceptionally well in some areas and shows increasing incapability in other areas. Every professional that has seen him has recognized his superior intelligence. I am fairly convinced that he suffered a brain injury early in his life which gave the frontal temporal lobe a head start on atrophy whether it happened in service to his country or even prior to that. What I attributed to PTSD when I first met him, I know think may have been the beginning of FTD. Both PTSD and FTD can cause a lack of understanding of the behavior (symptoms) from other people resulting in alienation from people you love. I guess it doesn't really matter anymore. We are here now, the voting is done and we will live with the outcome.~drj51
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Sunday Morning Coming Down ... :-)
It is time to say Good Morning on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Yes, I did say that intentionally. It is 12:30. Our weather in San Diego County is beautiful. I call this perfect weather. October 1st welcomes us today into perhaps my favorite month of the year. I bought a pumpkin yesterday just because I wanted one. I pulled my Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin Doll statues out of the closet and proudly placed them on the buffet in the formal dining room. First, I put them on the table. Then I moved them to the buffet. This morning I eyed them while questioning if I should move them back to the table. I hope other people hesitate on where to place their decorations during holiday seasons.
I fluffed the clothes in the dryer this morning and hang them on the line freeing up the dryer, so I could take the clothes out of the washer that Jodi had placed in there for me and replaced them with one of Pervis's bed covers. I also dragged a trash can that had broken glass in it and other trash along the deck and then noticed it had wheels, so that was a nice discovery. It rolled quite easily up to the main trash can area. When washing down the deck area (Renzo's home) and watering plants, I noticed some that need clipping. They have dead leaves and new growth. Looked in the garage and found a wicked looking pair of clippers. When husband got up, I asked him if those were used to cut plants and he said, "Yes," with a worried look on his face. Haha. He always gets that look if I am doing something of a mechanical nature. All of this is new to me ... learning to do a man's job. Some of it I actually enjoy, and sometimes I ask, "What happened here, God? This isn't the way it is supposed to happen."
I whipped up a concoction this morning comprised of raw honey, red wine, Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and a splash of cider vinegar and added a boneless leg o' lamb to the crockpot. It will cook on low until dinner time. Husband absolutely loved the last one, so I decided to prepare another. I will serve it with two of our favorites .... mint jelly and corn on the cob. I added 3 huge long carrots to the crockpot.
It seems that every time I roll my car out of the garage someone compliments it. I think it is so nice of people to do that. I love cars, and I love people who appreciate nice cars. They don't have to be expensive to be attractive. I have always been fascinated with the fact that people choose so many different colors. Sometimes you see one on the road and wonder now how did that happen. You just can't imagine someone standing there saying "Oh Honey. I love that one." Haha. I have seen some really attractive colors out recently. Oh ...and yesterday... coming off the off ramp at Greenfield a guy in a really hot looking brand new Dodge sports car pulled in front of me in an obvious hello way. Okay ...you think so? So we both sped down the off ramp. We both had to stop for the light before turning right. He was in front, of course, so he did and then stepped on it. I followed suit pretty much doing the same thing, so before we got to the next light we were bumper to bumper again. The good news is he went straight on Greenfield and I turned left on to La Cresta Road. I was hoping that would happen, because I would not have raced him up the hill. I don't road race and my only playing with a muscle car happens at a light when it is totally safe ...and a very brief run usually about 4 car lengths. It seems all of the muscle cars want to challenge the Maserati. I think they want to be able to brag about winning over a Maserati with a Ferrari engine in it... a testimony to their car. So my Maserati and I are like the biggest and best looking guy in the bar who sits quietly and leaves with dignity whereas the other "guys" open their mouths ...flex their muscles ...and publicly display a lack of brains. :-) I always liked those quiet ones if they had brains and were not just being quiet because they had nothing to talk about. My honey was one of those quiet guys even after my boss introduced him to our table full of women when I first officially met him. Sometime along the way of 42 years together, he stopped being the quiet guy and became a happy talker. I can't imagine him sitting quietly in a bar now. He would be talking to someone.
Well...speaking of him, he is ready for his Cream Of Wheat "breakfast." ~DrJ51
I fluffed the clothes in the dryer this morning and hang them on the line freeing up the dryer, so I could take the clothes out of the washer that Jodi had placed in there for me and replaced them with one of Pervis's bed covers. I also dragged a trash can that had broken glass in it and other trash along the deck and then noticed it had wheels, so that was a nice discovery. It rolled quite easily up to the main trash can area. When washing down the deck area (Renzo's home) and watering plants, I noticed some that need clipping. They have dead leaves and new growth. Looked in the garage and found a wicked looking pair of clippers. When husband got up, I asked him if those were used to cut plants and he said, "Yes," with a worried look on his face. Haha. He always gets that look if I am doing something of a mechanical nature. All of this is new to me ... learning to do a man's job. Some of it I actually enjoy, and sometimes I ask, "What happened here, God? This isn't the way it is supposed to happen."
I whipped up a concoction this morning comprised of raw honey, red wine, Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and a splash of cider vinegar and added a boneless leg o' lamb to the crockpot. It will cook on low until dinner time. Husband absolutely loved the last one, so I decided to prepare another. I will serve it with two of our favorites .... mint jelly and corn on the cob. I added 3 huge long carrots to the crockpot.
It seems that every time I roll my car out of the garage someone compliments it. I think it is so nice of people to do that. I love cars, and I love people who appreciate nice cars. They don't have to be expensive to be attractive. I have always been fascinated with the fact that people choose so many different colors. Sometimes you see one on the road and wonder now how did that happen. You just can't imagine someone standing there saying "Oh Honey. I love that one." Haha. I have seen some really attractive colors out recently. Oh ...and yesterday... coming off the off ramp at Greenfield a guy in a really hot looking brand new Dodge sports car pulled in front of me in an obvious hello way. Okay ...you think so? So we both sped down the off ramp. We both had to stop for the light before turning right. He was in front, of course, so he did and then stepped on it. I followed suit pretty much doing the same thing, so before we got to the next light we were bumper to bumper again. The good news is he went straight on Greenfield and I turned left on to La Cresta Road. I was hoping that would happen, because I would not have raced him up the hill. I don't road race and my only playing with a muscle car happens at a light when it is totally safe ...and a very brief run usually about 4 car lengths. It seems all of the muscle cars want to challenge the Maserati. I think they want to be able to brag about winning over a Maserati with a Ferrari engine in it... a testimony to their car. So my Maserati and I are like the biggest and best looking guy in the bar who sits quietly and leaves with dignity whereas the other "guys" open their mouths ...flex their muscles ...and publicly display a lack of brains. :-) I always liked those quiet ones if they had brains and were not just being quiet because they had nothing to talk about. My honey was one of those quiet guys even after my boss introduced him to our table full of women when I first officially met him. Sometime along the way of 42 years together, he stopped being the quiet guy and became a happy talker. I can't imagine him sitting quietly in a bar now. He would be talking to someone.
Well...speaking of him, he is ready for his Cream Of Wheat "breakfast." ~DrJ51
Friday, September 29, 2017
An Early Morning ...(Against My Will)
It was 3:15 A.M. when the power outage came to my attention this morning. Our security alarm started beeping to let me know it was operating on battery power instead of electrical. I got up to make sure we didn't have someone helping the power to fail. My lanterns were downstairs, so I grabbed a flashlight and checked the front area of the property from my birds eye view on the 3rd floor. Then I walked to the other side of the house and into my bathroom, which gives me the best few of the pool, pond and Jodi's cottage. Suddenly, I see a light flash, so I used my flashlight to see who was obviously carrying that light around. I heard a person say something and realizing my bathroom window was open, I yelled down, "Jodi ...is that you?" She said, "Yes" and told me she was checking to see if the other houses had power. I let her know that the neighbors did not have power either and saw her walk back towards her house. When you see Jodi, you know her faithful companion, Rudy, the Rottweiler is somewhere near her. My little buddy had leaped out of bed and was following me around too. Although she would fight a tiger, literally, to protect me, I don't feel quite as safe if my "defense weapon" is an extra petite French Bulldog. If attitude wins though, no doubt she would be the winner. :-)
Back to bed to listen to the rhythm of the security beep and husband's snoring. He would not wake up if Governor Brown drove through our bedroom on a high speed rail train. Of course, if the Governor and his cohorts in Sacramento had anything to do with speed, it would probably be snorting it instead of driving it. I swear they are all taking something up there in LaLa Land that causes brain damage.
I finally fell asleep again around 5 AM, give or take and woke up around ...who knows ... 7 or so ... because the security system was frantic now and going into full alarm mode. The sirens and all were going off and it wasn't decoding. I went into the room and area which holds the battery backup system and dismantled the battery hoping I would be able to get it back together later. Back to bed hoping to catch some shut eye, and the power came back on shortly after that.
Sometime during the early morning hours, I looked out to the front of the property again and saw Leanne was leaving for work. Of course, she was locked inside because the security gate on the property operates off of electricity. I could hear that she was talking to her dad on her cell phone, and he was telling her how to manually change the gate from clicker mode to manual. She was following his instructions and then pushed the gate open. It is a huge and heavy gate. I was feeling badly for her. When she drove through the gate, she stopped and got out of her car and I realized she was going to pull the gate closed. Leanne is such a responsible young woman. I know how many people her age and even older who would have just driven off without a thought. I called out to her from my perch and said, "Just leave it, Honey. It's fine." She said, "Ok. Thank you."
After all, Renzo was locked into the back upper deck area. Josie was locked into a section of the house that wouldn't allow her to get out and besides she was following me around. Pervis does not want to leave. They would have to get a tow truck to pull him out of this property. His street roaming days are over. He lived on the streets once, and has no delusions about that lifestyle. Pervis shares in common with most men and certainly with my husband, a tendency to mellow with age no matter how badly they roamed the streets when they were younger. My mother told me that years ago... when talking about my dad. It is absolutely amazing to me how much psychological wisdom my parents had when they never opened a psychology book.
Anyway, Leanne and I are buddies and have been since she was a baby. I am so proud of her, her accomplishments and her integrity and character, and I appreciate her parents who helped her to reach that outcome. She has a birthday coming up very soon. I miss my little buddy days, but am comforted to see her coming and going in my daily life. We don't find ourselves alone too often, but when we do, I can see we are still buddies in our hearts. She understands that it is difficult for me to get away now as I could in the past, but we have left our footprints in just about every shopping center in San Diego County. Fashion Valley was our favorite hangout during her teen years.
We have a new FBI Director (Christopher Wray.) I don't know anything about his character or expertise, but he sure is a good looking man. I hope he does his job in the way it should be done, which means we, the People, would be able again to rely on the integrity of the system. In my opinion, the Obama administration used our justice departments for personal gain and as a result, the entire system has been eroded. It will take work to weed out the corruption in all departments.
Well, I have now finished my coffee and think I need a second cup this morning in order to stay awake today.~Dr Joyce Swineheart
Back to bed to listen to the rhythm of the security beep and husband's snoring. He would not wake up if Governor Brown drove through our bedroom on a high speed rail train. Of course, if the Governor and his cohorts in Sacramento had anything to do with speed, it would probably be snorting it instead of driving it. I swear they are all taking something up there in LaLa Land that causes brain damage.
I finally fell asleep again around 5 AM, give or take and woke up around ...who knows ... 7 or so ... because the security system was frantic now and going into full alarm mode. The sirens and all were going off and it wasn't decoding. I went into the room and area which holds the battery backup system and dismantled the battery hoping I would be able to get it back together later. Back to bed hoping to catch some shut eye, and the power came back on shortly after that.
Sometime during the early morning hours, I looked out to the front of the property again and saw Leanne was leaving for work. Of course, she was locked inside because the security gate on the property operates off of electricity. I could hear that she was talking to her dad on her cell phone, and he was telling her how to manually change the gate from clicker mode to manual. She was following his instructions and then pushed the gate open. It is a huge and heavy gate. I was feeling badly for her. When she drove through the gate, she stopped and got out of her car and I realized she was going to pull the gate closed. Leanne is such a responsible young woman. I know how many people her age and even older who would have just driven off without a thought. I called out to her from my perch and said, "Just leave it, Honey. It's fine." She said, "Ok. Thank you."
After all, Renzo was locked into the back upper deck area. Josie was locked into a section of the house that wouldn't allow her to get out and besides she was following me around. Pervis does not want to leave. They would have to get a tow truck to pull him out of this property. His street roaming days are over. He lived on the streets once, and has no delusions about that lifestyle. Pervis shares in common with most men and certainly with my husband, a tendency to mellow with age no matter how badly they roamed the streets when they were younger. My mother told me that years ago... when talking about my dad. It is absolutely amazing to me how much psychological wisdom my parents had when they never opened a psychology book.
Anyway, Leanne and I are buddies and have been since she was a baby. I am so proud of her, her accomplishments and her integrity and character, and I appreciate her parents who helped her to reach that outcome. She has a birthday coming up very soon. I miss my little buddy days, but am comforted to see her coming and going in my daily life. We don't find ourselves alone too often, but when we do, I can see we are still buddies in our hearts. She understands that it is difficult for me to get away now as I could in the past, but we have left our footprints in just about every shopping center in San Diego County. Fashion Valley was our favorite hangout during her teen years.
We have a new FBI Director (Christopher Wray.) I don't know anything about his character or expertise, but he sure is a good looking man. I hope he does his job in the way it should be done, which means we, the People, would be able again to rely on the integrity of the system. In my opinion, the Obama administration used our justice departments for personal gain and as a result, the entire system has been eroded. It will take work to weed out the corruption in all departments.
Well, I have now finished my coffee and think I need a second cup this morning in order to stay awake today.~Dr Joyce Swineheart
Thursday, September 28, 2017
A Busy Time ...September 28, 2017
Will someone please tell me what happened to September? It seems to be missing this year. It can't possibly be October next week.
My morning ... a beautiful one here in San Diego County. I know we have created an aviary up here in our little mountain top community called Crest. I wish I could recognize the various sounds from so many different species of birds. We take great pride in the fact that we look down on Mt. Helix. I sold a house in the city once to a rather snobbish woman who lives on Mt. Helix. When my husband told her, "we look down on Mt. Helix," she said, "Impossible!" Of course, he had to insist she come over to the window and take a look down towards the ocean, and he made sure that she saw the points of interest down on Mt. Helix. Haha. I have watched so many of his antics throughout the years I have begun to think of some of his behavior as normal. Of course, it is normal for him. Jerry's normal abnormal behavior is what I call it.
Speaking of Jerry, I literally just got off the phone from returning his psychiatrist's phone call and setup a phone conference in October. He now has at least 3 appointments each week of October. I am thankful that at least two of those three weekly appoints (physical therapy) can be handled by himself, because they are only approximately 3 miles away. I believe the time has either already or is arriving that is going to necessitate my having an assistant, or his having an aide. The remaining option is that I will need an institution. Wait! Maybe I do now.
My bulldog story for today. Pervis (the big and old black English bulldog) of 85 lbs, and Renzo, the stocky black and old American Bully of probably 65 lbs were both outside. Pervis is so very smart, a lover of peace and tranquility, and he knows Renzo is not to be fully trusted by him. It is interesting to see how he keeps an eye on him and avoids conflict when they are in the same area. So Pervis was outside and wanted inside. Renzo was laying in front of the door Pervis wanted to enter, so Pervis yells (yaps) at me from a few feet away. He knows I will run interference and get him into the house. When I opened the door, Renzo leaps up, because he is thinking maybe he would like to come into the house too or I might be handing out treats. I shut the door and since Pervis was closer to our official front entry 3 rooms away, I walk through the house, open the entry way door and call for Pervis. Well...both of these old guys are almost deaf. I stick my head out and look, and they both are still staring at the breakfast nook door. I called again, Renzo heard me and turned around to run over to the front door. Pervis immediately moves into position to get in through the breakfast nook door. I hurry back through the house and Pervis comes through the breakfast nook door. I see Renzo waiting for me at the front door. So time for a treat for Renzo ... and a little piece of cheese for Pervis and Josie (the smart and least amount of trouble FEMALE french bulldog) who weighs approximately 15 lbs when she isn't eating Pervis's food as well as hers. Josie tries very hard to take care of me, watch out for me and be a good girl.
Trying to finish up the tax info between phone calls. It is a fairly easy year (2016), because I didn't buy or sell any real estate or make any financially significant changes in our lives.
We are obviously not going to be able to go to Charlotte, N.C. this forthcoming month. Sending our special tickets out this morning to our "North Carolina kids." North Carolina is a beautiful place in the fall. It is also a beautiful place in the springtime. Maybe we will make Speedweek in May.
In between medical appointments and daily responsibilities, hoping to get the decks repaired before October is over. ~Dr Joyce Swineheart Moore
My morning ... a beautiful one here in San Diego County. I know we have created an aviary up here in our little mountain top community called Crest. I wish I could recognize the various sounds from so many different species of birds. We take great pride in the fact that we look down on Mt. Helix. I sold a house in the city once to a rather snobbish woman who lives on Mt. Helix. When my husband told her, "we look down on Mt. Helix," she said, "Impossible!" Of course, he had to insist she come over to the window and take a look down towards the ocean, and he made sure that she saw the points of interest down on Mt. Helix. Haha. I have watched so many of his antics throughout the years I have begun to think of some of his behavior as normal. Of course, it is normal for him. Jerry's normal abnormal behavior is what I call it.
Speaking of Jerry, I literally just got off the phone from returning his psychiatrist's phone call and setup a phone conference in October. He now has at least 3 appointments each week of October. I am thankful that at least two of those three weekly appoints (physical therapy) can be handled by himself, because they are only approximately 3 miles away. I believe the time has either already or is arriving that is going to necessitate my having an assistant, or his having an aide. The remaining option is that I will need an institution. Wait! Maybe I do now.
My bulldog story for today. Pervis (the big and old black English bulldog) of 85 lbs, and Renzo, the stocky black and old American Bully of probably 65 lbs were both outside. Pervis is so very smart, a lover of peace and tranquility, and he knows Renzo is not to be fully trusted by him. It is interesting to see how he keeps an eye on him and avoids conflict when they are in the same area. So Pervis was outside and wanted inside. Renzo was laying in front of the door Pervis wanted to enter, so Pervis yells (yaps) at me from a few feet away. He knows I will run interference and get him into the house. When I opened the door, Renzo leaps up, because he is thinking maybe he would like to come into the house too or I might be handing out treats. I shut the door and since Pervis was closer to our official front entry 3 rooms away, I walk through the house, open the entry way door and call for Pervis. Well...both of these old guys are almost deaf. I stick my head out and look, and they both are still staring at the breakfast nook door. I called again, Renzo heard me and turned around to run over to the front door. Pervis immediately moves into position to get in through the breakfast nook door. I hurry back through the house and Pervis comes through the breakfast nook door. I see Renzo waiting for me at the front door. So time for a treat for Renzo ... and a little piece of cheese for Pervis and Josie (the smart and least amount of trouble FEMALE french bulldog) who weighs approximately 15 lbs when she isn't eating Pervis's food as well as hers. Josie tries very hard to take care of me, watch out for me and be a good girl.
Trying to finish up the tax info between phone calls. It is a fairly easy year (2016), because I didn't buy or sell any real estate or make any financially significant changes in our lives.
We are obviously not going to be able to go to Charlotte, N.C. this forthcoming month. Sending our special tickets out this morning to our "North Carolina kids." North Carolina is a beautiful place in the fall. It is also a beautiful place in the springtime. Maybe we will make Speedweek in May.
In between medical appointments and daily responsibilities, hoping to get the decks repaired before October is over. ~Dr Joyce Swineheart Moore
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Donald Trump Days ...2017
September 26, 2017 (Tuesday) ...
We are living in interesting times, which hopefully, will be noted in our future historical data if those who are trying today to change the historical view of this nation do not win their battle to convert the United States of America, which today is a Republic, into a Marxist led country which is a part of a World Order. This past week, President Trump spoke at a rally in Louisiana. When he loudly declared if he were the owner of an NFL football team and a player did not stand for the flag and playing of the National Anthem, he would say, "Get that SonOfB**&## off the field!!!," the world shuddered. The "Progressives" aka Socialists and Marxists, immediately began a full attack using their most beloved rhetoric of "presidents don't talk that way." Maybe most presidents don't talk that way and politicians never talk that way, but President Trump has never acted like a politician, because he is not a politician. A politician will say what he or she thinks you want to hear, so they can get a vote from you. A politician doesn't really stand for anything (no pun intended) and if you don't believe that, spend some time looking at videos of how their "positions" on the issues of America have changed throughout the years. Be that as it may, I wish I had $10.00 for each time men throughout the United States say "Fire that SonOfAB**%&" in a given month. So politicians and presidents may not say what they are thinking, but men most often do say what they are thinking. Be careful of the man who filters his words.
As Donna Fargo sings about ... I am going through some changes in my life again. I always imagine an orderly life, but have to admit, I usually embrace change too. I have never handled boredom very well. A lot of my focus lately has been on the medical needs of my husband for two reasons. One reason is obviously because I love him and am concerned, and the other reason is a bit more selfish, because I am trying to pick up his normal workload around here while handling my own. My own is suffering. Today I have no choice. I am not going to bed tonight until I have collected and organized all of the information I need to in order to provide the tax lady with what she needs, so my taxes will be filed by October 15.
I am looking at a headline on the television that says a Russian cannibal couple admit to eating 30 people. It is reported they would drug the people, kill them and eat them. I bet Hillary Clinton wishes they had met up with Donald Trump. #SMH
We are heating up again here this week, but are told it will only be for about 5 days and that it won't be extreme heat. However, it is very dry and following a very wet winter with lots of tree and plant growth, we are high risk for fires. Of course, I live right in the midst of fire country. Our little community has suffered severe fire damage pretty much about every decade for many years. 2003 was the last huge one in Crest, and there was another scare in about 2006. I was out of town when the latter arrived. When I arrived home, my storage containers which had been literally filled to the top making it difficult for me to close some of them were noticeably filled with less items with space for more. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes to the behavior of others and move on. If I had a thousand dollars for each items that has been stolen from me throughout the years, I could buy a very nice home in Arizona. Now ..... there are many things I would help a thief pack up and carry out of here. Haha. In spite of feeling that way, however, I do not want a fire. It is a lot of work to evacuate and especially with your animals and find a place to stay until you can get back into your homes. Just imagine how the people of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and all of the islands feel, which were hit recently by hurricanes. ~Dr Joyce Swineheart
We are living in interesting times, which hopefully, will be noted in our future historical data if those who are trying today to change the historical view of this nation do not win their battle to convert the United States of America, which today is a Republic, into a Marxist led country which is a part of a World Order. This past week, President Trump spoke at a rally in Louisiana. When he loudly declared if he were the owner of an NFL football team and a player did not stand for the flag and playing of the National Anthem, he would say, "Get that SonOfB**&## off the field!!!," the world shuddered. The "Progressives" aka Socialists and Marxists, immediately began a full attack using their most beloved rhetoric of "presidents don't talk that way." Maybe most presidents don't talk that way and politicians never talk that way, but President Trump has never acted like a politician, because he is not a politician. A politician will say what he or she thinks you want to hear, so they can get a vote from you. A politician doesn't really stand for anything (no pun intended) and if you don't believe that, spend some time looking at videos of how their "positions" on the issues of America have changed throughout the years. Be that as it may, I wish I had $10.00 for each time men throughout the United States say "Fire that SonOfAB**%&" in a given month. So politicians and presidents may not say what they are thinking, but men most often do say what they are thinking. Be careful of the man who filters his words.
As Donna Fargo sings about ... I am going through some changes in my life again. I always imagine an orderly life, but have to admit, I usually embrace change too. I have never handled boredom very well. A lot of my focus lately has been on the medical needs of my husband for two reasons. One reason is obviously because I love him and am concerned, and the other reason is a bit more selfish, because I am trying to pick up his normal workload around here while handling my own. My own is suffering. Today I have no choice. I am not going to bed tonight until I have collected and organized all of the information I need to in order to provide the tax lady with what she needs, so my taxes will be filed by October 15.
I am looking at a headline on the television that says a Russian cannibal couple admit to eating 30 people. It is reported they would drug the people, kill them and eat them. I bet Hillary Clinton wishes they had met up with Donald Trump. #SMH
We are heating up again here this week, but are told it will only be for about 5 days and that it won't be extreme heat. However, it is very dry and following a very wet winter with lots of tree and plant growth, we are high risk for fires. Of course, I live right in the midst of fire country. Our little community has suffered severe fire damage pretty much about every decade for many years. 2003 was the last huge one in Crest, and there was another scare in about 2006. I was out of town when the latter arrived. When I arrived home, my storage containers which had been literally filled to the top making it difficult for me to close some of them were noticeably filled with less items with space for more. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes to the behavior of others and move on. If I had a thousand dollars for each items that has been stolen from me throughout the years, I could buy a very nice home in Arizona. Now ..... there are many things I would help a thief pack up and carry out of here. Haha. In spite of feeling that way, however, I do not want a fire. It is a lot of work to evacuate and especially with your animals and find a place to stay until you can get back into your homes. Just imagine how the people of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and all of the islands feel, which were hit recently by hurricanes. ~Dr Joyce Swineheart
Monday, September 25, 2017
CHANGING TIMES ...SEPTEMBER 25, 2017
Fall is the time of the year for changing weather patterns, and it also brings change into our lives. The children go back to school. Favorite holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas follow with winter officially arriving in December. All of this causes change in our daily routines. Then suddenly we find ourselves in a New Year. Sometimes a phone call brings unanticipated changes to our lives.
I was awake but still lying in bed when our phone rang this morning at 8:45. The system announced the number that was calling. When I heard 858, I thought "this is probably Jerry's neurologist's office," as I noted the time and area code. Not wanting to miss a call from there, since he had just had two MRI exams on Saturday and a PET scan the week before, I took the call. Much to my surprise and in keeping with Scripp's excellent medical services, it was Dr. Michelle Van Noord. She told me that the PET scan really didn't show any abnormalities. However, the imaging of the brain confirmed atrophy, which is more concentrated in the frontal temporal area of the brain. However, he has suffered brain atrophy all over the brain. The concentration on the frontal temporal lobe, of course, would explain the behavior changes. She emphasized that the atrophy is not profound, and that she has seen worse. She said she would like to get a copy of the PET scans and MRI exams that were completed 10 years ago, so she could check the progression.
You know, it was quite refreshing to hear a neurologist speaking of the actual findings versus tossing out a diagnostic opinion. I have never been a fan of labels and have often told my own mentally ill patients not to take them too seriously, because it is more helpful to the people who handle the money for billing and payment purposes than a benefit to the patient. In spite of the same diagnoses, I have never met two people with exactly the same needs. I have pretty much ignored them throughout my career.
Dr, Van Noord also told me the cervical MRI exam has identified a blockage in his neck that needs further attention. She is referring him to their surgical department, and someone will be calling to arrange the appointment. She pointed out it is possible the blockage in the neck is contributing to his staggering when walking. Now THAT was good news, since I was concerned about it possibly being a sign of Parkinson's Disease.
When a doctor tells me they are referring to surgeons, I immediately have a mental picture of a half dozen smiling surgeons in white coats each holding two knives while rubbing them together and smiling. "Oh Goody ...here comes another one!" My first inclination is to run.
Okay ... my humorous husband time now. I told him that it would be interesting to find that our method (way) of dealing with (treating) the brain disorder may be a most effective treatment program, which should be shared with others going through this. The neurologist complimented us on how we are "handling" this issue during his first evaluation. Anyway, it would be a pity if there is something to what we are doing that could help others, but it is like it is our own little secret. One of the key ingredients to what we have done is related to treating the psychiatric issues that develop when you have a brain disorder of ANY type. Because of our background in mental health, we immediately reached out to our psychiatrist friends and colleagues, and Dr. Michael Lardon has been involved in treating Jerry, as well as serving as an advisor to both of us. When Jerry first started displaying some major behavior changes, it was a natural response for me to drag him into a psychiatrist's office. Many people object to using psychotropic medications for addressing inappropriate behaviors. My life has been spent working with people who have the most severe behavior problems and if not addressed, they end up in institutions. So ... call it treating symptoms or correcting behavior problems, but I am of the mind set if it works, it is better than the circumstances that result when people prevent others from having medications which can be helpful.
So ...right away, the psychiatrists addressed his "symptoms," while I began dragging him into the offices of brain specialists. Thankfully, Jerry has always been very cooperative. Anyway ...this morning when he and I were discussing this, I told him that if others would include a psychiatrist who are the experts in identifying the best medication for a given situation when people have what Jerry calls "broken brains," it can help with delaying the progression of the brain dysfunction. I reminded him of a friend from Charlotte who developed a brain disorder and tried to address it through a general practitioner with the end results being the guy totally lost it and locked his wife out of the house one day. The police had to be called, and he ended up being institutionalized in the most dramatic way. Jerry laughed and said, "If I locked you out of the house, you would throw up your hands and say "Yay!!!" and go down the road." We both shared laughter over that statement.
The bottom line to this entry is .... I have a feeling our lives will be changing very soon along with the other changes that come with fall every year. What's next? Who knows? We will just roll with the punches of life and count our daily blessings.
I was awake but still lying in bed when our phone rang this morning at 8:45. The system announced the number that was calling. When I heard 858, I thought "this is probably Jerry's neurologist's office," as I noted the time and area code. Not wanting to miss a call from there, since he had just had two MRI exams on Saturday and a PET scan the week before, I took the call. Much to my surprise and in keeping with Scripp's excellent medical services, it was Dr. Michelle Van Noord. She told me that the PET scan really didn't show any abnormalities. However, the imaging of the brain confirmed atrophy, which is more concentrated in the frontal temporal area of the brain. However, he has suffered brain atrophy all over the brain. The concentration on the frontal temporal lobe, of course, would explain the behavior changes. She emphasized that the atrophy is not profound, and that she has seen worse. She said she would like to get a copy of the PET scans and MRI exams that were completed 10 years ago, so she could check the progression.
You know, it was quite refreshing to hear a neurologist speaking of the actual findings versus tossing out a diagnostic opinion. I have never been a fan of labels and have often told my own mentally ill patients not to take them too seriously, because it is more helpful to the people who handle the money for billing and payment purposes than a benefit to the patient. In spite of the same diagnoses, I have never met two people with exactly the same needs. I have pretty much ignored them throughout my career.
Dr, Van Noord also told me the cervical MRI exam has identified a blockage in his neck that needs further attention. She is referring him to their surgical department, and someone will be calling to arrange the appointment. She pointed out it is possible the blockage in the neck is contributing to his staggering when walking. Now THAT was good news, since I was concerned about it possibly being a sign of Parkinson's Disease.
When a doctor tells me they are referring to surgeons, I immediately have a mental picture of a half dozen smiling surgeons in white coats each holding two knives while rubbing them together and smiling. "Oh Goody ...here comes another one!" My first inclination is to run.
Okay ... my humorous husband time now. I told him that it would be interesting to find that our method (way) of dealing with (treating) the brain disorder may be a most effective treatment program, which should be shared with others going through this. The neurologist complimented us on how we are "handling" this issue during his first evaluation. Anyway, it would be a pity if there is something to what we are doing that could help others, but it is like it is our own little secret. One of the key ingredients to what we have done is related to treating the psychiatric issues that develop when you have a brain disorder of ANY type. Because of our background in mental health, we immediately reached out to our psychiatrist friends and colleagues, and Dr. Michael Lardon has been involved in treating Jerry, as well as serving as an advisor to both of us. When Jerry first started displaying some major behavior changes, it was a natural response for me to drag him into a psychiatrist's office. Many people object to using psychotropic medications for addressing inappropriate behaviors. My life has been spent working with people who have the most severe behavior problems and if not addressed, they end up in institutions. So ... call it treating symptoms or correcting behavior problems, but I am of the mind set if it works, it is better than the circumstances that result when people prevent others from having medications which can be helpful.
So ...right away, the psychiatrists addressed his "symptoms," while I began dragging him into the offices of brain specialists. Thankfully, Jerry has always been very cooperative. Anyway ...this morning when he and I were discussing this, I told him that if others would include a psychiatrist who are the experts in identifying the best medication for a given situation when people have what Jerry calls "broken brains," it can help with delaying the progression of the brain dysfunction. I reminded him of a friend from Charlotte who developed a brain disorder and tried to address it through a general practitioner with the end results being the guy totally lost it and locked his wife out of the house one day. The police had to be called, and he ended up being institutionalized in the most dramatic way. Jerry laughed and said, "If I locked you out of the house, you would throw up your hands and say "Yay!!!" and go down the road." We both shared laughter over that statement.
The bottom line to this entry is .... I have a feeling our lives will be changing very soon along with the other changes that come with fall every year. What's next? Who knows? We will just roll with the punches of life and count our daily blessings.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 (SUNDAY)...
I can't believe it is 3:30 PM already. I have had a foggy brain today. Got up about 9:30 and went through the usual morning motions of taking care of the bulldogs. Believe it or not, it usually takes about 30 minutes. I don't know how Dana and Brandon handle their many animals. I couldn't even decide what to wear this morning. I considered tights but ended up in sweats and a flannel shirt. I know ...such challenging decisions.
Dinner tonight will be the prime rib bones, and my recipe is a combination of Friend Roger's choice, which includes browning the meat on the barbecue grill before putting them in the crockpot with a conglomeration of products. I also had some sweet Italian Sausages and browned them on the grill too before adding them to the crockpot. Husband got up about 11 AM, saw all of the meat on a cookie sheet and asked, "Are we having a party?" Haha. No, we are cooking the meat that was hanging out in the fridge that should be cooked today.
Jodi came up and brought as some cole slaw, which will be perfect to add to our meal tonight. She gave me a taste before putting it into our fridge, and it is delicious. Barbecued prime ribs bones with sweet Italian sausages will go quite well with coleslaw. She came back again later to see if we had any Orajel, because she has a very bad toothache. As is typical in this house, I found a brand new tube of it still in its box never having been used.
Received a notification in my email from the neurologist at Scripps, which stated there were messages on his personal medical file. Actually, it was directed to him, but he uses my email address for most important mail now. I was so impressed to find a very detailed and thorough evaluation of her first visit with Jerry. She did not leave anything out, and the evaluation was being sent from her to his primary physician at Scripps. I have been keeping an eye out for the results of the PET completed last week and of course, now the 2 MRI exams that were done Saturday.
Loving our fall weather here in San Diego....
I can't believe it is 3:30 PM already. I have had a foggy brain today. Got up about 9:30 and went through the usual morning motions of taking care of the bulldogs. Believe it or not, it usually takes about 30 minutes. I don't know how Dana and Brandon handle their many animals. I couldn't even decide what to wear this morning. I considered tights but ended up in sweats and a flannel shirt. I know ...such challenging decisions.
Dinner tonight will be the prime rib bones, and my recipe is a combination of Friend Roger's choice, which includes browning the meat on the barbecue grill before putting them in the crockpot with a conglomeration of products. I also had some sweet Italian Sausages and browned them on the grill too before adding them to the crockpot. Husband got up about 11 AM, saw all of the meat on a cookie sheet and asked, "Are we having a party?" Haha. No, we are cooking the meat that was hanging out in the fridge that should be cooked today.
Jodi came up and brought as some cole slaw, which will be perfect to add to our meal tonight. She gave me a taste before putting it into our fridge, and it is delicious. Barbecued prime ribs bones with sweet Italian sausages will go quite well with coleslaw. She came back again later to see if we had any Orajel, because she has a very bad toothache. As is typical in this house, I found a brand new tube of it still in its box never having been used.
Received a notification in my email from the neurologist at Scripps, which stated there were messages on his personal medical file. Actually, it was directed to him, but he uses my email address for most important mail now. I was so impressed to find a very detailed and thorough evaluation of her first visit with Jerry. She did not leave anything out, and the evaluation was being sent from her to his primary physician at Scripps. I have been keeping an eye out for the results of the PET completed last week and of course, now the 2 MRI exams that were done Saturday.
Loving our fall weather here in San Diego....
Friday, September 22, 2017
FOUR YEARS LATER AND YES, I'M STILL HERE...
September 22, 2017 ...
It has been four years since I made an entry in this blog. I believe this one holds my only public postings unless you have seen me hanging out on Facebook. Wow! Four years just like that. I call these times my candle burning years, but lately, it has felt more like spinning my wheels years. I started to post on FB today and then decided to make an entry in my blog, since I was writing in the 3rd person.
There is a technique used in psychology referred to as the "3rd chair." I believe women use that little trick more than men. Guys seems to never get over just saying what is running through their brains at any time. Most women analyze the possible outcomes before speaking. Occasionally if a woman wants her husband to get a message, but she isn't forthcoming enough to tell him, she will tell him another person said it. He gets the message, and she doesn't take the risk that he won't like it and be mad at her. Women seem to be born with the capability of using manipulations to achieve. If you observe children closely, you will see the little girl coming out of a situation looking quite innocent, while little boys are most often caught red handed. I see the same type of behavior traits in my English bulldogs. The male bulldog gives you eye contact and firmly defends his decision to dump the water out of your little swimming pool, while the female bulldog stands by, watches and would never choose to do that in front of you. My little French bulldog is having a terrible time right now trying to eat her own food, while sneaking the English bulldog's food without getting caught. Life can be challenging even for bulldogs.
I have decided to share my morning entry in my own blog instead of on Facebook today, because I need to focus more on my books and blogs, both public and private. It helps me to falsely believe that I do have a private life. 😊 Below is the entry in perhaps my most neglected blog.
"It was 12 noon when she sat down to have her "morning" coffee on a beautiful San Diego fall day. The English, American and French bulldog had been fed. A shipment had been dragged inside her security gate and was waiting for her husband to get up to carry it inside. A beautiful brisket had been carefully browned and placed inside the crockpot with cartelized onions and mushrooms. She poured a mixture of beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and a little Soy Sauce on top of all of it, turned it on low and let her imagination run away about how great the Texas Brisket Rub would flavor the meat.
It has been four years since I made an entry in this blog. I believe this one holds my only public postings unless you have seen me hanging out on Facebook. Wow! Four years just like that. I call these times my candle burning years, but lately, it has felt more like spinning my wheels years. I started to post on FB today and then decided to make an entry in my blog, since I was writing in the 3rd person.
There is a technique used in psychology referred to as the "3rd chair." I believe women use that little trick more than men. Guys seems to never get over just saying what is running through their brains at any time. Most women analyze the possible outcomes before speaking. Occasionally if a woman wants her husband to get a message, but she isn't forthcoming enough to tell him, she will tell him another person said it. He gets the message, and she doesn't take the risk that he won't like it and be mad at her. Women seem to be born with the capability of using manipulations to achieve. If you observe children closely, you will see the little girl coming out of a situation looking quite innocent, while little boys are most often caught red handed. I see the same type of behavior traits in my English bulldogs. The male bulldog gives you eye contact and firmly defends his decision to dump the water out of your little swimming pool, while the female bulldog stands by, watches and would never choose to do that in front of you. My little French bulldog is having a terrible time right now trying to eat her own food, while sneaking the English bulldog's food without getting caught. Life can be challenging even for bulldogs.
I have decided to share my morning entry in my own blog instead of on Facebook today, because I need to focus more on my books and blogs, both public and private. It helps me to falsely believe that I do have a private life. 😊 Below is the entry in perhaps my most neglected blog.
"It was 12 noon when she sat down to have her "morning" coffee on a beautiful San Diego fall day. The English, American and French bulldog had been fed. A shipment had been dragged inside her security gate and was waiting for her husband to get up to carry it inside. A beautiful brisket had been carefully browned and placed inside the crockpot with cartelized onions and mushrooms. She poured a mixture of beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and a little Soy Sauce on top of all of it, turned it on low and let her imagination run away about how great the Texas Brisket Rub would flavor the meat.
The woman had grown up so long ago and far away from her favorite place to be at this time in her life. Soon she will take off on another adventure. She rallies between feeling excited about it and dreading the work involved to get "there from here." Sometimes it was still hard to believe how she got "here from there." No firm decision has been made about where "there" will be, but she knows she doesn't want to need daily help from services and employees, so it must be small enough for her to maintain. She is in pursuit of privacy of this time in her life.
She has led a very exciting life and for the past 7 years has been working towards winding down from that lifestyle towards one that will allow her to focus on a couple of books she has been writing for too many years now. She holds so many memories inside of her and so many secrets. It is challenging to write about one's life while protecting the privacy of those who would not want their story told, because other people are so intertwined in our lives."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)