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You know I never discuss female thermodynamics - Lou; Rescue Me

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The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.


Stupid Fact of the Week
There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

15 September, 2008
Long Overdue Update
Alright...I'm back on the left coast, but while I was over on that other one I realized that there are a few things that most of you don't know... I shall remedy this now; please excuse the tardiness...

#1 )) Carnivorous no more.

I no longer eat meat... unless you consider fish meat... I guess the technical term is Pescatarian. It's been about 5 months now, and it all started with me trying to quit smoking (once again) by living a bit healthier to discourage going back to such an unhealthy habit. So I quite fast food, soda, and started running, and eating more local/organic products. This had me shopping at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, where the meat options were a bit pricier than at "regular" grocers, so I ate very little meat, and one day decided to just kick it all together. So far, so good.

#2 )) Parkinson-of-a-gun

Roughly 16 years ago, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It progressed slowly and doctors managed to keep it under control with medication, until about a year ago when things began to head downhill. My recent trip back to NC was primarily due to the fact that he was scheduled for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery beginning September 9th (the surgery takes place in 2 parts). Here is an email my mom drafted to update friends and family:

Hey! Sorry I didn't get this out sooner - we had some technical difficulties in Charleston! The surgery was successful, which means that the surgeons got "good readings." We won't know for another month how if will actually affect Mike in the real world. In two weeks, we go back to Charleston to have the generators put in and then 8-10 days later, he'll actually get connected - then the process of "tweaking" begins. The surgeon and the neurologist were absolutely wonderful. The surgeon's nurse is very knowledgeable and great fun. Mike had some terrific nurses on the 10th floor (How he ended up there is a story for another day...) The MUSC experience on the whole, however, was phenomenally frustrating - thankfully, Matthew, Andrea, and Valerie were there and that kept me from being overwhelmed by the seeming incompetence of the people in charge of patient rooms. (At one point, two nurses showed up in the Recovery room - where, by the way, Mike stayed from the end of surgery until he checked out - again, another story - and wanted to know where he WAS!! You would all have been proud of my response - I mostly let them talk to each other and merely pointed at Mike, who was pretty obviously the brain surgery patient.) Ah...
But - God is good and Mike is back home, not quite himself on pain meds, but we're enjoying the laughs, some of which we may relate to him when he comes out of his very funny fog. Thanks, Pastor Ed, for the very loooooooong drive to pray with us and to visit. Thanks to all of you pray-ers for your prayers!! We felt very comforted by all of your support. Matthew is home until Sunday, Andrea is coming home for at least part of the weekend, my sister Jackie is come in this weekend and staying for two weeks. If you'd like to come visit Mike, I suggest that you wait for a few days - he really is funny right now, but he probably won't remember that you came to visit!!! I would think that by Saturday/Sunday, he'll be off most of the pain meds and would love a visit!!!
I'm so thankful for so much - Peg

Also, for more information, my dad posted some info on his blog.

That's all for now... I'll be back with more controversial fare later.
posted by Rockel @ 6:02 PM  
1 Comments:
  • At 16/9/08 9:06 PM, Blogger Bethany said…

    I didn't know your dad had Parkinson's, Rockel. My Grandfather has been fighting this disease as well for probably around 7 years. It's one that the general public doesn't seem to know much about. They get it confused with Alzheimer's a lot. But I know that it's painful to watch. I'm glad you were able to go out there for a while. It's hard being far away and not able to help. It sounds like your mom has some great encouragement and support in NC which I know is invaluable during a time like this. It must be comforting to know you're leaving them in good hands.

     
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Lyrics of the Week

ON THE NICKEL
by Tom Waits

("I'd like to do a new song here. This is eh, it's about downtown Los Angeles on 5th Street. And eh all the winos affectionately refer to it as The Nickel. So this is kind of a hobo's lullaby.")

sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true, and when
your mama is dead and gone,
i'll sing this lullabye just for you,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never comb their hair,
well they're lined up all around the block,
on the nickel over there.

so you better bring a bucket,
there is a hole in the pail,
and if you don't get my letter,
then you'll know that i'm in jail,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never say their prayers,
well they're sleepin' like a baby,
on the nickel over there.

and if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star,
well you'll find out where the scarecrows sit,
just like punchlines between the cars,
and i know a place where a royal flush,
can never beat a pair, and even thomas jefferson,
is on the nickel over there.

so ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain,
and you're always late for supper,
and man you let me down again,
i thought i heard a mockingbird, roosevelt knows where,
you can skip the light, with grady tuck,
on the nickel over there.

so what becomes of all the little boys,
who run away from home,
well the world just keeps gettin' bigger,
once you get out on your own,
so here's to all the little boys,
the sandman takes you where,
you'll be sleepin' with a pillowman,
on the nickel over there.

so let's climb up through that button hole,
and we'll fall right up the stairs,
and i'll show you where the short dogs grow,
on the nickel over there.

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