THE DANCE WHAT DANCE? (March 25)

CUE THE MUSIC They came to dance. In green and white and matching shoes they came to dance. The 26th time could be the charm as they joyfully began to dance. And dance they did for 40 minutes and then the clock struck midnight (or more correctly No. 1 seed). The music changed and alas, they danced no more. Maybe next year...💚💚

THEORY VS REALITY Finished a podcast with a critical care nurse and injury prevention trainer last week. One of our topics was throwing the old first aid book out the window. For CPR no more breaths and chest compressions. Just bang away and keep the blood flowing. Don't worry about how bad the injury is, Stop the Bleed. In other words, in an emergency situation many folks have a "flight or fight" moment or just panic. Address the blood and apply pressure until more experienced people arrive. One example was a man using a saw in his garage and cuts himself. Don't think just grab towels, hit 911, leave your phone on speaker and apply pressure.  Good interview.

I'LL NEVER PLAY THE MANDOLIN AGAIN What made this discussion so poignant was two days before, the OH was making his world-famous potato salad for a Lenten dinner at church. He was envisioning spring barbecue for the menu. While merrily slicing veggies disaster struck. I found him on the couch gripping his hand and piling up rapidly reddening towels. It was only his little finger ON HIS BOWLING HAND but pretty nasty slice. I did manage to control myself and keep from immortalizing his accident on my very public podcast, but the irony was not lost on me. After the interview we of course compared "accidents we have known". The nurse's stories were much better especially as a flight nurse.

BACK TO THE MANDOLIN After two days I insisted an urgent care visit was necessary as we couldn't get the blood-soaked multi bandages off to assess the damage (think gangrene).  He was less than enthusiastic as he assumed they would merrily tear our handiwork apart and even a gentle touch was agonizing on the injured digit. However, when urgent care soaked it in SOAPY sterile water (wish I'd known that before) the bandages came right off and healing could begin. One thing I will say, those mandolin slicers do a nice clean shear. 

He proudly showed off his bandaged hand to the church group claiming he has shed more blood for that church than the one he was a member of for fifty years. (He experienced a nativity scene-related knee slice accident this past New Year's.) I reminded him - you were the other church's treasurer for years so you certainly did shed a lot of blood, sweat, etc... Our sense of humor remains strong as we navigate the medical waters ahead. Wondering if his honesty with the group was worrying considering the comments, I reassured all and sundry that any red in the salad was radishes. 

BACK TO WORK When I was working it always seemed necessary to get a lot of chores done so I could relax when I took time off (and not check emails). Though during my stint at the City I was never off-duty with a boss who observed no boundaries. I was literally called during meetings, conferences, training, vacations, at doctor's appointments, ad nauseum. She was always critical that I had a life. Of course, she would brag how she was writing a speech for Blanchard when she was in labor. Hard to top that. Actually, the Executive Director of the Safety Conference is one of those super-human types as she recorded one of my podcasts while she was in the hospital!  She didn't tell me until after and said she just put a Do Not Disturb sign on her hospital room door.  But at least she doesn't expect others to work her insane hours. I admit I used to take paperwork to personal appointments and always returned to work after things like root canals slobbering through the rest of the day. My staff would take half a day of sick leave for a mere appointment. Boy was I dumb. It's the quality not the quantity LOL.

 Still in that mode apparently as I frantically rehearsed one program, recorded one, set up two new recordings for the end of April and two live interviews at the Safety Conference. All to be sure I have May off to deal with my surgeries. Thinking I'm all set, another interested party from EGLE (Mich Dept of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy) wrote to apologize she had not returned her questionnaire for an interview. I was happy to tell her to take her time-whew. Where were all these people when I was "bush shakin'" willing to interview anyone who wasn't afraid of a microphone? The OH wants to know when I plan on retiring.

AND THEN Not to end on a sour note but why does Congress put us through non-funding crises every couple of months. They always make it, but the angst is part of the process I guess. Have to hand it to the orange man though-he actually let it shut down once.  On the humorous side however, "I'm a billionaire, I have no money. I actually have half a billion in cash laying around Mama Layer (since I moved out the boxes of classified doc). I need people to send me money." One would think his faithful would get tired of bailing out the billionaire.    Peace out.....💚  💙💛

GREEN IS MY FAVORITE (March 18)

                                                                              

💚💚💚Go Green in so many ways today. First, "La Fheile Padraig son duit!" (Happy St Patrick's Day). Secondly, has MSU done enough to make it 26 years in a row to the big dance? We need some positive news for a change from my secondary alma mater. Though how many know State captured the Big Ten title in Hockey for the first time in...like forever? Cool Cool. 

UPDATE MSU made it to the dance!!!  But my sympathies to Indiana and the Ohio State. 💚💚💚

JUST SAYIN'  Rant today is about commercials (again). Those Lumi ads are getting more frequently intrusive-she must have a massive advertising budget. They've even snared another lady to claim her fear of an offending odor prompted her to take multiple showers. Why?  Did you have a rotting sore that needed attention; an extreme case of halitosis; an inability to wipe? Her message: No one will smell you coming. They will be startled, and it will be "oh I did not know anyone was there". So how do we display that we are odor free? Casually drape our armpits around passing strangers? Bend over to pick up an imaginary penny or errant sock wafting our no-smell to the family? I mean if you're going to spend hard-earned money on an unnecessary product one must get their money's worth. So many possibilities like we can wrinkle our nose at a restaurant and recommend our brand to the hapless server who smells like, I don't know, food. Visits to your doctor may be interesting as they realize you have no human odor and recommend the neighborhood witch for treatment. Maybe you just smear it under your nose and thus not smell anything bad, good or indifferent. 

Also since it's Spring allergy season the good old neti pots are making their debut. I was first introduced to these nasal torture devices at a work holiday White Elephant party. Industrial Hygienists are curious folk and amusing in their own inimitable way.  During potluck lunch, you blindly grab an interestingly shaped package and hope to receive a useless, but basically re-giftable item. When the neti pot emerged our intrepid scientist helpfully played a video of the item in use...while we were eating...I think it was a ploy to snare the tastiest treats while we were all processing the disgusting stream of yuck coming out of the model's nose. According to an allergist we talked with, painful at first, but you get used to it. Umm no I'll stick with my Allegra. Disclaimer here. It probably works for some-no offense intended.

Though they've stopped advertising liquor and cigarettes on television (for those who still watch commercial TV) there is a plethora of information on drugs for obscure or, my guess, made-up diseases. Back in olden times there were literally ads with doctors puffing away extolling the pleasures of menthol cigarettes being so relaxing, etc. Now they seriously gaze into the camera and push one drug or another with side effects so scary one would rather have the disease. Apparently without specialized medical training or education we are expected to recommend to the physician what drug we wish to take and why. Considering docs used to promote smoking I guess it's kind of a crap shoot anyway.

 Unfortunately, there is a kernel of truth in doing your homework when insurance companies so control the amount of time and effort a doctor can take with an appointment making one a contributing member of the medical team these days. But with any overload of information, interpreted by someone who may have read something on social media, it has also led to people believing that vaccines are not needed and childhood diseases that were eradicated are now bringing back the olden days. Vicious circle. Just read a man died of bubonic plague, in Colorado. Ruh oh as Scooby Do would say. During my own breast cancer adventure, I did do some research and bravely (or stupidly) nixed the idea of continuing treatment with a drug known to cause uterine cancer. So far so good.

BACK IN POD MODE  Just finished recording a podcast with the President of the Conference (a new requirement I have put on incoming presidents of the Conference). His passion for safety and enthusiasm for new ideas was stimulating and reminded me why old safety people never go away. You would never guess he was a safety manager for 30 years in the automotive industry and immediately embarked on a second safety manager job at another huge company based on his belief that "0" fatalities is possible. Actually, I retired three times myself and I'm still doing safety & health podcasts. Like I say, safety people be crazy fanatics.

I will have at least three, maybe four poddies done before I take a surgical vacation in May. I am rather curious how my rehearsal will go with my chiro Tuesday as he is quite the character. Oh well our website for the podcast has the typical legal "we are not responsible for the opinions expressed...yada yada". I have been known to challenge a comment, but my role is more laying out a welcome mat and offering no opinion on the veracity of statements made... 

HAPPY DANCE Spring in Michigan. 60-70 one day; snow flurries and cold the next. One never travels in this State without raingear, insulated coat and flip flops. My daffies were so excited about lifting their sunny heads all the way.  So-called blonde thinking as they are now shivering under little snowflakes. Fortunately, they have a thick leaf bed to keep their feet warm.  Peace out....💚💚💚

  

 

SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE OR SOMEONE'S GOT TO GO (March 11)

READING THE ROOM The week of doctor visits, fun as that was, finds me waxing about the state of bathrooms in public places. One would think a doctor's office with their fascination with infection, etc. would be pristine or at least looking cleaner than most. My Mom did say one needs to eat a certain amount of dirt in one's life to inoculate us from every little germ, parasite, worm. I am sure I had my share of less than sanitary play areas and did not die! Although I have become a little more fastidious in my advancing years I'm not a fanatic about it as attested by my house cleaner. 

Second prize for cleanliness goes to the dentist's office. Interesting as they were the ones I had to lecture about wearing gloves when the bloodborne rules came into effect many years ago. They spend so much time cleaning, grinding, scraping and whooshing clients it kind of makes sense. It's in their office DNA.  The surgeon's office was probably next only because they had multiple restrooms. Which as patients were waiting over an hour for their appointments, nerves got the better of them. No explanation was offered outside of a vague reference to "ever since covid"... My assumption is that we avoided routine visits and waited until the acute stage of whatever occurred, thus leading to longer appointments, leading to longer delays, etc., etc.. 

We became a united group once the receptionist apologized for the delay and started demanding pizza if the wait went past dinnertime. No riotous behavior, just good-natured ribbing. I must have added to the delay cycle as the waiting room was totally empty when we came out - but then I saw no less than three people, no four counting the one who took the x-rays. I do believe it was a cognitive exercise to be sure I told the same story, symptoms, treatments. The OH verified that I was consistent. We now have seven doctors in different stages/reasons of treatment so I don't dare turn off my phone or fail to answer any unknown callers. SPAM/SCAMS and I will now be friends. 

Of course, when your appointment time is running late, there is the dilemma of do I try to make a quick run for the potty or will I miss my turn when they call (we are very competitive)? You could see gears turning, discomfort growing until a mad dash became inevitable. Always good to have a "wing person" for these moments. But that leads me to my next thought. As one is bored you rather notice how long they take. Did they wash their hands or not and do I want to be the next one in? No eye contact is crucial and mandatory under the circumstances. 

DIGRESS: My doctor from my earlier young mother days was always late which he said was due to my own negative juju. He dreaded seeing my name on the schedule as he would always have an emergency that day that delayed our interactions-like clockwork. I started bringing work with me (before laptops and cellphones) to make use of the time. Thank goodness for the current ability to play on our phones! 

BACK TO TOPIC But the worst restroom is the eye doctor's office. OMG. First, the waiting room holds about 20 people. And apparently, they all "held it" until they got there. Some multiple times. There is something about your action occurring on a still-warm seat - ewww.- that stymies your own deposit. No one appeared to make regular checks of the room as there was a pile-up of used towels and not-so-clean sink to contend with as well. This was the scenario whether it was an early appointment or later. I chose the cross-my-legs method of discomfort. There were some strategically placed bushes near the building in case of emergency. Same situation in the second eye doctor's office (we have different surgeons-same company) only the patients looked surgical and toxic with wheelchairs, walkers, bandages, eye patches, etc. Like a motley crew of elderly pirates. Us cataract people be old.

Now you're wondering who was number 1 for number 1 or 2. As our appointments took forever, eating out afterwards became a thing. The best bathroom, ta da, was the one at the upscale restaurant where we met friends for dinner. Especially gratifying was seeing a nicely dressed young woman checking the supplies and condition. She had a slight "attitude" look when I caught her as it was all beneath her (well, duhh of course the room is made to be beneath you). Though I do believe she was also the hostess which gives one pause. At any rate you could have nested and had dinner in the beautifully appointed "salon" and I appreciated her sharp appearance.

OTHER STUFF Is there a backbone available for rent for the GOP? Turtle man McConnel has now endorsed his favorite dictator. You would think when you're over 80 and ready to retire you can actually show some courage and speak your mind considering he totally condemned rump after his January 6 actions. 

Now that Florida has totally destroyed diversity (with other red states panting to be next) I have to say I never would have had the career I've had if not for the company's willingness (okay maybe dragged kicking and screaming) to hire a woman for my first safety position. But the trick is, you have to do the job, probably better than the "usual" candidate, but at least I was given the chance. Funny thing though at my tender age of 22? I had no idea I was only given the chance because of new policy. My boss/es were very upset but, thankfully, did not reveal that little fact at the time. I apparently don't read "resentment" very well. There was no pointed distinction in my family of "boy or girl" jobs. Thanks Mom.  Though I don't think I could pull off jumping in and out of the back window of the station wagon we used for delivery, your paper "person" turned out just fine. Though thank you for trying to take us back there Senator Britt in your GOP rebuttal to the President's speech. Going back 50 years seem like the right pathway to progress.

BACK TO BATHROOMS As I seem to have such a fixation for restrooms, I really need to go back and photograph Traverse City winery restrooms. They were all unique and beautiful. I really think a "Bathrooms of Wine Country" could do well. Peace out....💚  💙💛

HOT DOGS FOR GOD (March 4)

 

MISCELLANEOUS My cousin has been working on a website for my mother's side of the family called the Muldoon Connection. He's hoping we will be loading pictures and stories so our progeny will have a history when they feel like looking up where they came from. In giving him my siblings' birth dates I noticed something odd, though it's Mom and Dad's fault! One sister was born in March (Spring), one in June (summer) and one in September (Fall). My brother and I screwed the whole thing up by both being born in November rather than December. We must be the oops children. Sweet sisters and Oops brother. Sounds like a rock group. 

Busy with podcast wanna be's for once. However, two are doctors (to talk about lung disease & ergo) and one is a nurse wanting to talk about First Aid. As I will be in visual no-man's land by May, I need to get as many recordings done as possible before then. I do have a fire department Captain I am trying to convince to talk about fire investigations as well as a possible environmental speaker. Now I have to figure out how not to have one similar topic after another or dueling docs. If I could just find an attorney and a Native American Chief, I could possibly swing the next six months and I'll have my own "Village of People" series. 

BREAK FOR JP ADVENTURE Listening to all these reports of child predators (teachers, clergy) and the online nude boy scams cause me worry for my grandson who loves and trusts everyone. Case in point. JP helped out at the Community Supper again and was promoted to order taker as the original was too busy talking to customers. After a long conversation with a gentleman in a truck he came back with a sucker dangling from his mouth like an unlit cigarette. 

It did not occur to me until later when we were discussing that just because people are nice to you does not mean they do not have evil on the brain. He could not wrap his head around that and our explanations were hard to justify that niceness can be faked. However, I did ask him "where did you get that sucker you were eating?" From a stranger he was talking to. You could literally see the alarm bells flashing through his brain as he realized he just accepted candy from a stranger; the classic "do not do" from all his adult mentors. As he is very careful with his language, he basically said good grief rather than "crap" when he realized what he had done. Hopefully lesson learned. 

We staff those community dinners at the same time the Weight Watchers group meets a few rooms away.  Not only does the distracting smell of brats, sloppy joes or hot dogs waft through the air during the meeting but they have to walk through us when they leave. Their looks are pitiful, when they make eye contact, and we always cheerfully offer them a free meal if they're hungry. Of course they're hungry; they had to weigh in. I can imagine the WW leaders downplaying the feast in the lobby while labeling the gauntlet of luscious temptation they must walk past as merely a test of their tummy rumbling resolve. We are not above slipping them a contraband hot dog on the sly if need be.

After the cars have gone, the homeless (where they come from that far from town, I have no idea) kind of edge near the door. Which is kind of the point I think, bible-wise. We pile them up with left-overs.

AGING IN PLACE This week, between us, we have no less than five medical appointments. And why? Why does every new doctor need detailed info on every fricking aspect of your life and medical history when there are only two medical services in town and some of the doctors are in the same system/program/office??? Do I remember when I had tonsils, appendix, shoulder surgery, cancer, diabetes or sibling's/parents diseases and dates etc. etc. etc. You have all these records...multiple times. Hackers seem to be able to access this info with ease-what's your problem?  Kicker was doctor I am seeing is in the same office as my other recent surgery and I was supposed to answer 100 questions on my phone!!!  As was pointed out by our friends the other night at dinner - we're old, so don't expect the same answers I say. 

 We also discussed how much harder it gets picking up one's feet when one walks (if you hear that shuffle noise, you be old) and the fear of loose rugs. I am happy when someone addresses me as Ma'am as that means they actually see my wrinkled self AND realize I am female. It's the little things that count. I need to take the handrail down to paint it and I'm already contemplating my tumble down the stairs due to its temporary absence. But with the plethora of docs in my immediate future I should be covered for any physical mangling that occurs.  Lot of things to get done today so Peace out..💚 💙💛