Thursday, March 31, 2005

Terri Schiavo - 12/03/63-03/31/05

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" - folk saying.

The battle for Terri Schiavo's life raged through March like a lion. Terri died like a lamb on the sacrificial altar of her husband's convenience.

Michael Schiavo was Terri's husband of six years prior to her catastrophic injury. By law and custom, he had the right to make decisions regarding her health care since she was unable to do so herself and left no written instructions. Mr. Schiavo did persue all options legally, however, his moral fiber is in serious question. He was not exactly the potential grieving widower, having already taken up residence and fathered children with another woman DURING his marriage to Terri. Terri remained an inconvenience in his plans. And he apparently held severe animosity toward his in-laws which only intensified throughout the saga.

Mr. Schiavo is a person of dispicable moral character for not allowing Bob and Mary Schindler to attend their daughter's death. This morning around 9 AM is the last they would have seen of their daughter, after 15 years of suffering with her in this misfortune. As parents, we pray never to have to make such an agonizing decision for a child of ours, whether that child is young or an adult. As adults, we (hopefully) have taken measures to assure that such a decision will not be so difficult or in question for our children or spouses. But after all the publicity, appealing, lawyering and spectating, the least Mr. Schiavo could have done was allow the Schindlers their last moment with their child. Justice would be served if, in later years, Mr. Schiavo was in a similar medical condition and his children would not allow other loved ones in his family to be by his bedside during his final moments.

Let us use this tragic case to make preparations on many levels. First, as has been well publicized, let us create documents clearly stating our directives for medical treatment and appoint a person or persons who will be in charge of such decisions, allowing for a variety of conditions and circumstances. This document should ALSO include those we would want in attendance at our deathbed. Secondly, let us state the desired disposition for our bodies - autopsy, cremation, burial, type of service, etc. And thirdly, let us try to come together as families and human beings at such times of crisis, rather than challenging one another in court and creating a public battle out of a painful, personal matter.

Rest in Peace, Terri.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

My life in splints

Well, this blog is taking a turn away from patio decoration. Yesterday I was told I had (among other things) carpal tunnel syndrome. So I went to my local CVS and purchased wrist splints, which I am supposed to wear 24/7 for 6 weeks. I don't know that anyone really recovers from CTS, I think the docs just try to get the pain and hand use manageable. Alas, years of data entry have taken their toll, but that's another posting. Therefore, my newest obsession is finding out which things are harder with wrist splints and which are easier. Here's the list so far:

-Wiping after bathroom use - definitely harder.
-Petting cats - less enjoyable, since I don't feel the plush fur against my palm.
-Holding babies up for feeding - much easier! The metal bar in the wrist brace is enormously useful for holding up these enormous babies! However, for burping I can only use my fingertips.
-Driving stick shift - not much change. Pretty easy, like before.
-Possiblities for self-defense - much better. Splints hold the wrist straight for punching. Metal bar can be used to side-swipe opponent's head. Metal bar extends into palm for an even more deadly palm strike (as a martial artist, I think of these things).
-Typing (and hence, writing on this blog) - harder. Previously I could type with my eyes closed, in the dark, etc. I could even reach, by touch, that elusive nub where my cat broke away the "-" key on this laptop. Of course, it doesn't help that I usually type in the recumbent position.
-Eating - harder. Wrist splints could be the next big diet fad. Relieve CTS and lose weight at the same time! Brilliant! (Hat off to Guinness beer)
-Sleeping - first night with them on, I was so tired it was a non-issue.
-Folding laundry - somewhat harder.
-Washing dishes - my hands fit inside the glove without them. Mostly a good excuse to get someone else to do dishes!

This is only Day 2 of 42 days in wrist splints. I'll see how it goes.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Patio Furniture

Got the patio furniture yesterday at, of all places, the grocery store. For the money, they had a half-decent, nicely priced set that even included the umbrella. Brought the chairs and umbrella, and then the table, home in the 93 Ford Mustang (spouse: "It's almost like having a pickup truck!)

Noticed this blog is getting to be mostly about my patio and garden, which is fine. Since my Brandt Alumaporch has recently been completed, I plan to make my screen room my sanctuary since I will be spending so much time at home. It cost about $300.00 just for the things I have so far, which are: 2 nicely potted crotons, patio furniture, small veggie plantings outside the porch, and a great big push-broom slash squeegee to sweep or push water off the porch. Luckily we already have a grill, a small metal table and two plastic chairs but SO MUCH MORE IS NEEDED!

Atoned for spending on my patio by weeding the front garden this morning. Oh, and Big K really enjoys the new chairs.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Crotons and Veggies

Planted crotons in pots and planted tomato seedlings, green pepper seedlings, parsely plant and banana pepper seeds in garden. We'll see how they do...I'm not known for my green thumb. The crotons appear to lean a bit in their pots. The Leaning Crotons sounds like a good name for a rock group (hat off to Dave Barry).

Gazing Balls

Possibly one of the oddest lawn decorations, the gazing ball. As a child in the 60's, I was captivated by the smooth, shiny roundness of the gazing balls in neighbors' yards. As an adult contemplating decorating my yard and patio, well, I just can't see the reason. You can't sit on it or grill on it, and you can't even set a beer on it because it's ROUND for Pete's sake. I think the flat-top combo gazing ball and beer coaster is a lawn item whose time has COME!

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

SAND!!!

It seems like the landscapers in FL don't remember the old Sam Kennison skit about SAND. Two inches beneath the surface of the garden is SAND and as Sam Kennison reminded us, NOTHING GROWS IN SAND! Going to attempt to dig out some of the SAND and replace it with a soil that can actually sustain growth!