Welcome to 2007

beginning the new year with poetry...

New Beginnings…an acrostic monorhyme.

Now the New Year is to be
Exiting the old we thus did see
What lies ahead for you and me?
Breathe deeply and we will see.
Energy forms as our destiny
Gouging out our history
Inclined to find some irony
Now that we search for harmony
Now when life may be pleasing to thee
It is with hope that we find some glee
Noting the past was a catastrophe
Gaining peace, therein holds the key
Such, we celebrate in symphony

© Jackie (Micke) Jinks, January 2007

OF Maddening Times

…thoughts, heartache, disillusionment…but also a lesson.


What torments the mind
of those who would kill
innocent children
while attending school?

What tortures the soul
what increases their grief
to cause a child’s life
to be ever so brief?

Children killing children
perverts killing children
fathers killing children
the unexpected killing…
of children.

Retribution? Drugs? Alcohol?
Are these factors to kill?
Some call it a game,
a fantasy to fulfill.

Sanity seems to have vanished
from the tormented mind
leaving them to wander
with their souls so blind.

The Amish have a tenet
one they do conceive
Forgiveness is their answer to
giving grief a reprieve.

Heeding their practice
we should follow their dictums
pray once for the killers
but more often for the victims.

© Jackie (Micke) Jinks, October 2006

Micke's thoughts: There are many loving prayers I would have for the victims...but for the killers...first thought "May you rot in hell"; but following the way of the Amish "God, help me to be forgiving, for I know You are the true Arbiter." Think about it...

Shedding of Tears

Don't we all shed tears? Women maybe moreso that men...and that's a shame...for it is in the shedding of our tears that we recognize our emotions.

Shedding of Tears

Many tears are shed in sadness,
for lost loved ones or bad times.
But the tears I shed are mostly
for the Joy I feel
and pride of family and friends.

My tears are shed
when I see my Flag passing in parade;
when I hear my nation’s Anthem;
when I see Lady Liberty in the harbor;
when I hear a babe’s first cry.

I’m not ashamed to shed tears
when I hear the names called out
of those who give their lives for our freedom;
when I hear the songbird welcoming my morn;
when I see the grandeur of a mountain.

Tears I readily shed
for kindness given one to another;
for wonder in the soulful, loving eyes of my cats,
for delight in seeing an elderly pair walk hand-in-hand;
for the understanding of those who are “different”.

My tears are special to me,
for they are
my heartfelt thanks to my Creator.


© Jackie (Micke) Jinks, Sept. 21, 2006

BUSH TO OVERRULE THE GENEVA CONVENTION?

Save us from Hell!!

There is a reason the Geneva Conventions adopted rules of Treatment of Prisoners of War. These rules were adopted August 1949, and put into force October, 1950.

The United States of America backed and signed the agreement of adoption, as well it should have.

I am a proud and patriotic American; I whole-heartedly believe in our Constitution, written by courageous, honest men of knowledge and humanity; a Constitution that no man, or administration should put asunder.

The President tells us that we are in a War Against Terrorism. How do we differentiate between “detainees” and prisoners of this war?

If you’ve studied any military history, you will realize that any soldier NOT following orders can be 1) dishonorably discharged from service, 2) found guilty of insubordination, 3) found guilty of treason during National Security.

Orders are given from the TOP, down to the lowest ranks, for the latter to do the “grunt” work.

Does anyone believe that such blatant actions – “egregious acts and grave breaches of international law” - at Abu Ghraib were committed by our soldiers without any knowledge by their superiors? Couldn’t have been much of a secret. I could even question that there were orders from superiors to commit such action.

If so, how far up the ladder would this reach? And could these “uppers” subsequently be breaching the Geneva Convention and thus be convicted as War Criminals?

Why is Bush so adamant about needing a Bill to supercede the Geneva Convention?

Our government now openly admits the CIA treats prisoners/detainees in such a manner (I’ve been reading hints of such actions for years). No matter the reasons, how can we not but abhor such treatments? Are we reverting to barbarity, of which we have often accused other countries?
I wouldn’t like myself, or be proud of myself, if I agreed to such abuse.

A bar fight might permit “no-holds-barred”, but NOT in a Democracy; NOT my United States of America!

I would also ask: If Bush is the Christian soul as he presents himself to be, why has he overlooked one of the most cherished Christian tenets…”Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you”?

Seems I remember another George that went egotistically into battle…Custer, I think his name was.

Aging Ain't for Sissies!*

*That's a quote credited to Bette Davis with which I totally agree!

I've been lacking time to spend on my 'puter due to my latest tell-tale aging experience: can't "sit" for any length of time because of deteriorating back discs - both at the top and bottom of spine.

Problems and pain started escalating just before Thanksgiving, and proceeded to get worse by degrees. It also effects my abitility to comfortably lay in bed. Walking does give me relief, but standing in one position for any length of time tends to increase the problem. Of course I discovered this aspect while in the middle of making Christmas Fudge - 6 double batches; but I HAD to finish this project.

(pause to walk)

One test I was given was a bone-density scan; result: the onset of osteoporosis. My luck that the best diet to reverse this problem would also cause an increase of kidney stones and raising my cholesteral level. LOL - I'm trying to find a happy medium! I know I'll find it :o)

The one thing I've missed doing is writing...writing anything! I've gotten pretty good at passing on some interesting, inspirational, and funny e-mails; this takes just a few minutes on the 'puter. I've decided to get a small tape recorder and verbalize my thoughts, then write in on Word, save then copy/paste to wherever.

This is getting a bit long, so I'll stop for now...but I will return...soon

Attempting to Get My Groove Going

My Stab at Writing a Pregunta*…betcha ya’ want to know what THAT is!

Ok…I’ve been inspired by reading other’s works of the Pregunta.
I really do get the feeling the name has something to do with Post-Nasal problems! :o)

My Pregunta

Oh, where…oh, where has this gal been?
Certainly not living a life of sin!

And why has she been gone so long?
That’s a subject for her next Country Western song.

Did she really build a house of stones?
No, she was much too busy with her moans and groans.

Do you think she’s forgoten how to write?
‘Twas something she thought of both day and night.

Well! What’s she been doing down in the trenches?
Busy making “stones” and working out ‘puter glitches!

Do you think she’s got all now under control?
If not, stand back and watch her eyes roll!

And how will we know if it is so?
Hah! You’ll know…grrrrr…you’ll know!


*Pregunta – a form of poetry using multiple couplets. First line is a question, second is the reply. “Pregunta” is a Spanish name meaning question. But, honestly, to me is sounds like a post-nasal disorder :o)

Note: Good to be working on my Musings, again! Been much too long a drought :o)

Hope to be back with more poetry - or sompin' - soon...

I'm Delivering by Natural Birth...

It's not what you think, 'tho.

Monday night I was experiencing really bad back pains (ongoing for about a week), but this time accompanied by spasms in my left kidney. After going to bed at 10 p.m., I took a couple Xtra Strength Tylenol...not much help. Then at 11 p.m. I took an Ambien to help enduce sleep, which, under normal circumstances, takes about 30 to 45 mins. to become effective. I didn't get to sleep until 1:30.

During early morning, little before 4 a.m., I was awakened to excruciating pain: I didn't feel the back pains much, but the kidney spasms were worse, and the heavy pains were now in the ureter (the tube that runs from kidney to bladder). There were no doubts in my mind I was giving birth to kidney stones - I've had lots of experience with these!

From 1973 until 1996 I made and passed kidney stones frequently, some on their own, once by "rotor-rooter" (basket procedure seldom used now), once by abdominal surgery into the ureter, and twice by lithotripsy. The latter was a procedure newly approved, at the time, used to zap the stone by sound-wave; then you are enabled to pass the smaller stones.

During those years, I passed around 1000 stones, so you see my experiences with these boogers.

In 1996 my urologist put me on Allopuronol, a med originally used for gout patients, but after testing for years, found this med helped in prevention of kidney stones. It works fairly good for me, as I've not made many stones since then...well, with the exception of one month after my by-pass in 1997, when I passed approx 200 small stones in a urine-sample cup at the emergency room in hospital. The doc on call was astounded; said she had never seen so many stones in one "passing". And now this episode!

The best way to detect stones is by injecting the patient with IVP dye, and Xray the area. This procedure was used on my very first stone experience in 1973. Guess what? Found out quickly I am allergic to the IVP dye, and I literally thought I would die from that until they shot me up with Benedryl.
Now, only in dire occassions, the IVP dye is not used on me.

From 4 a.m. yesterday morning, until 7:30 I walked the floors, attempting to ease the pain, and fend off nausea that was coming. At 7:30 I called my neighbor - neighbor's son...yes, Josh, my ever helpful young friend - to take me to the emergency room.

There I was given a shot for pain (something new that starts with a "T" for pain while decreasing inflamation - I didn't care what they gave me at this point), and another shot for nausea. These two together "knocked me out" for a couple hours. Then I was taken to have a cat-scan. Results were I had a fairly large stone in the ureter, and told I should be able to pass that within a few days. I was given scripts for pain and nausea meds, a "hat" and strainer. When Josh picked me up (thank goodness, he was off work yesterday), he drove to get the scripts filled and we came home...not too soon, I'll add, as the shots were wearing off.

Remember the "results" of one fairly large stone? Well, so far since coming home I've passed 12 small stones, but not the larger one that was detected. Yeah, it's letting me know it hasn't moved into the bladder, yet.

It's time to take another pain pill - 'tho the directions state 2 every 4-6 hours, I take one every 3 hours, with approval of my I.M. doc. If I took two at one time, I wouldn't be at all functional, and my cats need some attention.

BTW, this is my fourth attempt to complete this blog, having started yesterday evening; I can only accomplish things in spurts.

I'm now off to have my fifth glass of water with a pill, trying to flush that darn big-one-that-won't-move!


...'til later

Well-Earned Congratulations to...

...Lance Armstrong, for winning his 7th Tour de France competition.

I couldn't be more proud of him if he were my own son. But, I keep thinking, he IS a Texan :o)

What an inspiration this young man is, hopefully to all the world. He had overcome one of our most dreaded diseases, cancer, to go on to participate in a grueling sport, again and again.

He has proven that heart, spirit, and determination can help us all be winners in our endeavers...we just need to keep "testing" ourselves, as he did. WOW, did he ever test himself!

I overheard someone say last week: "He shouldn't even be in this race; he should be giving someone else a chance to win." Unh...the stupidity and narrow-mindedness of some people still astounds me. Lance wasn't "given" any better chance than the others to win, but he won.

I DO admire every one that entered the Tour, one of the, if not the most, hardest sporting accomplishments to complete.

But, to have won SEVEN of these Tours...that is an almost incomprehensible feat to imagine. Lance did it with style!

I doubt if his accomplishment will ever be repeated.

I'll give him my "thumbs-up" for being the greatest athlete of the year...or decade...or Century! Sheesh...maybe EVER!

Extra Special Congratulations to you, Lance, you've earned this!

If anyone questions this accomplishment, try cycling 100 miles, up mountainsides, in the rain, in some heat with other obstacles; the Tour is over 2000 miles!


...'til later

Reaping a Few Rewards...

Today I am reaping a few rewards of my yesterday's venture to Whole Foods Market. Note that I shopped there just after 10 a.m., before the heat-of-the day began ;o)

I usually shop for my groceries at Kroger, but for special foods I shop at Whole Foods. At WF I can get very fresh and extremely good fruits, vegetables, and meats. They offer many organic fruits and vegetables, a variety of great world-cheeses, and a wonderful deli section which offers exoticly cooked vegetables and some meats (no, not deli-sandwich meats).

I usually begin my shopping in the fruit/vegetable section.

My purchases existed of:

Two wonderful portobello mushrooms, quite large, I might add. I grill these, one at a time (coating with a butter/olive oil mixture), and substitute for a meat; very heathly and filling. So I get two main course meals from these.

A fresh bunch of cilantro. It's a toss-up whether cilantro or Asian sweet-basil (which I grow in a container outdoors) is my favorite herb. So many cooking uses for both, or just to be added fresh to dishes.

A really nice, sweet and ripe canteloupe: I peel this and cut up for storing in fridge - ready to eat for breakfast or a refreshing afternoon snack. Can last me for nearly a week.

Lastly in the fruit area, I got some organic, deep-red, juicy and sweet whole strawberries. I leave them whole until ready to add to breakfast canteloupe, or for a late-night snack. These are Driscoll's brand strawberries, and so delicious! Ofttimes I dip the freshly washed strawberry into granulated sugar...delightful :o)

A bag of about 20 organic red-skinned potatoes; these are the small sized potatoes - about the size of a silver dollar - and have such a creamy flavor. I can make a meal of these cooked with fresh green beans! They are also great for making potato salad, with a canola-oil mayo/sour-cream dressing. Yum!

Next purchase was a skinless/boneless chicken breast. I can make two good meals from this one breast, plus a hardy chicken broth (with small pieces of chicken and chopped cilantro) that yields three cups of broth.

In the meat department, I also purchased four skinless/boneless chicken thighs. I bake these in the oven with oil (bottom of baking dish), chopped garlic clove, adding the salted and peppered thighs, then cover the whole with an undiluted can of Campbell's Mushroom Soup. Cover with foil, and bake in oven, and you have a great dish to go with cooked Basmati Rice! I get two filling meals from this dish.

I've already had a canteloupe/strawberry breakfast, a bowl of chicken broth for lunch, and will have a chicken salad sandwich with potato salad for evening meal.

What better meals can one find for the hot summer days?

If you were close-by, I'd invite you over for a meal with me...maybe. LOL

So, until my steak-substituted, grilled portobello meal...ta ta...

Oh, BTW, you can fill the "veined" side of mushroom with feta cheese, top with a garlic/herb/butter bread crumb, and broil in the oven for a super-duper portobello; serve with a green salad! Another YUM!

My Big "Behind"!

Behind in my bloggin, that is! Wadja think I meant, for goodness sake?

By the time I read my emails, reply to them, or pass on some of the goodies, it begins to get warm in my office area. Originally, this room was a solarium with screens to the back yard, and cut off from the house (master bedroom, and den) with sliding glass doors - thus there is no venting (air or heat) to this room. Now the sliding glass doors are gone, replacing the screen with large glass window and sliding door to the back yard, and counting on the coolness of A/C to enter from the rest of the house. Gets kinda warm in the afternoons, 'tho. Years back, my husband did put in a ceiling fan, but it seems to have only one speed...hurrican-force, causing my many loose papers on desk to fly about. Now, I do have a good air-purifyer machine that also somewhat helps in the cooling, while purifying the air of cigarette smoke.

Anyway, I've been making some notes these past days for blogging.

Did you hear on the news about a week ago that some group [of morrons] will be filing a lawsuit against soft-drink companies that offer the liquid in cans?
Seems they want a warning put on the cans that soft drinks can cause obesity. Well, DUH! It just happens to be a sugar-based liquid, and sugar, especially too much, does, in fact, cause obesity...doesn't everyone know this by the time they are 10 years old?

This same group [of morrons] further state that another warning should be made that these sodas are not at all good for young children's teeth. DOUBLE DUH!

I've yet to see a toddler walk into a store, pick up a six-pak of canned sodas, and pay through the checkout counter. How would they get to the stores to begin with? Where'd they get the money to purchace this soda six-pack?
And just HOW do they have the knowledge or strength to pop the opener?

Somewhere, somehow, we adults have to take the responsibility of our own stupidity: not to drink so much soda (even the "diet" type can effect a person if they drink more than one!) ; not to allow the children to have ANY of these sodas until they reach an age of some responsibility.

It wouldn't surprise me that this same group [of morrons] will next file a lawsuit against toilet-makers - requesting a label that reads "If you don't flush this toilet, it could cause health problems - not to speak of the odor it creates!"

C'mon, people...get a brain.

'til next time