Saturday, February 25, 2006

The Ongoing Ode To Cheryl

You may have noticed a new verse in the poem. Cheryl's injuries are so odd that the poetry virtually springs forth from my fingers as I read of the incidents.

Notice underneath "Widget's Wisdom" at the top of the page ... I've put a little banner there to point my poetry fans right to it. Always trying to be helpful. There's also a little sub-title underneath the title of the poem that causes me to grin .... no giggle .... no snort .... no definitely guffaw because it seems so close to true!

I noted at the bottom of your last post that you bet I'll "run out of verses" before you "run out of injuries" ... naaah. A little aside .... ya know, it seems to me you should really want to put your money on your *not* injuring yourself.

Did John get the melted housecoat off the stove?

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Why Widget's Wisdom?

As I drove home from town today, (it takes forty five minutes so there's lots of thinking time) I thought, there are more of my pearls of wisdom that I refer to in my profile, than there are posts about fiddling.

I pondered the possibilites for a name for this treasure of a blog. I like alliteration as you can see by the title of this post, and I've only really ever had a couple of nicknames, one I had for much longer than the other. One at police college, and this one, given to me by a co-worker. He called me "Widget". I kind of liked the sound of it. Anyway, when people asked him what widget means, he used to reply "It's a small useless thing." It was endearing.

Hence Widget's Wisdom was born. My blog will still be filled with the same sparkling wit as always, just the name has changed.

Before I go, I'll point out that there's an additiona verse posted to the Ongoing Ode to Cheryl.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Stuff

What a busy few days it's been. I haven't had a chance to look at other blogs, never mind update mine.

I went curling on Saturday. Our team didn't win, but we had an awesome time. We were part way into the fourth end when I looked around at our team and the other seven teams. People were smiling and laughing all over the ice. People offered helpful tips, it was obvious I was a beginner, but they weren't pushy or critical. I think when I retire, I'll join the curling club. I know most of the people in the local club, I know some of the basics, all I need is practice and curling shoes. Oh, yes, and at bonspiels, I'd look awesome in a kilt!

We're going to yet another pot luck tonight ... a birthday party for one of our friends, any excuse will do for a party around here though. We also have one on Sunday along with a silent auction. Those are a blast with this crowd!

We had a concert on Monday in a local seniors home. It went well, except for one piece that some of us were practically sight-reading. It's a tricky piece and the really pretty first flute part that I was supposed to be doing was done badly, the second flute part was better, but we still botched it up. It was only handed to me a short time ago and I've only had a chance to play it with the band once before, and you really need to know how you fit in. Ah well, that's my excuse, it's not for lack of practice anyway.

It's snowing madly out there today. We have over two feet of snow and the road to our place looks like a great place to train for the luge. The banks are about five feet high on either side of the road. It isn't smooth, the logging trucks had really done some damage to it this year. It's like a different Disney ride every time we drive anywhere.

Better got and get some work done ..... oh, yeah and read some of the blogs.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Rawfeeding Answers

In a previous post, I talked about the changes in our cockapoo, Muggins, the cutest and smartest dog that ever lived, since I've been rawfeeding her. In the comments, Cherlinn, the poodle collector asked what I'm feeding Muggins now that she's eating raw meat. I'm still in the transition phase, she's fine with the change, I need time to change my way of thinking. Here's what we're up to.

I've been using Urban Wolf (
www.urbanwolf.cc) along with raw ground beef, pork or chicken. When I premix the Urban Wolf and freeze in individual servings, I add a can of wild-caught salmon. She's has raw eggs with the shells. I've given her meaty pork riblets and I'm working up to chicken wings. In building up to bones, I started adding big chunks of green peppers, which she loves, just before I serve it, so she'd expect to have to chew stuff. As long as the bones aren't cooked they can quite safely eat them. I take the frozen meal out of the freezer the day before so it's thawed when she eats it.

I've just read the book called "Work Wonders" that is written by a veterinarian about feeding raw meaty bones. He says if they don't chew it right, they'll toss it back up and they'll start over and chew it the next time. He says if they bury it for later consumption, don't worry about it. He also says, don't worry about thawing it, they'll eat it frozen with no problem.

Anyway, my little cockapoo isn't nearly as hyper as she was for the first 16 months of her life. I'll agree she's getting older, so she will settle down some, but this has been a dramatic change.

Mammograms

Ok, so we all should get them as we get older .... I realize that. They're no big deal. People carry on about them and how aweful they are. As I was having mine a couple of weeks ago, I was pondering the fact that people complain about them, but what an amazing tool. After it was finished, and I headed away from the hospital, I confidently thought, "Well, that's that for another couple of years." I never get call-backs after having tests. Yeah, right, and the Titanic was unsinkable.

I had it done on Thursday, and the next Tuesday morning, I get called. We need more pictures so you need to come back. I instantly went "brain-dead". I couldn't think what questions I was supposed to ask. I complained "It's almost three hours to drive there." She told me it was important ... oh great, that helps.

Okay, I said when are we looking at? "Tomorrow at 11:30" she replied. Stunned, I agreed. Doesn't she know theat health care in Canada is in crisis. The waiting lists are lengthy. Why am I being rushed???

I spent the next couple of days worried about the whole thing and unable to think of much else. The person actually doing the test isn't allowed to discuss your mammogram with you. I finally heard from my doctor two days later. I have some very small spots of calcification in my left breast. The radiologist says it "looks benign" and "doesn't have a cancerous appearance". You need to come back in four months I was told so they can take keep an eye on any changes - here's the date we've scheduled you.

Mum says calcification is common. I'd never even heard of this in breasts before, I wish I had. I thought mammograms only found breast cancer, so getting a call-back is quite unnerving. I'm posting this for the other females in the family who will one day be getting mammograms. They can go in knowing that if they have to go back for more pictures, they can be checking into other things not just breast cancer.

Don't listen to the hype. They're no big deal, having the dental hygienist clean you teeth causes more discomfort. When the doctor tells you it's time to get one, don't hesitate.