HEARTFELT MEMORIES

UP DATE:  6/25/12     Read comment reply on what to do if you choke in a restaurant!

Sunday was a special day to honor fathers -- those present in our lives and/or those who live on in our memories.  Fortunate are those who are able to enjoy family get-togethers -- often with several generations enlivening the gathering.   Hope each of you enjoyed the day in whatever manner has been meaningful to you.

I didn't forget the day in which we pay tribute to those significant fathers in our lives.   My thoughts have been with my East Coast life-long dear friend whose husband, a father and grandfather, passed from this life a few days ago.   Their sons, all fathers themselves, were gathered around.  I'm sure their families would have been together with their mother for that poignant day -- so soon after their father's death.   I'm reminded again to treasure the time we have with one another.

The day for me was unique as I journeyed down a partially clogged freeway to the city of Orange for my required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification two year renewal in an American Heart Association class.  I'd previously taken CPR through other organizations, but this is the third renewal I've taken with this particular AHA instructor who continues to be the best I've experienced.   The CPR  technique has changed through the years as medical research has revealed the most beneficial administrations shown to save lives.

The current criteria for applying CPR is not only more effective but has been simplified.   We receive training to provide emergency aid to infants, children and adults.  Recent years training has included use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED.)   Ability to provide the Heimlich Maneuver for dislodging airway obstructions has always been part of the program. 

I've never been in a situation that requires I administer CPR, or an AED either professionally or personally.  I had thought I might be faced with that need only a few years ago on Hawaii's Big Island.   We arrived in Kona at night and as our car climbed the narrow two lane winding coastal road toward Hilo we rounded another sharp curve.  Suddenly my driver son's voice sounded alarm that he thought he saw a man waving his arms and heard him yell, "help."  We pulled to the side of the road, established there had been an accident with a car nosed into a tree off the road and proceeded to determine what help might be needed.    

The father of this family was standing outside his car saying he thought he was okay, but was concerned for his wife and adolescent daughter.   None of the three evidenced external bleeding injuries or obvious broken bones, but the females seemed especially unnerved as might be expected.   The daughter complained of a slight headache having bumped her head against the back of the front seat.   My son had immediately phoned for emergency help, but given the location was told considerable time would pass before help could arrive.  We never had a thought other than to wait with the family though there seemed to be little we needed to do.     

Meanwhile, another car stopped with a man who upon learning of the situation walked around the curve with his flashlight and began signaling visible cautions to all cars coming from either direction on this hazardous roadway.   The accident victim said another car had forced him off the road in an account which he described also to the police officer who arrived before the emergency vehicles.   After my son's report of our involvement only as helpers, confirmed by the accident victim, and the medical help appeared, the officer said we could leave.   

I've always wondered if the daughter was okay, and hoped she was.   Before the help arrived she had seemed to be getting sleepy.   Other than the slight headache she had no other symptoms, but medical personnel would have determined if she might have experienced a concussion or even internal bleeding -- closed head trauma.

In a situation years earlier, I was sitting at a restaurant counter with friends when I overheard a woman sitting at a small table behind me inquiring of her friend whether she was alright.  There was escalating anxiousness from the concerned woman in the minutes following about what to do.   The mid-level restaurant chain's young manager with whom we had been talking was observing the women with concern but hadn't concluded action was warranted.   As the situation developed, finally I turned to view the women and quickly concluded someone needed to act.  I told the manager, you need to call 911 now -- that woman is having a stroke.  She was still sitting upright in her chair when the emergency personnel arrived and took her to the hospital.   The next day I learned she had a massive stroke - cerebral vascular attack (CVA) or brain attack -- from which she did not survive the night.   

Interestingly, the restaurant manager said his hesitation in calling for help was based on corporate guidelines.  If the manager phoned the restaurant would be expected to pay for the emergency call and transportation  if the customer/patient didn't absorb the cost for any reason.

Many years prior to that situation, before I entered my present profession or had CPR training, my immediate family and I were seated in a booth at our local deli for dinner one evening.  My son and I had the outside seats opposite each other.   We had finished ordering when I looked up at this silent adolescent's face which had a startled wide-eyed look accentuated by a slackjawed open mouth.   Instinctively I gestured and we both stood simultaneously.  I understood the respiratory system and placed my closed fist against his diaphragm, giving a forceful sudden push which forced air to exit his mouth dislodging the offending obstruction -- a lifesaver candy!

We both immediately sat back down.   This all happened so fast, the rest of the family hardly noticed and I didn't want to alarm everyone by upsetting the mood of the evening, much less scaring my son.  I have jokingly commented that I gave him life twice.

(Note:  The Heimlich Maneuver is best performed differently that what I did with my son though the concept is the same.  I had not been trained on the correct best procedure then.)


The CPR training intends to educate everyone that if a person has an airway obstruction preventing them from breathing they'll put one hand over the other at their throat in a signaling choking gesture.   Hopefully, everyone will learn this gesture, but my experience is that not everyone automatically reaches to their throat in a situation when they can't breathe -- certainly my son didn't, but maybe I acted before he might have done so.

I'll be quite content to not encounter any need to provide CPR or require it for myself in the future.  In fact, I'll prefer that to be the case.  The reality is, that we never know when, where, or under what circumstances we may encounter situations where our assistance is needed, whether or not it's CPR.   Or, we may be the ones needing help from another.   I think it's likely that others reading this have had much more harrowing experiences than those I relate here which I welcome your sharing. 

BOB ALLEN'S PIANO MUSIC

A year ago I wrote a musical tribute to “Pianist Bob Allen – Master Musician.”  Some of you who commented then had asked questions about Bob's medical challenges which I'll answer here.  Meanwhile, here's an encore performance of Bob's magnificent arrangement of “One Less Bell to Answer” in his inimitable piano style.  

The good news is that Bob Allen has released a recording of the music from Jesus Christ Superstar he arranged as a suite in the early 1970s.  The music was requested as many as two or three times each night while he was performing at Columbus’ Christopher Inn -- the place to be then in Columbus, Ohio.  The suite is still being requested according to his website.  (Before then, when we left Columbus, my husband had played acoustic bass accompanying Bob .)   

Here's Bob talking about one of his most requested arrangements that he recorded:

Bob Allen presents the suite, Jesus Christ, Superstar, that can be downloaded for a modest amount from this link to his website: Bob Allen Trio.    I'm sharing this information about Bob’s suite being available for purchase, which I don't usually do on this blog, because I’ve always greatly appreciated the music this talented artist creates.  Also, he and his music have special personal significance to me as I’ve previously written.  Additionally, I admire his continuing dedication to share his talent despite the roadblocks presented by health problems.  Even the best of us at any age encountering the health and financial issues with which Bob has been coping would be challenged, especially during these times.  

By way of review  --  a special “Pianos for Bob” concert occurred in Columbus featuring 12 of Central Ohio’s best piano players early last year with the musicians and the community rallying to Bob’s support.  He had experienced a major life challenge with medical issues beginning “... around 2003, when he underwent heart-bypass surgery.  Diabetes and circulatory problems followed,” as Joe Blundo, wrote in an excellent article for the Columbus Dispatch, a major Ohio newspaper.  

Bob’s wife of six years, Mickey, is quoted by Blundo as observing her husband’s “stubborn” nature influencing his unwillingness to use a walker, except at home, as his physical condition declined.  He wasn’t using that walker six years ago when he generously played at my husband’s celebration of life, or later that evening when his jazz group played at the Hyde Park Steak House in Upper Arlington where his trio played regularly in recent years.  Eventually, Bob, blind since birth, had both legs amputated.  His positive attitude and adaptation is attributed to his resilience as Blundo reported.  

Overcoming the physical deficits here’s a video of Bob Allen playing with a specially created device to enable him to use one of the three piano pedals – the most important sustain pedal.  Specifics about the design of this piece of adaptive equipment are provided in an interesting article by creator  Rick Brunetto at Bob's website. 

eHH

Rick aspired to working with Bob, a goal achieved by this young jazz musician in 1974.  He performed and recorded with Bob for over 13 years before joining the faculty of Denison University, a private Ohio institution which in my youth I had always hoped I could attend but events evolved differently.  

Brunetto writes extensively about his friend and mentor, describing efforts to provide Bob much needed support. Rick initiated a 12 pianist musical tribute during the critical recovery time following Bob’s below-the-knee leg amputations.  The lengthy recovery, loss of income and special housing needs necessitated that Bob sell his home to move to a one level accommodation.  Marketing his home in the prevailing housing climate was less than ideal.   I'm sure community support has been greatly appreciated. 

Bob is, hopefully, continuing to create his original compositions and special musical interpretations while successfully adapting to aging adjustments, health changes and the financial challenges of this economy.  

   

 

DIGITAL WORLD ADAPTATION

Recovery, Hearing Loss, Frustration, 
Emotionality, SNFs, Publishing

Adapting to digital technology has been and continues to be a fascinating and challenging undertaking for many people who once were on technologies cutting edge in the years before personal computers.

I've been delighted that a family member whose professional life included 1950's then state-of-the-art electronics technical activities has been able to resume some computer use.  He had been involved many years ago in the space program precursor to NASA associated with unmanned satellite tracking stations.  Many years later, following retirement, he had begun developing his computer skills once Internet access connections became available.

His beginning efforts to write his WWII recollections came to a halt when he experienced a life-threatening brain aneurysm from which he was not expected to recover -- but he did!  A  regimen of various therapies eventually ended and he returned home, but various residual effects greatly curtailed his activities.  Eventually he managed to attempt playing the computer's solitaire card game.  In his eighties, visual complications unrelated to his previous brain event, hampered his technical skill development.

Eventually, cataract surgery partially corrected some visual deficits allowing limited increased computer use with repeated trials.   A year or so ago I had urged consideration be given to his using Skype with assistance, but received no acknowledgement my suggestion had received interest from anyone.  I was delighted earlier this year to receive a Skype call from this family member.  I've had a few subsequent ones, including last night, from this family member who has actually been able to retain and sequence the steps to make the call, adjust the picture and make other minor corrections.

We sometimes use the Skype short typed messages.  Also, initially he was a bit anxious with our audio since he often required repeats due to his hearing loss which is unaided and not responsive to amplification.   Occasional repeated calls to me, plus regular frequent calls with his adult children scattered about the country have resulted in his increased confidence and significant lessening of any stress associated with needing to ask for a repeat.  By the same token, I make every effort to communicate in ways best for him.

Not only is this exciting to me on a personal level, but professionally it significantly demonstrates that the human brain can continue to recover from insults of many types, such as this aneurysm or a stroke, at any age with dedicated stimulation.  I hasten to add there can be many variables that may interfere or prevent some individuals from achieving gains, so we shouldn't be judgmental toward anyone whose skills remain static.

Therapeutic intervention after an event does provide instruction for independent practice once therapy concludes.  Consultation with a therapist long after the initial therapy can sometimes be appropriate, but it may  be challenging to obtain financial coverage.   Generally, Medicare and insurers require there must be some change in function that can be documented.  Consult your physician.

My husband had accepted digital technology when our adult children gifted him with a new clock radio, then a compact disc player which renewed his interest in listening to music, generally jazz. When video tape recorders (VCR) became prominent he was less than enthusiastic when I gave him one, so I ultimately figured out how to install the connections to our older TV.

With the installation completed and video tape movies I played a few times, he gradually became interested to the degree he not only used the VCR himself, but acquired knowledge of operational fine points I hadn't learned. Privately amusing to me, was that he would then become impatient if I failed to use the VCR remote special features as efficiently as he had become. We went through this same process when I gave him  a DVD player another year.

When our son and wife presented us with one of their desktop personal computers after buying a new laptop, we were quite confident that it was only a matter of time before our man would become adept and enthusiastic using this latest digital technology. Maybe this would help distract him from the constant wearing pain he was experiencing that no longer responded to epidural treatments as he tried also to avoid excessive pain medications and sleeping pills.  Unfortunately, he wasn't a candidate for surgery.

At the local office supply store, after choosing a small compact desk, my son and I carefully selected a desk chair that we thought would be most comfortable sitting for my husband, since he was experiencing increasing back pain and other medical problems. When we brought the firm but cushy chair home he did try sitting at the computer, but disappointingly, given our efforts, he was unable to comfortably sit for long. Additionally, he experienced visual difficulty focusing between the keyboard and the screen with his bifocal eyeglasses. I'm sure his constant wearing pain short-circuited his concentration and patience for acquiring new skills, too.

During those early weeks of my computer use, my own limited internet surfing had revealed specific sports and jazz music sites that I thought would garner his interest. I also realized, my goal now had to be not only learning to use the computer myself, so I could help get him started, but that he would need one of those laptops coming onto the market. Wireless capability for home use was beginning to be touted as a possibility, so I concluded this was a system combination we needed.

My plan was that my husband could use a laptop in the relative comfort of his recliner. Meanwhile, to aid in my overcoming computer operation complications our son consulted remotely with me as he was able from his Midwest home, as did my daughter from the East Coast, between the hours of my part time work and other activities here on the West Coast. Also, I benefited from consultations with bloggers who generously shared their knowledge, time, encouragement and emotional support.

For numerous years I had become personally aware of how the wear and tear of constant pain, whether mild or strong, on a person's psyche can effect their attitude toward life and influence their behavior toward others, especially loved ones. Even the individual's thinking can be altered, making their concentration a tiring effort. Frustration, anger toward themselves could manifest itself by being directed toward their most trusted other.   

I thought once a select few Internet sites were set up and easily accessible they might serve to draw my husband's attention to enjoyable features outside the pressing discomfort, thus distracting his focus from himself. But before wireless readily became available, or I had a laptop, he went to bed one night and didn't awaken in the morning as I've shared here before in "Time To Talk."

I think of the how the smart phones and tablets available today are even more portable.  These devices provide Internet access benefiting individuals of all ages and most capabilities.  Anyone interested in developing computer operating skills can likely obtain assistance from a variety of sources.  I continue to be amazed at the rapid evolution of new products that have emerged in these six years, leaving me to wonder what's next?

The computer tablet has already become an effective teaching tool attracting some autistic children to express themselves, even stimulating their speech.   Elders have easily learned to use a tablet's touch screen as their first computer. I may even be able to use a tablet with some of the individuals for whom I provide speech, language and cognitive services.

I'm familiar with a retirement community that recently installed wireless service throughout the campus, including in their skilled nursing health center (SNF.)    People sometimes do not realize some SNFs may have very mentally competent residents, some of whom may be able to go about on motorized scooters and leave the facility on outings with friends and family.  Residents and people from the community come to the SNF for rehabilitation following some decline in function, generally due to medical changes ranging from dehydration to recovery from surgery and strokes to name a few issues.  Some people will recover enough to return to their previous residences or other living environments. Some individuals requiring more nursing care may remain permanently.

I've encountered a few SNF residents using their own personal computers.  I recall a former Chicago radio broadcaster who actively used her computer to maintain contact with her network television newsman son in his travels.   Well into her nineties with mental faculties intact she once expressed concern about whether or not at her age she should still be reading so many newspapers, magazines and other publications about current local and world events.  The answer was, of course, "yes!" since she derived so much pleasure from an activity that was such an important part of her life.

Then there was another SNF resident I often noticed up in a chair typing at her computer.   She was engaged in writing a book she self-published that I wrote about several years ago:"Salute To Janis David Cooley."


I continue to anticipate much promise for increased activities, pleasure and enjoyment for a select number of  skilled nursing facility residents, whether short term or permanent, with wireless connections, tablet computers and, for some, perhaps even a smart phone.  I'd best be purchasing these latest digital items myself so I can be prepared, but perhaps there will be some new digital device replacing those before my purchase.  Stay tuned.

Wants -- Don't Wants in 2012 Election

The News and Politics category at BlogHer is engaging their readers on the topic of the upcoming 2012 Election.    Their writer's observation has been  that individuals often write what they do want, but some may prefer to express their thoughts by saying what they don't want to occur in this election and/or to our nation. I'm reminded of what's occurring politically in California.

The time is ripening for California political campaigning to intensify, since our Primary Election is upcoming Tuesday, June 5th.    This will be our State's first election since redistricting changes.  Also, Primary Election voters can now vote across Party lines.   Another major Primary change is that the winners will be the top two vote-getters regardless of political party.  I supported these changes, but such a system is not without risk.  Many candidates for an office could result in a vote split allowing final candidate selections in November to be individuals least preferred by a majority of voters.  All those who cast their ballot for those candidates who were eliminated might have had a total vote count greater than either or both winners received

Below is a comment I wrote rather quickly at BlogHer, so is far from inclusive about what I do want candidates to discuss in this 2012 election.  I thought with all the election issues this year maybe I should have more across-generations discussions.   Exchanging views seems to me would be important since many of the blogs I usually encounter reflect similar points of view to mine. 

What do you think?  Are you able to have civil discourse with those who have different views than yours?   

(Your comments are welcome here and/or there, but you'll need to register with BlogHer which I did several years ago.  I don't know what specific aspects of the political discourse they'll introduce, or how frequently in the future.  They seem to be a primarily younger women's site, do have a "Senior" sub-section under their Life category -- where I recently commented, also.  Men are welcome at BlogHer, too, the last I knew.  Ronni Bennett at "Time Goes By" wrote some guest blog articles there a few years ago engaging some younger readers in some interesting dialogue. 

I do want to hear a REAL debate on issues between Presidential candidates.

I do want them to discuss the critical issues facing this nation.

I do want them to avoid injecting social issues into the conversation as a way to divisively distract voters.

I do want to know the contributors names to all Super Pacs.

I do want Social Security preserved (not changed to private investing) for the sake of my children and their children, generations to come, as can be done despite rhetoric to the contrary.

I do want health care coverage plans for all to be increasingly made available and not cut as promoted by some. 

I do want a Congress committed to working together to solve the nation's problems instead of focusing on being obstinate.

I do want Congress to institute a combination of budget cuts and revenue increases that address our deficit in gradual stages and not in one gigantic traumatic action.

I do want to see the middle class re-established in this country (remember the 99%.)

I do want to see tax rate increases for the 1% as Warren Buffett and others affected believe to be warranted in this time of our nation's need.

I do want to see wasteful subsidies such as with the oil industry reduced or eliminated since those companies are making millions in profit.

I do want to see budget reductions in military spending which even they say are warranted.

There are a lot of other matters I want and others I don't want, but this is a start.

MEMORIAL 2012 - USS IOWA

5/30/12 Up Date USS IOWA arrives off the coast in San Pedro

5/29/12 Up Date With Videos

Memorial Day commemorates those whose lives were sacrificed while serving our nation. All branches of military service are honored for their efforts intended to protect our liberties.  Ground troops, airborne squadrons, fleets of ships have been launched in our name.  

   

One of those ships built in 1940 was the USS IOWA.  She’s become known as the “’world’s greatest naval ship’ [based on] her big guns, heavy armor, fast speed, longevity and modernization [because] she kept pace with technology for 50 years.”   The ship is the fourth to be named in honor of our 29^th state.

The USS IOWA also known as “The Battleship of Presidents” left San Francisco yesterday, Saturday, heading to her new home port in the Los Angeles area.   She’ll receive some refurbishing to become “…the most interactive and educational museum of its kind,” then is expected to provide public tours in July.  

Pacificbattleship.com in addition to the information above is providing streaming video via livestream.com links, including Facebook, of the ship’s expected four day journey. 

USS IOWA LEAVING RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA ON WAY THROUGH SAN FRANCISCO BAY

                                                                                                                                                  6:57 mins.

Battleship USS IOWA was launched in 1942, was the only ship in her class to serve in the Atlantic before being transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1944.    She served in WWII, Korea, then in 1984 became part of a 600-ship navy plan to operate in both the Atlantic and Pacific to counter the Soviet Navy.
                                                                                                                                     

During WWII in addition to major combat operations she carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a secret meeting.   Several serious life-threatening mishaps occurred during the time the President was on board.   Those interesting stories and many more are recounted in an extensive Wikipedia article encompassing the ship’s entire history.   One side story is that the ship had been outfitted with a bathtub for the President since he could not stand for a shower due to his polio paralysis many years earlier.  

In 1984 USS IOWA was engaged in several humanitarian efforts in South America.  On July 4, 1986 President Ronald Regan and First Lady Nancy Reagan boarded the ship for an international National Review held on the Hudson River.   In September 1987 the ship joined the 6^th fleet in the Mediterranean as support in the Iran-Iraq War.    The Iowa had earlier returned to U.S. waters, then in 1989 experienced a tragic loss of lives due to on board gunpowder explosions later proven to be through no fault of one of the deceased seaman initially accused. 

Iowa earned nine battle stars for World War II service, two for Korean War service and additional awards.

There have been many cutbacks in defense expenditures through the years with the Iowa in and out of activity.  Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act 2006 requiring naval preparedness that has resulted in the USS IOWA being kept in a condition the ship could be used if ever needed. 

Subsequent years of planning, meetings, and negotiations ultimately resulted in these plans Wikipedia describes which have begun:

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s yacht, The Potomac, has escorted the Iowa out of the San Francisco Bay, and now the ship is being tugged down the West Coast to Berth 87 in the Port of Los Angeles for its final sea voyage expected to take four days. 

USS IOWA PASSES UNDER GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE 5/26/12

         

"This floating museum is scheduled to open to the public 7 July 2012 at Berth 87 along the Main Channel, directly south of the World Cruise Center."     

I hope this warship need only remain a museum as I think of the valiant millions in all wars who have had their lives taken from them.  I do wonder if the day will ever come when our nation's men and women can all live in peace?  I am eternally grateful especially to those WWII veterans who insured our freedom and that our  homeland remained safe. 

DIGITALLY REWIRED SENIOR LIFE

Solution for Senior Over-Population 

(Please note this is a much abbreviated version of an article I had written about this film which may be better.  I’m relying heavily on extracted quotes from the Producer’s email to me in the interest of publishing tonight.   My much more  original content escaped into the digital netherworld during a transfer process to publishing.)

Life after death is a familiar topic often discussed from the view of religion, esotericism, and metaphysics.   Science Fiction often recounts stories of life and afterlife in other dimensions.  A  film I recently viewed suggested the possibility of life continuance in a digital world.

“Life Begins At  Rewirement,” written and directed by Trevin Matcek, is a short film recently premiered at the NYC Tribeca Film Festival.   You may view this film by clicking on the title (24+ mins. - a several sec. promo precedes.)   Public Broadcasting (PBS) is airing the film on many of their stations Futurestates series now in its third season.  

“Elder care in the future and the challenges of taking your loved one into a revolutionary retirement home” is the film focus.   Our goal was to engage and entertain while presenting a thoughtful portrait of one very difficult day for a family."

“Set in the near future, LIFE BEGINS AT REWIREMENT follows a man named Simon Ender on the day he checks his 100-year-old mother, Jessica, into a revolutionary senior care center. The strained relationship of mother and son is put to the test as Jessica transitions from her aging body and declining mental state to a data bank with infinite access to all of her memories. Simon comes face-to-face with feelings of guilt, insecurity and ultimately love, as he decides on his mother’s welfare and what is best for her.”   Related by the film’s Producer, An Tran.

Writer/director Matcek was inspired to create this science fiction film as he considered his own aging parents and health care’s future.   His hope is to stimulate conversation on some of these issues frequently not discussed in mainstream media.  

I found the film to be entertaining, thought-provoking and disturbing pending some unanswered questions deliberately left to each viewers interpretation.   Also, the mother’s dementia is actually Alzheimer’s according to the director in a post viewing chat room conversation in which I participated.  This difference did somewhat alter some of my perceptions and reactions.  All Alzheimer’s patients develop dementia, but not all dementia patients have Alzheimer’s. My view of her communication skills and prognosis allowed for a different perspective.  

Depending on how I viewed aspects of the ending my attitude toward the choice made by the son could be accepting or, possibly strongly rejecting. 

So the questions follow, including:

Is this “eternal life” option a choice you would select for yourself or a loved one?

What do you think of the language “senior over-population?”

Exactly what sort of “life” is this and is it preferable to a nursing home?

What exactly are we proposing here as a way to resolve out-of-control health care costs?

The essence of the elder or senior "lives" on as ...... 

UP DATE 5/23/12

I want to clarify that "Senior Over-Population" is a term not used within the film itself.  "Over-Population" does appear on a screen in part of a welcoming to the retirement community  introductory message the Mother receives while waiting for her son to return to her side.  There is accompanying brief comment about the burgeoning number of centenarians like her.   "Senior" added to it I encountered elsewhere, which I've learned may be attributed to others than the film's writer/director.      . 

SEND MONEY FAST !!!

We Californians just received the news -- seems the State’s budget deficit projection of $ 9 billion was off a bit.   Expected monies have not materialized, so our budget deficit is now expected to be a little higher – say……  $$$ 16 B I L L I O N  !!!

How solvent is your State ... or nation, if you're a reader from another country, since there are problems over much of the world?

California has some serious choices ahead we’re told – some taxes or cutbacks to our already bleeding education system and programs for those who have the least and need the most.  

Just a few days ago a news story revealed Google’s co-founder is giving up his U.S. citizenship to move with his billions to Singapore.  This means he’ll likely not pay as much federal and state tax as he would have otherwise, so no help for California there.  

Increasing numbers of Americans are renouncing their citizenship but I don't know what all the individuals reasons are for doing so.  There are pros and cons about whether tax increases will cause even more Americans to leave the country, taking their money with them, thus avoiding taxes.

Most were probably educated in this country, or as in the Google co-founder's case (he's also a citizen of Brazil,) he attended Harvard and had the benefit of contacts he made there plus our whole system of business opportunity.  

What about all those individuals and corporations who have secretive off shore bank accounts?

Financial institutions outside the U.S. are required to report information about the income and accrued payed interest to American clients accounts effective in January 2013.   We'll see how that all works out.  

Doesn’t loyalty, gratitude, a desire to help the State, nation and people by fully paying the required tax rate rather than finding ways to avoid doing so seem ethically appropriate -- especially in these challenging times?   

MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ADAPT

[These following recollections of mine are dedicated to all those mothers and children who did not survive the Holocaust, though my memories are unrelated to the horrific events of those years.   I am prompted to offer this symbolic commemoration since in recent months I've been listening to a child survivor of those harrowing times relate her recently deceased mother's emotionally moving words recounting the harrowing experiences of their survival.]


MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ADAPT

My long time Southern California best friends are experiencing parent care giving challenges similar to those I had years ago, as so many Boomers face today --  needing to assist older loved ones to live independently.    Almost ten years younger than I -- both recently retired, their children now adults with families of their own -- my friends are positioned differently than I was thirty years ago to provide parents needed help.

I was fortunate that once my Mother relocated from the Midwest she lived only a mile or less from my home, whereas my friends must drive from one community southeast of Los Angles, across that megalopolis to their parent’s northern Valley area home.   They also, have brothers and sisters living in much closer proximity to their parents, but my friend, being the first born daughter, and her husband provide much of the care. 

My much older only sibling was across the Pacific Ocean and unable to participate with my mother’s daily assistance.   No other family resided in California – in fact, lived a many-States distance away.   I won’t go into other specifics as they are incidental to the day-to-day picture.  

What’s important is, that no matter what anyone’s personal situation may be, at any time we can be unexpectedly thrust into a care giving circumstance.    Our attitude, that of surrounding family members and friends, and that of the loved one or patient themselves has a significant impact on how well we navigate the after effects of such an event, while – most importantly – preserving our own health. 

My children were young, my employed husband was coping with a difficult situation himself, coupled with the beginnings of his health decline -- all contributing to marital stresses.   I was in University training for my current profession, which added to life’s complications when my Mother had a sudden life-altering event.   She never fully recovered from this variously called stroke, brain attack, cerebral vascular accident (CVA.)  

Fortunately, her mental status remained intact.  The only residual effects were balance mechanism deficits and decreased walking ability.  Her brain could no longer perceive where her body was in space – proprioception problems.     So she had to always use a walker – not a four or even two wheeler, because the wheels would move too fast. 

Critically important was the requirement that my mother NEVER lean too far backward, especially when standing, because her brain would not send body position correcting messages to prevent her falling.  She certainly didn’t need any broken bones, or even a hip fracture, much less further brain injury if her head struck some piece of furniture, the floor or ground.   

Together Mother and I determined the choice was hers to continue living independently though falling could be a risk.    If she had exhibited memory, judgment, impulsiveness, or a number of other cognitive and physical problems her choice might not have been appropriate and I would not have hesitated to say so.   She never fell.

Fortunately, our relationship was of such mutual respect tempered by love that decision-making occurred with my mother always included and participating in the process.  Her cooperation for whatever was best never presented a problem.  I think this was partly because we were always honest, open and truthful with each other, even when the message might not always be what either of us wanted to say or hear.

She had been very active though legally blind for several decades with her vision gradually deteriorating even further through the following years.  She had lived independently many years after she was alone, choosing to continue doing so after she moved across country to be nearer to me.
 
Living in a small Midwest town when she was widowed  she had been  able to walk everywhere she needed for groceries, the post office, church, downtown for banking and shopping, to the courthouse lawn for weekend afternoon concerts and events.  Even the train depot and long distance bus station were close by. 

Her social life kept her busy joining friends for occasional countryside drives which might include roadside market stops for farm fresh eggs, fruits and vegetables.   Much younger friends with their children  sometimes stopped by to visit her simply because all ages enjoyed her company and the positive outlook  she had maintained despite some hardships she had known during her lifetime.

My mother enjoyed volunteering at the local hospital’s ladies sewing group, creating lap quilts for nursing home residents.   Fund-raising rummage sales to help the needy were among the activities in which she aided her church women’s group.

For a number of years at home she managed to occasionally use her treadle sewing machine for straight line stitching, as with repairing a seam, or joining two pieces of material together.  She couldn't use an electric machine because the sewing was much too rapid, possibly causing injury since she often said her fingers were her eyes.
 
This was quite a sewing adaptation from a woman trained to be a teacher who once could observe a dress in a window display, go home, reproduce the pattern and make that same dress for herself.   Or, the much in demand lady to whom word-of-mouth brought women asking her to fit ill-fitting dresses to their particular body form. 

She was comfortable with solitude, quite able to entertain herself.   Some years earlier I had learned of Talking Books before the days when audio books with playback devices were commercially available to the public.   She was delighted to receive free books and magazines on record (later tapes) to listen to at her leisure.  She discovered she didn’t dare lie down or simply sit in a chair while she was listening to a story or she would fall asleep only to awaken several missed chapters later.

Concluding she needed some activity to occupy her hands, she successfully experimented with creating an original type of rug hooking to do while listening to the books.   Mother subsequently hooked unique one-of-a-kind colorful rugs using select fabrics based on geometric patterns she recalled from the years when she had been able to quilt.  

Mother’s  creations multiplied in number, eventually became in demand, but were first sold in a local furniture store.   Subsequent years I placed them in Scottsdale, Arizona artist crafts stores, a local California antique store when we moved here.  We were told each year a Chicagoan returned here to purchase her hooked rugs.  Another family member released a few rugs that sold on Hawaii’s Big Island.   Her rugs have been described as examples of primitive art.   

Family contact was maintained during the years with occasional visits and phone calls on special occasions.   Mother's sisters and a cousin circulated  round robin letters she could sometimes read using magnification if large black print on white, but increasingly letters had to be read to her.  

Her hearing loss (presbycusis - aging hearing loss) was, fortunately, mostly negligible.    So, when personal tape recorders with cassettes became accessible technology, my brother supplied each of us with one.   We exchanged audio tape letters after she learned equipment operational skills. 

The years before televisions had remote controls I was able to locate a then soon-to-be out-dated push button television set (I still have it,) since a channel dial presented her visual difficulties.   Again her fingers were her eyes, she said, so could feel the buttons for the channel she desired once she learned the broadcast station  sequence.

Mother enjoyed listening to a few television programs, often on public television (PBS,) music, comedy (if not too visual) and variety shows, news,  game shows like Jeopardy, other programs that offered lots of dialogue and didn't depend too much on visual action to convey crucial aspects of a plot.    Radio programming continued to be a favored medium, especially bedside if she couldn't sleep.  

The older I become, the more frequently I seem to recall my mother’s words, our experiences together.  I often wish I could talk with her now,  having gained a perspective only years lived can provide.
   

JAZZ ala NINA BECK

Music is a language of many genres with each type encompassing variations.  We generally have favorite styles, instrumentation and performers, within any category which influences our preferences.   I enjoy many music types but not always every variation in any one music group.    Jazz is one of my favorite genres, probably stemming from my early exposure to tap dancing and piano lessons beginning during preschool years.
 

My older brother reinforced my jazz interest with his trumpet playing.  Years later when my husband-to-be and I met, his avocation as a professional jazz musician gave us an instant emotional connection.    His performing years in our Midwest home state had long since ended.  Six years ago he died suddenly in our Los Angeles area home where we'd lived for many years.  I’ve written here previously that my healing process has included adding to my activities attending some local live jazz venues.

NINA BECK is a classy jazz pianist I unexpectedly and delightedly encountered at the Hip Kitty, a local Claremont, CA, newly opened jazz club and fondue restaurant those years ago.    Finally, I’m sharing her talents with you which I’ve long intended doing.  She continues to periodically perform there.

This particular video is NINA at JIMMY MAK’S in Portland, Oregon, in a special performance at “One of the world's top 100 places to hear jazz." ~ Down Beat Magazine.

Nina is a professional pianist and vocalist with an extensive repertoire of American Songbook standards, jazz tunes and ‘oldies’ favorites.  She performs solo or in various size groups primarily in Southern California.  

Oregon audiences were fortunate to have an opportunity to hear her music.  Friends I met at a local jazz concert re-located to Portland so are hoping Nina will appear there again. 

Nina began playing the piano at age five, then trained through her high school and college years in New York City.   She has studied with world reknowned artists including the late John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet.   Her web site bio notes she is  

“a published songwriter and member of BMI, Nina has a catalog of well-crafted original songs in many genres including adult contemporary, country, blues, swing, jazz, retro Latin, R&B (ballads), and movie themes.”    

Studio City, Laguna Beach, San Pedro, Long Beach clubs.....are among the locales where Nina has lately appeared, sometimes with her 4-piece band and vocalist Andy Cowan, whose performance includes Sinatra-like renditions of tunes.

Here's Nina on keyboard with her trio and Andy Cowan singing "The Moon Was Yellow"  (most fitting since last night was the Supermoon when the brilliant yellow globe was closer to Earth than most years.)

Nina provides an entertaining enjoyable music listening experience whether a club date or one of her private bookings.   

SQUIRRELY SPRING SPRUNG

 
Remember that limerick we used to sniggle conspiratorially about  in our youth because of that forbidden 'bad' word that we dare not say aloud -- at least if any adults nearby?    Those were the years long before George Carlin and his seven dirty words made this verbiage quite tame by comparison.

Spring has sprung,
Fall has fell,
Winter's here,
and it's colder than .....  'last year' (we would giggle and say)

 And then, for English grammar rule lovers was this enlightened tidbit:

We conjugate swim ..... swim, swam, swum
Now conjugate dim .....

Back to the topic of weather -----

"Soupy marine layer" is what TV's weatherman forecast for  this coming morning -- again.    I don't mind since we have an over-abundance of sun days most of the year.   Six weeks ago I was delighted to observe what I thought was one of the first signs a California spring had arrived. 

I was about to exit my parked car at the retirement community where I provide some health care rehabilitation services.   Suddenly, movement under the green leaf-filled umbrella-like tree next to the walkway caught my eye.  There they were -- tumbling around, flitting here and there in short jerky movements as they ran a few steps, stopped abruptly, frozen in place, surveying their surroundings, probably for any signs of predators.  Then, with a flick and swish of their bushy red tails, as though they were mechanical toys winding themselves up, they resumed their antics. 

Transfixed, I soon concluded what I was observing was a courting dance.  The same slightly larger squirrel was making mounting advances on the smaller one who would repeatedly simply sit down each time the pursuer made his critical move.    He would then temporarily scurry aside, but soon return to repeat the flirtatious  process.    Each time the object of his attention would quickly sit down thwarting his efforts for a more intimate relationship.   Aha, I thought!  I have just witnessed the practice of squirrely world  birth control.  

I wonder if the squirrels were as misled as I was that spring had actually arrived.  Since that time my weather prognostication on seasons of the year has been turned upside down.  Our weather has seemed bizarrely unusual in keeping with climate changes continuing to be in evidence all over the world.  Southern California, where I live, can definitely attest to our weather becoming much more erratic in recent years with this one  no exception. 

My Christmas cactus has really been traumatized.  The hearty green plant has adapted in a strangely unique way.   The bright fuchsia red blooms have blossomed in staggered sequence each time on a different portion of the plant on three different occasions since the beginning of the year.     This week, one lone blossom has emerged in what must be a final fourth attempt to synchronize with nature.

I am of the persuasion that the world macro weather picture can be attributed primarily to two different causes for climate change.    Scientists have said our earth is slightly tipping on its axis which accounts for some of the changes we're experiencing.  Scientists have also determined man-made pollution in the atmosphere is contributing to climate changes.   This laypersons opinion is that there is no simple black and white, either/or, one or the other explanation.  Both events are at play.
 
I become annoyed with all the time, energy and words spent arguing over which cause is responsible.   Why can't we all just acknowledge the scientific facts indicating both contribute?   Why not recognize the axis tipping which we know is  beyond our control?  Why not devote ourselves to addressing those pollution factors over which we have control?    Why don't we concentrate on making accommodations to these changes with a goal of human adaptation so we can survive on this earth?

Meanwhile, we better be checking for another planet to which a select few of our species can migrate, just in case we fail to preserve life as we know it on Earth.  Perhaps, that's how Earth became populated in the first place.  Species on another planet had to leave, came to earth and here we are.   I don't find this earth-settling  scenario  incompatible with various religions beliefs.   Perhaps we'll eventually have to leave our planet.  Perhaps this is our history which we're doomed to repeat if we don't learn from past lessons.

EARTH DAY 2012 Claremont, CA

Earth Day 2012 is being recognized internationally today. 

My Claremont community had an Earth Day celebration yesterday, Saturday, with a variety of events.   Vendors and informational booths were set up throughout the several blocks area of our downtown Village.  

Demonstrations, workshops, children's events, speakers and information on sustainability were featured.   The city of Claremont and organizations devoted to sustainability organized the event.

I had planned to share my first hand impressions and experience but I decided not to attend, based solely on our unusually hot, well over 90 degree temperatures the past two days.   The prospect of walking about outdoors for several hours in even such low humidity heat has become considerably less attractive as I've aged.   I chuckle to myself as I've come to fully appreciate my mother's words many years ago, "The heat tires me."   There will be other interesting sustainability events in the future I can explore. 

Once grassy green lawns are being transformed into the more natural desert-like landscaping native to our area in my neighborhood, surrounding streets, and all over Claremont.   I've eliminated grass in my yard's parkway area (the strip between the sidewalk and the street.)   I have yet to decide what drought resistant plants I'll  install.    Several other yards have replaced all their front yard traditional green grass with a colorful variety of shrubs, decorative grasses, succulents, cacti and flowers.  Many Mediterranean plants thrive here.

One nearby house now has artificial grass that looks nice, but not what I would want.   There are considerable questions  about the eco-friendliness of synthetic grass.   Some of the cons are there's a wide variation in grass quality including rain water drainage issues.   The synthetic plastic grass is petroleum-based in a time when we want to use less oil, not more.    The product contributes to pollution deteriorating yearly, especially in high heat, emits toxic gases and will ultimately end up in a land-fill. 

I had always lived where watering grass wasn't necessary since Mother Nature sent her rain clouds frequently enough to keep the grass alive.  Only when I moved West did I encounter the grass-watering phenomenon.   The Phoenix-Scottsdale-Mesa-Tempe-Paradise Valley Arizona area which is truly desert had lots of homes with grass.  Some city areas had and still have canals running through communities.

Phoenix friends neighborhood canal had scheduled days when they turned their lock on and their yard would be completely flooded.  Often they would find crayfish left in the grass.  Golf courses were being constructed in surrounding city areas with more watering required which ultimately also increased the whole valley's humidity levels -- none too pleasant when the temperatures rose to 100+ and hovered in the 112 - 115 or so range.  

Initially, I was intrigued by the homes without grass that had chosen instead colored rocks -- green, sandy red, pink, or whatever shade you might choose.   I eventually tired of seeing those artificial-looking stones, much preferring our grass.  I haven't returned to the area for about a decade, but I would anticipate more grassy yards are being transformed into native desert landscaping.

Sustainability focus in my Claremont community has also included some homes establishing a series of small raised gardens for growing edibles.  Before my husband died I had several large pots with cherry tomatoes, and a few large lengthy rectangular pots in which I maintained a few lettuce varieties planted for staggered maturation.  I had also just obtained a small inexpensive plastic-type green house I thought I'd use on the patio during our winters, but I have yet to do so.

There are many sustainability ideas unique to each persons situation that would be enjoyable to learn about.   

NIGHT WRITING ABOUT DADDY

Some of you may recall I ventured into an unfamiliar to me literary realm by participating in a writing group beginning in the months following my husband’s death several years ago. One writer in our present group, Sue Buckwell, has given me permission to share a taste here of another of the most recent “flash fiction” stories she’s had selected for publishing at "Short Stories" blog.

There is no specific definition for “flash fiction,” but it refers to a style of fictional literature, or fiction of extreme brevity, 1000 words or less. Our group’s members enthusiastically look forward to Sue reading one of her original creations when we gather.

Sue's imaginative stories always have unpredictable endings, some quite diabolical, occasionally incredulous, others eliciting our laughter or additional emotional reactions.

You may read Sue Buckwell’s entire brief tale by clicking on this link to "Daddy Dearest.”

“My father was a psychoanalyst and instilled in me a fear of almost everything. Being a learned man, he also taught me the scientific names for each and every phobia I have amassed over the years. That one, for instance, is called polyphobia.”

I’m sure Sue will be most interested in your reaction to her story as will I and the rest of our group.

THOUGHTS ON POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Californians had once thought there was a possibility our June primary election results might well be a significant determining factor in selecting the U.S. Republican Party presidential candidate. But now news pundits speculate the choice is pretty well settled. The present dominating Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, still needs more primary election delegates before the Party convention, but likely will have garnered them in other states.

Today a competing major Republican presidential candidate suspended his campaign, though a couple others remain. They're not expected to create seriously disrupting divisions at the convention, but one never knows until the political party officially gathers, delegates vote, then announce their nominee. Their vice presidential selection might be interesting, considering the previous presidential election year choice.

Incumbent President Barack Obama is the uncontested Democratic Party candidate.

The Republican Party convention will be held in Tampa, Florida one week before the Democratic Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina which begins Labor Day. Then both candidates will court us for our votes the remainder of September and the entire month of October.

We've heard a lot of alarming Republican Party extremist base-appeasing rhetoric spoken to date. I'm curious about how their candidate will mold his future words and issue positions to attract the large percentage of more moderate, but alienated voters needed to win the national election? I anticipate some rhetoric discrepancies which leaves me wondering how voters can determine what he actually believes and will do?

We'll all want to pay close attention to both political party candidates words to see exactly what they each propose to resolve our nation's problems. Then, we'll need to compare that language with what they've said before, along with what we can realistically expect either of them to actually achieve. Congressional candidate selections we make will also be most critical for any future legislation passed.

A major issue both political parties are rightfully determined to address is reducing our national deficit. The parties seem to have distinctly different ideas about how this is accomplished. I've been concerned there are some alarming proposals for budget cuts adversely affecting current and future generations. Logic would suggest reductions would be made where dollars -- hundreds of thousands, millions, billions -- could most readily be realized with the least amount of negative impact on our basic needs, health and security. I find Congressional actions and failure to act on budget items that would contribute to that goal extremely troubling.

The end of March when the issue of oil company subsidies arose our U.S. Senate Republicans, plus a few Democrats, demonstrated just how seriously they're committed to the goal of deficit reduction. Senators also revealed what interests are their real priority.

President Obama had proposed eliminating $24 billion in taxpayer subsidies to the big five oil companies, but his plan met with little support. Senators ignored the fact the oil companies profits have been very high. Also, little did it matter that these oil companies are expected to make a trillion over the next decade. Given how dedicated Republicans are to save taxpayers money, voting to eliminate these oil company subsidies seemed like it should have been automatic.

The reality: only two Republicans -- Maine Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe -- thought these oil subsidies were a good place to initiate deficit reduction. All other Republican Senators didn't want to save our taxpayer dollars, including four Democrats -- Mark Begich of Alaska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and James Webb of Virginia.

To repeat, we know where those Republican Senators priorities are and how sincere they are about national deficit reduction in ways to least impact the ordinary American. This is only one example of an area where taxpayer dollars could be saved. Americans across this nation should be outraged.

Listen to the words, review past actions plus current acts in these months leading to the November 2012 election.

PINK MOON

"This year, the pink moon coincides with the Easter weekend and the start of Passover, the most sacred times in the Christian and Jewish calendar."

This full moon is named after the moss pink flower whose blooms indicate the coming of spring.

Enjoy some spectacular photos of the weekends 'pink moon' over New York City's skyline at this U.K.'s Daily Mail link.

APRIL FOOLS DAY PONDERING

Do you still play April Fools Day jokes on others, or do others on you?

What follows isn't a joke, but I sometimes see humor in unusual places.

I'm less than pleased with the consolidation in one place of personal information increasingly collected based on my internet computer usage. I've made some changes, but it will be interesting to see what happens with the advertisements that appear on my email accounts as time progresses.

Even before my computer use adjustments, what I wrote must have kept the master computer confused about my interests. Consequently, I've been amused by those far-fetched automatically generated ads appearing on my email accounts. I was startled to notice a link for free wild hog hunting in Texas, so when it continued for weeks I figured Texas must really be overrun with pigs. Eventually, I guess the computer figured I didn't want to travel to Texas when I didn't click on the link, or it decided to try a locale closer to where I live. So, the enticement increased with an offer for a free California pig hunting map -- later, more formally, a free boar hunting map (sounds sexist to me, but guess the sows are given a pass.)

During the months I've been pondering if I should undertake such a wild hog hunt, they switched the link to big game hunting in Canada. This took some serious thought. What sort of weapon would I need -- a bow and arrow, or would a firearm be better? I hadn't fired an Army 45, 22 rifle, or 12 gauge shotgun for over fifty years, and even then hadn't been on a hunting trip when I pulled those triggers. Should I get a 30.06 that I've heard about, or do they have other more suitable calibers now? But...I don't like to kill creatures, much less simply for pleasure.

Fortunately, about that time, the wild hog and big game hunting links stopped appearing on my email accounts, but bet they wouldn't have if I had clicked on even one. The proffered links then progressed to trucking jobs -- right up my alley at this stage in my life. Or, the offer was for Isat preparation? These were soon followed by so many choices that I just didn't know which one to pick: attending film school in nyc, getting a cia intelligence degree sounded really exciting, training to be a chiropractor, getting nursing training or becoming a physical therapy aide -- all opportunities just when I'm well past traditional retirement ages.

And then, there are the ads for medications they want to sell me -- all based on various internet searches I've made, I guess, for the multiple diseases, symptoms, ailments, prescribed medicines associated with some of my patients that I need to know about, or some I've heard mentioned that I'm just curious about. There is such a thing as more information than is wanted at times.

I'll be quite content to be entertained with the ads they give me, however far removed from my interests, since I have no intention of voluntarily providing any more specific information about myself. Privacy may be a thing of the past, as has been said, but I continue to insist on wanting the option of whether or not to release my personal information -- how much, to whom, and when.

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