rpennefe’s blog

Copycat Mosaic

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:09:03 -0700

I stole this idea from FatCat.

This is mine:

Mosaic6403733

I like it!

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For My Grandpa

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:04:16 -0700

Grandpa Al

This is a picture of my Grandpa Al. He was my Mom's dad. My memories of him from my childhood are a little vague, but there are certain things that are pure Grandpa Al. "Holy Smokes" was an oft used exclamation of surprise. He had a Cudahy accent; that's an area south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I can't describe it to you. I just know that I recognize it when I hear it. He wasn't a big drinker, but in social situations he generally drank beer. His face always seemed to be whiskery, although he shaved pretty much every day. He was a bit deaf, and spoke loudly because of it. We were loved by him. He did what he could to take care of us. He was more likely to be cheerful and find constructive work to do than to mope and moan about things that couldn't be changed.

If I am doing my math correctly, he turned 87 in March.

Up until two years ago, Grandpa Al lived alone in a house. He mowed his lawn in the summer, raked his leaves in the fall, and shoveled his walk in the winter. He was slowing down, and two years ago made the decision to move into an apartment in a retirement community. He was still driving until a month ago.

My Grandpa Al was a tough, sweet man. He was a good man. He served his community, he lent a hand when he could. He was young, young, young for being 87 years old. His mind was sharp, and - until a month ago - his body was behaving itself pretty well.

If I can age as well as my Grandpa Al, I will be very well satisfied with my life.

I posted about my Grandpa just about a month ago. He'd suffered a heart attack, and I asked for prayers and good, healing thoughts to be sent his way.

Thank you for the overwhelming response. I know that it helped.

Grandpa came through his quintuple bypass surgery with flying colors. The doctor said that Grandpa's heart was healthier than some 60 year olds'.

He was on the road to recovery, and for the first couple of weeks, he seemed to be doing pretty well. Recovery was slow, but he did seem to be bouncing back.

As time went on, though, he experienced one setback after another. His digestive system turned against him, and his team of doctors (he had so many of them, I lost count) couldn't really determine what would the be best course of action for him. He was uncomfortable, in pain, and stuck in bed. A place he'd rarely been stuck before.

On Monday morning, he was taken in for emergency surgery on his intestines (it is unclear to me if it was his small intestine or his colon). There was a blockage that needed to be removed. Before this surgery, he told my aunt that he'd had a good, long life and that he was happy. I think he had his doubts about surviving this whole thing.

He woke up from that surgery, breathing tube in his mouth - so he couldn't talk to the family that was there, but my Mom said that he did open his eyes, clearly recognized her, and gave her a wink.

As the day went on, his temperature began to rise.

Early this morning, the doctors determined that it would be best if his colon was removed, to take the most infected part out of his body. His chance of survival was low, but the odds were better than if he didn't have the surgery at all.

Grandpa didn't wake up from this surgery. The family made the difficult, heartbreaking decision to remove him from all life support at 7:00 PM. Once he was off the machines, he lingered for about fifteen minutes, and then he died.

I am so very lucky that I was in my home town this past weekend. I had the chance to see my Grandpa while he was still alive. It means the world to me that the last thing I ever said to him was "I love you, bub."

My heart hurts, and there are tears, of course there are.

But, I also find myself wondering if Grandma is giving him hell, up there in heaven.

You see, she died almost two decades ago, when I was twelve. I remember someone, maybe my aunt, asking him about the open casket at Grandma's funeral. It seems that Grandma had been adamant about not having an open casket. "Well," said my Grandpa, "I guess I'll hear about it when I see her again."

I know that he knew this, but I'm going to type it anyway. Grandpa, I love you and I miss you like crazy.

16 Handsome Group

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Vox Hunt: What a Headache

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:48:43 -0700

This is National Headache Awareness Week. Show us what gives you a headache.

MSG

Ever had this stuff? It's PURE MSG. My mom was a huge fan...after all it has 60% less sodium than salt. And 100% chance of inducing a blinding migraine.

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QotD: A World with Less Violence

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:42:11 -0700

What could we do to create a world with less violence?

I don't know that we can do anything. I think that the phrasing of the question implies that any suggestions I make (or you make...or he makes...or she makes) will be followed by everyone.

So, perhaps the question should be "What can you do to create a world with less violence?"

1. Learn how to count to ten.

2. Utilize my counting to ten skills as necessary

a. Remember to count to ten when I am driving and other drivers are exhibiting some imbecility.

4. Re-read To Kill a Mockingbird...or watch it. That Gregory Peck is awful easy on the eyes.

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JUNE! JUNE! JUNE!

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:06:35 -0700

June is bustin' out all over!

And here are some of the monthly observances. I have taken all of my information from here. I have also highlighted my favorites.

Monthly Observances

Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

Cancer from the Sun Month

Child Vision Awareness Month

Children’s Awareness Month

Dairy Alternative Month

Effective Communications Month

Fireworks Safety Month

Gay & Lesbian Pride Month

International Childhood Cancer Campaign Month

International Men’s Month

Dairy Month

June is Lane Courtesy Month

June is Perennial Gardening Month

June is Turkey Lovers Month

National Accordion Awareness Month

National Aphasia Awareness Month

National Candy Month

National GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Month

National Iced Tea Month

National Rivers Month

National Rose Month

National Safety Month

National Soul Food Month

National Steakhouse Month

Pharmacists Declare War on Alcoholism Month

Potty Training Awareness Month

Professional Wellness Month

Rebuild Your Life Month

Skyscraper Month

Student Safety Month

World Infertility Month

Weekly Observances

1-7

National Headache Awareness Week

Black Single Parents Week

7-14

International Clothesline Week

8-14

National Automotive Service Professionals Week

National Flag Week

9-15

Men’s Health Week

Superman Week

12-15

Youth Cowboy Poetry Week

Nursing Assistants Week

15-21

Universal Fathers Week

22-28

Carpenter Ants Awareness Week

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

6/28-7/04

Fish are Friends, Not Food Week

6/28-7/05

National Prevention of Eye Injuries Week

6/29-7/05

Freedom from Fear of Speaking Week

Special Recreation Week

Daily Observances

June 1

National Cancer Survivors Day

Pen Pal Day

June 2

Leave the Office Early Day

National Bubba Day

June 4

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression Day

June 6

D-Day

June 6-7

World Donut Day

June 7

Belmont Stakes

Daniel Boone Day

June 7-8

Banana Split Day

June 8

Abused Women and Children Awareness Day

Race Unity Day

Write to Your Father Day

June 10

Ball Point Pen Day

June 12

Loving Day

Nursing Assistants Day

June 13

Blame Someone Else Day

Friday the 13^th (The only one in 2008!)

June 14

Army’s Birthday

World Blood Donor Day

Croquet Day

Family History Day

Flag Day

World Juggling Day

June 15

Father’s Day

Native American Citizenship Day

Nature Photography Day

June 16

Bloomsday (Celebrating James Joyce’s Ulysses)

Fudge Day

June 17

Stewarts Root Beer Day

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

June 19

Garfield the Cat Day

Recess at Work Day

World Sauntering Day

Juneteenth

June 20

Take your Dog to Work Day

Toad Hollow Day of Thank You

World Refuge Day

June 21

Baby Boomer’s Recognition Day

Go Skateboarding Day

Vinegar Day

June 22

Descendents Day

Stupid Guy Thing Day

June 23

Let It Go Day

Public Service Day

June 24

Celebration of the Senses Day

Fairy Day

National Columnists Day

June 26

Handshake Day

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

National Bomb Pop Day

June 27

Decide to be Married Day

“Happy Birthday to You” Day

Helen Keller Day

National HIV Testing Day

June 28

Great American Backyard Campout Day

June 29

Gay and Lesbian Parade Day

Log Cabin Day

Special Recreation Day for the Disabled

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It's not a perfect state

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:50:58 -0700

But I'm beginning to have my share of pride in it.

http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_9270265

There are many pithy comments I can make right now, but I'll limit myself to "Well, it's about time."

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The Moon, the stars, the universe...EVERYTHING

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:08:46 -0700

Baby shower time.

My sister-in-law will soon be subjected to a baby shower planned by me and my sister. Because there is an unwritten rule, there will be the required goofy games and pointless prizes at this little shindig.

I've talked my sister into a "star" theme. As in...those heavenly bodies...or maybe as in movie stars.

Probably a combination of both.

The main reason for choosing this (and, please...remember I am required to be hokey or cheesy. It's a law. And I don't break laws...well, expect, maybe, for the speed limit....) is the fact that we can do the following:

Hand out party favors that have a little tag reading "Thanks for coming to the sneak preview of our little star".

Give out movie gift certificates as prizes - Useful and fun. Much better than, say, a baby bottle filled with Starburst candies (although, come to think of it...that would be pretty darn useful as well. Yum! Starbursts!).

The decorations will be a heavenly theme - stars, moon, night sky, and so on.

I plan to make a mix of music to have playing in the background, and I'd like for the songs I choose to go along with this theme.

Any suggestions?

So far, I've checked out my small collection of jazzy music (I think it's jazz. What would Sinatra and Dean Martin be?)

Anyway, here's my short list:

Stardust (Nat King Cole), Moonlight Serenade (Glenn Miller Orchestra), Fly Me to the Moon (Tony Bennett), It's Only a Paper Moon (Nat King Cole), Blue Moon (Elvis Presley), Allegheny Moon (Anne Murray).

I tend to prefer this type of music, so my collection is not wide in its variety. I don't want anything too loud or jarring.

Who is an audiophile? Help me out here!

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QotD: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (Kitty Cat Combo)

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:59:15 -0700

What is one thing you MUST do before you go to bed at night?

It isn't really just one thing, but a series of steps in a Very Necessary Process.

Step 1 - Find the Marmie Cat.

Step 2 - Catch the Marmie Cat.

Step 3 - Tote the Marmie Cat to "Cat Central" (a little sun room we have that has all of the cat perches - rarely used - the cat food and water dishes, and a shelf with miscellaneous cat items (brushes, container of cat nip, cat treats, etc).

Step 4 - Pry open Marmie Cat's Mouth, pop in evening dose of Methimazole. (A medication used to control his overactive thyroid)

Step 5 - Persuade Marmie Cat to swallow.

Step 5.5 - Pry open Marmie Cat's Mouth, check to see if pill has slid down his gullet.

Step 6 - Repeat Step 5 as necessary.

Step 7 - Release Marmie Cat.

Step 8 - Grovel to Marmie Cat by offering cat treats.

Step 9 - Fill food dish with fresh kibble.

Step 10 - Fill water dish with fresh water.

The Marmie Cat would be delighted to skip over steps one through seven, but we can't do that and expect him to maintain his health.

With the fresh food and water, however, we (humans) are permitted to sleep peacefully through the night*.

O

*Night officially ends at 12:00 am. Anytime after that Marmie Cat feels that it is his right to wake us and haul our lazy a**es out of bed.

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More Updates

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:26:11 -0700

Hello again. My mom called minutes after I posted my last message.

She had some comforting things to say.

First, although they are keeping him sedated, Grandpa was able to follow directions that the nurses gave him (squeezing a hand, wiggling a toe). That's a good sign.

He is scheduled to go in for surgery tomorrow morning. Grandpa will be having 3 bypasses during the surgery.

His surgeon feels that he has a 95% chance of survival. She also thinks that he is extremely lucky. The type of heart attack he had is one that has a low survival rate. Part of what helped Grandpa is that he was out among people when it happened and someone started CPR right away. Add to this, the cops and ambulance arrived within minutes of someone calling 911. As I mentioned before, he was airlifted to a Milwaukee hospital that has a really good reputation for working with cardio-vascular health.

Of course, there are always risks associated with surgery, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It helps to hear that the surgeon said that Grandpa is in better shape than some fifty year olds she knows.

So, hopeful news. Thank you again for the healthy, positive thoughts.

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Grandpa Update

nobody@vox.com(rpennefe) — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:56:29 -0700

Mom and my step-dad made it home from their vacation in Michigan (where they were when they got the call about Grandpa's heart attack) safely. They went directly to the hospital and were there by about 4am this morning.

Grandpa is on a ventilator, and therefore cannot talk. However, he did wake up and recognize them, which I know really relieved my mom.

The doctors are going to do a couple of tests today and hope to get him in for surgery tomorrow. Mom should have an update for me later today sometime. I'll let you know what I hear from her.

Thank you so much for the good thoughts and vibes you're sending his way. You are all great, great people.

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