Category Archives: Friend Alert

911 for buds to come to the rescue.

Family

Posted on April 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

My dad called yesterday. I was teaching my Swedish neighbor how to cook Texas chili. He taught me to make Swedish meatballs and wants a Kitchenaid mixer so I had him use the one I’ve had for eons and assemble the meat grinder on it and grind nearly 5# of chuck and short rib I butchered for him.

I couldn’t take Dad’s call because I was hands-deep getting ground beef into the saute pan with my husband and two guests. Dad called again and I told him what’s going on here (not pretty).

He said he called because he was worried about our old dog because of the new Asian/Midwest dog flu that kills dogs. In 11 years he’s never met our girl Zoe but cared enough to call, I love him for that. And I’m his daughter, not a dog owner on the street to whom he is telling this story.

I checked it out and AVMA and the state and numerous news reports including Reuters say a dog came from China to Chicago and reports vary but from 1,200 – 5,000 dogs are sick. Six have died but others become carriers and never show symptoms of the disease or look sick. I just read it’s killed another six dogs in Ann Arbor MI. It seems concentrated now on IL, WI, IN and MI.

So, don’t let your dog near another dog on the street, in the elevator, lobby, especially dog parks, vet offices, doggie day care. A lot of organizations in the Midwest have shut down for this disease. From what I’ve read antibiotics might help but some vets want vaccinations against pneumonia. Does that latter vaccine exist? If so these researchers could help so many humans in addition to dogs. Pneumonia seems to be the last disease human patients die from because their immune system is compromised.

From what I’ve read nose to nose dog contact is the best way for direct transfer. It can stay on your clothes 24 hours and if you pet another dog you must wash your hands (face if she kissed you) and some germs last 48 hours, this is a nasty bug.

OK, Dad, you made me do the research. You’ve never met our Zoe and I dread the day she leaves us, but you love me and my husband so you care about our dog you’ve never met. You thought about me for this issue, for what I’ve put into it over decades, and let me know your concern. I thank you and love you for everything, especially the Buick. Dee

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial, Family, Friend Alert, Pet

Tagged , , , ,

Loved Ones

Posted on April 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

When a loved one is in hospital or hospice, every night take notes. Write essential questions and get to the hospital early. The docs like to visit for their 3-5 minutes before family arrive so be there and have your questions ready.

Get them answered. When you ask why X has not responded to the surgery and is sicker than before it, Doc will tell you it’s normal and to check back tomorrow. Then you find out the wrong surgeon did the operation of a specialist who didn’t show up and caused cancer to go everywhere and kill your loved one, X.

Be very kind to the nurses. Doc’s are only there for five minutes per day. Nurses have shifts. Get to know their names. Ask them questions and leave the room when needed (if Y needs bathing, a linens change and such).

Eat. Do leave while your loved one sleeps. You must keep up your strength. Coffee, soda and machine-generated snacks do not count. Get out. Breathe a bit of fresh air. Arm yourself for the next battle.

Talk with friends and family. Even if you’re a long-time spouse whose lifetime love and best friend is in that hospital bed, reach out to others.

If the situation is serious and Z will not make it take a few moments to compose yourself and assure yourself you are ready for the loss and will recoup from it bringing Z’s love, wishes and intents with you. Then talk to Z and see what s/he wishes. Last rites? Burial, papers, who to contact. Contact everyone s/he asked about and ask if they’ve anything to convey. Do not ask them all to visit. Anyone who stays around for a few days is close. You don’t want the boss or golf partner showing up out of the blue, that’s what funerals are all about and why acquaintances are not at the hospital with you and other family members.

If needed, make final arrangements. Hopefully there is a will and executor of such. Get through the formalities, even if you must host a post-funeral event.

Grieve. By being there you’ve done much of it. Rest. Get away for a week or two. You have life, and hopefully your spouse, sibling or friend will care for you as you did for Z, Y, or X. Always with hope for ailing friends, Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial, Family, Friend Alert

Tagged , , ,

Insurance Bites Back

Posted on October 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

Thanks, Koch brothers. You’ve let me know decades later what the insurance companies have been doing to customers for decades.

It’s not about insurance, it’s about investing, making money and denying claims. They have always been against being regulated by Congress (like the banks) and have spent billions going state by state so that you can stop a process that will actually insure Americans and make sure Americans pay them for it.

They’ve had to hire more lobbyists and deal with different state infrastructures (I worked for one state in insurance for the Speaker of the Assembly) so all so the Tea Partiers can go state by state and denigrate a law that was passed to help all Americans. Americans against affordable healthcare with no pre-existing conditions.

Conservative states are going to deny coverage. There goes the South and Rick Perry of Texas who wants to be president but this will topple the castle. The Supreme Court now voted that voter discrimination is OK there as well. Isn’t that a party in a teacup.

I don’t know who is on the Ted Cruz for Prez bandwagon but it’s not me. I think he’s the next Newt but that’s about it. He can end up at a college 25 years from now teaching his politics. I think he’s the debutante at the ball that shined for a moment until potential suitors decided he’s too brash and not too smart and is way too big for his britches. And he’s a freshman, for heaven’s sake! Lincoln could have done it. Cruz cannot.

To the insurance companies of the USA, stop this folly. Elderly and poor people in our country are going to get and pay for health insurance. That’s the way it’s going to be. Get used to it.

For the tea partiers, enjoy spending millions going state by state. Remember what I used to write in my insurance bill reports: Offer Well Babies insurance for a fee? Will Increase Premiums. That was the standard insurance company line.

That’s, sadly where we are today 30 years later. Affordable care. Give it a chance. Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial, Friend Alert

Tagged , , , , ,

They Sleep

Posted on August 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

peacefully, and think not of tomorrow. I wake and think about whatever I can to make tomorrow a better day.

If I could be Mary Poppins, I’d talk about tuppence, (two pence, or pennies) to feed the birds.

Instead my husband and dog sleep and I wonder how to care for and protect them every day, as we’ve been together for over a decade. My dearest husband doesn’t know that my job is to protect him and our old mutt as he thinks he’s protecting us.

Let them sleep. My husband takes care of me every day, and so does our mutt. I love them so much it hurts. Mary Poppins is with us. The umbrella may be a problem but her spirit is here above us. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I didn’t even contact Julie Andrews for that and, of course The Sound of Music.

Dream. Please find your dream, kids, and do your best to make it come true. Remember that it starts with the basics, Do re mi fa so la ti and go back to do.

Let them sleep. Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial, Friend Alert, Music, Pet

The Man

Posted on July 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

I read people well. Instinct and experience. I don’t really think about it. Perhaps you’ll let me tell you something. When you, dear girlfriend, get married you’d do best to keep things in your name and both your names.

We were recently served notice from the owner of our building that we were not paying our utility bills and would be evicted. Neither the utility company (my husband came here two weeks before me so I put it in his name) nor our bank which will remain nameless, would talk with me.

When we married over ten years ago I let my husband be on my bank account and created another so I’d have my own name on an account and also savings. We are co-signators on each account. Now my bank will not speak to me about my original account without my husband’s authorization.

After 18 calls and emails, I finally found out how to send an email to the bank from my grocery account. Oh, I also said if they didn’t help me I pay all the bills and decide where the money goes and after 15 years I’d find another bank.

I also found that by keeping under $200 per month in my grocery account is costing us $8 per month so we’re going in together this weekend to change things.

The bank called and had our utility provider on a conference call. It was all worked out, and the next four months of utilities are pre-paid because for some reason our money was going to somewhere in Texas. They have the funds and it is their error.

So, everything is hunky dory in Dee-Land. We did have a dog play-date/walk today. Lesson learned, especially you, gal, is to keep your name on everything. If they don’t let two people sign up for cable or whatever, I’m making my name Josiah Danielle Murphy.

As the Privacy Queen I ask why government and banks they bail out have “privacy rules” that prohibit joint account holders access to information unless their husbands authorize access? I could see it under the Bushes, but now?

Think about it, Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial, Education, Friend Alert

100 To Go

Posted on July 16, 2013 | 1 comment

I’ve set my goal at 2,000 posts. It was initially 1,000 but I may have gotten confused as you actually liked me.

There are 100 to go so I want reader requests, come on, I love you guys and gals and now you get to take the reins on this old horse.

I hate to leave you as my husband has actually picked up a spoon or tongs and helped me out in the kitchen. That’s not a good thing. I’d rather he get water or Dr. Pepper and move out of my way.

Yes, above all I enjoy cooking for my family and guests. There are a few guests that are always welcome at my table, you know who you are.

100 to go. Let her rip! Dee

1 Comment

Posted in Cooking Utensils, Editorial, Education, Friend Alert, Pet, Recommended Pantry Contents, The Ranch

Tagged , , ,

Blackbird, Bye Bye

Posted on March 18, 2013 | 4 comments

Pack up all your cares and woes,

Here I go, singing low, bye bye blackbird

…… blackbird, bye bye.

Last post, they’re selling my posts. I never wanted or got a nickel from them, I will be removing them from WordPress.

I don’t know how to do this as I’m a writer and not a techie, that’s probably why they allow people to steal my words and sell them.

To my readers, I salute you and will be back on other than WordPress. Thank you for being with me and inspiring me these few years. The grandmother who died before I was a year old sang that song to me, to get me to go to sleep. It’s that time. Dee

 

4 Comments

Posted in Cook Books, Cooking Utensils, Editorial, Education, Friend Alert, Greece, haiku, Home Improvement, Italy, Music, Pet, Recipe Ideas, Recipes, Recommended Pantry Contents, Scotland, The Ranch, Travel, Uncategorized, Utah

I had something to say

Posted on March 29, 2012 | 1 comment

then it all changed when I found out my husband’s bank account had been cleaned out and as co-signer and spouse on all our accounts my bank wouldn’t talk to me about potential theft on individual transactions.

So now the transgressions go from the thief (I’m trying to find out when the initial theft occurred) to the bank who won’t talk to me as co-owner of the account, to my husband who is out of town on business and our bank had put a hold on and now cancelled his card without authorization.

We just moved to a new city and just bought a street map.The bank won’t talk to me because it’s not my card. Even though I’m on all accounts. My husband is two hours away by car on business and the bank has cancelled his card, has hung up on me and can’t assure he can get home tonight.

So now Identity Theft is my problem. It happened, so I have to deal with it and we’re the suspects according to my bank of many years.  Does anyone know what it wrong with this or how I can fix it. It is not my particular debit card so I am not able to tell them what the false charges are.

Thanks, Dee

1 Comment

Posted in Editorial, Friend Alert

Tagged , ,

Scotland Forever

Posted on April 3, 2009 | 1 comment

Our place boasts a limited edition print of the golf course at Muirland, Scotland. Also a picture of the Turnberry Hotel on the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland. We never got to Ayr. Home of Rabbie Burns and Brig-o-Doon.

We spent over two months in Scotland and divided time for ten days in London. While in Glasgow I had the pleasure of a Texas girlfriend and we toured Scotland two-three times a week. I learned so much about the people and the culture.

My techie husband made sure that I had a MacBook and Skype before going to Scotland and both were life savers. Our friends and I just spent nearly an hour catching up by phone (by mutual Skype) and it was great to hear their voices and what they’re up to these days in this crazy world.

It was great to talk to you, Karen and Jack! We miss you. Send us your itinerary and we’ll see if we can work something out to see you stateside. I’ll get that recipe to you as well.

I think Scotland needs to become its own country again. Without bloodshed, only signing a piece of paper agreed to by Scotland and England. My only worry is the means to do for itself, by itself. But I’ve no knowledge of the Scottish economy, only of the people and their will to be free. After all, England has to want Scotland really bad to try to take it time and time again.

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral

Welcome to the land of St. Mungo. Let Glasgow Flourish. Remember the tree, the bird, the fish and the bell. And the gold ring, of course. Long stories, enough for today. Best wishes, Dee

1 Comment

Posted in Editorial, Friend Alert, Scotland, Travel

Food

Posted on February 3, 2009 | 3 comments

It is always on my conscience, what we eat and how we eat. Today I was finally, after several months, adopted into a society for foodies that I may not want to join as it may, by its requirements, err on the other side of my first amendment rights. I don’t yet know if my current blog site will allow their requirements and have to check that out.

Of most importance is getting out a message and gaining a few folks who might want to read my musings. I don’t know that my current blog hosts provide what I need to get their, and my, message out. I need to be able to talk freely. Today I researched Boer goats, how to cook them. I see them and have named some female breeders, and I don’t necessarily want them or their offspring to be sold for meat. But today’s cattle ranchers aren’t making what the market brought six months ago, so why not take on a few goats.

My next step is to research all the many cultures that eat goat and learn the traditions, then help my mother-in-law put them up on a blog or website.

Politics envelop all of us these days, with layoffs and banks taking our money for themselves and not lending it out for farms and houses and cars. I have to talk about politics. It affects my grocery shopping! I did make a terrific skirt steak with chimichurri (homemade of course) for dinner. Today I saw a food site offer a prize for an under $5 meal recipe. I’m not there yet for a really great one but a few years ago I could feed the two of us for $10 per day and that’s three meals home-cooked. I’m guessing cereal with fruit for breakfast, quesadillas for lunch and maybe a stir-fry for dinner with rice.

Does another trillion dollars help us through this economic debacle? Not if we depend on the “trickle-down” theory when our jobs and homes are lost and we can’t put mac and cheese on the table (tonight’s dinner, homemade).

You know Jim’s contract ended and there’s little work. We’ll be here another month. The market was cold, tepid and is beginning to heat up here and across the country for his type of work. I’ll go with him wherever he goes, but wearing womens head-scarves and being always accompanied out of the compound by my husband is out of the question. Especially if there are bombs and guns involved. There’s a lot to learn about food in the Middle East and Africa, about cultures and history, but right now I’d rather visit than agree to live there for several years.

I love the little things while traveling here in the States and overseas that surprise me, also items available in the groceries. It would be wonderful to continue my culinary education in that regard but … we’ll see what happens.

We hoped you survived your Super Bowl Party. It was just us, and Jim read most of the time. I found it an historic game and will make Buffalo Wings in honor of my old team one of these days, depending upon how quickly we have to pack up if we move. We’re already eating away at the frig, freezer and pantry in case we’re moving in the next couple of weeks. At least I know where to find Frank’s Louisiana Hot Sauce. Teresa had it many years ago when she invented the Buffalo Wing at Anchor Bar in Buffalo. But I can get it in TX.

How about a “Who Gets Bambi? Contest. I’ll have to come up with the contest and then arrange for shipping with dry ice. OK, I’ll try it. Cheers, Dee

3 Comments

Posted in Editorial, Education, Friend Alert, Travel