October 28, 2009
I have had another cooking day.
I made Spaghetti squash with red sauce, portioned it out and froze it.
Next, baked some acorn squash halves with molasses, cinnamon and cardamom, baked them in foil and froze them.
Made and froze 12 sweet potato pancakes, in sets of two.
Currently making pumpkin soup:
Pumpkin Soup
In a soup pot put:
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin (or canned pumpkin, if you find that easier.)
1 can small white beans (or 1 & 1/2 cups cooked dried white beans)
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 Tbsp. curry powder (or blend your own)
I buy mine from Tom & Patty Erd: http://www.thespicehouse.com They blend a Yellow Curry with No Ginger for me, and their spices are incredibly fresh! Check them Out!
Simmer together for about 30 minutes, let sit several hours, reheat and serve. Put a dollop of plain yogurt on top, dust lightly with cayenne pepper.
Serve with a fiery chutney.
I like the Crosse & Blackwell, but you may prefer your own recipe.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thursday, June 26, 2008
George Carlin, RIP
George Carlin, the Grammy-Award winning stand-up comedian and actor who was hailed for his irreverent social commentary, poignant observations of the absurdities of everyday life and language, and groundbreaking routines like “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” died in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sunday, according to his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He was 71.
The cause of death was heart failure. Mr. Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, went into the hospital on Sunday afternoon after complaining of heart trouble. The comedian had worked last weekend at The Orleans in Las Vegas.
Recently, Mr. Carlin was named the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He was to receive the award at the Kennedy Center in November. “In his lengthy career as a comedian, writer, and actor, George Carlin has not only made us laugh, but he makes us think,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, the Kennedy Center chairman. “His influence on the next generation of comics has been far-reaching.”
Mr. Carlin began his stand-up comedy act in the late 1950s and made his first television solo guest appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show” in 1965. At that time, he was primarily known for his clever wordplay and reminiscences of his Irish working-class upbringing in New York.
But from the outset there were indications of an anti-establishment edge to his comedy. Initially, it surfaced in the witty patter of a host of offbeat characters like the wacky sportscaster Biff Barf and the hippy-dippy weatherman Al Sleet. “The weather was dominated by a large Canadian low, which is not to be confused with a Mexican high. Tonight’s forecast . . . dark, continued mostly dark tonight turning to widely scattered light in the morning.”
Mr. Carlin released his first comedy album, “Take-Offs and Put-Ons,” to rave reviews in 1967. He also dabbled in acting, winning a recurring part as Marlo Thomas’ theatrical agent in the sitcom “That Girl” (1966-67) and a supporting role in the movie “With Six You Get Egg-Roll,” released in 1968.
By the end of the decade, he was one of America’s best known comedians. He made more than 80 major television appearances during that time, including the Ed Sullivan Show and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show; he was also regularly featured at major nightclubs in New York and Las Vegas.
That early success and celebrity, however, was as dinky and hollow as a gratuitous pratfall to Mr. Carlin. “I was entertaining the fathers and the mothers of the people I sympathized with, and in some cases associated with, and whose point of view I shared,” he recalled later, as quoted in the book “Going Too Far” by Tony Hendra, which was published in 1987. “I was a traitor, in so many words. I was living a lie.”
In 1970, Mr. Carlin discarded his suit, tie, and clean-cut image as well as the relatively conventional material that had catapulted him to the top. Mr. Carlin reinvented himself, emerging with a beard, long hair, jeans and a routine that, according to one critic, was steeped in “drugs and bawdy language.” There was an immediate backlash. The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas terminated his three-year contract, and, months later, he was advised to leave town when an angry mob threatened him at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Afterward, he temporarily abandoned the nightclub circuit and began appearing at coffee houses, folk clubs and colleges where he found a younger, hipper audience that was more attuned to both his new image and his material.
By 1972, when he released his second album, “FM & AM,” his star was again on the rise. The album, which won a Grammy Award as best comedy recording, combined older material on the “AM” side with bolder, more acerbic routines on the “FM” side. Among the more controversial cuts was a routine euphemistically entitled “Shoot,” in which Mr. Carlin explored the etymology and common usage of the popular idiom for excrement. The bit was part of the comic’s longer routine “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” which appeared on his third album “Class Clown,” also released in 1972.
“There are some words you can say part of the time. Most of the time ‘ass’ is all right on television,” Mr. Carlin noted in his introduction to the then controversial monologue. “You can say, well, ‘You’ve made a perfect ass of yourself tonight.’ You can use ass in a religious sense, if you happen to be the redeemer riding into town on one — perfectly all right.”
The material seems innocuous by today’s standards, but it caused an uproar when broadcast on the New York radio station WBAI in the early ’70s. The station was censured and fined by the FCC. And in 1978, their ruling was supported by the Supreme Court, which Time magazine reported, “upheld an FCC ban on ‘offensive material’ during hours when children are in the audience.” Mr. Carlin refused to drop the bit and was arrested several times after reciting it on stage.
By the mid-’70s, like his comic predecessors, Lord Buckley, Lenny Bruce and the fast-rising Richard Pryor, Mr. Carlin had emerged as a cultural renegade. In addition to his irreverent jests about religion and politics, he openly talked about the use of drugs, including acid and peyote, and said that he kicked cocaine not for moral or legal reasons but after he found “far more pain in the deal than pleasure.” But the edgier, more biting comedy he developed during this period, along with his candid admission of drug use, cemented his reputation as the “comic voice of the counterculture.”Mr. Carlin released a half dozen comedy albums during the ’70s, including the million-record sellers “Class Clown,” “Occupation: Foole” (1973) and “An Evening With Wally Lando” (1975). He was chosen to host the first episode of the late-night comedy show “Saturday Night Live” in 1975. And two years later, he found the perfect platform for his brand of acerbic, cerebral, sometimes off-color stand-up humor in the fledgling, less restricted world of cable television. By 1977, when his first HBO comedy special, “George Carlin at USC” was aired, he was recognized as one of the era’s most influential comedians. He also become a best-selling author of books that expanded on his comedy routines, including “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?,” which was published by Hyperion in 2004. By MEL WATKINS - June 24, 2008
Original Routine:
The Seven Words You Can Never Say On Tv
by George Carlin
I love words. I thank you for hearing my words.
I want to tell you something about words that I think is important.
They're my work, they're my play, they're my passion.
Words are all we have, really. We have thoughts but thoughts are fluid.
then we assign a word to a thought and we're stuck with that word for
that thought, so be careful with words. I like to think that the same
words that hurt can heal, it is a matter of how you pick them.
There are some people that are not into all the words.
There are some that would have you not use certain words.
There are 400,000 words in the English language and there are 7
of them you can't say on television. What a ratio that is.
399,993 to 7. They must really be bad. They'd have to be outrageous
to be separated from a group that large. All of you over here,you 7,
Bad Words. That's what they told us they were, remember?
"That's a bad word!" No bad words, bad thoughts, bad intentions,
and words. You know the 7, don't you, that you can't say on television?
"Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, CockSucker, MotherFucker, and Tits"
Those are the heavy seven. Those are the ones that'll infect your soul,
curve your spine, and keep the country from winning the war.
"Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, CockSucker, MotherFucker, and Tits"
Wow! ...and Tits doesn't even belong on the list. That is such a friendly
sounding word. It sounds like a nickname, right? "Hey, Tits, come here,
man. Hey Tits, meet Toots. Toots, Tits. Tits, Toots." It sounds like a
snack, doesn't it? Yes, I know, it is a snack. I don't mean your sexist
snack. I mean New Nabisco Tits!, and new Cheese Tits, Corn Tits,
Pizza Tits, Sesame Tits, Onion Tits, Tater Tits. "Betcha Can't Eat Just
One." That's true. I usually switch off. But I mean, that word does
not belong on the list. Actually none of the words belong on the list,
but you can understand why some of them are there. I'm not
completely insensitive to people's feelings. I can understand why
some of those words got on the list, like CockSucker and
MotherFucker. Those are heavyweight words. There is a lot going on
there. Besides the literal translation and the emotional feeling.
I mean, they're just busy words. There's a lot of syllables to contend
with. And those Ks, those are aggressive sounds. They just jump out at
you like "coCKsuCKer, motherfuCKer. coCKsuCKer, motherfuCKer."
It's like an assault on you. We mentioned Shit earlier, and 2 of the
other 4-letter Anglo-Saxon words are Piss and Cunt, which go
together of course. A little accidental humor there. The reason that
Piss and Cunt are on the list is because a long time ago, there were
certain ladies that said "Those are the 2 I am not going to say. I
don't mind Fuck and Shit but 'P' and 'C' are out.", which led to such
stupid sentences as "Okay you fuckers, I'm going to tinkle now."
And, of course, the word Fuck. I don't really, well that's more
accidental humor, I don't wanna get into that now because I think
it takes to long. But I do mean that. I think the word Fuck is a very
important word. It is the beginning of life, yet it is a word we use to
hurt one another quite often. People much wiser than I am said,
"I'd rather have my son watch a film with 2 people making love
than 2 people trying to kill one another. I, of course, can agree. It is
a great sentence. I wish I knew who said it first. I agree with that but
I like to take it a step further. I'd like to substitute the word Fuck for
the word Kill in all of those movie cliches we grew up with. "Okay,
Sheriff, we're gonna Fuck you now, but we're gonna Fuck you slow."
So maybe next year I'll have a whole fuckin' ramp on the N word.
I hope so. Those are the 7 you can never say on television, under any
circumstanses. You just cannot say them ever ever ever. Not even
clinically. You cannot weave them in on the panel with Doc, and Ed,
and Johnny. I mean, it is just impossible. Forget tHose 7. They're out.
But there are some 2-way words, those double-meaning words.
Remember the ones you giggled at in sixth grade? "...And the cock
CROWED 3 times" "Hey, that cock CROWED 3 times. ha ha ha ha. Hey, it's in the bible. ha ha ha ha. There are some 2-way words, like it is okay for Kirk Youdi to say "Roberto Clemente has 2 balls on him.", but he can't say "I think he hurt his balls on that play, Tony. Don't you? He's holding them. He must've hurt them, by God." and the other 2-way word that goes with that one is Prik. It's okay if it happens to your finger. You can prik your finger but don't finger your prik. No,no.
The cause of death was heart failure. Mr. Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, went into the hospital on Sunday afternoon after complaining of heart trouble. The comedian had worked last weekend at The Orleans in Las Vegas.
Recently, Mr. Carlin was named the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He was to receive the award at the Kennedy Center in November. “In his lengthy career as a comedian, writer, and actor, George Carlin has not only made us laugh, but he makes us think,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, the Kennedy Center chairman. “His influence on the next generation of comics has been far-reaching.”
Mr. Carlin began his stand-up comedy act in the late 1950s and made his first television solo guest appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show” in 1965. At that time, he was primarily known for his clever wordplay and reminiscences of his Irish working-class upbringing in New York.
But from the outset there were indications of an anti-establishment edge to his comedy. Initially, it surfaced in the witty patter of a host of offbeat characters like the wacky sportscaster Biff Barf and the hippy-dippy weatherman Al Sleet. “The weather was dominated by a large Canadian low, which is not to be confused with a Mexican high. Tonight’s forecast . . . dark, continued mostly dark tonight turning to widely scattered light in the morning.”
Mr. Carlin released his first comedy album, “Take-Offs and Put-Ons,” to rave reviews in 1967. He also dabbled in acting, winning a recurring part as Marlo Thomas’ theatrical agent in the sitcom “That Girl” (1966-67) and a supporting role in the movie “With Six You Get Egg-Roll,” released in 1968.
By the end of the decade, he was one of America’s best known comedians. He made more than 80 major television appearances during that time, including the Ed Sullivan Show and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show; he was also regularly featured at major nightclubs in New York and Las Vegas.
That early success and celebrity, however, was as dinky and hollow as a gratuitous pratfall to Mr. Carlin. “I was entertaining the fathers and the mothers of the people I sympathized with, and in some cases associated with, and whose point of view I shared,” he recalled later, as quoted in the book “Going Too Far” by Tony Hendra, which was published in 1987. “I was a traitor, in so many words. I was living a lie.”
In 1970, Mr. Carlin discarded his suit, tie, and clean-cut image as well as the relatively conventional material that had catapulted him to the top. Mr. Carlin reinvented himself, emerging with a beard, long hair, jeans and a routine that, according to one critic, was steeped in “drugs and bawdy language.” There was an immediate backlash. The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas terminated his three-year contract, and, months later, he was advised to leave town when an angry mob threatened him at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Afterward, he temporarily abandoned the nightclub circuit and began appearing at coffee houses, folk clubs and colleges where he found a younger, hipper audience that was more attuned to both his new image and his material.
By 1972, when he released his second album, “FM & AM,” his star was again on the rise. The album, which won a Grammy Award as best comedy recording, combined older material on the “AM” side with bolder, more acerbic routines on the “FM” side. Among the more controversial cuts was a routine euphemistically entitled “Shoot,” in which Mr. Carlin explored the etymology and common usage of the popular idiom for excrement. The bit was part of the comic’s longer routine “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” which appeared on his third album “Class Clown,” also released in 1972.
“There are some words you can say part of the time. Most of the time ‘ass’ is all right on television,” Mr. Carlin noted in his introduction to the then controversial monologue. “You can say, well, ‘You’ve made a perfect ass of yourself tonight.’ You can use ass in a religious sense, if you happen to be the redeemer riding into town on one — perfectly all right.”
The material seems innocuous by today’s standards, but it caused an uproar when broadcast on the New York radio station WBAI in the early ’70s. The station was censured and fined by the FCC. And in 1978, their ruling was supported by the Supreme Court, which Time magazine reported, “upheld an FCC ban on ‘offensive material’ during hours when children are in the audience.” Mr. Carlin refused to drop the bit and was arrested several times after reciting it on stage.
By the mid-’70s, like his comic predecessors, Lord Buckley, Lenny Bruce and the fast-rising Richard Pryor, Mr. Carlin had emerged as a cultural renegade. In addition to his irreverent jests about religion and politics, he openly talked about the use of drugs, including acid and peyote, and said that he kicked cocaine not for moral or legal reasons but after he found “far more pain in the deal than pleasure.” But the edgier, more biting comedy he developed during this period, along with his candid admission of drug use, cemented his reputation as the “comic voice of the counterculture.”Mr. Carlin released a half dozen comedy albums during the ’70s, including the million-record sellers “Class Clown,” “Occupation: Foole” (1973) and “An Evening With Wally Lando” (1975). He was chosen to host the first episode of the late-night comedy show “Saturday Night Live” in 1975. And two years later, he found the perfect platform for his brand of acerbic, cerebral, sometimes off-color stand-up humor in the fledgling, less restricted world of cable television. By 1977, when his first HBO comedy special, “George Carlin at USC” was aired, he was recognized as one of the era’s most influential comedians. He also become a best-selling author of books that expanded on his comedy routines, including “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?,” which was published by Hyperion in 2004. By MEL WATKINS - June 24, 2008
Original Routine:
The Seven Words You Can Never Say On Tv
by George Carlin
I love words. I thank you for hearing my words.
I want to tell you something about words that I think is important.
They're my work, they're my play, they're my passion.
Words are all we have, really. We have thoughts but thoughts are fluid.
then we assign a word to a thought and we're stuck with that word for
that thought, so be careful with words. I like to think that the same
words that hurt can heal, it is a matter of how you pick them.
There are some people that are not into all the words.
There are some that would have you not use certain words.
There are 400,000 words in the English language and there are 7
of them you can't say on television. What a ratio that is.
399,993 to 7. They must really be bad. They'd have to be outrageous
to be separated from a group that large. All of you over here,you 7,
Bad Words. That's what they told us they were, remember?
"That's a bad word!" No bad words, bad thoughts, bad intentions,
and words. You know the 7, don't you, that you can't say on television?
"Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, CockSucker, MotherFucker, and Tits"
Those are the heavy seven. Those are the ones that'll infect your soul,
curve your spine, and keep the country from winning the war.
"Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, CockSucker, MotherFucker, and Tits"
Wow! ...and Tits doesn't even belong on the list. That is such a friendly
sounding word. It sounds like a nickname, right? "Hey, Tits, come here,
man. Hey Tits, meet Toots. Toots, Tits. Tits, Toots." It sounds like a
snack, doesn't it? Yes, I know, it is a snack. I don't mean your sexist
snack. I mean New Nabisco Tits!, and new Cheese Tits, Corn Tits,
Pizza Tits, Sesame Tits, Onion Tits, Tater Tits. "Betcha Can't Eat Just
One." That's true. I usually switch off. But I mean, that word does
not belong on the list. Actually none of the words belong on the list,
but you can understand why some of them are there. I'm not
completely insensitive to people's feelings. I can understand why
some of those words got on the list, like CockSucker and
MotherFucker. Those are heavyweight words. There is a lot going on
there. Besides the literal translation and the emotional feeling.
I mean, they're just busy words. There's a lot of syllables to contend
with. And those Ks, those are aggressive sounds. They just jump out at
you like "coCKsuCKer, motherfuCKer. coCKsuCKer, motherfuCKer."
It's like an assault on you. We mentioned Shit earlier, and 2 of the
other 4-letter Anglo-Saxon words are Piss and Cunt, which go
together of course. A little accidental humor there. The reason that
Piss and Cunt are on the list is because a long time ago, there were
certain ladies that said "Those are the 2 I am not going to say. I
don't mind Fuck and Shit but 'P' and 'C' are out.", which led to such
stupid sentences as "Okay you fuckers, I'm going to tinkle now."
And, of course, the word Fuck. I don't really, well that's more
accidental humor, I don't wanna get into that now because I think
it takes to long. But I do mean that. I think the word Fuck is a very
important word. It is the beginning of life, yet it is a word we use to
hurt one another quite often. People much wiser than I am said,
"I'd rather have my son watch a film with 2 people making love
than 2 people trying to kill one another. I, of course, can agree. It is
a great sentence. I wish I knew who said it first. I agree with that but
I like to take it a step further. I'd like to substitute the word Fuck for
the word Kill in all of those movie cliches we grew up with. "Okay,
Sheriff, we're gonna Fuck you now, but we're gonna Fuck you slow."
So maybe next year I'll have a whole fuckin' ramp on the N word.
I hope so. Those are the 7 you can never say on television, under any
circumstanses. You just cannot say them ever ever ever. Not even
clinically. You cannot weave them in on the panel with Doc, and Ed,
and Johnny. I mean, it is just impossible. Forget tHose 7. They're out.
But there are some 2-way words, those double-meaning words.
Remember the ones you giggled at in sixth grade? "...And the cock
CROWED 3 times" "Hey, that cock CROWED 3 times. ha ha ha ha. Hey, it's in the bible. ha ha ha ha. There are some 2-way words, like it is okay for Kirk Youdi to say "Roberto Clemente has 2 balls on him.", but he can't say "I think he hurt his balls on that play, Tony. Don't you? He's holding them. He must've hurt them, by God." and the other 2-way word that goes with that one is Prik. It's okay if it happens to your finger. You can prik your finger but don't finger your prik. No,no.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Very Sad News
Last night about 10:30 P.m. I received a phone call from the Medical examiner's office at Kenosha , Wisconsin. My younger sister, Sylvia, was found dead in her apartment yesterday.
They don't know how she died, or even when, but the autopsy and assorted post-mortem examinations will take until at least Monday next,
I'd be hysterical, but I'm too tired. Sylvia, my sweet little sister was only 55 years old, but she lived a very hard life. She was a painter, an artist and sculptor, and some as yet undetermined disease made her hands tremble so she couldn't work. That hurt her heart. She tried to paint what was in her head, but could no longer do it. It made her miaerable.
She was a stickler for a clean house, when it wasn't too painful for her to move. And before she got too sick to care for herself, she always had a cat to cuddle. They always learned to be very verbal cats, from being talked to and read to by Sylvia. she took her cats seriously. They all loved her.
Sylvia was a very loving human being, and a woman who made every mistake in the book.
She was a "Dead" head, and wept as if she had lost s kindred soul when Warren Zevon died. Sometimes I though I hardly knew her. Other times she was my closest friend on the planet.
If you are a praying sort, pray for my sister and family. I'm going away to cry some more. I think my heart is broken. At least she isn't in pain any more.
They don't know how she died, or even when, but the autopsy and assorted post-mortem examinations will take until at least Monday next,
I'd be hysterical, but I'm too tired. Sylvia, my sweet little sister was only 55 years old, but she lived a very hard life. She was a painter, an artist and sculptor, and some as yet undetermined disease made her hands tremble so she couldn't work. That hurt her heart. She tried to paint what was in her head, but could no longer do it. It made her miaerable.
She was a stickler for a clean house, when it wasn't too painful for her to move. And before she got too sick to care for herself, she always had a cat to cuddle. They always learned to be very verbal cats, from being talked to and read to by Sylvia. she took her cats seriously. They all loved her.
Sylvia was a very loving human being, and a woman who made every mistake in the book.
She was a "Dead" head, and wept as if she had lost s kindred soul when Warren Zevon died. Sometimes I though I hardly knew her. Other times she was my closest friend on the planet.
If you are a praying sort, pray for my sister and family. I'm going away to cry some more. I think my heart is broken. At least she isn't in pain any more.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tips On Visiting The Sick - From The Sick
When visiting someone who is sick, here are some suggestions that may help both the visitor and the patient.
1. Before visiting the patient, phone ahead to let him or her know you are coming. That is just plain common sense. Your friend or loved one will appreciate you finding out a convenient time to visit. Some times a patient has had too many visitors, has gone through painful treatments or just needs to nap. If the person is sick at home and being cared for by a caregiver, knowing when you are coming may give that person a chance to run errands or plan for some personal time alone. At least it will give them a chance to tidy up the room or help the patient get ready for your visit. I know I have wished people had called first when I was receiving visitors, because I might not have been dressed appropriately and a robe or change of clothes would have made me more comfortable, etc.
The simple act of a phone call creates the anticipation of a visit, something to look forward to. Calling in advance also puts the patient in charge. Being sick often results in a forced passivity. When you phone and ask if it is all right to visit, the patient is able to exercise some control in whether they feel up to visitors at that time.
2. Do your research. If the person you are visiting is in a hospital or rehab facility, then call ahead to see when visiting hours are. Ask if there are any other restrictions. Some facilities do not allow children or pets. Find out if it is all right for the patient to receive flowers or food of any kind. You do not want to bring your friend's favorite brand of chocolate, only to find out that they are on a special diet and can not eat it right now. Inquire as to what you are allowed to bring. Can the patient eat food brought in from the outside? Can she have flowers etc? Some patients are very sensitive to perfumes or smells, so check if this is the case and leave those types of things at home. The most important point here is to ask questions.
3. Don’t plan on a long visit. Hospital patients have a busy schedule and sick people often tire easily. It is better to visit briefly but more often, than to visit once for a long time. When the patient tires, leave courteously with a promise to return another time or to call. Stay long enough to put a smile on their face, but not too long as to see their smile tire. Most people would rather have many visits, then one long dragged out one.
This should also help to put the visitor at ease. If you plan on a short visit, you do not need to worry about what to say or how to “fill up” time. A 15-20 minute visit is just long enough to say hello, catch up, help out and leave. You can play a game for 20 minutes, or take a walk. Stay as long as the patient wants.
4. Bring the patient a small gift. This is not about money spent- the gift can be something you made, like a card. Let’s face facts, we all like receiving gifts, especially when we are not feeling our best. A newspaper or magazine can reinforce a sense of connection to the outside world. Besides being pretty- flowers, plants or cards leave tangible evidence of the visit. I remember when I was in the hospital I spent hours looking at my “wall of cards” and reminisced about who came to visit me. It always brought a smile to my face, even if it was days after the person left.
Bring something that can be a distraction after you have left. Crossword puzzle books, reading books, even lotto scratch off’s. Anything that they can easily do on their own. Many places do not allow visitors after certain hours, so your gift will help with the boredom at night and be a welcome relief.
Bring something that will help make the experience nicer. Blankets, new pajamas, slippers, new lotions, soaps, or a soft pillow can make the time spent in bed for a patient more enjoyable. Gifts like these will be much appreciated.
Ask nurses or caregivers if it is ok to give the patient food or treats. Bring the patient their favorite candy or snack. If they are having appetite trouble maybe a gift of their favorite food might help.
5. Have Fun. Bring an activity with you. Sometimes we learn the most about someone while doing something together. It takes the pressure off coming up with conversation, while providing a non-threatening atmosphere. The focus becomes the activity and not the person and their disability and that is refreshing. It could be a board game, craft activity, movie, or even food. If the individual has a computer, you could surf the net for helpful resources or community services. Bring the newspaper and talk about current events. Give her a manicure or fix her hair. Bring a friend or children to visit. Be creative.
Some of my best memories in the hospital were when my mom played Scrabble with me all night until I fell asleep. It was great to get my mind of being sick and it also was a great way for us to pass the time.
6. When visiting, help with concrete tasks. After getting the sick person’s consent; help by straightening the bed, watering plants, straightening up the room, or any other chore that helps the patient or makes their surroundings look well attended.
It also might be helpful to offer to do things in the “outside” world for the patient. When we are sick, we do not have the energy, ability or time to do simple things, but quite often those are the very things we worry about not getting done. Picking up mail, helping go through bills, watering the lawn, or even cooking meals, can truly make someone’s day. What might seem like an easy task for you can really help someone who is too sick to do these things for themselves or their own family.
It is very hard not to be able to do for yourself. Many times when I am not feeling well, I might be too embarrassed to ask for help, but I am very happy to accept it when it is offered.
7. Don’t be afraid to sit in silence. As with any situation where we are trying to bring comfort and friendship to someone who is suffering, the primary statement we can make is not through any words we speak, but through our presence. Do not force conversation, but let it come naturally. Fight the need to fill up every bit of silence. Just being a good friend and making the effort to be there is enough.
If you can’t think of anything to talk about, feel free to simply say, I love you, I care and I am here for you if you need me. Those few simple words will mean more to the person then you will ever know, and will definitely be better then making up chatter.
8. Help the Helper. Besides being the patient, there is nothing harder then being the primary caregiver. Most times these are the people that are right there with the patient, often both day and night. The caregiver has the daunting task of trying to juggle the life outside and the life with the person who is sick. Usually they are going on little or no sleep and are filled with worry and concern for the one they love, while trying to show a strong face. Ask if you can help them in any way also. Offer to baby-sit kids, even for a ½ hour, make dinner, or offer to order in, ask if they want you to go get a rental movie or if you can sit and talk with the patient while they shower or make phone calls, etc.
9. Prepare for when they come home. Depending on how long the patient is in the hospital, or depending how long the person has been sick, it might be hard to get back into the swing of a normal daily routine. Offer to help with laundry or help clean or dust so they come home to a less stale smelling place. Help clean out the fridge, or maybe help re-stock it before they get home. Open the windows and let some fresh air in. If they need help now to do things, offer to drive them to the store or doctor’s appointments. It is the little things that go a long way to make the patient feel back at home.
10. Do not forget about them the second they get better. Being sick gives you many different types of attention, whether you like it or not and the fact is that it can be very lonely when it all goes away. I have heard from many patients that the worst thing about being sick is when they started to feel better! That is when they were alone with no one offering to help or to lift their spirits. Still make visits, send cards or offer to help for the next few weeks during this transitional time. They might not need the same things, and it might not feel as “urgent” but still visit. They need to feel loved now too. They need the strength to continue to feel better.
Do Something! All the tips listed above are to help you, but they are not “rules”. Do what your heart tells you to do. Do what you feel is best. It is never too late and no gesture is ever too small. If it is from you then it is just right. Do not let your fear, anxiety or busy schedule stop you from being there for someone who could really use it, and will appreciate it
The worst thing you can do for someone who is sick is nothing.
© 2005 by Christine Miserandino butyoudontlooksick.com
1. Before visiting the patient, phone ahead to let him or her know you are coming. That is just plain common sense. Your friend or loved one will appreciate you finding out a convenient time to visit. Some times a patient has had too many visitors, has gone through painful treatments or just needs to nap. If the person is sick at home and being cared for by a caregiver, knowing when you are coming may give that person a chance to run errands or plan for some personal time alone. At least it will give them a chance to tidy up the room or help the patient get ready for your visit. I know I have wished people had called first when I was receiving visitors, because I might not have been dressed appropriately and a robe or change of clothes would have made me more comfortable, etc.
The simple act of a phone call creates the anticipation of a visit, something to look forward to. Calling in advance also puts the patient in charge. Being sick often results in a forced passivity. When you phone and ask if it is all right to visit, the patient is able to exercise some control in whether they feel up to visitors at that time.
2. Do your research. If the person you are visiting is in a hospital or rehab facility, then call ahead to see when visiting hours are. Ask if there are any other restrictions. Some facilities do not allow children or pets. Find out if it is all right for the patient to receive flowers or food of any kind. You do not want to bring your friend's favorite brand of chocolate, only to find out that they are on a special diet and can not eat it right now. Inquire as to what you are allowed to bring. Can the patient eat food brought in from the outside? Can she have flowers etc? Some patients are very sensitive to perfumes or smells, so check if this is the case and leave those types of things at home. The most important point here is to ask questions.
3. Don’t plan on a long visit. Hospital patients have a busy schedule and sick people often tire easily. It is better to visit briefly but more often, than to visit once for a long time. When the patient tires, leave courteously with a promise to return another time or to call. Stay long enough to put a smile on their face, but not too long as to see their smile tire. Most people would rather have many visits, then one long dragged out one.
This should also help to put the visitor at ease. If you plan on a short visit, you do not need to worry about what to say or how to “fill up” time. A 15-20 minute visit is just long enough to say hello, catch up, help out and leave. You can play a game for 20 minutes, or take a walk. Stay as long as the patient wants.
4. Bring the patient a small gift. This is not about money spent- the gift can be something you made, like a card. Let’s face facts, we all like receiving gifts, especially when we are not feeling our best. A newspaper or magazine can reinforce a sense of connection to the outside world. Besides being pretty- flowers, plants or cards leave tangible evidence of the visit. I remember when I was in the hospital I spent hours looking at my “wall of cards” and reminisced about who came to visit me. It always brought a smile to my face, even if it was days after the person left.
Bring something that can be a distraction after you have left. Crossword puzzle books, reading books, even lotto scratch off’s. Anything that they can easily do on their own. Many places do not allow visitors after certain hours, so your gift will help with the boredom at night and be a welcome relief.
Bring something that will help make the experience nicer. Blankets, new pajamas, slippers, new lotions, soaps, or a soft pillow can make the time spent in bed for a patient more enjoyable. Gifts like these will be much appreciated.
Ask nurses or caregivers if it is ok to give the patient food or treats. Bring the patient their favorite candy or snack. If they are having appetite trouble maybe a gift of their favorite food might help.
5. Have Fun. Bring an activity with you. Sometimes we learn the most about someone while doing something together. It takes the pressure off coming up with conversation, while providing a non-threatening atmosphere. The focus becomes the activity and not the person and their disability and that is refreshing. It could be a board game, craft activity, movie, or even food. If the individual has a computer, you could surf the net for helpful resources or community services. Bring the newspaper and talk about current events. Give her a manicure or fix her hair. Bring a friend or children to visit. Be creative.
Some of my best memories in the hospital were when my mom played Scrabble with me all night until I fell asleep. It was great to get my mind of being sick and it also was a great way for us to pass the time.
6. When visiting, help with concrete tasks. After getting the sick person’s consent; help by straightening the bed, watering plants, straightening up the room, or any other chore that helps the patient or makes their surroundings look well attended.
It also might be helpful to offer to do things in the “outside” world for the patient. When we are sick, we do not have the energy, ability or time to do simple things, but quite often those are the very things we worry about not getting done. Picking up mail, helping go through bills, watering the lawn, or even cooking meals, can truly make someone’s day. What might seem like an easy task for you can really help someone who is too sick to do these things for themselves or their own family.
It is very hard not to be able to do for yourself. Many times when I am not feeling well, I might be too embarrassed to ask for help, but I am very happy to accept it when it is offered.
7. Don’t be afraid to sit in silence. As with any situation where we are trying to bring comfort and friendship to someone who is suffering, the primary statement we can make is not through any words we speak, but through our presence. Do not force conversation, but let it come naturally. Fight the need to fill up every bit of silence. Just being a good friend and making the effort to be there is enough.
If you can’t think of anything to talk about, feel free to simply say, I love you, I care and I am here for you if you need me. Those few simple words will mean more to the person then you will ever know, and will definitely be better then making up chatter.
8. Help the Helper. Besides being the patient, there is nothing harder then being the primary caregiver. Most times these are the people that are right there with the patient, often both day and night. The caregiver has the daunting task of trying to juggle the life outside and the life with the person who is sick. Usually they are going on little or no sleep and are filled with worry and concern for the one they love, while trying to show a strong face. Ask if you can help them in any way also. Offer to baby-sit kids, even for a ½ hour, make dinner, or offer to order in, ask if they want you to go get a rental movie or if you can sit and talk with the patient while they shower or make phone calls, etc.
9. Prepare for when they come home. Depending on how long the patient is in the hospital, or depending how long the person has been sick, it might be hard to get back into the swing of a normal daily routine. Offer to help with laundry or help clean or dust so they come home to a less stale smelling place. Help clean out the fridge, or maybe help re-stock it before they get home. Open the windows and let some fresh air in. If they need help now to do things, offer to drive them to the store or doctor’s appointments. It is the little things that go a long way to make the patient feel back at home.
10. Do not forget about them the second they get better. Being sick gives you many different types of attention, whether you like it or not and the fact is that it can be very lonely when it all goes away. I have heard from many patients that the worst thing about being sick is when they started to feel better! That is when they were alone with no one offering to help or to lift their spirits. Still make visits, send cards or offer to help for the next few weeks during this transitional time. They might not need the same things, and it might not feel as “urgent” but still visit. They need to feel loved now too. They need the strength to continue to feel better.
Do Something! All the tips listed above are to help you, but they are not “rules”. Do what your heart tells you to do. Do what you feel is best. It is never too late and no gesture is ever too small. If it is from you then it is just right. Do not let your fear, anxiety or busy schedule stop you from being there for someone who could really use it, and will appreciate it
The worst thing you can do for someone who is sick is nothing.
© 2005 by Christine Miserandino butyoudontlooksick.com
Saturday, December 29, 2007
New Game Old Friend
A New Friend, An Old Game!
I found a website where they play a card game I learned many years ago at a Mensa Halloweem Party in Chicago. Smart People at play!
The site is: http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm
A SET consists of three cards:
There are Numbers: 1-3;
Colors: red, green, purple;
Shapes: peanut, oval, diamond; and
Shading: outline, striped, filled in
Each feature in a Set must be:
ALL THE SAME as,
or ALL DIFFERENT from
the other cards in the set.
The little kids say, "If two are, and one isn't, it's not a set."
It is a game for all ages. Simple and difficult at once, three year olds can play, so can very old people. One needs vision to play this game.
I enjoyed that Mensa weekend. My partner and I won the Bridge Competition, which was interesting in that my only exposure to Bridge, the Card Game, before that day was being a little kid and counting points for Mama in a corner with four sets of 13 cards from a different deck. It kept me quiet, I guess. But My Partner, Eric Ziemer believed me when I said, "I will bid exactly, truthfully, what I hold in my hand." Nobody ever figured out my peculiar bidding system, thus we won! And for Christmas, someone gave me the website where anyone can register and play! Check it out!
I found a website where they play a card game I learned many years ago at a Mensa Halloweem Party in Chicago. Smart People at play!
The site is: http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm
A SET consists of three cards:
There are Numbers: 1-3;
Colors: red, green, purple;
Shapes: peanut, oval, diamond; and
Shading: outline, striped, filled in
Each feature in a Set must be:
ALL THE SAME as,
or ALL DIFFERENT from
the other cards in the set.
The little kids say, "If two are, and one isn't, it's not a set."
It is a game for all ages. Simple and difficult at once, three year olds can play, so can very old people. One needs vision to play this game.
I enjoyed that Mensa weekend. My partner and I won the Bridge Competition, which was interesting in that my only exposure to Bridge, the Card Game, before that day was being a little kid and counting points for Mama in a corner with four sets of 13 cards from a different deck. It kept me quiet, I guess. But My Partner, Eric Ziemer believed me when I said, "I will bid exactly, truthfully, what I hold in my hand." Nobody ever figured out my peculiar bidding system, thus we won! And for Christmas, someone gave me the website where anyone can register and play! Check it out!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Yes, Virginia
While an editor at The New York Sun newspaper, Francis Church was handed a letter on September 20, 1897, and asked to write a response for the next day's edition. His editorial reply has become legendary.
Francis Church's father, Pharcellus, was a Baptist minister and journalist who founded The New York Chronicle.
Francis was a war correspondent for The New York Times during the Civil War. After the war, he and his brother established The Army and Navy Journal and Galaxy Magazine. When Galaxy merged with Atlantic Monthly, Francis became an editorial writer for The New York Sun.
The editorial was reprinted every year. However, it wasn't until after his death in 1906 that it became publicly known that Francis Church had written the editorial reply to Virginia O'Hanlon's 1897 letter.
From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun,written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897
"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old."Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus."Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'"Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon115 West Ninety-fifth Street
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon lived on the Upper West Side of New York City and firmly believed in Santa Claus. However, some of her less fortunate young friends said there wasn't any Santa Claus and began to put doubt in her mind.
Virginia asked her father, Philip, a doctor who worked for the New York Police Department, if Santa Claus was real.
In the past, the O'Hanlon family had written to the "Question and Answer" column in The Sun to settle matters of fact. Philip recommended his daughter write to their favorite newspaper seeking an answer to one of the most famous questions of all time.
Having her faith restored, Virginia grew up and graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1910. She received her Master's degrees from Columbia in 1911. In 1912, she began a 47-year career as a teacher in New York City and later became a school principal. Virginia died on May 13, 1971, at the age of 81.
Francis Church's father, Pharcellus, was a Baptist minister and journalist who founded The New York Chronicle.
Francis was a war correspondent for The New York Times during the Civil War. After the war, he and his brother established The Army and Navy Journal and Galaxy Magazine. When Galaxy merged with Atlantic Monthly, Francis became an editorial writer for The New York Sun.
The editorial was reprinted every year. However, it wasn't until after his death in 1906 that it became publicly known that Francis Church had written the editorial reply to Virginia O'Hanlon's 1897 letter.
From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun,written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897
"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old."Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus."Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'"Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon115 West Ninety-fifth Street
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon lived on the Upper West Side of New York City and firmly believed in Santa Claus. However, some of her less fortunate young friends said there wasn't any Santa Claus and began to put doubt in her mind.
Virginia asked her father, Philip, a doctor who worked for the New York Police Department, if Santa Claus was real.
In the past, the O'Hanlon family had written to the "Question and Answer" column in The Sun to settle matters of fact. Philip recommended his daughter write to their favorite newspaper seeking an answer to one of the most famous questions of all time.
Having her faith restored, Virginia grew up and graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1910. She received her Master's degrees from Columbia in 1911. In 1912, she began a 47-year career as a teacher in New York City and later became a school principal. Virginia died on May 13, 1971, at the age of 81.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Stephen Caron
I contracted with Stephan Caron to build me a particular computer. I have a new computer, NOT according to specs, with clearly no warrantee. I don't have the backup Windows XP-Pro disk I paid for. I got Windows XP-Home Edition installed, instead of XP-Pro. I haven't managed to get the builder, Stephan Caron, to call me back since the day he delivered it. It's a very pretty computer, but when it has problems, there is nobody to call to look at it. He fell off the Earth! I would not buy another computer from Stephen Caron.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Utopian Robert Owen
More about my sis, Irene:
Her main topic of study for years was Utopian Communities, and their founders. Among her favorites Utopian Robert Owen, the Utopian who bought Harmony, Indiana from the Rappites, and welcomed the members of the Boatload of Knowledge To Indiana. Owen and his son, Robert Dale Owen, along with others, like William Maclure, (known as the "Father of American geology") Changed the town name to New Harmony and established a Utopian Community there.
Owen had revolutionary ideas about community and education: his ideas on the equality of men and women, the ability of each individual in a community having something to share with the community, that everyone had something they could teach or learn, and the currently popular concept, it takes a village to raise children. I've placed a couple of links here to sites with a bit more information, but mayhap Irene will edify us with a few details.
For reasons unknown to me, the New Harmony Community eventually failed, but American Philosopher Paul Tillich was drawn into the ideals of New Harmony. Tillich's ashes are enshrined under a tree in Tillich Park, New Harmony.
Boy! That was a big mouthful, for something I supposedly remember little about. It's all very interesting stuff, and the educators from the Boatload of Knowledge are listed at the site one reaches by clicking on Boatload of Knowledge above. I have always admired Irene's work uncovering the history of Owen and New Harmony. Hope these links get you started on knowing more about Robert Owen, the Boatload of Knowledge, and New Harmony, Indiana. It's great stuff!
Her main topic of study for years was Utopian Communities, and their founders. Among her favorites Utopian Robert Owen, the Utopian who bought Harmony, Indiana from the Rappites, and welcomed the members of the Boatload of Knowledge To Indiana. Owen and his son, Robert Dale Owen, along with others, like William Maclure, (known as the "Father of American geology") Changed the town name to New Harmony and established a Utopian Community there.
Owen had revolutionary ideas about community and education: his ideas on the equality of men and women, the ability of each individual in a community having something to share with the community, that everyone had something they could teach or learn, and the currently popular concept, it takes a village to raise children. I've placed a couple of links here to sites with a bit more information, but mayhap Irene will edify us with a few details.
For reasons unknown to me, the New Harmony Community eventually failed, but American Philosopher Paul Tillich was drawn into the ideals of New Harmony. Tillich's ashes are enshrined under a tree in Tillich Park, New Harmony.
Boy! That was a big mouthful, for something I supposedly remember little about. It's all very interesting stuff, and the educators from the Boatload of Knowledge are listed at the site one reaches by clicking on Boatload of Knowledge above. I have always admired Irene's work uncovering the history of Owen and New Harmony. Hope these links get you started on knowing more about Robert Owen, the Boatload of Knowledge, and New Harmony, Indiana. It's great stuff!
Saturday, September 25, 2004
I am now the lucky owner of a TENS Unit, a pain relieving device for my ankles. I put little electrodes on each side of both ankles, connect them with wires to a black box, and for 20 minutes, there is a tingling kind of sensation, which busies out the pain signals to my brain from my ankles. It is not predictable how long the relief lasts. Sometimes seven hours, aometimes less than an hour.. It all depends on what I do with walking and exercising. Ice still helps a lot, but nothing has helped this much except strong medicine, of which I am taking much less.
You may also have noticed it is getting dark earlier. The leaves have started to turn colors already, probally because of the chilly nights. It seems too early for Autumn. Soon daylight savings time will be upon us again, and after that, the chill season. The chipmunks and squirrels have decided my outside for the summer houseplants are great places to hide their acorns and nuts. I may have to repot some when I bring them in for the winter. Connie brought twine and staked up my rubber tree plant. She is so excellent an example of tha human species. What a wonder!
Wednesday of next week I have an appointment to have the scooter lift installed in my van. I am so excited at the prospect of being independently mobile I tremble with excitement! I will be able to go anywhere! Well, not anywhere, but lots of places!
All the paperwork is at the surgeon's office now, and they are submitting it to the insurance people for approval, and with approval, I will get a date for my gastric bypass surgery! I am excited, terrified, and generally fabulous. This is a great leap of faith for me. I am trusting that my body will become willing to help me get smaller, and that I won't be hungry all the time any more. I'm not sure how I will manage the supplement pills I take for iron and vitamin B, but I'm sure tiher patients have worked this out and someone will know how, even if it is just crushing and taking the powder in applesauce. Fortunately, I haven't to resolve all this just right now. And the Phebap is quietly chirping to himself on the windowsill. I love him. I won't get rid of him after all. He is too happy a part of my life. Hope you are having a good Spetember.
You may also have noticed it is getting dark earlier. The leaves have started to turn colors already, probally because of the chilly nights. It seems too early for Autumn. Soon daylight savings time will be upon us again, and after that, the chill season. The chipmunks and squirrels have decided my outside for the summer houseplants are great places to hide their acorns and nuts. I may have to repot some when I bring them in for the winter. Connie brought twine and staked up my rubber tree plant. She is so excellent an example of tha human species. What a wonder!
Wednesday of next week I have an appointment to have the scooter lift installed in my van. I am so excited at the prospect of being independently mobile I tremble with excitement! I will be able to go anywhere! Well, not anywhere, but lots of places!
All the paperwork is at the surgeon's office now, and they are submitting it to the insurance people for approval, and with approval, I will get a date for my gastric bypass surgery! I am excited, terrified, and generally fabulous. This is a great leap of faith for me. I am trusting that my body will become willing to help me get smaller, and that I won't be hungry all the time any more. I'm not sure how I will manage the supplement pills I take for iron and vitamin B, but I'm sure tiher patients have worked this out and someone will know how, even if it is just crushing and taking the powder in applesauce. Fortunately, I haven't to resolve all this just right now. And the Phebap is quietly chirping to himself on the windowsill. I love him. I won't get rid of him after all. He is too happy a part of my life. Hope you are having a good Spetember.
Monday, May 10, 2004
5/10/2004 1:03 PM
Today I saw a male cardinal defending his territory from a blue jay and when the jay tried to come back, the cardinal hid out under the balcony, on top of one of my bird houses until the jay was in range, and then sped off to chase the jay away one last time. The blue jay hasn't been back.
Today I saw a male cardinal defending his territory from a blue jay and when the jay tried to come back, the cardinal hid out under the balcony, on top of one of my bird houses until the jay was in range, and then sped off to chase the jay away one last time. The blue jay hasn't been back.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
In the hedgerow out my windows 4/11/2004 1:40 PM
I'm north of Chicago, in a suburb which was a small town before everyone came out here. This morning I first noticed a female cardinal, soon joined by her mate. Then came the two pair of red winged blackbirds. I saw a downy woodpecker briefly, and I can hear him just out of sight. I have no dearth of common wrens and black capped chickadees. There are a bunch of doves, waiting patiently in the trees for their chance at the food on the ground, and, of course, the swamp sparrows. I saw a herring gull on the way home from church.
I'm north of Chicago, in a suburb which was a small town before everyone came out here. This morning I first noticed a female cardinal, soon joined by her mate. Then came the two pair of red winged blackbirds. I saw a downy woodpecker briefly, and I can hear him just out of sight. I have no dearth of common wrens and black capped chickadees. There are a bunch of doves, waiting patiently in the trees for their chance at the food on the ground, and, of course, the swamp sparrows. I saw a herring gull on the way home from church.
Thursday, July 3, 2003
Finally, the Braciole recipe I've been working on: This is a knock them dead entree. A big salad, some vegies, pasta, it's a meal! I have cut this down, but truth to tell, if you are making Braciole, make about four times this amount, and invite the whole family. This is what fits in MY crock pot:
Braciole
4 servings :
* 5 lb round steak, Cut 1/4" thick flattened out
* 1 lb Italian sausage, mild
* 1/2 C bread crumbs
* 2/3 cup dried currants or raisins
* 3 Tbsp parsley
* 1/2 tsp. fennel seed, bruised
* 2 tsp oregano
* 8 Cloves garlic, crushed
* 2 large onion, chopped fine
* 2 x16 oz canned plum tomatoes
* 2 x 6 oz Tomato Paste
Preparation:
Trim excess fat from the beef. Cut into as many evenly sized pieces as as you can reasonably make. Place each between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Pound each as thin as possible, the thinner the steaks, the better they roll up. Chill meat.
Brown the sausage lightly in a skillet & drain. Add parsley, oregano, fennel seed, garlic, onion and currants. Mix thoroughly.
Take out meat, and spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling mixture on each flattened steak. Roll up each steak jelly roll fashion. Use string & toothpicks to keep the steaks rolled. Place the rolled steaks in the bottom of the slow cooker. Combine the tomatoes & tomato paste, (or your favorite red sauce recipe). Pour over the steak rolls. Cover. Cook on the slow cooker's LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours. ( In a pinch, you can oven bake them, but...) I take out the toothpicks, and leave the string to be removed at table. That's why there are napkins.
Serve Braciole with the sauce & spaghetti. Grate the good cheese on top.
This calls for the good red wine, too.
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
We, the disabled and chronically ill folks of the world, think this poet, Maria Jastrzebska, is brilliant. She says it all better than I ever could.
Friends
--Maria Jastrzebska
1
thank god
for the small procession of friends
who knock on my door
bringing me flowers and newspaper cuttings
interesting books
or the wrong kind of apples
because I've forgotten to explain
which ones I like
friends who take the initiative
in supermarkets or at the grocer's
adding things to my list
forcing me to treat myself
to unexpected strawberries
or mango
friends who send me cards
from abroad
friends who go on believing
in my recovery
2
they seem
like circus dancers
daring and fast
everything they wear is brightly coloured
when they talk about their lives
I imagine them
somersaulting through the air
hanging by a silver thread
from the high wire
I think:
that's what I must have been doing
till I fell
and landed in this bed again
caught in the tangled nets
of illness
telling myself it could be worse
3
when they talk
the noise grazes my senses
so I know my body will tremble
for a long time
after they're gone
other times
they're the ones
who seem tired
they seem to find relief
in this quiet room
they move
into the huge, uncluttered spaces
in my diary and like it there
they can relax
knowing there's no need to perform
4
and then there's the ones
who say: I wouldn't mind being ill
just a little
--oh not like you of course--
but I can't afford to
as though this illness was a luxury
I can't stop
who else would take over
the kids, my job
who indeed?
as if they envied
this curtain
that comes down
so indiscriminately
that gets me out
of whatever it is
I never really wanted to do
and in the same sudden gesture
cuts me off
from all the tings
I long to do
this stillness
after the curtain's come down
this is how tired women
without a moment to themselves
define luxury
Friday, January 31, 2003
Police detectives went to Nevada and arrested a man today in the murder of my daughter who was born Judith Marie Lee on September 5, 1966. She was murdered in her home in August 2001.
I had no idea how much this was weighing on my heart until I heard this news. I never thought he would see the inside of a cell. I am cynical enough to believe it's probably okay to kill a woman in this country, if she isn't someone important.
I have no idea how I feel, other than relieved. I know that not forgiving him is like taking poison and hoping that he will die, but I'm not at forgiveness just yet.
Friday, August 23, 2002
I may be depressed and in pain, but I'm still not stupid: In tonight's news, probably to vanish before dawn, this story:
Late Friday night, two Chicagoans - Sister Kathleen Desautels and Mary Dean - joined the ranks of 27 other peace activists sentenced to federal prison this month for protesting last November at the notorious School of the Americas, the U.S. government’s elite training program for Latin American military forces at Fort Benning, Georgia. (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation)
Seven other protesters received 6 months probation, and the judge imposed fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 dollars. The protesters’ crime? Opposing the SOA’s dismal history of training torturers, who have been accused over the last 2 decades of mounting terror, torture and murder campaigns throughout Latin America. Two years ago, Congress responded to public criticism of SOA by changing the school’s name to the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation - but SOA/WHISC’s agenda continues - as does public opposition to the crimes of its graduates
for more info, go to: (too lazy to make a link, sorry.)
http://www.soaw.org/
Monday, July 29, 2002
Friday, June 28, 2002
In a long overdue move, (almost twenty years) The Archdiocese of Chicago has seen fit to accept the resignation of Fr. William Lupo, a fellow who has sexually molested eight, possibly more, young women. (er, make that allegedly, as I only know one of them, yet I was present to hear Archdiocesean representative Steve Sidlowski say there were "Several, at least seven other complaints pending against him.") In spite of the increasing number of charges against Fr. Lupo, he has until this week maintained his position as Pastor of St. Peter Damien parish in Bartlett, Illinois.
To their (almost) credit, the Archdiocese,at some time in the last ten years, told someone at the parish that Fr. Lupo had been sexually inappropriate with "at least two" young women. I say cut them off at the wallet. It's the only thing to which they pay attention.
It is almost like justice.
Monday, June 17, 2002
Reading Ted's Blog made me remember that I want many copies of The Bill of Rights out there on the internet for just anyone to find, in case the new government decides to deny they ever existed at all, instead of just ignoring them.
So here they are, the First Ten Amendments ot the Constitution of the United States of America:
Constitutional Amendments 1-10: The Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.
Saturday, May 25, 2002
The kindness of friends:
Michael and Connie Purcell, in a gesture that has touched my heart, have had a tree on the grounds of the library dedicated in honor of my late daughter, whom I knew as Judith Marie Lee. I don't know what kind of tree, but when I know, I will tell.
My library and librarians have been a great source of comfort to me during this unhappy time, and I am grateful to them all, especially the folks in the Children's Department, which is officially called "Youth Services.".
Monday, January 28, 2002
Saturday I went to a Gourmet Chocolate Tasting Event with Connie! It was my birthday present to her.
What I learned: Chocolate only grows within about twenty degrees of the Equator, whichis to say, where it is hot! Growing and harvesting Theobroma Cacao is very labor intensive work, and there are many references to "the natives" in the descriptions of how the growing, harvesting, preparing for market, transporting, and such are accomplished. For example, a tree may produce 6,000 blossoms, of which 200 will set fruit. Each fruit pod contains 2 to 4 dozen beans. They are cut open by "native men, who hold the pod in one hand, and whack it open with a machete held in the other hand. They have to be careful just to crack the hull, ..." There is no mention of great salaries for "the natives", though they "are really devoted to their work."
What I learned: Chocolate only grows within about twenty degrees of the Equator, whichis to say, where it is hot! Growing and harvesting Theobroma Cacao is very labor intensive work, and there are many references to "the natives" in the descriptions of how the growing, harvesting, preparing for market, transporting, and such are accomplished. For example, a tree may produce 6,000 blossoms, of which 200 will set fruit. Each fruit pod contains 2 to 4 dozen beans. They are cut open by "native men, who hold the pod in one hand, and whack it open with a machete held in the other hand. They have to be careful just to crack the hull, ..." There is no mention of great salaries for "the natives", though they "are really devoted to their work."
Chocolate Gourmands place a small piece of chocolate on their tongue, and press it gently against the roof of the mouth to begin the melting process and release the flavor and aroma near the nose. The melting temperature of chocolate is just below human body temperature. The chocolate will melt faster if there is a higher milk or cocoa butter content, and more slowly if there is a higher cocoa powder content.
I've always known I didn't much care for milk chocolate, but I never knew what a purist I am until this tasting, where I learned from experimenting thatI really prefer the intensely rich flavor of unsweetened chocolate. There is a lot more to say about this, and it raised political issues that were not surprising, but very uncomfortable for a chocoholic like me. I must go sleep now, because I'm off to a funeral at early o'clock. but I will write again, time providing.
Friday, January 18, 2002
Last night we had 73 people at our P.A.D.S. homeless shelter. P.A.D.S. is an acronym for "Public Action to Deliver Shelter". Seventy three is two shy of our fullest capacity, and thirteen more people than we own sleeping pads for. It’s starting to get colder here, and the group is only going to get bigger. There are homeless folks everywhere. Make the time to go volunteer at the shelter near you, or, failing that, donate your spare change for a month. (Do NOT run out and buy lots of little toiletries unless they are requested.)
Donate clean, used blankets, sheets, socks, underwear, (assorted sized, five times more men’s than women’s), your old winter coat, should you be lucky enough to have more than one. Our shelter has a trade-in policy. If we have coats, and they’re warmer than the coats folks are wearing, we trade them for their current coat. We clean the older coats, repair them, and send them to shelters in warmer areas. Donate cash, if you can, because a shelter uses lots of food and paper products.
It’s cold outside where I live. Someone donated eighty assorted pairs of new winter boots, which we gave out last month. These replaced shoes and boots that were so worn out, some of them had cardboard covering the holes. How long has it been since you worried about that? Never? Go volunteer out of gratitude.
Donate your old clothes. This goes double for the larger sizes. At our shelter, fifteen percent of our guests are bigger than the average bear. These are the things most shelters really need.
I have volunteered at the homeless shelter for a couple of years. Now my sister is homeless in Madison, Wisconsin, and I volunteer more frequently than I used to, in gratitude tor the folks who take her in. Someone you know, or knew once, is homeless. You could be just a few paychecks away from homelessness, yourself. Reach out, folks. It's good for what ails our culture. Happy Friday.
Friday, January 4, 2002
There came the big noise and the dark, the loud, mind-numbing noises, and the heaviness of air, the pushing down on me. Soon I had lost myself. The storm raged on, and a calmfriendly voice suggested calling the doctor. I did that. And she was there, and knew, and the noises rages and I raged and cried, and she talked about things, but I don't know what they were, except that I followed her voice back to this place/time that is the right one where I usually live. She is a good leader back. She gave us directions for a magic potion, and some tablets. "Sip slowly, and call when you can." Two servings of both and the noise was moving outside the house. The Moral Support Squad Leader called a few times, and night closed in, and morning came, a new day. The noise is still outside.
Thursday, November 29, 2001
I can't remember the last time I heard anyone even mention the 1948 United Nations _Universal Declaration of Human Rights_, which may be the zenith of Eleanor Roosevelt's life work. It made a big impression on me in about sixth grade, when, as a punishment for some infraction of school rules, I was given three pages of an encyclopedia to print by hand. The document itself gave me great hope for the world. At the time we were just moving into the Cuban Missle Crisis, and everyone expected the world to end tomorrow before breakfast. Meanwhile, I know way too many people who have never heard of it, much less read it. So here it is, and damn all the curriculum designers who thought it too unimportant to include! I would like just one member of Congress read it into the Congressional Record, one Newspaper print the whole text. I would like to see the United States (and the other signatory nations) embrace this declaration and live out the true meaning and intent.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the
Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the
Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective
recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense. (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offense, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offense was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the
Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the
Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective
recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense. (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offense, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offense was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Monday, November 19, 2001
I went to Chicago's new Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's permanent exhibit, the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, and was enchanted.
I never heard off these women, but I am grateful that Judy Istock gave or left money to build this Butterfly Haven. It is small, with lots of butterfly attracting plants, bushes, and trees. It is slightly warm and humid, and magnificent. There are probably half a thousand butterflies fluttering about, landing on plants and, occasionally, people. I watched as one went from hanging from a little stand as a cocoon to hatching out and drying its wings, and it was incredibly beautiful! This is something I have known about from books my whole life, but there were easily fifty varieties of butterflies there. The colors are amazing, and the people watching was almost as much fun as the butterflies!
We were there for two hours, and I could easily have stayed another three, but we had five year old Jake with us, and he wanted to go see the museum's other exhibits. His favorite was the gross one about how human insides wrok.
I never heard off these women, but I am grateful that Judy Istock gave or left money to build this Butterfly Haven. It is small, with lots of butterfly attracting plants, bushes, and trees. It is slightly warm and humid, and magnificent. There are probably half a thousand butterflies fluttering about, landing on plants and, occasionally, people. I watched as one went from hanging from a little stand as a cocoon to hatching out and drying its wings, and it was incredibly beautiful! This is something I have known about from books my whole life, but there were easily fifty varieties of butterflies there. The colors are amazing, and the people watching was almost as much fun as the butterflies!
We were there for two hours, and I could easily have stayed another three, but we had five year old Jake with us, and he wanted to go see the museum's other exhibits. His favorite was the gross one about how human insides wrok.
Saturday, August 25, 2001
Ted, you devious lad, can't find any excuse now, can I? Here I am, writing in thestephy weblog. In other exciting news, went off to sit in on a *Hackmaster* game. There should probably be a copyright or trademark symbol there, but I really didn't pay all that much attention. It is a pastiche on Dungeons & Dragons, played with much wimsey and many dice and accompanied by pizza and pop. It willltake a while to create thestephy's character, a Dwarfen Day Errant, which is like a Dwarfen Knight Errant, only sillier.
It being Oh!'night thirty, or thereabouts, I go and sleep now. Wonder if I will be able to find this again?
It being Oh!'night thirty, or thereabouts, I go and sleep now. Wonder if I will be able to find this again?
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