Monday, December 24, 2012

I'm An Addict

I don't know how to say this, but I'm hooked on a book on tape.  Well, it's not really on tape, it's on a CDs. Thirteen of them.  Oy vey, what was I thinking?

It's called "All Other Nights," and it's set in the Civil War.  It's the story of a Yankee spy, a young Jewish man, who gets involved, among other things, in busting up a Rebel spy ring involving a Southern Jewish family in which he marries one of the four sisters.

I'm addicted to the story.  I listen to it in the car, and sometimes, when I get to where I'm going and it's right in the middle of a really exciting part, I sit in my car and continue to listen.  Like I have all the time in the world to sit around and listen to a story?

I'm up to CD number 10.  I've been at this story for over a week now (I drive about an hour a day to work and back, and then usually go shopping afterwards), and to tell the truth, I love the concept of listening to a narrator (it's amazing - this guy plays about 10 different parts!), but 13 CDs?  Really?  It's kinda taking too long.

Not that I'm proud of myself, but I actually checked out the book so I could read the end.  Seriously, I may not get to the last CD for another few days.  I just had to know if the hero comes out alright.  And if you want to know if he does, then continue reading.  Otherwise, it'a fun story .  Check it out!

*(He does!)

Checking In

I just got off the phone with my son in Australia - actually, I just got off the computer phone (Skype) with my son in Australia.  He sure looks cute on my little screen.  Cute, happy, content.  I hope that means he won't want to stay in that country.

I know it's wrong, but every time I talk to him I remind him that he lives here, in America, the greatest country on earth.  He laughs, figures I'm joking, and then goes on to say that he knows he coming home in a year.  But I mean it.  Australia is too far away for one of my children to live, even if I did just figure out how to spell the name right.

Funny, I don't feel that way about Israel.  If any of my children were to let me know tonight that they were moving to Israel (except my 11 year old daughter), I'd be thrilled.  There's something about Australia that doesn't sit right with me.  I mean, the people are nice enough, it's just something about that country that puts me off.

Anyway, it's my problem.  Not my cute, happy, content son.  And I'm gonna have to deal with it.  And I have just under a year to do just that.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Making Due With What You Have

This is a great video - shows how when life hands you garbage, you make that garbage amazing.  Very uplifting and all for a great cause.  Enjoy

Fried Foods and Other Thoughts

It's Chanukah time, a happy time, when we tend to eat either a lot of food, or the wrong food, or both.  Count me in.

At my advanced age (5 decades and counting), I realize I really have to watch what I eat, take care to count calories, and drink plenty of water.  Well, I ate two jelly filled donuts yesterday and I'm crying for more!

It's ironic that I tell my patients to stay away from fried foods, and I even tell myself that as well.  But I have no idea just how many latkes I ate Monday night.  I know it was more than 10, including the ones that grew cold because we had to take a break from eating.

It's gonna take me a while to get back on track.  Start eating healthy, raw vegetables, smaller portions.  I guess it helps me relate to the people I counsel - it makes their struggle more real.  Not that it matters, but many of my patients are homeless, and fast food keeps them alive.  I understand that, and ask them to eat less of it.

Because fried foods taste so good, I know they can't give it up.  Because I can't give it up.  Oh, what the heck.  Like I tell them, do the best you can.  Everyday.  Amen.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Just Some Thoughts

As I've mentioned before, at first, I was a bit afraid of working in a psychiatric hospital.  I've seen the patients get unhinged, seen them given "cocktails" to calm them down, and found myself actually asked to move out of the way of staff to get to patients who were acting up.

But my heart goes out to one patient in particular, who I obviously cannot name.  I will say that he is young, and has become mentally disabled through a horrendous car accident that claimed the life of his mother.  The young man cannot stand still, and constantly moves about the facility.  But there is such a sweetness to him, and gentleness, and I have had occasion to speak to him since he is not eating well and is losing weight.

At first, he wouldn't take the Ensure supplements, but I talked him into it.  He's asked for burritos, and in turn I've asked the kitchen staff to make it for him.  So today, after I spoke to him, he reached out and shook my hand.  When I went to leave, he came up to me and shook my hand again.  I wanted to cry.

Usually I write my posts when I'm happy, or excited, or even outraged.  But it's hard for me to write when I'm sad.  This young man, he makes me sad.  But the problem is me, because there's nothing he can do for himself.  I have to smile more, laugh more, be kinder.  In fact, I'll start right now.  As Mr. Rogers used to say, "won't you join me?"