Open Thread - Friday, December 16, 2016 - Meh Edition
The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.
― Christopher Hitchens ―
Sometimes, the way I think scares me. I am a bit of a contrarian, I am familiar with the dark side and love the cookies.
I see the country is finally going to be run like a business. I say this with great confidence, because I recognize the pattern. Just like business, the loud mouthed arrogant, and ignorant, pricks are in charge. There is a corporate phenomenon called the cesspool effect. The big pieces float to the top. I can't funkin' wait.
The societal decline, combined with my local politics has conspired to weigh upon me. I am down to taking care of what has to be taken care of and vegetating.
Care giving has become arduous, with little reward. Sweetie is uncomfortable, often in pain and struggling just to survive. Her swallowing limitations and shallow breathing are morphing into congestion, difficulty dealing with mucus and secretions, noisy breathing, discomfort, distress and continued degeneration.
Communications is mostly down to my asking yes or no questions, and Sweetie moving her eyes for yes. Using the head mouse, and texting, is almost completely gone. We have our routines worked out and manage as best we can, but anomalies can really increase the degree of difficulty. When Sweetie is uncomfortable, needs something or is the throes of PsuedoBulbar she is prone to a gurgling moan that I less than affectionately refer to as the human chain saw. It is unbelievably hard to funkin' endure.
So, my head is full of thoughts. I am sequestered to mull over the immediate, the past and the future, and the thoughts are getting darker. Unfortunately, I think the only path to redemption involves catharsis.
Have a great funkin' weekend!
Comments
Words are inadequate
These are dark times for all of us, but especially for you and your Sweetie. I am having trouble finding the right words to say to you. No one can begin to know what you are experiencing and have been going through for the last two years, even if we have had a similar experience. I truly pray the suffering will be over for your Sweetie soon. My heart goes out to you.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
It sure seems like soon
Recent days and weeks have been progressively more challenging. She is fighting, but ALS is winning.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Good morning, Tim~~~
I'm sending strength your way. I'm a bit far away, but it will find you when you feel you cannot go on; close your eyes and imagine a crowd standing around you, supporting you. It's almost impossible to think of how these dark days must be unimaginable for sweetie. Peace to you, dear ones.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Thanks RA
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Dark days and darker nights
Best not to pay any attention to the outside world unless it brings some bit of joy. Is it painful for Sweetie or just (ha!) extremely uncomfortable? Sending my best thoughts.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Well
I am a play through the pain type. I know Sweetie has both pain and discomfort. To a certain extent, it is what it is.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Love is the greatest gift...
and it is obvious in your posts that your care is based in love. Wishing peace and release to you both!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
My dad
He was not much into music, but he would sing this one:
His exposure was probably Patsy Cline. I prefer Little Esther.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
I feel it too.
Sometimes the only thing you can do is a little gypsy jazz. Saw these guys last Saturday night at Swallow Hill here in Denver, and they _killed_ it. Maggie was breaking in a new box (Smirnoff, this time- the old Fleishmann's box finally wore out), and gave it a right thrashing.
They still have my favorite song title of the last decade, but I couldn't find a good video of it: "The Vegan Zombie's Lament". But give "I Like To Feel My Bones" a listen, at the end of the video. It is a sentiment that we could all use right now. Ladies and gentlymen, I give you- Harmonious Wail.
Without the music
I probably would go nuts. Heh, Sweetie is a ginger.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
So's my Cindy.
Married a red-headed Scotswoman- musta had something of a death wish, no? Will be 29 years here real soon... Our very best to you and Sweetie in these impossibly hard times for ya.
The Cesspool Effect
Never heard of that. Sums up the phenomenon perfectly.
It stinks
That's for funkin' sure.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Very fun watching them all drop into the groove
The smiles are infectious! TY
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Keep Moving One Day at a Time
You got that right
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
The Music I Would Like
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DiWxcilWtU]
Just one more . . . Okay?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_H-LY4Jb2M]
Hard times, compadre, stay strong & well.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Yo NCTim great job, thanks for sharing this.
Here's a bit of good news if one wants to just focus on the act
A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.
Bernie yes, Liz, not so sure.
She's a former Repukelican, and I do not trust any of them!! They are fake Democrats. Good examples: $hrill and Charles Schumer. Checking in, NCTim. Always know we are here for you. What more can I say/write? Heard a great old tune last night on one of my 21st century radio stations. Yes We Can Can by the one and only Pointer Sisters.
Now's the time
for all good friends
to get together with one another.......
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
All the best to you
the one assuring thing when being in the dark is that it can only get brighter. Everything has an end and that too is reassuring in my mind. I have no words, just my best wishes to you and your Sweety.
Love and hugs, NCTim
First I've read of your travails, and my heart breaks for you. I went through something similar to what it sounds like you're dealing with 25 years ago, and the tears still come all too fresh. The time together, the pain endured, and the love that deepens in ways one would never have suspected possible -- these things change us forever, and cement one another together in ways that cannot be broken.
I often think of Bobby Kennedy's speech on the night of MLK's death, in which he misquotes -- and possibly improves upon -- the hard-won wisdom of Aeschylus.
Please help support caucus99percent!
Amen.
From an agnostic.
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Clouds of Witnesses
That is us and your family and other friends. We are witnesses to the love you and Sweetie have for each other. When it seems darkest and hardest, think of all of us wishing you strength and loving you both.
I'm holding you both in my thoughts and prayers. I know many others are too. May you feel our love holding you up.