“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Is there a singular truth? Or multiple truths? Does our own historical experience influence which truth to believe? Does it matter? Some of the questions floating through my mind this week.

Plus what is the most immediate danger. Those yellow jacket trying to protect their nest under the roof ridge line? I slowly moved off the roof, will bring peppermint spray next venture up there. The neighbor's bull trying to break through the fence or the slippery rocks underfoot crossing the ditch back and forth to move my uncooperative cows? Or the unwashed masses unvaccinated amongst us trying to live their lives, earn money for food and shelter?

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

9/11 is the most significant national propaganda event in my lifetime. The actual tragedy of lost lives, a shocked, grieving nation and desire to help the nation recover was used to unleash a larger destructive force onto the world in the name of protecting our nation's citizens.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Morning, just finished rewatching a BBC series WarTime Farm about the challenges of running a farm during WII in Britain. It was a forced shift from traditional farming methods to modern commercial agriculture. Surprising number of technological advances from chemicals to machinery existed for significant time. The market for the products simply did not develop without government intervention.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Today's OT is going to be a little short on words. A few unexpected events disrupted my schedule.

One of the aspects of self-care is knowing enough about a medical diagnoses to judge when to reach out to medical professionals and how to monitor for improved or worsening conditions.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

The past 18 months has not been a shinning moment for American healthcare to highlight caring competence. Instead the holes in the safety net are more noticeable and seem to be growing larger. The engagement of the total population with the Covid pandemic has overwhelmed the practice of hiding medical system failures as patient choices and front line healthcare provider actions.

These problems are not limited to Covid. Most common chronic health conditions have similar problems within the American healthcare system. A major risk factors for Covid hospitalization and death is comorbidities. It is important chronic health conditions are being effectively managed. Chronic inflammation in an under appreciated component of obesity and poor health. Specific treatment goals can help identify under treatment and over treatment of medical conditions, both can endanger health and effect lifestyle.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

From the various discussion medical discussion thought I would do a short series on self-care. Good resources of drug information is essential. One of the foundational sources I use to gather information on medications is the Package Insert (PI). The current format of the PI has been consistent since 2006. The content is not as readily influenced by shifts in political winds. Dosing information will be limited to FDA approved treatments for specific dosage formulations. Other sources need to be used for off label information.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Welcome to the weekend.

The nest shared in last weeks column has been occupied by a California Quail. Not a perfect situation. She has to put up with me watering the plants a few feet away. The entry to the front door is off limits for a while and been blocked by a temporary fence to prevent a cat or human visitor from wandering too close.

Her and I will simply need to cooperate for a while longer and show some tolerance for each other to create the possibility of a successful hatching. Then she has a new set of challenges.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Another installment of our summer spy stories series. One of my favorite fiction authors was Robert Ludlum. Stretched the mind of a teenager with travels around the world, complex conspiracy theories portraying history from a different vantage point than junior and high school history classes.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Let the Games begin!

The opening ceremony video highlighting parade of athletes and lighting the torch has already been pulled form youtube. Must not have been an official sponsor and paid the appropriate fees.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Earliest memory of a wildfire was kindergarten. A community wide request for all able-bodied adults to grab a shovel and head to the fire line to protect the city. Dad picked me up early so he could go fight the fire. Great Grandma's house was close enough we could watch the flames. If it got too close instructions were to get down to the other side of the river about 20 blocks away.