Joe C..."What would be the purpose of such a poll? 

Now, it would be mighty interesting to conduct such a poll immediately before and after the discussion period.  This would let us (and Luanne) judge whether our discussions actually enlighten, instruct, and edify one another, or whether we're all just a bunch bloviating ideologues. 

Speaking of bloviation, the last two weeks have supported Campbell's Theory of Thought-Fatigue: "All high-minded discussions eventually degenerate into discussions of flatulence

Kind sir(yes, Joe C.), I like your amendment of before and after, and the way you referred to my idea as "brilliant, captivating idea, we could let Big Pharma lobby us, and so impressed," or whatever it was you said, is most flattering. I see it much like the Senate, where we are asked to make up our mind after 3-4 days of debate, and it would be a great barometer of at the least "an informed cross section" of the populace, and I think worthy of using due to the fact we debate and perhaps show the flaw one may not see, and bah-duh boom, bad-uh bing...the perfect poll to help our friends at THE ROANOKE TIMES stay healthy and wealthy. Here to help is all. Gip

Tanya Villani:

I hope that will change for all of us and we can add a few fresh younger  "voices". 

Kudos Tanya.  Read your letter to the editor!

Sharron Smith

Joe Campbell:

Speaking of bloviation, the last two weeks have supported Campbell's Theory of Thought-Fatigue: "All high-minded discussions eventually degenerate into discussions related to flatulence."

 Hm m m m m m.  I am thinking about your statement.  Hm m m m m m.  Is this a compliment or a criticism?  Let me see . . . . . . where did I put that frying pan?

Sharron Smith

Sharron Smith:

 I get up at 5:30 a.m. and drive to the farm to help my mother give her cat, Goldie, an insulin shot.  Goldie was diagnosed with diabetes last week;  with Mom's limited vision and arthritis -- mastering insulin shots has been tough.  Goldie is responding well -

Sharron,

Dianne and I (mostly Dianne) had a dog who became diabetic at age 10 and we kept him regulated enough where he made it to age 18 before kidney failure finally did him in. The link below is to a great diabetic pet support group that Dianne joined for all those years. The site and accompanying email list known generically as the "Muffin List" was started by Susan Flewelling from New Brunswick, Canada in 1997 and named for her diabetic dog. Cats in general are more difficult to regulate than dogs so I hope this site will be helpful to you and your Mom.

You have my empathy for your sleep deprivation. From one whose alarm buzzes at 12:40am to start a long day, don't feel alone. It there is anything we can do to help out with Goldie, let us know.

Nick

http://www.petdiabetes.net/

I think I've told the story a few times aleady, but for anyone who missed it for forgot, my old black lab Cece, a retired search/rescue K9, was diagnosed with canine diabetes at age 10, and she lived to 14 with twice-daily insulin shots (along with a healthy diet and regular exercise).  For those last four years she was energetic, strong, active and happy, despite progressive blindness, until her back legs finally gave out rapidly in her final weeks (as commonly happens with older large-breed dogs).  I was so used to the ritual of injections with each meal that for weeks after her death I found myself reaching for the insulin when preparing meals for Ricky and Lib. 

On the subject of canine health, the two biggest mistakes people commonly make are (a) feeding their dogs too much, especially too much stuff dogs shouldn't eat, and (b) too little exercise.  This is especally true of large "working dog" and "sporting dog" breeds (shepherds, labs, golden retrievers, newfies).  Ricky is still alive and going strong, despite advanced age, because of a first-class diet and daily walks in the woods.  He's far outlived his life-expectancy, and every week could be his last, but you'd never know it when he is trotting around the house or the yard with a toy, looking for someone to play tug-of-war or keep-away.  He sleeps a lot, and sleeps deeply, his hearing is fading, he doesn't come upstairs anymore, and he's slowing down on his walks, but he's still young at heart and enjoying life.  He's excited about all the people in town for Laura's wedding this Saturday and enjoying the attention.  Right now he and Lib are sleeping soundly, and that is what I will be doing momentarily.

Sharron Smith:

This fall seems to have been exceedingly challenging for a number of panelists.  It has worried me that our numbers have dwindled this month and we as a group have disappointed Luanne.  It reassures me to hear you too are facing work and family challenges. 

I am rarely away from my work computer anymore - sorry to be so unproductive recently ... I sent one faceless post from work and felt like a ghost writing from "the other side!"  I do enjoy reading your posts, folks!  I have been chatting up participation - especially when I run across younger people (which covers a lot of territory!!!).

So life is busy - yes!!! I actually wrote a post on the swine flu vaccinations but it was quite mediocre and never got posted!  (No loss, trust me!)

I AM A GRANDMA!!! Little Sadie Hartman was born on Sept 29th and Mom and baby are healthy - and our son seems tickled pink even if sleep-deprived!  I get to see her soon!

On the other end of the spectrum - an ailing 91-year-old mother-in-law is breaking our hearts as she deteriorates mentally and physically - with a distressing personality change that disturbs us every visit - which is everyday now to make sure she is safe... she is in residential care but seems to need our daily support to keep eating and being willing to bathe, do therapy and get out of bed! 

Off to bed myself before my tired brain gets me in trouble here!!! Just checking in with y'all - thanks for your posts!

 Cheri:  So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, but congratulations on your first grandchild.  They are a joy, as you will soon discover.  Trust me, the little ones will keep you young and awake!

Leesa, using the QBTraining computer

qbtraining:

 Cheri:  So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, but congratulations on your first grandchild.  They are a joy, as you will soon discover.  Trust me, the little ones will keep you young and awake!

Leesa, using the QBTraining computer

 Thanks, Leesa, for your kind words!  Hope you are well... the count down is on til we get to visit our newest precious Hartman!

Luanne Traud:

Should governments or employers mandate swine flu -- or any -- vaccination?

Luanne Traud:

 

Should governments or employers mandate swine flu -- or any -- vaccination?

 This just in. It's comments from Dr Norm Shealy, a leading complementary physician and prolific author of health texts, on the subject:

Luanne Traud:

Should governments or employers mandate swine flu -- or any -- vaccination?

 Another new one in today, from Dr. Mercola re the 60 minutes coverage of this issue. It's long winded, but worth reading (You don't have to watch the video) whether or not you agree with him. One note from it, the New York Supreme Court tossed out the compulsary innoculating of their health care workers..

See: ALERT: Special Swine Flu Update   

Norb, great stuff. Perhaps our mutual slant on the validity, need, and purpose of the push to get everyone vaccinated for the H1N1 swine flu, is closest to the truth. My conclusion that Big Pharma is not our friend, and that it is money driven, is factual, in my opinion(ha). I find it interesting our President did not take the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. I have to wonder why? I would like to know how many of his inner circle abstained as well. I doubt that will be disclosed, much less the why(?). Thanks for the info, perhaps that may have swayed some to see the light more as we do, and not see it how B.P. and the government tell us to see it. Gip

Fine Panel, although figures are extremely iffy, it sure seems to me the H1N1 was another trumped up "sky is falling" inept attempt at selling vaccine doses to the masses. If one ignores the daily media hype, one would never know there was even a swine flu strain to worry about. What a bunch of trumped up crap indeed. I wonder if anyone has changed their tune, and would now choose not to get the vaccine? I feel great...with zero mercury or the rest of the mystery vaccine in my system. Big media + Big Pharma = big ole pile of it...again...in my opinion. Gip