Screen Door

When my childhood friend, Dusty wanted to come indoors, he would jump up from the step and cling to the top part of the outside screen door. It could be very loud, especially if he did the slow, sliding-down-the-door with his claws part. I would open the inside door and there he'd be, clinging to the door and looking through the screen at me, his "let me in" eyes pleading. Eventually, he ruined the screen mesh, so Dad had to replace it, then put up two or three lathes across the middle of the door to prevent him from successfully obtaining attachment! It worked, but boy he was not happy.

Dusty in the doll bed...

He would also wiggle the basement door in the morning, after spending the night down there sleeping in his bed.  His bed was a literal bed, a doll bed my grandmother made my Mom back in the 1930s.  If we were too slow in responding, he would get quite vigorous and loud.  Sometimes I would make a game of it, and as I approached and saw his paw cupping the bottom of the door, I'd try and grab it.  I rarely caught it, and if anything, he would get a good swipe at me!  It was all in good fun, though.

My mother was an early bird most days, but especially on laundry day.  She would ignore Dusty as she sorted clothes on those mornings, waiting until I got up and then I'd let him out.  However, she would often let a pile get just a little too close to the basement door and suddenly a dish towel or pair of underwear would disappear under the door, not to be seen again until I let him out!  She never seemed to notice they were even gone.  We got many a chuckle from his little games...

Early Start

I have been starting some plants inside the house this spring.  We have shorter growing seasons up north, and every bit helps. And despite the technicality of the calendar, spring has not arrived in fact.  We appear to be rounding the corner, but only time will tell.




I have three types of plants started - sweet potatoes, celery, and catnip.  Yes, I even think about my furry friends, whom I love dearly.

Sajda Makes Mommy (and Grandma) Laugh

I love my little grand daughter, Sajda.  We live far apart, but we do our best to keep in touch as much as possible.  Thank goodness for the Internet and social media!

NAAAAAAAH!!!

Lately, my daughter Eva says her conversations with Sajda have went something like this...

Eva:  Sajda
Sajda: Nah!
Eva:  Sajda!!
Sajda:  HAH!
Eva:  SAJDAAAA!
Sajda:  NAAAAAAAH!!!

I saw the photo (left), and the narrative, and laughed out loud. 

I can remember well such 'conversations' with my Eva and her brother Daniel. I couldn't keep a straight face, which didn't help the war of wills. Daniel was especially good at getting me to laugh, and he knew he had 'won' when that happened!

We can't always laugh everything off, and there are time when tears are necessary in order to learn. But we especially cherish the joys in life. Both have their place.

Ma Short & Wild Bill

Mug Shots:  What we might have looked like 
as shady characters from a century ago...

Valentines Day 2013

Bill and I have been together for a little over three years now. I never had what I would call a normal relationship before. I fully realize that that is somewhat an absurd statement, since every relationship is very unique, and who is to say what is normal? For me, it would be two people who not only love one another, but mutually respect each other. For us, there is a lot of what some call baggage, a lot of history with other partners, as well as a good share of our lives lived already. Because of that, I am thankful to say, we both came into our relationship a lot wiser and with eyes wide open.

Now that we have gotten to know each other better, I can say that I wasn't ready for Bill until now. And Bill has told me pretty much the same. As frustrating as it is to have lived so much of our life apart, and not have those years together, sometimes we must wait.

I once asked God to teach me patience. As usual, I had to learn the hard way.

Good things [sometimes] come to those who wait...

Food Shelf, Long Lines

There were long lines, and long waiting.  Many in line were in pain in their feet, legs, back, etc.  But to get the food, you must wait in the line.  It moves very slowly, and you begin to know others in the line by visiting to help pass the time.  Some are elderly poor.  Some are down on their luck.  But most of them are the working poor.  Food handouts are a two-edged sword - you are thankful for the food, but you wish you didn't have to do it.  Our community is fortunate that there are many who are working behind the scenes to make this possible.  Thank you, whoever you are...

Health Journey Update

Pressure/Trigger Points (Pain)

I had my first Rheumatologist appointment.  I saw Dr. Azimian¹ in Fargo.

I gave him a very thorough medical history, which I had printed out in a concise and complete format for his review.  Afterwards, he asked me several questions and examined me, ending the exam with (what I would learn was) a very complete pressure point test.

He explained that despite having all the signs and symptoms of Sjogren's, he couldn't make a formal diagnosis of it because the standard tests were inconclusive. 

However, he did say he most definitely could give me a diagnosis.

Going by my medical history, including the fact that my maternal side of the family had histories of some of the same conditions, plus his examination of me, he said his prognosis was fibromyalgia.

I felt relieved to finally know.  He said he would write up a report and send it to my primary physician, with some recommendations.  

The major diagnosis are the pain or trigger points, which I suffer from.  I have also experienced all of the side issues often seen with fibromyalgia:

• Fatigue
• Memory Impairment ("Memory Fog")
• Raynaud's Disease
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Endometriosis 
• Headaches 
• Irritable bowel syndrome

I have suffered from all of these related symptoms except Endometriosis, per se.  However, I have always had a very unusual menstrual cycle - always very irregular, sometimes extremely painful and/or heavy and lasting over a week.  During some periods of my life I suffered from long-term Amenorrhoea, whereas at other times I had cycles where instead of having a flow, I expelled clots.  I have always had a sensitive cervix, which gynecologists and primary care doctors have told me is not normal; every time I've gotten a PAP smear during annual exams, it's extremely painful.  At one point, I developed multiple cervical cysts that required cauterization.  I count myself lucky to have had two healthy children.

The good news is, one of the things they recommend is for the person to remain active, that activity helps ease some of the pain.  It is recommended to be low to moderate - walking, yoga, etc.  I love both, and have actually been doing some of the yoga because I found it did help sometimes.  Stress is a big trigger for the pain, so I try to pace myself, and do what I can and not overdo it.  I take breaks when I feel I need to, as well as naps.

No one knows what causes Fibromyalgia, but heredity can play a role.  My mother suffered from many of these same symptoms.

¹ - I learned that Dr. Azimian had his Rheumatology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.  That's where my granddaughter Sajda was born, because she was a high risk pregnancy due to her being diagnosed in utero with Turner's Syndrome.  My daughter Eva has shared a lot about Vanderbilt over the last few years, so I knew my doctor had very good training and experience behind him.  That, and his wonderful bedside manner, made me feel very comfortable communicating with him and trust was easy to establish!