We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
A giant Thank You for all of the good, caring, and careful work you do. Not just for the ailing person, but for the family. My lad, who knows about these things, half-jokes that hospice care is the best medical care in the US, and morphine is still medicine's greatest gift besides antibiotics. Morphius - the Greek god of dreams and sleep.
We lost my shanachie father-in-law this weekend after his long, cheerful, often joyful life, and the hospice people have been amazing. Never in a hurry either. A blessing.
Fortunately for our family, there is one new child waiting to be born to carry on, to carry on.
8:31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
8:32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
8:33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
8:34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
8:35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
8:36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
8:37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
8:38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Readers know that I love stinky cheese. Sure, blue cheeses can be stinky but I'm talking about non-blues. For example, Stilton is delicious especially with some Port, but not stinky in my view.
The stinkiest cheese I've ever had was in southern France 18 months ago. At the end of a remarkable meal the Cheese Master came by with his cheese cart. Mrs. BD pointed out to him that I like stinky. He gave me a few small chunks of this and that, then a gooey spoonful of one. He gave me a look like "I dare you."
It smelled like a mix of aged road kill and aged wet dirty socks, a real adventure for the palate. It might have been Epoisses (Napoleon was a huge fan of Epoisses, which was once considered "The King of Cheeses") but I'm not sure. Seemed like that cheese guy was impressed with me because I got a kick out of it.
Setting aside my day with my brother on Tuesday for four hours. I'll just start with it was great walking and exercise, lunch at a diner that was great, and just 4 hours of talking about his experience with people who have had what I now have and what we felt was good to cover. Personal. Religion. History and Podcasts. Sports in depth. But mostly about my situation and logical outcome which will be reached at some point. All really nice to have and will share some another time.
My visit to Memorial Sloan Kettering on 53rd St in NYC was expected to just be a part of one conversation and possibly 2 others with one at Duke and one in Florida. After four hours, we made a decision and I will explain a bit.
First, my current group will handle radiation and chemo here near the house. That was set - and 2 weeks before starting. Now the radiation will continue here, but the chemo we learned and signed for at MSK is slightly different and will involve a new test with several options and groups and some information completion. It's a new trial and the doctor said they could collect my data and health and potentially (slim possible rejection) sign me up. As of now - high probability to join and take part. Mostly needing to see results and my ability to share, speak and keep notes. So it's engaging. That does need a level of intelligence they tested (I scored really high with their process and engagement) and a willingness to engage. I was all for trying things, which they smiled about. My current doctor, who has several potential tests but several weeks off, will be sidelined while I join this. Both groups work separately but share information and conversation as necessary. This is a learning chance!
Second, doctor and nurse were blatantly open. What is the reality. My best shot for now - I have a non-Methylated Glio Blastoma which is one of several different kinds of the same issue. Mine is very specific with a lot of downside potential over time when it comes to opportunity. They were very open to "enjoy life and get the most out of what you want, even if it includes cutting out of testing or trials." They support travel, learning, having fun. "Enjoy your life and get the best you can." I said I will, but I want to learn more, too and potentially help others. They smiled and loved my engagement and willingness.
Third, health and intelligence top notch! Nurse kept testing several times. No issues. Now approved to drive if I want. She recommended sports and gym again. Just got to let the surgical swelling on the left brain continue to decline which is slowly happening but maybe 2 more weeks. It doesn't hurt much. Just swollen and feels odd.
Fourth, GREAT BURGER at PJ Clarke's in NYC. A CLASSIC. Always has been. I don't know why but man that was so darn tasty. Food is still REALLY delicious.
Fifth, had my new mask for radiation set today at the hospital. After six weeks I get to keep it - kind've new artistic item. See attached!. It's a pin which radiates different parts of the head over 20-30 min each day starting 3/1.
Today, just lots of sleepiness. Got 6 hours last night. Got 3 hours today. Will probably get another hour before bed. LOL. No idea why just really dragging suddenly.
Still having lots of texts and phone calls, though - so all 100% positive and looking for fun.
For anyone not interested. Let me start with "I'm sorry if you don't want to read this." I know everyone varies on how these stories develop and take place. It can be boring or time consuming and even annoying. So my apology if it is for you in some way. That said, I'm finding it all really interesting to talk. Also, oddly, suddenly boring from moment to moment. As we spoke to the doctor, everything was great and suddenly he and the nurse began telling my wife and one son some information regarding the test and after 10 minutes he looked at me and asked if I was ok. I said "Yes, but now that I know I get to engage this soon, the data is boring me. I'll leave that to them and they can handle all that. Me? I want to get started and I don't care." He laughed and said "lots of ways to approach this."
First - finally done with steroids, which has finally left me with my first full evening of sleep! Yay. After 19 days of less than a single 7 hour evening, I got 8 hours, deep sleep and the doctor confirming it was all steroid driven. The steroids were great and limiting physical back issues. Today? Still feeling good but sleepier last night, so all good.
Second, SKM visit today by 11 in NYC. Heading out shortly and 2 sons joining us to have a conversation. No information no knowledge just learning to start. 3 other potential docs to speak with or potentially meet, one in Florida with a very new learning I have and one at Duke College. So conversations will be interesting and needed. High likelihood may be no switches and having to make some choices of who/where/when in about 6 weeks. But right now I'm leaning that we may stick with the current group.
Third, visit from my brother yesterday, just a walk to town and lunch at a diner which was great. Good exercise, but he already knew several people with various versions of my particular result. Most have lost lives already, which is a known, but luckily knows several others who survived for years. Will share more later when I'm back.
More to come! (sorry for delay and shortness at 7am on 2/21 as I was rushing to leave and get to the doctor - some new info and updates to follow but sorry with the rush and slight misspelling then silence and no follow up)
Scott Adams compared mail-in voting to mail-in drug testing.
That's not a great comparison, but I get his point. Ballot-harvesting has been a big deal in recent years. Nursing homes, subsidized housing, street people, etc.
Boiled meat with onions is of course an ancient food. Now we know how to make it better, especially by adding more interesting flavorings along with the onions. Another thing we know about cooking tough meat (chuck, round, brisket) is that a low simmer is better than boiling.
I like to cook it in our slow-cooker, on low. Yes, it takes hours total but you get plenty of intermission time to get other things done.
My French chef friend learned how to make it in Paris. Yeah. Not all French food is complicated.
Much more difficult to be a legal immigrant. I sure hope these law-breakers are nice people, with means of support, who can enhance our lives. I do need a new electrician
Flocks of Purple Grackles (along with other blackbirds like Cowbirds, Redwings) always pass through on their way north around St. Valentine's Day.
It is still winter but they are rugged. They seem to like marshes at this time of year along with the other species of blackbirds, probably due to snow cover everywhere else.
Friend shared this with me. I'm a long fan/reader of Franz Kafka. Visited a few of his offices and locations in Prague about 7 years ago. Prague itself was lovely and enjoyable, but Kafka is a fun portion in and of himself while in Prague.
Franz Kafka (1883-1924), who never married and had no children, was walking through a park one day in Berlin when he met a girl who was crying because she had lost her favourite doll. She and Kafka searched for the doll unsuccessfully.
Kafka told her to meet him there the next day and they would come back to look for her.
The next day, when they had not yet found the doll, Kafka gave the girl a letter "written" by the doll saying "please don't cry. I took a trip to see the world. I will write to you about my adventures."
Thus began a story which continued until the end of Kafka's life.
During their meetings, Kafka read the letters of the doll carefully written with adventures and conversations that the girl found adorable.
Finally, Kafka brought back the doll (he bought one) that had returned to Berlin.
"It doesn't look like my doll at all," said the girl.
Kafka handed her another letter in which the doll wrote: "my travels have changed me." The little girl hugged the new doll and brought the doll with her to her happy home.
A year later Kafka died.
Many years later, the now-adult girl found a letter inside the doll. In the tiny letter signed by Kafka it was written:
"Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way."
I'm keeping some of this minimally. I've never supported Trump. Never voted for him. Also never hated him, even if I often had some disagreements. But I've had really hard political moments with many Democrats, who over the last 8 years have gone from just from me not supporting them. But moving more toward disliking them a little, while often to finding more Democrats who are just blatant liars, often evil, greedy awful human politicians in behavior for themselves. They would gain support from journalists who (due to my 38 years in media) may become liars and engagers of false claims and beliefs.
This does not mean Republicans are 'better'. I haven't been a Republican in over 20 years. I still dislike them, too - just not as much as Democrats.
Some citizens have dived deeply for misinformation and lies about both Republicans and Trump in particular. Most of that is often ignored or misrepresented publicly. It's really annoying as Democrats have become such truly awful politicians.
This was a good article, mainly because it has been consistent for 8 years if you do read honestly and fairly. I could find probably thousands of similar articles like this and how so much journalism and media has been awful in this approach. Hell, I saw it at my offices but couldn't say my POV publicly back then. At least not till I was let go.
The current attack on Trump's business in NYC is annoying. I did have one view - I've had to deal with a lot of other businesses like this in media for what the claims against Trump are in the current lawsuit. But his attack is 100% because politicians/attorneys have engaged their legal/political opportunities to push BS. I know because I pointed out similar legal conversations I had in business but avoiding this approach for real businesses doing the same damn thing. Because it happens way more than people care or deeply engage. Sometimes getting stuff done properly to continue a business is more important than going to court over claims. So why this time? Makes no sense to me except the hatred is just so heavy. It's similar to why our one former commenter's claims were idiotic when he'd claim he was "correct". He never was and I simply didn't enjoy his hatred and lies.
Morning review/update: Sleep is still difficult. About 4-5 hours a night. Brain is still active, and I know some things I write have to be reviewed or rewritten and smoothed a bit still. So sorry for occasional writing refinement from the typing. The odd part is the original is usually fine but the technology is making alterations I'm not noticing, and sometimes it's just poorly tech changed. So some upgrades may be needed in the morning, sigh...
Aha, well let's set aside the medical stuff for now. Still lots coming up - but we'll learn on Wed/Th what's about to start. MEANTIME - what else is going on?
Well, a trip to Sandals in Bahamas (Exuma) is set for early May. My in-laws have taken us on multiple wonderful trips in the past. 2 sailing ships in the Caribbean in 2019 and 2020. Covid delayed one year but back to Barbados in 2022 and Curacao in 2023, both Sandals locations. Beautiful and great fun with family.
Mrs. Bulldog and I traveled, taking the boys to Montana, Yellowstone and Jackson in late 2020. We took up Portugal in March 2023. We also did a wedding in New Orleans in 2021, another in South Carolina in 2023. We like to travel to Stuart FL where the in-laws live. Lovely area, but full of resting and beaches regardless of seasonal. I no longer golf with my 87 year old in-law father but he goes every day - and good for him! I enjoy the visit to the beach, walking and we stopped down at the old National Naval UDT SEAL museum in Fort Lucie. Several other museums, but local restaurants or bars are full of great foods. Sadly the bars for me, now, just full of blandness which is fine. Foods have been overwhelmingly tasteful. I'll take the gains where I can.
Music! Seeing Neil Young in early May, then the Rolling Stones and then Madness. I've always loved Madness, who I saw while I studied and lived in London of 1983! Elvis Costello even showed up and played with them that show I attended and I have fond memories of them as a young band with an Elvis Costello show up! Always a pleasure!
Paris is on the list of "well - when you can travel, what is the timing or plan?" We will figure for later in the summer if we can pull it off. I've been to Paris many times in my youth (formerly knew a bit of the language, now not so much). But Mrs. Bulldog has never been so time to GAIN more. Also looking forward to some side trips. Maybe Mont Saint Michel. I'm hoping for a visit to the Bayeux (learn about William the Bastard) and Normandy (WWII always a pleasure for historical visits).
So lots of planning about to start BUT we need 6 weeks and will fill you all in as we learn more with the immediate medical and radiation about to start!
If you have suggestions for local trips/travel or HIKING (always a pleasure and will reach out to Bird Dog soon for the first one!), just share ideas. Always open to a hike of some nature! We are North/Central Jersey but other travels or bike rides are open for an option!
How a Special Diet Kept the Knights Templar Fighting Fit - 
New brain stimulation technique
Boiled meat with onions is of course an ancient food. Now we know how to make it better, especially by adding more interesting flavorings along with the onions. Another thing we know about cooking tough meat (chuck, round, brisket) is that a low simmer is better than boiling.
Flocks of
The Horse Association of America