ppp 10-19-09

Quote of the day:

The most beautiful adventures are not

those we go to seek.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Twelve years ago I was in a hurry at the grocery store near our home in Indianapolis. I had two children in tow and was trying to get back to the house with, among other things, an anniversary cake. A high school lad working in the bakery asked what I wanted written on the cake. I replied “Happy 23^rd Anniversary”. He looked at me with that "deer in the headlights" look and asked me "How do you spell 'Anniversary'?" Trying to make it easier on myself, and him, in my time crunch I said, “Just write Happy 23^rd on the cake!” He quickly squirted letters and numbers on the cake which I rushed to the check out register.

The bakery boy did not notice it. The children did not notice it. I didn’t notice it. The cashier noticed it. “Your cake says ‘Happy 23th!’, you should take it back and have him do it over.” I looked at the cake and then at my watch and then back at the cake. I just laughed and told her “No… it is just perfect!”. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. When I unveiled the pastry my bride (who is an excellent speller by the way) dropped her jaw and then simply started laughing. (I am not known for my spelling prowess and once received a t-shirt with "Bad Spellers of the world Untie" emblazoned across it). We tell the cake story to strangers and each other at least 10 times a year… every birthday, anniversary, or special annual event... and laugh every time. The kids love it as it has become part of the family lore. My daughter’s 23^rd birthday was “really” her twenty-thirst. Our 31^st was “really” our thirty-firth.

Today, Monday, October 19st, 2009, Andrea and I celebrate our 35rd wedding anniversary. This is the best example that I can think of on how to “make lemonade from lemons”. Don’t take life too seriously. Laugh at your mistakes and celebrate the faulty human condition. It is probably one of the reasons my bride and I weathered the all too frequent storms of life over the last 35 and begin our 36st year on our way to 70. After 70 our agreement was that we could each go our separate way with no questions asked and no hard feelings (assuming we can both still walk and have feeling anywhere in our bodies). Will let you know when we get there how it all turns out,

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "I'm super-super-super-superfantastic...4 times better than you!" (I see that I am going to have to change from "SUPERFANTASTIC" for awhile)

pps. Please note that some of the links may not be up for very long and that

Online purchase of products to prevent, treat or cure H1N1 infections. Some that arrived in response to the undercover FDA orders contained talc and acetaminophen. Others were “Tamiflu” tablets that arrived too late to have been effective against an infection… assuming that they were legal and contained any active drug. Read more about how the online H1N1 consumer must beware!

There are lots of different strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). This shot protected 90% of the boys who received it from type 6 and type 11 viruses. Had been approved in girls to prevent cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer caused by types 16 and 18; precancerous lesions caused by types 6, 11, 16, and 18; and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11. So many human papillomaviruses… so little common sense.

Looks like the H1N1 influenza virus has a propensity to inflict “unusual” lung damage. Two separate studies report x-ray findings. Could be a reason that pregnant women have a higher mortality rate… blood clots. I won’t breath easier until this strain passes.

While more will certainly be said than done before the debates are through, this report purports to have the answers to where the money for health care originates… you and I (and our employers).

This looks like a legitimate piece in the Wall Street Journal. Sarcastic, pithy, and totally out of control… but legitimate. No award in Economics.

This would not have helped Christopher Reeves (aka Superman) but has been show to help those who are receiving therapy to learn to walk again. Treadmill training and Lexapro helped those with PARTIAL paralysis to walk farther and faster. Very interesting study on 50 humans after intense study in animals. No mechanism yet but it does seem to increase muscle spasms which helped with walking although noramally seen as a negative side effect, Encouraging.

7) Download available (for free) of comedy rendition of the “wash your hands” song

Hand washing is at the top of the list for ways to avoid getting or spreading H1N1. This little diddy might just cause in increase in the use of soap. A little calypso anyone? (try the long version)

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