It's still interesting work...

One of my jobs is to interview new patients. I cannot explain why but it seems that when I have two or more in the same day, their stories or problems are strikingly similar. Sometimes I will have back to back alcoholics whose families have threatened never to see them again if they don't get sober. Or women with "emotional dysregulation" who have been cutting themselves to relieve stress. Or overdoses or insulin dependent diabetics or paranoid schizophrenics. Today the special was OCD. One was obsessive enough to need hospitalization and the next was grossly impaired by compulsions calling it "my brain sickness." Sometimes I think the more I know, the less I know. Why are there similarities on the same day? Why this crazy thinking? Sometimes I think I have an individual figured out and want to say...aha! I have the solution! But propriety says I can't say. And would they listen or believe? And how would their lives then change? what would they lose? On other times, I am clueless, but never am I bored. We humans are an interesting lot, and especially these outliers that I see on a regular basis.

Tiny Insects in the Yard

My what big eyes you have.









A spider too tiny for my lens to properly catch.

Some like it hot

I feel cheated if I don't get to enjoy summer's visit, if I am too busy working or don't find the time to appreciate the warmth of the sun or other seasonal gifts. Today I was out, driving from place to place with the windows down. My hair was blowing, I was getting a little sweaty, and I was feeling happy. I am not one to like sameness. How dull is that! Experiencing life on earth includes spending time with the seasons. Though I have come to love January the quiet and peaceful month, I still thrill over summer. OK. OK. So at this point, it is more remembering summers from my younger years that brings the thrill. But that is still a part of me. And I suppose it is the remembered pleasures of short shorts, cold lemonade, laughing with friends, looking for boys, afternoon rain showers, trips to the beach in hot slow cars and smelling the ocean air for the first time that makes me smile to myself. Ahhh summer. The glorious season.

May I present . . .

my first tomato. I am not sure if it a Better Boy or a Rutgers, but when those yummy tomatoes start coming in, it is a happy day!

An American Character

I just read of George Carlin's death. While I don't remember how the words were arranged, I know that I will always remember the gist of his take on "stuff." He was an oft quoted, cultural force who "got" much of the silliness of the human experience, our propensity to self destruct for example. Humanity was "circling the drain," he believed. "If you live long enough and pay attention" (suse) who can argue? That is not new information. We are poor, wretched and blind the Bible tells us. Sadly however, old George missed a vital point. The way out. Since God knew our nature, He realized we needed a Savior, and provided one for us. A lifeline. That is if we choose to grab hold of it. I have no way of knowing if he got this essential truth before his entertaining commentaries were stilled, but his wit will stick around for a while, at least until this generation moves on.