Well said, Patrick.

Please people, as an RN, I beseech you to get a living will.

Jersey,
I agree, but be sure it is HIPPA updated or it is worthless.
M

In far too surreal a place to have clear rants and raves, after spending the better part of a week with my mother in an assisted-living facility. Mini-rave: many seem reasonably happy with their situation, even with the tacky green mylar St. Pat's day decorations everywhere.

(Side comment: What, exactly, is the philosophical celebration behind St. Pat's? And for that matter, wouldn't the ecology of Ireland NEED snakes to keep other vermin under control?)

Mini-rant: such assisted-living places are comparatively expensive for what you get, and there aren't nearly enough of them for those of us hurtling toward that part of our lives.

And all they seem to be watching was Court TV, with Peterson, Jackson, Blake around the clock. A very odd thing to be watching with people whose own grip on life is so fragile, and whose own histories and worth to society are so unacknowledged.

OK, a real Rant: a swooping, upsy-daisy flight from TPA to RDU punctuated by someone's airsickness a few rows ahead of me. I really needed my earphones and a hanky soaked in lavendar water to keep myself from "losing" it, too. Flying in spring -- yuck!

a real Rave: seeing a great Ansel Adams/Clyde Butcher show, and then walking around the grounds of the Ringling Museum and Ca d'Zan palazzo on a sparkling day -- a true "coming attraction" for our trip to Italia in May!

AH,
When the Lipitor arrives from "NZ", I'll let you know about the packaging.
I was simply repeating what the pharmacy in Canada told me.
Also others, my comments re: antibiotics were based on nearly 40 years in medicine (IM incl tropical med; NM; and DR). Have you ever seen a vic of MRSA?
M

Well said, Patrick! Having had to help my parents make that very decision with my sister, it is a situation that is painful enough to deal with let alone having others judge you for it.

CAPH: Yes, that has been my thought too. It's a sad and scary day when 5th graders bring knives to school but I believe there are greater influences than being the oldest in the school that leads to such behavior. Even very young children are having social therapy sessions with the pychologist in order to learn how to get along with their peers....I could go on and on, but sometimes even I need to step back and take a break.

It's nearly time for a drink!

Buckeyemom: Glad to hear everything went well for your brother.

Hope everyone is feeling better soon!

RANT: If it snows on Sunday in NY I will SCREAM!

Mikemo: I truly find you charming but those darn (this is as strong as I'll go, for now) are really starting to tick me off. How in the heck are we supposed to know what you mean?

vic of MRSA: enlighten me, please!

that should be: those darn initials!

See, you have me going crazy here :)

Patrick, I agree that a spouse would know his/her partner's wishes. Wow , what a tough decision for everyone involved. I feel terrible for all involved, but a living will is the way to go.

Cassandra,
As is the case with most Catholic feast days, I assume March 17 is the day St. Patrick was born or died. It's a holiday in Ireland because he is the patron Saint of Ireland.

My understanding is that the St. Patrick's Day parades in the States far surpass those in Ireland. I recall a History Channel show that implied the parades were intended as a show of political force and voting power at a time when "No Irish Need Apply" signs were in use.

As far as the snakes go, I think they are a metaphor. Ireland was likely far to cold for snakes to have evolved.

Buckeyemom
So glad to hear the good news about your brother! We ARE lucky to have Cleveland Clinic so close.

Rave: A looong weekend in SF with a Monday stop at Little City Meats with an ice chest for Italian sausages.

Rant: supposed to pour.

Rave: supposed to pour. ;)

bem,
Great news, and you know by now that meningioma is mostly really benign, 'tho it can wreak havoc if not dx'ed and removed.
stw,
Lo siento mi amiga,
"Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus" - a really nasty critter - now found in the "community" as a direct result of overprescribing of antibiotics. These little critters are really smart and continue to evolve much to our dismay and fear.
M

M: Thanks :D

stw,
por nada.
M

St. Patrick died on March 17th in the 5th Century. Ireland has never had snakes, they did not evolve there, Ryan is correct.

The snakes were a metaphor / myth for the pagan ideas and evil practices that were the cultural norm before Patrick converted the island to Christianity (child/adult sacrifice among other not so nice habits.) He was not Irish himself. He was probably born in Germany and was definitely educated in France. He was sent to Ireland to replace the 1st Irish Bishop who to put it mildly, was not a success. He was extremely practical and very charismatic. He succeeded far beyond the goals of his superiors. He loved the Irish, and was buried in Ireland.

Just - FYI.

JJ5
Thanks for the info!

Geez, next you'll be telling us the Pied Piper didn't drive the rats out of Hamelin either.

"Patrick, is anything being done (can anything be done) to alleviate the traffic in Naples?"

In a word, NO.

Are you absolutely 100% definitely sure about that Patrick? (Sorry.) :-)

Rave: $316 rt to London, non stop from CLT
on USAIR before it stops flying.
Rave: All I have are raves.