Monday 6 June 2016

"I DRINK AND I KNOW THINGS" ~ TYRIAN LANNISTER

I got a note from Snowbrush today. He was wondering, in part, why I hadn't written anything lately. And since an august gentleman like Snowbrush has asked (even in June), I decided I had better write something. (See how much influence you have, Snow?)

I have been doing a lot of thinking and wondering lately. I wonder, for example, from under which rock The Donald had crawled out. (Or is he the Creature from the Black Lagoon?)

But to start with Mr. Trump gives him more significance than that to which he is entitled. So I'll move on. Quickly.



1. I am Sick and I am Tired

More than that, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

In my last post, I shared with you that I am on drugs. The process has not gone well. I have sadly discovered that I simply cannot keep anything in my stomach when I am on those drugs. It is a warning which comes with the medication — some people experience nausea (and worse) as a side effect of the medication.  I have tried a number of options, none of which has been terribly helpful. (It's about enough to drive a Bear out of his mind.) So, once more, I'll be going back to the doctor this week. I am not amused.



2. Our Grandson Had Developed Diabetes.   

And we are not amused by this, either. We are not sure what this will entail, but he is constantly (it seems) having to test his blood sugar. Meaning that he is poking one of his fingers and taking blood samples. Poor little guy; he's only turned 12. One more challenge he did not need. 

He seems (according to family reports) to be getting by with it. (When you're young, you tend to bounce back pretty quickly, I suppose.) The family will be here for supper on Wednesday; I'll get an update then.


3. Our Election Has Panned Out Pretty Much as I Expected.

So we're going to have oil pipelines and pollution instead of a healthy environment. The police state surveillance law will be left in place. Canada's Indigenous people, who were promised a whole new working relationship with the government, will get the same old Colonial treatment. Things are going exactly the way I thought they would go. Things are going the way I said they would go. It's enough to make a Bear cry!



4. The World is Not a Happy Place

You already knew that. Civil War in Yemen, with Saudis adding to the mess. Unsettled migrants in Europe, some of whom are being returned to Turkey. You need a program to keep track of the players in the battle for Syria. Fighting and environmental messes in many parts of Africa. American drones droning on all over the place, "surgically" killing intended targets, and lots of other people — particularly women and children, written off as just "collateral damage." What a horrid term for human lives. 



5. The American Election

So it appears that it will be "Lyin' Hillary" versus "Donald the Doofus" in the federal election. I was hoping it would be Bernie vs Donald, but I believe the Democratic National Committee has decided on "the devil we know" for the presidential campaign. I trust neither Donald nor Hillary. I'm not alone in that — they both have very high disapproval ratings. Both would be bad, not just for American, but for the world. Hillary would be the lesser of two evils, but I don't feel that is the best option for voters.

The rest of the world watches this in agony. Except, perhaps for the radical right-winged groups in Europe, that keep stirring up racial violence.


So To Conclude

"Things could be worse." But we all know that they cannot be (at least not very much).

In the midst of all the chaos, I still dare to wish you "Blessings and Bear hugs."



Today's Weather Report

It is 22°C outside, partly cloudy, with a nice breeze from the south. Overnight, partly cloudy and 13. Tomorrow, 28 with a 20% chance of rain (which isn't very significant).

Yup, it's summer in Bear Country.

47 comments:

  1. I share your dismay about the state of the world, but I also realize the need to look up and smile now and then, Bear. I will not say "it could be worse" because of course it can, but it could also be better. Some day. Sending you back some blessings and bear hugs. :-) :-)

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    1. OH, DJan! So good to hear from you!

      Yes, things could be better. So very much better. The only way that things are going to get better is for people like you, and me, and other gentle readers to put arm, heart, and brain into making changes.

      Bbh

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  2. Bear, I feel for you with your homelife problems, that's enough to "bear" without worrying about the rest of the world.
    Personally, I discovered two important things a long time ago. That I can't save the whole world by myself and that life consists if only two kinds of things, things you can change and things you can't, so there's no point in getting upset about the things you can't change.
    However, I worry about the "special relationship" we in the uk are supposed to have with the USA, as I really can't see the Queen ever inviting the trump to tea!
    P.S. Did you know that in England a "trump" is another word for a fart, a word especially popular with children?!

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    1. The image of Her Majesty inviting The Donald to tea is definitely just so not on.( I saw picture of Queen Elizabeth with the latest 005: Bond asked about Mr. Trump. Her Majesty's response: "Make it look like an accident." Classic sort of line, even if not true.)

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  3. The weather report sounds wonderful. Enjoy the day as best you can and, like most of us, try to look for the small things to give you joy. The world is in a mess, but everyday the birds still sing, children play, dogs wag their tails, and flowers bloom. I hope your doctor's visit goes well and there is another way you can be treated that will not cause you discomfort. I know about pills, oh boy, do I know about pills. I wish I could throw them all away, but alas, that is not an option. Take care, dear Bear, and give no thought to the horrible Thrump. It is too hard to bare.

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    1. Ah, yes; "everyday the birds still sing, children play, dogs wag their tails, and flowers bloom." And our grandson has "caught on" to what he needs to do to stay healthy. He's a;; "matter of fact" about it. Good for him, I say.

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  4. You have very wise commenters Bear. :) Hugs B

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    1. Pople should read this blog just for the comments. They are often much better than the blog posts.

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  5. It sounds like you have a lot of worry and stress on your plate. I do hope you can find the good stuff too. I do understand the mix, it can be very hard sometimes to see things that can bring smiles. Cows with hats do help me but I have been slacking on my blogging and visiting blogs for those reasons that make us worry about things we have no control of. Take care Bear. Bear hugs and happy thoughts sent your way. B

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    1. Some friends said to me, "Bear, cheer up; things could be worse." You already know how badly that story ends. Something like the Brexit vote in th UK.

      Good news. Grandson and I are both doing reasonably well. In fact, we spent a couple of hours today playing a Star Wars game at his place. He's caught on to what he needs to do to stay healthy; I'm learning to live with the pain I'm experiencing.

      I thought of you when I saw a commercial about a web service company on tv. About "Cats in Hats." How could I not think of you? Just change "cats" to "cows," and there you go. Make a fortune on the net, through ebay, or whatever.

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  6. Dear Bear, it's good to see you surfacing here in the nice sunshine of June. I am sorry to learn about your continuing health issues, and hope that your young grandson will become expert in handling his diabetes. (I have a 20-something friend who became expert after his own diagnosis some years ago.)

    Yes, it's a real mess out there...just look at the headlines. DT is truly awful, and I'm not a fan of HC either. Bernie's views were more to my liking.

    Beyond the headlines, I am glad to report that find reassurance in the kindness and wisdom and humor of lots of folks that I encounter every day. I do try to let those first hand observations balance out what the media constantly splashes over us...with corporate advertising keeping the splashes coming.

    Please do write again soon. xo

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    1. Sorry to be slow in replying. Both our grandson and I are finding our ways through our various medical challenges. He's actually doing much better than I. But that's OK.

      I think of you often, ensconced in beautiful downtown New York, New York. I mean, Central Park is central, is it not? There you go. I'll drop by your blog in a bit.

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  7. I'm so happy to see you back, R-bear, but saddened to hear about you and your grandson's health struggles. Sending blessings and hugs to you ♡♡

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    1. Thanks for saying "Hi," Amanda. I hope to be around a little more often.

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    2. That reminds me; I owe your sister a note. I'll get on to that presently.

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  8. All the people in this whole country, and yet the only two candidates who have a chance of winning are hated by upwards of 70% of the people, partly because they are warmongers and completely lacking in integrity. I’m used to holding my nose as I vote, but I don’t think I can squeeze it tight enough to vote for Clinton, and I would have to squeeze it right off my face to vote for Trump, whose candidacy is like a bad dream. How it is even possible for anyone to take him seriously, I have no idea, but to think that enough people take him seriously that he might actually win leaves me speechless. How can people overlook the fact that he’s mentally ill?

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    1. Once again, Snowbrush hit the nail solidly on the head.

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    2. How could Snowbrush do otherwise?

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  9. You've been missed, Bear!!

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    1. Well, does that mean I'm a fog? Or a little foggy? Or, . . . well, whatever. . . .

      Hope you're doing well too, I've mist you.

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  10. I am impressed my neighbor on the 'other side of our mountain' has coaxed you out of hibernation! And I thank him.

    Medications can be maddening ~ ingesting them ~ and suffering the side effects they cause. The reason I gave up on statins. One only has to listen to the warnings on those ubiquitous television commercials ~~ most of them dire! Sadly, there is no 'one fits all' solution.

    Your grandson is in my thoughts, sending positive energy his way.
    I have totally given up on politics, it's all ridiculous.
    Take care, Rob.

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    1. Thanks, Helen. Our grandson is doing very well. I am Bearing up, without my medications. We'll see how long I can hold out.

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  11. Blessings and bear hugs to you, too. I'm sorry to hear about the issues with your medication!

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    1. Thanks, Reffie. I hope Evil Twin is not making life too difficult.

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  12. "I drink BECAUSE i know things" - feral woman

    Bear, youre quoting Game of Thrones, stating you are on drugs, and that the world is going to sh-poop......Dang dude, You need a hug!!!!!! BIG HUGS TO (((ROB-BEAR!!!!)))

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    1. Ya know, I'd have sworn I left you a note here just a few minutes ago. (I think this "age" stuff is catching up to me.)

      Anyhow, thanks for the hug. I need lots of those.

      Now I cannot remember what I wanted to say to you. I'm sure it was brilliant. Anyhow, my grandson and I are living with our "health issues." (Now that is an atrocious term!) He's doing better than I. But he's a lot younger and, well, healthier, overall. I think.

      Hope you and Mr. Foresterman and still counting trees had counting stars.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

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  13. Poor kid! Like you said, just another challenge that no child should have.

    Hillary vs. Donald? Hillary can and has been bought. Donald doesn't need the money.

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    1. "Hillary vs. Donald? Hillary can and has been bought. Donald doesn't need the money."

      Of course, he is insane, so it comes to whether a person prefer an amoral, greedy, warmongering, sane, megalomaniac, like Hilary, or an insane, amoral, megalomaniac who is such a complete and utter flake, that what he does in the afternoon is unrelated to what he promised in the morning.

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    2. P.S. Hilary doesn't NEED the money either, but she sure likes to have it, and the same is true of Donald.

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    3. All so sadly true. The people of the UK revolted a bit against that sort of thing. I'm not sure if they are any better off.

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  14. So sorry to hear your health worries Bear; it is great that your grandson is able to take his own levels, it will help him to deal with his diabetes [I'm diabetic myself] and knowing how to deal with it is very freeing. Donald or Hillary? I think I'd sooner vote for herself than The Donald, you can work her out, he's another matter altogether. Keep the chin up my friend.

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    1. Not to worry, Irish Eyes; I'm still "Bearing up."

      How are you doing, now that the Brexit votes have been counted? Well, I hope. (You an always move to Canada.)

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  15. This was a fun read. I agree with you on most of it. Hope your doctor appointment went well.
    Lisa

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  16. Life can be very challenging. How we manage to experience joy here and there is quite a testimony to human strength and stamina.

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  17. hi bear! i'm not much better, hopefully a temporary state for both of us. i have to add that mr. donald would be MUCH worse than ms. hilliary. he is unhinged. and a narcissist.

    wishes for your grandson. that is a tough age to have to be careful. he sounds like a trouper.
    love
    kj

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    1. Sorry to hear, kj, that all is not well in your realm. I trust things will soon be in order. I've even done worse, but I haven't got the story together yet.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  18. Things can always be worse, and given enough time they will. My doctor said "What's that?" as she pointed to my arms. I said "What's what?" as I looked. Then, I said "Well dammit. Looks like an allergic reaction to something." The pain mads make me itch. 2 + 2 = more pain meds. I need them whether they work or not. There's nothing else.

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    1. It's strikes me that medicine is a bit different in Florida. I hope you survive — your doctors.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  19. I do hope you are feeling better?

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    1. I'm all right for the shape I'm in, thanks, Mom. Hope things are going well for you, too.

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    2. Oops; I forgot to send you some blessings, and Bear hugs.

      Sorry!

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  20. Hello Bear,
    I'm waiting for you to come out of hibernation.

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    1. Actually, Anita, I'm not hibernating, though I should be. Just haven't quite found the right place. Wandering around in a bit of a fog, not quite sure of who I am or what day it is.

      I'm afraid spring will get here before I have had my winter's nap — then I'll be in a real mess!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  21. We're hoping you're feeling okay-ish. The guinea pigs are doing the A to Z again, and new residents are checking out what the old residents did and who they met. The legend of Rob-bear lives on.
    Love from all of us
    Jemima the mum, and Kevin & Percy the blogging guinea pigs xxx
    Our Favourite Things from A to Z

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  22. Thanks so much. I hope Kevin and Percy have a grand time with A to Z.

    Did you notice my last post? There is one after the Tyrion story.

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So glad you've dropped by the Bear's den. Please leave a note -- getting notes is such fun, and often informative. I'll get back to you, here or by e-mail, as soon as I can (or, if it's winter, after I wake up). 'Til then, please Bear with me.
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