EXPEDIENCY

Since AOL just cut us bloggers loose, I think that instead of "letting them move" my photos someplace else before New Year's, I will move them myself. After all, I really don't need them on the web except for those photos I have put into my blog. Which reminds me, when they shut down AOL pictures, what will that do to our old entries that have photos that reside on AOL pictures? Do we need to go back and replace photos in our old entries?

They switched my e-mail to cs.com a few months ago--sort of. Some people get my AOL e-dress on my notes, some get the cs.com tag (I knew there was a buyout/merger with Compuserve some time ago & I got switched back from cs to aol at that time.) I have opened a Gmail account, which I am going to be putting on all my official traffic from now on.

So once I have all the photos downloaded to disc and/or uploaded to a new website, maybe I'll just pull my business from AOL and close my account. I suppose they won't miss me much; I've only been a subscriber since 1996. I mainly have been loyal to them because I wanted to have accounts for my children. The children have migrated to their own service providers now, except for one, who leaves the computer unplugged most of the time to save electricity. She can open a low-cost People's PC account in her own name (she has dial-up still) or get a cell phone modem instead of AOL. We'll see how that goes.

Pronunciation: \-dē-'n(t)-sē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ex·pe·di·en·cies
Date: 1597
1: the quality or state of being suited to the end in view : suitability , fitness. 2 obsolete a: haste , dispatch. b: an enterprise requiring haste or caution. 3: adherence to expedient means and methods [put more emphasis on expediency than on principle — W. H. Jones]. 4: a means of achieving a particular end : expedient.

Our quote for the day is from Roy Hattersley (b. 1932), British Labour politician. Guardian (London, Sept. 30, 1988):

Morality and expediency coincide more than the cynics allow.

;^) Jan

MAMMOGRAM

Breast Cancer Awareness month is almost over. I get to go in for the old squeeze and tease this afternoon. As I mentioned to someone the other day, the technicians should only charge half, as I attained Amazon status eight years ago. The trouble is that breast removal for cancer usually ruins the muscles used in archery. I had to give up my goal to become an Olympic weight lifter, as well.

Actually, I was very lucky. My husband helps me do the self-examination. It was he who first mentioned that I had a problem. In the month between his discovery and me getting to my gynecologist, the tumor had grown from something I could barely feel to the size of my thumb. The scary thing was that the ensuing mammogram did not pick up the tumor. They had to do an ultra-sound to "find" what was palpable.


The surgeon did his work between Christmas and New Year's Day, when the company was on annual shutdown. He found and removed two tumors, but only removed three nodes, none of which showed any involvement. My oncologist said that if the one tumor had not been so aggressive, I wouldn't have had to undergo chemotherapy. As it was, I had three rounds of goop shoved into my veins over three months time.


I had my hairdresser shave my head (I looked like my dad from the back.) I didn't get nauseous, but they did have to pump up my white blood count several times. As I say, I was lucky. Things have changed for the better, even in the last few years.

Ladies, do that self-exam every month. Gents, remind your ladies or help them with the self-exam every month. Early discovery is the best defense we have against breast cancer. Note that I have added the Breast Cancer Site to my sidebar. There is a place on the site to click to allow monies to be made available for free mammograms for persons in need.


The word of the day for October 29, 2008 is "mammogram" — Pronunciation:
\'ma-mə-,gram\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin mamma + English -o- + -gram
Date: 1937
: a photograph of the breasts made by X-rays ; also : the procedure for producing a mammogram.


Our quote for the day is from Wanda Hamby:

My name is Wanda Hamby. I am hopefully a survivor. I'm in the fighting stage of breast cancer right now. I just had my routine mammogram test done and the result wasn't good. Thus, my doctor requested another one with an ultrasound. They both detected breast cancer in my right breast. I'm just now getting started with treatment plans. I didn't feel any lumps, etc., and neither did my doctor. Those tests literally saved my life. I am fifty-one years old, and I encourage every woman to take control of their lives and get these tests done each year.

;^) Jan

HOMECOMING

All my wandering family are home as of yesterday.

Tim, my son, and his friend, Amelia, had been to Peru. They had quite an experience. He says that the Peruvian economy is mostly tourist-based: that most people come in, do Machu Picchu and the Nazca overflight and leave. He and Amelia spent some time wandering around in the non-tourist areas. Tim promises to send me a link to his photos.

The down side of Tim's trip was being sunburned during two days of nearly constant rain. The Andean air is so thin that UV easily gets through the cloud cover. Tourists who don't use sun blocker get burned. Also, both of them picked up viral infections, which in Amelia's case, appears to be developing into a serious bronchial problem. Tim's has manifested as an Incan form of Montezuma's revenge. He claims, though, that the experience was worth the suffering.

My sister, Jo, and her friend, Mary, got back yesterday from a month in Australia. Besides touring Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Kangaroo Island, they stayed for a couple of weeks with our cousin, Kathy, who emigrated to Oz about 30 years ago. Jo said that, although we saw little of Kathy as children (her parents lived in California, ours in Iowa) and less after her removal to Australia, staying with her was just like being with someone you had just seen last week and still had plenty to discuss.

The accompanying photo of Mary and Jo on Loopy the camel (with their guide in the background) is posted to pre-empt any attempts to use it as a Christmas card.

Jo promises to send me a link to their photos as soon as they get them sorted out. Although, I solemnly promise not to post any more of her photos before looking at all of them, I'm hoping to get the video of the koala who took a walk when my sister actually had the camera ready.


The word of the day for October 26, 2008 is "homecoming" — Pronunciation: \ˈhōm-ˌkə-miŋ\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1: a return home. 2: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home ; especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a college or university.

Our quote for the day is from Herbert Hoover (1874–1964), U.S. president. The New Day: Campaign Speeches of Herbert Hoover, 1928, p. 48, Stanford University (1928):

The swimming hole is still in use. It has the same mudbank. It is still impossible to dress without carrying mud home in one’s inner garments. As an engineer I could devise improvements for that swimming hole. But I doubt if the decrease in mother’s grief at the homecoming of muddy boys would compensate the inherent joys of getting muddy.

;^) Jan

GRADUATE

Speedy finished his Puppy Obedience Class a week ago Friday. He wasn't certain he wanted anything to do with the mortar board hat, but finally sat still long enough for the photo. The classes were given at PetSmart. I don't know if they make enough money by providing training instructors, but for us the experience was very good.

Our instructor, Jeff, was pleasant, patient and persistent. He also gave excellent suggestions for behavior problems outside of the scope of the classes.

This photo is of Speedy at Down-Stay. He didn't like to lie down on the concrete floor. The second week I provided the beach towel. I put him into a sit on the concrete and gave the Down command. He got up and moved to the towel to lie down.

The word of the day for October 25, 2008 is "graduate" — Pronunciation: \ˈgra-jə-ˌwāt\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): grad·u·at·ed; grad·u·at·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduatus, past participle of graduare, from Latin gradus step, degree
Date: 15th century
transitive verb 1 a: to grant an academic degree or diploma to. b: to be graduated from. 2 a: to mark with degrees of measurement. b: to divide into grades or intervals. 3: to admit to a particular standing or grade. intransitive verb 1: to receive an academic degree or diploma. 2: to pass from one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to a usually higher one. 3: to change gradually.

Our quote for the day is from Paddy Chayefsky (1923–1981), U.S. author, screenwriter. Mrs. Pilletti (Esther Minciotti), Catherine (Augusta Ciolli), Marty, speaking of Clara (Betsy Blair) (1955):

Mrs. Pilletti: This girl is a college
graduate.
Catherine: They’re the worst. College girls are one step from the
street, I tell you.

;^) Jan

CASUALTY

Dan from Slapinions comments that today's word should be "slacker" because I haven't posted for a week. Well, I haven't even been on line for a few days because I haven't been slacking. There were 112 e-mails in my in-box this morning. I have been packing for a weekend trip, getting Halloween bags ready for Trick-or-Treaters, taking my husband's car to be serviced, and accompanying himself to the doctor—not in that order. Oh, and also getting my husband out of the basement after he fell down the stairs.

On the way out to the car for the doctor appointment, Lloyd caught his foot in the dog gate sectioning off the back entry from the kitchen. He landed on his hip in the entryway, but momentum carried him down the stairs more or less head-first on his back. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Fortunately, he did not break anything, and we got to the doctor's in time for the appointment. Dr. Buth is quite pleased with Lloyd's blood sugar A1C, blood pressure, weight (down another 8 lbs in the past 3 mos) and other signs. He suggested that we pack Lloyd in ice for potential bruising & start him on the heating pad Saturday. (Fat chance, we'll be in the car all day Saturday.) And this morning, Lloyd didn't even remember that he'd taken a tumble until I reminded him.

The word of the day for October 16, 2008 is "casualty" — Pronunciation: \ˈka-zhəl-tē, ˈkazh-wəl-, ˈka-zhə-wəl-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ca·su·al·ties
Date: 15th century
1 archaic : chance , fortune [losses that befall them by mere casualty — Sir Walter Raleigh]. 2: serious or fatal accident : disaster. 3 a: a military person lost through death, wounds, injury, sickness, internment, or capture or through being missing in action. b: a person or thing injured, lost, or destroyed : victim [the ex-senator was a casualty of the last election].

Our quote for the day is from

Nature, hating art and pains,
Baulks and baffles plotting brains;
Casualty and Surprise
Are the apples of her eyes;
But she dearly loves the poor
And, by marvel of her own,
Strikes the loud pretender down.

;^) Jan

DECRAPÉ

My friend came in this morning complaining about Jo, his wife, watching too much House & Garden TV. She was discussing the state of the refrigerator door: that repository of appointment notes, children's art and impending bills. Their fridge door has apparently nearly reach critical mass, at which point she coined today's, obviously designer, word to describe the look.

Even those who have no children and/or don't cook are prone to accessorize their kitchen with magnetically placed bits and bobs of papers that need to be where a horizontal filer can get hands on them without shuffling. What did we ever do before the invention of Sticky notes and the magnetic strips attached to kitschy mottoes?

The word of the day for October 8, 2008 is "decrapé" — Pronunciation: \'də-krə-pā\
Function: noun
Etymology: a miscegenation of découpage and macramé, with a side order of crap
Date: 2008
: a collection of objects posted on a refrigerator door in haphazard manner.

Our quote for the day is from Jim Day, husband of the coiner:

I think the accent should be on the second syllable."

;^) Jan

INCENDIARY

The good news is—I get a new microwave oven. The bad news is—I get a new microwave oven.

Yes, Cyb and Tim, I managed to set off the smoke alarm while putting breakfast together. I put some bread in the microwave to defrost and went to help Lloyd with his blood work-up (as he's diabetic, he has to test his blood glucose three times a day). I thought I set the oven for a short time on very low heat, but it apparently ran until it set the bread on fire, which set off the smoke alarm. A bit of baking soda, much bustling about, several fans at open doors and a couple of scented candles later, the microwave oven is out on the patio waiting to go into the shed until next summer's community pick-up day. Everyone is unharmed and the scent of smoke will linger until I get some fabric spray.

This is not the first time this microwave has done this—running on long after the time for which I set it. Actually, breakdown of this unit should have been expected. It is, after all, nearly 30 years old: older than Cybil, I think. Not as old as the house, as we had another microwave when we moved here 30 years ago. That one had dials for the timer and heat set-up. The one I just set fire to was completely digital with the buttons behind a membrane so no spilled food would get stuck in the control panel. Heaven knows what bells and whistles they have now.

The word of the day for October 5, 2008 is "incendiary" — Pronunciation: \in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē; -ˈsen-də-rē, -dyə-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural in·cen·di·ar·ies
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin incendiarius, from incendium conflagration, from incendere
1 a: a person who commits arson : arsonist. b: an incendiary agent (as a bomb). 2: a person who excites factions, quarrels, or sedition : agitator.

Our quote for the day is from Anna Quindlen (b. 1952), U.S. journalist, columnist, author. The New York Times, sect. 1, p. 25 (April 23, 1994):

Prosecutors insist they are mounting a “thorough investigation,” which sometimes means thorough and sometimes, historically, has meant long enough to let the fire burn down in an incendiary case. A thorough investigation is fine; an interminable one is disgraceful.

; Jan

EGRESS

Today I have installed a doggy door for Speedy. Since Lloyd takes so long to get out of bed, Speedy needs to be able to get in and out by himself. I have read that in order to move people through his exhibits, P. T. Barnum put up signs: "To the Lioness", "To the Tigress", "To the Egress". I'd do the same for Speedy, but despite all his schooling, he still can't read well.

The installation was fairly easy, but I need to get a "charlie" bar shortened to install in the main door for security. I've got a wooden bar in the door now, but I want a metal bar in a visible place. The door itself is a plastic flap with a rigid plastic panel for weather and security reasons that fits into slots over the plastic door.

Although he has actually been in and out a few times with the flap up, Speedy is not certain that he wants anything to do with the door. I'm not supposed to boost him in or out. Coming in is especially difficult for him. Going out means going down a step. However when he wants to come in, he sits on the step, shuddering and whimpering. He's just going to have to learn to make that leap of faith.

The word of the day for October 4, 2008 is "egress" Pronunciation: \ˈē-ˌgres\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin egressus, from egredi to go out, from e- + gradi to go — more at grade
Date: 1538 1749–1790), The Eccentricities of John Edwin (second edition), vol. i. p. 74. London, 1791:
1 : the action or right of going or coming out. 2 : a place or means of going out : exit.

Our quote for the day is from John Edwin (1749–1790), The Eccentricities of John Edwin (second edition), vol. i. p. 74. London, 1791:

A man’s ingress into the world is naked and bare,
His progress through the world is trouble and care;
And lastly, his egress out of the world, is nobody knows where.
If we do well here, we shall do well there:I can tell you no more if I preach a whole year.

;^) Jan

EQUIVOCATE

I'm watching the Biden-Palin debate. It's better than Destroyed in Seconds or whatever my husband was watching with all the planes and cars crashing and exploding. I love the number of ways politicians have of saying "my opponent is a liar." The way to tell when a politician is lying is to watch his/her mouth. If the lips are moving, the pol is lying.

I suppose the kind way of say this is "my opponent misspoke." Since most people, not just politicians, tend to say what they feel will be most likely to ease things for themselves, most of us are stretching some portion of truth most of the time. It's just too easy to call someone in the public eye on the obvious distortions that come in the heat of debate.

The word of the day for October 2, 2008 is "equivocate" — Pronunciation: \i-ˈkwi-və-ˌkāt\
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): equiv·o·cat·ed; equiv·o·cat·ing
Date: 1590
1 : to use equivocal language especially with intent to deceive. 2 : to avoid committing oneself in what one says.

Our quote for the day is from William Lloyd Garrison (1805–1879), Salutatory of the Liberator, Jan. 1, 1831:

I am in earnest. I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard!

;^) Jan

ARRIVAL

Well that was fairly painless. If you're reading this, you've either checked out my AOL journal lately, or had the perspicacity to stumble across this new blog. I've decided not to worry about whether the old journal/blog gets moved over. I'll back up the files during the next week, but if they don't reappear over here, well....

I'm hoping my AOL readers are able to find me here. I'm hoping I'll be able to find me here. We'll see, along with the addition of sidebars and other things as we go along.

The word of the day for October 1, 2008 is "arrival" —
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈrī-vəl\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : the act of arriving. 2 : the attainment of an end or state. 3 : one that has recently arrived [new arrivals].

Our quote for the day is from Dylan Thomas (1914–1953), Welsh poet. “We lying by seasand”:

But wishes breed not, neither
Can we fend off rock arrival,
Lie watching yellow until the golden weather
Breaks, O my heart’s blood, like a heart and hill.

;^) Jan