OUT FOR BLOOD

AKA, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PIN CUSHION:   Did that post title grab your attention?
Those is a continuation of some of my more recent posts. Those few of you that actually peruse these ramblings know what I am talking about, and those of you that haven't read the past posts probably aren't reading this one either.  However, for those few of you that have read, you are aware that I have had a few medical situations in the last few months. And every time I had a new appointment, someone wanted to stick a needle in my are to watch it bleed. A test tube here and a test tube or three there and then just for good measure, a tube count of 10 a time or two. I recently had regular lab work done and 5 tubes were drawn, and the next week three more and then I went to my local PCP and he had the  nurse draw 2 and then he decided he needed 1 more so another draw was ordered. His determination. I am a little anemic. Shucks, I'm surprised I have any blood left at all. Then before I left for a semi annual checkup in the city to the north, it was determined that they needed more blood tests done, so three more tubes were drawn.  I think I will go to a plastic surgeon, or who ever may do that kind of thing and have them put a faucet in my arm, then when they need blood, I can just turn it on and let them catch what ever comes out. If any does.
The specialty Dr. said also, that I showed a slight tendency toward anemia. He, however, seemed to think it was a lack of iron in my blood, and suggested that I find a railroad rail and lick it from time to time to overcome this problem. He didn't seem to think that chewing on a rail was needed, just a lick from time to time should do it. Since I don't live really close to a railroad, maybe I can go to the local hardware store and find an iron bar to take home for this purpose.  I wonder if it will taste better with salt, butter and pepper, or just straight.  Guess I will have to experiment. Maybe I can invent a special iron bar to be sold in the candy aisle at Wal Mart just for those who have iron tired blood.  Wonder how much royalty a person could get from a product like that? 
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

I just have to wonder why.

JUST A COUPLE OF SHORT NEWS ITEMS:  One I will expound on a little more than the other one.   So, the first one.  President Obama wants to eliminate the Freedom of Information act. Every time he comes up with something like this, he always has a seemingly plausible reason. Just a little digging will usually uncover the real reason for his decision.  Wonder why he wants to do this.  Dig Dig Dig.
The second one is LEGS.  More specifically the legs of Taylor Swift.  No, I am not obsessed with her legs. Or even her, for that matter. But the news reported that she has insured her legs for $40 million. And why does she think her legs are worth that much?  Because, she said, if something happened to her legs, she wouldn't be able to put on her show. Well, I guess when a "singer" can't sing, they have to do something.  And I do not own an album of hers, nor will I. Every time I happen to be unlucky enough to hear her, it always sounds like the first song she ever came out with. All in a monotone. So you have to put on a show. Wouldn't it be a novel idea for her to just stand, or even sit, and sing. Adele does that, as well as a lot of the older time country singers I like. When they put on shows, that is. But, I guess some people can do whatever she does with her legs and Garth Brooks can rope swing across the stage among fireworks going off and smashing guitars.  Others just sing songs that are fun to listen to.  I guess if something happens to Ms. Swifts legs, she can use the $40 million to take voice lessons and learn to sing, then she can actually entertain her fans with her songs and her voice.  Or maybe not. 
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

FIRST A CHRONICLE

NOW AN ODYSSEY: It has been said that when it rains it pours. However, here in our area, that is more like poors, rather than pours.  In this case, though, the odyssey is mine, and has nothing to do with the weather.  I mentioned a few posts back that I had some medical problems and the procedure that took place at that time.  My mother was not doing very well at the time and I wanted to go to the valley of the sun to visit her. I had to put that off for a period of time because of the a fore mentioned medical items. As I was cleared from that issue, and was preparing to make the trip I developed a case of of roofing materials, AKA shingles. I sincerely hope there was enough shingles in this case to do the roof, cause I don't want no more. Now, nearly 6 weeks later, I still have some shingles left, so I think I will have sufficient to do the job.  So, I delayed the visit for a while longer. Then came the message from my sister that Mom was failing and so the decision was made not to put off the visit any longer. I decided to make the 4 to 5 hour trip on a Tuesday and return on Wednesday. That decision made, I stewed some over it and had the feeling that I needed to do something different. So I followed the prompting and my wife and I made the trip on Sunday instead. We spent time with Mom Sunday afternoon/evening and Monday morning. Monday mid afternoon, as we were traveling home, I received a call from a different sister that Mom had passed away just an hour or so before. As the instruction from the President of our Church has said, never delay acting on a prompting. And I firmly believe that is was a Spiritual prompting that I make the visit on Sunday and Monday and not delay any further. I am ever so glad that I did.  This past weekend the family laid her to rest in the cemetery of the town that she loved, by the man she loved. One who had preceded her through the veil 28 years prior. This town, where lies the ditch bank of my blog name, is at 7000 feet elevation and is populated by pine trees, and the breeze in the pines, the sunny blue skies, and the stream gurgling in the ditch, was nothing short of idyllic. The tribute's paid to Mom that day were appropriate to a lady of high standards. Family traveled from places far away, even from across the pond, to pay their respects to this wonderful lady. In so many of my posts when talking of a subject I often say nuff said. In this case I will end, but there will never be nuff said.
As far as my shingles go, I have been very protective of self when people wanted to give me a hug or something. This past weekend I just grinned and bore it. As a results I received many slaps on the back. It seems I suffered no ill affects from said slaps. I hope these slaps beat the shingles in to submission, like nails tack real shingles to a roof, never to be worried about again.  Well, one can hope, any way. Rest in peace Mom.  AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

FED UP, STILL

ARE YOU FED UP YET?  I am. With what you say? Or maybe you know what.  The republicans won a huge election last November. They took that as a mandate to undo every thing that the current administration has done. And maybe they are correct. But playing politics with these issues is not the way to get it done nor a way to keep being elected in the future. As I am sure the few of you who may actually read this blog are aware, the current congress is playing politics with the budget, immigration, and Obama care.  OK, I get it. These are things that need addressed. So address them. As individual subjects. If Obama care needs tweaked, then tweak it. If, and I say IF, the department of homeland security needs funding, then fund it. If the immigration issue needs something done about it, and it does, then do it. But don't tie up the country playing if I can't have my way then you can't either type of games.  Stand up and be adults. Do what needs to be done, for the good of the American people. And I don't care if you are a republican, democrat or independent. Just do the job you were elected to do, or hopefully, face the wrath of the American voters next Election.  Unfortunately the President won't have another election to face. At least we can hope.  And   THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

HOW ARE WE AFFECTED

THAT IS AFFECTED, NOT INFECTED. In this time of flu and measles and other things floating around, I just wanted to get that straight. I often reflect on the affect others have on our lives. I rarely speak about it and never write about it, but it is there in the back of my mind, never the less. So, for this post, I decided I would write a few scattered and random thoughts about this subject. There will be few written, but if I wrote all that can be said, this post would not hold all those thoughts. Mine or yours, as I am sure that any of you that may actually read this post will have thoughts along this line of your own. Some will match mine, some will match thoughts I didn't write and some will be things I didn't think of. Having said all that, lets see what comes our of the pen, key board.
The first people who have any influence on us will be our parents. I would say that for the first two decades of life or so, they are probably the most influential people we will know. Any siblings we may have will also influence us. I can only assume that said influence will depend on just where you fall in the line of children. First, middle or last. Cousins will play their part, for good or ill, as will school class mates. When you reach my age, which is old, you will look back and remember some of these class mates and others you won't even remember having. Depending on the particular classmate, that influence will be fleeting or deep and everlasting. Then you will meet someone and fall in love. At least most of us will. And that person will probably have the most influence of any one on how our lives shape up for the coming decades. Children will give you a new perspective. And each child will be different. Too bad they don't come with instructions. A thing that parents have wondered about since the Garden.
And then there will be employees/employers/co workers. As I look back on the 50 plus years of my working life, I realize there are very few of those that I even remember. Some, I kinda remember working with, but don't remember their names. Most had no influence on me in any way. Some, will pass through your life and the contact will be but a fleeting moment, but you will remember them even years later down the road of life. Some of these in my case have been medical workers. People who didn't remember me minutes after I left their sphere but who I remember even years later and the kindness, for the most part, they expressed to me and the care they gave. And some do remember me and show it when I arrive in their bailiwick from time to time. And that makes a person feel good to know that while they had some influence in my life, I may have just had a little influence in theirs as well.
Well, I guess I have rambled enough and hopefully left any who reads this not very confused. I will close this missive by saying that the most influential person  in my life has been my wife and has been for the past 54 years. I look forward to time immemorial of that continuing.  AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND

I HAVEN'T RANTED ABOUT THE TICS FOR A WHILE. So now I will post a little thing about those who are elected to govern us, their subjects. 
The legislature or the State of New Mexico is in session. A 60 day session, of which 15 or so days of those are already behind them. Today, in committee, a bill was tabled for further debate or to come to a vote later or just to die a natural death. Time will tell which of these happens. My issue, however, is why was this particular bill even written and brought up to take precious time. Well, our elected officials waste a lot of time, so why not on this, I guess.  Maybe, after this, I need to be a little more specific on what I am ranting about.  
There is a concern about students who have a truancy problem. So, according to the legislative committee or legislator, who brought this up, a solution was proposed. Take away their drivers licenses.  I believe in education. Just ask my children. But, these students have a legal license and there is no law or rule that says any one has to be enrolled in school in order to have a drivers license. And I feel that the truancy problem needs to be addressed. But, take away their licenses? I think not. But give them to people who are here in the State and Country illegally. Yep, hand them out like candy. Even though our current governor wants to repeal that law, so far the legislature says nope. Let them get licenses. WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND. 
Just a couple of other items. A short mention.
Back East a city, Boston, I think, has decided to fine individuals that don't shovel their walkway. Yep, I may have a heart attack from the cold and exertion, but as long as the sidewalk is clear, I am OK.
And even though NBC won't talk about it on the air, Brian Williams is away from his evening news cast because he lied about being in a helicopter under fire during the recent war. This supposedly happened a few years ago and he has repeated that story several times. Now, the truth is out and he may be also.  Didn't Hillary Clinton get caught in a similar lie some months back? Wonder if this will be mentioned if she officially announces a run for the presidents office of the United States.  Again, time will tell.
JUST HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT THE THINKING OF THOSE WHO GET ELECTED AND THOSE OF US WHO VOTE FOR THEM.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

DON"T ANY ONE EAT AT HOME?

YOU JUST HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT THAT.  Or is it just me.  On a recent trip to a city in the north country, my wife and I did eat at a restaurant. Or three. And often had a hard time finding a place to park. Cause there were a lot of people wanting to eat at that restaurant also. And as we drove down the city streets, we noticed that other restaurants had full parking lots also. Morning, noon and night. All kind of places. Fast food burger places. Walk in and sit down places. Pizza places. Name it and it had a full parking lot. And just yesterday, a Sunday, as I went to church early in the morning, the two restaurants that are open for breakfast were full. At least the parking lots were full. And on a return trip home around noon, they were still full. Or full again. Just have to wonder. Does any one eat at home any more. Do they even know how to cook? I can assume that there will come a time that people will have to eat at home and they may be in a world of hurt when that time comes.  AND THAT'S THEY VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK