We had a little more excitement in the past couple days than we bargained for.
We were touring the fire station down the street so Evan could finish his requirements for a Cub Scout badge. Without warning, Evan passed out and fell on the floor. We at first thought he had tripped, but then realized he was unconscious. He came to pretty quickly and the firefighter that was giving the tour slipped into his role as a first responder. His blood sugar was low- 48. (It was about 6:45pm- we hadn’t yet had dinner, but he had a normal breakfast and lunch and had also eaten a sandwich around 4pm.) The rescue squad arrived about that time and they gave him some oral glucose. They re-checked his sugar and it was back into the normal range. At that point he seemed to be feeling better and our plan was to take him home and call his doctor from there. Then he said he was feeling dizzy again and that his stomach hurt and the EMTs recommended we go ahead and take him into the ER. Evan and I rode in the ambulance and Curt went home to grab a few things and then met us there with Emma & Eli. They took blood, urine and ran a CT. They gave him some IV fluids then IV dextrose. He was feeling better, with a little stomach pain and queasiness off and on. Bloodwork showed that he was a little dehydrated, everything else was fine, but they wanted to admit him and keep him overnight.
They moved us to a room and we were settling in. The nurse went to hook his IV back up to the pump and needed to flush it with saline. I think it burned and Evan whimpered a bit. When I looked up at him he was very pale and I thought he looked like he needed to vomit. Then he had what we are calling, for lack of a better word, an “episode.” It happened so fast and was over very quickly, bit he had passed out again. I haven’t seen lots of people pass out, but whereas I imagine that your body just goes limp when you pass out, he pulled his arms up to his chest and his hands curled up. To me, and pardon my lack of medical terminology, it seemed mildly seizure-like. But what do I know? The nurse talked to the pediatrician on call about it over the phone, but no one seemed alarmed. Everything was normal from then on and they discharged him just before noon today. We have an appointment with his regular pediatrician first thing tomorrow. He has been completely normal all afternoon, and has his Cub Scout award ceremony tonight.
I'm suffering from sleep deprivation, so I hope this account is clear. And if anyone has any personal experience or other insight onto what could have been going on, I'd be happy to hear about it.We're hoping this was just a crazy, one-time thing, but if anything new comes up, I'll post an update.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Rainy Season
I cannot believe how much it has been raining. We have had a couple weekends with all day sunshine and warmth, but it has rained almost every day for about a month now. Granted, some days it was just a sprinkle or a short-lived shower, but we have also had many with all-day rain.
I do my best to appreciate the water and utter no words of ingratitude- I know how good it is for the garden and trees, and remember the recent problems with drought. But this rain is really starting to wear on me!
There have been highlights- often when the sun is shining...
Saturday was Evan's bithday- his age and name now rhyme. We had rain in the morning but it cleared and we enjoyed heading into town and celebrating "National Tain Day" at a little local festival. The rain even held out for the birthday celebrations at home, but the wind kicked up late in the afternoon and we got some more sprinkles that night.
Sunday was our one-in-a-million day- no rain, clear sky. A lovely Mother's Day gift. We took advantage and spent most of it outside; we picnicked for both lunch and dinner! I got the front flower bed all weeded and a few more things put in the ground. I was thinking, "That wasn't so bad, why didn't I already do this?" I found renewed optimism and motivation for getting lots more gardening chores done this week.
And then I woke up to this morning. More rain. Pouring rain. And then I remembered why I haven't been getting all that weeding and planting done. That's still just an excuse, though. Must be time to remember one of my favorite sayings, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." If only I still had those rain pants that I lost in Honduras 10 years ago. But that's another story.
I do my best to appreciate the water and utter no words of ingratitude- I know how good it is for the garden and trees, and remember the recent problems with drought. But this rain is really starting to wear on me!
There have been highlights- often when the sun is shining...
Saturday was Evan's bithday- his age and name now rhyme. We had rain in the morning but it cleared and we enjoyed heading into town and celebrating "National Tain Day" at a little local festival. The rain even held out for the birthday celebrations at home, but the wind kicked up late in the afternoon and we got some more sprinkles that night.
Sunday was our one-in-a-million day- no rain, clear sky. A lovely Mother's Day gift. We took advantage and spent most of it outside; we picnicked for both lunch and dinner! I got the front flower bed all weeded and a few more things put in the ground. I was thinking, "That wasn't so bad, why didn't I already do this?" I found renewed optimism and motivation for getting lots more gardening chores done this week.
And then I woke up to this morning. More rain. Pouring rain. And then I remembered why I haven't been getting all that weeding and planting done. That's still just an excuse, though. Must be time to remember one of my favorite sayings, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." If only I still had those rain pants that I lost in Honduras 10 years ago. But that's another story.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A Laundry Success Story
I'm no Laundry Queen. Unless having a "fortress" of laundry piled up around me secures that title. I'm thinking not.
Anyway, I mostly keep everyone in the household outfitted with clean clothes. Socks usually have to be sought out in the waiting-to-be-matched-and-folded basket, but they're there and clean. And if not, yes, Emma, you can borrow some of mine. So, I cover the basics, but I am not known for any domestic goddess laundering skills or stain-fighting prowess.
This morning as I pulled the wet load from the washer to go hang on the line, I noticed that two formerly white t-shirts were stained brownish-red around the neck and along the shoulders. This in itself is not entirely unusual; we have hard water in our well here- iron water- and it is prone to leaving rust-colored stains. But there were only two tinged items in the whole lot and I quickly remembered that both were worn this weekend at Buck's birthday party. One was Ev's, one Em's- both new. Then I realized that I had covered their arms and neck with spray-on sunscreen and determined that it was some sort of reaction between the water and sunscreen that left the stain.
Google is my friend. A quick search affirmed that this could happen- and often did- to other people with hard well water who had used sunscreen containing avobenzone. No, I have not yet looked into what a terrible, toxic chemical that might be that I slathered on my children's skin. But I did find out from numerous websites and forums that a product called "The Works" would work wonders on my iron water-sunscreen stains. And then I did look into what a terrible, toxic chemical that might be. And let's just say that stained clothing doesn't bother me enough to use hydrochloric acid to get it clean.
So I added the search term "natural" to my magic Google box and, lo and behold, you can just use lemon juice and sunshine to the same effect! Hmmmm.... that's a tough one... hydrochloric acid or lemon juice and sunlight?
Surprise, surprise, I went with the option that didn't require a trip to the store or protective gear, and a few hours later have bright white t-shirts that smell lemony fresh- with the added bonus that I don't have to worry about any corrosive effects on human tissue. Isn't that swell?
Anyway, I mostly keep everyone in the household outfitted with clean clothes. Socks usually have to be sought out in the waiting-to-be-matched-and-folded basket, but they're there and clean. And if not, yes, Emma, you can borrow some of mine. So, I cover the basics, but I am not known for any domestic goddess laundering skills or stain-fighting prowess.
This morning as I pulled the wet load from the washer to go hang on the line, I noticed that two formerly white t-shirts were stained brownish-red around the neck and along the shoulders. This in itself is not entirely unusual; we have hard water in our well here- iron water- and it is prone to leaving rust-colored stains. But there were only two tinged items in the whole lot and I quickly remembered that both were worn this weekend at Buck's birthday party. One was Ev's, one Em's- both new. Then I realized that I had covered their arms and neck with spray-on sunscreen and determined that it was some sort of reaction between the water and sunscreen that left the stain.
Google is my friend. A quick search affirmed that this could happen- and often did- to other people with hard well water who had used sunscreen containing avobenzone. No, I have not yet looked into what a terrible, toxic chemical that might be that I slathered on my children's skin. But I did find out from numerous websites and forums that a product called "The Works" would work wonders on my iron water-sunscreen stains. And then I did look into what a terrible, toxic chemical that might be. And let's just say that stained clothing doesn't bother me enough to use hydrochloric acid to get it clean.
So I added the search term "natural" to my magic Google box and, lo and behold, you can just use lemon juice and sunshine to the same effect! Hmmmm.... that's a tough one... hydrochloric acid or lemon juice and sunlight?
Surprise, surprise, I went with the option that didn't require a trip to the store or protective gear, and a few hours later have bright white t-shirts that smell lemony fresh- with the added bonus that I don't have to worry about any corrosive effects on human tissue. Isn't that swell?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Quick Update
Am really wanting to get back into the blogging habit, but I think I have the bar set too high for myself once again. I hope to log more entries by reminding myself that each entry need not be a masterpiece.
Anyway, just back today from visiting my sister, her husband and their baby (well, technically I guess he's a toddler, but I'll not push the nomenclature; they grow up too fast already) and celebrating the little guy's birthday. A fun time- party at the park, beautiful weather, and yummy food. And he was *really* into his cupcakes!
It has been a crazy busy month. Two major events stand out:
We started keeping the dogs penned up due to complaints from neighbors. This involved lots of shuffling of various animals to get everyone the overnight warmth and daytime space they need. A poor choice on my part in the shuffling leaves us with a wounded goat- bitten by our very own dogs. Not fun. He's still recovering. It's not pretty. I would post photos of the wound, but I don't think I have enough blog readers that I can afford to scare any off...
On a lighter, and more positive note, my family came up for a tree planting extravaganza. The final tally of things planted: 11 fruit trees, 3 nut tees, 6 blueberry bushes and 104 strawberry plants. One night we had 28 people here for dinner. If you have seen my house, you understand the significance of this. Thankfully, my aunt "catered" the meal by cooking it all up at her house and bringing it over. The weather was perfect and we all ate outside. It was awesome. The food and the weekend.
Now we are in gardening mode. Have lots of seedlings started and are about ready to put them in the garden. The frost date here is the middle of May, so we need to wait a couple more weeks or figure out some sort of covering if we get another cold snap. I also direct-seeded some frost-tolerant crops that are inching their way up. Still have some more things to put in that I thought I would have in a month ago, but I am trying to focus on all I *have* gotten done instead of what I *haven't*. I need to learn that lesson well or else the farm life and it's neverending list of tasks will likely drive me crazy!
Kids are doing well. Ev is playing t-ball and loves it. Eli watches each practice and game with his own glove on his hand and is counting down the days until he is old enough to be on a team. Em spent a few days with my sister in between the tree-planting and birthday weekends, she was a big help to her "Tia," but sorely missed around here (even though her brothers will never admit it!) and I am so glad to have everyone nestled safely in at home- feeling like a happy mother hen.
Anyway, just back today from visiting my sister, her husband and their baby (well, technically I guess he's a toddler, but I'll not push the nomenclature; they grow up too fast already) and celebrating the little guy's birthday. A fun time- party at the park, beautiful weather, and yummy food. And he was *really* into his cupcakes!
It has been a crazy busy month. Two major events stand out:
We started keeping the dogs penned up due to complaints from neighbors. This involved lots of shuffling of various animals to get everyone the overnight warmth and daytime space they need. A poor choice on my part in the shuffling leaves us with a wounded goat- bitten by our very own dogs. Not fun. He's still recovering. It's not pretty. I would post photos of the wound, but I don't think I have enough blog readers that I can afford to scare any off...
On a lighter, and more positive note, my family came up for a tree planting extravaganza. The final tally of things planted: 11 fruit trees, 3 nut tees, 6 blueberry bushes and 104 strawberry plants. One night we had 28 people here for dinner. If you have seen my house, you understand the significance of this. Thankfully, my aunt "catered" the meal by cooking it all up at her house and bringing it over. The weather was perfect and we all ate outside. It was awesome. The food and the weekend.
Now we are in gardening mode. Have lots of seedlings started and are about ready to put them in the garden. The frost date here is the middle of May, so we need to wait a couple more weeks or figure out some sort of covering if we get another cold snap. I also direct-seeded some frost-tolerant crops that are inching their way up. Still have some more things to put in that I thought I would have in a month ago, but I am trying to focus on all I *have* gotten done instead of what I *haven't*. I need to learn that lesson well or else the farm life and it's neverending list of tasks will likely drive me crazy!
Kids are doing well. Ev is playing t-ball and loves it. Eli watches each practice and game with his own glove on his hand and is counting down the days until he is old enough to be on a team. Em spent a few days with my sister in between the tree-planting and birthday weekends, she was a big help to her "Tia," but sorely missed around here (even though her brothers will never admit it!) and I am so glad to have everyone nestled safely in at home- feeling like a happy mother hen.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For
I have lots of things floating around in my mind to write about, but in lieu of getting my own thoughts into words right now, I have another fabulous piece to share by others who have far more wisdom than I.
“You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart,
and they will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore,
push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
Least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
–The Elders
Oraibi, Arizona
Hopi Nation
“You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart,
and they will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore,
push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
Least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
–The Elders
Oraibi, Arizona
Hopi Nation
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Resurrection
This is a new favorite poem of mine by Wendell Berry. And very appropriate for Easter.
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Live Each Day to the Fullest
Live each day to the fullest
Get the most from each hour, each day and each age of your life
Then you can look forward with confidence and back without regret
Be yourself, but be your best self
Dare to be different and to follow your own star
And don't be afraid to be happy
Enjoy what is beautiful
Love with all your heart and soul
Believe that those you love, love you
Forget what you have done for your friends
and remember what they have done for you
Disregard what the world owes you and
concentrate on what you owe the world
When you are faced with a decision, make the decision
as wisely as possible - then forget it
The moment of absolute certainty never arrives
Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young
And double - blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old.
- The Talmud
Get the most from each hour, each day and each age of your life
Then you can look forward with confidence and back without regret
Be yourself, but be your best self
Dare to be different and to follow your own star
And don't be afraid to be happy
Enjoy what is beautiful
Love with all your heart and soul
Believe that those you love, love you
Forget what you have done for your friends
and remember what they have done for you
Disregard what the world owes you and
concentrate on what you owe the world
When you are faced with a decision, make the decision
as wisely as possible - then forget it
The moment of absolute certainty never arrives
Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young
And double - blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old.
- The Talmud
Friday, March 20, 2009
Meet Ellie
And then there's one of my favorite pastimes- gardening! It has been a bit neglected with everything else going on, but we aren't too far behind yet!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Spring Countdown
"In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."
-Margaret Atwood
"Time is Nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once."
-Old Farmer's Almanac
"Most gardens are beautiful, whatever their state of repair."
-Anne Swithinbank
-Margaret Atwood
"Time is Nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once."
-Old Farmer's Almanac
"Most gardens are beautiful, whatever their state of repair."
-Anne Swithinbank
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Meet Wally
The kids, that is, the children, are having a great time with him.
Except, of course, for the time we weren't home and he went to someone else's front porch- down the hill and across the road. When we got home we searched and searched, lamented not having a bell on him yet, and then decided to check out the happy screams and shouts of children down the hill who sounded like they just might have found a friendly goat...
We're still working out the fence issues and also hoping that he isn't quite as eager to get out once he has a companion in there with him. Ellie the Cow should be arriving in the next week, we're just waiting on good weather and some free time in the schedule of the woman who is transporting her for us.
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