SNOW...and Survey and dreaded social media

Our local hospital sent two surveys to us. One by email and one by letter. Rich said he wasn't going to fill it out because he couldn't answer the questions which are multiple choice.

Would you recommend VMH to friends or family members?

How would you rate your meals?

Did the doctor explain everything to you?

Blah blah blah...

So at the very end is a comment section.

*I am a Caregiver for my husband who is a Veteran who goes to the VA. Before he was admitted, I told the phone triage nurse that he suffers from... blah blah blah, which includes mild dementia and communication issues. 

Under the circumstances I think VMH did the best they could. However after being told he had Covid-19 and then told he didn't have Covid...he was transferred to the Covid area he became confused and very frightened. His medications were missed and it took nearly 24 hours for the hospital to contact me regarding his meds. 

He never was told 'what' was wrong with him and did not get any suggestions for follow up care. His discharge papers did not specify what the issue was either.

One week later and no one from who gave him care called to see if he was okay.

The staff was excellent and caring which they always are. However, they are not prepared to handle elderly veterans with mental health/memory/communication issues.

VMH needs to step up to the plate as many aged veterans live in this area.*

I left the rest of the survey blank. 

Next I got an email notice from a casual friend who was ranting and raving about Covid being not a big deal and how the death rate is only .17%. Her friend's mother got Covid and died 10 days later. Her words: She smoked like a chimney when she was younger and had Congestive Heart Failure. So she died because she didn't take care of herself not because of Covid. 

Let me stop here for a moment. Covid-19 has changed friendships and families. Well, a lot of friendships have been strained in 2020. Those who have a loved one who fall into the 'high risk' group have different attitudes than those who simply have decided that this pandemic is no big deal and it is the flu.

I have good friends who have flaunted the Covid cautions. I can still communicate with them and they DO understand now that they are not welcome in my house until ... further notice. I love them, but they are doing their thing and not forcing it down my throat.

Yet this casual friend's post really irked me. How different would her attitude be if her late husband [who spent two wicked years dying from cancer]... what if he were still alive would her attitude be different? 

My husband and her husband were friends, they loved old cars...they both went through cancer treatment at the same time. He died. Rich didn't.

So yes after her constant bashing of Covid and safety practices on her blog, I finally said my piece. It was nice but to the point. Yeah, I'm an Ass. I could have just ignored it like I normally do.

I have a couple of good friends who do practice distancing, masking, and being careful. 

Birds of a feather shall flock together in times like these.

Yes but distantly, right?

I cannot undo the send button on this person's post. I should have ignored it. But I'd just been nagged by email to do a survey twice and once by mail on the same day.

I'm going to go to my corner now and face the wall. I was naughty. I am not the type of person that does that.

However!

The good news is we have snow!

My shed cleaning efforts have paid off. I can park the 'Ru in the round pen with the hay, the skid steer, and the 4 wheeler! My bicycle is under the yellow sheet.

Shoveling tomorrow? Or? Cross Country skiing?

I am staying away from Social Media. 

Smacks head.

2013 in Review...a good year

Near the end of Novemeber 2013, Dixie the pup came into our lives which led to many Dixie-Morris adventures.
She began as a wee pup who was smaller than Morris and in two months was...well, you see.  A pretty big dog!

I spent a lot of time with Opal and neglected Siera who had been put aside for a while ...as I was too 'busy' doing other things [including work].
My attention was quickly drawn to Siera on the day I separated her from her mare buddies.

She threw a temper tantrum and ended up being sick enough to call the vet.
I had let Siera out on pasture all summer and hadn't paid much attention...her biggest issue?
She got very fat.
Naughty me.  Even Naughtier me for not working working with her all summer.

I started her on a hand walking regime daily.

It acutally improved our bonding and we moved her in with Fred and Opal so she'd have company and could see the mares in the distance.
She started her own 'exercise' program of pacing the fence.  However, being smart from the first instance, she did not have a occurrence of the first problem and lost weight quite nicely.

5 yrs of on and off again training finally paid off.  Siera is now a steady solo mount for anywhere.  A huge plus is that she will take Morris along in the saddle when he tires.  [Morris will be 10 in 2014].

In 2013 I took some trips.

There was my son's wedding.  Where I discovered that I really did enjoy photographing the wedding ...not dread like I thought I would.

A trip to Virginia to see my brother with my mom.

There I found and became fascinated with the Hobbit Tree...also know as the Metasequoia glyptostroboides - dawn redwood.

And let's not forget the many adventures with my grandchildren and the birth of Elena Ruby.

 

Yes, 2013 was interesting and exciting.
In 2014 I thought I'd have something else to look forward to.

I had thought about a trip to Hawaii.  Perhaps even a solo one.
But then I came up with a more interesting idea.

After all, grand children are so much fun.  Kids are soooo much fun.
Why not take a week from work and be a Grandma with Grandpa?

Have all the Grand children at once?
Perfect.

We are going to call it.
Grandma & Grandpa Camp 2014.
We'll see how it works out this year.
But I think it could be a fun tradition.

~~~~~
Let me mention here some of my favorite Blogs of 2013.

The Three Muleteers from across the big water.

The Dancing Donkey from the upper NW of the US.  I hope she can correct me if she'd like.

These are fun entertaining and....and!  And!  Very worthwhile reads.  I've learned quite a bit from both blogs.

I also enjoy browsing some other favorites:
The Skoog Farm Journal there is always something going on at her place!

And for art?  My favorite?
fraktalblog by Jorge Ab
Jorge has encourage me to join a group of crazy wonderful fractal artists and improve and challenge my creative abilities in this field.

So you see.
Not counting the critters I have.
2013 has been busy and fulfilling.

Now on towards 2014!!!