Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 03:07 PM

Snowing outside right now. Not cold or a lot of wind, just gray with snow.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 06:38 PM

Up, up, up!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jan 16 - 04:45 AM

Four years! I share your thoughts.

Rap... good luck. I was offered an Ativan prior to surgery to calm my nerves. I thought "It's free so..." and accepted. Didn't seem to do anything but maybe I just didn't notice. >;-) However, I did have the best night's sleep in a dog's age that night so, for the second surgery, ditto for sure eh?

The storm was an overnight thing. I did peak out at 2:40 and it was windy and raining hard. Then, from about 3:00 to 4:00, it blew like a Banshee. One gust pressurized the house and moved the curtains and the front wall around the living room window creaked (been sleeping there so as not to roll off my back onto my sides - eye patches).

Snowing now. 15 - 25 cm and 40 - 70 kph. Minor storm.

Best wishes to all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 07:18 PM

Rap, I wish you an outcome as good as gnu's!

Nigel, four years? Wow! A lot has happened to all of us in that time.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 04:25 AM

Today, 12th January, is our fourth anniversary. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has visited, supported, advised, counselled, shared, made us laugh & cry & think. You have sustained this remarkable thread & created an online community of which we can be justly proud.
          I send my love to you all,
                                                 Nigel xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 07:53 PM

And just to mix things up a bit -- I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on January 19!

No, I'm not in competition with gnu. I am simply following the path he has so brilliantly laid out, except I can't see it because of the cataract.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 09:19 PM

Gnu, great to read about your eyes!

VTam, I am exhausted from just reading what you've been doing! Not too exhausted to send you love and hugs

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 02:01 PM

We're fine. Always ready for storms. Collecting rainwater for washing, cooking something nice for breakfast breads, chooks all cozy and warm.

I was really thinking something more along the lines of..." gnu will be able to SEE!!! it..."

m

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Lap gnu
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 01:44 PM

VTam... Thanks for sharing. My thoughts are with you.

m... I won't see it. Maybe a bit in the AM. The only problem I see is the southerly wind at 50 gusting to 90kph. Nor'easters ain't no sweat up to 120kph. South winds are not so much fun when the temp gets up to 8C as expected. Last one cost me shingles. A minor inconvenience but I have the "Mum Consideration" (she's been wound up all day... sigh.) Hope all is well with you through the storm. We are now expecting far less rain than was forecast few days ago. I hope the same for you.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 11:26 AM

Big storm with wind, rain, and snow is arriving here. The good news is that gnu will be able to see it when it moves up to his neck of the woods. ;D

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 07:53 PM

what maeve & pete said

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Peter from seven stars link
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 04:00 PM

A lot to cope with, tam, but it sounds like it is working out reasonably, and well done you. Blessings ...... Pete .

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 09:11 AM

Ah, Tamara! I am so glad to hear from you. Such a huge task (tasks!) you are facing, and with grace and loving strength. Thank you for bringing us up to date. Welcome home.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 08:49 AM

Flying visit as I've been up to eyebrows in USA visit with my Mom and her stroke, (OctobeR) followed immediately by house move from Essex to Shropshire, (November) followed immediatley by critical needs of parents in law in Stratford u Avon (both alternating going into and out of hospital) prior to Christmas. We got 24 hour care in place for a second time (Dad dismissed the first arrangement the day after he got out of hospital and the day after that Mum fell, hit her head hard enough to land in hospital). New and current carer started Christmas eve. Between Dad's hospital stay and now we've been marathon visiting. Deep cleaned kitchen cupboards and drawers as every piece of cutlery, crockery, glass, had been put away unwashed. Presoaked, bleached, boil washed every tea towel and bed linen. Washed all of Dad's stump socks as he had dumped them all in hamper with a sopping wet bath mat when went mouldy. I brought home 6 large bin bags of dirty laundry on Boxing day after cleaning out the master bed room wardrobe. We threw away 4 large bags of clothes to soiled or damaged to salvage. I have been using antibacterial laundry additive to kill the smell (Mum's double incontinence) and ironing everything I can just to be extra certain it is germ free.
Things have settled down for them and Dad is much more accepting of the care package and our help. Dad is pressing Chris and his sis to arrange power of attorney. They will have to make other arrangements re Mum's savings (where Dad has been putting all his money) as she is not mentally competent to sign and papers. They are taking advice form Age Concern. Tomorrow we take some more clean clothes for mum which I altered to fit her as she has gained quite a bit of weight. And we will clear all the drawers and wardrobe in the carer's room to give her more space to put her things. This means more laundry but it shouldn't bee too much. It is the going through Mum's notes and photos and cards that is breaking me. There are probably about 22 more drawers and 8 cupboards to go through. She has been tidying things away in them for 4 years. Found an note she scribbled on back of greeting card dated 1996 stating that she wished for an happy exit from illness and old age with the assistance of brandy and tablets and would her loved ones please not try to revive her. I wept, composed myself then found a photo of her holding hands with her daughter from a few years ago around the time we all discovered she had developed dementia. They both look on the verge of tears. And I fell apart again. I am happy to be doing this for the family though. My sister in law said it was very difficult for her to do this with her mother in law's effects. Didn't think she could cope with sorting through her own Mum's memories.

Wendy (Billybob). I salute you! You have helped your mother make a very graceful end. You gave her a safe place to progress through her illness. No one could hope for a better passing.


All seems settled now that

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 08:02 AM

That's great and welcome gnus, gnu.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 06:46 AM

Doc declared 100% success in both eyes. That's 200%!!! Only gotta wear the patches for 5 nights instead of 7. Thanks for the good wishes.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 07 Jan 16 - 12:13 PM

Refreshhhhhhhhh

Thinking of Wendy, gnu, Janie, and Nigel especially today..and the rest of yez as well. :D

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 06 Jan 16 - 04:39 AM

Best wishes to all for a gentle New Year. No conversation here from me regarding TL. Privacy matters. Thanks. :)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 10:02 PM

I've been away from Mudcat for several days. My 15-year-old grandson who lives with his mother in California has been here with my son's (his father's) family for almost two weeks. I have spent a lot of time with them.

Janie, I hope the hobbling is going very well.

Wendy, I'm sorry about your mother. My hugs are on their way, though belatedly.

So, gnu, how are you doing? Well, I hope!

Nigel, I'm sorry about your health problems. I hope treatments go well.

Maeve, same goes for your Truelove.

Love to you all!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 07:45 PM

best wishes to Nigel, gnu, TL & all

I had my cataracts removed some years back. I was due to have them done & when I went for my next checkup (6 months after the first) my left eye was so bad I couldn't read the top letter in the chart! tho as I was using both eyes, I wasn't aware of it. Not long after I had both eyes done 2 weeks apart & could use both eyes, tho I use glasses for close work.

love from sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 06:40 PM

I know this is a love song. But I hear it as a love song to us all from us all.

Agape love.

I don't have words these days for each or any of you but that is not about you each individually not being in my heart and mind. So much going on in every life.

If I needed you.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 01:22 PM

Trust today's went well too.   It will make a ...gnu...man of you !

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 07:56 AM

Left eye went perfectly. Right eye tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 08:27 PM

My cataract surgeries were a piece o' cake, gnu; may yours both go as well. As it happened, it was six years between when I needed it or each eye.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 04:56 PM

meave.... I hope TL's surgery(s) go well too.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 04:33 PM

GO, GNU!!

That's the great news TL and I needed today. Thank you!!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 03:00 PM

Good luck, Nigel.

I live on Leeside Fuckin Drive, baby! I can see the street sign! It's green! I can see snow flakes! I can see pine needles! I can see pine needles waving in the wind! Right eye gets done Wednesday.

Hmmm... if I can see really good after these surgeries, will I start ogling the fairer sex again? That could be a problem. Not the ogling part but the stomping the primitive urges part. Nah... no problems. A lesson learned eh?

One cataract catawrecked, one to go.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 06:32 AM

Nigel, we'll be keeping you in heart and thought.

Keep watch for the sunrise of each coming day,
Collect the little kindnesses you meet on the way
Hold hands with your lady who loves you so true,
Hum a song for the treasure we're rooting for- You!

{Doggerel sent with affection and respect.}

Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 05:25 AM

I'm going to be 'out of action' for most of January...a combination of radical med. changes (already begun & causing adjustment problems). Surgery (only a hernia repair) & an extensive round of tests for my hearing & heart. In the words of my maternal Grandmother: "I don't have the energy to blow the top off a rice pudding!" I have only to read the posts above to know that Jane's Rainbow is, as always, in good hands, so I have no reservations about taking some 'shore leave' for a month or so.
                                       Sending you all Love & every good wish for the New Year,
                                                                                                                                     Nigel xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 03 Jan 16 - 06:32 AM

For us all- Please take a moment to read and reflect on Desert Dancer's post here: Subject: RE: singing for the dying and at wakes
It's all worth reading, but focus on Becky's Desert Dancer's post of
02 Jan 16 - 11:02 PM, quoting from a piece by Jennifer L. Hollis. It's perfect for The Rainbow's crew and guests.
Love,
Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 03 Jan 16 - 06:25 AM

Janie "...Took a few very awkward, shuffling steps with a cane in PT today. Bodes well for the New Year. May not seem much to crow about, but I am very excited."

And so are we for you! That's a huge improvement, and there will be more to follow.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 03 Jan 16 - 04:26 AM

Glad to hear the news, Janie.

Wendy... maeve said it all. My condolences.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Jan 16 - 06:09 AM

love & hugs, peace & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 04:58 PM

Wendy, peace and comfort to you and all the family.


Ya done good.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 08:14 AM

I can only echo Maeve, Wendy. Sending love.

Janie

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 07:20 AM

Wendy, I'm glad you were able to do so much with and for your dear mother. I'm glad you had a restorative and happy mini-vacation, enabling you to return restored, showering her with all your love. I'm especially grateful family gathered on Sunday, and that you, most devoted and loving of daughters, could hold her hand, witnessing that ineffable and tender departure. Well done, you- Thank you for including us.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ranger1
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 07:20 AM

Sorry for your loss, Wendy, but glad it was a peaceful end.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 05:49 AM

Our Dear Wendy, Ann & I are holding you in our thoughts. Love & comfort are yours in abundance. Pete expresses our thoughts perfectly: "Expected but always so sad".
                     With love & sincere condolences,
                                                                           Nigel & Ann xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 04:40 AM

Ah, Wendy . Expected but always so sad. Peace and blessing to you and yours.    Pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 04:28 AM

My beloved mum passed away on Wednesday morning, very peacefully, holding my hand. All my family, 14 of us were together on Sunday last and were able to say goodbye. My little grandaughter aged 9 held nannys hand and mum waved her other arm in the air"look Nonnie," she said"nanny is dancing with Grandad"Out of the mouths of babes?
Wishing you all a happy and contented New Year.
With all my love
Wendy xxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 02:11 AM

Janie - good to know you are starting to hobble around, & I hope your facebook friends enjoyed the pics

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ranger1
Date: 01 Jan 16 - 12:01 AM

Thanks, Janie. I'm a fan of this version of the song, myself.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 10:32 PM

Spectacular and thrilling fireworks display, Sandra. Hope you don't mind that I shared it on Facebook.

I will soon be headed to bed. Haven't been awake to see in the New Year in a long, long time.

Having friends over tomorrow for an early New Year's supper. I'm fixing my family's traditional meal of corned beef, cabbage and cornbread. Guests are bringing black-eyed peas and collard greens in keeping with the more common southern US tradition. Didn't have time to go to the bank to get a shiny, new dime to cook with the cabbage.

Took a few very awkward, shuffling steps with a cane in PT today. Bodes well for the New Year. May not seem much to crow about, but I am very excited.

So very glad to be part of this crew and to be sailing into another year in such company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86_tlA9maA0&feature=youtu.be

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 12:14 PM

How lovely, r1!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ranger1
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 07:15 PM

I'll be staying in. I'm on the mend still after putting my back out last week.

Sharing a happy with the crew: got a package from Norway from my youngest host brother. Opened it up to find a flash drive of almost 500 photos and videos, some of him when he was small, some of his significant other when she was small, and the bulk of them are of his son, from sonogram to this Christmas. Trym will be 2 in March. Spent a large chunk of the afternoon looking at happy pics.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 06:49 PM

here's the direct link to the world-famous Sydney fireworks & earlier entertainment starting at 6pm Sydney time in about 7 hours

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 06:47 PM

as I live in the suburb where zillions of Sydneysiders & folks from other places congregate to celebrate NYE (& go drinking every weekend), I tend to stay home cos getting back is not easy. Also the crowde everywhere are gi-normous which makes the getting back even harder.

I just might wander out 8.30ish to see if I can get near the closest of the vantage points for the world famous fireworks (live link), but maybe not as I've seen the top of the highest fireworks before over the buildings around my part of the harbour.

I'll probably listen to a few CDs, continue with my backlog of blog articles & maybe get on with a bit of sewing.

sandra (10.45 Thursday morning)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Peter from seven stars link
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 05:20 PM

Indeed, eloquently expressed.   Happy new year to all the crew, I case I don't post tomorrow. What's others doing to see in 2016 ? I plan to be at an open mic. It's usually good, so I expect it will be more fun tomorrow night .

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 07:17 AM

beautifully put as always, Nigel

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 02:51 AM

The worst of the bad weather is way to the North of where we live, so other than plenty of 'normal rain' & some gusty wind, we're safe & dry. A tributary of The Thames flows behind our house, some four hundred yards away, I would guess, but as a tributary, it benefits from the protection of The Thames Barrier, so we have to put our trust in the engineering skills of others.

Maeve, your quotation above: "...a prerequisite to empathy is simply paying attention to the person in pain." is a perfect fit for our thread. I think it encapsulates what we do best. I'm also reminded of some words written by our sorely missed Friend, Pat Patterson. He wrote of his amazement at how real our virtual relationships become. Over the past four years, we have created a 'vessel' that can sail wherever she is needed; that can weather the worst of Life's storms. Onwards we voyage,
                                              With Love to You All,
                                                                               Nigel xxxxx