What is wrong with this picture

Growing up both kids had allergy problems with the typical ear infections.  I had not thought about that in years.  Then last week we had to take Quincy to the vet with ear problems.  She looked in one ear then turned to the other.  That one hurt.  Both ears were red and swollen. Knowing he had ear problems before she said it was probably seasonal allergies. Okay I knew about that, so what do?  He needed a pill every 12 hours and ear drops every 12 hours.  Not a problem, my caregivers change shifts every 12 hours so that is a good time to do it.  However that meant they would take care of first thing.  He thought that was great and started meeting them at the door expecting his treat. His pills were wrapped in cheese to make sure he ate them. After that was a little cuddle time to put the ear drops in followed up by a dog biscuit. Then they would check with me.  Wait a minute.  I think they are supposed to be my caregivers.  In the process of making sure he had his meds he now expected treats the minute anybody came in the door.  Just one more challenge.

Scattered Showers

Does scattered showes explain why it can rain in the back yard but not the front?  Or why hail is pounding down and accumulated when it is sunny.

Hairy Tongue Syndrome?!

What? I have had hairy legs, but hairy tongue?  I went for my regular dental appointment and everything was fine.  My caregivers are always concerned about the coating on tongue. The hygienist said it is called hairy tongue because the padilla (cannot remember the word for sure but it is the things on your tongue that help move food around)  grow longer than usual.  Can even use a spoon face down to scrape my tongue and maybe get it to go away.  At least there is reason and a name for my tongue to look the way it does.

Busy Week - Part 3

Rounding out the OHSU week on Friday was the session to establish the base line for the mindful meditation study.  First I repeated the exercise from Tuesday with the letter repetition.  Following that was the BCI calibrating and spelling selected words. The session lasted 3 hours and I was very tired after that.  Friday afternoon of a busy week was not the best time to do so much. At least I should be able to show a big improvement with my ending score. In addition I was watching the clock because we had to pick up Quincy at the groomers.  As several people mentioned we both got our hair cut the same day. Todd tried to tell the boys we went to the same place. They just ignored him.  From now on the Friday sessions will be 90 minutes but will not start until three.  Being a morning person it will be interesting to see if I can develop the skills to focus on the task in front of me at a less opportune time.

Busy Week - Part 2

Back to OHSU week.  Wednesday I was asked to be interviewed and do a demonstration of the BCI research program.  Of course I said yes.  Todd was here for what he thought would be a quick fax and he would be on his way.  First the photographer from the weekly newspaper showed up followed by the reporter.  After trying the BCI program himself the reporter had tons of questions. They were followed by photographer, reporter and public relations coordinator from OHSU and of course Betts who set up everything.  Todd was conscripted to sign all the releases from the University while the two photographers discussed how they would work around each other.  Meanwhile the reporter was quizzing Betts and me about the program.  He is also telling everyone they should try it.  Finally she started to set it up while photos documented the entire process and she answered questions.  Both the newspaper and the University asked for details while the reporter bounced around with enthusiasm about the program.  Then I started with the letters flashing across the screen to do the calibration process. After 3 sets of  50 letters I went on to select letters for words that were part of a sentence.  About that time the newspaper people had to leave followed by most of the University people.  Betts gave me the opportunity to do some free spelling which I tried.  About that time I realised that I was tired.  The results spoke loud and clear.

I Have To Laugh

Thursday afternoon we welcomed the sun and puffy white clouds.  Friday and Saturday we had beautiful bright blue sky.  The color blue that this Southern California girl still marvels at.  Okay what makes me laugh?  With the blue sky came rising temperatures.  We might get up to 60.  The years on the boat I would have said that was too cold.  I would often say if you had to wear more than shorts and a tee-shirt it too cold.  Now I am thrilled with 60 and sun.

Busy Week Part 1

The past week has been OHSU (Oregon Health Science University) week.  Tuesday I started a new study that is a follow up to the BCI.  Of course first all the consent forms had to be signed. I was lucky, Elana the research person had emailed the forms for all 3 sections of the study so I just gave her my signature stamp.  Then on to the first section of the study.  A series of 20 letters went across the computer screen.  After each series I was to say yes if there had been any letters repeated next to each other and no if there were not.  This is called one back. Following that was a section were I was looking for matching letters with one letter between called two back.  The third section I needed to identity three back, or same letters with 2 others between.