UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

This week I have to write about a book I’m just about to finish.  It’s titled Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert.  Kolbert won a Pulitzer Prize for her book, The Sixth Extinction which I read a few years ago.

It was a very interesting book.  I learned that over the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Now reading Under a White Sky I’m learning about what steps are being taken (or more specifically, being explored) to turn around climate change.   The question is, can we change nature in order to save it?

I first heard of ‘geoengineering’ at a 2019 Nobel Conference held at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.  The Conference that year was titled ‘Climate Changed’.  There were 7 lectures over the course of 2 days and David Keith, who presented “How Might Solar Geoengineering Fit Into Sound Climate Policy?” was the sixth speaker.  He really got my attention.  Geoengineering manages solar radiation by deflecting some of it away from earth. 

I can’t go into a lot of detail as some of the information is way over my head, but reading Kolbert’s book educated me a little further.  I learned that there are research activities taking place all over the world that are looking into multiple ways of reducing CO2 from our atmosphere.  The scary part is there are multiple thoughts on what can be injected (seeded) into the atmosphere to ‘capture’ the CO2.  Everything from crushed diamonds to silver iodide, and several other possibilities….all of which make me squirm a little.  You just have to wonder about ‘unintended consequences’.

As an example, in April 1815 a volcano erupted on the island of Tambora, an Indonesian island, which turned summer into winter throughout Europe.  The eruption caused significant global cooling to the point of crop failure and starvation of large numbers of people.  This happened due to the volcanic dust that entered the atmosphere and blocked the sun.

While this was not ‘an unintended consequence’, no one had a hand in launching or controlling the outcome of a volcanic eruption, the same cannot be said for geoengineering.

Certainly, climate change is a very significant global problem, and no one seems to have yet an answer on how to address the issue, I sure hope that those scientists who are moving forward toward any kind of action, have a firm grip on ‘unintended consequences.’

Or things could get a whole lot worse!

(One little side note:  When I checked the book out of the library a staff person told me I had just saved the book!?  It had not been checked out in over 2 years….now because of my borrowing it, it just gained another 2 year shelf life.  Sure hope someone else finds it over the next 2 years.)

AM I 'PIGPEN'?

I’m beginning to wonder…am I closely related to “Pigpen”, the Peanuts character who had a perpetual cloud over his head?  Let me explain.

A few weeks ago, a series of events have happened, that makes me wonder and look above, is there a cloud over my head that I can’t see?

It started with the dishwasher.  Let me say, that all the appliances in our kitchen are relatively new, as in, since the start of the pandemic.  The first incident with the dishwasher is that midway through a wash cycle it would throw an error code and shut down.  The code was ‘H2O’.  Luckily for our house, Peter is an excellent fixit guy.  He does his research on YouTube.  He did his research and while it took a little while, he figured out to try a different wash cycle, and that seemed to fix the problem. 

He did have to pull the dishwasher out and mess with the water line.  The next day I found a small puddle on the kitchen floor, but it took a second for Pete to retighten the water hose and all is well.

Then, a few days later just after we went to bed, Pete heard a clicking sound that was not part of our environment.  It took a minute to locate the sound, but it was coming from our gas stove.  We have a propane gas stove and the clicking was the little device in the burner that ignites the gas to become a flame.  The burner was not on, so there was no gas to ignite.  We pulled the stove out, and unplugged it.

The next morning, we plugged it back in, and for the moment at least, there is no more clicking.

Then on Thanksgiving Day I sat down at my new laptop computer (delivered from Amazon on October 9) and a bright blue screen appeared informing me that the computer had a serious problem and needed an immediate repair.  Nothing I did would allow me to open the computer. 

So, I took it to a repair shop and a few days later they informed me that the hard drive was corrupted and IF they could fix it, I would lose all my content.  Luckily, I still have my old computer and now, as I wait for a credit from Amazon for the purchase amount, I can still login on the old computer. 

Not sure what else is on the horizon, but I’m keeping my head low and trying to out run the cloud.  Hopefully the extreme cold weather will chase that cloud away!!!

DUMBER AND DUMBER

I guess, the older you get the more likely that from time to time, you are going to have to turn to medical care.  Oh, geeze, how I dread that prospect. 

I’ve already shared how much I hate emergency rooms.  That came about during the 6 years that my brother spent his final years living with us.  During those years Jim went to the Emergency Room 3-4 times per year.  At first it was a relatively new experience for me, so I approached the times with an open, accepting attitude.

About the 3^rd year my attitude started to shift.  After many experiences of sitting in the waiting room/exam room 5-6, 7 and sometimes 8 hours with literally nothing happening I had lost all my patience.  On our final visit to the ER, the doctor screamed at us “This is not an emergency!”  Maybe not for him, but it was for Jim.  I asked the doc how long this would be, he said probably 5 hours.  I looked at him and said, “Call me when he’s ready to be picked up.”  and left.  They admitted Jim for a week-long stay. 

Let’s move ahead to current time.  On Saturday evening, October 11, I was really, really sick.  I couldn’t stop throwing up!  I couldn’t stop shivering.  I was completely and totally miserable.  Sickness continued through Sunday, calmed down a bit by Monday.  Had a doc appointment on Tuesday.  She thought I might have Hep A, as I was very jaundiced.  Blood tests said “NO”.  Ultrasound showed that my gallbladder was filled with gall stones.  Evidently the sickness was brought on by my body passing a gall stone. 

I made the decision immediately that the gallbladder had to go.  Was not going to go through that again.  The surgeon was out of town for a week.  Saw him when he returned, scheduled surgery and waited it out.

Now here’s where the story really begins.  The surgeon informed us that it would be a 5 hour, out-patient procedure and answered all of mine and Pete’s questions.  Surgery took place on Nov. 13.  Surgery went well, recovery….not so much. 

Turns out that my body really did not like the anesthetic.  The major issue was that my oxygen absorption rate was very low.  Doc did not want to release me.  So, after spending all day in the Recovery Room, I was finally moved into a hospital room about 7 PM, Thursday night. 

I felt fine.  Just wanted a good night’s sleep and to go home the next day.  DID NOT HAPPEN.  I’m not sure what was going on at the Nurses Station that night, but several times throughout the night there was yelling, screaming, laughing….it sounded like a serious party was going on.  I couldn’t believe it.  A ward full of sick people, in the middle of the night, and there was absolutely no way to sleep.

The next day I asked about my usual medications.  My requests were ignored.  I asked at least 4 times during the day.  I knew my daily medications were listed in my file, my comments were essentially ignored.  I knew what would happen if I didn’t get them.

I didn’t get released on Friday, as my body was still trying to smother me.  But that night, things got a little more exciting.  After dinner my heart started racing.  No big surprise, that happens when you don’t get your Metoprolol.  Night nurse was a wack job.  She freaked and a stat EKG was ordered.  I told them that if I could have my meds, all would be well. 

Finally, about 3 AM an intravenous dose arrived.  Immediately, my heart calmed down. 

Just to be clear, I am writing the highlights of my hospital stay…..there was so much more, but I can’t spend the day here at the computer. 

Let me just say, I was not impressed with my care at the hospital.  I wrote a scathing review when the hospital survey arrived at my laptop. 

And this makes me sad.  Sad, because I know it could and should be better.  My Mom was a nurse and spent her entire life caring for others.  She was an outstanding professional in her field.  I know how patients should be cared for….what I experienced was nowhere near even the low bar. 

And guess what….now it’s gonna get worse, since the federal government has decided that nursing is not a profession!!!  Geeze, it just gets dumber and dumber!!!!

50 Years Ago

These days I tend to spend a bit of time scrolling through Facebook videos.  Most of them I pass by very quickly, occasionally I watch one to the end, at times I learn something new, and quite often the video brings up an old memory.  That happened today.

Most of us probably don’t remember 50 years ago, on November 10, 1975, the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.  The event didn’t get much news coverage, even though it was a significant event for the 29 men who lost their lives during a fierce storm on Lake Superior. 

A year later Gordon Lightfoot released his hit song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”  With this week being the 50^th anniversary of the event a bunch of reels are showing up on Facebook, and instantly my memory of Gordon Lightfoot came back full force.

I’m sitting, cross-legged on the basketball court at the University of Alaska’s Fairbanks campus gym.  I’m surrounded by about 20 other people my age, watching with awe, Gordon Lightfoot, strumming his guitar and singing song, after song.

It was an impromptu, small gathering, free concert.  I don’t remember how I and a couple of friends learned of the event, but somehow, we ended up there.  The story I remember was Lightfoot was flying from Japan to the US and he had a couple of hours layover in Fairbanks.  I guess he was bored and needed something to do.

The concert lasted about 45 minutes.  It was up close and very personal.  He was like a good friend enjoying playing for his buddies.  The group was passing around ‘joints’ and bottles of wine.  It was a very relaxed concert.

This event took place before the sinking of the Fitzgerald, so we didn’t hear that song, but after that evening I was forever a Lightfoot fan.  I remember hearing of his passing on May 1, 2023 and thinking, “Thanks for the memories.”

And the one song of his that I always go to is "The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Era

A new era to our life started October 31, 2025.  That’s the day Pete officially shut down his business and is now fully retired.  Hmmm…so how much of a transition is this going to be?

It all started on March 3, 1988 when Karen and I walked into Fly Me To The Moon Saloon in Telluride, Colorado.  There was Pete, the doorman, and there was an instant attraction.  I have to admit, I don’t understand how these things work, but it definitely happened to both of us at the same time. 

By the end of the week when I was at the airport headed home, we spent our final hour talking, talking, talking and as I left for the gate the first kiss. 

There was another quick visit in May, then another visit in September, by the end of which, he was flying home with me to check out Cincinnati.  By the end of the month he had packed up all his belongings and drove across country to join me in my home.

 

First Visit in LA. 

 

By August 1990 we were married.  After that, it was quite a ride.  We sold my little home in Cincinnati and moved out to the country, he switched jobs a couple of times until he opened his own spa repair/sales business and for 25+ years stayed busy with a growing clientele.

                                                         Wedding Day 8/17/1990

We have always been rather independent people, he stayed busy with his business and I stayed busy with my employment, until I finally retired 3 days before my 70^th birthday.  I figured since I had held jobs since I was 10 years old that a 70^th birthday was a good time to open the door to retirement.  Our 7 years age difference gave us the opportunity for him to do the same.  

 

                                                                    Present Day

So, he turned 70 in July and decided to keep it all going until the end of the year was approaching.  His phone message now reads “no new business, thanks for the support”.  He is finishing up a final couple of jobs and he is getting a lot of “Honey Do” projects started and finished. 

I don’t think either of us anticipated what it was going to be like to be around each other 24/7, but I think it’s gonna be just fine. 

I’ll let you know !!!

FALL FEST

I know I’ve written in the past, that I love all the seasons, and I do.  But WOW, right now Fall is at the top of the list.

When we get blue skies, lots of sunshine and the trees are turning, there is simply nothing more beautiful.  I get so distracted by the colors I have to be careful not to have a wreck when I’m out and about in my car. 

You can see the leaves beginning to change early on, but when all the reds, yellows, browns, burgundy and still some greens really pop, it takes your breath away.

I was 9 when my family moved to Florida and I remember well how much I missed the seasons.  I remember having dreams that I was making snow angels and running and jumping in piles of fallen leaves, something that you simply do not get to experience in Florida….at least not where we were living. 

Currently we have a 3-season porch, and I love sitting out there at this time of year, cuddled up in a fuzzy blanket and reading my current book. 

Not every Fall is totally colorful.  It takes a particular combination of events to make it so the colors pop.  The right combination of temperatures, rainfall, etc. When it comes together perfectly you get the spectacular colors.  And this is Ohio, not even New England or the other areas of the country where the tourists head to see the color.

Now I promise, if we have a truly awesome winter with lots of snowfall, I will get just as excited…but for now, it is the simple experience of loving Fall, that counts. 

HAPPY FRIDAY

Yesterday was a very nice day.  Not anything truly earth shaking.  Not anything that will stick in my mind forever….but very nice.

It started off with a text message from my dear friend, Judy.  Judy and I have been friends for probably close to 50 years.  During most of that time she has been a volunteer at the Cincinnati Zoo.  So, the text message informed me that on Friday morning, the TV show Good Morning America was going to be doing a live segment from the Cincinnati Zoo.  Of course this was very exciting for her, and of interest to me. 

The one minor glitch from my end is that I am rarely out of bed before 8 AM.  GMA starts at 7 AM.  I decided to at least wake up by 7 AM and I could watch from bed.  It would have been helpful if we knew precisely what time the segment would air, but of course there was no way to know that.

So, Friday morning, I woke up about 6 AM, rolled over and fell back to sleep, hard.  Woke up again at 7:30!!!  I was somewhat concerned that I had missed the segment, but laid in bed just in case I could still catch it. 

OK, I don’t mean to be a bitch….but who watches this show??  In no time I was aggravated because it was 90% advertising and 10% content.  The content is so brief that it barely gets your attention.  But I hung in there. 

Around 8:15 or so, up came the Cincinnati Zoo segment!  It was adorable, for the short time it was on, it featured baby otters.  So, cute.  I would have loved more, but ya gotta love what you get and I did.  A little later they did a 90 second highlight of Ohio, part of their celebration of the US’s 250 anniversary.  They are featuring all 50 states over the course of the next year. 

Anyway, they did a nice job of those 90 seconds and I learned something.  Never knew that Ohio was the birthplace of professional football.  Who knew??!!  Interesting that they mentioned that but didn’t mention that the Cincinnati Redlegs is the first professional baseball team.  Oh well!!

Moving on, the rest of the day was a typical Friday in the life of a retired lady, me!  Right up until 7 PM Friday night.  At 6 PM Pete and I headed south to Bethel, Ohio where our 3 grandsons live.  Our middle grandson, Eli, has been a star football player on his high school football team, the Bethel Tigers.  And last night, as a senior, was his last game of his high school career. 

 

 Eli & Pete

Oh the memories.  I have gone to every game that I could possibly get to for the past 4 years.    I missed the last 2 games due to my fight with my gallstones.  But I did make it last night. 

He is just so much fun to watch, not just because of the game (my least favorite sport of all of them), but because of him!  He is the most generous, caring, fun loving guy ever.  I can read him like a book from the stands.  When his hands are on his hips.  When he slams his helmet on the ground.  When the coach is leaning on him.  When he jumps for joy from a play that ended well.  The whole 9 yards.  I can’t even express how much I’m gonna miss this time.

 

Last night, he was the last guy to leave the field, saying goodbye to one of his great loves.  There is a path forward, just can’t wait to see where it takes him.