Passing It On

This lady at work, whose name I can never remember, called me over as I walked through the canteen out to the warehouse. She told me I looked like I had lost weight and wanted to know what I was doing this time. Each time I'd attempt a weight loss program, she would always take an active interest in my progress for, being extremely overweight herself, I think she is always trawling for ideas that might help her.

Well, I told her I didn't think I'd lost any weight save for the few measly pounds of water weight that the gooberheads at Weight Watchers were hellbent on taking credit for. Then I told her about the surgery I was hoping to have after the first of the year. She asked me if our insurance company covered it and, when I told her it did, her eyes lit up like Christmas trees. So she started asking me what the surgery entailed and how dangerous it was, etcetera. I gave her all the information I could in the short time we had to speak and we exchanged emails so I could pass more info on to her.

This lady is a bit larger than I am and she told me that she had severe diabetes and the doctor was warning her that she'd have to go on insulin soon if she didn't resolve her weight issues and balance her diabetic diet. If anyone needs this surgery, I think this lady does. It wouldn't probably save her life, it would definitely save her life, and I would have been doing her an injustice had I not passed on this information to her so she can make an informed decision about her future.

Solstice

Last night Aunt Tudi and I attended the Women's Circle Solstice observance. It was very peaceful and laid back, exactly what anyone needs during this hectic time of year. ealdthryth was there, which was wonderful. It's always so good to see her, especially since I so rarely see her now! We caught up on things not reflected in our journal and she told me about Minerva. Eldred is taking her passing extremely hard, it seems, and my heart goes out to both of them for the loss of their eldest cat.

The majority of the service was singing. I swear, we should have bundled up and gone carolling. Not only would it have been just damned festive, but it would have also been funny as hell to see the looks on people's faces when they realised that the traditional lyrics to these songs had been replaced with Pagan-centric and Goddess-centric words. Now, a lot of people would find the alteration of these carols in such a way wrong on many levels, but I think it's simply poetic justice. If the Christians could adopt so many Pagan practices centuries ago in order to enhance their own holiday and encourage the country folk to convert, then it's only right that modern Pagans can adopt traditionally Christian songs and adapt them accordingly for our own holiday. If you ask me, it all balances out.

The next service if Imbolc, or Candlemas as the GUUF folks call it, and it will be a morning service led by ealdthryth. I've offered my services in any way and am rather looking forward to the holiday. For some reason I've yet to understand, I have always held a deep affinity for Imbolc. Maybe it's because of the emphasis on Brighid, but I think it goes deeper than that.

To anyone who may read this post, Happy Solstice to you!

UHC, Lack of Work, and Paisley

I got my new insurance card in the mail today and it looks so professional and official compared to Cigna's cheap paper card with the perforation. Now that I have this, I'm gonna swing by Dr. Ross' office on 12/30 and let them take the information they'll need off my card to file my claim. Hopefully, I can talk to Jeanne and encourage her to file on 2 January. My impatience has less to do with being impatient per se and more to do with the fact that I don't want to be recovering from a surgery in 90 degree temperatures so, the sooner I can get the done, the better off I'll be.

There's nothing to do here at work, so I'm chatting with falkenna about Riddley Walker. It's recommended reading for any Shriekback fan, but is pretty difficult to find here in the States. I found my copy on eBay and had to fight like a rabid dog in order to win the auction. Very good novel...and Russell Hoban has such a way with the English language, it's simply amazing.

After work, Aunt Tudi and I have to go to the vet's office and see what the verdict is on Paisley's health. I'm not holding out much hope, but I wish it's good news for now, for Aunt Tudi's sake.

Paisley

Her blood tests came back negative, which is good, but they want us to get a urine sample and take it back to the office as soon as possible, just to be sure. Why don't they get the sample before we go get her? I asked. Her bladder is empty. Great.

How difficult is it to collect cat pee? I guess we'll find out.

Lao Tzu

"In the world, there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong, nothing can surpass it." ~Lao Tzu