I was finally able to visit with Myron today, and gratefully the only other person in the room was Maryann, so I was able to have a nice visit with her also.
He squeezed my hand several times and will mouth words, and occasionally will speak simple words like "I love you". He was triggering the ventilator to assist him in breathing and the staff will probably do that for a couple of days and inch up the time each day. His eye contact was good, but you can quickly see the tiredness in his eyes. He gets a lot of company. We were still gloved and gowned. I really worry about people not washing their hands.
He is to have an evaluation from the rehab center tomorrow. This center is renowned for their work with people with brain injuries.
I hope the folks in the USA had a good Labor Day as it is back to work tomorrow.
Sue
Monday, September 7, 2009
A Word To The Seven Bishops...
...who recently called upon the Archbishop of Canterbury, namely Mark Lawrence of South Carolina, Gary Lillibridge of West Texas, Edward Little of Northern Indiana, Bill Love of Albany, Michael Smith of North Dakota, James Stanton of Dallas, and Bruce MacPherson of Western Louisiana.
From the rite for the ordination of a bishop in the Episcopal Church:
The Examination
All now sit, except the bishop-elect, who stands facing the bishops. The Presiding Bishop addresses the bishop-elect
My brother, the people have chosen you and have affirmed their trust in you by acclaiming your election. A bishop in God’s holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings.
You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world. Your heritage is the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope. Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Are you persuaded that God has called you to the office of bishop?
Answer
I am so persuaded.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 517)
Amongst those seven bishops was Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina who recently addressed the clergy of his diocese.
We face a multitude of false teachings, which like an intrusive vine, is threatening The Episcopal Church as we have inherited and received it from our ancestors. I have called this the false Gospel of Indiscriminate Inclusivity because I see a common pattern in how the core doctrines of our faith are being systematically deconstructed. I must by necessity be brief and cannot give any of these concerns the attention they deserve.
....
• Scriptural Authority. This is such a comprehensive dimension of our present crisis in the church that one hardly knows where to begin. But one can hardly do better than St. Ambrose’s statement that “the whole of Holy Scripture be a feast for the soul.” How seldom one hears upon us who are bishops in Tec such glowing statements about the Bible. In my experience all too many of our bishops and priests seem to mine the scriptures for minerals to use in vain idolatries.
....
The Standing Committee and bishop will be proposing a resolution to come before the special convention that this diocese begin withdrawing from all bodies of governance of TEC that have assented to actions contrary to Holy Scripture; the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this church has received them; the resolutions of Lambeth which have expressed the mind of the Communion; the Book of Common Prayer (p.422-423) and the Constitution & Canons of TEC (Canon 18:1.2.b) until such bodies show a willingness to repent of such actions. Let no one think this is a denial of the vows a priest or bishop makes to participate in the councils of governance. This is not a flight into isolation; nor is it an abandonment of duty, but the protest of conscience. It is recognition that the actions of GC’09 were in such blatant disregard and violation of Holy Scripture, the bonds of affection, and our own Constitution & Canons that one is led by reasoned conviction to undertake an intrepid resistance to the tyranny of the majority over judicious authority; therein erring both in Faith and Order. (My emphasis)
Meanwhile in the Diocese of Albany, according to the Times Union:
A grass-roots Episcopal group wants to question Bishop William Love on whether he intends to lead the Albany diocese out of the Episcopal Church.
Albany Via Media, a group of moderate to liberal Episcopalians, is lining up parishioners to attend Love's seven meetings around the diocese in September and October.
"We are trying to have members asking the question at every meeting,'' said Clair Touby of Saranac Lake, president of Albany Via Media.
....
Dennis Wisnom of Schenectady, an Albany Via Media board member, said Love would talk at the meetings about the opening of the clergy and the development of blessing for same sex unions. The Albany Episcopal Diocese's rules do not allow same sex marriages or blessings of same sex unions.
Wisnom said Albany Via Media doesn't want the diocese to leave the Episcopal Church as four other dioceses around the country have done.
....
Love and spokesman for the Albany Episcopal Diocese could not be reached for comment about the meeting with the archbishop or those scheduled in the diocese.
....
Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was among the bishops with Love who attended the meeting in London. Lawrence is scheduled to appear at a Sept. 21-23 clergy retreat for the Albany Episcopal Diocese.
What's going on? To paraphrase Fox News, "I report, you decide."
And down in the Diocese of Louisiana, we are preparing for the election of a bishop. My prayer is that we elect a bishop who is loyal to the Episcopal Church. Although Bishop Charles Jenkins had differences with the leadership of TEC, he had his feet firmly planted in the Episcopal Church. I hope to be able to say the same of our next bishop.
H/T to Andrew Gerns at The Lead and to MadPriest at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong for the link to the Times Union.
From the rite for the ordination of a bishop in the Episcopal Church:
The Examination
All now sit, except the bishop-elect, who stands facing the bishops. The Presiding Bishop addresses the bishop-elect
My brother, the people have chosen you and have affirmed their trust in you by acclaiming your election. A bishop in God’s holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings.
You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world. Your heritage is the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope. Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Are you persuaded that God has called you to the office of bishop?
Answer
I am so persuaded.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 517)
Amongst those seven bishops was Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina who recently addressed the clergy of his diocese.
We face a multitude of false teachings, which like an intrusive vine, is threatening The Episcopal Church as we have inherited and received it from our ancestors. I have called this the false Gospel of Indiscriminate Inclusivity because I see a common pattern in how the core doctrines of our faith are being systematically deconstructed. I must by necessity be brief and cannot give any of these concerns the attention they deserve.
....
• Scriptural Authority. This is such a comprehensive dimension of our present crisis in the church that one hardly knows where to begin. But one can hardly do better than St. Ambrose’s statement that “the whole of Holy Scripture be a feast for the soul.” How seldom one hears upon us who are bishops in Tec such glowing statements about the Bible. In my experience all too many of our bishops and priests seem to mine the scriptures for minerals to use in vain idolatries.
....
The Standing Committee and bishop will be proposing a resolution to come before the special convention that this diocese begin withdrawing from all bodies of governance of TEC that have assented to actions contrary to Holy Scripture; the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this church has received them; the resolutions of Lambeth which have expressed the mind of the Communion; the Book of Common Prayer (p.422-423) and the Constitution & Canons of TEC (Canon 18:1.2.b) until such bodies show a willingness to repent of such actions. Let no one think this is a denial of the vows a priest or bishop makes to participate in the councils of governance. This is not a flight into isolation; nor is it an abandonment of duty, but the protest of conscience. It is recognition that the actions of GC’09 were in such blatant disregard and violation of Holy Scripture, the bonds of affection, and our own Constitution & Canons that one is led by reasoned conviction to undertake an intrepid resistance to the tyranny of the majority over judicious authority; therein erring both in Faith and Order. (My emphasis)
Meanwhile in the Diocese of Albany, according to the Times Union:
A grass-roots Episcopal group wants to question Bishop William Love on whether he intends to lead the Albany diocese out of the Episcopal Church.
Albany Via Media, a group of moderate to liberal Episcopalians, is lining up parishioners to attend Love's seven meetings around the diocese in September and October.
"We are trying to have members asking the question at every meeting,'' said Clair Touby of Saranac Lake, president of Albany Via Media.
....
Dennis Wisnom of Schenectady, an Albany Via Media board member, said Love would talk at the meetings about the opening of the clergy and the development of blessing for same sex unions. The Albany Episcopal Diocese's rules do not allow same sex marriages or blessings of same sex unions.
Wisnom said Albany Via Media doesn't want the diocese to leave the Episcopal Church as four other dioceses around the country have done.
....
Love and spokesman for the Albany Episcopal Diocese could not be reached for comment about the meeting with the archbishop or those scheduled in the diocese.
....
Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was among the bishops with Love who attended the meeting in London. Lawrence is scheduled to appear at a Sept. 21-23 clergy retreat for the Albany Episcopal Diocese.
What's going on? To paraphrase Fox News, "I report, you decide."
And down in the Diocese of Louisiana, we are preparing for the election of a bishop. My prayer is that we elect a bishop who is loyal to the Episcopal Church. Although Bishop Charles Jenkins had differences with the leadership of TEC, he had his feet firmly planted in the Episcopal Church. I hope to be able to say the same of our next bishop.
H/T to Andrew Gerns at The Lead and to MadPriest at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong for the link to the Times Union.
Labor Day 2009
For those who work, have a good holiday.
For those who work, but must work the holiday, have a good work day.
For those who want to work, but have no jobs, may you find work soon.
For those who worked all their lives, but are now retired, have a good day.
For the kids, have fun.
Collect For Labor Day
Almighty God, who hast so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
For those who work, but must work the holiday, have a good work day.
For those who want to work, but have no jobs, may you find work soon.
For those who worked all their lives, but are now retired, have a good day.
For the kids, have fun.
For the Unemployed
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect For Labor Day
Almighty God, who hast so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
"There Is Good News Tonight!"
Evening Everyone,
There is good news tonight! Myron has been moved!!! He currently resides in a transitional unit for ventilator patients. The down side of this move is he is back to requiring assistance from the ventilator. This is because his respiratory rate is not stable. We must remember, however he has had all his ribs broken, both lungs punctured, pneumonia, and his body was tossed around how many times? That isn't known.
This is a unit that works with patients who are on ventilators and need to come off of them. I'm sure before he can get to Bryn Mar Rehab., he'll need to be off the ventilator permanently.
He is responding better and can mouth words, and make better eye contact. He registers displeasure to being suctioned out, because he can't do major coughing. There is still little if any movement from the left side.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers,
Sue
Thanks for keeping us informed, Sue. Myron is the man of iron. Prayers continue.
There is good news tonight! Myron has been moved!!! He currently resides in a transitional unit for ventilator patients. The down side of this move is he is back to requiring assistance from the ventilator. This is because his respiratory rate is not stable. We must remember, however he has had all his ribs broken, both lungs punctured, pneumonia, and his body was tossed around how many times? That isn't known.
This is a unit that works with patients who are on ventilators and need to come off of them. I'm sure before he can get to Bryn Mar Rehab., he'll need to be off the ventilator permanently.
He is responding better and can mouth words, and make better eye contact. He registers displeasure to being suctioned out, because he can't do major coughing. There is still little if any movement from the left side.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers,
Sue
Thanks for keeping us informed, Sue. Myron is the man of iron. Prayers continue.
Bill Moyers - "Mr. President, We Need A Fighter"
Bill Moyers gives us the truth instead of truthiness on health care reform.
Here's a suggestion, Mr. President: ask Josh Marshall to draft your speech. Josh is the founder of the website talkingpointsmemo.com. He's a journalist and historian, not a politician. He doesn't split things down the middle and call it a victory for the masses. He's offered the simplest and most accurate description yet of a public insurance plan; one that essentially asks people: would you like the option — the voluntary option — of buying into Medicare before you're 65? Check it out, Mr. President.
This health care thing is make or break for your leadership, but for us, it's life and death. No more Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. President. We need a fighter. "
Watch it if you haven't seen it. It's a little over 5 minutes. You can do it. Or read the entire text of Moyers' special comment to President Obama.
Today many of us will write to the president about health care reform. Remember President Obama gives his big speech on Wednesday. Here is the link to send a letter by email, or you can sign one of the many petitions circulating on the internet. Sorry to be late in posting.
H/T to Jane R. at Acts of Hope. Jane said, "Do it!" so I had to do it.
UPDATE: I'm angry now. Not that it does any good. Why must we beg for decent health care reform from a Democratic president?
The Gret Stet Of Loosiana
From JohnByronKuhner:
In writing there are only two things, matter and treatment. In Abbott Joseph Liebling’s The Earl of Louisiana we have matter so interesting that it still holds the attention fifty years later in itself, and treatment so virtuosic one is tempted to proclaim Liebling a literary figure rather than a journalist.
As far as matter goes, all you really need to know is that this book is about Louisiana. Louisiana attracts nonfiction the way rotting trees attract fungus. A visit or two to Louisiana easily takes the place of what is today called imagination. Finding something interesting in Louisiana is like shooting a hanging possum with a shotgun. All you need to do is get close enough to see it.
Yes, indeed! I don't know how I stumbled upon JBK's blog, but I enjoyed reading his review and the quotes from Liebling's wonderful book. Here's a quote from the book on how Uncle
“Earl is like Huey on Negroes,” Tom said. “When the new Charity Hospital was built here, some Negro politicians came to Huey and said it was a shame there were no Negro nurses, when more than half the patients were colored. Huey said he’d fix it for them, but they wouldn’t like his method. He went around to visit the hospital and pretended to be surprised when he found white nurses waiting on colored men. He blew high as a buzzard can fly, saying it wasn’t fit for white women to be so humiliated. It was the most racist talk you ever heard, but the result was he got the white nurses out and the colored nurses in, and they’ve had the jobs ever since.”
Huey Long got the job done. If you want to understand politics in Louisiana, Liebling's book is a good place to start. Our present governor, Bobby Jindal, seems an anomaly, but in the long run, he may fit the pattern of Louisiana politics in a way that I can't see right now. Bobby is unusual in that he lacks both a sense of humor and a sense of irony. The only laughs I've had from him are when he's dead serious, making statements worthy of ridicule.
Every Once In A While...
...in life...you run into a genius with a talent!!
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon
THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionalistically
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Transubstantiate
THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. No thanks, I'm married.
2. No, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now, as I have to work in the morning.
Your pre-Labor Day holiday humor from Doug.
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon
THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionalistically
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Transubstantiate
THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. No thanks, I'm married.
2. No, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now, as I have to work in the morning.
Your pre-Labor Day holiday humor from Doug.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Two Calls For Prayers
From my brother-in-law:
Got a special request: Yesterday about 11:15 am , I left the office at the PD for a doctor's appointment. My co-worker, an officer 45 years old with 23 years on the department left at the same time for a meeting at headquarters. He was almost there (it was raining) when an elderly man darted out in front of his car. He was thrown about 50 feet and killed instantly. My co-worker is taking it extremely hard - cried most of the day. He is probably the most soft hearted police officer I have ever met - and is taking it very hard. A few prayers would be appreciated for him and the victim. Thanks.
Frank
From Caminante:
Very hard news from El Salvador
Monday at 12.30 in the middle of the day, in the middle of a medical campaign at the Church of Sta Maria Virgen in San Bartolo, a suburb (barrio) of San Salvador, gang members came into the newly consecrated church building and assassinated a devoted and faithful young member, Alejandro. A woman patient was also injured. Motives behind the slaying remain unknown, but the entire church community has been greatly affected by this tragedy, especially for the fact that it took place in the church. A group of visitors from the United States, participating in the campaign, were witnesses to the murder.
Bishop MartÃn Barahona, Bishop of El Salvador and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Region of Central America (IARCA), writes: 'Let us come together in prayer to ask God that there be no more violence in our country and we can refind the values that we have lost, especially the value of life.
'All your solidarity and prayers are welcome, not only for this moment but for our poor and humble people who suffer the strikes of this pandemic.
'My most sincere thanks and may God have compassion on us.'
Bishop Barahona is one of my heroes. I have his quote on my sidebar.
Lord, have mercy.
Got a special request: Yesterday about 11:15 am , I left the office at the PD for a doctor's appointment. My co-worker, an officer 45 years old with 23 years on the department left at the same time for a meeting at headquarters. He was almost there (it was raining) when an elderly man darted out in front of his car. He was thrown about 50 feet and killed instantly. My co-worker is taking it extremely hard - cried most of the day. He is probably the most soft hearted police officer I have ever met - and is taking it very hard. A few prayers would be appreciated for him and the victim. Thanks.
Frank
From Caminante:
Very hard news from El Salvador
Monday at 12.30 in the middle of the day, in the middle of a medical campaign at the Church of Sta Maria Virgen in San Bartolo, a suburb (barrio) of San Salvador, gang members came into the newly consecrated church building and assassinated a devoted and faithful young member, Alejandro. A woman patient was also injured. Motives behind the slaying remain unknown, but the entire church community has been greatly affected by this tragedy, especially for the fact that it took place in the church. A group of visitors from the United States, participating in the campaign, were witnesses to the murder.
Bishop MartÃn Barahona, Bishop of El Salvador and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Region of Central America (IARCA), writes: 'Let us come together in prayer to ask God that there be no more violence in our country and we can refind the values that we have lost, especially the value of life.
'All your solidarity and prayers are welcome, not only for this moment but for our poor and humble people who suffer the strikes of this pandemic.
'My most sincere thanks and may God have compassion on us.'
Bishop Barahona is one of my heroes. I have his quote on my sidebar.
Lord, have mercy.
Please Join Me...
...in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.
Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was considered a very smart cookie, but wasted much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.
Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.
If this made you smile for even a brief second, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else who may be having a crumby day and kneads a lift.
Israeli box.
All right, Doug. I passed it on. Enjoy.
Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was considered a very smart cookie, but wasted much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.
Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.
If this made you smile for even a brief second, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else who may be having a crumby day and kneads a lift.
Israeli box.
All right, Doug. I passed it on. Enjoy.
Update On Myron
Hello Everyone,
Myron's activity has slowed down a bit and so has my reporting those events to you. On Thursday he spent most of the day resting after spending a short time in the recliner. there is some difficulty in weaning him from the ventilator, but he opens his eyes and can move his right hand.
He still had fever at this point and the nurses tell the family that his pneumonia has not resolved and now he has a bad sinus infection.
On Friday he was still ventilator dependent, but he was up in the recliner for a couple of hours, then back to the bed. He was fitted with a boot for the left foot to help prevent foot drop. He was visited by the social worker on Friday and Maryann was told Bryn Mawr Rehab would be in on Tuesday to evaluate Myron for the brain injury program.
I hope you all have a good weekend and a safe Holiday. Remember if you ride a bicycle wear your helmet!
Sue
Myron's activity has slowed down a bit and so has my reporting those events to you. On Thursday he spent most of the day resting after spending a short time in the recliner. there is some difficulty in weaning him from the ventilator, but he opens his eyes and can move his right hand.
He still had fever at this point and the nurses tell the family that his pneumonia has not resolved and now he has a bad sinus infection.
On Friday he was still ventilator dependent, but he was up in the recliner for a couple of hours, then back to the bed. He was fitted with a boot for the left foot to help prevent foot drop. He was visited by the social worker on Friday and Maryann was told Bryn Mawr Rehab would be in on Tuesday to evaluate Myron for the brain injury program.
I hope you all have a good weekend and a safe Holiday. Remember if you ride a bicycle wear your helmet!
Sue
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