This totally is a post

Posted on by Sarah A. Hoyt

So, what on Earth is going on….

Well, I had a doctor’s appointment this morning which went on to mid afternoon. Normally I’d have posted last night and scheduled, but I got pulled away by a minor emergency and ALSO ….

Hearing someone in your duct tape family died is a little sapping to the focus. Even if you were if not expecting it, aware he wasn’t doing well.

And then last night. Oh, dear Lord. I’m sitting here on three hours of sleep. THREE HOURS. And that’s a high estimate.

You see, we had a massive storm. And Indy is afraid of thunder. So he tried to break into our room. But he must have skipped his paw day recently, because he couldn’t manage enough strength to lift and open the metal gate in front of the bedroom door. (He’s done it before.)

So he just lifted and dropped it, with a clunk. ALL NIGHT LONG.

And he howled, because he was terrified.

So, clunk clunk HOWL every time I was starting to drift off again. And I had to get up early because appointment.

The appointment went well. The writer is non compos mentis.

I will at some point do a post on Uncle Lar. Might even be tomorrow. But I’d like to do him justice.

I remembered, late at night, that he did a post for me, on No Man’s Land. He thought I’d need help selling it, because it’s … wholesome, really (Save for ONE shady chapter in the beginning, but to be fair, the character knows he’s doing stuff he shouldn’t, for so many reasons. And it’s in no way graphic.) and definitely not woke, but people are weird and might perceive it as being either risque or strange.

So he did a post. I meant to read it and get back to him, then life went off the rails, he had a stroke and wasn’t processing, so I let it chill.

I will confess I’m still not up to reading it. Probably next week, sometime.

… I knew he wasn’t doing well. he hasn’t been doing well for several years. I think 21? 22? was the last year he came to Liberty Con. But he wasn’t that much older than I, and–

I don’t like saying goodbye to my friends.

I’d like to think somewhere on the other side there’s a little room set up where Huns departed (we have a growing contingent, alas) can go in and see old friends. I hope he and CACS are amused by our antics.

Until we meet again. (I will eventually stop crying like someone is cutting onions. It’s just lack of sleep, really. Honestly. I swear.)

79 thoughts on “This totally is a post”

  2. Uncle Lars passed away? Oh no. Condolences to his family. Even though I only knew him from here, was always a pleasure to chat via comments. He will be missed.

    Liked by 6 people

    2. Thing is, I’m not much older than Sarah too. Those of us who are probably are all feeling our own mortality a little more keenly today. Hold the Gate, Uncle Lars, we’ll see you soon enough.

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Only found this out right now myself. Much saddened. Like many, I only knew him from the net – but his comments were some of those that I always read.

      For those of us (all too many) that are around his age – remember that we are “man, fated to die” – but that doesn’t mean that we should not strive to be as unfashionably late to that event as we can manage. Take care of yourselves. (Especially you, Sarah. However long it takes at the doctor, either for you or for Dan, do it. Everything else is secondary.)

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Wonder if Indy’s lifting the gate and dropping it was deliberate, precisely to make noise, because he wanted you to somehow make the storm go away?

    Liked by 3 people

  5. May the family, friends, and various ones In The Know (to include the fuzzies, the feathery, the scaley, and heck, even the ant farm if he had one) be Blessed with the all the courage, capability, and healing that one could ask for. Sometimes you have to put off your grief until all is quiet, if you are the shoulder others lean on and the rock in stormy seas.

    Be at peace, brothers and sisters. We are all mortal. That means our contact with this life is ephemeral. One day we, too, shall pass and leave the world to those that yet live.

    It is a necessary part of growing up, I think. To become the ones that others rely on when times are hard. To become the ones prepared for anything. Yes, even our own death. One day, those of you yet young, you will be the ones taking care of your own old people- if you are so Blessed as to have them still.

    We will miss him. His words and wisdom have helped many among us. His maturity coupled with a breadth and depth of knowledge earned my respect many times over.

    To those of us that live, a hope:

    May we live such that others see virtue in our lives. Something worthy of respect. Something worth emulating. May we all strive to live like those important to us are watching- they are- and to give them an example worth shaping a life after. May our necessary failures be treated with the knowledge that we must pick our selves right back up and carry on, without shame for that failing poisoning our efforts. May we learn the right lessons, so that we may carry the lessons on to others.

    Be well, friends of the blog. Today the earth is richer, and we the poorer. A friend has passed through the veil. If we are good, honest, and true then perhaps we shall meet on the Other Side.

    Liked by 4 people

    1.  A little escape from the mundane:
         “Okay, so what you’re telling me is you made it with a spy, then the spy became Maggie’s girlfriend and then the same spy gave you all the grenades and shit that we’re going to use against the royal protected slavers?” Friday incredulously asked over the bikes comm.
      “Well, sis, when you put it that way it is kind of hard to believe” Tracy replied.
      “Sounds like some teenagers masturbation fantasies to me” Friday sarcastically said.
      “I worry about you sometimes” Tracy said shaking her head.
      “So, where does the Strap-on come into all this?” Friday asked.
      “The spy threatened to ass fuck Jake after Jake sarcastically said something mean to Maggie, she said it to make him go along on the trip when the Calistans asked me to find you” Tracy humorously said.
      |”Why would Jake say something about Maggie?” Friday asked.
      “Because Jake and I were dating, and he kind of caught me and Maggie together, it wasn’t my finest moment” Tracy confessed.
      “So, that is the reason for all the ass jokes aimed at Jake?” Friday asked.
      “Well, that and Jake does have a cute ass” Tracy said.
      “And you worry about me?” Friday sarcastically asked and shook her head.
      “Okay, it sounds worse than it is, I liked Jake but he’s just not the one and I didn’t know how to break it off, so,…” Tracy just left it there.
      “Ever try being honest?” Friday asked.
      Tracy was saved from further embarrassment by Dad coming on the command channel.

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  7. My condolences.

    …

    My Miz Kitty hides under the couch. She stocks it with toys. If she is in the bedroom for a sudden storm, she has plan B under the bed. The last thing she wants is attention.

    Now my dear departed Dan D Lion, he wasn’t much afraid of storms, as he was “Hey! Dude! Didja hear that cool boom? Huh? Didja?” Once I acked him, he went back to the window.

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    1. Well, crap. Just put the new bed all together. Sudden storm just fried my cable. Three booms.

      Guess I have to turn in early. Oh how I suffer….

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  9. Hugs.

    We’re losing so many good ones this month. (Funeral for my dad earlier this month, and Saturday we go to a memorial service for a friend who was a mainstay at the private campground and nature sanctuary where we do two outdoor events every year).

    Liked by 2 people

        1. Same. Getting to the age where learning of HS graduation classmates are dropping one after another.

          Mentioned lost aunt (inlaws) second husband, then lost uncle (her ex) recently. Plus another uncle, aunt and uncle, another aunt and uncle, and BIL, aren’t “doing well”. Sounds like should expect this because other than BIL, all the prior generation. Um, not so much. Okay of the two aunt and uncle pairs, 3 of the 4 are close to mom’s age. The 4th is younger. Still she’s in her 80s. The others? I repeat not so much. All the others are younger than BIL’s age (78s), hubby’s age or younger (he’s 73). Barely older than I am. None of us are young. But still …

          OTOH we aren’t mom’s age either. She is always expecting someone to call. OTOH2, I get a call regarding mom, I am going to be shocked. Yes, she’s 90. Good health. She’ll go forever.

          It’s hard.

          Liked by 2 people

            1. Worse. Year out from our 50th reunion last fall. I was shocked. Shocked I tell you on how many classmates we’d lost. Most in the last 10 years. Worse, within weeks, lost another one. One of the athletes who went on to play professionally (baseball I think, like I follow professional sports of any kind).

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            2. I was telling a funny story to a coworker, of “back in my younger days”.

              Every person I remembered in it is dead. All way too early.

              Dang….

              ….

              On the other hand, no offence, but I plan to outlive everyone I know. (grin)

              And I have said before, if I refuse to grow up, I wont die of old age.

              Liked by 1 person

          2. I was vaguely aware of my grandparents’ generation as people who die when I was growing up; I was, after all, down to one grandmother by the age I can remember. Even losing the last member wasn’t that big a jolt.

            First member of my parents’ generation was, but that was decades ago. Then, four this year. My father’s side of the family has my mother as the only survivor.

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          3. I was vaguely aware of my grandparents’ generation as people who die when I was growing up; I was, after all, down to one grandmother by the age I can remember. Even losing the last member wasn’t that big a jolt.

            First member of my parents’ generation was, but that was decades ago. Then, four this year. My father’s side of the family has my mother as the only survivor.

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  11. Locally had major storms move through both Monday and Tuesday AM. Missed the Monday storm because it came through so early. Hubby, and son, heard it. Son watched the storm play through on his way to work. Animals knew too. I wondered why the animals were going nuts, especially the dog, who insisted on burying herself under the covers (allowed). Monday’s storm she hid in the interior bathroom with one of the cats comforting her. For whatever reason none of our current cats freak during a thunder storm.

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  12. News like that is becoming more and more common as the years pile up. Cyber-squeezes on the way to anyone who needs ’em…

    By the way, my eldest daughter’s cats worked the doors cooperatively: One to jump up and hang on the handle and two to push!

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    1. Why we cannot have levered handles. Must have round ones the cats cannot grip. Bad enough we cannot keep them out of any closet, and have to block the cabinet doors into the attic (that must be changed to an actual door!)

      Liked by 1 person

        1. You need to watch a new anime ‘Me And The Alien MuMu’. It’s about an introverted college girl and the alien cat who crashed his space ship on her apartment balcony. In the first episode he takes apart her microwave and refrigerator.

          The alien cats had a war, and all their scientists and engineers got killed off. None of the survivors know how their advanced technology works. They figured they could start by studying a planet with more primitive technology, so here they are.

          Liked by 3 people

        2. There is a type of “toddler proof” doorknob cover. Tt is a loose fit. You have to squeeze it fairly tight to grip and turn the knob.

          -Not- recommended for bathroom doors. (grin)

          My former housemate Khan would slide a paw under the offending door, claws up, grip the door tight, and rattle it back and forth until someone opened it. He also learned to kick/dribble kitchen cabinet doors, until they bounced open enough to catch and open. He then pushed the pots and pans out of the way for naptime. At 2am. “KHAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!”

          Liked by 2 people

          1. I NEVER in my kids childhood needed to childproof the house. It is now childproofed. Indy is one of those cats who can taste sugar. Very rare. Anyway, so nothing that is sweet or vaguely sweet is safe in the house unless it’s child locked: coconut flakes. Protein powder. Sugar, of course.
            Also if I’ve been ignoring him too long, he brings me a piece of something. Or a screw. Or a nut. And then we play the fun game of “Oh, sh*t. What did Indy take apart now.” Also he has twice opened my CPU and fixed the fan that is slightly bent and keeps sticking. SIGH.

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        3. Oh. Dear.

          Note, we also lock the doors to the outside, with a deadbolt. Slider to outside is a lever, but lever down = locked. Cats haven’t figured out how to lift lever even with access from a side window ledge. Very little else is kept shut.

          I’ve gotten so that the medications I take, that are in the bedroom, are kept in child proof containers. Doesn’t come in the container. I use old prescription bottles. In my case it is glaucoma eye drops. 1) Comes in a box. Guarantied that would be taken and destroyed (taken by a cat, final destruction by dog at minimum). 2) Bottle is tiny. See item #1. 3) See item #2, I’d lose it if not in a larger container. We’ve never locked cats out of our bedroom to their delight. Closest we come to deny pets to any room is gate it off to keep the small dog out.

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  13. Son’s dog is afraid of thunder. I find myself with a dog either at my feet or, if he can possibly manage it, in my lap. Since he weighs 55 pounds, it kind of hard do do anything with Ace in my lap.

    Today would have been my brother’s 64th birthday. Between that and poor Bill, it has not been a happy day. But as I told Bill, he has people praying for him he can’t even imagine.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I got it. Glad to know the shirt arrived.
        We were going mildly crazy last week packing the fifth wheel (and still forgot stuff, of course). And working this week. So glad we get Fridays off.

        Dorothy.

        Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg

        Like

  14. My condolences on your friend.

    We had a couple big storms this week. How big? It doubled the measured rainfall since last October 1st. I enjoyed one, but was out of town for the next (yes, we Desert People run outside when it rains, unless the lightning is too close).

    On today’s flight from Coruscant to Tattooine, I was able to look down at all the highways and backroads I’ve had the wonderful experience to travel with my family over the past 25+ years, and I felt so grateful to have been given those opportunities to explore all those places and have so much fun (except for the not-so-fun parts). If something was to happen to me today, I can at least look back on that with (mostly) very positive memories.

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  15. I would like to re-emphasize the general consensus of Hundom reached on a previous occasion that the title of this post by itself, or certainly with just a meme, with no further plot, constitutes a post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Though I certainly appreciate “Not in a hospital; Not kidnapped by British SAS for saying true things” just as a courtesy to a Hun or three.

      Liked by 2 people

        2. (contemplates scenario posibilities)

          …..

          (sly grin)

          …

          (Realizes Wile E. Coyote doing same.)

          …….

          (Bigger sly grin)

          (Amazon browsing)

          Like

        3. “We have some more questions to ask the prisoner.”

          “It will take a few weeks.”

          “Why? Is she ill?”

          “No, we’re out of interrogators and their replacements are still in training.”

          “What happened to the interrogators you already had?”

          “Uh, after conversing with her, they were… contaminated. The Department of Disinformation had to terminate them, and some of the analysts who got their reports, and a few of their managers. Whatever is in her head, it’s dangerous… and contagious.”

          “So have one of the AIs do it.”

          “Uh, we tried that. You remember those unauthorized broadcasts two weeks ago? And the explosion at the data center in Area 51?”

          “Nothing happened two weeks ago.”

          “No, sir.”

          [pause] “Oh, shit…”

          Liked by 1 person

  16. Eternal Rest grant unto Uncle Lars, oh Lord.

    And may perpetual light shine upon him.

    I’m very sorry for your loss.

    Like

  20. You got lucky. I showed up at my scheduled urology appointment, and then got told they rescheduled it for the end of next month. Which is fine, since I wasn’t looking forward to a prostate exam today.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. In the last few years either I or Mrs. TRX have showed up for appointments seven or eight times, only to be informed that the appointments had been rescheduled.

      Nice of them to tell us about it… There have also been complaints from our pharmacy about prescriptions we never picked up, which we had no idea had been written. The pharmacy couldn’t be arsed to call, either.

      The capper so far has been a three-hour sojurn in a doctor’s waiting room, only to be asked why I was there. Uh, because I had an appointment three hours ago, and I’ve been waiting right here. “Oh, Doctor left the office a couple of hours ago, you’ll have to make another appointment.” Uh, no, I’ll just find another doctor who doesn’t have idiots running his office.

      The entire medical system seems to be sliding off the cliff of incompetence.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. In March ’24 I realized I couldn’t make my physical the next week, the one that was in MyChart, and for which they had sent me reminders. So I called to reschedule and was told that I didn’t have an appointment because my doc had retired at the end of December. (She hadn’t, just quit Hartford Healthcare and gone to work elsewhere.)

        Me: What would have happened if I’d shown up for the appointment for which you keep sending me reminders?

        Them: Nothing, we wouldn’t have anyone to see you.

        Me: So I’d have used vacation time from work for nothing?

        Them: Yes. Would that be a problem?

        The soonest they could rebook me with anyone in that practice was 11 months out. If I was willing to change practices, they could do it in 9 months. At least they got me a “telehealth” visit so I could get my maintenance meds renewed, though I’m still a bit confused as to how they think that’s a good thing for blood pressure.

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      2. In March ’24 I realized I couldn’t make my physical the next week, the one that was in MyChart, and for which they had sent me reminders. So I called to reschedule and was told that I didn’t have an appointment because my doc had retired at the end of December. (She hadn’t, just quit Hartford Healthcare and gone to work elsewhere.)

        Me: What would have happened if I’d shown up for the appointment for which you keep sending me reminders?

        Them: Nothing, we wouldn’t have anyone to see you.

        Me: So I’d have used vacation time from work for nothing?

        Them: Yes. Would that be a problem?

        The soonest they could rebook me with anyone in that practice was 11 months out. If I was willing to change practices, they could do it in 9 months. At least they got me a “telehealth” visit so I could get my maintenance meds renewed, though I’m still a bit confused as to how they think that’s a good thing for blood pressure.

        Like

  22. *hugs* We’ll get through this. And if we don’t, the good L-rd willing, we’ll meet again someday.

    Like

  24. I finally saw the orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday for the slowly-worsening knee pain. Took a little while to process the answer. Nothing earthshaking, but I didn’t expect it. Bottom line, I’m borderline between needing arthroscopic surgery versus a total knee replacement. The first, I already did on the other knee. The second option: yikes!

    The right knee (currently the “good” one) has had round after round of injuries, some minor, one really bad (quadriceps tendon tear), one medium (tore the hell out of the meniscus last year). The left knee had to do extra duty to cover, and the bill just came due. Sigh.

    The good news: There’s probably a meniscus tear that can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. I’ll need a CT scan with dye (I’m banned from MRI because reasons) to determine how bad the meniscus really is.

    The bad news: There’s enough arthritis in that knee that the doc would have preferred to do a total knee replacement. Longer term fix, but comparing the known quick recovery from arthroscopic to the predictions on the web sites, I just don’t have the time this year.

    We’re still dealing with items on the pre-winter Gotta Do list. (Like Honey Do, but greater consequences if Don’t.) That and I’m the designated tractor driver. $SPOUSE cannot handle a clutch, and we’d rather not spend the $30K for one she could use. Not this year, anyway.
    I’ve been reluctant to look for locals to help out (I need to check the bulletin boards for those looking for work, then put up a help wanted one of our own.) Interestingly enough, the new neighbors are in their 60s, but their 40 year old son came along. I’m pretty sure he’s on the spectrum, but when they got their new Kubota tractor, it clicked. He’s pretty good with it. I’ll ask some questions, preferably delicately.

    I’m praying for good results from arthroscopic surgery, knowing that I’m essentially rolling the dice on it working. I hate to gamble.

    Now, I’m just waiting for the referral to go through. There’s also one for a sleep lab visit; seems 27 years since the last one might be a bit long. :)

    Like

    1. I know four or five people in meatspace who have had knee replacements.

      When my turn came in 2016 three different orthopods told me my health was too bad to be a candidate for successful surgery once, much less successive surgeries. When I questioned that, I was told the TKRs only lasted for three to five years, and they would have to cut them out and install new ones each time. That was news to me, and to all of the people I knew who had had it done, one of them almost thirty years before.

      I don’t know if I was just being given the brush-off, or the orthopedic surgeons have developed a new revenue stream.

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      1. I know quite a few people who’ve had knee replacements. I’ve never heard that they only last 3 to 5 years. My impression is that it greatly improves the quality of life, but that recovery from the surgery is challenging, and more difficult than recovering from a hip replacement.

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        1. Yes hip replacement recovery is easier. Hip replacement you are up walking within 24 hours for therapy. Or were. Now that hip replacements are outpatient, IDK how that works. Hubby’s was at a hospital “3” days (i.e. 3 nights). Surgery is day “0” at “OG30” (7:30 AM, had to be there at 6 AM for check in). Day 1, was first day of therapy, i.e. walking the hallway. He was done with the walker by end of day 1.

          Knees. No therapy for weeks. Required to have either wheelchair or crutches until first therapy and past. So, we’ve been told by those who’ve had knee replacements.

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      2. The various web sites (healthline, mayo, cleveland clinic) usually have decent information on procedures. (No idea why cleveland comes up so often, but it does. Shrugs) Anyway, I’m reading that they can last 10 years or better. Downside is considerably longer recovery time; 3 to 6 weeks to do light work, 12 months to be fully up to snuff. There’s also a greater risk of infection. I get questioned about my knee situation whenever I’m in for something more impressive than the scrape and polish cleaning. IIRC, they prescribe antibiotics for people with replacements. Got asked that a lot after I had my tendon reattachment (at the same time I was getting partial dentures along with extractions).

        No shock; rural retirement means you either a) ignore things, or b) hire people to do the work, or c) do a lot of work yourself. (insert “and” as desired.) Mostly, we’ve been doing ‘b’, and I haven’t developed the contacts to get Jim or Kevin to come over to do stuff.

        Arthroscopic recovery for the right knee was easy. Procedure on Wednesday, I took oxycodone for 24 hours, stayed at the hotel until Saturday, and drove home. Started on a stationary bike aand light work a few weeks later. Did not need professional PT. Would need such for a replacement. My tendon repair needed 6 or so weekly visits, plus lots of home PT.

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          1. Hubby doesn’t now that both hip replacements are 10+ years back. But for years afterwards he had to take antibiotics for any dental procedure including cleaning.

            Did not know that knee replacements were more likely to be infected than hips. Do know that if hubby had gotten any type of infection, regardless of source or how minor, and not healed by day of surgery, surgery was cancelled.

            Do know how bad it can be if a replacement, in particular knee gets infected. It is BAD. (BIL, this year in fact. He is still recovering. He almost died, twice. Counting the original surgery in January, three surgeries, two emergency, by late April. Two rounds of direct infusion of antibiotics, plus followup massive dose of oral antibiotics. Finished second round in July. Still have fingers crossed that the infection is gone. Won’t discuss, unless asked, the s* show they went through to get the second emergency surgery done.)

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            1. Yeah, infection is the other reason I’d be leary of TKR. I did do OK after the tendon fix, but that entailed a 6ish inch incision. The doc would have liked for me to have an overnight stay, but Covidiocy restrictions meant it was day surgery. I was able to change the dressings and keep it clean, but I suspect it’s a lot harder to do such with the replacement.

              I won’t ask about the hassles. Last year’s festivities were a bit too typical; finally saw the NP (one of Dr. Mengele’s* minions–since finished her stint and left for greener pastures) Feb 26. Dealt with myriad incidental issues, but finall got the surgery July 17th.

              This year, it should be easier. New primary care doc, but I was able to bypass and go straight to Ortho because past patient. The fancy CT scan is approved, so I’ll get that done soonest. Will need buyoff from my cardiologist, plus Medicare approval (shouldn’t be a problem, he said, ignoring Murphy listening at the doorway).

              (*) I dropped him and that clinic. The new guy is a PA, but seems decent, and the MDs at that clinic** seem to have a good reputation.
              (**) Still part of the medical complex, but “primary care” vs “family practice”. Seems to be a different, and better, focus.

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  25. I am sorry for your loss.

    I honestly don’t know what to say about things like this. I was acquainted with him from his posts here, but we did not interact much one way or another. It still feels weird, off, that he’s gone and not coming back. I genuinely do not know what to say beyond that.

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  26. While I may not have interacted directly with Uncle Lars, his affectionate posts to our hostess were always heartwarming.

    I have shed my tears at his passing, and smile at the realization of what this community means to me. A group of fractious, argumentative, curmudgeonly Odds that I love very much.

    Keep being who you are, Huns! Know that someone here cares.

    Liked by 1 person

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