Bless you and your lovely wife, Jason. I googled Sjogren's Syndrome and I'll be darned, it covers almost every little quirky thing that's going on with me. The list is long, but I'm certain you and your wife are familiar with it all. Thank you for mentioning this condition and bringing my attention to it. How's that for serendipity?
with it and it has relieved the swelling and pain in my knees, etc. more effectively. Not running any marathons here, but I feel a whole lot better and more pain free. Just sayin'. Take care, my friends.
You're more than welcome. While I'm no longer a card-carrying member of the Baha'i Faith, every now and then I feel compelled (hopefully not too much) to share one of their prayers.
I think all I can do is commiserate (or empathize), and I know that’s not overly helpful when one is in the thick of it. I hope the shingles back off — and the eyes … and that nothing else flares up. I am glad you are staying calm - and doing what you can. I really appreciated the Taoist parable.
Thanks, Amy! Your commiseration is greatly appreciated. It makes me feel less alone. The Lost Horse is one of those things that is always teaching me more the longer I consider it. I'm glad it resonated with you.
Hang in there and keep on keeping on. As events get more trying, I find my window of "looking ahead" gets shorter and shorter until I am on a day to day basis or even shorter and at the same time my circle of being able to care for others shrinks as well. I think this is necessary. Damn cars...
I've only heard a much shorter version of that Taoist story before. Thank you for sharing a little glimpse of hope. I hope things improve for you and wife and all the family!
Yes! There's a bit of Muslim sufi wisdom with a similar story, that encourages us to ask: is this event a blessing or a curse? And if course, anyone over 20 can probably pull out life events that seemed at the time like blessings, but later turned out to be curses, and vice versa.
I'm catching up on Substack-reading and am late in responding to this post, but I wanted to tell you that I laughed out loud in recognition at the phrase, "with a fortitude that makes a decent substitute for confidence." Yes!
Lots of horses for you to wrangle these days. Sending good wishes to you and to your wife as she takes the time she needs to heal.
Thank you, Elizabeth, we both appreciate that! As my people are wont to say, I may be slow but I take my time. I'm nothing if not persistent (or ornery)
Hope things even out a bit soon for you.
Thanks! I'm sure they will. There's usually a calm spot in the river after the rapids.
Dogs wait for the BEST TIME- to do these things!! But they take it in stride …..
The bottom panel of illustrations-
Not sure why but this song popped into my head - not sure if the fish on the left is a clown fish but this is what I heard
“Clowns to the left of me, Puffers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you!
Best of luck Jason!
Thanks, Pamela! I love that song!
I think Loki (our havanese just wanted more attention. He's all about the drama 🤣)
Setbacks are just the beginning of the next opportunity.
That's a great framing!
It's always something.
It sure is. But as my grandpa used to say a life of struggle is better than the alternative. Thanks for reading!
I'm sorry to hear your wife has been sick, Jason. I hope she's well on her way to recovery.
I had shingles. Did two acupuncture sessions and they disappeared. That was 10 yrs ago.
Thank you, Liz! We finally got the insurance stuff sorted for her meds, so she is doing better now that's getting some antivirals.
Good news!!
You'll be the second person who has received this Baha'i prayer from me today. I hope it will help.
"Is there any remover of difficulties save God. Say: Praise be God. He is God. All are his servants and all abide by His bidding."
Who know? It may move the needle a bit your way.
Bless you and your lovely wife, Jason. I googled Sjogren's Syndrome and I'll be darned, it covers almost every little quirky thing that's going on with me. The list is long, but I'm certain you and your wife are familiar with it all. Thank you for mentioning this condition and bringing my attention to it. How's that for serendipity?
Oh BTW, because of a similar learning experience regarding the lymphatic system, I started cutting up limes and throwing them in the orange juice container. I mix my favorite arthritis reliever, Nature's Way Joint-Eze (https://www.amazon.com/Basgim-Movement-Glucosamine-Chondroitin-exclusive/dp/B0D1KVN4KT/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GUHNO42ROG7L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uzjNNZgY1CYBAZ6WGRhVUB7Ig8iBzWn5fKeoPl0JYdAarc4sfALPAS6RTfdo7huc1SQNbUrNg8GmJcCDGgmzTS2A3CMBZ_o4EsCJp5Ln7oz1dBC98fLXZPI_iJTsywLASzEJWDR2MR-nDmSmmSlMKg.bHzdU1RlIjN0GNQVZJ0SvymZvJYrF47Z_Xtn1T6vk0Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=Nature%27s+Way+Joint-Eze&qid=1729634524&sprefix=nature%27s+way+joint-eze%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-3)
with it and it has relieved the swelling and pain in my knees, etc. more effectively. Not running any marathons here, but I feel a whole lot better and more pain free. Just sayin'. Take care, my friends.
Thanks, I'll check this out!
That's a beautiful prayer, thank you for sharing this my friend!
You're more than welcome. While I'm no longer a card-carrying member of the Baha'i Faith, every now and then I feel compelled (hopefully not too much) to share one of their prayers.
I think all I can do is commiserate (or empathize), and I know that’s not overly helpful when one is in the thick of it. I hope the shingles back off — and the eyes … and that nothing else flares up. I am glad you are staying calm - and doing what you can. I really appreciated the Taoist parable.
Thanks, Amy! Your commiseration is greatly appreciated. It makes me feel less alone. The Lost Horse is one of those things that is always teaching me more the longer I consider it. I'm glad it resonated with you.
Hang in there and keep on keeping on. As events get more trying, I find my window of "looking ahead" gets shorter and shorter until I am on a day to day basis or even shorter and at the same time my circle of being able to care for others shrinks as well. I think this is necessary. Damn cars...
Damn cars is right! Thanks, Weston. I will keep pressing forward!
I've only heard a much shorter version of that Taoist story before. Thank you for sharing a little glimpse of hope. I hope things improve for you and wife and all the family!
Yes! There's a bit of Muslim sufi wisdom with a similar story, that encourages us to ask: is this event a blessing or a curse? And if course, anyone over 20 can probably pull out life events that seemed at the time like blessings, but later turned out to be curses, and vice versa.
I'm catching up on Substack-reading and am late in responding to this post, but I wanted to tell you that I laughed out loud in recognition at the phrase, "with a fortitude that makes a decent substitute for confidence." Yes!
Lots of horses for you to wrangle these days. Sending good wishes to you and to your wife as she takes the time she needs to heal.
Thank you, Elizabeth, we both appreciate that! As my people are wont to say, I may be slow but I take my time. I'm nothing if not persistent (or ornery)
Love it. Keep doing your thing!
Thank you! You too!