Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2012-46

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IN THIS ISSUE

• Pat Moore has been involved in a bad car accident
• We get mail from Carol Hansen and Kate Brookfield
• Irene Harvalias sends suggestions for local Christmas gifts
• Catherine Green forwards a senior pick-up line
• Catherine Nesbitt sends a revised version of the alphabet
• The editor thanks you for you kind wishes
• Sites are suggested by Bruce Galway, Catherine Green, Catherine Nesbitt, and Tom Williamson

Pat Moore has been involved in

A CAR ACCIDENT

September is a birthday month for me so I was enjoying the great weather, wonderful sunshine, and lots of activities for the fall schedule. It was September 14, and I was looking forward to a bridge tournament being held at the downtown Senior Golden Circle Centre from noon to 4:00 p.m. I usually just play at Barrett Place Condo where I live, with friends in the building, and I was looking forward to meeting about 60-plus new people, and they arranged for a car there and back.

I enjoyed a great time and was really surprised when I won with a high score - I was lucky to have good cards!

However, on the way home we were in a terrible car accident. Fortunately, I was sitting in the back passenger seat when we were hit by another car (a T-bar hit, I think the cops called the accident.)

Thank goodness for the quick response by the ambulance, paramedics, and police! The car was a brand-new one and is now a complete write-off. It was about an hour before they were able to find my glasses as they went flying, but they found them just before the ambulance took us to the hospital.

What a ride to the hospital on an uncomfortable gurney! It was only about 20 minutes away, but when you are on a hard gurney you feel every stone and rock on the roads, and it hurts! Then I waited in the emergency - on a very, very rock-hard gurney with a head collar on, so I could not move my head or neck.

This all happened on a Friday afternoon, and the E.R. was full. Thank goodness it was not a long weekend! It is amazing how noisy an E.R. can be while waiting for all the paperwork to be done and the doctors to arrive, and for them decide what is to be done, and then to get medication for the pain so they can move you so that X-rays can be taken.

Finally, after getting an I.V. for pain, they were able to move me to get about 26 X-rays done, and then of course I waited on the gurney for the radiologist to read the results. All the time I was lying on that hard gurney and not allowed to move. Shivering from shock and feeling very sick, it was just awful lying there and wondering how to vomit lying flat on my back. I was told that I could not move or sit up at all - what a conundrum! My body was in a shock mode but the four heated blankets put on me helped the shivering a great deal, and a thoughtful intern kept moistening my lips as I was thirsty.

Fortunately, nothing was broken, but I was terribly bruised and had a sprained right hand and an injured left side, an injured elbow and an awful pounding headache from the whiplash and concussion, a neck injury, and bruised ribs from the seat belt, so it will take time to heal. Until you lose the use of your thumb you never know how valuable that little digit is - it is so difficult to do anything without your thumb. Try using a can opener without a thumb!

The hospital was full so I had a private room in the E.R. department upstairs - private in that they wheeled me, still on the gurney, into a small alcove separated by a cloth covering at the doorway, so I could still hear all the noise from the doctors and nurses, etc. Finally I was sent home with the paramedics so I could be in my own bed and sleep - and that old saying about there being no place like home is certainly true.

More X-rays were scheduled for later when I could move and get back to the X-ray department but I was thrilled to be home and in my own bed and away from all the noise in the hospital. I was sent home with lots of pain medication and about 10 freeze bags for the bruises and told to rest. The X-rays were sent to my doctor and have just had another set of X-rays taken, and now the doctor has ordered rehab therapy, etc. for the next few weeks or months. For now I am just staying in bed and trying to have a bit of soup or something in order to take the pain medication.

On a lighter note, the doctor ordered a nurse to come in twice a week for a "bed bath" (we used to call them a sponge bath). It is almost like being in a spa, as after the bed bath a soft massage with lotion and oils is very relaxing. Since the first nurse was a young woman in her early 30s, blonde, attractive, and very friendly, I am sure many Tale Spinner readers might like to exchange places with me. However, the regular nurse coming now is a great practical nurse from the east coast of Canada and a great personality, so we are having lots of laughs. The occupational therapist who came up to my apartment to assess my needs at home has since had extra safety bars put in the bathroom and kitchen so that I can get around without falling, as I still have vertigo and a concussion from the accident. I can start having showers next week.

It is amazing what you hear while in the E.R. as people seem to talk about personal things with complete strangers in the waiting room; personal things they would not normally discuss with anyone, and also talk very loudly as the emergency room is usually very busy and full of people, families, interns, and nurses. It was very interesting. While lying on the gurney, at least it gave me something to listen to as I waited for the doctors, and they probably did not realize I could hear everything they said, even though I was on a gurney and just a few inches off the floor. The people in the E.R. waiting room were given the option of going home or waiting, as there was going to be at least a seven-hour wait as there were so many waiting to be checked out by the doctors.

Again, thank goodness for seat belts as the car is a complete write-off and turned about 90 degrees when it was hit, so I imagine the frame was twisted. We are all very concerned about the lady sitting in the back seat beside me as the X-rays showed a blood clot on the brain and the doctors are watching her very carefully for the next few weeks.

Health care is much in the news these days, but it is quite an experience to be in a hospital personally and to find out all the details of health care. The police, paramedics, ambulance, doctors, interns, and nurses were great - but they cannot take away the pain and the injuries.

This experience has opened up a whole new chapter of my life as many friends and acquaintances have shared with me their experiences of being in the E.R., being on a gurney, going by ambulance to a hospital, both local and far away, plus some strange experiences in doctors´ offices. Since I am at home and not able to go anywhere except to the doctors and rehab, I would love to hear from anyone willing to share their stories with me. My address is pamoore2@shaw.ca.

ED. NOTE: I know my readers join me in wishing Pat a speedy recovery, and I´m sure she would be delighted to hear from you.

CORRESPONDENCE

Carol Hansen comments on the video which showed a hen rescued from a factory farm which was destroyed by a tornado: I enjoyed the video about the rescue farm in upstate N.Y. I´d heard of the place before, or at least a similar place.

My daughter-in-law in Binghamton, N.Y. area has found a great place to buy fresh eggs. On her way home from work one day she saw a sign with a phone number in front of a farmhouse that advertised "Jake´s Fresh Eggs". She took the number down and called to see what that was all about when she got home. She left a message on the answering machine. Later that evening her call was returned. It turned out it was Jake, who told her he had three dozen fresh eggs for sale. She asked when she could come and get a dozen, and he turned and asked, "What time do I get home from school, Mom?" Then he told Linda that she could come after 4:00 p.m.

And she did. Jake is a six-year-old boy who told his Mom that he´d like to find a way to earn some money. She suggested he sell the surplus eggs from the chickens they keep. Linda even saw the free-range Rhode Island Reds in the yard. Linda´s mother tells her RI Red eggs are really good. Jake now has a steady customer and Linda will spread the word to a few of her friends.

BTW, eggs at the farmer´s market go for $3.49 a dozen - Jake charges $2.00 a dozen!

ED. NOTE: I wish there were a Jake in my neighbourhood!

Carol also sends this update on her story of how they coped with Hurricane Sandy on Long Island: Things are slowly getting back to normal for us, but not for all in my town, and certainly not for a huge number of people on the south shore of Long Island. The beaches will never be the same and homes in that area will likely never be rebuilt.

The COO of the utility company has resigned. He has taken, and rightly so, a lot of grief because of the handling of this disaster. Investigations have shown that they were aware the system couldn´t handle the devastation of a storm like Sandy, and they were going to start to make improvements within a few years, rather than when they became aware of the shortcomings of the system.

The day before yesterday we had outages again - twice in one day, but only for an hour each time.

Today´s report is that 99% of those who CAN have power turned back on, have it turned on. Some homes need inspections before power can be turned on because of the flooding of electrical systems.

Our governor has called for an investigation, and subpoenas have been issued to the Long Island Power Authority COO and others; also those from Con Edison, utility company in NYC.

We finally got our car out of the shop yesterday.

Kate Brookfield sends a postcard from New Zealand, where she and Mike are enjoying a holiday in the springtime of the year: A bit late sending a card from Tonga, as we are now in Christchurch, N.Z., but I found the card unsent so might as well use it. The card shows the royal palace, but it can only be viewed through a high fence. Tonga is not much to see; the people are friendly but look to be struggling.

Quake damage in downtown Christchurch was devastating. The city centre is fenced off, with huge cleared sites around, but not much sign of new buildings going up. It is cooler here than in Australia, but lots to do and see.

Irene Harvalias forwards this suggestion well before you start worrying about buying presents:

CHRISTMAS 2012 - BIRTH OF A NEW TRADITION

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply-produced goods - merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Canadian labour. This year can be different. This year Canadians can give the gift of genuine concern for other Canadians. There is no longer an excuse that at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Canadians hands. Yes, there is!

It´s time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese- produced wrapping paper? Everyone - yes, everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local Canadian hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It´s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about health improvement.

Who wouldn´t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small Canadian-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. How many people couldn´t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Canadian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the dollars on a Chinese-made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway ploughed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewellery, and pottery, and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants, all offering gift certificates. And if your intended isn´t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint? Remember, this isn´t about big national chains - this is about supporting your home town Canadian with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.?

Honestly, do you really need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip.

Christmas is no longer about draining Canadian pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And when we care about other Canadians, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn´t imagine.

Buy Canadian - be Canadian! The job you save may be your own.??

Catherine Green forwards this

SENIOR PICK-UP LINE

A rather elderly gentleman (mid-eighties) walks into an upscale cocktail lounge. He is very well dressed, smelling slightly of an expensive after-shave, hair well groomed, great-looking suit, flower in his lapel. He presents a suave, well-looked-after image.

Seated at the bar is an elderly fine-looking lady (mid-seventies).

The gentleman walks over, sits down beside her, orders a drink, takes a sip, turns to her and says,

"So tell me, good looking - do I come here often?"

Catherine Nesbitt sends this revised version of

THE ALPHABET

A is for apple, and B is for boat - that used to be right, but now it won´t float! Age before beauty is what we once said, but let´s be a bit more realistic instead.

A´s for arthritis; B´s the bad back; C´s the chest pains, perhaps car-di-ac?

D is for dental decay and decline; E is for eyesight, can´t read that top line! F is for farting and fluid retention; G is for gut droop, which I´d rather not mention.

H high blood pressure - I´d rather it low; I for incisions with scars you can show. J is for joints, out of socket, won´t mend; K is for knees that crack when they bend. L ´s for libido, what happened to sex? M is for memory - I forget what comes next. N is neuralgia in nerves way down low; O is for osteo, bones that don´t grow!

P for prescriptions, I have quite a few, just give me a pill and I´ll be good as new! Q is for queasy, is it fatal or flu? R is for reflux, one meal turns to two.

S is for sleepless nights, counting my fears; T is for tinnitus, bells in my ears! U is for urinary, troubles with flow; V for vertigo, that´s ´dizzy,´ you know.

W for worry, now what´s going ´round? X is for X-ray, and what might be found. Y for another year I´m left here behind; Z is for zest I still have - in my mind!

I´ve survived all the symptoms, my body´s deployed, and I´m keeping twenty-six doctors fully employed!

FROM THE EDITOR´S DESKTOP

Thank you for your kind wishes for a speedy recovery from my persistent cold. I do believe I am going to survive it, if only through sheer cussedness. I´m not a Capricorn for nothing - I am a stubborn old goat. ;)

Jay now lives within six blocks of me, and he has been a tremendous help during the time I have been malingering. He has done all my shopping, spoiled my cat rotten with goodies I am too frugal to buy for him, and bought me all sorts of medicines and cough drops to speed my recovery. That I have dragged my cold out to three weeks is in spite of all his efforts. I don´t know how I would have managed without him.

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Bruce Galway asks if your golf buddies are this good, as shown in the video at

Catherine Green sends this link to a video of the Atlantic Ocean road in Norway:

Catherine Nesbitt suggests this site for a video of a dancing dog and his owner:

Tom Williamson forwards this link to a video of the dance of 1000 hands by deaf Chinese dancers:

Only Boys Aloud: a Welsh choir of 140 teenage boys reached the finals in Britain´s Got Talent. Here is their rousing version of a Welsh song:

This film is reassuring. Reassuring to all who fear that as an individual, no one would have any power to confront policymakers, large corporations, or the business world. "David vs. Monsanto" proves the opposite:

The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing animals has long campaigned against the RCMP for using fur on their uniforms, especially when they are funded by taxpayer money. To sign a petition to force the RCMP to use a substitute for real fur, go to

To check out the features of the "freedictionary", which changes daily, go to