Grazie Patti per averci presentato anche Kitty. Thanks to you and Jesse for these two wonderful posts that show us your love for the creatures that accompany us for a part of our lives.
I wanted to say hello because I am thinking of everyone. Mostly, I want to say thank you to this community which has for me been an oasis, a space wherein, owing to Patti’s genius for bringing people to their higher selves, one can feel safe to think and learn and “take upon’s the mystery of things” (from King Lear).
Every Sunday I listen to “Palm Sunday” by The Jerry Garcia Band. When, as now, I am not well enough to go outside, I take walks inside and often listen to music as I do. Today I listened to “Palm Sunday” repeatedly, in a loop, and half the time I spent imagining Patti - your voice - singing it. It would be such a great song for you to cover, which was initially Jim’s suggestion a while back.
When my beloved friend Heidi was alive, and we were just kids, we studied Nietzsche together, specifically his theory of “eternal recurrence” which holds that we repeat our exact lives, just as we lived them, eternally. It is a mind blowing idea, a little horrible, but Heidi found a way to use Nietzsche to her advantage. If she wanted me to do something, she would say: “It’s not that I’m asking you to get me a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich; it’s that I’m reminding you that you GOT me a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich.”
As I repeatedly listened to “Palm Sunday” today I could hear so clearly Patti’s voice singing it that at a certain point it began to sound like a remembered thing, which made me think of Heidi because I’m inclined to say, “Patti, it’s not that I’m suggesting you cover Palm Sunday. It’s that you already have. I’m just reminding you since I heard it today.” I hope you’ll do it someday.
I’m pretty seriously ill so it’s a frightening time. This space is truly a gift. I am grateful for all that we do here and for everyone who contributes to making it as rich a community as it is. With all my heart, I thank you guys and wish everyone good health and peace of mind.
As you know, I couldn't agree more that Palm Sunday would be the perfect song for Patti to cover. Fingers crossed.
Heidi's use of eternal recurrence is wonderful. It puts a whole different slant on what we do in our lives, even if it is used with a wry smile. If you don't mind, I'm going to borrow it in certain situations. At the very least it will lighten my day.
I often think of you and your illness, wishing that something would bring you relief. I hope you know that there are a lot of people out here with the same wish.
And I believe I can safely say that, for many of us, your presence here on this site is a gift.
May today be a good one for you. And, even though it is Monday, I'll listen to Pslm Sunday as I do the dishes. Eternally, it seems.
Thank you so much, Jim. You’ve no idea what joy it brings to think of you borrowing Heidi’s version of Nietzsche. Borrow anything. In that way, she lives.
Thank you for your wishes for my health. Ironically, there is something that would bring me relief. I am experiencing a critical Vitamin A deficiency that is threatening two of my vital organs: my eyes and liver. There is no way to deliver vitamin A to me except through an intramuscular injection. It is the same injection that they give to children who are malnourished to prevent blindness. There is only one pharmaceutical company in the US that makes vitamin A for injection and they have none. It is a very rare condition in the US. It costs a fortune so it’s probably mostly purchased by non profits like Doctors Without Borders to take to children in other parts of the world. Since there are currently so many starving children, you’d think the pharmaceutical companies would be cranking out the Vitamin A. I keep hoping that that’s why they’re out of it. If so, let them have it. But if not, then it’s a shocking example of not making it a priority that for the admittedly few people in the US who have such a deficiency and are at risk for blindness, organ failure, infections, and who can’t get vitamin A any other way, owing either to poverty or illness, there are shots available. It isn’t rocket science. It’s just a question of giving a shit about the people who are the poorest or sickest.
I’m sorry for the rant. It’s a surreal situation and, as I said, ironic since I can’t stop thinking of all the suffering children.
Thank you so much for your kindness, Jim. I’m grateful to have you for a friend.
Robin, I think how can this be...something as simple as an injectable vitamin and
only one US company makes it. And, I wonder, why would it be so expensive?
You have good reason to rant - for the children who are suffering, and for yourself and others that are at risk for more serious problems. I agree with Jim, probably not a big enough "customer base" here - and big pharma is more than likely making a hefty profit. Hoping for the best for you, Robin. I'll be keeping you in mind.
Thank you so much. Your message came when I was in need. I’ve gotten bad news. The vitamin A for injection has been delayed again. There is no telling when it will be available in this country. It’s not available in Canada either.
My doctors are now trying to ascertain whether any hospitals have it. It is rare to have this kind of deficiency in a developed country but you would think there would be something available in case of an emergency.
Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts more than I can say.
It's unbelievable to me that something as basic as human health is bartered in the marketplace for profit. It may be true that the vast majority of the Vitamin A supply is being purchased to help starving children but you can bet that the pharma company is making a tidy profit from those sales. So there isn't a big enough 'customer base' in America. Then just ignore them. That's appalling.
No need to apologize for the rant. I'd be frustrated too. Of course, the children should be treated but so should everyone else.
I hope there's a solution for you soon. All the best to you.
Dear Kitty the huntress! Her story reminds me of Ian Anderson’s (Jethro Tull) song And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps. Wonder if your paths crossed having been on the same label. I love this post. Thank you.
What a charming video! Love the banjo rendition! Sweet Kitty exploring everything! Love cats - the 3 I have owned have all gone to the next realm....miss them dearly....thanks so much for sharing!!
What a glorious tribute to Kitty & what a star she is. Love the choices in the video & the version of smells like teen spirit -the shot of the grass gently blowing in the wind against the backdrop of the (NY?) skyline is inspired. Thank you 🙏x
Thank you for this. Seeing Kitty being Kitty doing her thing brings warms me. My furbaby, Olive Mae, 18, is sleeping at 'her' window, our window, wrapped in her tail. They are all angels.
sweet picture! they are always in our hearts, our beloved pets! In the 70s I listened to all kinds of music, but whenever I put Dan Fogelberg on my stereo record player, my cat Mushkie would run in and sit right between the speakers. She loved Dan as much as I did!!!
Thank you Patti & Jesse for these wonderful posts this week. It’s heartening to hear of Kitty’s indomitable spirit and the life she shared with Cairo. I also want to offer my heartfelt sympathy to everyone here who has shared the loss of their own furbabies, some very recently. The sense of community here is really uplifting.
I have read and enjoyed Jesse's post about Kitty, and I will post my thoughts there once I've decided what to say. I love the Smells Like Teen Spirit video! Thank you for posting it again.
Grazie Patti per averci presentato anche Kitty. Thanks to you and Jesse for these two wonderful posts that show us your love for the creatures that accompany us for a part of our lives.
Evviva Kitty e Cairo ❤️
Dear Patti, dear All,
I wanted to say hello because I am thinking of everyone. Mostly, I want to say thank you to this community which has for me been an oasis, a space wherein, owing to Patti’s genius for bringing people to their higher selves, one can feel safe to think and learn and “take upon’s the mystery of things” (from King Lear).
Every Sunday I listen to “Palm Sunday” by The Jerry Garcia Band. When, as now, I am not well enough to go outside, I take walks inside and often listen to music as I do. Today I listened to “Palm Sunday” repeatedly, in a loop, and half the time I spent imagining Patti - your voice - singing it. It would be such a great song for you to cover, which was initially Jim’s suggestion a while back.
When my beloved friend Heidi was alive, and we were just kids, we studied Nietzsche together, specifically his theory of “eternal recurrence” which holds that we repeat our exact lives, just as we lived them, eternally. It is a mind blowing idea, a little horrible, but Heidi found a way to use Nietzsche to her advantage. If she wanted me to do something, she would say: “It’s not that I’m asking you to get me a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich; it’s that I’m reminding you that you GOT me a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich.”
As I repeatedly listened to “Palm Sunday” today I could hear so clearly Patti’s voice singing it that at a certain point it began to sound like a remembered thing, which made me think of Heidi because I’m inclined to say, “Patti, it’s not that I’m suggesting you cover Palm Sunday. It’s that you already have. I’m just reminding you since I heard it today.” I hope you’ll do it someday.
I’m pretty seriously ill so it’s a frightening time. This space is truly a gift. I am grateful for all that we do here and for everyone who contributes to making it as rich a community as it is. With all my heart, I thank you guys and wish everyone good health and peace of mind.
With gratitude and warmth, forever,
Robin
Hi Robin
As you know, I couldn't agree more that Palm Sunday would be the perfect song for Patti to cover. Fingers crossed.
Heidi's use of eternal recurrence is wonderful. It puts a whole different slant on what we do in our lives, even if it is used with a wry smile. If you don't mind, I'm going to borrow it in certain situations. At the very least it will lighten my day.
I often think of you and your illness, wishing that something would bring you relief. I hope you know that there are a lot of people out here with the same wish.
And I believe I can safely say that, for many of us, your presence here on this site is a gift.
May today be a good one for you. And, even though it is Monday, I'll listen to Pslm Sunday as I do the dishes. Eternally, it seems.
All the best.
Jim
Thank you so much, Jim. You’ve no idea what joy it brings to think of you borrowing Heidi’s version of Nietzsche. Borrow anything. In that way, she lives.
Thank you for your wishes for my health. Ironically, there is something that would bring me relief. I am experiencing a critical Vitamin A deficiency that is threatening two of my vital organs: my eyes and liver. There is no way to deliver vitamin A to me except through an intramuscular injection. It is the same injection that they give to children who are malnourished to prevent blindness. There is only one pharmaceutical company in the US that makes vitamin A for injection and they have none. It is a very rare condition in the US. It costs a fortune so it’s probably mostly purchased by non profits like Doctors Without Borders to take to children in other parts of the world. Since there are currently so many starving children, you’d think the pharmaceutical companies would be cranking out the Vitamin A. I keep hoping that that’s why they’re out of it. If so, let them have it. But if not, then it’s a shocking example of not making it a priority that for the admittedly few people in the US who have such a deficiency and are at risk for blindness, organ failure, infections, and who can’t get vitamin A any other way, owing either to poverty or illness, there are shots available. It isn’t rocket science. It’s just a question of giving a shit about the people who are the poorest or sickest.
I’m sorry for the rant. It’s a surreal situation and, as I said, ironic since I can’t stop thinking of all the suffering children.
Thank you so much for your kindness, Jim. I’m grateful to have you for a friend.
As ever,
Robin
Robin, I think how can this be...something as simple as an injectable vitamin and
only one US company makes it. And, I wonder, why would it be so expensive?
You have good reason to rant - for the children who are suffering, and for yourself and others that are at risk for more serious problems. I agree with Jim, probably not a big enough "customer base" here - and big pharma is more than likely making a hefty profit. Hoping for the best for you, Robin. I'll be keeping you in mind.
Thank you so much, Suzi. It is hard to believe, but so much in the world is. I truly appreciate your good wishes.
As ever,
Robin
Robin, when I said I'd be keeping you in mind - that set you there -for you have
been in my thoughts a lot today. I'm wishing for solutions (as Jim said), and for
the best days possible. A "mind how you go" sent with heartfelt wishes for your
dear self.
Dear Suzi,
Thank you so much. Your message came when I was in need. I’ve gotten bad news. The vitamin A for injection has been delayed again. There is no telling when it will be available in this country. It’s not available in Canada either.
My doctors are now trying to ascertain whether any hospitals have it. It is rare to have this kind of deficiency in a developed country but you would think there would be something available in case of an emergency.
Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts more than I can say.
Wishing you well, as ever, Suzi.
With gratitude,
Robin
Thank you, Jim. I really appreciate your hoping.
As ever,
Robin
It's unbelievable to me that something as basic as human health is bartered in the marketplace for profit. It may be true that the vast majority of the Vitamin A supply is being purchased to help starving children but you can bet that the pharma company is making a tidy profit from those sales. So there isn't a big enough 'customer base' in America. Then just ignore them. That's appalling.
No need to apologize for the rant. I'd be frustrated too. Of course, the children should be treated but so should everyone else.
I hope there's a solution for you soon. All the best to you.
Dear Kitty the huntress! Her story reminds me of Ian Anderson’s (Jethro Tull) song And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps. Wonder if your paths crossed having been on the same label. I love this post. Thank you.
What a charming video! Love the banjo rendition! Sweet Kitty exploring everything! Love cats - the 3 I have owned have all gone to the next realm....miss them dearly....thanks so much for sharing!!
That's a great video! Great photography! Dogs may be "man's best friend" but cats are our best living companions.
What a glorious tribute to Kitty & what a star she is. Love the choices in the video & the version of smells like teen spirit -the shot of the grass gently blowing in the wind against the backdrop of the (NY?) skyline is inspired. Thank you 🙏x
Patti, Somerset House is on fire!!
Beautiful tribute from Jesse. I still miss my lovely Romeo who in his later years loved to listen to chilled classical music 🙏
I loved Jesse's tribute to The Kitty.
We would be lost without our feline comrades.
Minky - our rogue, aging gangster is on the couch with me, he enjoyed these segments very much.
🐈⬛
Thank you for this. Seeing Kitty being Kitty doing her thing brings warms me. My furbaby, Olive Mae, 18, is sleeping at 'her' window, our window, wrapped in her tail. They are all angels.
sweet picture! they are always in our hearts, our beloved pets! In the 70s I listened to all kinds of music, but whenever I put Dan Fogelberg on my stereo record player, my cat Mushkie would run in and sit right between the speakers. She loved Dan as much as I did!!!
Thank you Patti & Jesse for these wonderful posts this week. It’s heartening to hear of Kitty’s indomitable spirit and the life she shared with Cairo. I also want to offer my heartfelt sympathy to everyone here who has shared the loss of their own furbabies, some very recently. The sense of community here is really uplifting.
Sending love Patti, somehow your posts make wherever I am feel like a home
Magical
A very nice video, watching the video, the song sounds quite different, thank you 🙏
I have read and enjoyed Jesse's post about Kitty, and I will post my thoughts there once I've decided what to say. I love the Smells Like Teen Spirit video! Thank you for posting it again.