Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving to the SW, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
I mostly try to share the positive here, for all that it may seem otherwise sometimes. Sharing the successes of life help reinforce them, and encourage more. Yet, I also need to share some of the other, so that you understand why things can be spotty sometimes.
Getting hit by lighting has done some interesting things. To be polite. These include both short-term and long-term memory issues. The long-term issues may not be a permanent loss, just an inability to access. For those more modern, my directory file has been corrupted and the brain doesn’t know where to find some of the files. In more old-fashioned terms, I describe it as someone going into a room full of filing cabinets, selecting some cabinets at random, and dumping random drawers on the floor. Then the jerk cuts on an industrial fan.
The short-term issues basically come down to my now having the short-term memory of a mayfly, and a brain permanently set to “SQUIRREL!!” The polite term used by the linguistic/cognitive therapists is “attention lapse.” I have a lot of them, and some days are worse than others. To work around the lapses, I have routines and use a lot of lists. If you own stock in generic post-it notes, you’re welcome for the dividends as I use a lot of them. If it doesn’t make it onto a list, 99.999999999999999999999 percent chance it won’t get done. From texting a friend to writing a story, I pretty much have to write it down on the list.
Shoot, even normal things take an extra step or two. When taking my medicines and supplements in the morning, I actually have to go down the list and put each pill in a bowl. I then count them, and if the count is off, track down what pill got skipped. May not be pretty on some levels, but it works. More of my life than I care for is built around such hacks.
Even very routine things can be difficult. For example, it is not uncommon for my mind to blank as I venerate my scapular or say a familiar prayer. I trust that the Lord understands and makes allowances, and hope friends and others do so as well if I blank on things with them. It’s one reason I’ve been hesitant to do any podcasting or be on a podcast, besides the fact I have a face and voice for radio. It’s also why I don’t see regular work in my future for the next few years. The lapses, even with notes and routines, get me. Add in all the other physical issues, and, well… Just really hope they are right and things will eventually get better in a few years.
Last night was rough. Weather changes do a number on me, and we have a good one in process. Possibly snow tonight, though the lower back, shoulders, and hands aren’t swearing to that yet. Well, they are saying some, but not how much. May just be a dusting. May just go get in the shower to see if the heat will get them to quit swearing, I mean hurting, as much.
This morning, my cooking routine got zorched. It is designed in part around ensuring burners are cut off, which makes one of my most common mistakes forgetting to cut on a burner, which does slow things down a bit. This morning saw me do both, with a few other minor bobbles. No harm, no foul, and breakfast was eventually tasty. That said, there have been a few other issues and I’m thinking it might be good to call it a day already.
I’m supposed to go pick up some medicines and the few groceries I can afford, but think that unless and until things improve I don’t need to be out on the Real Indianapolis 500 (I-465) where you need to be on high alert at all times. Heck, Indy traffic in general can on occasion make me nostalgic for the traffic in Baghdad. Things may get better, but until I see signs of it I may just look at cute animal pictures and such.
Oh, for those of you who are regular readers: the promised contact from SSA? Nope. I wish I were surprised. I had hoped on some levels, but on others I really didn’t think it would happen. May look at talking to a congresscritter here soon.
So long as this doesn’t get me put in a padded room, I’ve been writing in my dreams, or maybe my dreams are writing a story. If you liked the New Year’s short story, which is based off the universe in the Christmas short story I dreamed, there looks to be more. The Christmas story really is the outline for something else, and in the odd hours of the early morning, I’ve been dreaming that more. To the point of working through issues, how to handle some other issues, and otherwise building that story and world. Yes, trying to make notes as it could turn into a very nice story or stories. Not sure where it’s coming from, but it’s not a bad dream to have. Looking at polishing up the New Year story for sale, and see what I can do on the larger story.
All that said, I’m hoping to get back to regular posting soon. There is more on preparedness, some pithy comments if not full stories on Russia and the war, and the other things you all seem to enjoy. More soon, promise.
UPDATE: Instapundit triggered a memory a few days ago, and I finally remembered to write about it today. Slowly but surely getting some of the long-term memories sorted.