I remember when a part in the opening mechanism broke inside the door of our car (a 1950 Oldsmobile 98), and the Oldsmobile agency couldn't get a new one. That would probably make it about 1960. My father took it to the blacksmith shop (I wasn't allowed to enter--too dangerous) and had a replacement made, using the broken one as a model. It was still a natural enough thing to do back then, at least for someone of my father's generation.
I'm wondering whether there was a blacksmith shop in the town where I grew up in the '40s. I certainly wasn't aware of one, although there must have been one somewhere -- there were still a few horse-drawn wagons and the horses would have needed shoes.
I used to watch my driver when I was in China fabricating parts for his car (a 1952 knockoff of a 194? Russian vehicle) from chunks of brass. My hubby did that, too--from locks to hinges for eyeglasses.
On Facebook there was a recipe for a salve to sooth psoriasis sores. I went to the health food store today and they had all the herbs and ingredients I need. You have to infuse olive oil separately with each of the four herbs and then blend that with a little beeswax and shea butter. Son #1 has incredibly bad psoriasis, just started when he was in his late 20's. His health insurance is with Humana (Republican owed and one of the absolute worst health insurers out there!). His old insurance paid for his injections to keep the condition at bay, but Humana (of course) refuses. So this salve takes two weeks to finish infusing, and I *really* hope it helps him. I've never had the condition, but he says the lesions feel like a bad cold sore. They itch and sting and crack open. I hope I can help him, he is such a good son and a good father to his children.
Good luck to your son! I had psoriasis a few years ago, but not that bad. Mine was more like a mild cold sore. Itched and stung a bit, but never cracked open. And the patch on my upper arm was never so much a palm sized. The doctor prescribed a steroid ointment (surprised Humana wouldn't at least pay for that) and after a few weeks the psoriasis was gone. I've used the ointment a few times since when I thought the psoriasis was coming back, but haven't even done that for months.
Of course I realize the steroid ointment is only really effective for relatively mild psoriasis. But I'd think it might help a bit.
Just had a chat with my client. He tells me I can expect to be working essentially full time for the next year or so, but by the end of that period they will have brought in somebody to take some of the load off and other things will have changed so I can go back to my previous level. Part of what's going on is that they now have a startup company to move some compounds they have developed toward clinical trials. There's talk of getting me involved in that company (as a stockholder?) but quite vague at present.
Nice to see such a lot of conversation here today. I was swamped with Grammie duties. But on Friday I am taking a Retreat Day. My alma mater (Shalem.org) now offers retreats that can be done from home, connecting online for the (video) content and interaction. Most of Retreat is silence, anyway. I am looking forward to it!
Zounds!
ReplyDeleteI remember when a part in the opening mechanism broke inside the door of our car (a 1950 Oldsmobile 98), and the Oldsmobile agency couldn't get a new one. That would probably make it about 1960. My father took it to the blacksmith shop (I wasn't allowed to enter--too dangerous) and had a replacement made, using the broken one as a model. It was still a natural enough thing to do back then, at least for someone of my father's generation.
--Alan
I'm wondering whether there was a blacksmith shop in the town where I grew up in the '40s. I certainly wasn't aware of one, although there must have been one somewhere -- there were still a few horse-drawn wagons and the horses would have needed shoes.
DeleteWell, a farrier isn't not quite the same as a blacksmith.Farriers probably lingered longer.
DeleteI used to watch my driver when I was in China fabricating parts for his car (a 1952 knockoff of a 194? Russian vehicle) from chunks of brass. My hubby did that, too--from locks to hinges for eyeglasses.
ReplyDeleteOn Facebook there was a recipe for a salve to sooth psoriasis sores. I went to the health food store today and they had all the herbs and ingredients I need. You have to infuse olive oil separately with each of the four herbs and then blend that with a little beeswax and shea butter. Son #1 has incredibly bad psoriasis, just started when he was in his late 20's. His health insurance is with Humana (Republican owed and one of the absolute worst health insurers out there!). His old insurance paid for his injections to keep the condition at bay, but Humana (of course) refuses. So this salve takes two weeks to finish infusing, and I *really* hope it helps him. I've never had the condition, but he says the lesions feel like a bad cold sore. They itch and sting and crack open. I hope I can help him, he is such a good son and a good father to his children.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your son! I had psoriasis a few years ago, but not that bad. Mine was more like a mild cold sore. Itched and stung a bit, but never cracked open. And the patch on my upper arm was never so much a palm sized. The doctor prescribed a steroid ointment (surprised Humana wouldn't at least pay for that) and after a few weeks the psoriasis was gone. I've used the ointment a few times since when I thought the psoriasis was coming back, but haven't even done that for months.
DeleteOf course I realize the steroid ointment is only really effective for relatively mild psoriasis. But I'd think it might help a bit.
Just had a chat with my client. He tells me I can expect to be working essentially full time for the next year or so, but by the end of that period they will have brought in somebody to take some of the load off and other things will have changed so I can go back to my previous level. Part of what's going on is that they now have a startup company to move some compounds they have developed toward clinical trials. There's talk of getting me involved in that company (as a stockholder?) but quite vague at present.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Bill, on finishing the grant proposal!
ReplyDeleteThat does feel good. But contrary to expectations, I start two or maybe three others Monday.
DeleteAh, rats!
DeleteHallo, all!
ReplyDeleteHoward Dean is First!
Nice to see such a lot of conversation here today. I was swamped with Grammie duties.
But on Friday I am taking a Retreat Day. My alma mater (Shalem.org) now offers retreats that can be done from home, connecting online for the (video) content and interaction. Most of Retreat is silence, anyway.
I am looking forward to it!