Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

He really is that stupid.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

These days, even the boring Republicans are nuts.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

If you’re looking for someone who’s young and athletic, go watch a fucking movie.

Today’s gop: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Optimism opens the door to great things.

Trump’s legal defense is going to be a dumpster fire inside a clown car on a derailing train.

Republicans can’t even be trusted with their own money.

Good lord, these people are nuts.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

They were going to turn on one another at some point. It was inevitable.

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

Innocent people don’t delay justice.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

The US Supreme Court is on the ballot in november.

Bark louder, little dog.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "Stories from the Road" / Monday Night Open Thread

Monday Night Open Thread

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I kinda have to admit that I am LOVE LOVE LOVING the freeze in Iowa, because no matter the outcome, everyone in the GOP running can legitimately claim that it wasn’t a real primary and just keep savaging each other for a couple more weeks.

On the homefront, had quite a scare today with Steve. I took him out of his crate and had him loose in the kitchen, took the crate outside and was hosing it down and bleaching it, scrubbing litter boxes, etc., came back inside and Steve was not in the kitchen. I have no idea how he got out, and did not know if he was in the house or outside.

It was extremely unlikely he was not outside given what would have had to transpire for him to get out, but after searching the house, I walked around for a while and did not find him. Finally I just gave up. Joelle, who had been running errands while this happened and returned home, was about to cry, and I was kinda subdued about things.

I mean, there’s nothing you can do. It’s a cat. You can take every precaution but still the fuckers are gonna do whatever they want if they can. Steve’s made his choices. He’s probably inside in some place you we don’t even know exists but he found in under a minute because cat. Obviously I was upset, but at the same time, normal rules just don’t apply to cats.

At any rate, about six hours later, Joelle was really starting to get upset and said “I don’t think he’s in the house” and I said “me either but we can’t do anything about it,” and Steve came around the corner into the living room in between the three dogs (two of whom he doesn’t know), walked right through them and sniffed Jack, the biggest one, and acted like he owned the place.

Because cat.

Reader Interactions

187Comments

  3. 3.

    japa21

    John, just want to say these nightly updates are great. I’m starting to look forward to them as much as I do Adam’s, though for vastly different reasons.

  4. 4.

    karen marie

    If a closet is left open even a crack, check behind the clothes, including up on a shelf behind clothes in the closet.

    It took me a while to figure it out but that’s where my cat goes when she doesn’t want to get taken to the groomer for a nail trim or someone comes into my apartment and “STRANGER DANGER!” strikes.

    Why is Steve being kept in a crate?

  6. 6.

    mrmoshpotato

    I kinda have to admit that I am LOVE LOVE LOVING the freeze in Iowa, because no matter the outcome, everyone in the GOP running can legitimately claim that it wasn’t a real primary and just keep savaging each other for a couple more weeks.

    Hahaha!  Let them fight.

  7. 7.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    everyone in the GOP running can legitimately claim that it wasn’t a real primary and just keep savaging each other for a couple more weeks.

    Looks like two points of bipartisan agreement.

  9. 9.

    Jackie

    Damn cat! Been there and it’s true, Cat will let you know they’re there when they’re in the mood.

    Hopefully you’ll discover where his new secret hideaway is, so you can do sneak checks without letting him know.

  10. 10.

    HumboldtBlue

    Salad came to visit today. He didn’t come in and eat like he used to, just ambled by, stared at my window for a few and ambled off.

  12. 12.

    Ryan

    I mean, everybody knows, New Hampshire bails Iowa out of their mistakes.  That’s Miss Haley talking right there, bless her heart.

  21. 21.

    TaMara

    I love that cat.

     

    @HumboldtBlue: In friend news – the neighborhood cat my friends MADE come in this weekend, is now complaining loudly that they have not made the weather warm yet. So I’m sending them this video.

  23. 23.

    Sally

    I have never shared with a cat (I don’t know why people say “owned” a cat).  Always dogs.  But, currently accommodating son’s FIV cat, so must ensure he never gets outside, neighbours have cats.  He was a rescued by another son from the street in very poor condition, bits out of his ears and back, and some rotten teeth.  Despite having a husband who blithely wanders out of the house leaving doors open – “oh he won’t get out, I’ll only be a second”.  Of course, Cat’s eyes go wide and plans made, as we race each other to the door.  He regularly gives me heart attacks when I can’t find him anywhere, ANYWHERE, in our four storey terrace.  Whilst I search everywhere, pleading in my sweetest voice for him to come to me, and harbouring murderous thoughts.  Son requires proof of life pics every day.  I can’t take this.  A week to go, if I live that long.

  25. 25.

    Soprano2

    My husband is trying to pay his bills, and is struggling mightily. I think I’m going to have to start doing it for him. 😥😢 He is obviously confused but doesn’t want my help. It’s taken 30 minutes for him to pay two bills. He keeps looking at them over and over.

  27. 27.

    satby

    @TaMara: Agree. Honestly, a new cat never enters this house without at least a couple of weeks in the confinement room. Gives them a chance to get used to me, and they can smell the other ones from under the door.

  29. 29.

    Sally

    @satby: Well, I could I suppose, but he really loves being with people, and the extra space here.  I think he would ransack one room if confined, he always wants to go into a place with a closed to door, just to see.  I take him outside on a leash, and he loves the back garden.  He does torment the dog, who is endlessly patient with him and is taken for extra walks and cuddles for her kindness.

  31. 31.

    Captain C

    When I moved from my first to my second place in Mesa, after a long day of unloading, I had left the door open for a minute (we weren’t quite done), figuring my always-indoor cats were too scaredy to go wandering.  I look up, and Misty, the black and white floof, was at the door.  I called to her, and she looked at me weird and darted out.  I chased her, closing the door behind me so Kashmir wouldn’t also escape, and she kept running away and looking at me like she had no idea who I was.  Eventually, she eluded me and dejected, I walked back to my new apartment, looked under the couch, and saw Misty, looking at me like, “You damned fool, I was here the whole time!”  Apparently a neighborhood stray, who looked exactly like Misty, had decided to wander in and see what the fuss was about, but did not want to deal with the humans therein.  Given that Misty’s mom had gotten herself taken in by friends of mine (while very pregnant) who lived about a mile away, it’s possible they were related.

    Glad you found Steve!

  35. 35.

    satby

    @Sally: Ok, well you can still take him out on the leash, and you can spend time with him in his room; or you can spend a frantic week racing to the door because your inconsiderate husband is willing to lose your son’s beloved cat. In a place unfamiliar to that cat.

    I don’t mean to sound impatient, but jeez, give yourself AND the cat a break.

  36. 36.

    Sally

    @TaMara: He is intimidated by NOTHING. He wants to go everywhere, see everything, do everything.  Will argue with me for hours.  He was a street cat who survived till tempted into son’s garage.  Fearless, a fighter.  Hates cats.

  41. 41.

    TaMara

    @Sally: It sounds like he’s doing well. And you’ve got it under control. If he’s going outside on a leash, he knows his ‘hood, so if he does get out, he can find his way back. Is he treat motivated – I can shake the treat container and any cat who snuck outside is back in, in a flash.

    But really, kick your hubby in the butt to get him to shut the doors, LOL😉

  45. 45.

    eclare

    So happy Steve is safe!  My precious Oliver was a master at hiding.  I would spend hours looking for him, convinced there was some super secret hole to the outdoors somewhere.  Nope.

  47. 47.

    Sally

    @TaMara: Yep, I have.  He is getting better at closing doors.  He’ll be trained up by the time son returns! Ha.

    And, no, he is not particularly treat oriented, not enough to consider trading a treat for the great outdoors, anyway. I tried it once when he got out and even though he really loves the treat I found, he looked at me like, “you’re kidding!”.  It has been an adventure.

    We will survive! He is a beautiful cat, appears to be a Turkish Van with extra body colour, soft and fluffy as a cloud.

  51. 51.

    Elizabelle

    Maybe you already discussed this, but the Los Angeles Times endorsed Adam Schiff.  (Yay!  Wish I could vote for him.)

    And they made short work of GOP candidate Steve Garvey:

    Republicans in the race include former Dodger Steve Garvey and Los Angeles attorney Eric Early, a conservative and frequent candidate who ran for attorney general in 2022.

    Garvey has no legislative experience and has never held public office. He declined an interview request from the editorial board, hasn’t participated in public candidate forums so far and his website offers platitudes rather than positions, such as saying he will “take a stand against out-of-control inflation” and “lead the charge to make sure our laws are followed.” The U.S. Senate is the major league of lawmaking. Why should Californians want a rookie to represent them?

    Rookie. LOL. Truth, though. Hasn’t worked out that well for Alabama, has it?

  54. 54.

    Tom Levenson

    @HumboldtBlue: I can’t imagine trying to get Tikka kitted up with such garments.

    Even in his elderly, somewhat motion-impaired state, I doubt I’d have a scrap of unflayed skin on my hands.

    Champ would put up with it, but she wouldn’t accept that kind of cold either.

  59. 59.

    Mallard Filmore

    @Sally: 

    He regularly gives me heart attacks when I can’t find him anywhere, ANYWHERE, in our four storey terrace.

    I have a small can of cat food for expressly this purpose. Simply make the sound of opening up the can and the cat will come running.

  63. 63.

    WaterGirl

    @NotMax:

    NBC projecting Dolt 45 the winner in Iowa.

    The rest of us? Projectile vomiting at the thought of him winning.

    On second thought, Projectile vomiting at the thought of him. winning.

  69. 69.

    Sally

    @Mallard Filmore: He only eats dry food, despite lack of some teeth. Takes him a while, and he only eats small amounts at any one time. But I will try that, thanks!

    Thanks everyone for the suggestions.  I am only (semi) competent to take on this responsibility because of all the reading about cats on BJ.

  70. 70.

    Ohio Mom

    @Soprano2: How terrible, i am so sorry.

    You are a very organized, methodical person, I imagine you are working on a plan for next steps as your husband continues to lose skills. We are all pulling for you — and for him, too.

  72. 72.

    Jackie

    @NotMax: Thank goodness the football game won’t be decided for another three quarters!

    Or not. Tampa is running amok over Philadelphia.

  75. 75.

    TaMara

    @Sally: Cats. They are inscrutable. LOL  They do their thing and we just hang out with them. And feed them.

    I have one who hangs in the garden, looking for mice in the warm weather. Another who thinks she’s a dog and follows me all around the yard while I do chores, and one who will hang at the patio door and maybe go out and roll on the concrete, then right back in. But they all come when called and never leave the backyard…and I don’t know anyone else whose cats do that…I’ve given up trying to understand, just grateful we seem to have this rapport.

  77. 77.

    Dan B

    @Soprano2: Are you getting help for yourself?  Dementia is very stressful for everyone but caregivers can die early.  I know from my mother living with me.  It was a huge, but sad, relief when we got her in assisted living.

  79. 79.

    Soprano2

    @Another Scott: I do my best to do that. I suppress a lot of anger, too. Took him over an hour to pay 5 bills. Won’t have him do it again, at least not like that. It’s so hard to watch it happen.

  80. 80.

    TaMara

    @WaterGirl: They are soooo over being confined. This morning, while I was on the phone with a client, I heard them making a ruckus (my client heard, too and had a laugh – no one works with me w/o knowing my menagerie). When I went into the bathroom, they had flooded it with all their splashing. At least they had a good time. They are back out tomorrow, if the weather forecast holds.

  82. 82.

    Elizabelle

    @Soprano2:  Maybe write out the checks, and ask him to sign and review them?

    It’s so tough, especially when one person is in denial or unaware.

  84. 84.

    ronno2018

    Thank supreme being for the return of Steve!  You are sort of insane to travel with those pet dudes but it is amazing to hear the stories!

  85. 85.

    Soprano2

    @Ohio Mom: Yes, I’m working on getting the two letters I need for the power of attorney. Then I can legally do stuff. Practically, I could write and sign the checks and no one would notice. I’m not on his account due to a bad experience he had a long time ago with a lawsuit and a former ex-wife.

  89. 89.

    Alison Rose

    @Soprano2: I’m so sorry. It’s such a difficult thing to figure out how to handle. And it’s so maddening that they still barely know what to do to treat it.

    I hope you have some good moments amongst the tough ones <3

  90. 90.

    MoCaAce

    Scaredy cat, aka “fatty cat”, aka “get outta my way you damn cat” resides in my detached workshop where she works tirelessly to keep it mouse-free. She’s a 10ish year old rescue who was released into the shop and promptly disappeared.  She took food and water when I was gone but remained hidden for three months!  It took nearly a year before I could pet her.  She refused to wander more than five feet from the open door for at least three more.

    Now I leave the door open on nice days and she will explore a little but I never worry.  All I have to do is let the door slam shut and wait for the frantic scratching on the door… never takes more than a few minutes.  I don’t know what her life was like before, but she has her shop and wants no part of the mean streets ever again.

  91. 91.

    Scout211

    @Elizabelle: Why should Californians want a rookie to represent them?

    Do they mean Steve Garvey (R-Dodgers) or Ronald Reagan (R-Hollywood)?

    I did see that the LA Times had endorsed Schiff and was happy to read that.  He is definitely my first choice.

  92. 92.

    TaMara

    @Soprano2: So, I had a severe closed head injury that left me, let’s say, not functioning at full capacity, for about a year and a half. I can tell you from that experience, you really don’t think anything is that wrong. Just a few memories you can’t quite grasp, or can’t figure out where the car is parked. But good lord, I had to take a leave from work because everything I did was just garbled. Even though I THOUGHT I was doing fine. The brain and perception are weird.

    I’ll keep a good thought for you.

  93. 93.

    Soprano2

    @Dan B: Yes, I have a therapist and a support group. I also still do the things I did before, at least for now. Thanks for asking.

  94. 94.

    Another Scott

    Strength to everyone going through tough times.  It’s hard.  :-(

    In other news… VOANews.com:

    Israel’s defense minister said Monday that the intensive phase of Israel’s war with Hamas would soon end, but he ruled out a cease-fire.

    At a news conference, Yoav Gallant said the “intense maneuvering stage” that the Israeli military has been carrying out in southern Gaza “will end soon.” He said the military had recently ended its intensive ground operation in northern Gaza.

    “In both places, we will reach the moment for the next stage,” he said.

    Gallant said Israel could not fully stop its military operations in Gaza because Hamas would not agree to release any more hostages without military pressure.

    Here’s hoping that things are finally winding down. I assume that South African ICJ case, Biden and Blinken’s pressure, and similar things are finally having an effect. Time will tell.

    Bibi needs to go – the sooner the better.

    Peace and comfort to the innocents.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  95. 95.

    satby

    @Soprano2: A friend of mine took over bill paying but kept old ones for her husband to “pay” in a file. He’d do his thing, she’d offer to put them in the envelopes and mail them, and then void the checks. Every month she just switched out the old bills with the ones she had already paid. She said that went smoother than helping him since he said he didn’t need the help.

  96. 96.

    AlaskaReader

    Trump tells Iowans they can help him punish his enemies,

    …and Iowans say,  ‘Yeah, we’re down with that’.

    Standard Republicanism

  99. 99.

    laura

    @Soprano2: Of course this makes you want to shout and cry. I’m so sorry for you and your darling boy. Can you do this together for a spell? I wish I had a real solution, but all I have is hope and Grace for you both as you face this un asked for obligation

  100. 100.

    Scout211

    @Soprano2: I’m so sorry.  That sounds so hard. Do you think his doctor could help you explain to him that you need to take over his bills?

  103. 103.

    Alison Rose

    @Scout211: With dementia, explaining things doesn’t always stick. They could make him see it and agree in the moment, but hours or days later, he may not recall. One of the cruelest aspects is that you have to have difficult conversations over and over again.

  104. 104.

    Soprano2

    @Elizabelle: Yeah, I’m still thinking about it. I could pay them all online, I’ve done it for him for years when he let a due date get too close. That way I wouldn’t have to sign checks.

  106. 106.

    TaMara

    @satby: I suppose, because I’m so used to creating strong boundaries for the dogs (or you know, they’d just run me over, as Danes are prone to do), I probably do the same with the cats, but don’t realize it. I always feel like we are having a conversation…but you’re right. They don’t jump on the counters, they generally follow the house rules, we co-exist peacefully, so yay?

  107. 107.

    satby

    @MoCaAce:   I don’t know what her life was like before, but she has her shop and wants no part of the mean streets ever again.

    None of mine try to escape, though the two newbies who made a jailbreak from the second story window they pushed open gave it a go last summer. They both were back within 18 hours. And now don’t even go near the door. The streets are frightening and dangerous and they know it.

  111. 111.

    mrmoshpotato

    @eclare:

    My cat Jacy comes running when she hears the sound of Reddi Wip applied to berries. 

    Does she jump up and faceplant into the bowl?

  112. 112.

    satby

    @TaMara:  I suppose, because I’m so used to creating strong boundaries for the dogs (or you know, they’d just run me over, as Danes are prone to do), I probably do the same with the cats, but don’t realize it.

    I totally believe you do. I didn’t have Danes but most of my rescues were bigger dogs as well. And I think wrangling multiples makes you set boundaries too for your own sanity and the pets. Boundaries are good, we suffer from a lack of them in a lot of areas now.

  113. 113.

    Scout211

    @Soprano2: I also still do the things I did before, at least for now. Thanks for asking.

    This is so hard for the spouses.  And so unpredictable.  I’m so glad that you can still do all your activities.  That’s really good to hear.

    On the one hand, my husband turned over all the finances to me several years ago. Up until that point we had separate accounts but at that point we combined them and he turned them all over to me.

    But on the other hand, I have pretty much had to give up all my separate activities. He really doesn’t do well if I’m not around. He doesn’t really need me for much right now, but he needs me to be in proximity of him.

    It hits all of us differently and each time something changes, it is another loss for us.

    Take care of yourself.

  115. 115.

    Another Scott

    @Soprano2: It’s hard.  Fighting with all the paperwork is an additional annoyance.

    Can you tell him that you’re having the bills paid by “direct deposit” now because you’re getting a discount that way?  Say you’re watching everything carefully to make sure that they’re not grabbing more than they should – you can check things together every month.  It’s less of a chore for him (and you) and it’s the “modern way”.  ;-)  Saves on stamps too!!

    My MIL wanted to keep cooking when she moved in with us.  We knew that was a bad idea after seeing the scorch marks and soot under her kitchen counters from the burnt toast.  :-(  She eventually was relieved when she realized that she didn’t need to keep trying, and eventually the new routine became normal.

    Everyone is different and there is no universal solution.  Don’t be afraid to try anything different.  Just find something that works for you and eventually it will work for him too.

    Loss of short-term memory is terrible.  I’m sure he’s happy that you’re there with him to help him through this time.

    [eta:] I see you’ve already done this (in #104).

    Best wishes,
    Scott.

  117. 117.

    Anonymous At Work

    I took in a stray Siamese (cuz it was totally declawed) and thought it had run out…it was hiding underneath a lazy susan that I wasn’t aware had an “underneath” for two days.  She earned her name, Shinobi, from that.

  118. 118.

    Elizabelle

    @Another Scott:  Yeah.  That’s what I was thinking.  “We are getting a discount for paying our bills online.  We just have to be careful to review the statements each month.”

  121. 121.

    satby

    @Elizabelle: I think she got the idea from a memory care assisted living place. To give people tasks they used to do but to limit both the frustration an the potential mess of it not being done well.

    This is a phase of life where sometimes the white lies are the kindest ones.

  122. 122.

    Alison Rose

    @Dan B: My mom’s father had Alzheimer’s and it got so difficult in the last year, especially since he lived on the East coast, so we could only talk by phone which made it much harder for him to stay focused and such. And it was always tough to know if you should correct something or let it go, if you should remind them about something or not, etc. It’s a terrible thing.

  123. 123.

    Tony G

    “It is certainly very rare to have bad weather in mid-January in Iowa.  Therefore we will certainly continue with this idiotic caucus system.”  Makes perfect sense to me.

  125. 125.

    dmsilev

    Alexandra Petri is now speaking directly to our own Betty Cracker:

    Ron doesn’t understand. He did everything right. He completed the courtship ritual and displayed his plumage in the time-honored fashion. Now Iowa is supposed to waddle over and let him deposit his eggs. He bobbed and weaved and arranged his scavenged baubles into a pleasing triangular formation! He inflated his throat wattles — where are the Iowans? Where is his groundswell!

  127. 127.

    satby

    @Scout211: @Soprano2: such a tough time for you both. And for your husbands. My mom was at her most stubborn when she realized she was slipping or confused and would be so frustrated and angry about it. It’s hard to give up not just your independence, but to accept that you’re losing competence too. Which she could never admit.

  128. 128.

    Elizabelle

    ETA:  I think I’ll skip that story.

    And may I just say:  Eff you, Iowa Republicans.  We can SEE you.

  132. 132.

    Soprano2

    @satby: Interesting idea, I can see how that would be easier. I’m not sure he would notice if he wasn’t writing checks anymore. That was one early sign something was wrong, he kept forgetting to pay bills until I reminded him.

  133. 133.

    Another Scott

    @satby: Indeed.

    Also, sometimes the things they want to talk about and the concerns they have have nothing to do with the words they’re saying.  It’s hard to know whether they want an answer to a question, or when they want some kind of reassurance that they’re safe and loved and will be taken care of no matter what happens.

    My J visited her mother Ann in assisted living every day (after work and for hours on the weekend) for about 18 months after we could no longer care for her here at home (she and her husband had been with us about 6 years before then).  Ann was often upset with J, and called her “Betty” (the name of Ann’s least favorite sister who was often mean to her).  Of course, it hurt, but J knew it was the disease talking and that correcting her wouldn’t help.

    There aren’t any good answers yet.  One just has to do what one can and know – that at this point – it’s part of life for too many.  The person we love will always be with us even as their body changes in such awful ways.

    Hang in there, everyone.  Peace and comfort to you.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  134. 134.

    zhena gogolia

    Horrible as Jan. 6 was, I thought, at least this is the end of HIM. But no.

    Their depravity knows no limits.

  135. 135.

    Brachiator

    Some Iowa background.

    Trump lost Iowa Caucus in 2016. Ted Cruz won with 27.6 percent of the vote. Trump was second, with 24.3 percent. Marco Rubio was third, with 23.1 percent.

    CNN notes that in exit polls about 53 percent identify as MAGA, and 68 percent believe that the election was stolen.

  137. 137.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    @Soprano2: so sorry for you.  Would you consider electronic payments?  That way the bills come to your email or even directly to your bank account on line.   I’ve been using that feature for 20 years for my bills, and it’s been a god send for my husband’s mother over the last few years as we don’t live in the same state, and she’s started to throw away mail.  If your spouse doesn’t see the bills anymore, maybe that will be a help.

  138. 138.

    Soprano2

    @Alison Rose: It’s hard to know what he will and won’t remember. In some ways he’s still the same, but taking 1 1/2 hours to pay 5 bills isn’t how he used to be.

  141. 141.

    Soprano2

    @Scout211: Sounds like he’s what my FB support group calls a shadower. Has to be near you all the time no matter what. That’s tough, I’m sorry. This is really hard on caregivers, most people have no idea.

  144. 144.

    thalarctosMaritimus

    @TheronWare: Before we wised up to where his hidey-hole is, my mother-in-law’s cat Ginger liked to curl up behind the fridge, where it’s warm, and just listen to us frantically searching for him. It had a real Tom-Sawyer-at-his-own-funeral vibe to it.

  147. 147.

    Sally

    @satby: Thank you for your advice, and all the other cat advice you have given here over the years.  I appreciate it.  I don’t mean to sound as if I am just dismissing what you say.  I am too busy to stay in one room much, especially as I don’t have useful rooms with doors.  When he is closed off he becomes distressed, especially if no one is with him, as there must be something exciting going on elsewhere. There is an understair cupboard in the kitchen that I don’t want him in.  So he sits at it, scratching at the door, and looking at me to say “you have something fabulous in here, and I want at it”.

    If he were here forever, I would necessarily find a better solution.  He is accustomed to either the streets, which hold no fear for him, even though they should, or the run of son’s seventeenth floor apartment. I have trained all our dogs over the years, big, gorgeous creatures like airedales, and I would take on this fearless, determined Cat.

  150. 150.

    Ohio Mom

    @satby: I was thinking, there may not be any treatments for dementia but there are certainly interventions.

    Your friend’s approach to the bill paying dilemma is a good example of one. I don’t know much about dementia , not having any first hand experience (yet, and knock on wood), but I know families and professionals in tne field have a large bag of tricks to make managing everyday interactions and tasks somewhat easier.

  151. 151.

    dmsilev

    @Another Scott: That’s a pretty bad showing for Ron, seeing as he’s been living the deep-fried corn lifestyle for just about the last year now, and Haley didn’t spend nearly as much effort there. I mean, it’s better than falling into third place, but still pretty lame.

  153. 153.

    cain

    I think if I end up with Alzheimer’s I will look for a way to euthanize myself but need to move the a country that will allow it.

  154. 154.

    Martin

    So, the notable thing about Iowa is the atrocious turnout. Iowa has 3.2m people and they had 130,000 participants in the caucus. Even factoring for this being a primary, that’s maybe a 12% turnout? So yeah, you have the most motivated voters backing Trump. Is that a surprised to anyone? But that’s not remotely the same as saying most voters back him.

    This matters inasmuch as it influences fundraising, and maybe people choosing to drop out. It doesn’t even affect who’s in the debates because Trump hasn’t shown up for any of them. Beyond that, it means nothing.

  157. 157.

    Ohio Mom

    @Martin: The most motivated voters are Trump voters who would risk their health and lives in dangerous weather to show their support, there’s a Darwin Award joke in there somewhere.

  158. 158.

    dmsilev

    @Martin: The caucuses have always been low turnout, even when both parties are participating and the outside conditions aren’t set to ‘Hoth’. They shouldn’t matter, not one whit.

  159. 159.

    Another Scott

    @cain: It’s a disease.  Progress is being made on understanding it. (Progress may have been delayed for years by chasing the amalyoid plaque theory which has had problems with apparent scientific misconduct.)

    Early this year, Schrag raised his doubts with NIH and journals including Nature; two, including Nature last week, have published expressions of concern about papers by Lesné. Schrag’s work, done independently of Vanderbilt and its medical center, implies millions of federal dollars may have been misspent on the research—and much more on related efforts. Some Alzheimer’s experts now suspect Lesné’s studies have misdirected Alzheimer’s research for 16 years.

    “The immediate, obvious damage is wasted NIH funding and wasted thinking in the field because people are using these results as a starting point for their own experiments,” says Stanford University neuroscientist Thomas Südhof, a Nobel laureate and expert on Alzheimer’s and related conditions.

    Progress is being made in understanding how to fix damaged spinal cords, also too.

    This brain and nerve stuff is complicated, but not hopelessly so.

    My $0.02.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  160. 160.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Martin:

    So, the notable thing about Iowa is the atrocious turnout. Iowa has 3.2m people and they had 130,000 participants in the caucus. Even factoring for this being a primary, that’s maybe a 12% turnout?

    Maybe it’s due to caucuses sucking donkey balls – and the weather.

    I’ll stick with my mail-in ballot on the other side of Mississippi.

  163. 163.

    satby

    @Sally: no worries! Every situation is different anyway. I have strong “ignore” abilities, so animals pathetically meowing, whining, or scratching for something get nowhere with me, and I know it bothers lots of people. I guess I’ve just had lots more practice 😆

  167. 167.

    cain

    @Another Scott:

    Until there are successful trials I don’t want to be a burden to my family. The same goes for Parkinson’s.

    It’s not worth the emotional cost. I rather die and hopefully my wife will find someone else and light a candle on my birthday or something.

  168. 168.

    Elizabelle

    @RaflW:  Eh.  The worst of the worst went out tonight and flung poo.

    It does have me thinking about deprogramming them.

    Further, those were exit polls.  These jackasses can say anything they want to get on TV.

  169. 169.

    cain

    @Jackie: there is but you have to do it before you get a diagnosis. Eg you need to be of sound body and mind and there is a lot of paperwork involved.

    I would need to do it anyways so my wife doesn’t get charged with murder. 😅

  171. 171.

    Brachiator

    @Martin:

    So, the notable thing about Iowa is the atrocious turnout. Iowa has 3.2m people and they had 130,000 participants in the caucus. Even factoring for this being a primary, that’s maybe a 12% turnout? So yeah, you have the most motivated voters backing Trump. Is that a surprised to anyone?

    It’s not a surprise in itself. But the whole point of any primary or caucus is to bring out motivated party members. By definition not the same as the deeper pool of voters.

    I guess we will see how long DeSantis and Hayley hang on.

     

    ETA. I also guess it might have been interesting if DeSantis and Hayley did better.

  177. 177.

    RevRick

    @Soprano2: I have seen the ravages of dementia and other conditions that afflict the brain more times than I care to count. It is hell for both the patient and the caregivers. I recall one parishioner who faced the task every day of informing her dad that his wife had died after he asked where she was and having to comfort him all over again. But the greatest strain is not so much the caregiving as it is the guilt.

    I’m glad to hear you’re in therapy and have a support group, because it’s so easy to lash yourself with guilt and you need a place of grace. We all have our limits. So, of course, I will pray for Mr. Soprano, but also for you. I would urge you to continue to take care of yourself.

  178. 178.

    Ms. D. Ranged in AZ

    OMG, I’m so glad he was inside!  I know he’s a big boi, but we have rather large predators here in AZ.  I live up near the large retirement communities in the NW Valley, and I swear about once a week I hear a story of an owl taking off with a small dog on a leash or coyotes taking cats out of backyards, etc. This is NOT a safe place for kitties to be outside.

    To add, loving these daily John posts because I’m curious to get his take on life in AZ.

  179. 179.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @Soprano2:

    I’m so sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you. Getting old is better than the alternative but too often it doesn’t go the way we hoped it would.

    Take care.

  180. 180.

    Kineslaw

    My cat has an Airtag attached to her collar.  Even in a 2/2 apartment it has saved me worrying more times than I can count.  I walk around, see that she’s six feet to the left, and figure out her newest hiding place.

  181. 181.

    frosty

    @Soprano2: ​I’m so sorry you’re going through that. I saw my parents gradually lose their capabilities and I fear the day will come when Quicken just baffles me.​

  183. 183.

    frosty

    @satby: ​ @Soprano2: ​ Late to the thread, but here’s an idea. Since we’ve been on the road so much, Ms F switched every bill she could to online auto-pay. About all that’s left is the borough water and sewer that still only come in the mail. All the utilities, phone, cable, house and car insurance, Medigap, and school loans, we don’t write checks for any more.

    Credit cards are one of the few things we have to look at and pay online.​

  184. 184.

    sab

    @satby: White lies: my dad is five years in assisted living still waiting for the fictitious contractor to finish major repairs on the house.

  185. 185.

    satby

    @sab: yeah, I get it. And how heartbreaking it is that it works.

    I remember you talking about him going in, I think. Can’t believe it’s been 5 years.

  187. 187.

    Joelle

    @karen marie: Steve is staying in a delux 3 story Malibu Barbie dream house kitty condo (that he totally loves) while we are getting him and Maxwell acclimated to a house with 3 dogs in AZ.  Max is in a giant dog crate.  We take them out for supervised co-habitation in the house.  As others have mentioned… AZ and outdoor kitty life is no bueno.  So we are providing a balance of secure spacious catteries and free range time in JG’s den of iniquity.  It’s been great for observing Steve’s progress with the insulin shots (and ADMINISTRATION of said shots).  Maxwell loves clawing me as I pass his crate to exit through the kitchen door.  He quickly caught on that we have to get past him to go outside.  He has become our unofficial club door man, marking each entrance and exit with his Maxwellian “hand stamp.”

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