Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[electrycmonk]

It's official. Winter is Here. Water founts were frozen. Even the duck pool was skimmed over with ice. So I broke the ice from the pool and brought the founts in to thaw, wash, & refill. Chickens didn't seem to mind the 28 degree weather. I sure do!

Yesterday I picked up neighbor's golf cart. I'll be storing it in my garage and keeping the batteries charged up over the winter. They are going to send me cash to help pay the electric bill. This is the couple that paid my entire DTE bill last spring when my power was shut off. I love these guys.

I had gone to the pop-up food pantry in town on Saturday. They ask how many in the family so they can cover the whole family. I said it was just me and the volunteer said "I'll put you down for 2". I got extra so I shared my windfall. I took half over to my buddy Lee. He is in the same boat as me. Retired and only Social Security to rely on. He was happy with the food. And I was happy to share.

I notice my mood has vastly improved lately. I think I was grumpy from all the meds I was on when I was in hospital. I was miserable and I didn't like the mood swing to the Dark Side. Now if I can only get rid of the damn pain.

 

[1muttsfan]

I read an interesting article lately that postulated that a lot of pain is caused by misdirected angst, that it can be a physical manifestation of anger, fear, depression, and other negative emotions. The article said that one way to help deflect those negative thoughts is to journal about them. Meaning you sit down each day with a pen and notebook, or on a computer, and write about the negatives you are feeling. You do not try to balance it out with positives, or put a happy face on things - just let those negative feelings wash out onto the page. I've been considering it for myself; a lot of time just expressing your fears or negatives can be cathartic, and this way it would be without putting the burden of your problems on a listener.

Not that I ever mind offering a listening ear, or a helping hand, I can just see that it may be easier to honestly let things go if you don't feel the additional concern of whether your listener is put into the difficult position of listening and wondering if they should do something.

 

[aart]

I read an interesting article lately that postulated that a lot of pain is caused by misdirected angst, that it can be a physical manifestation of anger, fear, depression, and other negative emotions. The article said that one way to help deflect those negative thoughts is to journal about them. Meaning you sit down each day with a pen and notebook, or on a computer, and write about the negatives you are feeling. You do not try to balance it out with positives, or put a happy face on things - just let those negative feelings wash out onto the page. I've been considering it for myself; a lot of time just expressing your fears or negatives can be cathartic, and this way it would be without putting the burden of your problems on a listener.

Having struggled with depression/mania/anxiety/anger all my life, and a great deal of pain the past couple decades, I can attest this can really help. It won't make all physical pain go away, but definitely helps improve overall well being. Good food and sleep also help a great deal. Both are things you can control.

 

[RaZ]

I read an interesting article lately that postulated that a lot of pain is caused by misdirected angst, that it can be a physical manifestation of anger, fear, depression, and other negative emotions. The article said that one way to help deflect those negative thoughts is to journal about them. Meaning you sit down each day with a pen and notebook, or on a computer, and write about the negatives you are feeling. You do not try to balance it out with positives, or put a happy face on things - just let those negative feelings wash out onto the page. I've been considering it for myself; a lot of time just expressing your fears or negatives can be cathartic, and this way it would be without putting the burden of your problems on a listener.

Not that I ever mind offering a listening ear, or a helping hand, I can just see that it may be easier to honestly let things go if you don't feel the additional concern of whether your listener is put into the difficult position of listening and wondering if they should do something.

Hmmm. That kind of makes sense to me. I guess I have sort been of writing a journal each time I posted (whined) here to you guys. I also feel guilty talking or writing about my aches & pains. I appreciate the support you have all shown.

 

[Sally PB]

We are all here for you, @RaZ, and @aart. Not sure where I'd be without everyone's help here.

 

[RaZ]

Having struggled with depression/mania/anxiety/anger all my life, and a great deal of pain the past couple decades, I can attest this can really help. It won't make all physical pain go away, but definitely helps improve overall well being. Good food and sleep also help a great deal. Both are things you can control.

I never really understood what depression was or could be until I had the open heart procedure last year. The cardiac discharge information talked about it and so did my cardiologist. Looking back I can see the signs. I think I had it but wasn't dealing with it. There is a lot to look out for and I was ignoring the signs. I need to separate the physical pain from the mental version. And break a lifetime of being told to keep that crap to yourself.

 

[chickflick]

We all go through tough times and need someone to talk to to get us through. Not everyone has family or a friend to talk to. So, if someone needs to vent on here, we're here to listen and maybe help. Family doesn't have to be blood.

 

[1muttsfan]

I certainly don't mind anything you say Raz, except maybe when you bad mouth lilacs. I do think people might feel freer to express themselves if they are not worrying about how others may judge them, or if you are normally a stoic person and have a hard time "complaining".

I also hear that when experiencing pain cursing reduces the pain you feel. I do use that fairly freely.

 

[Sally PB]

I also hear that when experiencing pain cursing reduces the pain you feel. I do use that fairly freely.

Me too!

The tree crew has come and gone. All trees came down without incident. I have a nice pile of woodchips (but less than they thought there would be, oh well), and we have a big pile of logs to split. It's all green, so it's not for this year.

I will use this company again, if I need arborist services or trees taken down. Very professional, competent, nice. And a very decent price for the work. About $2000 less than the other company. It's Heartwood Tree Care; 616-490-9322.

It was fascinating to watch how they did it. They brought a 90' crane and hoisted a guy up to a point on the upper trunk to tie ropes attached to the crane. Then he came down a few feet and cut the trunk clean across. The crane hoisted the tree top up, up, and away. Over the house, out to the front yard, and down. On the biggest ones, they did it in 3 pieces.

These were canopies that were leaning over the house, and nothing hit the house other than leaves and a small twig.

I was really impressed.

 

[aart]

It was fascinating to watch how they did it.

Isn't it?!
Had some storm clean up done a couple years ago, they had all the equipment and it was great to watch them do their thing.

Saw a show on tv the other day that had a guy going up to attach a pulley and rope to a huge tree right next to a trailer home. They used horses to both pull the guy up and to pull the tree away when it started falling. Was some extreme loggers docudrama.