Welcome to my Insanity!

A blog for all the people that know me, want to know more, and don't mind listening to dog or horse stories. Or for people that give up so much, to help creatures that are less fortunate. Maybe you just want to figure out why we do what we do...

Monday, August 30, 2010

It begins!

As I sit in the Hospital (going on the sixth day) I am reminded that my health must continually be one of my biggest priorities in life. I unfortunately did not learn this message until I hit the half century mark, as I am nursing a MRSA infection in my Big Toe-Lee-O (as my brother calls it.)The treatment will consist of six weeks of intravenous antibiotics at home. And then of course there is no guarantee that I won't lose my toe if the infection come back at the end of the six weeks. [Image] Insanity started years ago!



But, I am hopeful that this will not be the case. I will do what the Doctor says to do. This has humbled me. Luckily I have support from my family, and an unbelievable circle of friends that I have made both in Miami and in Tennessee since I've retired. I am not one to ask for help. I have a problem with it. Many years spent in an environment that no one does anything for you unless you pay them, have skewed my thinking a bit. There have been the exceptions in my life, and I thank them for assisting in my not totally going to the "dark side and becoming cynical. "My friends want nothing from me...They are my "voice of reason" when I need it, my sounding board when I've had enough, and they have been there for me when I hurt so much through the years... They have taught me to "listen," to "give," and to "love. "They know who they are…

The rest of life's lessons came from my own observances. Animal Control taught me no creature is "lesser" than me, and to enjoy life while you can, because nothing is promised to us. It just depends on how fortunate the cards fall.

Corrections taught me that "Common sense is not common." And that reasoning over anger is a way better way to go. People that are "not with Corrections" have asked how I could have ever done that job. People "in Corrections" know the secrets. It was the easiest job I ever had...Not that I didn't work hard mind you. Not that I didn't witness horrible things happening on a daily bases. But I learned quickly that you simply "never promise anyone something you can't do, and always do what you promised.” That alone, made this job "a piece of cake." Yes, it was "hell" for some officers, and continues to be today. Because they either, got into it for the wrong reasons (badge heavy). Or they don't realize how good we had it compared to private enterprise (it was very difficult to fire someone in County Service). Or they are officers that "missed the boat" when common sense was handed out. Most good officers would tell you the inmates were never a problem. This surprises most people. Yes, we had murder, rapes, assaults, theft, and a slew of other things happen. But when you follow those rules, the years just flew by.Now it's back to what my nature intended. To be by the side of dogs, learning, loving, and laughing.