Category: Uncategorized

“Spotlight”. I had not seen this Academy Award winner. I rarely go to the movies when they come out. I’m catching up on some with a Netflix gift from a grandaughter. I watched this last night.

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In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter “Robby” Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church

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https://rugby843.blog

Okay, just delete now if you’re squeamish. Remember I warned you…

As a person who has so far survived bladder cancer, 3 and 1/2 years, yes I’m counting (it’s what cancer survivors do) I am very familiar with the word bag. That’s why my blog is named the Bag Lady ’cause I thought it was funny. Humor is vital!

In fact as I read a post, sorry I don’t remember whose it was, but they asked women about being a man, and what your reaction would be if you woke up and found things had changed…

Well I don’t have to wonder. I know. After having my bladder removed I had an illeostomy which is using part of your intestines to form a direct line from your kidneys to an opening in your abdomen called an ostomy.

Urine does not pass Go, goes directly to Jail–the ostomy. This lovely item looks like a large raspberry sitting on your abdomen. It is permanent.

Now about the bag part. The manufacturers call it an appliance, however it requires no batteries or electricity to operate. It does require vigilance. The “appliance” is a plastic bag. Still with me? Man, you are a trooper…

The plastic bag is attached by a ring of ugly brown glue adhesive that surrounds the ostomy/raspberry. Then another outside ring of lighter mesh adhesive surrounds that. It is fitted with a spout in order to empty the accumulated urine.

The reason I say I don’t need to imagine being a man with “parts” is that when standing, the bag does hang, sorry guys, but I warned you, and if moving, it does flop around a bit. Sorry again…

It needs adjusting in your underwear and is uncomfortable if not positioned right. It allows a person who is able to stand, to relieve themselves as a man would, say behind a tree in the country, on a long trip with no facilities in sight?

Well you get the picture…probably more than you want to know. But it is November, my 6th month checkup is due and I try to remind everyone at the time of these checkups that bladder cancer is not a death sentence. So get yourself checked out if you have any of these symptoms:

It is one if those cancers people don’t like to talk about, but need to. Mine went undiagnosed too long. Don’t let it happen to you or your loved ones.

https://thehouseofbailey.wordpress.com

https://rugby843.blog

Yeah, they’ll never find ‘er now!

Ya really think so? I mean the lot is abandoned, something about back taxes on the property…

Yup, that’s why I picked it. Sure helps working in the county assessor office, right, Joe?

Yup, sure does. But what about when they find out the old gal’s missing? Think they’ll remember you looking up her info?

Nah, it’s how the government works. It’s so slow, so much paperwork to go through, we’ll be long gone afore then.

Tahiti, here we come! Right Joe?

Sure, Jack. One more thing though…

Yeah?

I just need you to look closely into the hole to make sure she’s all covered.

Oh, okay, no problem, Joe.

Joe started up the engine one more time for the final push, and he was on his way…alone.

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/fffaw-challenge-191st/

Speak only the truth

Honorable words are heard

Respect will be earned

RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #227 Truth&Honor

Just for fun, don’t get your knickers in a knot:

“Freeze!” He yelled as I lifted the bottle.

Little did I know he was watching so closely.

If known, I wouldn’t have tried to boggle

The mind of the clerk, who turned out a jerk

Who chose the however proper, elective

To push the button

Only to summon

The very efficiently armed store detective.

“My my” I said quietly as I slowly turned

“Why this accosting I have earned?”

“I said freeze, madam, hands on the counter!”

I put down the bottle, hands were unsteady

I could fake a faint, always at the ready

But I was indeed guilty, tried to abscond

With the expensive perfume of which I was fond.

Freeze – Word of the Day Challenge

You like the mountains

I prefer seas

I’m upper register

You’re minor keys

Our opposite lives not joined as one

For I live in the day when you are undone

Our brief meetings always on the cusp

I fly in the sun and you travel in dusk

Our Ladyhawke life until one small poultice–

The first day of winter, the earth’s solstice

One time of the year our souls can be one

When the dark of night meets the morning sun

A brief encounter when two opposite poles

May join so briefly to renew their souls

https://rugby843.blog

One of my favorite trios:

https://dutchgoesthephoto.net/2018/11/13/trio/

Yup that’s me, listless, layered clothing, under blanket, reading blogs, hands surrounding a hot cup of anything to keep them warm enough to scribble a comment. It is cold! How cold is it? I refer you to some one liners, reminiscent of Johnny Carson monologues:

It is so cold we ate lunch at the Greasy Spoon just to get heartburn.

It was so cold . . .

the squirrels in the park were throwing themselves at an electric fence!

And Bob Hope:

We slept four in a bed. If it got cold, mom just threw on another brother.

Have a warmer day than mine.

https://rugby843.blog

I hear your voice

Like Pavlov’s bell

A practiced response

I’m always here to serve

There’s no hidden mystery

Our clues are obvious

A whisper, a touch, a glance

Is all that’s needed.

Weekly Writing Challenge #167