Questions Bipolar Version #9

listening to my never ending supply of music. seriously: I got loads!.

how often does death cross your mind?. do you just try and get on with your life?, or do you find your mind wondering to thoughts about dying

(to clarify, I mean natural dying, not sui).

I live with my 94 yr old mum who thinks about dying a lot. She’ll get these moods where she packs away a lot of her stuff so we kids don’t have to do it when she dies. But for myself, no I don’t think of it much.

Are you pro protests or do you think people aught to stay home and not cause a commotion?

I support peaceful protests 100%. It's a democratic right. If we all stayed home and said nothing, we might also be the victims of totalitarian regimes. My husband grew up under one (communism) and protests against the government were forbidden and sometimes resulted in tanks coming in and shooting at people and buildings, and arrests. Right now in Russia, protesters are taken away by police and possibly face up to 15 years in prison...or worse. So yes, I fully support the right to protest and think it's sometimes needed. Unfortunately, some governments are not acting on behalf of the majority of people more than they are on behalf of themselves.

Peaceful protests have also sometimes been means of toppling weakening totalitarian regimes. Czech Republic is again an example. Back in the mid and late 1980s, several countries in the former communist block had protests that resulted in the end of communism there. It was the will of those people that ended it. Not Ronald Reagan saying simply saying "Gorbachev, tear down that wall!"

Peaceful protests CAN make positive changes happen. I believe that the gatherings led by Martin Luther King Jr. contributed to some improvements for black Americans. I hope peaceful protests help Americans preserve rights that may possibly be soon taken away.

Complacency can sometimes be dangerous.

Have you ever stood up in any way in support of a cause or participating in a "Walk" for some type of cause?

I’ve been to many peaceful protests my last being the occupy movement. I was limited by my back though and couldn’t stay. Most of my activity was for climate and literacy. I came of age in the 70’s so peaceful protests is part and particle of my life.

Is PBS a part of your life?

No because I can't figure out how to hook up my antenna. I hope soon.

Have you ever been to Niagara Falls?

Nope but I’d like to see it. I think a ride on the maid of the mist would be so cool.

Do you have a good memory or do you just remember emotional times

For some things, my memory is outstanding. For others, just normal, I suppose. As for emotional times, I tend to block some of them out as a coping tool. Some truly aren't present in my mind as I experienced amnesia, to degrees.

What is one of your favorite sounds that isn't music?

Humpback whale communication and thunder. One is eerily haunting the other sort of scary but I love the sounds.

Wonderful question, I’d love to hear more answers, so…

What is one of your favorite sounds that isn’t music?

I have so many.

one of mine is a baby laughing. well, a baby doing anything. cooing, feeding from the bottle, babies are just adorable

I also like the sound of the train as it chugs on down the track

a cat purring

rain on the window

running water

what is usually your first drink of a morning. tea, coffee, or something else

Either orange juice or coffee with milk. They are both on the breakfast table at the same time. Sometimes if I wake up parched, it might be mineral water (which I keep by my bed), but I always take morning medications with the juice, and only drink it in the morning.

What is your favorite type of juice?

I’d have to say V-8. I love V-8 even though I don’t drink it that often. I like natural juices too but drink them even less, they are so expensive. Sometimes I get a hankering for cherry- cranberries juice.

If it’s planting season near you, have you planted any flowers?

Yeah, we put them in pots so we can take them inside if it drops below freezing again (very possible).

What's your favorite way to ground yourself?

Mindfully look far, then near. Feeling different textures near me, shuffling my feet, smelling, listening to what sounds there are. I can do all this quite unobtrusively.

What’s your favorite character on TV, currently or past?

Sister Monica Joan on Call the Midwife (the only current show I watch). She just knows so much and can't always access it. The stories she could tell fascinate me.

Why did you give a pet, past or current, their name?

Oh, I love sister Monica Jones

First: A name I liked from the bible.
Second: A very cute Czech word that's something all Czechs like.
Third: A city in South America where his species was from.
Fourth: The last name of both a famous Czech and South American writer.

Who is your favorite author/writer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour First: A name I liked from the bible. Second: A very cute Czech word that's something all Czechs like. Third: A city in South America where his species was from. Fourth: The last name of both a famous Czech and South American writer. Who is your favorite author/writer?

Solomon!

John Steinbeck. East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, and so many others.

To repeat - Who is your favorite author?

I have so many. JD Robb, William Kent Krueger, Eric H Cline, Stanford, Dave Berry. They are each different and fill a different part of me.

I liked the previous question, so what’s the story behind your name ing your pet?

Abby was the name I always thought I'd give to a little girl of my own. Since that's not going to happen the cat was the next best choice.

What kinds of diet have you tried?

Weight Watchers "Core Plan", was my first serious diet ever. I lost about 25 lbs from that 1st effort. I tried it a few other times with lesser success. Also tried WW points counting, but that wasn't for me. Then later down the line I was on a dietitian prescribed semi low fat and low carb diet. I lost almost 40 lbs on that, but the eating was not my style so I've resisted going back on it. Since, I occasionally follow a MyFitnessPal recommended diet. It's also lower fat and lowered carb, but not as restrictive. If I truly stay within allowances, I do lose weight. Trouble is it's hard, unless I'm really motivated.

What healthy and low calorie food do you really like?

A: Would you call popcorn healthy? If so, that. If not -- I ain't got an answer LOL

Q: What is your favorite dessert?

summer pudding

favourite chocolate dessert?

My mother-in-law's Malakoff, which is more like a chocolate Paris cream trifle. You make a deliciously rich chocolate Paris cream (like a thick chocolate mousse) and create layers of that alternating with layers of vanilla wafer "sandwiches" you make by filling them with raspberry preserves, then a layer of sliced banana, a layer of orange segments, and almond slivers. Then repeat the layers ending with the chocolate Paris cream. Then top with homemade whipped cream topped with fresh raspberries. Yum!

Did you have a favorite grandparent? If so, which one and why?

Yes, my mom's mom. I used to live with her when I was a child/teen and my parents' place wasn't ideal. We've been close since I was born pretty much since she helped my parents out more than anyone else.

If you could sit on a bench for an hour and talk to anyone alive or dead who would you choose and why?