OT April Chit Chat

[agate]

Isn't it amazing how far superior the eggs become just by feeding the chickens better food and giving them more space to run around and be chickens?

This kind of post is music to the ears of many hens here.

[Howie]

My parents raised chickens for a while. Laying hens so we always had fresh eggs, as fresh as you can get! Then one day, we assume a fox, got in the hen house, and killed every single hen. That was the end of our chicken days.

SuzE-Q, funny you should mention that. I'm going to work on the Cruiser tomorrow, and fix the window that won't move. Then it's Pinky's turn. I think I know what is wrong, and have a replacement part. But it may just have a wire that came loose.

I just got a bath, and soon time to eat. It's Stargate night, so that's the plan as long as I can stay up. Here lately, 11 o'clock, and I can't keep my eyes open.

[Virginia]

The chocolate article is good. Thanks Suze-Q. I think Ann and I are going to apply for work at a chocolate factory if they will let us sit while we work. I am talking about the kind that Lucy and Ethel of "I Love Lucy" days worked in.

Sunshine, I think that was pretty smart of you. Break all their eggs and then point out how nice the eggs were.

[Howie]

I needed to kill some time before I eat, so I decided to trim my beard. It looks MUCH better. I need to do that more often than I have. I had just let it grow, but not any more.

[Cherie]

Cherie:
Even with that attendance issue, I bet you gave a great talk, and I bet you touched lives that you don’t know you touched. In my career, when I thought I was ineffective due to similar attendance issues, I came to find out a couple of years later that lives had changed becasue of a comment or two

I have seen the clips of you in the past, and know how effective you are. Bet you touched lives you don’t know you touched.

Those MS patients wanted some “fun” in their lives and assigned the “work” to their caregivers. They cheated themselves out of important knowledge, but, I bet they had a nice break and some “fun” to recharge their batteries....

I have actually received a number of emails from those who were at the classes that were affirming as well as other faculty members and the Foundation Staff who were there.

[agate]

Seems to me that a lot might have depended on just how the cruise was promoted. I don't recall seeing any flyers or e-mails about it but it's possible that the promotional material gave the entertainment aspects of the cruise top billing while the educational features were mentioned in a less noticeable way, and it may have been done that way to attract more people. Most people flock to entertainment but don't flock quite so readily to education.

I watch PBS but have noticed how many people have said they find it boring and never watch it--even though much of it IS entertainment and not aimed at education. People have the idea that NPR and PBS are meant primarily to inform them and that sounds just a little bit too much like school, which they may have hated.

[Cherie]

Seems to me that a lot might have depended on just how the cruise was promoted. I don't recall seeing any flyers or e-mails about it but it's possible that the promotional material gave the entertainment aspects of the cruise top billing while the educational features were mentioned in a less noticeable way, and it may have been done that way to attract more people. Most people flock to entertainment but don't flock quite so readily to education.

I watch PBS but have noticed how many people have said they find it boring and never watch it--even though much of it IS entertainment and not aimed at education. People have the idea that NPR and PBS are meant primarily to inform them and that sounds just a little bit too much like school, which they may have hated.

Good thought but not even close. It was promoted in the MSFOCUS magazine and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation facebook group. And it was promoted as an educational program. None of the entertainment available was in any of the advertising. The letters (emails) coming from the Foundation to the attendees also stressed the fact that the sole purpose of this annual event was "motivation, education and empowerment" in learning to live our best while living with MS.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Cherie))))))) ~

Have you considered sending a post-cruise survey to all of the cruise guests? One for PWMS, one for caregivers. You might start with, "Why did you take this cruise?" "What were you hoping to receive from this cruise?" Then go with "What was your favorite activity, seminar, etc.?" Multiple choice and yes/no answers are best. But give options for comments as well.

Perhaps the survey could be on line if you have email contact with participants and attendees.

That feedback will help cruise planners and participants to design a more productive and satisfying experience for attendees and professionals, who are there to inform and educate.

Just a thought ...

Love & Light,



Rose

[Cherie]

Thanks Rose for the suggestion. I made that to the Foundation staff after the final class and was told that they had no plans for that. I do not have contact information for the attendees as I did not organize or plan this. This cruise has been happening annually since 2002 and it changed my life when I first went in 2003. Next year's cruise is already planned as these are done about 18 months in advance. There is an individual who has directed this since the beginning who is not open to constructive criticism so I vent here where it is safe.

[Pegakafarmgirl]

we are once again under winter warning,, sleet/rain, and snow,, some spots in Iowa, will get 10 inches of snow,, mother nature, on steroids,, some farmers are planted,,we almost was,,and heavy rain forecasted next week,,"-(

[Virginia]

My goodness Peg, I don't even know what to say. This is so bad for all you farmers in Iowa. Also, where does that leave the rest of us, since you truck food into us?

I wonder if Cat and TC are affected. They have enough to handle as is so I really hope not.

[agate]

Peg, haven't you people there heard that it's almost May? Just 3 more days! This just isn't right. I like to think that this time of year we're having tender little plants emerging from the ground, gentle rain falling now and again, warm sunshiny days, birds returning, flowers blooming. Get with the program, Midwest!

No word about Catdancer yet.

[Virginia]

Nuthatch, if you're reading, I have worn compression knee-his for two days and I don't like them. Number one is how long it takes me to put them on. I almost can not do it. I have my nails done because I have a tremor, and I was just sure I was going to break one each day. Yesterday it took me over 40 minutes to get them on. Today I think I made it in about 25 minutes. The second thing is that they are hot. I am cold natured, but they are hot and I don't know how I am going to wear them this summer even if I just do it in the house. I paid $90.00 for one pair of knee-his. Is that about right?

[Howie]

I just finished eating my meal of the day. I'm broke, but my sister came by, and gave me $30 to buy food to get me through the week until payday. I don't know what I would do without her help. She's a great sister!

So now, I'll watch TV the rest of the day. I got to watch Stargate the original movie that spawned the TV series. All the names were the same, but different actors. It did keep me up later than I have been lately.

Everyone have a great evening!

[Virginia]

Ann, we have not heard how your Mom has done this week with your brother there. Is your Niece going to go for a week?

Howie, big sisters are always good to have around. I know because I am one.