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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / May 2005

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What does everyone do for a living

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Mike - 02 Apr 2005 00:49 GMT
Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding what
everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
work or work environment.

I'll start,
Automation design, & no, epilepsy has never really had an impact on my job,
although I've turned several down for fear it might.

Thanks,
Mike
Pauline Kramer - 02 Apr 2005 02:15 GMT
hi all - i used too be a las vegas blackjack dealer--------yes it did
effect my seizures...the lights and stress used too kill me and did not
even know it---boy was i stupid....i have an vagus nerve stimulator
now-since 1999 and on perament dis..glad i cant work anymork more
relaxed and no siezures..love this disscusion group
Julie - 02 Apr 2005 04:06 GMT
Website Designer, I also work as a temporary administrative/legal assistant at
times.  I work from home on web design.  I choose to keep a small group of
clients, so my work load is light. This has helped me to keep seizure free going
on 10 years now.

Julie, Volunteer Webmaster
Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org

> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding what
> everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike
Happily Apathetic - 02 Apr 2005 05:36 GMT
I am a theatre nurse. When I was first diagnosed and having the usual
problems my manager on the wards made my life hell. I told her to stick her
job and have a great job in the theatres. I now have a great Boss and have
not had a seizure in years.
Craig

> Website Designer, I also work as a temporary administrative/legal
> assistant at
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>> Thanks,
>> Mike
justme - 02 Apr 2005 09:18 GMT
 >>Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll
regarding what
>>everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
>>work or work environment.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>>Thanks,
>>Mike

I "was" a Graphic Artist and yes it has affected my work. I have grands
and petites. Combined they erase my memory both short term and some long
term. I cant' remember reading posts from this morning for instance.
My uncontrolable seizure attacks affect my ability to perform any kind
of meaningful employment. Unable to drive limits me even further.
Now I play on computer. Learn one day, forget what I learned the next,
and then start the process over. Not complete owlvee-heimers yet, but
seems I am working on it seems I am working on it :)
~..~
owlvee
Mary Fisher - 02 Apr 2005 10:17 GMT
> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding
> what
> everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
> work or work environment.

What a brilliant question!

I've never had a carreer (too many children to bring up) but have done odd
jobs - some very odd - which have given me a wide range of experiences. That
was before my tumour.

Since it was removed I only have approximately monthly dejas which wouldn't
prevent me doing anything.

We make and sell historical items, as on the website. Sometimes we attend
historical events (in full and 100% proper kit). Since we're getting old now
that part of it is physicallty hard but we love the social side as well as
meeting the folk who like to buy our goods and ask advice and generally
talk. It's also a great privilege to stay in the lovely historical sites we
visit, camping in castle baileys is magical!

It's a different world. My little turns have no effect on it at all. But the
surgery left me with occasional dysphasia and I struggle for a word. It's
not a problem. I don't let it be.

Mary
www.candlemaker.org.uk
Beck - 02 Apr 2005 11:30 GMT
I don't know if I am included in this question as the newbie I am, but I'll
answer it anyways :o)
I worked at a drug rehabilitation centre and also worked as a receptionist
for the psychiatrist who saw patients there. I went into hospital for these
petit mal things and also a couple of other mental health issues and so lost
my job there. My old job has been available twice since and the boss wont
let me back there (she's my mum and is worried about me working). So I am
job seeking at present. My problems did have an impact on my job, with the
concentrating part.

> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding
> what
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike
Malcolm - 05 Apr 2005 11:07 GMT
>> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding
>> what
>> everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
>> work or work environment.

Unfortunately I am a science teacher :-(((((((((((((((((((((((((.

Apart from the various job refusals when they found out, it has only
affected me once in the classroom, when apparently I took my shirt off
and went round hitting the walls (I'm good at undressing during
seizures, aren't I? Why don't I ever remember the fun bits?).

And endless days off to go up to London to the National Hosp, all of
which failed to locate or decide upon anything :-)

Oh, and memory (I almost forgot) and face-blindness and depression and
fatigue. Sometimes I wonder whether I have narcolepsy, not epilepsy.

Signature

Malcolm - 47 and already planning an early retirement

Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 11:33 GMT
>>> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding
>>> what
>>> everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
>>> work or work environment.
>
> Unfortunately I am a science teacher :-(((((((((((((((((((((((((.

Hurrah! You've emerged from the woodwork too :-)

> Apart from the various job refusals when they found out, it has only
> affected me once in the classroom, when apparently I took my shirt off
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Oh, and memory (I almost forgot) and face-blindness and depression and
> fatigue. Sometimes I wonder whether I have narcolepsy, not epilepsy.

Do it as soon as you can. It's wonderful! Don't think about money, it's
amazing how little you can live on and have a good life. We do.

When the GP, union rep and I were trying to persuade Spouse to do it (it
took a year) his constant plea was that we couldn't afford to live on the
tiny pension he'd have, having been a late entrant to teaching. I said that
I'd rather be a poor wife than any kind of widow.

It took him another year after retiring to understand that life is rich and
worth living, now he wouldn't consider the classroom again.

Mary
Malcolm - 05 Apr 2005 18:03 GMT
>> Malcolm - 47 and already planning an early retirement
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>took a year) his constant plea was that we couldn't afford to live on the
>tiny pension he'd have, having been a late entrant to teaching.

If it's not being too nosey, may I ask what age he was when he retired?
My current contract runs until I'm sixty, pension would start at 65 (70
if the new compulsory extension to teaching service goes through, so at
the minimum I'd have 16 years without a steady income.

OTOH I feel that teaching ATM is just lining me up for a mega-coronary,
although there is no evidence that it's on its way.

> I said that
>I'd rather be a poor wife than any kind of widow.
>
>It took him another year after retiring to understand that life is rich and
>worth living, now he wouldn't consider the classroom again.

That's what I feel after last term.
Signature

Malcolm      

G.Ross - 05 Apr 2005 20:25 GMT
>>> Malcolm - 47 and already planning an early retirement
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> OTOH I feel that teaching ATM is just lining me up for a mega-coronary,
> although there is no evidence that it's on its way.
** Have you checked if you have Group Disability Insurance?  If you have it
there and Dr. will fill out forms for you, you don't have to 'wait for a
coronary'. If your medical conditions are included in the qualifying terms,
you could already be eligible?
  North America (well Canada) Insurance provides Wage Replacement based on
minimum of 5 years already worked plus a base amount until age 65 (when
Canada Pension takes over).  Base amount was about 60% of 3 year's average
income plus Insurance supplement because I had above Group Disab. Insurance.
/G.

>> I said that
>>I'd rather be a poor wife than any kind of widow.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> That's what I feel after last term.
Malcolm - 06 Apr 2005 00:29 GMT
>** Have you checked if you have Group Disability Insurance?  

We don't have it in the UK. If I wanted to take out health insurance it
would exclude epilepsy and any other ailments which could possibly be
associated with it.

Signature

Malcolm      

G.Ross - 06 Apr 2005 02:05 GMT
>>** Have you checked if you have Group Disability Insurance?
>
> We don't have it in the UK. If I wanted to take out health insurance it
> would exclude epilepsy and any other ailments which could possibly be
> associated with it.

 I know you have to buy it in advance, I didn't know if it was provided for
employers in UK or not.  Several large companies or Unions, in Canada, *now
pay for it for employees.
  But also, here, if you're in a Union or Group (like teachers)  the Group
Insurance is regulated so they can't deny you insurance so long as you sign
up as part of the Employee Group you're in...

  It was an 'option'  where I worked, that I bought even though 'I didn't
need it'...    I have a Relative who didn't think it was worth the *$12 a
month, who used to work at the same company.   The Insurance helped pay 60%
of my income since 1980, plus a decent amount per year that isn't *Taxable,
since the $12. is an After-Tax Insurance **option.
  ($12 here will buy about 8 cups of coffee at a restaurant, for cost of
living comparison.)    /G.
Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 22:05 GMT
>>> Malcolm - 47 and already planning an early retirement
>>
>>Do it as soon as you can.

...

> If it's not being too nosey, may I ask what age he was when he retired?

Fifty or fifty one. It was on health grounds, that way he got a slightly
bigger pension because it was paid by DES rather than LA. I don't know how
things are now. But he really was being killed by it and wasn't alone in
that school.

His pension was about ?5,000 pa but is now enhanced by the (reduced by lack
of credits) state pension. Even I get ?47 pw now!

> My current contract runs until I'm sixty, pension would start at 65 (70
> if the new compulsory extension to teaching service goes through, so at
> the minimum I'd have 16 years without a steady income.

Steady isn't everything. There are benefits for reduced incomes. We've never
qualified for them, always being in the poverty trap. But we think we live
well and we are healthy and happy. Now.

> OTOH I feel that teaching ATM is just lining me up for a mega-coronary,
> although there is no evidence that it's on its way.

You don't always get a warning. Spouse didn't - although that's not why he
left. His was in 1984. He had no definite symptoms for what led to his
chronic illness and made him eligible for retirement, except lassitude,
panic attacks, no interest in anything - including me - and various
unidentifiable manifestations of what I suppose was 'stress'. He's also been
accused of abusing a pupil and the headmaster was unsupportive.

Spouse was only one of the 60-70% of staff in that school who either left,
were physically attacked and hospitalised, were on chronic sick leave or
died during the time he was there. He still gets the most dreadful
nightmares but they're a small price to pay.

>> I said that
>>I'd rather be a poor wife than any kind of widow.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> That's what I feel after last term.

I feel for you. Truly. I wish I could suggest something or advise you :-(

Hugs,

Mary

> Malcolm
CyberCafe - 02 Apr 2005 17:04 GMT
> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding what
> everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike

I've always wondered what the other folks here did for a living.  Me,
I'm a transcriptionist, medical and general, and also provide other
office-related services (independent contractor).  I started offering
these services to the public around the time I was diagnosed (15 years),
but that wasn't my primary reason for starting my business.  Actually,
there were a lot of reasons.  My background includes a lot of
training/education and work experience in my field, so this all worked
out pretty well for me.

We also live on a farm.  We used to milk cows then went to beef when my
husband's knees gave out.  Now we just raise crops (corn, soybeans).

Barb
Mary Fisher - 02 Apr 2005 17:58 GMT
> I've always wondered what the other folks here did for a living.  Me, I'm
> a transcriptionist,

A WHAT???

> We also live on a farm.  We used to milk cows then went to beef when my
> husband's knees gave out.

LOL! He didn't milk with his knees, did he?

> Now we just raise crops (corn, soybeans).

This is turning out to be a most enjoyable thread.

:-)

Mary

> Barb
CyberCafe - 04 Apr 2005 16:17 GMT
>>I've always wondered what the other folks here did for a living.  Me, I'm
>>a transcriptionist,
>
> A WHAT???

People send me audio recordings, and I type what they said.

>>We also live on a farm.  We used to milk cows then went to beef when my
>>husband's knees gave out.
>
> LOL! He didn't milk with his knees, did he?

We didn't have a milking parlor where you can stand to do some things,
so you have to stoop to wash the udder, to put on and take off the
milking unit, and so on.

I love answering farm questions, so keep them coming.

Barb

>>Now we just raise crops (corn, soybeans).
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>>Barb
Mary Fisher - 04 Apr 2005 17:14 GMT
>>>We also live on a farm.  We used to milk cows then went to beef when my
>>>husband's knees gave out.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> I love answering farm questions, so keep them coming.

Wouldn't it have been easier to install a ramp for the cows to stand on? All
the dairy units for cattle, sheep or goats I know have them, even small
ones.

Also, I can understand that stooping would cause back problems but not knees
...

I'm not saying you're wrong, I just can't understand it.

What kind of cows did you have? A daughter has Traditional Herefords but she
doesn't milk any of them even for her own use, which I think is a pity ...

You must have a lot of land for such arable crops. Where are you? And when
you say corn do you mean maize or wheat?

I love asking farm questions :-))))))))

Mary
CyberCafe - 04 Apr 2005 20:49 GMT
>>>>We also live on a farm.  We used to milk cows then went to beef when my
>>>>husband's knees gave out.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> the dairy units for cattle, sheep or goats I know have them, even small
> ones.

The ramp thing is actually part of a milking parlor.  Back when we first
started milking (back in 1967), the equipment needed for parlor milking
wasn't commonly available, and when it did become available, wow, the
price was out of this world. My husband grew up on a farm and had done a
lot of milking before we were married (he grew up on a farm near our
place).  I mean, farming involves a lot of physical work, so it's not
unusual to have wear and tear problems with the body after lots of years
of use.

> Also, I can understand that stooping would cause back problems but not knees
> ...

Udders are on the bottom side of the cow and, of course, you can't reach
them while standing (unless in a milking parlor). You could bend over I
suppose, but sometimes it's kind of hard to do things in an upside down
position.

> I'm not saying you're wrong, I just can't understand it.
>
> What kind of cows did you have? A daughter has Traditional Herefords but she
> doesn't milk any of them even for her own use, which I think is a pity ...

We had Holsteins, which are the black and white spotted ones.  Herefords
around here aren't used for milk production; they're considered beef
animals.  When we raised beef, we had some herefords, white faces, some
Angus, and some mixed breeds.  I really thought the herefords were nice
calm, polite animals (they we less lightly to fight with the animal next
to them).  The herefords we have around here are basically all brown
with white faces, undersides, and feet.  Is that the kind of herefords
your daughter has?

> You must have a lot of land for such arable crops. Where are you?

Well, let's assume that 40 cows are being milked twice a day.  That
means 80 times every day you are bending over or stooping to wash the
udder, 80 times you bend or stoop to put the milker on, 80 times a day
you bend to remove the milker.  That doesn't include the number of times
you bend or stoop to check the milker, check the condition of the udder,
and all the other stuff that goes on.  That's a lot of bending and
stooping.

We're about in the middle of Wisconsin.  This is all farm country around
here.  I only know of a couple of dairy operations that don't grow their
own crops.  Everybody else grows all or most of what the cows need for
food.

And when
> you say corn do you mean maize or wheat?

Maize.  Not much wheat grown around here as the climate is not
compatible.  Mostly they grow corn, soybeans, hay, and some oats (you
get straw from oats too).  They don't grow much oats anymore though.
The southern part of the state grows more wheat.  Over in the Stevens
Point area they grow potatoes because the soil is real sandy there.
There are a few places that grow vegetables for canning purposes, but
all the canneries in this area have been closed for years, so there
really aren't any farmers growing those types of crops today.  Some
cranberries are grown in the marshy areas.

We also have a large vegetable garden.  My mother-in-law and my
husband's grandmother taught me the initial stuff 38 years ago, and I've
expanded my knowledge base and experience, of course, since that time.
We generally grow sweet corn, beets, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage,
different types of beans, squash (summer and winter), pumpkins, peppers,
onions, potatoes, celery, different greens, radishes, and other healthy
things.  If anyone needs help with veggie gardening, I'd be happy to try
to help.

Barb

> I love asking farm questions :-))))))))
>
> Mary
Julie - 05 Apr 2005 00:56 GMT
Hi Mary and Barb, OK, now you made me think of my "other" job.  My brother and
sisters and I just became wheat farmers.  When my mother died we inherited my
father and grandfather's land.  We grow wheat and lentils.  Actually, the farmer
does the work, we get to reminisce about the trips to the farm land.  It is in
Washington State.
This is a reealllllly old pic of me and my parents with our wheat.
http://www.inet-success.com/wheatfield.htm

Take care,
Julie
CyberCafe - 05 Apr 2005 02:19 GMT
> Hi Mary and Barb, OK, now you made me think of my "other" job.  My brother and
> sisters and I just became wheat farmers.  When my mother died we inherited my
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Take care,
> Julie

Hey, that's really neat, Julie.  Looks like some hilly ground.  Did you
guys do the combining too?

BArb
Julie - 05 Apr 2005 08:01 GMT
> > Hi Mary and Barb, OK, now you made me think of my "other" job.  My brother and
> > sisters and I just became wheat farmers.  When my mother died we inherited my
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> BArb

Hi Barb,
We got to play that we were farmers as our kids were growing up.  We went to
Washington to visit our parents and Dad would always drive out to take a look at the
crops.  We would be driving along and ask him, what is that growing in the field.  He
would always tell us, wheat or barley, or whatever it was.  Then later in life he told
us that he wasn't really sure what was growing, but he always had an answer for us.
;-)

I dug up some pictures of visits to the farm, our kids got to go for a ride on the
combine.  For those of you that don't know what a combine is, check it out.
http://www.inet-success.com/wheatfield.htm

We don't do any of the farming ourselves, we have an excellent farmer and we are told
that our land is the best in the area.

Take care,
Julie
Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 09:07 GMT
> Hi Mary and Barb, OK, now you made me think of my "other" job.  My brother
> and
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Take care,
> Julie

Thanks, Julie. Those acreages, in UK terms, are scary! I guess you're in
Eastern WA, I never saw anything like that in Western Wa.

Which is you though?

Mary
Julie - 05 Apr 2005 19:48 GMT
> > This is a reealllllly old pic of me and my parents with our wheat.
> > http://www.inet-success.com/wheatfield.htm
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Mary

Hi Mary, I'm in the middle, but this picture is probably 15 years ago.  The land
is in what is called the Palouse country in eastern Washington.
Take care,
Julie
Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 21:43 GMT
> Hi Mary, I'm in the middle, but this picture is probably 15 years ago.
> The land
> is in what is called the Palouse country in eastern Washington.

Itcertainly looks very different from western Washington which is where I
spent most of my time, in Puget sound but some on the mainland and up into
BC. I was taken once to visit folk in eastern Washington and it was so very
different ...

Mary

> Take care,
> Julie
Julie - 06 Apr 2005 03:49 GMT
I just returned from visiting my sister near Puget Sound, she lives on Camano
Island.  The tulips were just about to bloom in Skagit Valley, I got some great
photos of eagles and fields of white birds.
Take care,
Julie

> > Hi Mary, I'm in the middle, but this picture is probably 15 years ago.
> > The land
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> > Take care,
> > Julie
Mary Fisher - 06 Apr 2005 20:37 GMT
>I just returned from visiting my sister near Puget Sound, she lives on
>Camano
> Island.

I was on the big one, Whidby. One of my host'sfriends wanted to fly me to
Camano in his plane but his free time didn't co-incide with mine :-(

> The tulips were just about to bloom in Skagit Valley,

You know, I was taken to see them. I felt ungrateful because it left me
cold, just great blocks of colour. People travel from all over UK to see the
Spalding bulb fields, which are just the same thing. I've never understood
that :-(

> I got some great
> photos of eagles and fields of white birds.

Now you're talking!

Mary
Malcolm - 05 Apr 2005 10:53 GMT
>If anyone needs help with veggie gardening, I'd be happy to try
>to help.

I have a small back garden which I fervently dug last year and planted
all sorts of vegetables (I remembered how wonderful it was to be able to
wander out, pick a few and put them straight on the plate, so a garden
of my own was a wondrous new thing to have !!!!).

The radishes bolted, the onions did nothing, the lettuce got slugged,
the carrots were the size of a cat's willy, the squashes went all
rotten, the cucumbers ripened at one end before the other, etc.

I got quite a few tomatoes (in Gro-Bags) and one giant strawberry in a
hanging basket. And the climbing nasturtiums went crazy, smothered the
trees, came in the bedroom window and made the place look like the set
for a Hammer film.

Sadly, vegetables need this thing called sunlight, which although we get
an incredible amount of it here, does not find its way much into an
east-facing garden :-(

I shall not be trying again, and intend to have the whole lot paved over
if I can afford it this year.

BUT, in the pots, containers, etc... my acers are already in full leaf,
the bamboo is bursting and my Chinese Dawn Redwood (yes, in a container)
has survived the winter and is leafing again !!! Yo, who needs a pet
when you've got a Redwood which will outlive me fifty times over?  

(if it weren't in a container, I'd probably need planning permission or
get an Anti-Social Behaviour Order served on me by now!).

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 11:36 GMT
"Malcolm" <malcolm@need.to.remain.anon.ok> wrote in message

>>If anyone needs help with veggie gardening, I'd be happy to try
>>to help.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> wander out, pick a few and put them straight on the plate, so a garden
> of my own was a wondrous new thing to have !!!!).

...

> I shall not be trying again, and intend to have the whole lot paved over
> if I can afford it this year.

That's very sad. Do try again, it gets better. Honestly.

Or get a couple of chickens, let them raise the fertility of the soil and
veggies will grow in the dark! The fact that you got tomatoes in Gro-bags
says something, doesn't it?

Mary
Malcolm - 06 Apr 2005 00:24 GMT
>> I shall not be trying again, and intend to have the whole lot paved over
>> if I can afford it this year.
>
>That's very sad. Do try again, it gets better. Honestly.

I might try the strawberries again. But the fact that I have less time
for gardening than I did previously (when I used to grow Lolla Rossa
lettuce outside my flat) reflects both a change in energy and lifestyle.

> The fact that you got tomatoes in Gro-bags
>says something, doesn't it?

It says that I couldn't walk down the garden path (the only bit which
gets long sunlight hours) because I had tomato frames all along the wall
:-)

Now the front garden is a different matter. It would be great for veg,
but it wouldn't increase the value or saleability of the house, a factor
which is always on my mind if I want to give up work quickly.

Signature

Malcolm      

G.Ross - 06 Apr 2005 02:25 GMT
>>> I shall not be trying again, and intend to have the whole lot paved over
>>> if I can afford it this year.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> but it wouldn't increase the value or saleability of the house, a factor
> which is always on my mind if I want to give up work quickly.

 Have you got a spot where 'containers' would get 5-7 hours of Sun a day?
We can grow 2 types of tomatoes here (Canada) in Tubs or medium-sized pots,
as well as regular sized ones (tomatoes).
 Sweet 100 and Sweet 1000s are Compact and Vine type plants (respectively)
that put out Cherry Tomatoes faster than you could eat them. Don't spray
anything on them (poisons), or you'll discourage the bees ! :-<  Water them
from soil top when the soil gets Dry to the fingertip (1 cm down).  Let
water that washes through at the bottom drain off with the pots.   Even You
could grow these...  You should know this already, but you need *2 plants of
each type, for the bees to work.
   If you've got space for larger plants, put them in Rows on small raised
hills (Ankle height).   Stake taller Varieties, or the 1000s if they're not
against a wall. There's even a type you can grow (Italian cooking) that can
be Blanched and Frozen to make Spaghetti Sauce if you want the extra work.

  Come on, what kind of example is That to set for your Students?   ....
G./
Malcolm - 06 Apr 2005 08:53 GMT
G.Ross <gaross@rogers.com> writes
>  Have you got a spot where 'containers' would get 5-7 hours of Sun a day?
In the summer, yes, up against the wall on the garden path. But where
would I put my redwood which is going to be my only gift to the world?

>We can grow 2 types of tomatoes here (Canada) in Tubs or medium-sized
>pots, as well as regular sized ones (tomatoes).  Sweet 100 and Sweet
>1000s are Compact and Vine type plants (respectively) that put out
>Cherry Tomatoes faster than you could eat them.  Let water that washes
>through at the bottom drain off with the pots.

I found with Gro-Bags it was easy to wash the fertiliser *out* by
overzealous watering.
>   Even You could grow these...  You should know this already, but you
> need *2 plants of each type, for the bees to work.

Male and female plants, rather than flowers. I always feel sorry for the
giant gender oaks, sitting there for hundred of years alone in the
forest with no other oak for miles around. An evolutionary dead-end :-(

>    If you've got space for larger plants, put them in Rows on small raised
>hills (Ankle height).   Stake taller Varieties, or the 1000s if they're not
>against a wall. There's even a type you can grow (Italian cooking) that can
>be Blanched and Frozen to make Spaghetti Sauce if you want the extra work.

My Garden:
.                    House
.               _______________________ \____
.          XXXX |                          |                        
.          XXXX |  small patio             |        
.          XXXX |_____________________     |         ---->North
.          XXXX |                     |    | 3
.             6 |                     |   C|
S.            F |                     |    | F
U.            o | Tree        W       |   C| o
N             o |        W  W         |    | o
.             t |         WW          |   C| t
.               |         W W         |    |              About
.             w |                     |   C| W            20 foot
.             a | Tree                |    | a            square
.             l |                     |   C| l
.             l |                     |    | l
.               |                     |   C|
.               | Trees, bushes,Trees |\   |
.               |_____________________|  \ |__________________
.               \                    
.     ___________\__________________________*___________________  
.    
.                       GARAGES    GARAGES          

W W W = my wussy attempt at growing a lawn to replace the train set
which my predecessor had in the garden.

XXXX = where my neighbour has been granted planning permission for a
conservatory. I went to the council offices to see the plans, and found
that the building will be 2.5 m high, add roof, and will be brick built
facing me :-(  I was also informed that in the UK we have 'no legal
right to light'.

C = where all my container plants pots etc are currently crowing.

A long search revealed that the path along the bottom is actually part
of my property. I could cut down the trees and as long as I allow free
access (it's never used) I could have a three foot longer garden.
There's already a path gate on the wall at point *.

That'll all be fun for the proportional spacers amongst you.
Signature

Malcolm      

Julie - 06 Apr 2005 19:04 GMT
Hi Malcolm,
Speaking of light needed by plants.  We decided to cut down a big maple tree in
our back yard.  The roots were lifting up our shed.  Our neighbor was so happy.
Her entire back yard is a vegetable garden.  I imagine she will have some nice
veggies this year.

It was spendy to have a tree guy come out and climb the tree, cut it down, grind
down the stump and roots and haul off the trash.  We kept the wood for our wood
burning stove.  We also tore down the old metal shed and my hubby used a jack
hammer to break up the cement pad.  Now we look out our back yard and see the
beautiful foothills.  Fortunately our neighbors behind us have a lot of property
so their buildings are very far away.  We hope they don't decide to build some
huge building in our view.

We plan to build shed in a different spot and plant a vegetable garden in a
large grow box.

Take care,
Julie
Mary Fisher - 06 Apr 2005 20:51 GMT
> Male and female plants, rather than flowers. I always feel sorry for the
> giant gender oaks, sitting there for hundred of years alone in the
> forest with no other oak for miles around. An evolutionary dead-end :-(

Not really because oaks are wind pollinated, unlike tomatoes. You'll rarely
find an oak, even a solitary one, without fruit. They're notorious for their
promiscuity!

> My Garden:
> .                    House
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> W W W = my wussy attempt at growing a lawn to replace the train set
> which my predecessor had in the garden.

I'd have kept the train set. We don't have a lawn, the hens have eaten all
the grass.

> XXXX = where my neighbour has been granted planning permission for a
> conservatory. I went to the council offices to see the plans, and found
> that the building will be 2.5 m high, add roof, and will be brick built
> facing me :-(  I was also informed that in the UK we have 'no legal
> right to light'.

That's true.

> C = where all my container plants pots etc are currently crowing.

Crowing??? You're growing bird seed?

> A long search revealed that the path along the bottom is actually part
> of my property. I could cut down the trees and as long as I allow free
> access (it's never used) I could have a three foot longer garden.
> There's already a path gate on the wall at point *.

Do it :-)

If you can find the energy :-(

> That'll all be fun for the proportional spacers amongst you.

I'd get rid of one tree and the grass. Or get a couple of banties, they'll
get rid of the grass and keep you amused* and give you lovely eggs.

Mary
* They're therapy on legs!
Mary Fisher - 06 Apr 2005 20:46 GMT
>> Now the front garden is a different matter. It would be great for veg,
>> but it wouldn't increase the value or saleability of the house, a factor
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> We can grow 2 types of tomatoes here (Canada) in Tubs or medium-sized
> pots, as well as regular sized ones (tomatoes).

Yes, you could have pots of vegetbles in the front garden which could be
removed if you want to sell!

>  Sweet 100 and Sweet 1000s are Compact and Vine type plants (respectively)
> that put out Cherry Tomatoes faster than you could eat them.

Not fasterthan I can eat them!

But yes, they're excellent.

> Don't spray anything on them (poisons), or you'll discourage the bees !
> :-<

You don't need bees for tomato pollination. But you still shouldn't spray
pesticides. In any case pests aren't really a problem for tomatoes.

>  Water them from soil top when the soil gets Dry to the fingertip (1 cm
> down).  Let water that washes through at the bottom drain off with the
> pots.   Even You could grow these...  You should know this already, but
> you need *2 plants of each type, for the bees to work.

No you don't. Last year I grew single plants of several varieties of
tomatoes. They're self-pollinating. Bees WILL visit them if there's a
paucity of other pollen and nectar bearing plants but the tomatoes don't
need them.

>   Come on, what kind of example is That to set for your Students?   ....

In UK students/pupils don't usually visit teachers' houses. We try to avoid
their knowing where home is.

When the last bell of the days goes the time until morning bell is private.

Mary
Malcolm - 06 Apr 2005 21:05 GMT
>In UK students/pupils don't usually visit teachers' houses. We try to avoid
>their knowing where home is.
>
>When the last bell of the days goes the time until morning bell is private.

And in my weirdo school they don't even have any bells. Lessons go 30,
30, 35, 30, 35, 35, 35, 35, 35 minutes long. If assembly overruns an
announcement will be made of the new times. Easy to remember and keep an
eye on the clock whilst you're trying to teach </SARC>

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 06 Apr 2005 21:45 GMT
"Malcolm" <malcolm@need.to.remain.anon.ok> wrote in message

>>When the last bell of the days goes the time until morning bell is
>>private.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> announcement will be made of the new times. Easy to remember and keep an
> eye on the clock whilst you're trying to teach </SARC>

They provide clocks? That's generous.

Posh school then ...

Mary
Malcolm - 06 Apr 2005 22:52 GMT
>They provide clocks? That's generous.
>
>Posh school then ...

But I provide my own clock. It goes backwards, so if any pupil wants to
sit in my lessons and clockwatch, at least they have to use their brain
to work out the time.

My argument is that the Earth spins anticlockwise, the moon goes round
the Earth anticlockwise and the Earth goes round the Sun anticlockwise.
Why shouldn't clocks go round anti clockwise? How arrogant it is of
humans to assume that their clocks should be any different!  :-)

But I've got too used to it, and ordinary clocks always need a second
look from me!

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 06 Apr 2005 23:12 GMT
>>They provide clocks? That's generous.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Why shouldn't clocks go round anti clockwise? How arrogant it is of
> humans to assume that their clocks should be any different!  :-)

I didn't know that. That is, I'd never thought about it. It's a very good
point.

Perhaps Melvyn Bragg could have a discussion on the philosophy of why our
clocks do it that way.

> But I've got too used to it, and ordinary clocks always need a second
> look from me!

I hardly look at clocks. My belly's a good guide to time :-) I know it's no
good for you though :-(

Spouse was always obsessed by the time. He daren't be without his watch. He
even had a mini alarm in his pocket. After he left it took two or three
years to get him to to stay in bed after the alarm, to be more relaxed
altogether about time. It seems to me that only the school day is so very
precise, I can't think of anything else important which is.

I feel for you ... get the retirement process going and learn not to be
ruled by the clock.

Mary
Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 10:02 GMT
"Malcolm" <malcolm@need.to.remain.anon.ok> wrote in message >

> But I provide my own clock. It goes backwards, so if any pupil wants to
> sit in my lessons and clockwatch, at least they have to use their brain
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Why shouldn't clocks go round anti clockwise? How arrogant it is of
> humans to assume that their clocks should be any different!  :-)

I talked to Spouse about this in bed last night. He suggested that the
shadow on a sundial goes round 'clockwise' so it was a natural progression
to arrange for mechanical clock hands to do the same, it's what people were
used to.

That makes some kind of sense, so it could have been a natural phenomenon
and nothing to do with Man's arrogance.

Mary
Malcolm - 07 Apr 2005 13:40 GMT
>I talked to Spouse about this in bed last night. He suggested that the
>shadow on a sundial goes round 'clockwise' so it was a natural progression
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>That makes some kind of sense, so it could have been a natural phenomenon
>and nothing to do with Man's arrogance.

Yes, I know that, but the kids don't!  :-)

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 20:50 GMT
>>I talked to Spouse about this in bed last night. He suggested that the
>>shadow on a sundial goes round 'clockwise' so it was a natural progression
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Yes, I know that, but the kids don't!  :-)

You mean I had to talk to Spouse in bed when you could have told me???

You can go right off some folk you know! There's a time and a place for
everything ...

Mary
Malcolm - 08 Apr 2005 00:03 GMT
>> Yes, I know that, but the kids don't!  :-)
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Mary

Don'tcha just love being a kid again though? :-)

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 08 Apr 2005 09:37 GMT
"Malcolm" <malcolm@need.to.remain.anon.ok> wrote in message

>>> Yes, I know that, but the kids don't!  :-)
>>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Don'tcha just love being a kid again though? :-)

Some parts of me never stopped. It's only the outside which has :-)

Mary
G.Ross - 07 Apr 2005 01:05 GMT
> "G.Ross" <> wrote in message
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> You don't need bees for tomato pollination. But you still shouldn't spray
> pesticides. In any case pests aren't really a problem for tomatoes.
***** What kind of Tomatoes have you discovered that don't require bees ?
Where do you think the fruit comes from, that was where the yellow flower
was?

>>  Water them from soil top when the soil gets Dry to the fingertip (1 cm
>> down).  Let water that washes through at the bottom drain off with the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> No you don't. Last year I grew single plants of several varieties of
> tomatoes. They're self-pollinating.
***** The single plant part may be correct but I disagree about 'not needing
bees'.  ?

Bees WILL visit them if there's a
> paucity of other pollen and nectar bearing plants but the tomatoes don't
> need them.
*** I don't really care where there's a Paucity or not.  Put a Laundry bag
around a plant this year so no insects can get to the flowers and count up
how many tomatoes you'll get. /

>>   Come on, what kind of example is That to set for your Students?   ....
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> private.
> Mary

**** The comment had to do with setting an example wrt. trying something
new, not the sexual ? part you added that had nothing to do with my post.
It was about whether he could grow Tomatoes on his own or not.   Nothing
more. /
Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 09:56 GMT
>> Yes, you could have pots of vegetbles in the front garden which could be
>> removed if you want to sell!
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Where do you think the fruit comes from, that was where the yellow flower
> was?

Yes, but the pollen falls onto the stigma without any help from insects or
Man.

I grow tomatoes in a greenhouse (where there are no bees) and outdoors
(where there are). I get as good a set on the indoor ones as on the outdoor
ones.

>>>  Water them from soil top when the soil gets Dry to the fingertip (1 cm
>>> down).  Let water that washes through at the bottom drain off with the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> ***** The single plant part may be correct but I disagree about 'not
> needing bees'.  ?

Well, as a beekeeper for 25 years I know something about pollination.

> Bees WILL visit them if there's a
>> paucity of other pollen and nectar bearing plants but the tomatoes don't
>> need them.
> *** I don't really care where there's a Paucity or not.  Put a Laundry bag
> around a plant this year so no insects can get to the flowers and count up
> how many tomatoes you'll get. /

Our greenhouse is a big laundry bag :-)

>>>   Come on, what kind of example is That to set for your Students?   ....
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> **** The comment had to do with setting an example wrt. trying something
> new, not the sexual ? part you added that had nothing to do with my post.

> It was about whether he could grow Tomatoes on his own or not.   Nothing
> more. /

er - the only sex was in respect of tomatoes.That's what pollination is.

Most teachers in UK at least prefer not to have pupils know where they live
or their phone numbers or e-mail addresses. They can be the subject of some
very nasty and even threatening behaviour. They get enough of that during
school hours.

It happened to us when Spouse was a teacher, he was open about everything
but it wasn't a sensible policy because a few pupils really tried to
intimidate him and me. It didn't bother mebut it was too much for him.

Mary
Malcolm - 07 Apr 2005 13:53 GMT
>***** What kind of Tomatoes have you discovered that don't require bees ?
>Where do you think the fruit comes from, that was where the yellow flower
>was?

Try the following link (all one line) for an explanation of self-
pollinating plants which have been bred for our use such as tomatoes and
peas:

http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php?action=Submit&hstIDXCode=11&trCode=LEPID

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 20:52 GMT
>>***** What kind of Tomatoes have you discovered that don't require bees ?
>>Where do you think the fruit comes from, that was where the yellow flower
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php?action=Submit&hstIDXCode=11&trCode=LEPID

Nice site, Malcolm,. but I hope folk won't think that only recent GM toms
are self fertile ...

Mary
Mary Fisher - 06 Apr 2005 20:41 GMT
"Malcolm" <malcolm@need.to.remain.anon.ok> wrote in message >
>>> I shall not be trying again, and intend to have the whole lot paved over
>>> if I can afford it this year.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> for gardening than I did previously (when I used to grow Lolla Rossa
> lettuce outside my flat) reflects both a change in energy and lifestyle.

All kinds of lettuce are very easy. I don't like the flavour of lolla rossa
though - cos are my favourites, or the green cut and come again salad bowls.
I must get some seed tomorrow ...

>> The fact that you got tomatoes in Gro-bags
>>says something, doesn't it?
>
> It says that I couldn't walk down the garden path (the only bit which
> gets long sunlight hours) because I had tomato frames all along the wall
> :-)

So you can do that again. You don't need bags, large pots standing in
large'saucers' are, I found, better.

> Now the front garden is a different matter. It would be great for veg,
> but it wouldn't increase the value or saleability of the house, a factor
> which is always on my mind if I want to give up work quickly.

Why would it affect the value of your house? I thought it was trendy to have
vegetables mixed with flowers. You don't need to have serried ranks. I don't
anyway! Our front garden is full of caravan ...

Mary
cabbagecaff - 05 Apr 2005 13:31 GMT
My husband Ian is a Surveyor -always driving around from site to site. So
Epilepsy has had a huge impact on his job. Mostly because his company
don't want to take ANY risks with him and have confined him to the office
for the forseeable future! He could get a driver supplied by the Access to
Work scheme in england, but his boss wants him "safe" in the office. The
confinement is killing him -and me. He had another absence seizure this
morning, after 4 months with nothing. So we are going to have to battle to
get him out of that office and back using all his surveying skills with the
help of a driver.
I don't know what he would do if he ever got made redundant -which may be
on the cards. What if the drugs never control the seizures? It just doesnt
bear thinking about.
When he has a seizure he is unaware so it is up to me to break the bad
news to him, and that makes me feel responsible! Its all so difficult.
Thanks for listening to my rabbitting!
Cathy
Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 14:07 GMT
> My husband Ian is a Surveyor -always driving around from site to site. So
> Epilepsy has had a huge impact on his job. Mostly because his company
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Thanks for listening to my rabbitting!
> Cathy

That's a very sad story, you must both be very frustrated.

But the employer's attitude to 'safety' could be diven by HSE attitudes as
well as the possibility of litigation. Sadly this is a very real threat
these days :-(

Mary
Chris aka Rewired - 05 Apr 2005 11:15 GMT
what is it that looks like a dark sludge and they spread on the corn
fields. Just don't get stuck behind the wagon, it moves relly slow and
will eat the paint off your car if it splashes. :}
Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 22:45 GMT
>> ...
>>
> Udders are on the bottom side of the cow and, of course, you can't reach
> them while standing (unless in a milking parlor). You could bend over I
> suppose, but sometimes it's kind of hard to do things in an upside down
> position.

That's how hand milking of sheep is done ... I wonder if people have ever
milked pigs. Their udders don't really lend themselves to it, no bags...

Sorry! Was drifting!

>> What kind of cows did you have? A daughter has Traditional Herefords but
>> she doesn't milk any of them even for her own use, which I think is a
>> pity ...
>
> We had Holsteins, which are the black and white spotted ones.

Udders on coat hangers they're called here!

>  Herefords around here aren't used for milk production; they're considered
> beef animals.

They're dual purpose here but mostly beef. If I had a beef cow which was
producing milk I'd use it for a jug of milk a day though!

>  When we raised beef, we had some herefords, white faces, some Angus, and
> some mixed breeds.  I really thought the herefords were nice calm, polite
> animals (they we less lightly to fight with the animal next to them).  The
> herefords we have around here are basically all brown with white faces,
> undersides, and feet.  Is that the kind of herefords your daughter has?

No, yours are modified Herefords. Ann's are the Traditional Herefords, with
short legs, curly hair and horns. They're extremely hardy and can - and
usually do - stay out all winter. Ann's calve in the open too. But they are
brown with white faces and other bits. Yours have been developed from the
older breed.

>> You must have a lot of land for such arable crops. Where are you?
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> stoop to check the milker, check the condition of the udder, and all the
> other stuff that goes on.  That's a lot of bending and stooping.

I'd have thought that would affect the back rather than the knees. It would
mine!

> We're about in the middle of Wisconsin.  This is all farm country around
> here.  I only know of a couple of dairy operations that don't grow their
> own crops.  Everybody else grows all or most of what the cows need for
> food.

Ah (after looking at map) I see! Ann's cattle and sheep are 100% grass fed
(her own) but she has a low stock density. Most British farmers buy in
fodder.

> And when
>> you say corn do you mean maize or wheat?
>
> Maize.  Not much wheat grown around here as the climate is not compatible.
> Mostly they grow corn, soybeans, hay, and some oats (you get straw from
> oats too).

I know, Spouse makes skeps and likes using oat straw although it's a bit
soft. Rye's the best but not easy to get. But of course he needs long straw
and you have to cut it before it's been through the combine, luckily we're
able to cut some with a scythe and one farm we know has an annual threshing
day when they use wheat cut with a reaper-binder from the 1950s.

> They don't grow much oats anymore though.

It's not uncommon here, especially in Scotland.

> The southern part of the state grows more wheat.  Over in the Stevens
> Point area they grow potatoes because the soil is real sandy there. There
> are a few places that grow vegetables for canning purposes, but all the
> canneries in this area have been closed for years, so there really aren't
> any farmers growing those types of crops today.  Some cranberries are
> grown in the marshy areas.

That's fascinating.

> We also have a large vegetable garden.  My mother-in-law and my husband's
> grandmother taught me the initial stuff 38 years ago, and I've expanded my
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> celery, different greens, radishes, and other healthy things.  If anyone
> needs help with veggie gardening, I'd be happy to try to help.

I grow beetroot, some carrots, lots of tomatoes, different brassica, runner
beans, potatoes, courgettes (zucchini), cucumber, chard and various herbs. I
love eating our own produce but we have such a small garden that even for
two of us we can't be self sufficient. Having two hens free ranging doesn't
make it easy either, we have to put the vegetables in runs! And there are
some things I've tried and tried but can't grow well. We have too much rain
and too many slugs. This year is proving to be relatively dry but not dry
enough to discourage them.

When I went to USA once I changed planes at Chicago. Not so far from you!

Mary
CyberCafe - 07 Apr 2005 01:55 GMT
Mary,

This is so much fun reading and learning about other people's farming and
gardening.  Say, where in the UK are you.  My English ancestors came from mostly
the North Riding (some in the East Riding).  My daughter is about to marry a
young man from Hull (he's in the US now).  Also have Scottish and Irish blood in
me, but we haven't been able to figure out where they came from.

Barb

> >> ...
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 101 lines]
>
> Mary
Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 09:58 GMT
> Mary,
>
> This is so much fun reading and learning about other people's farming and
> gardening.  Say, where in the UK are you.

I'm in Leeds, Yorkshire. Used to be the West Riding, but not far from the
North Riding.

> My English ancestors came from mostly
> the North Riding (some in the East Riding).  My daughter is about to marry
> a
> young man from Hull (he's in the US now).  Also have Scottish and Irish
> blood in
> me, but we haven't been able to figure out where they came from.

We're all 32nd cousin to the Queen! We share all our genes with someone
else. That means that you're related to me :-) My mother was born in
Harrogate.

Mary
Malcolm - 07 Apr 2005 13:43 GMT
>We're all 32nd cousin to the Queen! We share all our genes with someone
>else. That means that you're related to me :-) My mother was born in
>Harrogate.

Yes, and even worse, because of the carbon cycle, some of your atoms
were once part of Henry VIII !

Signature

Malcolm      

Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 20:53 GMT
>>We're all 32nd cousin to the Queen! We share all our genes with someone
>>else. That means that you're related to me :-) My mother was born in
>>Harrogate.
>
> Yes, and even worse, because of the carbon cycle, some of your atoms
> were once part of Henry VIII !

Much worse, they were once part of his dad. The first Tudor bastard.

But some were part of Jesus :-)

Mary
Mike - 07 Apr 2005 21:26 GMT
I'm Henry IIIV, I am, Henry IIIV, I am, I am, I got married to the widow
next door she's been married seven times before.

Mike

> >We're all 32nd cousin to the Queen! We share all our genes with someone
> >else. That means that you're related to me :-) My mother was born in
> >Harrogate.
>
> Yes, and even worse, because of the carbon cycle, some of your atoms
> were once part of Henry VIII !
Mary Fisher - 07 Apr 2005 21:35 GMT
> I'm Henry IIIV, I am, Henry IIIV, I am, I am, I got married to the widow
> next door she's been married seven times before.
>
> Mike

er - and your point is?

Mary
Mike - 07 Apr 2005 23:57 GMT
>>I'm Henry IIIV, I am, Henry IIIV, I am, I am, I got married to the widow
>>next door she's been married seven times before.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Mary

That this thread is starting to sound like a old bad song.
Mike
Malcolm - 08 Apr 2005 01:10 GMT
>That this thread is starting to sound like a old bad song.
>Mike

Plonk the thread then (if you can on your newsreader).

Signature

Malcolm      

Mike - 08 Apr 2005 02:25 GMT
I'm sorry, I started the thread because I wanted a little bit of insight
into the group.  I've been lurking for years with some participation and
wondered how our affliction has affected everyone else's carriers.  It
started out well, thanks for a bit of insight, consider it "plonked"
Mike

> >That this thread is starting to sound like a old bad song.
> >Mike
>
> Plonk the thread then (if you can on your newsreader).
Mary Fisher - 08 Apr 2005 10:06 GMT
>>>I'm Henry IIIV, I am, Henry IIIV, I am, I am, I got married to the widow
>>>next door she's been married seven times before.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> That this thread is starting to sound like a old bad song.

That's your opinion. It might be the opinion of others too.I suggest that
none of you reads newposts.

For those who are enjoying it I suggest you don't open Mike's contributions,
if you have been.

Mary
> Mike
clyde asbury - 08 Apr 2005 13:07 GMT
>>>>I'm Henry IIIV, I am, Henry IIIV, I am, I am, I got married to the widow
>>>>next door she's been married seven times before.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
>>Mike

It isn't opinion to say that discussions of gardening on this thread are OT.

clyde
Mary Fisher - 08 Apr 2005 15:28 GMT
>>>>>I'm Henry IIIV, I am, Henry IIIV, I am, I am, I got married to the
>>>>>widow
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> It isn't opinion to say that discussions of gardening on this thread are
> OT.

Gardening wasn't stated. An old song was.

Mary

> clyde
clyde asbury - 08 Apr 2005 16:12 GMT
>>It isn't opinion to say that discussions of gardening on this thread are
>>OT.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>>clyde

"Gardening" or not, the follwing is OT here, and that's to say nothing
of the many other messages:

"I grow tomatoes in a greenhouse (where there are no bees) and outdoors
(where there are). I get as good a set on the indoor ones as on the
outdoor ones."
Mary Fisher - 08 Apr 2005 16:55 GMT
> "Gardening" or not, the follwing is OT here, and that's to say nothing of
> the many other messages:

I suggest you kill the thread then or at least don't open any more posts and
let those who are enjoying them do so. We're in your debt for starting it,
all ng threads develop and most drift, it's the natuire of ngs. You have the
option to ignore it.

Mary
Mary
clyde asbury - 09 Apr 2005 03:50 GMT
>>"Gardening" or not, the follwing is OT here, and that's to say nothing of
>>the many other messages:
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> all ng threads develop and most drift, it's the natuire of ngs. You have the
> option to ignore it.

So do you.

> Mary
> Mary
Chris aka Rewired - 05 Apr 2005 11:12 GMT
Barb,
My two favorite farm stories run around the same animal. The cow.
I went to college in Upstate NY and lived in a very small town. While
going to my new apartment I was chased by a heard of cow that had
gotten out. I am not making up the name, Farmer Brown on his big ole
tractor came a hopping and hollering and got the girls home.

Like I swaid a very small town, about 1100 people. When the kids form
NYC would come there, many had never seen a cow or country for that
matter. They would drive by the pasture and ask what those animals were
and what is that smell.

LOL

Chris
CyberCafe - 07 Apr 2005 02:07 GMT
> Barb,
> My two favorite farm stories run around the same animal. The cow.
> I went to college in Upstate NY and lived in a very small town. While
> going to my new apartment I was chased by a heard of cow that had
> gotten out. I am not making up the name, Farmer Brown on his big ole
> tractor came a hopping and hollering and got the girls home.

Cows (the girls) themselves aren't really dangerous, but the bulls sure
are.  Cows are really nosy though and will come to investigate anything
new.  They don't have any top teeth either, just bottom teeth, so they
aren't going to eat you or anything.

> Like I swaid a very small town, about 1100 people. When the kids form
> NYC would come there, many had never seen a cow or country for that
> matter. They would drive by the pasture and ask what those animals were
> and what is that smell.

My family lived in a city, and I think I only visited a farm a couple of
times in my life during my childhood.  Never in my wildest imagination did
I expect to marry a farmer.  County life is wonderful although I feel there
is much more privacy in the city.

Barb

> LOL
>
> Chris
Chris aka Rewired - 07 Apr 2005 11:40 GMT
Cows (the girls) themselves aren't really dangerous, but the bulls sure

are.  Cows are really nosy though and will come to investigate anything

new.  They don't have any top teeth either, just bottom teeth, so they
aren't going to eat you or anything.

Oh the Girls with all their jewlery on are great. Just thought it was a
bit funny being chased by them.
Mike - 03 Apr 2005 00:49 GMT
Let's go guys, I've been watching this group for years and I know there are
a lot more of you out there.
Let's hear your stories.
Mike

> Hi all, if you guys don't mind I'd like to take a little poll regarding what
> everyone does for a living and if our "little" problem has affected your
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike
Chris aka Rewired - 03 Apr 2005 02:03 GMT
This is a tough one. I have had epil since I was 9 months old. Yes,
because of epil I was fired and or not hired for many jobs. Yes, it
kept me away from a career in the military. yes it messed up my
thinking and made college next to impossible, took 6 yrs. Since my
brain surgery in 1999, a little over 6 yrs now, I have been with the
same company and am moving, slowly very slowly, up the ladder.
So prior to 1999, yes it effected me in fast food, cashier, weigh
master, gas station attendant, cab driver, Ice rink manager, convience
store manager, pysch counselor.
Since 99 it hasn't effected, for the most part, pysch counselor, web
master, operations analyst and hopefully soon team leader.
Dave ???? - 05 Apr 2005 04:49 GMT
Howdy!

I'm a webmaster!

In the past I've worked in private industry, in academia and for the federal
government.

Signature

Dave ????

http://www.howdydave.com

> Let's go guys, I've been watching this group for years and I know there are
> a lot more of you out there.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> > Thanks,
> > Mike
Mary Fisher - 05 Apr 2005 09:09 GMT
> Howdy!
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> federal
> government.

About time we heard from you, Dave!

And has the condition pertitent to this group affected your job/s?

Mary

> http://www.howdydave.com
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>> > Thanks,
>> > Mike
Dave ???? - 09 Apr 2005 00:32 GMT
Howdy Mary!

Yup!

I was a software engineer on salary. (Being on salary was a "reasonable
accomodation" to my epilepsy.) The new boss saw that I was the only person
not on the clock. He thought that this was unfair and put me on wages. Due
to seizure activity I could not do the 7:30 to 4:15 if I had a seizure the
previous day and was often unable to call in. Lost that job in a 30% across
the board layoff.

I did some work for the US Government and had a job all lined up for myself
when I graduated with the US State Department. 6 weeks before graduation the
Federal Government put a hiring freeze on. Subsiquently:
I had some major injuries (burns) due to seizures,
Was on track for epilepsy surgery (disqualified after 10 months)
Got a VNS.

Now I have a great big gaping hole in my employment record.

These days my work is almost exclusively done on a contract basis. If you do
contract work you must provide your own insurance.  Even if you ignore my
pre-existing conditions, no insurance company is going to touch a person who
has a consistant $700+/month pharmacy expense.

I'm on permanant disability now for 2 reasons:
1:  I can't afford to work & pay my medical expenses out of my own pocket.

2:  My sleep schedule is so screwed up that I can not do shift work.

Signature

Dave ????

http://www.howdydave.com

> > Howdy!
> >
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> >> > Thanks,
> >> > Mike
Dave ???? - 09 Apr 2005 01:10 GMT
A word of explination here.

When I went to college I could only get so far in any academic program
before I ran into a brick wall.

So... in 1979 I left school with only an Associates Degree in Software
Systems.  My employer was so impressed that he gave me a job as a Software
Engineer.  When I got laid off (surprise!) nobody wanted to hire an engineer
with an associates degree.

I went back to school in 1987 and got a B.S. (B.Sci. in the UK) in Applied
Science (1992.) The school I went to (Rochester Institute of Technology) has
a 5 year program. You spend 4 years taking classes and work for 12 months
before you get your degree.  My 12 months work included working for the
State Department in Washington, DC. I was a shoe-in after graduating because
I'd worked there before, my boss liked my work, and I had peaked the
interest of some people working in the Middle East Dept. (I had no social or
legal obligations, wanted to work in the Middle East and had studied the
Arabic language and culture.)

What the smeg... for the full story take a look at the resume on my site!

Signature

Dave ????

http://www.howdydave.com

> Howdy Mary!
>
[quoted text clipped - 63 lines]
> > >> > Thanks,
> > >> > Mike
Mary Fisher - 09 Apr 2005 23:07 GMT
>A word of explination here.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> engineer
> with an associates degree.

Those of us in UK won't know wht an associate degree is.

Well, I don't anyway ... but I have no kind of degree :-)

> I went back to school in 1987 and got a B.S. (B.Sci. in the UK) in Applied
> Science (1992.) The school I went to (Rochester Institute of Technology)
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> What the smeg... for the full story take a look at the resume on my site!

OK, since it's you! I've done it before but now there's a context.

XMary

>> Howdy Mary!
>>
[quoted text clipped - 75 lines]
>> > >> > Thanks,
>> > >> > Mike
Dave ???? - 11 Apr 2005 02:48 GMT
Howdy Mary!

An Associates Degree is a 2 year program.

Signature

Dave ????

http://www.howdydave.com

> >A word of explination here.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 109 lines]
> >> > >> > Thanks,
> >> > >> > Mike
Mary Fisher - 09 Apr 2005 23:05 GMT
"Dave ????" <dave@_nospam_howdydave.com> wrote in message news:5wE5e.815

> I was a software engineer on salary. (Being on salary was a "reasonable
> accomodation" to my epilepsy.) The new boss saw that I was the only person
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> across
> the board layoff.

And that's a reasonable accommodation???

> I did some work for the US Government

Oh - so it was YOUR fault :-)

> and had a job all lined up for myself
> when I graduated with the US State Department. 6 weeks before graduation
> the
> Federal Government put a hiring freeze on. Subsiquently:
> I had some major injuries (burns) due to seizures,
> Was on track for epilepsy surgery (disqualified after 10 months)

Why?

> Now I have a great big gaping hole in my employment record.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> 2:  My sleep schedule is so screwed up that I can not do shift work.

Does permanent disability mean that you get some kind of state income?

Mary

>> > Howdy!
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>> >> > Thanks,
>> >> > Mike