Between You and Me!

I have a confession. I have a problem knowing when to use the word "I" or "me."

"You and me are going to win," is grammatically incorrect, I know. "I" is going to win. Likewise, "In the future, clearance for lunches over $100 must be obtained from Max or I," is improper usage.

The word "I" is used when "you" is the subject of a sentence.

"I" does things. "I like that," you say. You don't say, "Me like that," unless you are Tarzan. "Me" makes an appearance when things are done to "You." "He really beat me on that deal," is correct usage.

"I" is the nominative form of the pronoun and "me" is the accusative form.

"Between you and me" is the correct form. Using "me" in the sentence is correct because it is the object of the preposition "between." Objects of a preposition should be in accusative form. Likewise, it is incorrect to say: "Me like that", and correct to say "I like that" because "I" is the nominative form and the nominative form is the correct form to use since "I" is the subject of the sentence.

We don't say give the ball to I. Thus: give the ball to John and me. If John
were left out, me would stand as the correct usage.

The formula is simple: take the other out of the sentence and you will know immediately which is correct.

None of this really makes sense to me because I learned it long ago and I still make mistakes. It is easier to just rewrite the sentence so that it is not a problem. If you notice that I have used the words "me" or "I" incorrectly in the newsletter, don't tell me.

I misused it a couple of months ago and I am sorry.

Shawn:I usually decide which is right (in the more questionable cases) byseeing if I would use 'we' or 'us' when substituted. If 'we' then I use 'I', if 'us' then I use 'me'. So in your first case, I would say "we are going to win", which means I would also say "you and I are going to win". If I were to say that "the decision is up to us", I would then say that "the decision is up to you and me", similarly I would say, "Give the ball to us." For some reason, we have an easier time correctly using 'we' and 'us',even though the rule is the same. Perhaps it is because there are so many that try to improperly correct first person references to 'I', which has jumbled the synaptic connections in the language center of our brains. For example, most people would try to correct "banish you and me" to "banish you and I" although the latter is incorrect, because we all understand that they would "banish us" you know.

Especially if we were Emily Dickinson, right? 

I’m nobody! Who are you?	

Are you nobody, too?	

Then there ’s a pair of us—don’t tell!	

They ’d banish us, you know.	

How dreary to be somebody!	

How public, like a frog	

To tell your name the livelong day	

To an admiring bog! 

M: Thanks, that did help. Maybe I finally understand. 

Love, M

Shawn: Oh yes, you pick up every subtle aspect.

What Uncle Ken Had!

This is what Uncle Ken Pitts had and what he died with. He had trouble breathing. I didn't ever know what it was and decided to look it up. Just in case you care, here it is. M

What is myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, literally means "grave muscle weakness." With current therapies, however, most cases of myasthenia gravis are not as "grave" as the name implies. In fact, for the majority of individuals with myasthenia gravis, life expectancy is not lessened by the disorder.

The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Certain muscles such as those that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved in the disorder. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected.

What causes myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction - the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine travels through the neuromuscular junction and binds to acetylcholine receptors which are activated and generate a muscle contraction.

In myasthenia gravis, antibodies block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction which prevents the muscle contraction from occurring. These antibodies are produced by the body's own immune system. Thus, myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease because the immune system - which normally protects the body from foreign organisms - mistakenly attacks itself.

What is the role of the thymus gland in myasthenia gravis?

The thymus gland, which lies in the upper chest area beneath the breastbone, plays an important role in the development of the immune system in early life. Its cells form a part of the body's normal immune system. The gland is somewhat large in infants, grows gradually until puberty, and then gets smaller and is replaced by fat with age. In adults with myasthenia gravis, the thymus gland is abnormal. It contains certain clusters of immune cells indicative of lymphoid hyperplasia - a condition usually found only in the spleen and lymph nodes during an active immune response. Some individuals with myasthenia gravis develop thymomas or tumors of the thymus gland. Generally thymomas are benign, but they can become malignant.

The relationship between the thymus gland and myasthenia gravis is not yet fully understood. Scientists believe the thymus gland may give incorrect instructions to developing immune cells, ultimately resulting in autoimmunity and the production of the acetylcholine receptor antibodies, thereby setting the stage for the attack on neuromuscular transmission.

What are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis?

Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and swallowing are most frequently affected. The onset of the disorder may be sudden. Symptoms often are not immediately recognized as myasthenia gravis.

In most cases, the first noticeable symptom is weakness of the eye muscles. In others, difficulty in swallowing and slurred speech may be the first signs. The degree of muscle weakness involved in myasthenia gravis varies greatly among patients, ranging from a localized form, limited to eye muscles (ocular myasthenia), to a severe or generalized form in which many muscles - sometimes including those that control breathing - are affected. Symptoms, which vary in type and severity, may include a drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis), blurred or double vision (diplopia) due to weakness of the muscles that control eye movements, unstable or waddling gait, weakness in arms, hands, fingers, legs, and neck, a change in facial expression, difficulty in swallowing and shortness of breath, and impaired speech (dysarthria).

Who gets myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis occurs in all ethnic groups and both genders. It most commonly affects young adult women (under 40) and older men (over 60), but it can occur at any age.

In neonatal myasthenia, the fetus may acquire immune proteins (antibodies) from a mother affected with myasthenia gravis. Generally, cases of neonatal myasthenia gravis are transient (temporary) and the child's symptoms usually disappear within 2-3 months after birth. Other children develop myasthenia gravis indistinguishable from adults. Myasthenia gravis in juveniles is common.

Myasthenia gravis is not directly inherited nor is it contagious. Occasionally, the disease may occur in more than one member of the same family.

Rarely, children may show signs of congenital myasthenia or congenital myasthenic syndrome. These are not autoimmune disorders, but are caused by defective genes that produce proteins in the acetylcholine receptor or in acetylcholinesterase.

How is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?

Unfortunately, a delay in diagnosis of one or two years is not unusual in cases of myasthenia gravis. Because weakness is a common symptom of many other disorders, the diagnosis is often missed in people who experience mild weakness or in those individuals whose weakness is restricted to only a few muscles.

The first steps of diagnosing myasthenia gravis include a review of the individual's medical history, and physical and neurological examinations. The signs a physician must look for are impairment of eye movements or muscle weakness without any changes in the individual's ability to feel things. If the doctor suspects myasthenia gravis, several tests are available to confirm the diagnosis.

A special blood test can detect the presence of immune molecules or acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Most patients with myasthenia gravis have abnormally elevated levels of these antibodies. However, antibodies may not be detected in patients with only ocular forms of the disease.

Another test is called the edrophonium test. This approach requires the intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride or Tensilon(r), a drug that blocks the degradation (breakdown) of acetylcholine and temporarily increases the levels of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. In people with myasthenia gravis involving the eye muscles, edrophonium chloride will briefly relieve weakness. Other methods to confirm the diagnosis include a version of nerve conduction study which tests for specific muscle "fatigue" by repetitive nerve stimulation. This test records weakening muscle responses when the nerves are repetitively stimulated. Repetitive stimulation of a nerve during a nerve conduction study may demonstrate decrements of the muscle action potential due to impaired nerve-to-muscle transmission.

A different test called single fiber electromyography (EMG), in which single muscle fibers are stimulated by electrical impulses, can also detect impaired nerve-to-muscle transmission. EMG measures the electrical potential of muscle cells. Muscle fibers in myasthenia gravis, as well as other neuromuscular disorders, do not respond as well to repeated electrical stimulation compared to muscles from normal individuals. Computed tomography (CT) may be used to identify an abnormal thymus gland or the presence of a thymoma.

A special examination called pulmonary function testing - which measures breathing strength - helps to predict whether respiration may fail and lead to a myasthenic crisis.

How is myasthenia gravis treated?

Today, myasthenia gravis can be controlled. There are several therapies available to help reduce and improve muscle weakness. Medications used to treat the disorder include anticholinesterase agents such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine, which help improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength. Immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisone, cyclosporine, and azathioprine may also be used. These medications improve muscle strength by suppressing the production of abnormal antibodies. They must be used with careful medical followup because they may cause major side effects.

Thymectomy, the surgical removal of the thymus gland (which often is abnormal in myasthenia gravis patients), reduces symptoms in more than 70 percent of patients without thymoma and may cure some individuals, possibly by re-balancing the immune system. Other therapies used to treat myasthenia gravis include plasmapheresis, a procedure in which abnormal antibodies are removed from the blood, and high-dose intravenous immune globulin, which temporarily modifies the immune system and provides the body with normal antibodies from donated blood. These therapies may be used to help individuals during especially difficult periods of weakness. A neurologist will determine which treatment option is best for each individual depending on the severity of the weakness, which muscles are affected, and the individual's age and other associated medical problems.

What are myasthenic crises?

A myasthenic crisis occurs when the muscles that control breathing weaken to the point that ventilation is inadequate, creating a medical emergency and requiring a respirator for assisted ventilation. In patients whose respiratory muscles are weak, crises - which generally call for immediate medical attention - may be triggered by infection, fever, or an adverse reaction to medication.

What is the prognosis?

With treatment, the outlook for most patients with myasthenia gravis is bright: they will have significant improvement of their muscle weakness and they can expect to lead normal or nearly normal lives. Some cases of myasthenia gravis may go into remission temporarily and muscle weakness may disappear completely so that medications can be discontinued. Stable, long-lasting complete remissions are the goal of thymectomy. In a few cases, the severe weakness of myasthenia gravis may cause a crisis (respiratory failure), which requires immediate emergency medical care. 

What research is being done?

Within the Federal Government, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), one of the Federal Government's National Institutes of Health (NIH), has primary responsibility for conducting and supporting research on myasthenia gravis.

Much has been learned about myasthenia gravis in recent years. Technological advances have led to more timely and accurate diagnosis, and new and enhanced therapies have improved management of the disorder. Much knowledge has been gained about the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction, the fundamental aspects of the thymus gland and of autoimmunity, and the disorder itself. Despite these advances, however, there is still much to learn. The ultimate goal of myasthenia gravis research is to increase scientific understanding of the disorder. Researchers are seeking to learn what causes the autoimmune response in myasthenia gravis, and to better define the relationship between the thymus gland and myasthenia gravis.

Today's myasthenia gravis research includes a broad spectrum of studies conducted and supported by NINDS. NINDS scientists are evaluating new and improving current treatments for the disorder. One such study is testing the efficacy of intravenous immune globlin in patients with myasthenia gravis. The goal of the study is to determine whether this treatment safely improves muscle strength. Another study seeks further understanding of the molecular basis of synaptic transmission in the nervous system. The objective of this study is to expand current knowledge of the function of receptors and to apply this knowledge to the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Where can I get more information?
For more information on neurological disorders or research programs funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, contact the Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN) at:

BRAIN
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
(800) 352-9424
http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Information also is available from the following organizations:

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
1821 University Ave W.
Suite S256
St. Paul, MN 55104-2897
mgfa@myasthenia.org
http://www.myasthenia.org
Tel: 800-541-5454 651-917-6256
Fax: 651-917-1835

Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3208
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mda.org
Tel: 520-529-2000 800-344-4863
Fax: 520-529-5300

"Myasthenia Gravis Fact Sheet," NINDS.
NIH Publication No. 99-768

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated February 14, 2007

Poem: I Am Only One

Edward Everett Hale:
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

For Everything There Is a Season

For everything there is a season,

And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A time for the family newsletter.

More for Melanie

Mona wrote: So sorry to read about Melanie and we Pray things are not all so big and hard. We can and will Pray.
Love Mona and Von Grundvig

Ella Dean Hunter wrote: I'm sorry to hear about Melanie. I assume this is your daughter. Please keep me  posted.
I talked with Joyce W this afternoon. It was nice to talk to her. They were on their way to Vernal to a reunion.
Ella Dean


Charlotte wrote: I just read the email and am concerned about Melanie. What is going on? Love Char


Myrna wrote: We still don't know. It seems that she MAY have MS. She has further tests on Wednesday. It is likely either a tumor or MS. Love, M

Helen wrote: Just reading my e-mails. Thank you for keeping me informed. Love to both of
you. Helen

TNT News

This summer has really flown by and I can't believe that school will
be starting in less than a week on the 22nd. Tyler and Emily want summer to
last longer, but Michael is ready for school to begin this year. I know, I
even checked his temperature after I heard him! This will be a short one
this month since we haven't been doing many new things to tell you all
about. 
Tyler and Emily's soccer season is up and running and this year they
are on the same team (yay!). Which means half of the running around than
last year. 
All 3 kids are now back in piano and are getting their pieces put
together for the Pianorama at the end of October. Pianorama is a piano
ensemble event that is held every 2 years in central Ohio. Each student is
given half (Primo or Secondo) of 3 duet pieces to learn and then will be
paired with another student to perform their whole piece. On the day of the
Pianorama performance there will be 22 pianos on one stage with 44 students
playing the same songs all together. There are 9 different playing levels
that will perform so Michael, Tyler and Emily are all in different groups.
I hear it is quite amazing to see and hear and their teacher tells me that
it's pretty hard to get in, so we are lucky to have this opportunity.
Todd is staying busy with his 2 callings in the ward. Scoutmaster
over 2 wards and 2nd counselor in the YM presidency. We (the whole family)
just went on a combined youth outing this week with Todd and Michael where
we went hiking in a place called Hocking Hills State Park. It was so
beautiful and reminded us of Zions Canyon. Hailey absolutely loved it and
insisted on hiking everywhere herself and NOT be carried. It made for some
slow walking at times, but it was fun to watch her be so independent. Any
time anyone wants to come and visit us during warm weather, we would love to
take you there. Our kids want to go again, soon!
We really enjoyed seeing everyone this July and feel bad that our
last 9 days of Utah were kind of a waste with having sick kids and not going
anywhere or really seeing anyone for fear of spreading the muck. We love
you all and just know that our home is open anytime to any and all who would
like to come and see the Buckeye State!

Love to all,
Todd, Amy, Michael, Tyler, Emily and Hailey

That darn newsletter is due!

Yep, I know that is what you are going to say: that darn newsletter! Anyway, no matter what you say or do, I will keep them coming. Remember, I am good at making up things. Are lies better than truth? Unless you want to find out--WRITE!

Love, M

Shawn wrote: Are lies better than the truth? Well, even though a lie could free us from writing for the newsletter, we all really know that only the truth can make us free.

The Runnin' Utes

July and August were a blur. Computer problems have not helped. We had been using our main computer (Bessie), then left it for a while. We came back and wondered who shut it off. We turned on the power button, nothing. We bypassed the UPS, nothing. We changed the power cord, nothing. I replaced the power supply (and case since Kimberly wanted one that had more USB plugins and it was only a little bit more), so I moved all of the components across--still nothing. Then it was time to start into the CPU and mother board. And here I sat, as though I were Lightning McQueen chained to old bessie, tyring to repair the damaged road. I know, some of you are probably saying "Oh, man, you get to work with Bessie! I'd give my left two lug nuts for somethin' like 'at". But I saw it otherwise.

So, now, although there is no visble difference in our newsletter contribution from prior months (the font is the same, etc.), and although I cannot type any faster, please note that these words were run through a new mother board and through a faster processor, using new memory, was stored on a new hard drive (we had outgrown the 40 gigger on the other computer anyway), and even though it was viewed on the same monitor it was run through a new video card. [In case you are wondering, I did stick with the AMD family of processors.] Maybe I should use a snazzy font, so it looks different. When I was reloading all of the software, for a bit I was wondering if it would be better to look and see if anyone was selling a typewriter and an old mimeograph machine on EBAY. But, my computer is now like Mater described himself, a "precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics". Unfortunately it does not rev when you turn it on, and then ask if it scared you. By the way, anyone want to go cowputer tipping tomorrow night. Keep quiet about it though, I would hate the police or a prosecuting attorney to find out about it before we actually figure out how to sneak up and tip the beasts while they are sleeping.
Besides computers, camping would probably describe well our family activities for the past month. Brigitta went to the new Church Girl's Camp at Heber, while the rest of us went to Family Camp near Preston. Then Dane and I went back to the same scout camp (near Preston) for another week. That was long enough to rememorize twenty-odd scout songs. Of course, don't let that horrid dread keep you away from the Labor Day camp. This year Sorina likes the songs "The Princess Pat" and "Yogi Bear" and "The Moose" (see below). I think all of the boys also like The Moose song. I also think Kimberly misses being out camping, she told me the other day that I smelled worse than when I was camping (after Dane had used too much garlic salt for the garlic bread, and not just a little too much, lets just say I did not have to season the cucumber slices I ate after the garlic bread and they were delicious). By the way, I do not know what she means, I did take showers while camping. We all had fun during our excursions, and this year our vehicle actually made it further than a block from home (unlike our track and field qualified Ford Van with the "Javelin" engine--that is my name for the engine since it has a thrown rod, although the shot-put would be its second best event since it also went kaaaa-put.) I know some of you joke that Ford stands for Fix or Repair Daily, but if the acronym were accurate it should be called a Forward Van "Fix Or Repair When All Revenue Declines". Talk to you all soon, and we are looking forward to your news.

PRINCESS PAT
The Princess Pat
Lived in a tree
and She sailed across
The seven seas
She sailed across
The channel too
And took with her
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

Now Captain Jack
Had a very fine crew
They sailed across
The channel too
Their ship did sink
And so will you
If you don't take
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

THE MOOSE SONG
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

2nd verse! quieter than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

[yell] Wake up moose!
3rd verse! louder than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

4th Verse, sadder that the verse. Do in a weaping voice.
Dead moose
dead moose
Floating in the water
Not eating breakfast
Where does he go?
He decompose
He de..com..pose

Yogi Bear Song (sung to Camptown Races tune)
I have a friend that you all know,
Yogi, Yogi,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,
Yogi, Yogi Bear, Yogi, Yogi Bear,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,

He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear, Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,

He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear
Cindy, Cindy Bear, Cindy, Cindy Bear,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear,

They all have an enemy,
Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,
Ranger, Ranger Smith, Ranger, Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,

They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jelly,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone, Jelly, Jellystone,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,

The Runnin' Utes

July and August were a blur. Computer problems have not helped. We had been using our main computer (Bessie), then left it for a while. We came back and wondered who shut it off. We turned on the power button, nothing. We bypassed the UPS, nothing. We changed the power cord, nothing. I replaced the power supply (and case since Kimberly wanted one that had more USB plugins and it was only a little bit more), so I moved all of the components across--still nothing. Then it was time to start into the CPU and mother board. And here I sat, as though I were Lightning McQueen chained to old bessie, tyring to repair the damaged road. I know, some of you are probably saying "Oh, man, you get to work with Bessie! I'd give my left two lug nuts for somethin' like 'at". But I saw it otherwise.

So, now, although there is no visble difference in our newsletter contribution from prior months (the font is the same, etc.), and although I cannot type any faster, please note that these words were run through a new mother board and through a faster processor, using new memory, was stored on a new hard drive (we had outgrown the 40 gigger on the other computer anyway), and even though it was viewed on the same monitor it was run through a new video card. [In case you are wondering, I did stick with the AMD family of processors.] Maybe I should use a snazzy font, so it looks different. When I was reloading all of the software, for a bit I was wondering if it would be better to look and see if anyone was selling a typewriter and an old mimeograph machine on EBAY. But, my computer is now like Mater described himself, a "precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics". Unfortunately it does not rev when you turn it on, and then ask if it scared you. By the way, anyone want to go cowputer tipping tomorrow night. Keep quiet about it though, I would hate the police or a prosecuting attorney to find out about it before we actually figure out how to sneak up and tip the beasts while they are sleeping.

Besides computers, camping would probably describe well our family activities for the past month. Brigitta went to the new Church Girl's Camp at Heber, while the rest of us went to Family Camp near Preston. Then Dane and I went back to the same scout camp (near Preston) for another week. That was long enough to rememorize twenty-odd scout songs. Of course, don't let that horrid dread keep you away from the Labor Day camp. This year Sorina likes the songs "The Princess Pat" and "Yogi Bear" and "The Moose" (see below). I think all of the boys also like The Moose song. I also think Kimberly misses being out camping, she told me the other day that I smelled worse than when I was camping (after Dane had used too much garlic salt for the garlic bread, and not just a little too much, lets just say I did not have to season the cucumber slices I ate after the garlic bread and they were delicious). By the way, I do not know what she means, I did take showers while camping. We all had fun during our excursions, and this year our vehicle actually made it further than a block from home (unlike our track and field qualified Ford Van with the "Javelin" engine--that is my name for the engine since it has a thrown rod, although the shot-put would be its second best event since it also went kaaaa-put.) I know some of you joke that Ford stands for Fix or Repair Daily, but if the acronym were accurate it should be called a Forward Van "Fix Or Repair When All Revenue Declines". Talk to you all soon, and we are looking forward to your news.

PRINCESS PAT
The Princess Pat
Lived in a tree
and She sailed across
The seven seas
She sailed across
The channel too
And took with her
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

Now Captain Jack
Had a very fine crew
They sailed across
The channel too
Their ship did sink
And so will you
If you don't take
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

THE MOOSE SONG
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

2nd verse! quieter than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

[yell] Wake up moose!
3rd verse! louder than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

4th Verse, sadder that the verse. Do in a weaping voice.
Dead moose
dead moose
Floating in the water
Not eating breakfast
Where does he go?
He decompose
He de..com..pose

Yogi Bear Song (sung to Camptown Races tune)
I have a friend that you all know,
Yogi, Yogi,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,
Yogi, Yogi Bear, Yogi, Yogi Bear,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,

He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear, Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,

He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear
Cindy, Cindy Bear, Cindy, Cindy Bear,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear,

They all have an enemy,
Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,
Ranger, Ranger Smith, Ranger, Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,

They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jelly,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone, Jelly, Jellystone,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,

Melanie Had a Blessing

LHT and Bishop Harmon did give Melanie a blessing.

It seems strange to me that anyone who had ITP and had lost their spleen as a result could get another autoimmune disease such as MS. Dr. Tatton said  that, usually, if MS did not show up on an MRI, then it was not MS. Of course, it did not. However, the final test is a spinal tap. I think,  perhaps, Melanie is right in suspecting that a vertabrae might be the cause of her problems.

The thing that is most concerning is the double vision problem. If you see two totally separate images, it means that your two eyes are not pointed at the same target. Melanie does see two distinct images. This misalignment can be from an abnormality in the muscles or nerves that control the eyes' movement. Thyroid conditions and stroke may affect the nerves that control eye alignment. You may also begin to suddenly see double if you receive a blow to the head. Double vision (diplopia) may be an early symptom of MS.

Double vision occurs when the nerve pathways that control eye movements are
damaged. The vision from each eye is usually normal but the individual experiences double vision, often in one particular direction of gaze.

ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is classified as an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease the body mounts an attack toward one or more otherwise normal organ systems. In ITP, platelets are the target. They are marked as foreign by the immune system and eliminated in the spleen, or sometimes the liver.