h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ian was persistantly requesting a red mod, as yet to no avail.

When I saw his posts I thought 'oooh I'd like to see that', followed by 'it doesn't take much to excite me these days'

Everyone seems so busy these days, yet I find it intriguing that people feel the need to apologise and explain when they can't get to the MB's. It shows just how deeply we feel the relationships in cyberspace - or how ingrained common courtesy can be.

Some interesting scientific debate, with welcome input from Tim, today. Tim and I have previously discussed the application of time measurement in Genesis to God who should exist outside of linear time. I wish I were clever enough to explain my feelings on this but thankfully Tim chips in with well chosen words.

The whole topic of biblical mathematics interests me. People fervently defend their positions on what must be a subjective context. How can we know what the OT authors meant when talking about scientific data like the time it took to create life, the universe and everything? We can't, but we can take a view.

Eliezer - I would love to hear a Jewish intepretation on this subject that gets so many Christian's knickers in a twist

Pax my friends

Andy

Andy,

The mod posting I saw was about their 20th. Shows how often they get involved. I'm sure you were having a much more exciting time at the wedding

Look out for instant messages - top right hand corner of 'our' board.

Sally

I keep looking for the format buttons. Boring. Can't do colours. (Or, if you can, it's not as easy anyway)

Sally

I am becoming convinced that everyone who writes here is non compos mentis. And so, having telling you what I really think about you, Sally, Tim and the whole gang who write about Delwyn and Mornington Crescent. ( see my post 1510) I will say a heartfelt goodbye.

And so the wife and I are off to Niagara Falls in a half hour or so.

When you all recover from criticising the Mods (poor things) and return to your collective senses I may continue to "harrass" you all on this h2g2 thing.

Hi Pondero,

That's OK. We think we're crazy too. Have a lovely time at Niagara falls.

Be warned, we probably won't be here when you get back.

Sally

A bit harsh, Pondero. But you're right I am crazy. Crazy like a fox. When you get back from the Falls, I will still be here. Someday I'll sit down and tell you all about the Institute and its new direction. And then you will understand. I'll be back! Ani

Hi Sally:

We had a great brunch at the Sheraton hotel, overlooking Niagara Falls. We had a front row seat. You could see the top of the Falls but not the bottom from where we were. Japanese tourist buses came and went, stopping at the hotel for lunch.

Next to that hotel there is the Loreto Life Centre and if you walk through their graveyard you will find a Carmelite church and bookstore selling books about St Therese of Lisieux, one of my favourite woman saints. You can leave your car where it was outside the hotel on a side street while you do this as the parking is cheap, only $1 per hour. Opposite the Falls the parking is $12 and $10. Please note if you ever come over here.

Hi Ani:

Sorry about the "harshness". These are difficult times for me as my wife is ill, Next Wednesday she will be in Women's College Hospital, and the chances are good that a full recovery will take place from breast cancer after that operation. I don't like disclosing so much personal info = but I feel obliged to explain. Prayers would help.

Of course my dear Pondero. I will pray for you and your wife (asking our good Lady and my usual saints to help) and I will ask the others to pray as well.

Women's College is nothing but the best. My own family doctor (Ruth Heisey) assists up there with needle biopsies and whatever needs doing. I worked as a volunteer in the breast clinic because they are so overworked. The physicians are fine fine human beings and so skilled. Your wife is in good hands. Do not be afraid.

I am happy to hear that you were able to spend some time with your wife beside the magnificent Falls. I must run now, Pon, because I have a meeting, but I will be in touch. In Jesus and Mary, Ani.

Pondero, I know how difficult things like this can be. About 13 years ago my wife had a lumpectomy. Before and immediately after the treatment were difficult times. She mad a full recovery and has had no recurring problems.

This happened not long after we had become Christians, I'm gald we had our faith as I can assure you it helped. It brought up some sadness too, as ten years earlier Heather's mother had died from the same disease.

Treatments are improving all the time, and I will pray for you and your wife, but you already know you have a loving god.


Ian

Thanks for your prayers Ani, they are most welcome. My wife's doctor is Dr. Somerville, and she will be assisted by a young woman whom I have met. Dr. Muriel Brackstone. She is very kind.

Thanks for your prayers Ani, they are most welcome. My wife's doctor is Dr. Holloway, and she will be assisted by a young woman whom I have met. Dr. Muriel Brackstone. She is very kind.

Hi Pondero,

I'm glad you had a good time at the Falls, and I will pray for you and your wife.

I went to Lisieux several years ago. The basilica is magnificent, and I remember being impressed by the story of St Therese. To tell you the truth, I can't remember much about her, except how humble she was. Maybe you'd be kind enough to remind me some time? (It was at least 25 years ago, and my memory isn't that good )

Sally

Substitute Holloway for Somerville. I have Somerville on the brain at the moment. Fr. Somerville has recently been relieved of his priestly duties as he said Mass at a Pius X establishment. The Cardinal cracked down hard on him I think. Fr. Somerville did in past times ably assist in writing the liturgy for the RC church in Canada. He has become more right-wing since then. Fr. Somerville also said Mass for Mel Gibson during the making of the Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson attended daily mass and noticed the shoes of the priest needed repairing so he bought him a pair of new shoes. The man who played the part of Christ in the movie went to Mass most days but when he couldn't (because of heavy make up required for some scenes) Father saved him a consecrated host so he could receive Communion in the afternoon. Fr. Somerville is a Canadian priest who is held in high regard here.

Ian:

Thanks for your kind thoughts. You know what we are going through, because of your wife's personal experience. Your words are most reassuring.

The cancer is 15mm long and not near the lymph glands and my wife is having a lumpectomy. She is looking after her mother today as it is her turn. Her mother who is 91 or 92 knows nothing of this...

Hello Pondero

I hope you won't mind if I join with the others and express my sincere best wishes, and offer my prayers, for your wife's full and speedy recovery.

All the best

Dai

Thank you Dai for your kind thoughts and prayers.

No. Seriously. I'm lost. I'm a newbie.

Who is talking to whom? How do I know where I am and what's going on? Why doesn't the system tell me if someone has replied to me?

Etc.

I implore you for directions.

Maybe I can pull a thorn from your paw or something.

ElizierPennywhistler:

Wow, what a name! almost as funny as Sir Sheard of Yetton, to whom I bow and trip over my sword in homage: he is on the CTMB.

It does take a bit of getting used to Elizier, the posts are numbered and you can press a button if one is lit up in the diamond shape at the bottom r.h. of a post here. It explains what it all means when you do so. There is probably much more that I don't know about, because I learned by trial and error, not having the patience to sit down and follow the rules.

Regards from Pondero and welcome.

Hi Pon. Blackstone and Holloway. Good. Everyone knows each other at Women's College, so you can often get a diagnostic quickly (even in another hospital, usually Sinai) rather than waiting. Many of the physicians are friends and so discussions about patients come up as a normal course of reconnecting as opposed to only sifting through files. The physicians genuinely feel connected to the lives of their patients.

Furthermore, because Women's College is (or used to be) a World Health Organization designate hospital, they can access a lot of cutting edge research. Finally, the culture of Women's College will allow you and your wife to share information with the health team and to participate fully in decisions concerning her treatment. I know, the blab is that all hospitals do this, but they don't.

Now here is the scoop, Pon. I do not know whether or not your wife will undergo chemo. If she does, it is important to keep her blood levels up. A family friend of mine is the National Marketing Director for a drug called Yprex. I forget how it works; something about stimulating something in the kidneys which in turn stimulates something in the bones which keeps the blood levels up. It is a very expensive drug. So, if money is an issue, I can ask my friend if she can talk to some people in her company. She has offered to do this for a friend of mine in the past.

Meanwhile we are keeping you in our prayers. Just one step at a time. Yours in Jesus and Mary, Ani.