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

Hello!
I haven't heard from you in a couple of days, and I just wanted to say hi!
I am happy to say that the Child 'Protection' Workers that had the file on our family, have closed the file as of two days ago!
Now the real test comes, as I am going public with our story, with the support of our local political representative. It's a scary thought, as they have already tried intimidating me into not telling my story. I am sure I will face some pretty strong adversaries in the next while.
I still haven't managed to find a good recipe. I WILL find one this weekend, and get it to the appropriate place.
I do hope you are well. I am sure you are keeping busy with all of the people you have met, and things you do in connection with h2g2, and the rest of life. It would be nice if you could have gone with your friend on her trip to Italy(?). It would be really nice to see how other people live, and experience the cultural diversity there. (And to get a break from the everyday.)
I went to London the year Diana died. I was scheduled to leave the day after she was killed, but postponed the trip for another two months, to avoid all of the extra people that would inevitably be there. I certainly loved it there, and hope to return some day. The only thing that was slightly odd, was the day someone from another flat in the building my friend lived in, came and knocked on the door when I was alone there, to "bum a fag". It took me a minute to collect myself, as the word "fag" is used as a slur to describe someone homosexual, in our ignorant country. Even though I knew what was meant by the neighbor (cigarette), it still seemed kind of funny. The neighbor was just curious about this unusual person in the flat, and was making an excuse to meet me. I don't think they even smoked.
Well, my bed is calling to me. I am going to take the time to catch up on some sleep, as the kids are all at school.
Take care!
Karen

Very dear Dragonfly
Just a quick note before K. and I go out to lunch. Thank you for your super letter. I hope that it all works out. You have so much courage.
You made me laugh with your story of the "fag". It is so sad tht some super words have now got odd connotations. Please do come and have a look at the PIckled Tent tonight at the Harvest Festival and then come and have a drink with me at the Beer Tent. They had a real ball last night. a big AR1

Good Day Dear Lady!
I would like nothing better than to have a drink with you in the beer tent, but have no idea how to go about doing such a thing. Is it an on line chatroom, or something? I've not learned how to do that yet.
I found out that one of the reasons my love had not called me for a while, was because he had had a urinary infection that had been MISDIAGNOSED as 'gonnorrhea(sp), and chlamidia(sp)'. Neither of us could have possibly been infected with such bunk, and he was very upset and confused as to how he could have gotten such a thing. He thought that perhaps I had been unfaithful, but the truth of the matter is that neither of us has had an intimate partner for well over a year, and even then it was with former spouses. We could not have carried such a disease around, without having been extremely ill (or dead), for that length of time. And, neither of us are the type that would be promiscuous, as we are both so afraid of such diseases, as well as getting hurt by some jerk that doesn't give a hoot about the other person. Besides, we both have children that we have to consider, when getting involved with another person.
It probably wouldn't have been so bad, if it hadn't been the RCMP that had misdiagnosed it, and anything like that goes on his personnel file. When we went to my , he told us that it had been a total misdiagnosis, and that neither of us had anything to worry about. It had also crossed his mind that, since some people he works with have tried to seperate us with malicious gossip (believing that I am guilty of criminal child abuse and neglect), that it might have been someone's sick idea of making more trouble for us.
But, everything has turned out , again.
My oldest daughter (the one who is leaving) says hi !
I guess I must go for now. Keep in good spirits, my dear. Have fun at the beer tent!
Karen

It was in Hamlet that it was said
"When troubles come they come not in single spies but in batallions."

You are really having a dreadful time at the moment.

As soon as I have learnt how to chat I shall try and teach you. the blind leading the blind.!! It is amazing to me that I managed to talk to anyone last night.

Keep well dear friend. Try NOT to think of the past but look to the future which is going to be good and happy and fruitful for you.
You must believe that you are special and that you are loved.

with a fond

AR1

Much fondness!
My 16 year old son teaches me every day. He is blind, but doesn't let that deter him. It has been a real trip helping him to not succumb to depression, at times, as the sighted take no time to "see" things in any other way (with other just as important senses). It has been those that SHOULD have helped, (like the 's, and the CNIB), that have been the biggest impediment for him. It was like pulling teeth, at times, to get the proper support people to listen. So, we stumbled around a lot, trying to learn how to function with no sight.
David has been put on a list for a Guide Dog. It might be up to a year for him to get one, but it will sure allow him more freedom and independence. He is such a great kid, and I am so proud of him!
It has been so wonderful to receive support from everyone here, as I have not gotten the support from those in my own home town. I look forward to reading everything here, every day, because it is sometimes the only uplifting messages I get.
So, THANK YOU!
Karen

Oh my dear friend,
I must say Hi before I go to bed. Thank you for your letter today. How wonderful that you have been able to get a guide Dog for your son. Does he do braille? It must be very difficult for all of you to know how to help him - not too much and not too little.
I am glad that you are finding support on this site. It really is a wonderful site and one does find the most supberb friends.
I must away now and get some sleep.
Go well dear one, and take care of yourself.
Your affectionate friend AR1

Sleep.....
Ah, now that is an interesting thought. I was just given a jolt from a very pleasant one. Someone thought it might be nice to shoot at our house, again. At least this time they have probably left the bullet in the siding, and there will be some evidence for the police, in the morning.
I had thought that since I was awake at such an hour, that I might stop in for a peek. I must say that I get the most interesting replies.
Yes! David does braille. He brought a brailler home last summer, for us to try. We all had a bit of fun with it, and would have liked to have done more. But, as it was only a loaner, he took it back to school, when he went back.
That just gave me an idea for the page. I shall request a straight off.
for now!
Karen

Dear Dragonfly,

I hope that you are having a good day and that life is being kinder to you. Does you son go to a special school for the blind or does he live at home?

I have a friend who taught blind children braille and there is a big school for the blind quite near where we live. Was he born like that or did he have sight once. It must be difficult if one has had one's sight and then one loses it.

I hope the other children are well and that you dear friend has come to see you and cheer you up.

With a fond AR1

Dear Friend,
I hope you are keeping well.
We are all fine here (with the slight exception of my dog, Stinky. See my posting called "Broken Dog".)
David goes to a small rural school, where there has never been a blind person before. He is playing a part in teaching the entire community about the sightless.
There is a teacher that the school has hired especially to work with David. She has had extra training to be able to work with him, and teach him braille.
Life is life, I guess. Always a challenge, never dull. We have had some busy times in the last few days.
I have seen my (Clayton). He is doing a lot better, too. His daughter, Kristyn, has been spending a lot of time with us, as being with her Mom has been rather difficult for her. Her Mom is in serious need of some intense psychiatric help, and refuses to get it. She (Lorie) is, unfortunately, suffering from a paranoid-schizophrenia, coupled with clinical depression, and has started to spiral downhill very rapidly, and in public. Clayton is having to make the difficult decision to apply for custody of the kids, until the poor lady gets help.
The big thing is being a strong support for everyone involved. I tried to support Lorie, by being a friend, but she ended-up assaulting me, so I stay away - to not cause her or the kids distress. But when Clayton has the kids, Kristyn often comes here.
I wish the best for everybody.
Anyway, I should probably start dinner. When my children come home, they are like a ravenous school of pirhana.

Karen

Very dear dragonfly,
Well I do hope that the last few days have been happier and that you have been able to sort something out for everyone. It loks as if you are the rock on whom everyone depends. And it is hard being that unless you have help and support.

I hope that your friend gets help soon. The tragic thing about that illness is that the sufferers do not realise that they are ill. It is very sad.

I have been jolly busy these last few days. trying to tidy up my bedroom as I have bought a new orthopaedic bed. The idea being that it would help me to have a night of pain-free sleep. I do think that it has helped but I am still trying to get the hang of switching the back and the foot end up and down.

But having got rid of the double bed and only having a single bed in the bedroom has made such a difference. I can now waltz around the room in my wheelchair. Very exciting!!.

I must away to bed. I have a lot of reading to do because I am going to special meeeting on Wednesday night when I shall have to talk about the evangelist John and his gospels - and I have not read all I should!!.

Sleep tight, and a big
AR1

I got an orthopaedic bed two years ago, and it was the best thing I could have ever done. They are frightfully expensive, though.
I used to play on my Grandmother's bed when she wasn't looking, and usually left it with both the head and the foot up, so it appeared to be a large hot dog bun. (She didn't take too kindly to that, but was always kind in her reprimands.)
Those Gospels are always fun. There is so much one can take away when studying them. John was such an intelligent man, yet also very human. (Unlike some of the other "butt-heads" we can meet in scripture.)
Anyway, take good care of yourself. Have great loads of fun in your new bed!
Sleep well!
Karen