Strenght and Courage

Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl is about strength and courage - at the end of the story, you feel like you can do what you have to do.

Thirsty?

If all you had to drink was dirty water, like in Pakistan right now, would you risk disease or dehydration?

Courage

Hard anniversary is nearing. Blasting Hurricane Katrina came through five years ago, end of August. 
Hard to relive. 
Hard for the people who went through what I call "the odyssey."
Imagine so many people and each one has an individual story to tell; to relive. 
Katrina was a three-warm-core-ring circus, so to speak. 
We who have survived that wind and water will gulp at the thought. 
Destruction was like an exploded bomb of maximum force. Scary to see it; scarier to live it. Still scary.  
This is not so-called reality TV. It is real life horror that makes your stomach sick. 
Anniversaries and their dates serve as markers of time. But the pain from the event is no greater because of a calendar number. It is pain so immense that it literally could not get any worse. 
Blessings to you who have gone through Hell and lived to talk about it. Your story is gigantic and so is your courage.  

Oil Fairy?

Where is the oil?

Oily-Slick PR

Honesty and truth in advertising has blurry line in PR spot ads being run by BP OIL.
That campaign is about as disheartening as what that company has done to spoil - desimate- our wetlands and creatures.
Image making or breaking? I don't believe them. It stinks.

Mental Illness Comes to Oil Foreground

It's taken 70 days for that BP OIL CRISIS in the GULF to turn to psychological issues.
Eco, everything covered it up. Inevitable.
We need qualified therapists in diners daily for group sessions;
Music, mental, physical, ground-floor basics.
Gulf Coast citizens are beyond 'the verge.' the verge is beyond the gulf.
Pelicans, bans, losses - every shape and form.
Orwell-esque.
GET ME OUTTA HERE

HATS OFF to BILLY NUNGESSER

Really.

Grandest Pleasure

Wow! It is with grandest pleasure that I can share this amazon link with you of "Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl," my new book. (ISBN 1451591314)
... literary / creative nonfiction ... BIG smiles.)))

Here is the news release: www.MisadventuresofaNewOrleansGirl.com

Tell your worst enemies - and bests.
Recommended summer reading!

Clairvoyant Psyche

Strength

Did you hear about the man who cut off his left arm after it got stuck in his water heater? 

He says he discovered strength that he didn't know he had. 

Imagine being in that predicament! Alone. Trapped. Dying. Your dog upstairs without water...

He had cut his arm nerves. Do you have an idea of intense pain?! Above the pain, the man was thinking straight.

I've been using my sense of humor to help me cope with 90% loss of my left arm. No, it isn't amputated; it's there. It just can't be used for much. 

Broken is better than gone. 

When do you accept something and give up trying? When is hope lost?

I don't give up easily; but, you can't mend a shattered lightbulb. That's like trying to glue together individual grains of sand. 

Doc describes my humerus as a "nonunion."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humerus

Only path is bone graft - another surgery. Nerve damage tops risks. Saddened, not angry about the nonunion, my hope has gone to hospital without me. 

Thinking again of that man who saved his life by sawing off his arm, survival won out. Human psyche is powerful and clairvoyant. His told him he could have a one-arm future or no future. 'No way out' made him think, then act.

Can you see how this relates to BP oil victims? They are losing their lives.

Will their hope be smothered to death? Is that hope already murdered?

Post traumatic stress 'disorder' ought to be renamed 'attack.' 

"Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl" demonstrates positive coping skills, during and after traumas. (Excitement: Final book proof this week. Then on amazon.com before New Orleans book release festivities, this autumn.)  

What tests your hope?

No End in Sight

Oil

I am a big Marx Bros. fan. "Duck Soup" ran on Turner Classic Movies a few days ago. I was excited! 

The picture's comical opening credits show a few ducks. First thing I thought? Not comedy. Not schtick. Oil. I thought of ducks dying in oil - BP's careless oil disaster does not go away, even with help from the Marx Bros. 

Water

I can't look at pictures of clean, blue seas without thinking of our oil-soaked waters (and beaches) (and sea creatures) (and entire eco-system).

Does BP losing 48% of its market value make any statement? 

Oh, yes. BP deserves to be punished where they'll feel it - in their till. That's the twisted good news, from a New Orleans girl's POV. 

The straight bad news connected to that sinking market value is further jeopardy for oystermen and all Gulf workers and residents. 

If (when?) BP goes bankrupt, people won't be made good. 

That Gulf mess is just an inch of BP's massive revenue pool. They make tons of money, drilling all over the world. 

Let's hope their financial reservoir will not dry up before Gulf states are compensated; fisheries to tourism, retail to restaurateurs and so on and so on; it's a long list of payees.

I'm only one of tens-of-thousands of people sick over Sportsman's Paradise Lost.

PTSD flourishes where joy once lived on Grand Isle and too many other places. It's not going away any time soon. 

Suggest BP rename itself to GD - Gloom & Doom.       

SciFi Turns Real - BP Oil Disaster Intensifies in Gulf of Mexico

This is the worst movie we've ever been in.
Worse news - it's not a movie.

Sportsman's Paradise Lost

I'm in New Orleans. Not finding anything clever here: Somebody has made an interactive "oil map," claiming it gives perspective of the BP oil disaster. 
You want perspective? Picture your life and your family's and future generations' lives destroyed. 
Imagine your pet dying from being smothered in oil. 
Every moment you are playing on your map, pelicans and all living things, entire eco-systems are being murdered by BP. 
Sportsman's Paradise is lost. 
Turn on Anderson Cooper - CNN. Get a look at the birds. Tears in your eyes should get you perspective. 
Personally, the whole thing stinks, including that offensive map.         

Gulf Coast BP Blues

We are full of positive thinking  --

If your bread is stale, make toast;
A creative chef without utensils can find a way to stir soup.

I'm a hard-core optimist, but, with that mind-boggling, crude oil disaster, I echo Lee Marvin's character in the "The Dirty Dozen."  

"I don't like it. I think it stinks." 

Thanks to BP's traumatic, gigantic screw-up, people are going to have anxiety and increased risk of long-term mental health issues. 

Addiction problems may resume; epics of depression will dibilitate and  irritibility is going to rule.  

There always is hope; but for the Gulf Coast, it's going to be slippery to hold.   

Authorize Funds NOW to LA Barrier Island Dredge Program

Please, let's put forth a group effort.
E-mail this message to:  
doug.suttles@bp.com
and
mary.e.landry@uscg.mil

Subject: Authorize Funds NOW to LA Barrier Island Dredge Program

Message:
Doug Suttles and Admiral Mary Landry: I'm with Billy Nungesser.   
POST HASTE: authorize the funds to LA Barrier Island Dredge Program - 6 areas. These permits have been issued by the Corp. You must act NOW to save our coast, our way of life and our wildlife. Please, take action. I hope for a reason to say thank you. 

You get over it; but you don't get over it.

Perhaps the greatest story of "getting over it" is told in history; war, to be exact. 

Today I saw the movie, "Battle Of The Bulge" (1965) A crack Nazi unit holds off the Allies during World War II. Cast: Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Robert Ryan, Dana Andrews, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalis. Dir: Ken Annakin. It's a beautiful picture and then, there's the story, to boot.

I see things more deeply, the older I get. It is leveling. When you are leveled, you can cope better. You see how to "get over it," but, you don't 'actually' get over it; you just know how to cope. 

Some days, that's all it takes. Others, you lose; nothing matters. 

It is Memorial Day weekend over here in the USA. Wouldn't it be magically grand if war was history and not now?

Thanks to all you soldiers, women and men, living, injured, and dead for your brave service.   

OIL

Here in New Orleans, the news is all about that BP fiasco. Fiasco puts it mildly.
 
I've been blogging about PTSD as I experienced it several times since Hurricane Katrina.
 
Now, my city is in intensive care - again!

BP's careless and greedy actions have created new and worse PTSD cases; more will follow.
 
Taking responsibility is small potatoes compared to the disaster. K-2 (the second Katrina) has longer-ranging effects than the Army Corps' levee lapses made clear by that storm.

I cringe every time the word 'spill' is misused. Milk spills. Oil gushes. 

Audacity calling that disaster, 'spill.' It is PR manipulation. Who cries over spilt milk? No biggie, just a spill. This is exactly a biggie. 

BP must address their error with every fisherman, tour operator and waiter ... whose life has been torpedoed. BP's substantial profits will go a long way toward make-goods. 

BP PR honchos should earn their keep and "persuade" corporate "to do the right thing;" But, they are the same PR people who have kept the word "spill" afloat. 

Kudos: Billy Nungesser and compatriots.

Monsters under the Bed

Is undepressed a word? 

Somebody asked if I was depressed. No, I'm not, now. Time did its job for me. 

I was in the blackest hole on earth - knocked for a loop by a "surprise-death." That figurative black hole was in my heart. 

Once enough time had passed (time is different for everybody), I slowly started eating and sleeping again.

No appetite and no rest drained me of any splinter of verve I might have had left. "Your system is in turmoil," I was counseled by a dear, old friend. 

Losing some (all?) of your heart, you are going to go within.

To move on when NO path shows you the way is tricky. You have to come out of yourself -- right after you climb out of that 'black hole.' 

My remedy did not come about over night. It took about a year! 

"Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl" is all about hurdles and getting over them. 

Problems usually are temporary, unless you become mentally I'll over them. 
   
Positive action, vision, motivation, get them on your side and always analyze situations. If you can't overcome the tragedy, then there's no use to worry.

(Girlfriend just wrote to me, "coco dans la merde." It's unrelated here, but, it made me laugh.)

Are You Depressed?

Depression would have you experiencing feelings of being hopeless. You would not get out of bed. Having energy would be a faint memory. You may have feelings of guilt. When you are depressed, you'd have a difficult time taking care of children, work and life.

You are not to blame! Depression is an illness. 

Therapy and medication can help. You need a professional to determine what's appropriate for you.

There are many effective treatments - and they all take time to work. There is no instant gratification; but, with patience, determination and diligence, you can be gratified in due time. 

Then -- you will start to lighten, brighten your attitude and outlook. Interests will spark up; sleep and energy will return. 

Persevere with treatment; don't give up!! Kick frustration away. Take your specific combination of meds and psychotherapy and see things working! 

Learn about yourself through all of this.
 
Do right by you. :) 
 

Elbow Envy

Saw my surgeon today - it isn't going to heal anymore. Rehab is futile.
Another surgery recommended - nerve damage possible.

And with that bad news, I remain pleased that it isn't worse; that I'm not having to carry my left arm around in my right! It could be much worse.

Call me disabled with a good attitude.

Positive thinking isn't exactly what's going on here. I dont believe I'll wake up one day with my arm suddenly working again. But, there are positives in this picture. 

In a year, maybe there'll be better screws and plates out there. - Really! 

Maybe something good will happen. That's possible, after all, isn't it. My glass is half full. 

Even free-spirits get tested by life stuff. After going through everything since Hurricane Katrina, surely figured I was done for a while.   

Appreciate your elbows!!!!

Here's a link to the page about my book. It will be available on amazon.com soon! 
www.misadventuresofaneworleansgirl.com

At the bottom of that page, there're links to other pages with different excerpts. 

Thanks for reading my blog. Please write-in with your experiences. 

How do you cope??

Stay Positive

Staying positive isn't as easy as you may wish. 

That Gulf of Mexico disaster is a good example; take some of those fishermen. 

They aren't sitting on their duffs. They are meeting with their peers and area officials to devise immediate answers to a long-ranging, BIG problem. 

They are taking precautions to secure their livlihoods where ever they can. 

Not to say that all affected by "The Gulf of Texico," as some are calling it, have ability to do much, now, in the thick of it. Sorry, Texaco fans, it just rhymes. 

Look at the families and friends of the 11 souls that were killed. Do you think they see ANYthing positive? No; I don't. 

So, how do they get beyond the shock and dire sadness at hand?

Time heals most wounds - eventually. But, what about NOW? How are they supposed to sleep and take nourishment when their bodies / entire systems are in turmoil?

One moment at a time; one day at a time is too much to handle. 

You look for diversions: People to talk with, things that make you laugh, going out of your house - for a walk, a cup of tea, a movie. 

Help yourself get out of your mind, not go out of your mind! Maybe it's not the best time for scrapbooks and memories. They will be there for you later, when you are strong again. 

What do you do when you need to stay positive in the midst of calamity?

 

Self-Help

I bought a bunch of comedy DVDs soon into a devasting mourning period. Laughter was part of my self-directed self-help program.  

Some problems are not as obvious to understand as loss of a loved one.  

You have to realize that you have a problem! Take responsibility for it; don't blame others; don't cop-out. 

Are you in denial? Is that stopping your progress?

Study your problems and dig out what's behind them. Don't make assumptions. Get to the root.  What is  motivating behaviour behind actions? 

Devise Improvement Goals

After recognizing what behaviors you need to change, self-help sources are out there: books, workshops, groups, seminars, the Internet; radio must be talking about this. 

Proceed Carefully

Choose self-help that focuses on what you need to fix. A parent who has a problem with a child may consult with a family counselor. If stress management is your thorn, you may choose a book written by a trusted professional or scholar.

Self-help methods can guide you. Follow a path and measure your progress. Remember your original problem and stay on track! You can't solve the world's problems, but you have a shot at a particular one of yours. 

Use your progress to become aware of the positive changes you've created in your life.

You may find that you are making more objective lifestyle choices.

Self-help is useful if you have enough objectivity and self-awareness to assess your problems honestly. 

If you're in denial about a problem or aren't motivated to change, self-help will not help you.

Some mental issues call for bona fide therapy and maybe, medication. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression usually are treated with meds and professional guidance.  

Be kind to yourself. Then, be kind to others. 

Are you in denial? 

Changes

How do you know if u r having anxiety ??
Problem concentrating. Worrying too much. Not sleeping.

An outside event.

Fatigue sets in.

Too much on one plate with time constraints and BANG.

Put things in perspective -- breath.

Talk to someone.

Avoid procrastinating.

Take a break.

Ask for help.


You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet Ink

Strong character

You take a walk to clear your mind, or to get some exercise.

You can't take your eyes off of your path, I mean, exactly where you are stepping, or you just could break your neck. (Well, it's like that here, in New Orleans.)

Keeping your path under caring eye is smart practice.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks for teaching me well.

"Being strong" is one of my traits. Not muscle-wise; can't even carry my purse in my left hand because of this shattered elbow.

Strong character is one tool that I have used to conquer my numerous cases of PTSD, ever since Hurricane Katrina, in 2005. I've needed to find the way out of grim and scary circumstances.

Do you think strong character is it inherited or learned?

Excerpt from "Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl: Selling the Shoes without Touching the Feet"

Don’t Take Happiness for Granted

PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder comes in all different forms. You want to practice positive coping skills. More on that later.

Here’s what some have to say on the subject, round about.

“Road to healing is full of some thorns.” -- Sherry Shepard, The View

"No matter how bad things get, you don't sink to the bottom." -- Betty White

"Desire and determination must overcome disappointment." -- Julio Melara

“You gotta count on someone and it might as well be you.” A fisherman

“You gotta let that knock you down; it won't be the same, but maybe it'll be better.” -- David Letterman

“Sure, life has to go on; your light touch makes it easier to carry the load.” -- Ron Perry

“DESTINY IS ALL WE HAVE. THE UNFOLDING OF OUR OWN LIVES AND WHAT WE DO WITH

IT is our FATE.” -- my friend Sally’s Kabbalah studying friend

“If you make something funny, you can deal with it.” – Joan Rivers
What do you do?

Personal Growth from Extreme Misfortunes

There are two sides to gloom and doom.

I have had a broken elbow since December 2009; gimpy left arm. It makes me clumsy where I was not. But, it also makes me graceful. I am afraid to knock it around and make it worse. So, I am more graceful, entirely. Fear motivates.

You can find two sides (at least) in your problems. Pause and ruminate. Dig. Begin with the, “It could have been worse” scenarios. Find the benefit to you. It’s in there somewhere.

You can’t alter extreme loss, but can choose to be positive. Your outlook will react on the rest of you, your world. You likely will brighten your attitude; and others’ around you.

Give it your best to transform your misfortunes into an insightful, spiritual journey. Use your misfortunes for your own personal growth.

Take time to appreciate the smalls. When asked why she did something a particular way, my friend, Patricia, in Provence, replied simply, “Because it gives me pleasure.” What gives you pleasure? Don’t take happiness for granted.

I am relating all of this to the book I am shamelessly mentioning here. “Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl” is all about getting around, through and over the bumps and mountains that confront you, knock you upside your head until you think you are going to pop.

You are going to get hit in the head.

What are your cares, fears, your interests; likes, dislikes? What do you desire?
That’s a long menu of emotion-based, niche therapy sessions. But, the philosophy of answers and information you seek turns out to be simple.

You may wonder, if it’s simple, why clog the blogosphere? A ‘kajillion’ different circumstances, reactions and responses exist. That’s the thing about being human. You can’t help certain things, but you can try not to do have 'Things' rule your life. You are going to get hit in the head, at times. Life is about controlling the things that hit you. Maybe you can’t alter it, but you most definitely can direct how it makes its impact on you; on your psyche; and on your moment-to-moment living.

I will share and talk about information that I know; and grab an expert for the other stuff.