“It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” — Judith Viorst quoting Alexander
The back side of Mount Ogden. That little peak on the right marked the start of the Men's Downhill for the 2002 Winter Olympics. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Travels With Maggie
I was sick yesterday with a 24-hour bug. I broke my glasses. My computer is acting up again. And I was up all night with Maggie, whose ears were hurting. And of course, being as it’s the holiday season, I’m already over budget for the month.
This morning I ignored the rule about never feeling sorry for myself, and broke down and cried while on the phone with my oldest daughter.
You can insert the S word here if you like.
So it’s off to take Maggie to the expensive-as-hell vet who never seems to solve the problem, get a new pair of glasses and visit the geeks. Hopefully they can fix my computer so I can blog again tomorrow, hopefully about happier things.
Life sometimes is just not fair. Book cover illustration by Ray Cruz
Meanwhile, I thought I’d share a picture of a happier day with you. It’s one of my very favorite views taken from Huntsville, Utah.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a book to give some young person this year, I suggest Judith Viorst’s “Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”
Pat Bean's blog 
Good luck today, Pat. Fingers are crossed it’s a much better day for you!
Best wishes for a better tomorrow. (That might be a good book to give an old person, too.)
You’re not alone, Pat. I am having back problems and the A/C needs a $500 part. We overdid on the spending too. My sister put in a whole-house generator and on first test run, it didn’t work so they had to take it out to figure out what the problem is. And her credit card got compromised for the 2nd time in 5 months. My friend, Jeanne, needs a hip replacement and is suffering with that and recovering from major surgery. As Calvin (of Calvin & Hobbes) says, “That’s the remarkable thing about life…it’s never so bad that it can’t get worse.” Have a Happy anyways!!
My computer’s fixed, although not guaranteed that the quirk won’t happen again. My nose has stopped running. I bought some Foster Grants’ readers to tide me over until I can afford a new pair of bifocals. I only use my glasses for reading anyway. We’re trying a new drug on Maggie and she got a steroid shot to reduce her swelling and pain. Her condition is what is causing me the most anxiety. She’s 14, but except for her chronic ear problem is in good healh. Last night was the worse it’s ever been. She was in serious pain. The only sure solution is very expensive surgery which at her age I won’t do.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Pat, I’m so sorry for Maggie’s pain and your other troubles on top of it. Our animals are such a special responsibility. People can make their own decisions about using heroic measures or letting go, but we take that decision on ourselves when we befriend an animal. I think you’re absolutely right to refuse to subject Maggie to the trauma of a major operation at her age. It sounds like you have HER welfare in mind, not your own, and none of us can ask for more than that from our caretakers. HUGS!
Sorry to hear you had a rough few days. However, I LOVED the Alexander book! It was my second favorite book as a kid, right after “Where the Wild Things Are.” Thanks for bringing back a happy memory!