I few months ago, I didn’t know Chiari Malformation existed and the I gave across the topic while doing some research on CarePages. Frankly, I feel lucky that I don’t have it and I feel really bad for the people who do. It is a bottom-of-the-skull thing; it is a PAIN thing. As I understand it, you are born with it and it may lie dormant for a long time; then again, it can assert itself in childhood. It’s trademark is PAIN. A lot of it.

Obviously, I do not understand it very well, but I understand these CarePages I have been reading. One of them was featured on the CarePage homepage, along with an invite to read Gabe’s story. Reading it may be difficult, but, hey, living it is . . . Well, that is the stuff of nightmares.

One day sometime late last fall the dog was following me around the kitchen, pawing at my leg for something, even though he had already gone through such possibilities as having been fed, having been let out, and having been petted. I told my grandson to give him a Milkbone. “That’s your answer for everything,  just throw a dog biscuit at it,” he replied. Well, yeah, it sounded like a good idea to me, and I offered him one to give to his English teacher. So now I don’t even hesitate; I hand out two or three at a time to the dog. I have come to terms with my one trick negotiation strategy, and the dog is happy with it.

Now, I need something for me, a solution for my woes. Twinkies probably are not the answer, but I don’t want to be too hasty – cheesecake might be close to the mark. Seriously, though, what can I do to placate my inner puppy, to make me feel all comfy and content and up for the next day, or for finishing this one?

I am thinking about becoming a hermit, but with cable and internet service and lots of books and maybe meals and snacks that mysteriously appear at my door. I could construct a wonderful existence in my mind – a lovely setting, marvelous house, brilliant weather all the time, some ocean, some mountains; that could take some time to get all the details straight, so I guess I’ll get pretend I’ve been out in the cold and have stumbled on this warm room with sofa and blanket . . . and maybe a soda on the coffee table.