The Social

I just want to say thank you to all of you for the help you have given and the people I have met and made friend of.

But I will maybe not closing my account but taking some time off. I hope all is well and keep up the good work.

Regards IGGIE

At Alamitos Marina near Seal Beach today. Looking at the boats... this caught my eye.
Ahoy matey

TOLERANCE.

Tolerance, it should be said
is governed largely in one’s head
but, perhaps, it may just start
as seedlings sprouting in one’s heart.

Emotions can control what we
prefer to hear, to touch, and see,
so though we think we‘re in control
sometimes things spring right from the soul.

Tolerance is not a given,
for in life, things may be riven
with divisions that can still
prove ...

NO ONE WOULD CONTEST that Winston Churchill was a master of the English language. His written work product was enormous, in addition to his careers as soldier and politician. It has been estimated that he wrote 8 to 10 million words in over forty books, plus thousands of newspaper and magazine articles. His work included a six-volume history of W.W. I, a six-volume history of W.W. II, and A ...

At Seal Beach today, spotted a Hawk. Got some great pictures.
Right after I took these, 3 Crows and a Seagull showed up and started dive bombing the hovering Hawk. The Hawk zipped off into the distance with his antagonists in hot pursuit.

AS MY LIFE STRETCHES INTO its octogenarian period, I find myself outliving contemporaries who were friends or acquaintances. It is hard to know quite how to deal with this discomforting phenomenon. Funerals can present one with competing, contradicting, and confusing reactions. I’m reminded of the scene in Heller’s great novel ‘Catch 22’ where Yossarian is seen perched nude in a nea ...

Hi friends. Surgery is now just 4 days away. Shit (pun intended) is getting real. You know, like all the phone calls about pre op, pharmacy, arrival time… and the dreaded bowel prep. Please pray for my family, this will be ugly. A trip to the hardware store for plastic sheets is a serious request!!

As a way to find humor and get me through my poop anxiety, I thought about music that pairs ...

I'm new here, semi-new ostomy (8/2023). Found this wonderful community on BlueSky! Super excited to be here after I left Facebook (and an amazing ostomy group there). Looking forward to learning my way around the site and chatting with other ostomates!

I ADMIT TO BEING AN UNDERCOVER grammar cop. Usually I manage to restrain myself, but when one of my daughters persists in using the word “like” inappropriately over and over, it’s all that I can do to keep from jumping all over her. While I recognize the natural inclination of language to change over time, there remains a proper way to put words together and precise definitions for the ...

I named mine Sylvester Stalloma, he’s now my ring man fighting through this labyrinth called life.

for the most part he’s well behaved apart from the odd battle cry he lets out at 2am some nights, startling me into action in the darkness, I think he does it just to remind me that he’s still there fighting my corner.

T

I GOT THE PHOTO A FEW YEARS AGO OF A VERY RAIR THREE EAERD KANGAROO.

Regards IGGIE

Hi there fellow ostomy friends… I’m new to all of this & just happened upon this site hoping for advice, help, support, friendship, encouragement & I mean this ALL in a reciprocal manner…. Wishing all The Very Best in a Journey that I never dreamed that I’d be taking

HOLDING THE HOSE IN MY HAND yesterday, I realized how important I am. I have plants that depend upon me. The native red maple that I planted in March, the tupelo tree that is beautiful every day since I brought it home from the nursery several years ago, both thrive as a direct result of my care. The rose bushes and the other plants in the courtyard, I see them and care for them every day l ...

I just had to have a colostomy. I'm nervous about a lot of things and would love some "make my life easier" advice!

Hello

my name is peter and I am 73 years old. I had surgery 3 months ago for rectal cancer and had no follow-up treatment. In connection with the surgery I unfortunately got an abscess which took 8 weeks to recover from
I started irrigation a week ago and have already managed to be continent for a day. I irrigate every morning at 7 am and I have only succeeded because I have ...

Hello,

Just home from hospital with Ileostomy today. Looking support as I navigate this new way of life.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's tips and tricks!!
Thank you,

Megan

Loving all of the beautiful spring colors
Haven't painted in years. Love how this turned out

WE ATE OUT THE OTHER NIGHT but that is becoming more infrequent because both my wife and I enjoy the kitchen. “Food is celebratory,” said Leo Buscaglia. “People who don’t cook don’t know how much fun they’re missing.” Besides, restaurants make me nervous. I’ve heard horror stories about the kitchens. In addition, when we’re cooking at home, we know what’s going into an ...

Hi everyone…

Does anyone have a success story or a positive statement they would like to share? I am in the thick of my testimony I see the light, but I am not there yet. I love the support and networking these sites have to offer, but sometimes I get scared by the unsuccessful stories.

I could use some positivity right now

SO MANY LITERARY TALES are out there, it’s hard to select a favorite. Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, the tortoise & the hare, the ugly duckling, and they all have important morals. I always liked ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ by Hans Christian Andersen. It’s about an emperor who has an obsession with fancy new clothes, and spends lavishly on them, at the expense of state matters. O ...

THE BUDGERIGAR
It is native to Australia and at the height of the feeding season they can be seen in flocks of thousands.

The are all green, other colors are man manipulated by special breading. If you buy one get a Green one only

Regards IGGIE

I have to ask, how many of you ended up making the Lemonade Scones.

IGGIE

AS I APPROACHED THE CORNER of ‘Walk’ and ‘Don’t Walk’ on my morning outing, I ran into one of my favorite actors. It was the great Alan Arkin. “I thought you were dead,” I blurted out. “Nasty rumor,” he told me with his usual smirk. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “I think I made a wrong turn in Biloxi,” Arkin said. I had to ask him: “You were in over a h ...

ODE TO A NURSE
Sick people turn me on,

They get my care-a-lot juices flowing

And I learned early on

That caring is my Camelot,

My special place, I’m glowing

When I’m making patients better,

I’m a real go-getter

With needles, bandages and gauze,

I do it because

It makes me feel good

And hopefully them too,

So I can cope fully

With the pain I see.

I’m ...

Hello. i am new here. I will be getting a loop ileostomy later this month. I am honestly terrified. I don't know anyone with an ostomy, so I don't really know much about what's coming. I have several chronic health conditions, and several implanted devices. I enjoy reading, crafting, board games, and being with my partner and our new dog. I'm here looking for support, friends, and tips on liv ...

After a wunnerful day in St. Thomas, Gert & I needed a rest. Fortunately next up, a sea day! Stumbling back to our cabin, we crashed early, with my vintage Walkman belting out the B-52's. Can you say.. Rock Lobster?

Woke at 11:00 in the morning. Took a shot of Pepto, then slipped out onto our balcony to a postcard perfect scene. Ocean, sun, scattered clouds. Yes, I bellowed, "this...i ...

It seems the Americans have been learning a bit of Australian slang like Bugger.

So here is a little something I have put together for you to hang on the wall.

Bloody Ripper Mate = Really Good my friend. Another new one for you
Regards IGGIE

After a hard night with an upset tummy and shots of Pepto Bismal.... I was ready to rock the beach. Ship was docked at St. Thomas Virgin Islands. I kicked started Gert, who groggily wondered what day it was. "Rise and shine sunshine" I thundered. "Time for for this bod, to blaze the virgin beach." Gert rolled her eyes. "Oh Flab, you is a kooky one." I threw an olive at her.

I whippe ...

DID YOU KNOW THAT what most distinguishes us humans from the lower animals is our willingness to blame others for our faults? That’s why you never see your dog point a paw at your spouse. The poor dog just gets a guilty look on its face and slinks into the nearest corner. Whereas, had it been human, it would have said something like ‘John must’ve eaten it’ or, at least, ‘I don’t ...

Bolsa Chica wetlands today.
Was a little foggy. When the hundreds of Terns started flying around hunting fish, their squawking was so loud. I also had to run for cover. You don't want to be underneath a cloud of birds.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA is a two-and-a-half-hour drive on I-10 from Tallahassee, Florida, a boring stretch of concrete highway through pine tree forestation surrounded by speeding 18-wheelers and other travelers. We make the trip every so often to visit our daughter and her family. I hate the drive but make it willingly to see my daughter and granddaughter. My son-in-law is an added benefit, ...

Well…I originally thought Snow was a Princess, but now that Snow is a little bigger, she is not a Princess, but Prince Snow. He can be so sweet and loving, but there are days that he is our little demon brat cat. Hopefully, once he is fixed, he will calm down. I love him dearly.

A good friend of mine has just offered us the use of her AIRBNB home for 5 nights. It's a beautiful house with all the amenities, plus it's in a nearby tourist town that I've yet to explore.

Dear husband and I haven't had a vacation long since before my surgery, so we're due for a little getaway.

This will be my first time away from home, so I'm a little nervous about the whole ostomy pack ...

Some would proclaim it to be the wheel. Others say batteries, or air conditioning. The printing press ranks high. In my humble opinion:
The couch.
Epitome of utility and convince. A simple comfortable refuge from the stress of modern life. Morphing a once harried human into a content potato.
Enlightened others advocate for the so called, La-Z-Boy chair. In this writers opinion... too mu ...

Hi
I’m Sammi new to this page I’m looking for friendships as I’ve been quite isolated
I have been an ostomate for 11 years permanent colostomy
looking forward to getting to know you all

Today we drove from Marco Island on the Gulf coast to Everglades City. Taking a boat tour of Ten Thousand Island National Park. Wonderful day, sunshine with little wind. Ignoring the backseat driving of Mrs B, we soon arrived and boarded our tour boat. This area is where fresh water mixes with salt water. Take a look:

Airboat heading out

Our comfy tour boat dockside

Leaving Everglad ...

We live in an interesting digital age. Since I retired, I've been spending a lot of time on the internet/World Wide Web. Never really had much free time in the past to leisurely lounge about, surfing different web pages, videos, news, and topics of interest. I've also been watching streaming channels on my TV. There's a seemingly endless line up of old shows, sitcoms, movies, and documenta ...

Out for a coffee today as the weather is just perfect for it and whilst I do love my own company and people watching, I do miss just chatting with someone .

Hi folk they call me Beachy (nik) been married for 45 yrs have one son 36 travel 2/3 times per yr to the Philippines stopping up to 3 months at a time interested in movies/ motorcycles/ bicycle racing/animals birds and believe they should always remain in there natural habitat

I am a ATHEIST and happy that way ..

AS A CERTIFIED CYNIC I’m never going to be accused of being am overly positive fellow, but I do agree with good ol’ Dolly Parton: “You gotta bloom where you’re planted.” As Spring arrives, I want to get out into the yard and plant stuff. I want to have to wash the dirt off my hands at least once a day. I had empty pots in the courtyard that needed plants. One got a nice young yuc ...

I used to work as an artist doing all kinds of different stuff

Then I sold real estate i
n Alaska. I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't been on a date in 20 years but am really starting to miss male companionship. Thinking spoiling a guy would be very satisfying.

ON A RECENT WALK, I ran into a woman I recognized immediately. It was the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner (née Anna Mae Bullock). “I thought you were dead,” I blurted out like a dummy. “Hey,” she said, a big wide smile on her face, “if I can survive Ike, I can survive anything.” The Grammy winning singer/song writer/actress looked radiant. “So, you like my music?” ...

A POPULAR FILM GENRE is what you might call vengeance movies. The hero suffers some incomprehensible loss of a loved one and then seeks to even the score. Charles Bronson had an entire series of these ‘Death Wish’ movies. More often, the hero just happens to have conveniently been trained as a black ops warrior or is a rogue ex-CIA agent, and so he possesses all the necessary skills ...

“LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF PITS,” said Rodney Dangerfield. “Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable,” said Woody Allen. How did these miserable guys become comedians? The answer has to be that to escape the dark side, one can resort to humor. It doesn’t bury the negative vibes; it just provides a light musical accompaniment. It’s a way of looking the devil in the eye ...

New to the site, 7 weeks post op. Still about a stone down on my weight, appetite back so eating my way back to it

SOMETIMES I TALK TOO MUCH and I know it. I speak to strangers, I contradict family members, and I suffer from an overabundance of opinions craving to get out. It has taken me a long time to learn that I don’t have to express all my thoughts, and part of that lesson was from watching others, particularly a current obnoxious politician, doing just that. As some observant wag once observed, ...

WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, we lived across the street from an endless cow pasture which was destined to eventually become more houses. It was a terrific place to play football. No pads, no helmets, sometimes no shoes, just rough and tumble take the ball and see how far you can get. I liked to play bare footed, but the coarse pasture grass made that a challenge. I’m not sure I even owned ...

While back I posted about coming across some trees that were being tapped for maple syrup and not being able to look at maple syrup in the same way again. They look like they were wearing wearing ostomy bags. It's that time of the year again up here in New York State and came across them again and this time I took some pictures. After reading my previous post Alex T labeled them OstoTrees. ...

YEARS AGO, WHEN MY DAUGHTER LIVED in Brooklyn, I flew from Utah (out of Vegas) to NYC to visit her. There were a couple of places that I wanted to go while there and we took the subway. I’ve never lived where there are subways and she decided that she needed to coach me on my behavior. “Don’t look at anyone, don’t talk to anyone,” she advised seriously. As a film fan, I’ve seen ...