JIM'S CORNER
Hi my name is Jim Fitzsimons, and this is
my corner of the internet. From time to time, I plan to use this space
to deposit ramblings and musings. Maybe I'll vent, or review a wine I've
tasted. Hopefully, whatever I write will be of interest to the reader. At
least it will be of interest to me.
If people like what they read here,
and if they are able, I would ask that they make a
donation to Freedom in Wheelchairs Inc
3/6/06
Freedom in Wheelchairs was founded on principles of working with the disabled
to provide recreational activities that would help improve the quality of
life. We also sought to include discussions to identify the individual's
talents and goals that would enhance opportunities for employment.
There is conclusive evidence that gainfully employed individuals develop
enhanced sense of self worth. This work ethic helps to strengthen family
ties and improve relationships. It is our intention to develop a program
to promote employment and repeat it in other locations in the metropolitan
area.
We have been successful in our efforts in the recreational
area. We have discovered there is a wide variety of interest to be employed
among the disabled, but it is usually difficult to find jobs other than
door greeters and telemarketers. However, within our company, there is experience
with techniques suitable for the disabled in construction methods.
We propose that we can construct a shop to produce several types of wood
products.With the help of able-bodied persons, construction jigs for the
purpose of cutting dimensional lumber to the appropriate angles and sizes
can be produced. After this, assembly gigs allow for the placement of precut
pieces. These pieces are then fastened using tools suspended from above by
spring like holders so that the weight of the tools is carried by the springs.
Disabled persons, with the use of upper body and hands, can manipulate these
tools to complete the assembly. Numerous products can be assembled by this
method, as shown in the attached photographs.
February 6, 2006
Wow, it's been a while since I entered anything here. I've almost forgotten
how to get here. Today I saw a Brady Bunch episode about their camping trip
to the Grand Canyon. When I was a kid, my family did that. The same way the
Brady Bunch did, in a station wagon, with a tent trailer. What an adventure!
It wasn't an easy way to travel, but I'm happy my parents brought us kids
along. Things have changed, it seems like our family trips were part of another,
better life.
July 6, 2005
Stem Cells
Today I read an artcle in the New England Journal of Medicine.
One type of stem cell- somatic nuclear transfer cells are made by taking
the nucleus containing DNA from an adult cell and placing into an unfertalized
ovum, after taking out it's nucleus, donated by an adult female.
Korean scientists have done more work on this than Americans. In my
opinion, these nuclear transfer cells may be less ethically
controvercial, and might be more usefull theraputically, because, it seems
there would be less need for immunosupressants in a transplant. It seems
that theraputic use of these cells is several years in the future
June 7, 2005
Frustration
Today finds me a bit frustrated about this spinal cord injury. I suppose
for the obvious reason: loss of bodily functions, loss of career,
inability to covnince others that I can still perform the duties of my chosen
profession , and associated depression.
I know that some with cord injuries are worse than others. Some
deal with their problems better than others. And some days are better
than others. For me, this is not a stellar day. Tomorrow may be
better.
I was thinking about writing today, about how everyone and his brother
is writing or has written a book. I'm not sure my attention span
is long enough to write a book I suppose I could hire a ghost writer. Some
people do that you know. I see two problems with that. A ghost writer costs
money. I'm too cheap to pay it. And, what would the ghost writer and I write
about?
Of course some have written about how they have overcome adversity.
I don't think I've done that. I'm more of a work in progress, without
much progress having been made. Some write about interesting things that
have happened to the. The most interesting thing to have happened to me
was breaking my neck, and I won't trouble you with that.
Yep, today is one of frustration, and I may never write a book. But
who knows ?
June 3, 2005
Zoster Vaccine
Recently, there have been several news articles about the article
about the Varicella Zoster Vaccine reported in the June 2 New England Journal
of Medicine. The editorial in the same issue was also favorable. This
was a VA study the median age of the study group was 69. Immunocompromised
patients were excluded from the study. The incidence of Zoster in
the placebo group was 11.12 per 1000 patient years. In the vaccine group
it was 5.42 per 1000 person-years. The incidence of post herpetic neuralgia
was 1.38 cases vs .46 cases per 1000 person -years in the placebo and vaccine
groups respectively. The evidence suggests that this is a safe and effective
vaccine, but obviously not 100% effective. The Food and Drug Administration
has to determine if it will allow the drug to go on the market. And
if it does, patients and their doctors will have to decide whether or not
to use the vaccine.
May14, 2005
Living Wills
Lately, there has been a lot of
talk about advance directives and living wills. About how everybody should
have one. That may be true, but I don’t think people understand them
or how to use them. For that matter, I think, the same can be said of
do not resuscitate (DNR) hospital orders.
The living wills, are meant to be dynamic things, and changeable
while the person making the will is competent to make the changes. Ideally,
also, I think they should be made when a person is not ill, but rather,
in a calm setting when a person is healthy. Although, I suspect people are
less likely to do it then.
It is difficult to see into the future, and difficult to
put oneself into the situation during which the living will might
apply. So the will might be so vague as to make it not helpful. For example
a will might say that the patient does not want to be kept alive by machines.
Does that mean , pacemakers, dialysis machines, ventilators-?
It seems to me that a living will should be fairly specific,
perhaps put together with the help of one’s doctor, much as a lawyer
helps with a regular will. For example, certain progressive or chronicly
debebilitating conditions such as chronic lung disease, massive stroke,
massive heart attack, incurable cancer, persistent vegitatative state might
be listed as conditions for which the living will might be activated.
Then under those conditions certain treatments or all treatments could be
disallowed. Including but not limited to ventilators, fluids.
DNR orders should be adequately explained to patients. They
should not be used as do not treat orders. These should be discussed
and written separately. Although the living will might be useful in formulating
these orders.
October 4, 2004
Salmon and Reisling
It's autumn! Time for my favorite vegetable, squashwith
butter and salt. It was served with angel hair pasta and butter; baked
Alaskan Salmon.
The Reisling was a Trimbach 2000 from Alcase, 14% alcohol. When
cold it had the aroma of tart apples, but later had spiciness not unlike
the Trimbach Gewertztraminer, but not it's bitterness
September 24, 2004
Pizza and Zin
The pizza was made on a crust topped with tomato sauce,
mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms and pepperoni. The fresh
tomatoes are a really nice touch.
The Zinfandel was from Asti vineyards, Cellar No. 8, 2000, 13.9%
alcohol, $10.00. It had, I thought, a wonderful spice aroma, which didn't
seem to follow through in it's flavor until, the finish. The alcohol was
not overly apparent in the wine's taste os smell, but was not unexpectedly,
mind numbing
September 9, 2004
Salmon and Sancerre
The salmon was grilled and had a very nice flavor.
The sayvignon blanc was from Sancerre, Loire and produced by
domaine de Saint Pierre.
It had a citrus aroma, and perhaps a hint of amonia as it warmed.
It was crisp and dry, gave the mouth a sweet-tart like tartness
September 4, 2004
Gallo
My friend Ryan Thul and The company he works for, Johnson
Bros., will be donating wine to the upcoming fund-raiser for Freedom
in Wheelchairs. He also suggested I try Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
2001, 13.9%, $8.00. It is hard to beat for the price. It has a nice
fragrance which reminds me of chocolate. It has soft tannins and a very
nice fruit flavor.
September 4, 2004
Fluid and Electrolytes
Medical School and Residency can be emotionally and physically
draining. I was reminded of that by a dream I had last night about
returning to site of my Kidney Fellowship. The director of the program
was a tall man with a well trimmed beard and a long, skinny nose. Before
I started my fellowship training, I knew of him by reputation. He was,
to use one of his words, persnickety.
I have that, and one other thing to thank him for. He introduced
me to fine wines. Periodically, he would bring several bottles of wine
from his home to the office. In the evening, our department would taste
the wine and eat cheese and crackers. Usually, the wine was Bordeaux,
except when he brought in his home made chardonnay.
August 23, 2004
Grilled tuna and gewurztraminer
Grilled tuna steaks are a fairly dense fish and some of the
wines recommended with it are medium bodied reds, such as beaujolais,
pinot noir or merlot.
This particular gewurztraminer was a dry, white, 2001,
13%, from Alsace, produced by Trimbach. It had what initially seemed
a floral or lichi fragrance which carried through on the palate. Gewurztraminers
are noted to have a pleasant bitterness on the finish, as this one did.
It also had noticable tannin. I was not aware of any grapefruit flavor
as these wines are noted to have
August 14, 2004
School
One of my first days in first grade will not soon be forgotten.
I was sitting in the front of the room and had a good view of the
blackboard. The teacher started calling students to come to the
front of the class and recite the alphabet as they pointed to each
letter. I was quite impressed at how well these classmates knew the
letters, since I didn't know the names of any.. Thinking that
I might be called to identify the letters, I feverishly began to memorize
each letter's name. As time moved slowly on, students only had to call
out the names of the letters in the first part of the alphabet.
That was somewhat comforting to me because memorizing was not going as
well as I had hoped. Finally, it happened. My number (should I say letter?)
was up. Slowly, I walked to the front of the room. Even more slowly,
hoping that I would be allowed to sit before I was found out, I
called out the names of the few letters I had memorized. The teacher became
impatient, and if I remember, mocked my heavy sighs. C.....D.....
that was all she wrote. I walked back to my seat, head hanging low
August 5, 2004
Frustration
Geez, today was one of those days. An appointment was postponed
for the third time in 3 days, which fouled up my transportation. These,
reminded me of my new found limitations. The use of expletives seemed
appropriate and were used liberally. After my transportation problems
were resolved, the pot simmered down a bit
August 4, 2004
Playground
My grade school playground was divided into two sections.
One was bordered by the school, the rectory and the convent. The
other was more open, and had a swing set, a slide and monkey bars.
Part of it was surfaced with gravel, which had Fool's Gold!! The connection
between the two parts of the playground was guarded by a large pear
tree, which in turn, was guarded by yellow jackets.
I was involved in some pretty good fights on that playground.
It seems that the only time that a patrol person broke up the fight,
was when I was fighting with my brother. I was rather aggravated
by that, since I felt fights with my brother were a private, family affair.
Of course, the playgrounds were used for mundane things
such as assemblies, fire drills and parking. But in my view the prime
reason for the playground's existence was recess.
August 2, 2004
Steak and syrah
The steak was very good, grilled and served with
grilled potatoes and corn.
The wine was opened with a slick corkscrew, the one with
the big levers. The wine was produced by Bonnefond in France. Initially,
I thought that it was cabernet franc. I thought it smelled and tasted
like cabernet sauvignon, but possibly with less alcohol and certainly
less tannin. The wine was more fruity than earthy, but I did not
detect any of the tobacco leaf that is supposed to be characteristic
of cabernet franc. Closer inspection of the bottle revealed that this
was syrah, but I could not detect the , minerals or earthiness characteristic
of French syrah
August 1, 2004
Dreams
Last night I had a dream that I was back at my high
school, looking for an old newspaper in order to find someone's
address.
When I woke, I started thinking about finding one's
self. I don't think it was too difficult for me to do in high school.
I fumbled around for a few years, then finally, I was there, I was
comfortable.
I think it was similar during the rest of my life. Sometimes
it took a while for me to get on track, but usually, eventually,
I did.
Maybe I'll get on track again, but the changes this
time were rapid and substantial.
July 30, 2004
Help
Dependence is kind of a two edged sword. Before my
injury, I don't think I minded being waited on. Even now, depending
on who is doing the waiting and how it is done, I frequently
don't mind it. But sometimes, primarily, when I have to ask somebody
to do something for me that I used to be able to do, it is frustrating.
It's even worse when some kind soul, assumes I can't do something,
and tries to do it for me, without asking. I guess over time, I've come
to tolerate that a little better, but it is still irksome
July 25, 2004
Marathon Man
It was at a Christmas party several years ago. A friend
suggested that we run a marathon, 26.2 miles, together. I thought
it was a splendid idea, despite the fact that I hadn't done much
serious running before.
I went to the internet and found a training program.
I sometimes ran with my girlfriend and sometimes, gradually
increasing distances a until about one month before the race, the
training distances were 18-20 miles.
Finally, 4 months later, it was marathon time! My
girlfriend and I drove to the marathon site the night before to
enjoy the traditional pasta supper and other pre-race events. The
next day my girlfriend and I, each with more than a few butterflies
in our stomachs, rode the bus to the starting point of the race. Then
in a flash, we were off! Most of the run wasn't bad. It was a
cool morning, a little rain. But the last 6 miles were agony for me.
We both finished the race, enjoyed some of the post
race activities, and drove home. I could barely walk for the next
two days. I swore I'd never do that again, but I was hooked and soon
after started getting ready for the next 26 miler
July 23, 2004
Freshman
I started freshman year, medical school a few weeks
late, but most of the staff and students were supportive. I was
able to catch up over the next several months. It was an exhilarating
time, that first year. Not only because it was new and different, but
also because it represented an achievement, a reward for something
for which I had striven for a long time. That year turned out to be the
most pleasant of my medical school career.
My class was cohesive. We did a lot as a group. Many
of the students lived in a single dormitory on campus, and we
all had essentially the same schedule of classes. So we were together
much of the time. We also had several class social events. There
were one or two class parties. One spring most of the class went to
a near-by park with a waterfall, and a lake from which the ice had
recently melted. Except for the fact that I spent too much time in the
frigid lake and so later had to stand for a while in a very hot shower,
I had a great time that day. During Christmas time, several of the students
sang Christmas Carols at the houses of faculty. At one point, we decided
to sing Frosty the Snowman even though we didn't have the words printed
on our song sheets. We thought we knew the words by heart. We were wrong.
We sang the first line, and that was all any of us remembered. The last
event of the year was the class talent show during which several skits
were presented, and I was the Master of Ceremonies. I enjoyed myself immensely,
and I think the audience enjoyed my performance as well. The next year
the class started its inevitable drift apart. I'll always treasure my
freshman year.
July 22, 2004
Well, this time, the Toad Hollow sparkling
wine was served with a salad with chicken strips. The salad had
a nice peppercorn dressing. The amplexus, again had a characteristic
chardonnay aroma, and a slight chardonnay flavor, but also it seemed
to have a slight harshness, although, it seemed quite easy to drink.
Perhaps it goes better with steak than salad.
July 19, 2004
Sandwich
Thinking about college has jogged my memory a little.
One summer day, my dad and I drove to what
was eventually to become the college I attended. We not only
toured the campus and talked to the swim team coach, but my dad
thought it was the perfect opportunity to convince the administration
to place me in a more advanced course of study than the one to which
I had been accepted. So, I also had the pleasure of sitting for a placement
exam. After that bit of entertainment, my dad and I had lunch at
the college cafeteria. We had ruben sandwiches. I had never had one
before, but I enjoyed it, and except for the placement exam, the
day with my dad.
July 19, 2004
Just outside my college campus was an institution
which cared for people with mental disabilities. Because I was
a member of the college swim team, I was given the opportunity
of teaching one of the residents of that institution swimming lessons.
He was a skinny man, maybe in his thirties.
It took a while, but eventually, he was able to
float face down in the water. For some reason, I don't remember
why, I became impatient, and unintentionally frightened the man.
He wouldn't put his face in the water and float after that.
July 12, 2004
You can't beat a good steak and a good bottle
of wine! The steak was cooked on the grill and served with new
potatoes. The steak was tender and juicy.
The wine was a 1999 pinot noir from Sterling
vineyards (13.5%) It's fragrance and flavor was more earthy,
spicey, than fruity. The texture was velvet. The alcohol was only
mildly noticable.
July 11, 2004
It is hard for me to believe it is actually
July 11. Anyway. I recently spent the week at Courage North.
I see Freedom in Wheelchairs needing funds so that we can
provide the type of service, on a smaller scale, that Courage
North does. For example, Courage North has accessable pontoons.
Hopefully, Freedom in Wheelchairs will be able to offer pontoon rides
to its members in the future. Certainly we will have more picnics,
and possibly overnight events
June 27, 2004
Shiraz and Ribs
The pork ribs were boneless and grilled served
with beans, potato salad and cornbread.
The shiraz was Am-a-roo 2002, 13.5%, from Southeastern
Australia. The hallmark of shiraz is blueberry
and black cherry. The aroma and flavor were fruity and without
too much difficulty it's hallmark black cherry was detected. It's
tannins were soft and the alcohol was not offensively noticeable
June 19, 2004
This afternoon, Freedom in Wheelchairs had
a picnic at Shady Oak Park in Hopkins. It was a great day for
a picnic, sunny but cool. The food included grilled pork and
beef ribs. The park was on a lake. Some people fished. Others explored
the trails. Below are pictures taken at the picnic.
Freedom in Wheelchair's van
Good food!
Good company!
Great day!
June 19, 2004
Brats and Gewurztraminer
Why brats with gewurtz? Because I didn't
have any beer, of course.
The brats were grilled and served with slaw
and potato salad.
The gewurztraminer was Trimbach 2000 from
Alsace 13%, $13. Gewurztraminer is noted to be an aromatic
wine. Its hallmark flavors are litchi and grapefruit and
it has a tinge of bitterness. I noted the litchi (a grape like
fruit with a little spiciness) and the bitterness, but not the grapefruit
flavor. The wine was a golden yellow, similar to some chardonnays
and rieslings I have seen. It's legs suggested the 13% alcohol, which
is more than some of the rieslings I have tasted
June 13, 2004
Wine Tasting and Summer Picnics
Today was a great day for a 60 mile ride
to a town on the Mississippi southeast of Minneapolis
to a vineyard/winery for a wine tasting. It was sunny with
a warm breeze, and puffy clouds. The winery appeared to me, cozy,
with notty pine walls and ceilings. A brass band played. A nice
blue cheese made in Minnesota was also served
My critique of the wine may be tongue-in-cheek,
maybe not. Ten wines were offered for tasting. Three of which
are worth discussing. The first, Seyval Blanc was a white wine
which had an aroma with a mineral quality, reminiscent of sauvignon
blanc. It was dry with crisp acidity, and perhaps a slight apparent
sweetness on the attack. The second, Leon Millot had a nice ruby
appearance and an earthy aroma, tart to taste. Finally, their ice wine
had a honey suckle aroma, with an initial sweetness, but balanced
by crisp acidity.
But the Freedom in Wheelchairs events,
ahh the Freedom in Wheelchairs events, sublime. The atmosphere
is jovial, the entertainment is entertaining, no long lines
in which to wait, the food is good and, best of all, they are
often free!
June 9, 2004
Pizza and Beaujolais
Have you ever had pizza made with fresh
tomatoes? Well I did! That with mozzarella cheese and some
seasoned tomato sauce, very nice.
The pizza was served with George Dubeauf's
Beaujolais-Villages Neauveau, $7.99, which lacked much of
the candied cherry flavor of the regular beaujolais, also very
nice.
Freedom in Wheelchairs is planning a B-B-Q
later this month and a fundraiser rummage sale next month.
If interested, please contact Paul Olson
May 24, 2004
Pizza Party!
This past weekend, Freedom in Wheelchairs
threw a pizza party, including live music and door prizes.
Paul Olson organized the party. The party was held at Freedom
in Wheelchairs headquarters in Hopkins
Thanks for the party Paul!!
May 20, 2004
Shrimp and Sancerre
The shrimp was breaded and fried,
very tender.
The sancerre was produced by Pierre
Prieur and Sons, 2001, 12.5% alcohol. It's taste and aroma
were bright and crisp, although not as explosive as the albarino
described below.
Sancerre is made from sauvignon blanc
grapes, and has been described as crisp, focused, with herbal,
gunflint, and smoky flavors.
Note the frost at the bottom of the
bottle. This bottle was kept in the refrigerator, but the
wine, to my surprise, was partially frozen.