Dogs on Meds

Apparently, it's a new trend to put your pet on daily tranquilizers. Maybe they jump or bark too much. Maybe they suffer from "separation anxiety."

Maybe we're all getting lazy.

Some people have legitimate needs for mood-altering substances. In college, we called this, "Friday night." Some children may have autism, ADD or ADHD. But what if we tried some alternatives before drugging them for life?

My maniac dog could probably do well with some drugs. Meanwhile, we've got a generation of children who can't face a test, a job interview or a nervous situation without a pharmacy.

Stormy Weather & Addictions

Stormy, scary weather swept through my city Friday night. I was downtown, enjoying the husband's band in an outdoor venue. I drove home through the storm, watching tree limbs fall and cars hydroplane around me. It was only 6 miles or so but it was frightening.

Our power was on but evidently had been hit during the storm. I ran around resetting clocks because I'm obsessed with knowing the time.

Saturday morning brought calm and clear weather. Unlike lots of people, we had electricity. We did not have cable. I get a little sweaty with the loss of my favorite companion, the television, but I get downright cranky when I can't get on the computer. My cable company is my Internet service provider. Panic attack is the kindest way I can describe it. Manic might be a better word.

I'm the first to admit that I have an addictive personality. Some good; some bad. During my meltdown, I realized that I would rather have my car break down, my telephone service disrupted and my iPod malfunction. Anything other than the inability to get online.

Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals

Is it my imagination or is everyone on some happy pill?

I am not a doctor, although my doctor will tell you I like to pretend I am. There are jillions of kids being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. (Here's a pill.) There are millions of people being diagnosed as depressed or bi-polar. (Here's a pill.) Now, there's a commercial on television about Restless Leg Syndrome. (There's a pill.) If you're jittery or on edge, I'll bet your doctor will give you a pill. And what about autism? I have no doubt it's a legitimate disease but come on. Some children are just high strung. They do not have ADD, ADHD or Autism. My leg twitches at night. I do not have Restless Leg Syndrome (if there is such a thing) and I do not take a pill. I just kick Big Daddy.

The oldies self medicate and occasionally over medicate. It's terribly frightening to me. I understand the urge to get some sleep but I can't go there. I can barely take a pill.

I had a conversation the other day with a friend and he/she said their marriage was so much better once the spouse starting taking a happy pill. I will not tell Big Daddy about this conversation because he will have me on drugs so fast I will not know what hit me. (Just kidding!)

Junkie

Big Daddy calls me a phone junkie. I don't want to be one but in all honesty, I might be. I think this qualifies as the pot calling the kettle black.

My phones ring constantly from 6AM to 9PM. Clients, friends, parents, kids ... it's usually someone I want to talk to. I used to get angry with my parents when they would turn off their cell phones or even worse, forget to carry them. My mom is much better but my dad still has a way to go. (I lost him for a bit at the fair. When I finally found him, I asked, "Where is your phone? I've been calling you." It was at home. I will fix this eventually.)

There are certain people I talk to almost every day. I need it. That's the junkie part. I'm addicted. I need to hear their voice. I hope they feel the same.

The oldies rarely answer our home phone. That's a relief to some extent because she used to tell clients I was in the yard with the dog or something else inappropriate. It's also a hassle because I become the secretary for all the reminder calls: doctor's appointments, hair appointments, your order is ready, etc.

But, the phone is bothersome. If I'm writing or doing something else, I hate the interruption. I spend a lot of time saying, "I'll have to call you back." I keep a list and most of the time I manage to do so. Then, when I've got a little time before the husband comes home, I start returning calls. Our free time rarely coincides. My mother works nights so she's headed downtown to pick up tapes. Friends are making dinner or heading out. Now I'm interrupting them. Yet, the dance continues.

I worry about my mother's working hours but there's a huge perk for me. I can almost always reach her at night. I try not to call after certain hours, even though I know she's still up. She's working and I respect that. However, I know she takes breaks and I know she checks email. Her standard email response to me is to answer my question or provide commentary. Then she almost always adds, "Go to bed!"

I may or may not be a phone junkie. I am definitely an email junkie.