OPEN WIDE

A gleam would enter his eyes and a smile would spread across his face as he bore down to drill on my rotting cavity. The more I sniffled, the more he grinned. He was an evil Grinch who stole my trust in dental professionals. I was a child but I knew it was wrong for anyone to procure joy from causing pain.

I inherited my mother’s genetics for weak teeth. Despite frequent brushing and only a passing interest in sweets, I am cavity prone. My apprehension of the dentist is beyond normal. Little Shop of Horrors was not an exaggeration regarding a masochistic practitioner. I complained but my mother was not permitted to sit with me in the examination room and my father touted that our dentist never caused him problems. My father also has only had one cavity in his entire life.

Panic would ensue in the office. My heart would pound, feel nauseated, hands become cold and sweaty, and have an overproduction of saliva. I sometimes held my breath (not on purpose) and became woozy. My father forbade “laughing gas.” Dr. Nasty (not his real name) would push around the heavy gauge needle when administering Novocain and cause a lot of bleeding. I always left with the coppery taste of blood in my sore mouth and puffy red eyes from crying.

One time, the pain was so severe that I bit Dr. Nasty. I didn’t draw blood but he flew into a rage. After that incidence he placed a metal grid to keep my mouth open, forcing holders into my gums until they bled. Nasty didn’t want to get chomped on again. My gums would throb for days afterwards and my jaw would hurt from being opened for so long. My dad said that I deserved it for being disrespectful. My mom wasn’t allowed an opinion.

A few months after my milk teeth fell out and beautiful gleaming front teeth came in, an older student tripped me in the hallway after lunch. Instinctually, I threw my hands out to break the fall but didn’t drop my Flintstones lunch box. My perfect front teeth made contact with the metal and shattered. He laughed as I cried. Not only was I stunned and bruised but my teeth would never heal. When I got home I refused to see Nasty and demanded to visit a different tooth expert. We lived in a small town with few options.

The new dentist was kind and gentle. Dr. Nice (not his real name) knew I was scared and traumatized. My father was livid about the cost of replacing my teeth (even though he knocked out his front teeth as a child). I was too young for crowns so temporary caps of the 1970’s new-fangled resin were installed. Once in a while the cap would split or just drop off and be remounted or a new cap put in place. It has been over three decades and I still wear awkward looking caps. Someday, I’ll be able to display pretty permanent crowns (cost is about $1,200 each).

About a year after my accident, Dr. Nasty was accused by a former client for abusing children with pain. The Minnesota State Board of Dentistry had enough complaints that they barred him from treating clients under the age of eighteen. Within a year his license was completely revoked. He moved from town in disgrace. My father finally admitted that I might have been right.

I still encounter trepidation when I visit the dentist. My current dentist has an open office layout so I don’t feel trapped. Cleanings and examinations aren’t too traumatic. My anxiety does rise when I have to get a filling or crown work completed. Dr. Humor (not his real name) had to stop the procedure to remind me to breathe. He’s a pleasant and funny person but the suffering still exists in my memory. Unfortunately, during my last dental visit (I buy my own insurance) a couple cavities were discovered under an old metal filling. I now fear the bill more than the procedure.

Brush, floss, spit!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

IMA’S BOOKWORM REVIEW, VOLUME III, ISSUE 4

Popular Music from Vittala by Mikel Niemi Three Worms
Bombastic description of listening to rock-n-roll was hilarious. Funny bits about growing up in a far north town. Silly, sad, and gross bodily fluid fixation. Creative insights into the main character’s developing soul. Some similarities to rural small town life in Minnesota.

The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose by Susan Wittig Albert Three Worms
Light prose but the characters are well developed and connected to each other. Took a while for the main plotline to bloom. It could have been fleshed out more since the resolution was hasty. Recipes a nice touch as the appendix.

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson Two and a Half Worms
Story never fully came to fruition. Timeline wandered aimlessly and it needed a concluding chapter. Some beautiful sections marred by uncertainty.

The Bad Miss Bennet by Jean Burnett Two Worms
Poor continuation of the Pride and Prejudice novel. Characters too shallow to care about their fate. Prose lacks sparkle and acerbic wit.

Nick & Jake by Jonathan and Tad Richards Two Worms
Epistolary novel, which is deficient in continuity and connection with the characters. Very few environmental descriptions and the story-line grew weak.

Still looking for a perfect book!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

CASH MOB ST PAUL MN DECEMBER EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

You are cordially invited to be involved with our sixth event! This occasion is not formal so you can go as your schedule permits during December. Visit each of these businesses and inform the proprietor that you are with the Cash Mob St Paul group. Please log a report on Event #6 page the places that you have perused. Thank ho-ho-ho You! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966?sk=events#!/events/223211541146125/223213454479267/

Business listed alphabetically:
Beirut Restaurant at 1385 Robert Street S, West St Paul 55118, phone number is 651-457-4886. Website is www.beirutrestaurantanddeli.com NOTE: Located in the city of West St. Paul, about a mile south of downtown St. Paul.

Everest On Grand Restaurant situated at 1278 Grand Avenue, St. Paul 55108, phone number 651- 696-1666. Their website is www.everestongrand.com

Homi Mexican Restaurant at 864 University Avenue West, St. Paul 55104, phone number 651-222-0655. Their website is www.homirestaurant.com

Midway Used and Rare Books, location is 1579 University Avenue West, St. Paul 55104. Their website is www.midwaybook.com or phone at 651-644-7605.

On’s Kitchen Thai Cuisine Restaurant at 1613 University Avenue West, St. Paul 55104. Their website is www.onskitchen.com or call 651-644-1444.

Something New In The Park, gift shop, is located at 2301 Como Avenue, Suite 101, St Paul 55108. www.somethingnewinthepark.wordpress.com or call 651-646-2423. NOTE: Sadly, this delightful store will be permanently closing as of December 24th.

St. Paul Pet Supply. They are at 1752 Grand Avenue, St. Paul 55105, phone number 651-696-1817. Their website www.stpaulpetsupply.com/

Trung Nam French Bakery, at 739 University Avenue West, St. Paul 55104, phone number is 651-229-0887. Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/trungnambakery

Join our group at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966
January 2013 event is to be determined…

Happy Holidays and New Year!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

SNIFFLE SNOUT

Sore nose, aching abdominal muscles, half-used Kleenexes laying about the house. Four weeks of suffering from malingering allergies is tedious. I have regular coughing fits and blow cloudy mucus from my nose. I know I don’t have a cold because the snot would be yellow or green if it were a virus.

Due to a dreadfully limited income (part-time work with no benefits), which drains my savings account each month despite a Scrooge-like budget, I keep the house cool. 54 degrees Fahrenheit cool. The cats are puffed up most of the time and huddle against me for warmth when I sit on the couch. However, it lowers my heating bill. I qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program but it only helps with the bill for one month of the winter. Minnesota winters are considerably longer than one month. I delayed turning on the boiler until two weeks ago. Anyway, the cool air seems to aggravate my coughing.

I only take decongestants when I arrive at work. The non-drowsy version still makes me a bit loopy and tired but at least I don’t have to blow my nose all the time and it wears off before I have to drive home. I continue to seek full-time work so that I can afford to see a doctor for the first time in over three years, increase the temperature of my home, and heal my chapped nose. Unfortunately, few jobs are offered or placed from now until mid-January. I hope my budget lasts that long. If you wish to help, please send your gift to http://www.gofundme.com/i4ix0 Thank you ever so much!!

Achoo!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

THANKFULNESS

Life offers unending challenges but it is imperative to be thankful for the positive aspects of existence. Here are my top eleven thanks for 2012.

You: Blog Readers (viewing my odd opinions)
Cash Mob St Paul MN Members (shopping local is smart)
Friends: My Logical Family (loving relationships of choice)
Felines: ZoZo and Tillie (furballs of love)
Part time Job (hope funds hold out until full-time employment procured)
Food Shelf (fills the tummy)
Heatshare: Energy Assistance Program (warms the home)
Faith Community (soul food)
My Old House and Auto (though both need repairs)
Garden Growth (flora, fauna, edibles, and critters)
Library & Art Crawls/Fairs (brain food)

Happy Holidays to all!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY MOB ON NOVEMBER 24

You are cordially invited to join our Cash Mob St Paul MN group on Saturday, November 24th! We will patronize two more businesses near the Macalester College Campus in St. Paul, intersection of Grand & Snelling Avenues. Since many students will be gone for the holiday, the area should be easier to access. Celebrate part of your Small Business Saturday 2012 with us!

We will meet on Saturday with the starting time of 11am at St. Paul Pet Supply. Load up on paraphernalia for your favorite pet. They are located at 1752 Grand Avenue, St. Paul 55105 (a few blocks west of Snelling Avenue), phone number 651-696-1817. There is a lot of parking available on the street and it’s on the bus-line. Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/#!/pages/St-Paul-Pet-Supply/464237503598162?sk and website www.stpaulpetsupply.com/ You can easily drive or walk over to the next destination.

At NOON we will be gathering at the Everest On Grand Restaurant situated at 1278 Grand Avenue, St. Paul 55108 (east of Snelling Avenue), phone number 651- 696-1666. Ask for the Cash Mob table. Featuring homemade Nepali, North Indian and Tibetan dishes including curries, Tandoor dishes, noodles and dumplings. Their website is www.everestongrand.com and Facebook page is www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Everest-on-Grand/153474458018991?fref=ts

RSVP at www.facebook.com/#!/events/299196923518470/ and invite your friends to congregate with us. The more the merrier! While you are at our Facebook page, be so kind as to “Like” our group and get notified of upcoming gatherings. If you aren’t able to join us for this soiree, please support the establishments listed in this note soon. Let them know that you were sent by “Cash Mob St Paul.”

Please join us for either or both of these mob-ulous events. Mindfully spending your cash at a local retail venue has a positive impact on the entire community since local entrepreneurs are more likely to spend their income locally and that stimulates other businesses. Franchises and chain-stores have a huge advantage over small shops, that is why we focus on locally owned independent brick & mortar stores.

Small businesses are stars.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

GET OUTTA THE WAY

Runrunrun
Scamper across the kitchen floor
Rush so fast that you slide into the cupboard door
Kitty’s on the run
She’s having fun
Chasing an invisible foe
Fur between the toes
What a silly fo-fo-lu
I love her so!

Need a smile, get a cat.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

THINGS I EXCEL AT

* Advocating for others
* Loyal, dependable and hard working
* Gardening - sharing produce and flowers with others
* Giving gifts and cards – when I have funds
* Writing – thanks for reading this blog!
* Volunteering and helping others
* Training and writing curriculum
* Noticing problems and how to correct them
* Innovating – prodigious ideas are always springing forth
* Organizing my work office
* Happy, healthy, affectionate feline companions
* Cooking (though I hate cleaning up afterwards)
* Providing opinions and advice – so hire me!

Maybe some parts of me are kiln-fired, too.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

THINGS I SUCK AT

* Organizing my home office – I despite piles of paperwork
* Plumbing, electrical, and automotive repair – afraid to make a mistake
* Painting walls – too difficult to stay inside the lines
* Shopping for myself – I’d rather purchase gifts for others
* Cleaning up hairballs and litter box – yuck
* Criticism – frightens me
* Interpersonal relationships (family & romance) – I’m oft lost
* Micromanaged at work – terrifies me
* Driving – boring
* Vacuuming – where did all the hair come from?
* Weight control – exercise is torture
* Finding and keeping employment – what is a good job for a high-functioning mild-Asperger adult?
* Busy mind, see too much, and respond too fast - people accuse me of being an intimidating “know it all” but I really don’t feel that way. Thus, I have to stay silent even though I’m burning to speak out loud which is why I blog…

My entire being is clay.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

STORM SURGE

A huge invasion of aliens from another planet are marching from east to west and destroying all living creatures in their pathway. Would you run up to meet them? No, of course not. Logically, you would move out of harm’s way and let them pass by. The same principal applies to hurricanes and tropical storms. The National Weather Service has vastly improved its ability to predict storms and their paths. When the NWS provides information, you should take heed. They aren’t randomly or rashly indicating potential trouble. Thus, when you are instructed to evacuate – go. Do not stop to dawdle, just go. The old adage of better safe than sorry is appropriate. Period. End of discussion.

In America, we have the delightful right to live our lives the way that we want to as long as it doesn’t adversely affect others. As an adult over the age of 18, we have to take responsibility for ourselves and our dependents. I am horrified and angered by the decision of adults to stay in a Hurricane Sandy mandated evacuation zone with their children. They endangered no only their own life but the youth and vulnerable adults in their care. Unfortunately, several children were harmed or died as the result of their parent/guardian’s foolish choice. That is unconscionable. There ought to be a law that forces all children out of mandated evacuation zones. If their stupid parents want to remain, they can but at least make certain that the kids will be okay.

A friend of mine, Tracy, departed to volunteer with the Red Cross before Sandy came ashore. Tracy was placed with an ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) crew outside the expected pathway of Sandy. If they had journeyed closer to the coast they could have become a victim and unable to help anyone. That is why emergency response always waits outside the storm zone and roads must be cleared before they can get to the hardest hit areas. I was irritated that the media did not explain why it takes a couple days for responders to enter the disaster zone. I am certain that Tracy will have lots of interesting stories when she gets home in a couple weeks. Alas, I am too busy to volunteer at this time.

Please prepare your disaster kit www.ready.gov , become an emergency response volunteer www.voad.org , and/or donate www.redcross.org .

Stay safe.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing