About 6 or 7 years ago, retired USN Chief Warrant Officer Jim Wright showed up on Facebook, and took the place by storm with his observations on our current situation(s). He runs a website called Stonkettle Station, and I have been friends with him for several years, through our mutual writing passions. I want to recommend him to all of you who may not have discovered him. Go on over to his site and check him out (www.stonekettle.com). And no, I’m not doing this because he gave me a blurb for “I Will Run Wild” comparing my writing to a combination of Samuel Eliot Morrison and Herman Wouk (though that was pretty damn cool).
My doc (a friend, I might add) has given up on me. He has this laundry list of "tests" he goes through each time I visit (maybe this is some sort of requirement?) and I say, no - no - no - not interested. Now he just asks, "Do you want me to go through the list or is your answer still "no" to everything?" He says, "One of these days you're going to die." I say, "Aren't we all?" We both laugh. I leave, still healthy and leaving less $$ behind for the medical industry. And yes, I know. One of these days I'm going to die. Aren't we all?
Since healthcare providers get evaluated and "bonused" based on percent of patients acquiescing to all these "tests" - originally in the name of good prevention, now seemingly in the name of industry promotion - it is really hard to find one who won't harrass you if you resist. Some tests ARE essential, and easy - like the PSA blood test for men (hmmm, no counterpart for women). I have my doctor well educated now. My grandmother was 101 when she died of "natural causes." But then she never had any unnatutal tests.
And you know you're among friends when the response is that my last one was clear and I'm not due for another until 2025. Chief Wright will have to wait a day or two but your letter today was certainly worthy of Morrison and Woke. The Staple Singers, who will be remembered by anyone old enough to have had a colonoscopy, noted in one of their better efforts that "if you don't respect yourself, ain't nobody gonna give a give a good cahoot (or two hoots, ears vary)" and that is the situation with the people you describe as well as the reason they are so obsessive about being the focus of social and other media.
I'll stay here, listen to reason and do what I can to make sure that I'm worthy of and show respect for the other folks who do the same.
Combining Bob Villa and dignified colonoscopy in the same stream of consciousness was artistic, unlicensed, but artistic for sure. Your friend makes me imagine Dave Barry flying without controls. Gotta go, my jug awaits. Do like the warm blankets and post-procedure buzz. Everyone over 50, get checked. Gals, not just for angry old f**ts.
I will check him out. Thanks! I seriously don’t understand this persecution of the LBGTQ … and who is imagining that we are “making” children gay? To what end? There is no logic in this circle of anger.
really excellent. just a suggestion to Mr. Wright: when women get nuts about THEIR degrading procedures, mention your cystoscopy. it doesn't matter whether or not you've HAD one, because no one could possibly know the difference. I've had several, and screamed like a....fill in as you wish because I'd just as soon avoid going THERE. but what I'm saying is...if you feel bad or superstitious (my own failing) about LYING, you can borrow one or two of mine. I don't need them. and yeah...who the fuck thought it'd be cool to grant you a viewing of the one place where we are all, universally, full of shit.
I have found Jim Wright a few times on fb and always enjoyed his writings. Find him to be factual and a bit of humor thrown in. Thanks TC for the tip to find his email site. Ironically my doctor just recommended me to get an colonoscopy which I am not rushing to have done. At age 82 I agree we all are going to die some day.
What a treat! Thank you!
My doc (a friend, I might add) has given up on me. He has this laundry list of "tests" he goes through each time I visit (maybe this is some sort of requirement?) and I say, no - no - no - not interested. Now he just asks, "Do you want me to go through the list or is your answer still "no" to everything?" He says, "One of these days you're going to die." I say, "Aren't we all?" We both laugh. I leave, still healthy and leaving less $$ behind for the medical industry. And yes, I know. One of these days I'm going to die. Aren't we all?
Since healthcare providers get evaluated and "bonused" based on percent of patients acquiescing to all these "tests" - originally in the name of good prevention, now seemingly in the name of industry promotion - it is really hard to find one who won't harrass you if you resist. Some tests ARE essential, and easy - like the PSA blood test for men (hmmm, no counterpart for women). I have my doctor well educated now. My grandmother was 101 when she died of "natural causes." But then she never had any unnatutal tests.
The PSA is a way of detecting tendencies toward prostate cancer. I'm pretty sure that's a "male only" problem. :-)
My point is we don't have a reliable blood test for female breast cancer.
Ah, my knowledge has been increased.
There’s nothing comparable to a mammogram for men, either.
Ahhh, if women ruled the world! The Mamography Industrial Complex would go up in smoke, replaced by a blood test, and men would..!!!
And we'll all have a good laugh together when we do.
And you know you're among friends when the response is that my last one was clear and I'm not due for another until 2025. Chief Wright will have to wait a day or two but your letter today was certainly worthy of Morrison and Woke. The Staple Singers, who will be remembered by anyone old enough to have had a colonoscopy, noted in one of their better efforts that "if you don't respect yourself, ain't nobody gonna give a give a good cahoot (or two hoots, ears vary)" and that is the situation with the people you describe as well as the reason they are so obsessive about being the focus of social and other media.
I'll stay here, listen to reason and do what I can to make sure that I'm worthy of and show respect for the other folks who do the same.
Nice piece of work today TC.
Just to be clear, past the introduction and the very last sentence, everything in between that you liked is pure Jim Wright. :-)
Thanks for the clarification TC. Guess he won't have to wait.
Combining Bob Villa and dignified colonoscopy in the same stream of consciousness was artistic, unlicensed, but artistic for sure. Your friend makes me imagine Dave Barry flying without controls. Gotta go, my jug awaits. Do like the warm blankets and post-procedure buzz. Everyone over 50, get checked. Gals, not just for angry old f**ts.
So this isn't a good time to bring up the (outrageous?) profit margin on colonoscopies?
Why not?
🤣 as well as nearly every other medical procedure.
I will check him out. Thanks! I seriously don’t understand this persecution of the LBGTQ … and who is imagining that we are “making” children gay? To what end? There is no logic in this circle of anger.
That last sentence is "MONEY."
This piece is so canny, it beats a tin of sardines. If 'Introducing you to Jim Wright' took a colonoscopy to create, here's to more of them, TC!
This is so good, Tom. Sharing far and wide.
Twitter is nothing but an impotent outrage mob. Now let's talk about getting you scheduled for a colonoscopy.
Good one!!!
I’ve followed Jim Wright for a long time. That most recent Stonekettle post is one of his best.
really excellent. just a suggestion to Mr. Wright: when women get nuts about THEIR degrading procedures, mention your cystoscopy. it doesn't matter whether or not you've HAD one, because no one could possibly know the difference. I've had several, and screamed like a....fill in as you wish because I'd just as soon avoid going THERE. but what I'm saying is...if you feel bad or superstitious (my own failing) about LYING, you can borrow one or two of mine. I don't need them. and yeah...who the fuck thought it'd be cool to grant you a viewing of the one place where we are all, universally, full of shit.
Thanks, TC. What a ride that was!
I have found Jim Wright a few times on fb and always enjoyed his writings. Find him to be factual and a bit of humor thrown in. Thanks TC for the tip to find his email site. Ironically my doctor just recommended me to get an colonoscopy which I am not rushing to have done. At age 82 I agree we all are going to die some day.