Things to apply to one's back, and not to apply

As I may have mentioned, the bed got shipped off yesterday, so I made a
nest on the floor of several quilts on top of an exercise mat. Not too
bad. The cats find it fascinating to have me on their level.

This morning, I woke up with a sore lower back, probably from unusual
and awkward lifting while loading the trailer yesterday. Were I
sleeping on a mat in a high-end Japanese inn, I might have the aches
relieved by a delightfully skilled masseuse walking gently on my back.

Instead, as my eyes started to open, I heard a thundering and loud
squawking, as three cats, in pursuit of a bird, ran across my back.
Rhonda was running in the lead. Ding was trotting closely behind her,
and Mr. Clark was at a dignified walk as he observed his juniors...but
Mr. Clark is not light on his paws.

I got close to the bird once but couldn't grab it, and have realized
there is too much stuff on the floor for me to chase them. I haven't
heard crashes for a while, but this has gone on all day. I've seen the
bird in Rhonda's mouth at least twice, but I also know she and Ding
never actually encountered a bird and may not recognize prey.

On 2006-04-08 19:46:27 -0500, "Howard C. Berkowitz" said:

As I may have mentioned, the bed got shipped off yesterday, so I made a
nest on the floor of several quilts on top of an exercise mat. Not too
bad. The cats find it fascinating to have me on their level.

This morning, I woke up with a sore lower back, probably from unusual
and awkward lifting while loading the trailer yesterday. Were I
sleeping on a mat in a high-end Japanese inn, I might have the aches
relieved by a delightfully skilled masseuse walking gently on my back.

Instead, as my eyes started to open, I heard a thundering and loud
squawking, as three cats, in pursuit of a bird, ran across my back.
Rhonda was running in the lead. Ding was trotting closely behind her,
and Mr. Clark was at a dignified walk as he observed his juniors...but
Mr. Clark is not light on his paws.
I got close to the bird once but couldn't grab it, and have realized
there is too much stuff on the floor for me to chase them. I haven't
heard crashes for a while, but this has gone on all day. I've seen the
bird in Rhonda's mouth at least twice, but I also know she and Ding
never actually encountered a bird and may not recognize prey.

There was a bird INSIDE? Wow. The cats must think you have moved them
to paradise.

In article 2006040820030316807%kchuplis@alltelnet, Karen
wrote:

On 2006-04-08 19:46:27 -0500, "Howard C. Berkowitz" said:

As I may have mentioned, the bed got shipped off yesterday, so I made a
nest on the floor of several quilts on top of an exercise mat. Not too
bad. The cats find it fascinating to have me on their level.

This morning, I woke up with a sore lower back, probably from unusual
and awkward lifting while loading the trailer yesterday. Were I
sleeping on a mat in a high-end Japanese inn, I might have the aches
relieved by a delightfully skilled masseuse walking gently on my back.

Instead, as my eyes started to open, I heard a thundering and loud
squawking, as three cats, in pursuit of a bird, ran across my back.
Rhonda was running in the lead. Ding was trotting closely behind her,
and Mr. Clark was at a dignified walk as he observed his juniors...but
Mr. Clark is not light on his paws.
I got close to the bird once but couldn't grab it, and have realized
there is too much stuff on the floor for me to chase them. I haven't
heard crashes for a while, but this has gone on all day. I've seen the
bird in Rhonda's mouth at least twice, but I also know she and Ding
never actually encountered a bird and may not recognize prey.

There was a bird INSIDE? Wow. The cats must think you have moved them
to paradise.

Still in the old house. It appears that a window or two may have
slipped slightly open.

On 2006-04-09, Howard C. Berkowitz penned:
As I may have mentioned, the bed got shipped off yesterday, so I
made a nest on the floor of several quilts on top of an exercise
mat. Not too bad. The cats find it fascinating to have me on their
level.

This morning, I woke up with a sore lower back, probably from
unusual and awkward lifting while loading the trailer yesterday.

You don't think it might be because you were sleeping on an unfamiliar
surface (to wit, the floor)?

Your description of the parade running across you was hilarious!

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

In article , Monique Y.
Mudama wrote:

On 2006-04-09, Howard C. Berkowitz penned:
As I may have mentioned, the bed got shipped off yesterday, so I
made a nest on the floor of several quilts on top of an exercise
mat. Not too bad. The cats find it fascinating to have me on their
level.

This morning, I woke up with a sore lower back, probably from
unusual and awkward lifting while loading the trailer yesterday.

You don't think it might be because you were sleeping on an unfamiliar
surface (to wit, the floor)?

I don't think so. Unfortunately, in trying to pack books, I was lifting
at a very bad angle and felt it in the lower back.

What is it about people packing books that compels them to pack first
the books that interest them, as opposed to the books that are
critical? I have boxes and boxes of fiction, history and cookbooks on
the trailer, which are all valued -- but only about a third of my
professional books.



Your description of the parade running across you was hilarious!

A parade it was. Everything but elephants; Mr. Clark, when not looking
like a Buddhist abbot, looks a bit like a lion(ess).

catch this hundreds of funny videos, a lot of asian funny stuff too...
http://onlinecinema.blogspot.com
Besides that, it has free streaming of holywood movie such as shaolin
soccer, brokeback mountain...

Karen wrote:
On 2006-04-08 19:46:27 -0500, "Howard C. Berkowitz"
said:

Instead, as my eyes started to open, I heard a thundering and loud
squawking, as three cats, in pursuit of a bird, ran across my back.

There was a bird INSIDE? Wow. The cats must think you have moved them
to paradise.

Well before I was acquired by Persia I was sitting on my bed reading and
*whoosh* in flew a bird, circled the room, then flew back out. I went WTF?!
I got up and walked into the living room. It had landed on a big basket
filled with faux ivy up by the ceiling (my living room has a 22 foot high
ceiling). I thought, oh dear, now what? But I simply opened the back door
and the bird (it was a common sparrow) saw its chance and flew right out.
I've still no idea how it got into my apartment. I thought it might have
fallen down the chimney but when I checked the damper was shut tight. You'd
think I'd have noticed if a bird flew in while I was bringing in groceries.
Still a mystery

Jill

On 2006-04-09, Howard C. Berkowitz penned:
In article , Monique Y.
Mudama wrote:

You don't think it might be because you were sleeping on an
unfamiliar surface (to wit, the floor)?

I don't think so. Unfortunately, in trying to pack books, I was
lifting at a very bad angle and felt it in the lower back.

Ahh. Bad Howard! No cookie!

(My lower back has been killing me lately. Very demoralizing, as I
had bad low back pain several years ago and have been going to the
chiro ever since, which I thought kept it at bay. Anyway, I finally
got on my bike yesterday ... and no low back pain last night. I think
it's probably a combination of getting exercise (including working my
abs) and the stress relief that comes from it (I tend to get back pain
when I'm stressed). I've been so busy I'm not exercising, at all, and
now I see why that's a very bad idea.)

What is it about people packing books that compels them to pack
first the books that interest them, as opposed to the books that are
critical? I have boxes and boxes of fiction, history and cookbooks
on the trailer, which are all valued -- but only about a third of my
professional books.

A few weeks ago, I bought a hutch for the guest room (yay for Craig's
List!) and finally removed a bunch of presumably empty boxes from the
room, one of which was being used as an ersatz nightstand. Turns out
that one was actually full of a bunch of books I'd been missing. I even
bought a replacement for one of them. Doh!

Your description of the parade running across you was hilarious!

A parade it was. Everything but elephants; Mr. Clark, when not
looking like a Buddhist abbot, looks a bit like a lion(ess).

Oscar, with all of her fur, looks a bit like a male lion sometimes.

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

Hi Howard,
I also suffer from back pain.
I've started using some holistic products and found them so good that I
became a distributor.
They are natural and can be used in any animal (even humans).
If you'd like to check it out visit verany.com and go to pet shop (I am
taking the gel that has MSM,
Chondroitin and using the topical heat lotion).
Good luck!

On 2006-04-09, Howard C. Berkowitz penned:
As I may have mentioned, the bed got shipped off yesterday, so I
made a nest on the floor of several quilts on top of an exercise
mat. Not too bad. The cats find it fascinating to have me on their
level.This morning, I woke up with a sore lower back, probably from
unusual and awkward lifting while loading the trailer yesterday.
You don't think it might be because you were sleeping on an unfamiliar
surface (to wit, the floor)?
I don't think so. Unfortunately, in trying to pack books, I was lifting
at a very bad angle and felt it in the lower back.
What is it about people packing books that compels them to pack first
the books that interest them, as opposed to the books that are
critical? I have boxes and boxes of fiction, history and cookbooks on
the trailer, which are all valued -- but only about a third of my
professional books.
Your description of the parade running across you was hilarious!
A parade it was. Everything but elephants; Mr. Clark, when not looking
like a Buddhist abbot, looks a bit like a lion(ess).

Regards to Mr. Clark & co. who sound like they're coping better w/the
stress than you are! I'm sincerely glad things look better for you, Howard,
at this point, financially and overall; your expertise and dedication to
help
posters of this ng have been appreciated bigtime for a long while.
A suggestion (probably too late): if I had tried to sort all my books
while packing up the house to move cross-country, instead of putting
them in general stacks, discarding duplicates....I'd still be back in
Sunshine State, having enjoyed all the subsequent 'canes and resultant
messes/damage to my property there! You sound like you kinda have
the mind of an engineer-type fellow....deadly when you're in a hurry.
Best wishes for everything and try to loosen up the packing criteria;
if you still have access to a bathtub a hot soak may help low back pain.
If you got any Rx NSAIDS even better.