A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it... -- Oscar Hammerstein II

Much like the opening lines of the "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" reprise ⁽¹⁾, knowledge -- like love: doesn't exist "'til you give it away." Data become knowledge when they are shared, analyzed, verified. Or like money in Hello, Dolly!, knowledge "is like manure -- it doesn't do good unless you spread it around, encouraging young things to grow."

While sharing everything you know may, perversely, show up everything you don't know, knowing what you don't know gives you the option to learn it. Of course, there will be someone who will take that opportunity to say that it's your posterior, not your cranium, that has the intelligence,⁽²⁾ but y'know what? That's just him (or her) sharing his (or her) lack of knowledge. (READ MORE)

I started composing this post yesterday while I was flat on my back. However, the powerful drugs my doctor had me take for my severe back pain literally knocked me out.

It started yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work. I squatted down to get a new infusion set and my Quickserter out of my supply bucket, and wham my lower back completely seized up. I thought it was just a little spasm, but no matter what position I was in, my back hurt. (When I screamed and fell on the floor, No. 3 (who is 2) came running and asking, "You OK, Mom?" And then saying, "Es OK, Mom. Es OK, Mom.") I was able to make it to the bed--supplies in hand since I had removed my set before my shower.

My fasting yesterday was 144. I was in so much pain, that I knew it would affect my sugar. An hour after my fasting, I had shot up to 196. Nothing like a little stress to make your blood sugar go wild. (READ MORE)

I am lucky. I have insurance. Sure I pay a lot out of pocket each month but the coverage is decent. Especially for my prescriptions. My co-payment is not too bad which I am thankful for since I have not only my insulin and strips for my BG machine to buy but also 4 pills for other ailments. But each January I get shocked by the same surprise.

My $200 deductible. Now I am not fortunate enough to be able to drop 2 "C-notes" here and there. I live pretty much check to check and unless I get an extra $200 for "passing Go" then I am gonna have a problem. Luckily the pharmacy I use is awesome. They gave me one bottle of insulin and are letting me come back on my next payday to pick up and pay for the rest of my order. What life savers, literally. (READ MORE)

Philipp Schneider

Over fifteen percent of San Diego County's population of 2.9 million has been evacuated from their homes due to impending threats of fast burning fires. The San Diego Charger's home field, Qualcomm Stadium, as well as local shelters and hotels are being filled up as a safe-haven for relocated San Diegans. More than 1,300 homes and businesses have been set afire by the wind propelled wildfires and containment in some areas is still zero percent. (READ MORE)