Still slogging along

It looks like the alternator on Mrs ERJ's vehicle puked. It goes into the shop Monday. Side trips will be minimal until she has wheels back under her.

This will force me to be more deliberate and thoughtful in how I use my day.

We have Saturday off with regards to Mom-detail. The working siblings are filling in. We do, however, have Sunday evening.

Edema

Livestrong.com sheds some light on the effects of an ultra-high protein diet and shedding water.

Metabolizing protein results in uric acid in the blood. Your body responds by flushing it out through the kidneys. Our bodies are smart enough to recognize uric acid as toxic at high levels.

The referenced article points out that the fabulous weight losses people see in the first week of starting an uber-high protein diet is primarily water-weight.

It is not uncommon to lose seven pounds in the first week.

The article points out that the dieter is essentially in a state of dehydration and that the lipid/lean ratio is NOT impacted in a positive way regardless of what your bathroom scales tell you.

Dogsledder pointed out that if the sodium target at home was 800-to-1000mg a day then 2000mg is WAY TOO MUCH. Exactly, Mr Dogsledder. The key to Mom shedding excess water-weight is to throttle WAY back on sodium and be patient, not throw more "toxins" at her.

Gout

A point that was not looked at in the Livestrong article was the relationship between gout and uric acid crystals. If an elderly patient has edema then there is a high likelihood of renal (kidney) or cardiac insufficiency. Jacking up the amount of uric acid the body must eliminate seems exceptionally stupid if you have evidence (edema) that kidney function might not be up-to-snuff.

A "hack" that might make sense for a 29 year old might be nearly fatal for a 92 year old.

Bonus link

Every few years I like to go back and reread Charles Hugh Smith's observations regarding Community in times of social unraveling.

It is Chapter 5 in his book on Survival +. It can be found HERE. Unfortunately, he does not have an anchor at the start of that chapter. If you want to read it, scroll down to page 39 as the book pages are numbered or page 44/141 of the PDF numbering.

Teaser:

Because the best protection isn't owning 30 guns; it's having 30 people who care about you. Since those 30 have other people who care about them, you actually have 300 people who are looking out for each other, including you. The second best protection isn't a big stash of stuff others want to steal; it's sharing what you have and owning little of value. That's being flexible, and common, the very opposite of creating a big fat highly visible, high-value target and trying to defend it yourself in a remote setting. 

I know this runs counter to just about everything that's being recommended by others, but if you're a "hick" like me, then you know it rings true. The flatlanders are scared because they're alone and isolated; we're not scared. We've endured bad times before, and we don't need much to get by. We're not saints, but we will reciprocate to those who extend their good spirit and generosity to the community in which they live and in which they produce something of value. 

The best way to look out for Number One is to start looking out for Numbers Two through Twenty. 

The alternative to a vulnerable Isolation and living-off-the-land mythology is to join The Remnant and lead by example, building a productive, sustainable future for one's family, community and nation.