I am back in town for the time being and there are so many stories begging to be told.
First is that nicotine patch co-inventor Murray Jarvik died on May 8. I would like to give him a special thank you, because the back story of the patch shows a true scientist at work. When Jarvik and his partner could not get approval for human trials of the patch, they tried it on themselves to gather data. What they found is that the patch mimicked the bodily changes in a person who smokes a cigarette. Jarvik's work helped to prove that nicotine is all by itself an addictive substance.
Boy is it. I'm gathering my own data right now, but am finding that of everything I have tried in the past eight months, the patch is far and away the best method for me. More about that next week, there is too much going on to focus just on smoking.
Portsmouth-isms comprise another story. How about that report of Gary Dodds coming out the front door of the Cutts Mansion breathlessly bidding hello to the city attorney on his walk home, whilst state police waited for him out back? Like MasterCard: Priceless.
Dogs are a story too, and you know my position on dogs. They sully my bed at night, keep me company during the day and don't understand why local restaurants don't offer "hund-wasser." That would be "hound water" for those of us stateside. Many businesses (including restaurants) in Europe routinely offer water for the four-legged companions of the patrons. My understanding (never investigated on first-person basis) is that in Europe, your dog is welcome wherever you are welcome.
Dogs (and by default their owners) aren't so welcome right now in many parts of the Port City. No to Prescott Park, no to fields where we bury our dead, at least until June 1, no to Creek Farm, where island denizens are trying to encourage a mainland ecosystem for study and no to New Hampshire beaches, except before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. I hear that Seapoint beach wants to welcome only dogs with a Kittery license. The beach regulations posted online don't support that, but it might be in the works. Thank goodness for the outer reaches of Peirce Island.
I guess I am glad for the relative lack of restriction; in the western part of Massachusetts, I would only walk in the cemetery across the street when my friend was able. We would bring the three dogs and the plan was that if anyone gave us question, she would pull off her hat and explain she was looking for a plot. Some days, it was the only place we could go, verboten though it was.
Dogs need to walk, to run, to play. That can't always happen on leash. Are we responsible at all for having domesticated them? How do we fill their need to socialize, to play, to shake it out, if we face ever-shrinking places to let them off leash?
Finally, there is the story of not having enough pre-bought oil in the tank, a la Simply Green Biofuels versus Rye Fuel. Beyond the fact that there is enough material to keep a reporter deep in stories on all aspects of the energy beat, we just have to be happy with the story of the day as it comes to light by way of the most insistent and disgruntled voice. Mr. Murdoch, why isn't there enough money to finance decent community journalism?
I will just have to be happy telling my smoking story. Natch; telling my not-smoking story. The patch continues to be my friend. I would like to take credit for the idea of making the patch a fashion statement, but I can't.
One reader (Kathleen of the good humor from Maine) suggested carrying around a permanent marker and inviting people to decorate it, a la a tattoo. I really liked that idea, and if the darn thing didn't have to be rotated along my body on a day to day basis, I would take up that suggestion. It would be easy to invite people to decorate it on the days when the patch is on a distal limb, a tad racy when I have to place it on other body parts.
I found out the hard way that the patch needs to be rotated. It irritates the skin if it is placed in just one area. (Yes, the box does state that, if you read far enough). Is this an argument for the gum? Or the lozenge? Perhaps, but I am not ready to move on to either of those in serious way.
The patch is doing the job. When I work it, it works.
What's your story? suzanne.danforth@gmail.com.
