17 Comments

The worst case of poison ivy I ever had was from some damn fool near where I lived in Altoona, PA, who BURNED a load of wood that must have been covered in the stuff. I inhaled the fumes, and it invaded my system like fire ants on anything. Having lived in various parts of the South for many years, I can only tell you that the "sweet corn" down here is what you'd call feed corn in the Upper Midwest, Land of (Mostly) Enchantment. Alas. I miss being among my people, wherever they are--liberal Democrats who give a damn about literacy, life, love, kindness and compassion. Eat the corn and the strawberries and dream of all that was and will be.

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That is one of the number one no-nos when dealing with poison ivy: Do NOT burn the stuff! The urushiol (the oils in poison ivy that causes the itch) can travel on the smoke into the lungs, as you discovered. I'm glad you recovered, the results of inhaling poison ivy smoke can be pretty dangerous (like trip to the ER dangerous!).

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You have a way of making everything all right. I'm glad you're still around

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Did I seem to be heading for the door? Sorry.

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The song was really beautiful. I loved the harmony. I'd like to hear that sitting on a porch in the Midwest with fireflies flickering in the background, languidly oxidizing their luciferin in the early evening.

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"Languid" is a lovely word. You hear it so seldom these days. And "languorous."

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Compromise would have been a big salad with little hamburgers sprinkled on it.

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I loved the song, thank you so much.

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Garrison and 'Studs' Turkel...two American treasures--forever!

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I prefer the poetry of song lyrics to all other kinds...

What'll I Do? is the pinnacle of such. It pulls on the heart strings immensely.

jack barry, San Francisco, fan since 1974

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What a wonderful life you lead and have led. Stay well and watch out for poison ivy.

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When I'm alone with only dreams of you that won't come true...what'll I do? Perfect lyric.

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I think you should move back to Minnesota, buy a small house with large front porch, ( screened), and nice backyard gardens, nearby biking/hiking trails in a nice metro suburb or outside a medium sized small town. ..eternal healing/ inspiring nature...to be able to walk out upon the land whenever you feel like it....12th floor Manhattan balcony...you just get sky...

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I just spent 24 hours in an ER ward in Manhattan and it was glorious. I'll write about it next week. My EEG technician was from Nepal. I wouldn't find that in Minnesota.

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I have a lingering concern about slicing. One can slice a tomato, or the Havarti, but can one obtain a slice of lettuce? You CAN slice lettuce, but one ends up with shreds of lettuce, which clearly are not slices. I rest my case.....

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A "clean pulling away" as on the head of lettuce, with one's thumb and forefingers, yield, effectively... a slice.

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By George! I think you’ve got it!

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