That's Not How "The Force" Works

      Like most of the country, we have been swept up in Star Wars mania with the release of the new chapter in Star Wars, “The Force Awakens.”  Adam had a Star Wars themed 34^th birthday and Christmas.  We saw the movie on opening night in the lovely Boone movie theater.  BB-8 has become a fixture in our house.  Amelia’s vocabulary contains both “BB-8” and “Star Wars.”  I can’t say that it’s all because of Adam, but he is, in this case, the ringleader.  I’ve heard praise and complaint about “The Force Awakens.”  In our theater, people applauded so much during our first viewing that we actually missed some dialogue and I feel like it’s a safe bet to say that this audience absolutely loved it.  It was exactly what I wanted in this particular Star Wars movie.  I now have different expectations for the next release.

     Now that I’ve seen seven Star Wars films, six of them more times than I care to admit in this post, there are quite a few themes that I’ve noticed, quite a few things I’ve put together.  While I could wax poetically about the force and drone on for longer than any of you would read, I will concentrate on “The Force Awakens” for the time being.  Going back to a galaxy far, far away can teach us a few things.  Here is what I learned from “The Force Awakens”…

1. Never walk on a suspended bridge inside an Empire or First Order ship, especially not if someone else has a lightsaber.  There are no nets to catch you under those things and it’s a pretty safe bet that if someone has a lightsaber, they’re not afraid to use it.

2. A lightsaber going through snow sounds just as awesome as when it goes through anything else.

3. We can’t just hope to use the force when we don’t have a plan.  As Han Solo so eloquently put it “that’s not how the force works.”

4. Rey’s ability to use the force to tell people to do things is already creepier/stronger, albeit more awkward, than Obi Wan Kenobi’s “this is not the droid you’re looking for.” 

5. All evil ships have trash compactors on board.  

6.  There’s always a way to blow things up.

7. If you don’t want to be found, you shouldn’t leave a map.

8. Three buns going down the back of your head rather than one on each side might not be as iconic, but is much more practical for fighting the evils of the galaxy.

9. Rey deserves her own action figure.

10. As long as there’s light, there’s hope.

The Cone of Shame

At the beginning of this week, we nearly lost Scout.  She ended up having to have emergency bladder surgery to remove what the vet called “countless” bladder stones, one of which was large enough to keep her from “doing her business.”  We were given the choice of putting her down, allowing her to suffer an incredibly painful and slow death, or opting for the emergency surgery.  Scout was in significant and relentless pain at this point.  Whether or not you think you would pay for emergency surgery for a dog is not the question.  I do find it hard to believe that, given our situation, you wouldn’t.  Scout is a young(ish) dog and is otherwise healthy.  She is also a part of the family.  Given the choice of spending money we do not have and losing Scout, our decision was a no-brainer.

                  Scout did her part to add to the string of health issues that our family has gone through over the past several months.  She kept up with me and had surgery (although mine wasn’t life threatening and wasn’t emergency, so maybe she “wins”).  Anyway, as is the case with all surgeries, regardless of who is going through it, there is a recovery period.  Right now, our pitiful little Scout, has several shaved patches of fur, is taking quite a few medications, has had to drastically change her diet permanently and, worst of all, is wearing a cone to make sure she doesn’t inadvertently hurt her recovery chances.  This particular health issue, while not unheard of in dogs, is somewhat rare.  We haven’t gotten word yet about what type of stone they removed.  If it is one specific type, it will most likely come back.  If it is another, it will be easier to control.

                  I hate that we didn’t realize she was uncomfortable or even in pain until the day that it peaked.  While she wasn’t facing extreme pain until that day, she was stoically dealing with discomfort and some bouts of pain.  She never whined about it at all until it became too much for her.  Thankfully, it wasn’t too late.  We’ll figure out the ramifications of it all later. 

Amelia, while hesitant of the cone, has told everyone that Scout has a big boo-boo.  She is being as gentle as a nineteen month old can muster and Scout, as always, is being unbelievably patient.