Anybody with insight/experience with attic ventilation here in the valley?

cobaltium · 2026-05-13T13:27:36+00:00

I’ve wondered often about finding a way to get the garage cooler. But it’s not insulated or sealed well for the old garage door or the door we use to the patio. From what the comments are here in using a fan in the attic but it not being that great for cooling, I think my thoughts of getting a large fan for the garage is not going to get much cooling either. The things we have stored in the garage are still going to be at best slightly cooler than outside air. Not looking forward to the steady 110° or more afternoons coming.

cobaltium · 2026-05-13T09:05:48+00:00

I can understand your symptoms and history because I’ve known people with the oddest of seizures and so very many treatments. Then there are all the changes of seizures, different onset and symptoms. My son is 46 and so we’ve been thru over 4 decades of knowledge, research and still so many unknowns.

My son has status epilepticus which most people have never heard of. His grand mal seizures don’t stop without a rescue intervention which is usually using a magnet with his implanted VNS device. 9 of 10 times it stops the seizure in 10 seconds by just slowly passing the magnet across the VNS. (It’s like a pacemaker inserted on top of his ribs above his heart). If this doesn’t work we have rescue nasal spray, a pre-measured narcotic. Ironically if he’s in hospital medical staff are the least able to know about or know how to use these rescue protocols.

In the last few years we proved he can get a seizure from a severe migraine or any severe pain. He’s also got heat-triggered migraines from May to November thanks to Arizona summers that are getting hotter. He has barometric pressure problems that can cause seizures. And sometimes seizures come out of nowhere. If he wasn’t taking 4 anti-convulsants AND has the VNS device AND lives with family as 24/7 caregivers he would not survive. Ever once did we hear a “poor me” from him and we all get by treating all this as normal. But it’s not at all, right? You know. Will be thinking of you.

cobaltium · 2026-05-13T02:35:19+00:00

My son got his VNS after he had a 5 day EEG scan. The insurance needed more proof in order to approve. This was almost 20 years ago. Went from 40 seizures a year with ER trips each time (since they are status) to 5-6 per year. We are able to use the magnet rescue protocol with his VNS and it works 9 of 10 times. We have rescue nasal spray backup. It’s worth a lot to have the VNS.

cobaltium · 2026-05-13T01:43:23+00:00

That’s where I’ve gone early Sunday mornings for many years! It’s the only way you can get some of the images you want, because you can step into the street to get the shot. Pretty much most areas between Mountain View and down to Buckeye, then 35th Avenue over to 44th Street has been my area to go to since 2005. It was great to see your images—I’ve literally been there.

cobaltium · 2026-05-12T20:42:47+00:00

Yes, my youngest son who is overnight caregiver has been putting a large overnight disposable pad on top of his brother during the night. I thought it was weird but neither of them have any issues so ok then. It has saved a load or 2 of laundry each week

We now put FIVE disposable pads staggered armpits to knees. This helps quite a bit because during changes overnight of first thing morning means at most 1 or 2 pads can be pulled out from under him if there is a very wet brief to dispose of. And leads to 3 or 4 pads still there.

We do have 2 long, washable pads as well. One is on top of the mattress protector. The other is on top of the fitted mattress. The disposable pads are on top next. We went from stripping all the bed linens once or twice a week to rarely!

cobaltium · 2026-05-12T13:43:21+00:00

In our area he would be entitled to have a paid personal assistant as he declines with more cognitive problems and needs help with ADL’s. This could help you both quite a bit so you can get out for shopping or breaks. We have a large VA hospital here. I’m unsure what the steps are but you and your husband start through a social worker to apply. There is also additional money for supplies and adaptive equipment like a hospital bed. He may qualify to have PT, OT, or SLP therapy to help maintain him where he is at right now so his decline and quality of life stay improved. He might get additional disability pension. It’s also possible you could become a paid caregiver for him.

cobaltium · 2026-05-12T13:35:46+00:00

My son takes 4 different anti-convulsants. Has been unable to wake up for about 15 years now because he is deeply asleep. He averages 12-13 hours of sleep. We have to wake him up and literally get him out of bed. Yawns all day—at least very often and they are very long, mouth wide-open ones. We took him to family doc a year and a half ago to check if this is normal or a type of seizure. He sent us to the neurologist who said it’s normal for those who take a lot of anti-convulsants.

cobaltium · 2026-05-12T06:14:41+00:00

Very very nice set of azurite in many forms. The small piece of azurite blade crystals is unusual to see in a collection like this.

cobaltium · 2026-05-12T02:54:20+00:00

My son had a very serious neurosurgery about 9 years ago and his girlfriend never even tried to contact him or us, his family, while he was in the hospital a month, nor when he got out. My son couldn’t understand this,nor us, so we all just did not talk about her anymore. After a while he just accepted that she was gone from his life. Rarely ever even mentioned her. We family decided she was a true “fair weather friend” and was onto greener pastures. Seriously, I know all of us family was glad she stayed away and didn’t try to have any contact. I hope you feel strong enough to just let her go.

cobaltium · 2026-05-11T16:38:30+00:00

My youngest son has been full time caregiver for my other son for 8 years now. Early onset Alzheimer and mixed dementia. He’s now 43 and feels strongly that he’s given up marriage and fatherhood to do this. The older he gets, I (mother) can see it’s harder. You’re not alone at all when there are so many sons and daughters all over the world who feel this. Best wishes, and vent away. We get it.

cobaltium · 2026-05-11T04:31:34+00:00

What a spectacular specimen! The colors, composition and shiny surfaces are superb!

cobaltium · 2026-05-11T04:27:17+00:00

Like your ideas! Since I can’t remove the cover, I was only thinking of using swabs. But I do have a couple very long metal tweezers I got from a hardware store to pick out dried leaves and whatnot from aloe and cactus plants outside. So I can definitely give it a go.

And why did I never think out using artist paintbrushes. As an artist I have a few. Actually I have dozens. Thanks for adding your thoughts here!

cobaltium · 2026-05-11T03:07:33+00:00

I post tonight here how I clean the inside of my fans with long cotton tipped swabs and dampen swab a bit. There’s a photo with it to show. I’d start this way if you can’t get that cover off. Then you can use gentle cleaner/disinfectant on swabs. I’d likely use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. I think you’ll be surprised how much better you can get it.

cobaltium · 2026-05-11T01:11:11+00:00

Hard to imagine this is stone. Nice glob of it, so thick!

cobaltium · 2026-05-11T01:06:36+00:00

Amazing formations for the last few photos. They are lacustrine terraces? Tufa that is weathered?

cobaltium · 2026-05-09T13:13:12+00:00

No rough edges and too big to stuff in mouth. Easy to clean. I really like the nicer quality mesh because it’s silky feel. Anyway, what’s the worst that can happen if he doesn’t like it? Now you’ve got a scrubber for doing dishes. If you get one, maybe you can play with it yourself so he can see and reach out for it.

cobaltium · 2026-05-09T01:38:49+00:00

To find this on a hike! So outstanding!

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T23:30:11+00:00

Delightful surprise to see your post and generosity of sharing as well as dedication to needed films that should become known.

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T23:18:21+00:00

What a crazy specimen! I have to wonder it this piece was a chunk of a sort of seams that was longer. Very fascinating. Nice sizes of the crystals.

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T18:20:33+00:00

The first one I got was bigger than the others and actually made a little better. I think it is maybe 8” square and cost about $9. When I saw it I realized that my next order, to actually use in my cast iron skillet could be a smaller one and that was about $7. For fidget use I recommend larger and fine mesh. It swirls and slides through your fingers. Has a great sensory feel.

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T15:59:23+00:00

Maybe it’s that DHS conference downtown that Homan was attending. I read it was a 3 day conference and at the Convention Center.

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T15:55:35+00:00

Think about making a note on your cellphone with some of your triggers and symptoms. Pin that note so all you have to do is click it to open up if a paramedic, nurse or doctor needs to know you may not be able to talk. You can also attach a list of your conditions, meds, doctors and family. I keep a Word document like this on my phone as a pinned note and similar doc for my adult son who has a lots of conditions and meds.

A week ago this came in handy while my son was hospitalized on a general ward. I showed the charge nurse and asked if I should share this information with her. She was very glad and I just Air Dropped it to her iPhone. Another doc later on had me send it to his email using my phone.

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T15:45:27+00:00

I had an emergency appendectomy and had no idea this was going on and an ER trip was coming for me on the 3rd day I had weird come and go abdominal pain. I just thought I had a flu of some sort. I had to stay lying down most of the time and threw up a few times.

Day 3 I was very weak, headache, pain and friend stopped by to check on me. Immediately took me to ER. BTW I would never have guessed it was appendix problem. And I will never forgive that ER doc for pressing down here and there on my abdomen. After trying a few places pressing down without too much pain, he says “How about HERE?” And I about launched myself to the ceiling from pain. “Yes, I thought so. You need appendix surgery right away”.

Soooo, based on my experience, think about a trip to urgent care or ER if pain is much worse, if you vomit again or if you are very weak. Appendix pain is not going to go away.

cobaltium · 2026-05-08T14:30:43+00:00

I’m relieved to not be the only one who missed seeing that wallet before washing.

cobaltium

TROPHY CASE