One of the best inventions of the 21st Century has to be the internet. I’ve been lucky enough to have been online since 1995. Back then, the main provider was AOL. It was the quickest and easiest way to plug into technology.

Now back then, they had something called the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) that set the rules for technical language. In other words, for how you view websites. Back then, all you could do html-wise was center, right and left align, and pick font sizes 1-6.

I’m here to tell you, we’ve come a long way, baby, since those days. The earliest and longest lasting site to come out of that is Amazon books. It’s hard to believe that site has been around for that long. To us old timers, in the whole scope of our lives, it’s not really that long, but now we take it for granted.

In all honesty, it’s one of my favorite sites. In high school, I worked in a bookstore. And nothing beats walking into a store and browsing the shelves looking for that perfect book to help you while away the hours. But with Amazon, now I get to do it from the (lazy) comfort of my home.

So, in honor of summer, here’s a few good titles to kick start your summer reading.

HeavyGlow Flash Fiction Anthology: Two Years Burning Brightly
Afternoons with Puppy
The Other Boleyn Girl

Enjoy!

I’ve been looking at this health care debate for quite some months now. Actually, for years now.

See, I have a chronic illness. I was not always covered by insurance. I was when I was first diagnosed. Thank goodness that was “back in the day” when my father’s company covered me, before the existence of “pre-existing conditions” and HMOs and all such other things the health care “industry” (and make no mistake, it is an industry to separate us from our hard earned money) came up with in the guise of “lowing costs.”

But once I got out on my own, not so much. Ok, my first job in a factory actually covered me, that was still “back in the day.” Once I got married, I had to wait a year without seeing a doctor before they would pay for my medical care.

Guess what? Costs didn’t get lower. They’ve only gotten higher. Now, I wouldn’t be able to get coverage at all because of my pre-existing condition. Health care premiums have gotten higher. Do you know that people (who don’t have employer based health care because those premiums rose too high for them to pay) have been paying out their hard earned money for $600-$1000 month premiums with $10,000-$20,000 deductibles are actually getting turned down?

Now in all fairness, we can blame part of this on the doctors. They were shown the golden cow. My fellow goddess and I have seen how this works from the other side. Insurance companies used to pay for such expenditures and doctors took advantage. But now, the shoe is on the other foot. And doctors need those insurance companies to pay for what they deem are needed expenses. But when a child cries “Wolf!” who will believe him? Now health care has become a game of chicken, at the consumers’ expense.

When I worked as a nurse, insurance companies were already dictating care. I forgot that term, DRGs, I think. Insurance companies were already telling hospitals how long a patient could stay per a certain condition or procedure. Well, as a nurse, I’m here to tell you that while there are some constants in medical issues, it is still purely individual. After all, generalities sound nice, but they are just that, generalities. And a lot of people can’t be classified within those generalities.

What we ended up with was a snowball effect. Specialists were called in to diagnose a patient with something else so the patient could remain to get over his initial diagnoses/illness.

And let’s look at my fellow Goddess, Annetta. Guest what folks? She didn’t have insurance. Guess what that is going to cost her in the long run? That was fairly minor considering she didn’t have cancer. It’s still going to cost her for a long time.

I had a patient with Hepititis C. The doctor came in and told us, “Convince the parents to make him a no-code” Which means we wouldn’t do CPR or anything to save him. We’d just let him go. Do you know what the doctor’s reasoning for this was? He has no insurance that will pay for a transplant and the family doesn’t have the $200,000 that will afford him a transplant (that was 15 years ago, so you know a transplant cost more than that now.)

We had to convince a boy’s parents to let their son die because they couldn’t afford it. And yet we convince parents to send their boys to Iraq. What kind of irony is that? We send a boy with a wife and kids to Iraq so he can get health insurance?

Insurance companies should not tell doctors, nurses or the general public what services they can and can’t have based on their assessment. Most of the time, and believe me, my sister in law worked for such a place, those people have no medical background whatsoever. It’s just a bunch of people working for $10 an hour being told what to deny…which is usually everything.

I don’t care if I need apatrim, valium, barium, no insurance company needs to tell me or my doctor what I do or don’t need.

The argument is that we don’t need government in our health care, but honestly, I’ve had two government plans in my health care, and I haven’t had much problems with them.

Please, write your congressmen and tell them to get us a decent health care option. Not the MA bs where they promise low costs but actually haven’t delivered and then penalize folks for not being able to afford their high-cost alternatives.

And btw, your own congressmen enjoy a nice, government paid “socialize” health care benefit (which they have conveniently excluded government officials in their proposed plan.) Plus, they enjoy the added “campaign dollars” from your friendly health care lobbyists—I think that’s another debate completely.

This is not a bi-partisan issue; this is an American issue that is sucking us down. Who wants to be on the right side of history?

Believe it or not, I lived 10 years in North Carolina and never got to visit the Outer Banks (ok, I lived in Arkansas 30+ years and never got to visit the diamond mine either—I really should get out more.) I always wanted to. But even from where we lived in Charlotte, it was still an 8 hour drive for us. See, in NC there is no direct route to anywhere. Travelers often have to take 2 lane highways through wide places in the road with 35 mph “town limits” speed
limits.

However, my son did visit the Outer Banks, not once but twice. One year a friend of his and his family invited Z for their annual week long visit. I had a friend like that when I was his age, who took me great places like Aspen, CO. I never would have seen it any other way.

The other time he visited was with a school trip when he was still in grade school. It just so happened his class was there at the time they were moving Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. And he got to see it! He also got to visit where the Wright brothers took their first flight.

One of the other amazing sights to see at the Outer Banks is their wild horses. It’s one of the few places left in America where wild horses roam unrestricted and free. They can often be found even on the beaches, where they trot down the sand and munch on sea oats.

So if you’re looking for a great little seaside getaway, the Outer Banks is a good spot to visit. Lots to see and do there. As an added bonus, there are even a few Outer Banks rentals that let you bring your pet.

As a past pet owner, a current pet owner (yes, I did get my new dog, more on that later,) and as a friend of other pet owners, that’s something special.

You might have noticed a lag, longer than usual, between posts. I have a very good reason. Honest. Let’s just say I don’t need diet pills for weight loss any time soon.

Last Thursday, it became necessary for me to make the acquaintance of my local EMT’s and ambulance crew. From there, I was introduced to the local hospital, various doctors and surgeons, and in the journey, I lost a body organ along the way. Not the heart, lungs, or other necessary hardware, but the Evil Gall Bladder was ousted from its cozy nest and banished to the Underworld where it totally belongs. May it rot there for all eternity.

It was not as nearly as smooth as that. There were Complications, Torturous Tests Requiring the Consumption of Noxious Potions, False Alarms of Nefarious and Unfriendly Growths, and one doctor almost lost his balls (possibly a tooth; the punch went askew, I actually have no idea where it ultimately landed; I blame the drugs) during an Endoscopy Gone Wild, which led to Really Putting The Bitch Down With Major Pharmaceuticals and the second attempt was, at last and to the relief of all involved, deemed a success. A Mysterious and Agonizing Pain put discharge out of the question for yet another day, necessitating more Torturous Tests and Noxious Potions (note to all: do not puke up the Noxious Potions. They will only make you drink them again) to ascertain that my body was just becoming acclimated to the addition of a Foreign Object meant to make life easier. We did not get off on the right foot, this Foreign Object and I, but we have since come to a truce so all is well. I know I won’t be breaking the treaty.

This is the first writing of a public nature I have done in eight days, other than a thank-you limerick to a sonneteer with no peer.

This all happened in the middle of starting Chapter 16, which has really pissed me off.

****

The body is a dictator. Any control I though I had was illusion. I get it. Now.

I’m in recovery mode, and plan on taking it really easy (probably much harder than it sounds) but if the Universe thinks by peeing in my wheaties it’s gonna stop me, it’s got another think coming. I’m going to make my goal of a finished novel by September 30th, oh yes I am. One fucking word at a time, if that’s how it’s gotta go.

****

IF I am lucky enough to sell this book, I know where the money’s going. Uninsured, the proceeds will all go to the nice people who rid me of the Organ From Hell, and I’ll consider it money well spent. Although, I did have it earmarked for a nice yacht, a working body needs to be the priority. If you aren’t on the universal health care bandwagon, jump on. I have no complaints about my care (other than the Endoscopy thing, and I think I got my pound of flesh on that one, heh) and I was grateful I even received care with no money and no insurance. I consider myself very, very lucky. And I’m sure I’ll add to that tab when I get the bills and find out I’ll have to sell my soul to Lucifer just to break even.

Gah. Not thinking about that now.

****

One last thing and then I have to take a nap (I see a lot of naps in my future, so I do):

Nursing is THE most underpaid, undervalued, and underrated profession on the motherfucking planet. Seriously. My nurses were absolutely fabulous (except for one aide, who has no business in the business, but that’s just one person and there were many) and I never would have gotten through this without them. They were tireless, empathetic, sympathetic, supportive, and just amazing people. There is a special place in Valhalla for each and every one of them — they have my undying respect, admiration, and affection forever. All good blessings to you, my lovelies. I might not remember all of you (there were some mighty fine drugs) but I’ll never forget your care, and I appreciate it more than I can ever express.

Onward.

It’s finally time to start searching for my pound puppy. I have to tell you, it’s looking like it would be easier to find term life insurance quotes than a suitable dog that meets my son and I’s wants and needs.

First of all, I live in an apartment so the dog must be of medium size. Secondly, my complex, as most do, have lease restrictions on breeds, pit bulls being the number one restricted dog.

While I appreciate the ease of use of Petfinder.com, unfortunately, most of the shelters are flooded with Pit Bulls, and scare on most other breeds. Of course, they also list rescue shelters, but most of those places want $200 and up for one of their rescues. I understand that they put a lot of time and money into the pets, but I could buy a new purebred puppy for that.

Well, it’s not like I don’t have the time, so I’ll just keep searching. Too many people rush into buying dogs, and they shouldn’t. That’s the main reason they usually end up in the pound in the first place.

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’ve read weight loss pill reviews and have even considered hopping on the Pill Train, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

Is there an easy way to lose weight? Hell, no. If there were, we’d all be svelte and skinny. I have to think I have my curves for a reason, even if it’s only to keep my ugly feet from my view.

I know a woman who had gastric bypass done, and she’s lost a lot of weight. A ton of weight, and she looks awesome. I met her about a month after she had the surgery done, and I am a witness right here and now, friends and neighbors, that it was far, far, FAR from easy. She still had to watch every single thing she put in her mouth, work out, take multi-vitamins and be ever-vigilant about her health. More so than someone just dieting the traditional way.

I’d like to be thinner, but I’m not going to obsess about it. My feet really are pretty ugly. Heh.

The one class in high school I really, really wish they had taught back in the olden days was that of personal finance. Honestly, it has taken me literally years to figure out how to manage and juggle. Actually, I’m always learning.

Fortunately, I was able to impart what little I did know to my kids, and they’ve been much better about it than I was at their age — or even my age. I don’t know if times are any tougher now then they were then (because they were pretty damned hard then) but I do know having a good handle on your money and where it goes can go a long way to alleviating a lot of stress along the way.

To this day, I have a hard time splurging. To me, splurging means spending $20 at the dollar store, or buying a brand new book. Maybe lunch out at a Chinese buffet.

One thing I’ve learned over the years, and it really is the little things in life that mean the most. A baby’s giggle, a hug from my mom, a friendly email. Finding myself capable of changing out a toilet seat (yes, that would be a “splurge”, heh) or a kiss from The Man. How about a beautiful day, or a bubble bath?

I have to remind myself that financial stress may be a constant, but there’s a lot more to life than money.

Although, I wouldn’t mind some extra coming my way — money, not stress. In the meantime, I’ll mitigate the stress with the love of friends, family, and the occasional trip to the dollar store.

Maybe a bubble bath.

I can work with a lot of software, but when it comes to the inner guts of a computer, I become really nervous. I’m always afraid I’m going to do that one thing that fries the thingamajig or burns up the doohickey and then my computer will just be a giant and expensive paperweight.

I’ve installed an ethernet card before, but I don’t think I’d try the same thing with video cards or sound cards. I believe those I would leave up to the experts. I might have been successful with the ethernet card, but some thingamajigs and doohickeys are not for the uninitiated.

I will say I felt a great sense of accomplishment after installing the wireless card — even though I’m over forty and ancient in the eyes of the young, I’m not totally out of the loop. That’s a pretty good feeling.

Still, you know what they say. Don’t let them know what you know. That way, you can get the Geek Son to come over and swap out hardware, as long as you bribe him with food. That’s how it works around here, anyway. Not only do I get my hardware updated, I have my son over for a visit. Heh.

I’ve been wandering around the internets (in the term of Bill Maher) There are plenty of places that you can get a plethora of drugs, without prescriptions. cheap diet pills,anti-depressants, antibiotics, ect.

I find these online places of value. They don’t necessarily condone buying without a prescription.

But to save a little money, you can buy online. They may have a pharmacists talk to you, but in the end, if you know what you already need, it just might save you money.