What has happened to summer? It seems like just a few days ago I was awaiting its advent, I was looking forward to the long, warm summer days and hoping to savor each and every one of them. Well, the days are getting shorter, and the unofficial end of summer is just around the corner (Labor Day). It's 8:14 PM and twilight has fallen. At the summer solstice the sun sets here after 9:00 PM. It has been a pleasant but cool summer this year. My patio plants are thriving.
At work I am busy helping to plan for influenza season. We are planning for the worst and hoping for the best. The spring blip of H1N1 Novel Influenza (swine flu) caught us in the laboratory off guard but we were able to learn some valuable lessons from it.
This summer I have been occupied with reading the Twilight saga. For some reason I find these books to be page turners for me. It's been so long since I've been able to enjoy reading for it's sheer pleasure.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
TRAILER: Michael Moore's 'Capitalism: A Love Story'
Something tells me this is going to be good. I want my bailout money back!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Who Are the Uninsured?
Where I work, if you get sick and need to take an extended leave, first you use up your vacation and sick leave. Once you have exhausted both of these then you must go begging to your co-workers for 'vacation donation'. Your co-workers can each donate up to 12 hours of their accrued vacation time to you. Once this runs out, you lose your health insurance. Just when you need it the most, it's gone. How fair is that?
Here is an interesting link that explains who the uninsured are. You might be surprised to learn that most of them hold down a job.
And here is another interesting concept; insurance for in case you lose your health insurance.
Here is an interesting link that explains who the uninsured are. You might be surprised to learn that most of them hold down a job.
And here is another interesting concept; insurance for in case you lose your health insurance.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
From Factcheck.org: Palin vs Obama "Death Panels"
http://factcheck.org/2009/08/palin-vs-obama-death-panels/
Shared via AddThis
End of life counseling is a hairy subject for anyone. This bill is not endorsing "killing Grandma". How many of us are prepared for end of life, especially if we become ill and cannot make our wishes known? If my mom had not filled out a Living Will, and I hadn't already known her wishes, then her end of life care would not have consisted of the excellent care given to her by hospice (and paid for in it's entirety by Medicare). My mom choose not to prolong her life via artificial means such as feeding tubes. I respected her wishes. My mom stated that if needed, she wanted hospice care. Again I conceded to her wishes. But what if I didn't know her wishes? Based on how much I loved my mom I can tell you that I would have done ANYTHING to prolong her life. But would any of this have changed the final outcome? We'll never know that, only God knows for sure.
Shared via AddThis
End of life counseling is a hairy subject for anyone. This bill is not endorsing "killing Grandma". How many of us are prepared for end of life, especially if we become ill and cannot make our wishes known? If my mom had not filled out a Living Will, and I hadn't already known her wishes, then her end of life care would not have consisted of the excellent care given to her by hospice (and paid for in it's entirety by Medicare). My mom choose not to prolong her life via artificial means such as feeding tubes. I respected her wishes. My mom stated that if needed, she wanted hospice care. Again I conceded to her wishes. But what if I didn't know her wishes? Based on how much I loved my mom I can tell you that I would have done ANYTHING to prolong her life. But would any of this have changed the final outcome? We'll never know that, only God knows for sure.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A Different Kind of Tiger
The PGA is in town playing their tournament at Hazeltine Golf Course. Tonight when I was driving home, I could see blimps in the distance, hovering over the course. Down the street from my house I see the buses that ferry spectators to the course throughout the day. The small airport near my home has been busier, with small jets taking off and landing. I haven't seen Tiger Woods yet, but that would be fun. It has been hot and windy here today, probably not ideal golf weather.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Titan and Lilly: Together at Last
I love this video of Lilly and Titan. Enjoy! These tigers were rescued from horrible conditions and now are in their forever home where they can play and live the rest of their lives.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I have needed to fill the bird feeder nearly every day. Sometimes when I look out at the feeder I see half dozen birds hanging on the perches. My cats are entertained by the birds who they can see but not eat. I think a lot of the birds are juveniles because their coloring is off. I love to watch them, that's something I picked up from my parents.
Today is my cat Lily's 10th birthday. I still remember the day that I adopted her, she was such a little kitten. She has been through thick and thin with me, always by my side, always filled with unconditional love. We will always have a special bond.
My grief has been closer to the surface lately, I'm not sure why. But grief is like the ocean; it ebbs and flows. I've learned that there is no expiration date on grief, it just is. And it's different for each and every one of us. I've also found some solace here.
Today is my cat Lily's 10th birthday. I still remember the day that I adopted her, she was such a little kitten. She has been through thick and thin with me, always by my side, always filled with unconditional love. We will always have a special bond.
My grief has been closer to the surface lately, I'm not sure why. But grief is like the ocean; it ebbs and flows. I've learned that there is no expiration date on grief, it just is. And it's different for each and every one of us. I've also found some solace here.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
PolitiFact | Our latest guide to the health care distortions
PolitiFact | Our latest guide to the health care distortions
Posted using ShareThis
Also check out this web site from the Whitehouse. Do you really think that the party that has fought so hard for safety nets and social reform wants to euthanize the elderly and disabled? That's just crazy.
Posted using ShareThis
Also check out this web site from the Whitehouse. Do you really think that the party that has fought so hard for safety nets and social reform wants to euthanize the elderly and disabled? That's just crazy.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
QOTD: "Somebody needs to get up and start talking about unifying this country again."
— Susan Eisenhower, July 24, 2009
Today I saw a hummingbird zoom right up to my window and hover. They are such amazing creatures, I am always fascinated by them.
It has turned slightly humid here today, which feels weird; it's been unseasonably cool here for the past week. But I'm not complaining as long as summer sticks around.
More soundbites from Real Time with Bill Maher
[The Republicans] want to score a political win...But, they have no problem letting 50 million Americans suffer without health insurance. – Anthony Woods
We're going to have to find a solution to healthcare because the boomers are going to be retire soon and are going to create enormous distortions in an already distorted system. – Susan Eisenhower
I would love to have some journalist ask a Republican who talks about socialized medicine: If it's so awful, how come it's what we have for our veterans? – Bill Maher
The Republicans are a sideshow here, compared to the failure of the Democratic Party to get its shit together. – John Heilemann
The Democrats, whenever they're given a chance, controlling all three branches of the government, are tied in knots and can't get anywhere. – John Heilemann
They're not hospitals anymore. They're Jiffy Lube's with bedpans. – Bill Maher
— Susan Eisenhower, July 24, 2009
Today I saw a hummingbird zoom right up to my window and hover. They are such amazing creatures, I am always fascinated by them.
It has turned slightly humid here today, which feels weird; it's been unseasonably cool here for the past week. But I'm not complaining as long as summer sticks around.
More soundbites from Real Time with Bill Maher
[The Republicans] want to score a political win...But, they have no problem letting 50 million Americans suffer without health insurance. – Anthony Woods
We're going to have to find a solution to healthcare because the boomers are going to be retire soon and are going to create enormous distortions in an already distorted system. – Susan Eisenhower
I would love to have some journalist ask a Republican who talks about socialized medicine: If it's so awful, how come it's what we have for our veterans? – Bill Maher
The Republicans are a sideshow here, compared to the failure of the Democratic Party to get its shit together. – John Heilemann
The Democrats, whenever they're given a chance, controlling all three branches of the government, are tied in knots and can't get anywhere. – John Heilemann
They're not hospitals anymore. They're Jiffy Lube's with bedpans. – Bill Maher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)