I lost my health insurance the day I left my last job and haven’t received my cards in the mail for the insurance I now have with my new job.

I have one medication that I use (generic) that keeps my sinuses open so I can breathe. Last month it cost me $8.00. Today I called and asked the price. The price quoted (even though generic) was almost $89.00 without insurance.

I told them to disregard it until I get my new card for prescriptions.

This really gets under my skin!!! When will the drug companies stop doing people like this? Right now, I have a headache and cannot breathe out of my left nostril. It may take several days (even weeks) before I can get the medicine again… geesh!
There are literally people who are dying in the United States because they cannot afford their life-sustaining meds!

I think those in charge of jacking up these high prices for Americans should be held responsible for each person who dies because of the drug companies that are being so greedy!
And, the Americans who are sitting back and saying nothing because they have insurance should be ashamed of themselves and take five or ten minutes to write their senators!!!  ~Howdy

I stopped writing this article, then read some other articles on the subject. In one, an insurance man was saying universal health care would be bad. He went so far as to call people stupid. Because people aren’t stupid is why he was writing the article. He feels good taking our money and doesn’t want someone to cut his money supply off… hello??? Get real, Jethro! 

Someone else was saying we should shut up about it until we have a workable plan. We don’t have to have a plan. Even thinking that is absurd; let alone saying it! We elect officials to do this sort of thing. If they are not capable of doing what we pay them for, don’t elect ‘em. Geesh!

Wouldn’t it be nice to see someone living below the poverty level, or even someone like me who is just above it be able to go into the hospital and have an operation to save a life even if they aren’t wealthy. Imagine being in the room next to Oprah and getting the same treatment she is getting. Imagine not being afraid to face tomorrow even if we aren’t super wealthy.

Those of us who work, work hard. The hardest workers are many times the least paid. Does that make their worth less than the big executive who got lucky and made it to the top? No, of course not. We all deserve the same right to life, and to live when it comes down to a life sustaining operation of sorts, or just plain being able to afford our medications.

I am a values-voter. I won’t vote for someone who will make a mockery out of the office of the president of the United States like Bill Clinton did. Values are important to me. In 2008, my vote will be for the person with good character who will make universal health care a priority for all Americans. It may not be easy, but it can be done! Without it, the future of most baby boomers and all poor people in general are looking pretty gloomy at this point in time! ~Howdy (again)

Last night, when I pulled up in the parking lot of our local supermarket, I saw this pretty thing sitting there all alone.

Since I couldn’t hot-wire it (I mean because it was too dark), I had to settle for a picture. Does anyone know what kind she is? She was really a whole lot prettier than my camera-phone lens could capture.

I couldn’t believe someone actually left her sitting there all alone knowing that somewhere out there roaming the streets of our little town was someone who drove a Ford Taurus. Geesh -   ~Howdy  ;  )

The number one reason most people do not start what they want to start, is because they think their simple, little efforts will not even dent the mountain they wish to move.But little do they know, that is exactly how the mountain was formed.I was there -
The Universe

For years I have been sterilizing or disinfecting my sponges by soaking them in a mixture of vinegar (white) or lemon juice and throwing them in the microwave for a minute.  A few words of caution:  Never put the sponges in dry as this can potentially start a fire. Also, use care when removing them. THEY ARE HOT!

Like my first adventure story in Thailand, this one is also the truth – well, mostly anyway…

________________________________________________

Jeremy was in love with a Thai National lady named, Dami.

She was for sure a pretty lady and lots of guys were after her; including Jeremy and a Thai Air Force guy who was stationed on the same base with us there in Ubon. The word around was that Dami was much too involved with the TAF guy and Jeremy was being used mainly just to provide her with things she wanted from the BX, the Air Force’s on base GI department store.

One day, as Jeremy sat in the Day Room (kind of our squadron party room) after hours talking with Dami, he heard a loud noise outside the door. When he turned to see what was happening, he found several Thai Air Force personnel standing around him with guns aimed at his head.

 Geesh, what do you do at a time like this! 

Luckily for those guys, God was looking out for them that day. Cause Jeremy ‘n me would have whooped the Thai Air Force from one side of the base to the other! (I mean, had I been there, that is). Cause Jeremy ‘n me had taken karate together there in Thailand and no one was about to take us down… nobody! ;  )  Yep, lucky for them guys!

The U.S. Air Force Security Police had seen the Thai Air Force truck go barreling down the road on the wrong side of the base and they followed to see where they were going.

Quicker than Jeremy could say his last prayer, the U.S. Security Police surrounded the Thai Air Force with their weapons and backed them down. They left without anyone getting hurt; at least this time.

Jeremy was stationed in Thailand with me and was supposed to return to the states before I did. However, he decided to stay behind and see if he could win the hand of his truly beloved, Dami.

I never heard from my friend, Jeremy, again after I left Ubon to return to the states. I hope he was able to win Dami’s hand and see his dreams come true.  ~Howdy

In my quest for answers, I came across this site. There is a wealth of information here, from predicting your child’s height (under health calculator) to medical news to spiritual support on the home page.  Lots of worth-while topics are covered under Child Care in the health calculator section as well.

Over the years, we (Howdy & Betty) have accumulated information and tidbits from books, magazines, and articles. Family and friends have shared with us quick-fixes and cures to a variety of problems that we have encountered. We have also heard through documentaries, public television, and radio many facts and useful information which we will post here in a section called zapperifics.  

Our first one deals with arthritis and stiff joints especially when crawling out of bed on winter mornings.

Solution:  Instead of using a heating pad, hot water bottle or electric blanket when sleeping, zip yourself up in a comfortable, roomy sleeping bag. Your body heat will be evenly distributed. This will be safer and no cords or electricity is involved.

Basement, yard, or garage sales have become a summer occurrence just like family reunions, vacations, and trips to the beach. Although the later three rank higher on the ‘fun-o-meter’, garage sales are more on the scale of work. It’s work you hope to be rewarded for in terms of cold, hard cash. But, as with any endeavor, it pays to spend some planning and preparation time. Besides making a little cash on the side, having a garage sale is a way of getting rid of unwanted, no-longer used items filling your closets, garage, attic or basement. So let’s begin.

Once you have determined you have enough objects to make the sale worthwhile, the date and time should be set. If possible coincide your sale with a well-publicized city-wide sale and let their ads bring the people to your area. The key is the advertising. The downside, though, is you share the customers with all the other garage sales at that time. 

If you choose not to match the city’s date, then the advertising is up to you. Your signs need to stand out, so bright colors and sturdy material work best. Poster boards can be cut in half and by using a wide sharpie pen your writing will be visible. Cars driving by have little time to read, so keep the information short. The use of arrows drawn on the same color signs can direct the customers to your site. If your sale is primarily one type of item, list that on the sign. For example, if you are getting rid of baby items….the word “BABY” on the sign will bring the people there. Position the signs in locations that get the most traffic, on key corners even blocks away. Check the city ordinances to see if you can post on poles. If not, check to post them in the yard. (The real estate design works great). After the sale is complete, ALL SIGNS SHOULD BE REMOVED. Advertising in the local newspapers or online are also options.

Display the items so they each can be seen if possible, grouping like items. Although the shopper may quibble with the cost, stickers of your desired price should be present. Stickers can also be used to tally up each person’s profits after the sale if more than one person is in the sale. Pricing should be set to sell the item, if that is the goal. Those that frequent garage sales are looking for bargains and usually take pride in the price they spent for the merchandise. Choose a time to go half price on the items left. Posting a “Free” sign the last hour or two reduces the amount you have to remove when the sale is over.

Supplies you will need include: cash box and “starting money”, bags (plastic or paper) and boxes, newspaper or other wrapping material, tape, writing paper, markers, and for your personal use….a radio, beverages, and sun tan lotion, and extension cord (to show corded items work). 

Greet and chat with those stopping by. Have fun!

If you have had a successful garage sale or a funny story while having one we’d love to hear about it.          

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. 

Red Auerbach

I’m not sure when and where “music” first started, but I’m glad the “music pioneers” passed it on and it has thrived throughout the years. Enjoyment of music has no age limitations – from babies to centenarians. The musical scales, treble and bass, run from A-G, in addition to sharps and flats. It’s the timing and how the notes are put together that give us the musical categories. Lullabies can soothe a fussy baby. Christian and Gospel music lead us to praise, worship, and reflections. Merengue, Samba, and Salsa music have dances to match the music. Opera and Country are types that have the music wrapped around stories. Other genres that make the toes tap, fingers snap, and body move are Rock ‘n Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Rap, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Heavy Metal, and Folk. Classical, can slow the mind and is a favorite to many. Whatever your selection, listening to it has become easier. Our grandparents heard the songs of their time on the radio. We still listen to those songs on the radio. Each generation had their own distinguishable music. The old 78 rpm’s and 45 vinyl records we thought were great … back then, have become collectibles. Then came the 8-track  and the sound quality improved. Moving from the 8-track to the cassette came a reduction in size and another increase in sound quality. Technology improved again and introduced the compact discs (CD’s) and you felt just like you were at a live concert. When computers entered the scene, a huge jump in the music industry took place. Today, we can download thousands of songs onto a MP3 player that is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand and enables you to listen to crystal clear sounds for hours.

Compact Disc Tip:

I have hundreds of CD’s and love listening to them. In fact, I have a huge selection in almost all genres. I think back to what Red Auerbach said:  

   If ……. Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life….what cleans the dust off the CD that plays the music? Is there a “proper” way to wipe down a CD? The answer is YES. And it’s not wiping the side of the CD that plays in a circular motion with the proper cloth. Instead, use a straight line from the hole in the center out to the edge. This can potentially keep scratches from occurring that might cause the disc to skip when playing.  

Sharing a little humor:

 Artie and Esther are flying to Australia for a two-week vacation to celebrate their 40th anniversary.  Suddenly, over the public address system, the Captain announces, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am afraid I have some very bad news. Our engines have ceased functioning and we will attempt an emergency landing. Luckily, I see an uncharted island below us and we should be able to land on the beach. However, the odds are that we may never be rescued and will have to live on the island for the rest of our lives!”  Thanks to the skill of the flight crew, the plane lands safely on the island.  

An hour later Artie turns to his wife and asks, “Esther, did we pay our $5,000 PBS pledge check yet?”

 “No, sweetheart,” she responds.  Artie, still shaken from the crash landing, then asks, “Esther, did we pay our American Express card yet?”  “Oh, no! I’m sorry. I forgot to send the check,” she says.  “One last thing, Esther. Did you remember to send checks for the Visa and MasterCard this month?” he asks.  “Oh, forgive me, Artie,” begged Esther. “I didn’t send those, either.”  Artie grabs her and gives her the biggest kiss in 40 years.  Esther pulls away and asks him, “So, why did you kiss me?” to which Artie responds:  

“They’ll find us!”