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Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Monday, November 7, 2016
Monday, June 25, 2012
Health Care Blues
Later this week, the Supreme Court of the United States will be deciding on whether 50 million Americans are worthy of health care coverage. What do they really care? They have lifetime jobs, with paid healthcare for themselves and their families - even if they retire, have a pre-existing condition or need extra ordinary or long term care. Even one of the justices has made 1.5 million dollars from opponents to health care reform.
I don't know about you, but shouldn't we be entitled to basic health care? I mean, if one wants to pay for additional coverage or for certain insurances, that should be their own option and by all means they should be able to do so. But basic, non-bankrupting health care should be an option to ALL Americans, especially those too young for Medicare and not eligible for Medicaid.
Around Memorial Day, I hit my head on the refrigerator door. There must have been a small lesion already existent on the subcutaneous cyst that is there, so bacteria entered and it became wildly infected. It was incredibly painful, puss filled, and bleeding for several days. Even the cyst itself erupted from within my scalp as I self medicated and lanced this wound. It was ugly, and terribly scary and disconcerting to say the least.
Luckily, since I have type 2 diabetes and shoot Byetta twice a day, I had a supply of sterilized needles to assist me in my self mutilation. Instead of being able to go to the ER, doctor or urgent care center, which would have cleared out my freelance and meager bank account, I screwed up my courage and took care of myself, despite the lack of local anesthetic, or medical skills.
It's not right. Because I have a pre-existing condition, even though its well controlled, and because I am a woman of a certain age, I am unable to afford reasonable health care. My choice is to have healthcare or a roof over my head. I can't have both. And yet, I am certain that the Supreme Court doesn't give a damn about me or the 50 million others like me. All Roberts and his cronies care about is if their Republican overlords are happy.
I used to believe that the Court was the last bastion of safety for the American people, but since the millennium, it has proven itself time and again a shill for the right-wing agenda that is decimating this nation. It is time for all of us to rise up and say enough. We pay taxes and we outnumber the 1% that seems to be guiding the nation's agenda. Our tax money is ours, and it should be spent on raising up all of our citizens. I pray that the Court will understand this but with the ideologues such as Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Roberts riding roughshod over the rest of the Justices, I feel I am a voice crying in the wilderness.
I don't know about you, but shouldn't we be entitled to basic health care? I mean, if one wants to pay for additional coverage or for certain insurances, that should be their own option and by all means they should be able to do so. But basic, non-bankrupting health care should be an option to ALL Americans, especially those too young for Medicare and not eligible for Medicaid.
Around Memorial Day, I hit my head on the refrigerator door. There must have been a small lesion already existent on the subcutaneous cyst that is there, so bacteria entered and it became wildly infected. It was incredibly painful, puss filled, and bleeding for several days. Even the cyst itself erupted from within my scalp as I self medicated and lanced this wound. It was ugly, and terribly scary and disconcerting to say the least.
Luckily, since I have type 2 diabetes and shoot Byetta twice a day, I had a supply of sterilized needles to assist me in my self mutilation. Instead of being able to go to the ER, doctor or urgent care center, which would have cleared out my freelance and meager bank account, I screwed up my courage and took care of myself, despite the lack of local anesthetic, or medical skills.
It's not right. Because I have a pre-existing condition, even though its well controlled, and because I am a woman of a certain age, I am unable to afford reasonable health care. My choice is to have healthcare or a roof over my head. I can't have both. And yet, I am certain that the Supreme Court doesn't give a damn about me or the 50 million others like me. All Roberts and his cronies care about is if their Republican overlords are happy.
I used to believe that the Court was the last bastion of safety for the American people, but since the millennium, it has proven itself time and again a shill for the right-wing agenda that is decimating this nation. It is time for all of us to rise up and say enough. We pay taxes and we outnumber the 1% that seems to be guiding the nation's agenda. Our tax money is ours, and it should be spent on raising up all of our citizens. I pray that the Court will understand this but with the ideologues such as Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Roberts riding roughshod over the rest of the Justices, I feel I am a voice crying in the wilderness.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Exiles of Dal Ryeas
Can't believe I haven't been here since 1/20! So much has gone on in my life it's hard to know where to begin. Ok, who am I kidding - I can hardly wait to tell this.
My debut novel, Exiles of Dal Ryeas was released on September 24th by Strategic Book Group. What has me excited is that it's a traditional publication - no vanity press here - albiet from a small publishing house (that does have a vanity wing, to be sure - that's how they make money) and they are being really helpful in publicizing the book, but I still gotta let everyone know on my own too!
You can get this on Amazon.com or on Barnes and Noble.com and even at the publisher's website . I am really happy that the book shows up on Amazon.com since between them and Barnes and Noble.com I have spent countless hours looking at and buying my favorite reads there. I also love going to bookstores like Borders and our own local Joseph-Beth Booksellers, for those unique brick and mortar bookstore moments. I really hope I get to do some book signings!
I wrote this book a while ago, and then put it away. When I agented my friend's book with this publisher - "Don't Call Me Cookie" by Vanessa Pasiadis, my agent felt encouraged to take out Dal Ryeas and send it off. They accepted it, printed it and it's out there in the world. It's really exciting.
Here is what the press release said:
As civil war looms across Dal Ryeas, and the world can barely maintain its fragile peace, Mark and Lisa Harrison are swept up in a maelstrom and forced along a dark course. Their sister Diana, along with their mysterious guardians, Lauren and Ric, set out on their own journey to rescue Mark and Lisa from danger. Once on Dal Ryeas, they find King Tarq and his enchantress Carr on the verge of battle with their relentless foes, Princess Killia and the sorcerer Sindelar, for the fate of the world.I have to admit, I had a lot of fun writing this and am already in the process of planning a couple of sequels - one tales of the Dal Ryean realm and another a direct sequel to this book. That is as soon as I finish writing my fantasy murder-mystery too. All that old creativity is back with a vengeance!
Does the Harrisons’ arrival tip the balance in Dal Ryeas? Can the exiles return to their torn land and recapture everything they've lost? Only time and the powerful “Tal” will reveal the secrets of the Exiles of Dal Ryeas.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
More Musings
My mother died 6 years ago today. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't miss her or want to tell her something, but that isn't what is important right now - or anyone's concern but my own.
Yesterday the possibility of a fair and equitable health system receded further away, as the lion of the Senate's seat was seized by an upstart ass with no concern for anyone but his nay saying party's agenda.
When my mother was so ill in her final days, she, a life long Republican warned me that what she saw transpiring in her party - the party of Lincoln and TR - was going to be a disaster for this country. How right she was!
I have a pre-existing condition and without a health care plan I can never get health insurance I can afford - and even more - I will never be covered for my condition and the insurance companies who own the Republican party will link even a cold to that condition, so I will pay three times as much as anyone else and still not have coverage.
With the asinine Republicans getting that extra seat it means that NO will be their rallying cry no matter what is requested of them. I pity the poor people of Haiti or our own military now that they can filibuster to their mean spirited hearts content. I shudder to realize that they have even a modicum of power. Wasn't 8 years of disaster enough? Obama has had multiple crises thrust upon him by the ineptitude of the Republicans and now they want a voice again. Fine let them have a voice, and let them REALLY learn how to be bi-partisan. The president has tried to get them to participate but they are like toddlers and only know "NO". And now a new infant is joining the gang.
My poor country. You had a chance - and now I see that you are going to go the way of the dodo based on these people who wear their patriotism on their sleeves, but who want to deny anyone but themselves basic human rights - not to mention civil rights.
I am not exonerating the Democrats in this either. If they had for once forgotten to seize defeat from the jaws of victory, we would have had health care in place already, our economic recovery would be stronger and we wouldn't be the laughing stock of the world. What kinds of morons are running the party? Harry Reid? Nancy Pelosi? Get it to gether people. You are part of the problem as well.
Yesterday the possibility of a fair and equitable health system receded further away, as the lion of the Senate's seat was seized by an upstart ass with no concern for anyone but his nay saying party's agenda.
When my mother was so ill in her final days, she, a life long Republican warned me that what she saw transpiring in her party - the party of Lincoln and TR - was going to be a disaster for this country. How right she was!
I have a pre-existing condition and without a health care plan I can never get health insurance I can afford - and even more - I will never be covered for my condition and the insurance companies who own the Republican party will link even a cold to that condition, so I will pay three times as much as anyone else and still not have coverage.
With the asinine Republicans getting that extra seat it means that NO will be their rallying cry no matter what is requested of them. I pity the poor people of Haiti or our own military now that they can filibuster to their mean spirited hearts content. I shudder to realize that they have even a modicum of power. Wasn't 8 years of disaster enough? Obama has had multiple crises thrust upon him by the ineptitude of the Republicans and now they want a voice again. Fine let them have a voice, and let them REALLY learn how to be bi-partisan. The president has tried to get them to participate but they are like toddlers and only know "NO". And now a new infant is joining the gang.
My poor country. You had a chance - and now I see that you are going to go the way of the dodo based on these people who wear their patriotism on their sleeves, but who want to deny anyone but themselves basic human rights - not to mention civil rights.
I am not exonerating the Democrats in this either. If they had for once forgotten to seize defeat from the jaws of victory, we would have had health care in place already, our economic recovery would be stronger and we wouldn't be the laughing stock of the world. What kinds of morons are running the party? Harry Reid? Nancy Pelosi? Get it to gether people. You are part of the problem as well.
Friday, December 18, 2009
dreaming of christmas
When I was little, Christmas was a magical time. Mystery and wonderful smells and my mother, uncle and even grandmother all happy and carefree. I would wake up really early on Christmas morning - and run into my uncle's room and jump on his bed until he woke up. Years later I learned that he hadn't gone to bed until 3 am, after assembling gifts and wrapping all of them as well. But there I was at 6 am, eager and ready to start Christmas! Because the rule was you couldn't go downstairs before 8 am, he spent the next two hours keeping me entertained - and letting my mom and grandmother get some more sleep. Luckily for me, he was a clever man and began the saga of Princess Paula (how ironic that the princess and I shared a first name) that kept me mesmerized for years. She was a strong, empowered young girl, who went around rescuing princes and dragons. When last heard, she was assailing a castle to free both an entrapped prince and his good witch mother from the clutches of an evil fae. Once my installment was done (it was continued at Easter, 4th of July and several other holidays - you couldn't leave a Princess hanging for a year, after all) we would go down, have breakfast and everyone would linger over their coffee until I was fairly leaping out of my skin. Then finally we would go into the living room and there would be a panoply of gifts and stockings and joy - right there permeating that room.
Over the years of course it all changed. My grandmother, then my uncle at the too early age of 63 and finally my mother all passed on. It's been 6 years soon since my mother died. Her last Christmas was spent at the rehab assisted living center where she went after her surgery. I took her Christmas dinner and we opened presents there, but it wasn't the same. It was 3 days after her 83rd birthday and I was really hoping she would be around for a lot longer, but it wasn't to be. I am crying even as I write this. Being alone in the world isn't always easy. I suppose it would be different if I were married or involved with someone, but that isn't the case, so it is kind of daunting sometimes. I've been lucky in having my cousin Paul around, but I know he isn't going to be here forever - he has a life and ambitions that he needs to pursue.
Since that time Christmas has been a struggle. Don't get me wrong, I know it's not about presents, or trees or any of the superficial things, but it has remained difficult to recapture that joy in my heart. I do try though - because it is the time of year when whether you are religious or celebrating culturally - everyone is a bit kinder, a bit friendlier, a lot more caring. I get to see friends and relatives - and this year my best friends were here and I was able to spend some time with them for a whole weekend! And my other best friends are coming for new year's. But I still yearn to recapture that early feeling of joy and happiness that was so meaningful to me as I was growing up. I hope and pray that it will come to me again.
This year has been especially tough - economically and emotionally. We are awaiting word that projects we have worked on for years will be funded and that we will finally be paid our commissions. This would be good since the economy has virtually eliminated the need for companies to hire writers. But Christmas is coming - a week from today - and I am still waiting for the spirit to infuse me as it did so long ago. I know it will but it seems to get later and later each year.
So I am writing this long missive to share with you all and wish you a Happy and healthy Christmas. And if you don't celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza and everyother holiday I can think of. My heart goes out to all of you, who like me face the holidays without the family you loved. I wish you all warmth, anticipation, joy and above all hope. Hope is the reason for the season and love and really and truly, peace on earth and good will to all.
Over the years of course it all changed. My grandmother, then my uncle at the too early age of 63 and finally my mother all passed on. It's been 6 years soon since my mother died. Her last Christmas was spent at the rehab assisted living center where she went after her surgery. I took her Christmas dinner and we opened presents there, but it wasn't the same. It was 3 days after her 83rd birthday and I was really hoping she would be around for a lot longer, but it wasn't to be. I am crying even as I write this. Being alone in the world isn't always easy. I suppose it would be different if I were married or involved with someone, but that isn't the case, so it is kind of daunting sometimes. I've been lucky in having my cousin Paul around, but I know he isn't going to be here forever - he has a life and ambitions that he needs to pursue.
Since that time Christmas has been a struggle. Don't get me wrong, I know it's not about presents, or trees or any of the superficial things, but it has remained difficult to recapture that joy in my heart. I do try though - because it is the time of year when whether you are religious or celebrating culturally - everyone is a bit kinder, a bit friendlier, a lot more caring. I get to see friends and relatives - and this year my best friends were here and I was able to spend some time with them for a whole weekend! And my other best friends are coming for new year's. But I still yearn to recapture that early feeling of joy and happiness that was so meaningful to me as I was growing up. I hope and pray that it will come to me again.
This year has been especially tough - economically and emotionally. We are awaiting word that projects we have worked on for years will be funded and that we will finally be paid our commissions. This would be good since the economy has virtually eliminated the need for companies to hire writers. But Christmas is coming - a week from today - and I am still waiting for the spirit to infuse me as it did so long ago. I know it will but it seems to get later and later each year.
So I am writing this long missive to share with you all and wish you a Happy and healthy Christmas. And if you don't celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza and everyother holiday I can think of. My heart goes out to all of you, who like me face the holidays without the family you loved. I wish you all warmth, anticipation, joy and above all hope. Hope is the reason for the season and love and really and truly, peace on earth and good will to all.
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